Playbill.com : Features Copyright (c) %2013 Playbill.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.playbill.com/ Playbill.com : Features en-us 05/23/2013 09:45:09 PM 60 PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With West End Singin' in the Rain Star Louise Bowden Thu, 23 May 2013 18:17 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178322-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-A-Two-Show-Day-With-West-End-Singin-in-the-Rain-Star-Louise-Bowden Spend a day with West End star Louise Bowden, currently appearing as Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain, based on the classic film of the same name. She documents her pre-show and in-theatre rituals, introduces the cast and crew and shares some tricks of the trade.

]]> Matthew Blank PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With Women of Will Star Nigel Gore Wed, 22 May 2013 19:27 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178274-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-A-Two-Show-Day-With-Women-of-Will-Star-Nigel-Gore Women of Will. In this groundbreaking exploration of Shakespeare’s canon through the eyes of his female characters, both actors play 36 characters in 55 scenes over the course of 5 plays.]]> Matthew Blank PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Jason Robert Brown, Nick Blaemire and Charlie Rosen's Big Band Pick Favorite Show Tune Classics Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178268-PLAYBILL-PLAYLIST-Jason-Robert-Brown-Nick-Blaemire-and-Charlie-Rosens-Big-Band-Pick-Favorite-Show-Tune-Classics Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, Nick Blaemire and Zak Resnick are among the performers who are set for the 54 Below return of Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band. In anticipation of the May 24 concert, Brown, Blaemire, Resnick and Rosen pick their favorite classic show tunes as part of Playbill.com's Playbill Playlist series.

]]> Michael Gioia THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: The Nance Star Andrea Burns Shares Her Theatregoing Experiences Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178269-THEIR-FAVORITE-THINGS-The-Nance-Star-Andrea-Burns-Shares-Her-Theatregoing-Experiences Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.

This week we spotlight the choices of original In the Heights star Andrea Burns, who is currently playing Carmen in the new Douglas Carter Beane dark comedy The Nance at the Lyceum Theatre.

]]> Andrew Gans Tony Nominee Amanda Green Brings Together Hardbody and Bring It On, as High Fidelity Sings at 54 Below Mon, 20 May 2013 20:30 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178190-Tony-Nominee-Amanda-Green-Brings-Together-Hardbody-and-Bring-It-On-as-High-Fidelity-Sings-at-54-Below Amanda Green, who received her first Tony Award nomination this season for the Best Original Score of Hands on a Hardbody, fused the worlds of Hardbody and her Tony-nominated Best Musical Bring It On: The Musical with a concert version of her first Broadway outing, the short-lived rock show High Fidelity.

]]> Michael Gioia Broadway Grosses: May 13-19 Mon, 20 May 2013 19:24 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178173-Broadway-Grosses-May-13-19 Andrew Ku PHOTO ARCHIVE: Celebrating Sierra Boggess Mon, 20 May 2013 18:33 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178168-PHOTO-ARCHIVE-Celebrating-Sierra-Boggess Musical theatre favorite Sierra Boggess celebrates her birthday May 20. Playbill.com takes a look at a few of her greatest stage roles so far. Happy birthday, Sierra!

]]> Matthew Blank See Jane's Run: "Glee" Star Jane Lynch Turns Fantasy Into Reality With Annie Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178169-See-Janes-Run-Glee-Star-Jane-Lynch-Turns-Fantasy-Into-Reality-With-Annie Making her Broadway debut in Annie as every kid's nightmare, "Glee" star Jane Lynch trades one singing tyrant for another.

]]> Brandon Voss STAGE VIEWS: Tony Award Winner BD Wong Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178125-STAGE-VIEWS-Tony-Award-Winner-BD-Wong Playbill.com's series features actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they're looking forward to and more. Here, via email, we hear from Tony-winning stage and screen star BD Wong, who will be seen in the starry 20th anniversary production of David Drake's The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me May 20 at 8 PM at the Gerard W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Read more about the evening here.

]]> Andrew Gans THE DVD SHELF: Chaplin's "Monsieur Verdoux," Olivier's "Richard III" and Douglas Fairbanks as "The Thief of Bagdad" Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178136-THE-DVD-SHELF-Chaplins-Monsieur-Verdoux-Oliviers-Richard-III-and-Douglas-Fairbanks-as-The-Thief-of-Bagdad This month's column looks at Blu-ray releases of the Chaplin classic, "Monsieur Verdoux"; Laurence Olivier's stunning "Richard III"; and the Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler, "The Thief of Bagdad."

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]]> Steven Suskin A Person Could Develop a Cold: Readers Cast Role of Adelaide in Film Adaptation of Guys and Dolls Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178170-A-Person-Could-Develop-a-Cold-Readers-Cast-Role-of-Adelaide-in-Film-Adaptation-of-Guys-and-Dolls- Musical theatre fans began rejoicing when Deadline.com recently reported that 20th Century Fox had acquired the rights to a film remake of the musical Guys and Dolls.

]]> Carey Purcell Shedding the Trench Coat and Going Beneath the Dress, Frances Ruffelle Debuts at 54 Below Fri, 17 May 2013 16:32 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178112-Shedding-the-Trench-Coat-and-Going-Beneath-the-Dress-Frances-Ruffelle-Debuts-at-54-Below Frances Ruffelle rose—or, rather, skyrocketed—to fame at 19 when she was cast as Eponine, the spunky street urchin in the musical Les Misérables by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil.

]]> Carey Purcell STAGE PORTRAIT: Vanya and Sonia's Kristine Nielsen, David Hyde Pierce, Sigourney Weaver and Billy Magnussen Fri, 17 May 2013 15:30 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178111-STAGE-PORTRAIT-Vanya-and-Sonias-Kristine-Nielsen-David-Hyde-Pierce-Sigourney-Weaver-and-Billy-Magnussen Acclaimed illustrator Ken Fallin's drawings of the greatest stars and scenes of the theatrical world are a recurring part of Playbill.com.

]]> PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at the West End's War Horse With "Team Topthorn" Thu, 16 May 2013 19:10 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178052-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-A-Two-Show-Day-at-the-West-Ends-War-Horse-With-Team-Topthorn The West End production of War Horse continues to wow audiences and is currently booking through Feb. 15, 2014. Antony Antunes, Richard Booth and Sergio Priftis — the trio of puppeteers who bring rival horse Topthorn to life — share a recent two-show day.

]]> Matthew Blank PHOTO SPECIAL: Sexy Shirtless Men Heat Up Recent Broadway Seasons Thu, 16 May 2013 17:05 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178083-PHOTO-SPECIAL-Sexy-Shirtless-Men-Heat-Up-Recent-Broadway-Seasons As the 2013 Tony Awards quickly approach, the heat is on, especially in a season that included a series of shirtless men gracing the Broadway stage. In celebration of a few sexy seasons, Playbill.com takes a look back at the hunks of 2011-2012 and 2012-13.

]]> Playbill Staff Some Kinda Time! Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Revisit Dogfight and A Christmas Story at Joe's Pub Thu, 16 May 2013 16:50 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178114-Some-Kinda-Time-Benj-Pasek-and-Justin-Paul-Revisit-Dogfight-and-A-Christmas-Story-at-Joes-Pub The score of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's Lucille Lortel Award-winning musical Dogfight hit the Internet April 30; that same day the duo was nominated for a Tony Award for the Best Original Score of Broadway's A Christmas Story, the Musical. They celebrated May 15 at Joe's Pub.

]]> Michael Gioia Tony Nominee Rob McClure Returned to His High School Roots Following Chaplin's Final Bow Wed, 15 May 2013 18:33 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178050-Tony-Nominee-Rob-McClure-Returned-to-His-High-School-Roots-Following-Chaplins-Final-Bow When the lights came down at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre, Rob McClure — a 2013 Tony Award nominee for originating the role of silent-film legend Charlie Chaplin in the new Broadway musical #Chaplin — returned to his New Jersey high school to put the lights up for New Milford High's production of Spelling Bee.

]]> Michael Gioia PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Beyond the Barricade at Salt Lake City's Les Misérables With Josh "Javert" Davis Wed, 15 May 2013 14:38 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177990-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-Beyond-the-Barricade-at-Salt-Lake-Citys-Les-Miseacuterables-With-Josh-Javert-Davis New York based actor Josh Davis is in Salt Lake City this month bringing law and order to Pioneer Theatre's new production of Les Misérables. He shares these photos from backstage and the rehearsal process.

]]> Matthew Blank PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Kate Rockwell and Rock of Ages Stars Pick Favorite Songs From the ROA "Cutting Room Floor" Wed, 15 May 2013 04:02 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178012-PLAYBILL-PLAYLIST-Kate-Rockwell-and-Rock-of-Ages-Stars-Pick-Favorite-Songs-From-the-ROA-Cutting-Room-Floor Kate Rockwell, who stars as Sherrie in Broadway's jukebox rock musical Rock of Ages, and members from the current cast of that Tony Award-nominated Best Musical pick their favorite songs that landed on the ROA "Cutting Room Floor" as part of Playbill.com's Playbill Playlist series.

]]> Michael Gioia THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: The Big Knife Star Chip Zien Shares His Theatregoing Experiences Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/178011-THEIR-FAVORITE-THINGS-The-Big-Knife-Star-Chip-Zien-Shares-His-Theatregoing-Experiences Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.

This week we spotlight the choices of original Into the Woods star Chip Zien, who can currently be seen in the Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of Clifford Odets' drama of Hollywood secrets, The Big Knife.

]]> Andrew Gans Leslie Kritzer's Beautiful Disaster Hits Joe's Pub Tue, 14 May 2013 16:30 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177964-Leslie-Kritzers-Beautiful-Disaster-Hits-Joes-Pub- A blast from the past, dressed in flannel and Doc Martens, blew into Joe's Pub, where Leslie Kritzer performed her one-woman show Beautiful Disaster. Playbill.com attended the May 13 performance and chatted with Kritzer afterwards.

]]> Carey Purcell PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage Glances With A Family for All Occasions and "Hung" Star Charlie Saxton Tue, 14 May 2013 15:07 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177963-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-Backstage-Glances-With-A-Family-for-All-Occasions-and-Hung-Star-Charlie-Saxton Charlie Saxton, known to TV audiences as son Damon on the HBO series "Hung," is currently appearing in Labyrinth Theater Company's Off-Broadway staging of A Family for All Occasions. He shares a recent day in rehearsal with Playbill.com.

]]> Matthew Blank And the Winner Isn't: Famous Tony Award Snubs Through the Years Tue, 14 May 2013 04:01 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177962-And-the-Winner-Isnt-Famous-Tony-Award-Snubs-Through-the-Years The 2012-13 Tony Award nominations were announced April 30, and discussions about those recognized and those snubbed began immediately. With ongoing discussions about who made the list and who didn't, we compiled our own list of some of the most notorious oversights in Tony history.

]]> Carey Purcell Broadway Grosses: May 6-12 Mon, 13 May 2013 19:17 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177891-Broadway-Grosses-May-6-12 Andrew Ku THE "SMASH" REPORT: Season Two, Episode Episode 15 or Grin and Bare It Mon, 13 May 2013 13:42 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177883-THE-SMASH-REPORT-Season-Two-Episode-Episode-15-or-Grin-and-Bare-It Playbill's weekly recap, with notes and comment, of the latest episode of the NBC musical drama series "Smash," about the dreamers behind Broadway musicals. Here's a look at the May 12 episode, "The Transfer."

]]> Ben Rimalower "What Unbearable Bliss!": Readers Pick Princes for "Into the Woods" Film Sun, 12 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177868-What-Unbearable-Bliss-Readers-Pick-Princes-for-Into-the-Woods-Film "I wish..." are the words of every theatre fan when considering dream casting for the upcoming film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical Into the Woods.

]]> Playbill Staff STAGE VIEWS: Two-Time Tony Nominee Robin De Jesús Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177866-STAGE-VIEWS-Two-Time-Tony-Nominee-Robin-De-Jess Playbill.com's series features actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they're looking forward to and more. Here, via email, we hear from singing actor Robin De Jesús, the two-time Tony nominee (In the Heights, La Cage aux Folles) who will be seen in the starry 20th anniversary production of David Drake's The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me May 20 at 8 PM at the Gerard W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Read more about the evening here.

]]> Andrew Gans Eat, Prey, Love: Bette Midler Returns to Broadway in I'll Eat You Last Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177867-Eat-Prey-Love-Bette-Midler-Returns-to-Broadway-in-Ill-Eat-You-Last The Divine Miss M is presently holding court through June 30 at the Booth Theatre, but in this case that "M" refers to two divas, Bette Midler and Sue Mengers.

]]> Brandon Voss Live in Living Color: Stage and Screen Star Aaron Tveit is "Alive" in NYC Cabaret Debut Fri, 10 May 2013 19:39 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177851-Live-in-Living-Color-Stage-and-Screen-Star-Aaron-Tveit-is-Alive-in-NYC-Cabaret-Debut Stage and screen star Aaron Tveit makes his New York City cabaret debut in a sold-out — and very buzzed-about — engagement at the swank Manhattan nightspot 54 Below. Playbill.com was there.

]]> Michael Gioia Audra McDonald, One Night Only, at Avery Fisher Hall Fri, 10 May 2013 16:58 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177846-Audra-McDonald-One-Night-Only-at-Avery-Fisher-Hall Audra McDonald stepped onto the stage at Avery Fisher Hall in a flowing teal-colored gown last night and once again demonstrated how reliably superb she is on the concert stage. The event, entitled Go Back Home after the Kander & Ebb song of the same name, was a one-night appearance as part of Lincoln Center's annual Spring Gala.

]]> Steven Suskin STAGE PORTRAIT: Cicely Tyson and Condola Rashad in The Trip to Bountiful Fri, 10 May 2013 16:31 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177844-STAGE-PORTRAIT-Cicely-Tyson-and-Condola-Rashad-in-The-Trip-to-Bountiful Acclaimed illustrator Ken Fallin's drawings of the greatest stars and scenes of the theatrical world are a recurring part of Playbill.com.

]]> PLAYBILL PICKS: The Five Greatest Plays About Hollywood Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177845-PLAYBILL-PICKS-The-Five-Greatest-Plays-About-Hollywood- It's a tale nearly as old as Broadway and Hollywood. The successful playwright is lured to California with promises of riches and sunshine, hates the experience, then returns to New York to write an eviscerating portrait of the movie business.

]]> Robert Simonson PHOTO ARCHIVE: Tony Nominee Laura Osnes on the Musical Stage Thu, 09 May 2013 19:38 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177798-PHOTO-ARCHIVE-Tony-Nominee-Laura-Osnes-on-the-Musical-Stage Laura Osnes, currently Tony-nominated for her performance in Cinderella, will release her new CD of Maury Yeston music June 4. In anticipation of the album, Playbill.com traces her path as she went from reality TV contestant to one of Broadway's favorite leading ladies in just 5 short years.

]]> Matthew Blank Encores! Celebrates Twenty Years With On Your Toes Thu, 09 May 2013 17:50 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177792-Encores-Celebrates-Twenty-Years-With-On-Your-Toes City Center Encores! ends its 20th season with a bright and flavorful production of Rodgers and Hart's 1936 musical, On Your Toes. Guest conductor Rob Fisher—the organization's music director for its first twelve years—has returned for the occasion, and it is Rodgers' music and Hans Spialek's orchestration that buoy the evening.

]]> Steven Suskin "The Most Beautiful Thing": Tony Award Winner Gregg Barnes Designs Kinky Boots' Signature Looks Thu, 09 May 2013 17:01 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177791-The-Most-Beautiful-Thing-Tony-Award-Winner-Gregg-Barnes-Designs-Kinky-Boots-Signature-Looks When the costumes are referenced in the title of your multi-million dollar Broadway musical, you better hire the best to design them. Such was the case with Kinky Boots, the new high-spirited musical by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, which opened to acclaim on Broadway earlier this spring.

]]> Adam Hetrick THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: Actor-Writer-Director David Drake Shares His Theatregoing Experiences Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177747-THEIR-FAVORITE-THINGS-Actor-Writer-Director-David-Drake-Shares-His-Theatregoing-Experiences Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.

This week we spotlight the choices of actor-writer-director David Drake, whose solo show, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, will be seen in a starry 20th anniversary production May 20 at 8 PM at the Gerard W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Read more about the evening here.

]]> Andrew Gans PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: The Pop Show's Tonya Pinkins, Kyle Dean Massey and Jarrod Spector Pick Their Favorite Elton John Tunes Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177748-PLAYBILL-PLAYLIST-The-Pop-Shows-Tonya-Pinkins-Kyle-Dean-Massey-and-Jarrod-Spector-Pick-Their-Favorite-Elton-John-Tunes Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, Kyle Dean Massey and Jarrod Spector are among the performers set for The Pop Show, which will launch with a tribute to Elton John, at Birdland. In anticipation of the May 27 cabaret, the trio pick their favorite Elton John tunes as part of Playbill.com's Playbill Playlist series.

]]> Michael Gioia PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Denver's World Premiere Sense & Sensibility Musical With Robert Petkoff Tue, 07 May 2013 19:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177704-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-Behind-the-Scenes-at-Denvers-World-Premiere-Sense-Sensibility-Musical-With-Robert-Petkoff Robert Petkoff, most recently seen on Broadway as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, is in Denver originating the role of Colonel Brandon in the world premiere of Sense & Sensibility The Musical. An avid photographer, Petkoff takes readers behind the scenes and shares some intimate backstage moments with the cast and crew.

]]> Matthew Blank Joy of the Lord! Tony Nominee Keala Settle Conquered Her Fears in Hands on a Hardbody Tue, 07 May 2013 16:00 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177700-Joy-of-the-Lord-Tony-Nominee-Keala-Settle-Conquered-Her-Fears-in-Hands-on-a-Hardbody Keala Settle, a 2013 Tony Award nominee for her performance as big-hearted and big-voiced Texan Norma Valverde, confessed that bringing down the house at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre this season — with her show-stopping ballad "Joy of the Lord" — went far beyond an uncontrolled fit of laughter.

]]> Michael Gioia Broadway Grosses: April 29 - May 5 Mon, 06 May 2013 19:39 GMT http://www.playbill.com/features/article/177663-Broadway-Grosses-April-29---May-5 Andrew Ku