Playbill.com : News

THE SCREENING ROOM: Performances from "Glee" Episodes "Guilty Pleasures," "Feud," "Girls (and Boys)" and "I Do"

Playbill Staff — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

In the last four episodes of the Fox hit musical series "Glee," the students of McKinley High and NYADA covered songs from Mamma Mia!, Footloose, Company and more. Here are musical performances from the recent episodes.

THE WEEK AHEAD, April 6-12: Matilda and Macbeth Storm Broadway; Forever Dusty and The Flick End NYC Runs

Blake Ross — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Playbill.com's weekly planner reminds you that Matilda storms Broadway… there's a musical celebration for birthday boy Stephen Schwartz… Off-Broadway says "Hurray for Bollywood!"… and Alan Cumming emcees The Scottish Play. Hang out with Matilda, Macbeth and more of Broadway's leading players this WEEK AHEAD!

PLAYBILL BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Songwriter Tim Minchin on Making Matilda Sing

Adam Hetrick — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Sharp-tongued renaissance man Tim Minchin turns a page in his Broadway debut as the composer of Matilda, the hit London musical that debuts on Broadway this spring at the Shubert Theatre.

STAGE VIEWS: Broadway's Christianne Tisdale, Star of the New Web Series, "Wallflowers"

Andrew Gans — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

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 Broadway singing actress Christianne Tisdale, who can currently be seen in the new web series "Wallflowers."

Nice Fish, Tony Winner Mark Rylance's Collaboration With Louis Jenkins, Premieres at the Guthrie April 6

Adam Hetrick — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Ice fishing season is drawing to a close, but the drama is just beginning in Nice Fish, the new world-premiere project from Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor Mark Rylance and poet Louis Jenkins, which begins performances April 6 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

Paul Gordon-Jay Gruska Musical Being Earnest, Starring Tony Nominee Euan Morton, Opens at TheatreWorks April 6

Adam Hetrick — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

The TheatreWorks world-premiere production of Being Earnest, the new musical by Tony Award nominee Paul Gordon and Emmy nominee Jay Gruska based on the Oscar Wilde comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest," officially April 6 in Mountain View, CA. Tony and Olivier Award nominee Euan Morton, Hayden Tee and Maureen McVerry star.

Finks, Based on Lives of Jack Gilford and Madeline Lee Gilford, Opens April 6 in NY

Michael Gioia — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

The New York premiere of Finks, based on the true experiences of Jack Gilford and Madeline Lee Gilford and the Blacklist of the 1950s, officially opens April 6, following previews that began March 28, at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.

West Coast Broadway, My Way Benefit, With Tyne Daly, Andrew Rannells, Bruce Vilanch, Lillias White, Held April 6

Michael Gioia — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Tony Award winner Tyne Daly (Gypsy) and The Book of Mormon Tony nominee Andrew Rannells are among the lineup of performers taking part in the 29th annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.), Broadway, My Way, April 6 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.

Silence! The Musical Welcomes Cry-Baby's Laura Jordan April 6

Andrew Gans — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Silence! The Musical, which recently resumed performances Off-Broadway at the Elektra Theatre, welcomes Laura Jordan to the role of Clarice Starling beginning April 6.

Erin Mackey, Heidi Blickenstaff, Rebecca Luker, James Clow, Matthew Scott Sing The Music of Vernon Duke April 6-8

Michael Gioia — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke, featuring the work of Broadway composer Vernon Duke, is offered April 6-8 as part of 92nd Street Y's Lyrics & Lyricists series.

PLAYBILL VAULT'S Today In Theatre History: APRIL 6

David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas and Ernio Hernandez — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

1947 The first Tony Awards ceremony is held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Thirteen awards are presented to the likes of Helen Hayes, Ingrid Bergman, Fredric March, Jose Ferrer, Agnes de Mille, Kurt Weill and Elia Kazan. No Best Play or Best Musical category yet exists, but the Best Author award goes to a young Arthur Miller for All My Sons. No medallions yet either; men get engraved cigarette lighters, women get compacts.

PHOTO CALL: A First Look at Matilda The Musical on Broadway

Matthew Blank — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:16 GMT

Matilda The Musical, the Olivier Award-winning production based on the beloved Roald Dahl children's book, debuted on Broadway March 4 at the Shubert Theatre. Olivier-winning West End star Bertie Carvel repeats his performance as the malicious, pigtail-hating Miss Trunchbull.

"Glee" Star Darren Criss Will Go A Cappella With Yale Whiffenpoofs in Santa Monica

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:46 GMT

"Glee" actor Darren Criss, who made his Broadway debut last season in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, will join the Yale Whiffenpoofs for a special April 14 concert in Santa Monica, CA.

Documentary About Lucky Guy Playwright Nora Ephron Coming to HBO

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:27 GMT

Jacob Bernstein, the son of late Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Nora Ephron, will direct and co-produce an HBO documentary about his mother, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: Kinky Boots; Some Girls Just Wanna Give Fun

Harry Haun — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:24 GMT

Meet the first-nighters at the Broadway opening of the new Cyndi Lauper-Harvey Fierstein musical Kinky Boots.

CHART TOPPERS: Top-Grossing Broadway Productions, Week of March 25-31

Judy Samelson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:00 GMT

Here are the top-grossing Broadway productions for the week of March 25-31, 2013, as reported by The Broadway League.

Kinky Boots, Bette Midler, Alan Cumming, Deborah Cox and More Added to Playbill Vault, Week Ending April 6

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:20 GMT

When the Playbill Vault launched in December 2011, it included information on over 10,000 shows and 120,000 actors, creative teams and crew members who have worked or are currently working on Broadway. And, new content is added daily.

PHOTO CALL: New Production Shots from London's Book of Mormon, Starring Gavin Creel, Jared Gartner and Alexia Khadime

Matthew Blank — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:29 GMT

The nine-time Tony-winning hit The Book of Mormon opened officially March 21 at London's Prince of Wales Theatre, following previews that began Feb. 25. We offer a full set of production photos

PHOTO CALL: A First Look at Alec Baldwin, Ben Foster and Tom Sturridge in Broadway's Orphans

Matthew Blank — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:08 GMT

Following a much-in-the-news rehearsal period, Lyle Kessler's Orphans began previews on Broadway March 26 prior to an official opening April 18 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

Jimmy Ray Bennett, Stephen Guarino, Leo Ash Evens, Emily McNamara Will Join Bryce Ryness in Off-Broadway's Around the World

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:06 GMT

Around the World in 80 Days, a comedic play by Mark Brown based on the Jules Verne novel, will begin previews at The New Theater at 45th Street May 9.

Track Listing Announced for Drew Gasparini's "I Could Use a Drink," With Jeremy Jordan, Lindsay Mendez and More

Michael Gioia — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:45 GMT

Broadway Records will digitally release songwriter Drew Gasparini's music theatre album "I Could Use a Drink" April 19. The album, featuring performances from Jeremy Jordan, Lindsay Mendez and more, will hit shelves April 23.

PLAYBILL THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, March 30-April 5: The Critics Respond to Lucky Guy, Kinky Boots; Stritch's Last Stand

Robert Simonson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:52 GMT

Tom Hanks and Cyndi Lauper had their Broadway debuts this week — working in very different capacities, of course — and faced sentencing by the local judiciary, i.e., the critics.

PHOTO CALL: Kinky Boots, Starring Billy Porter and Stark Sands, Opens on Broadway; Red Carpet Arrivals, Curtain Call and Cast Party

Matthew Blank and Joseph Marzullo — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:36 GMT

Billy Porter stars as an indefatigable drag performer whose broken heel helps mend a broken wing for a foundering shoe-maker, played by Stark Sands, in the new Cyndi Lauper-scored Broadway musical Kinky Boots, which officially opened on Broadway April 4 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

An Evening with Pacino to Be Presented in U.K. for First Time at London Palladium

Mark Shenton — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:30 GMT

Al Pacino will bring An Evening with Pacino to the West End's London Palladium for one night only on June 2.

STAGE PORTRAIT: Billy Porter, Stark Sands, Annaleigh Ashford and Daniel Sherman in Kinky Boots

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:24 GMT

Acclaimed illustrator Ken Fallin's drawings of the greatest stars and scenes of the theatrical world are a recurring part of Playbill.com.

THE SCREENING ROOM: Celebrating I'll Eat You Last Star Bette Midler (Video)

Playbill Staff — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:48 GMT

I'll Eat You Last, starring Tony Award recipient Bette Midler as female superagent Sue Mengers, begins Broadway previews April 5. In celebration of the production, Playbill.com looks back at performances from the show's award-winning star, Midler.

Reading of Liliom Will Feature Erin Davie, Nili Bassman, Marc Vietor, Merwin Goldsmith; Andrea Marcovicci and Steve Ross to Sing

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:25 GMT

Noël & Company will present a staged reading of Ferenc Molnár's Liliom April 23 at 7 PM at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South).

Rent Star Adam Pascal Will Join Cast of Broadway's Chicago

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:15 GMT

The long-running, Tony Award-winning revival of Chicago will welcome Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal to the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn beginning April 8.

"Katie" Will Welcome Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Betty White and Georgia Engel

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:50 GMT

The April 8 broadcast of Katie Couric's new talk show "Katie" will feature a reunion of the female cast members of the award-winning situation comedy "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Fourth Finalist Eliminated from "American Idol" Competition; Kelly Clarkson and Scotty McCreery to Perform Next Week

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:45 GMT

On the April 4 broadcast of Fox's "American Idol," the fourth of the season's 10 finalists was eliminated from the singing competition.

Full Casting Announced for Lucy Kirkwood's Chimera at London's Almeida Theatre

Mark Shenton — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:30 GMT

Full casting has been announced for the world premiere of Lucy Kirkwood's Chimera, which will begin performances May 20, prior to an official opening May 28, for a run through July 6, in a production co-produced by Headlong and the Almeida.

Chaplin Star Rob McClure Will Join Tony Danza in Paper Mill's Broadway-Bound Musical Honeymoon in Vegas

Andrew Gans and Adam Hetrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:28 GMT

Rob McClure, who was critically acclaimed for his performance in the title role of the recent Broadway musical Chaplin, has joined the cast of Paper Mill Playhouse's Broadway-bound production of the new Jason Robert Brown musical Honeymoon in Vegas.

Matthew Morrison, Idina Menzel, Petula Clark, Heather Headley, Will Young and More to Perform at This Year's Olivier Awards

Mark Shenton — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:16 GMT

The line-up for this year's Olivier Awards, being held April 28 at London's Royal Opera House and being broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 and in an edited highlights package on ITV1, will include guest solo performances by Matthew Morrison (marking the first time he has ever performed at a major event in the U.K.), Idina Menzel and Petula Clark.

Brett Ryback and Ben D. Goldberg Will Be Rodgers and Hart in World Premiere of Falling For Make Believe

Michael Gioia — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:03 GMT

The Colony Theatre will present the world premiere of Falling For Make Believe, about the lives of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and featuring music by the songwriting duo, beginning April 24, prior to an official opening April 27, in Burbank.

Broadway Revival of Betrayal, With Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Rafe Spall, Sets Fall Broadway Dates at Barrymore

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00 GMT

The Broadway revival of Harold Pinter's time-bending, three-person drama Betrayal, starring Daniel Craig, Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz and Olivier nominee Rafe Spall, will begin performances Oct. 1 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Robert Brustein's Shakespeare Drama The Last Will, Starring Austin Pendleton as the Bard, Begins Off-Broadway April 5

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:00 GMT

Tony Award nominee Austin Pendleton stars as Elizabethan playwright William Shakespeare in the Off-Broadway premiere of Robert Brustein's The Last Will, which begins previews April 5 at the Abingdon Theatre Company.

Sense & Sensibility Musical, Starring Robert Petkoff, Nick Verina, Ed Dixon, Stephanie Rothenberg, Begins April 5 in Denver

Kenneth Jones — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:01 GMT

Nick Verina, Jeremiah James, Ruth Gottschall, Stephanie Rothenberg, Mary Michael Patterson, Robert Petkoff and Ed Dixon are among the players in the Denver world premiere of Sense & Sensibility The Musical, directed by Tony Award nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Previews begin April 5 prior to an opening night of April 11.

"Bring On The Men": Jekyll & Hyde, Starring Constantine Maroulis in Title Roles, Arrives on Broadway April 5

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:01 GMT

Following a national tour, the 13-week limited Broadway engagement of Jekyll & Hyde begins previews at Broadway's Marquis Theatre April 5 prior to an official opening April 18.

DIVA TALK: A Chat With Phantom of the Opera and International Concert Star Sarah Brightman

Andrew Gans — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:01 GMT

News, views and reviews about the women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

"Michael Feinstein's American Songbook" Returns to PBS With Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Christine Ebersole, Liza Minnelli

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:00 GMT

Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Christine Ebersole and Liza Minnelli join Michael Feinstein for the third season of "Michael Feinstein's American Songbook," which debuts April 5 on PBS stations nationwide.