Playbill.com : News

CHART TOPPERS: Top-Grossing Broadway Productions, Week of May 13-19

Judy Samelson — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:24 GMT

Here are the top-grossing Broadway productions for the week of May 13-19, 2013, as reported by The Broadway League.

VINTAGE PLAYBILL: Mame, Starring Angela Lansbury, 1966

Brynn Cox — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:30 GMT

On this date 47 years ago, Jerry Herman's Mame premiered on Broadway.

Gabriel Barre, Joe Calarco, Wendy C. Goldberg and More to Direct at the O'Neill This Summer

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:01 GMT

Gabriel Barre, Joe Calarco, Kent Thompson, Giovanna Sardelli and Wendy C. Goldberg are among the directors participating in the Eugene O'Neill Center's National Playwrights and Music Theater Conferences this summer.

PHOTO SPECIAL: Governor Ann Makes Her Way Around Broadway

Playbill Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:41 GMT

In the height of "May Madness," the staff at Playbill.com lightened the mood with our favorite Broadway governor, Ann, played by 2013 Tony Award nominee Holland Taylor. Here are shots of our "Playbill Ann" series.

Tonya Pinkins, Gideon Glick and More Will Join Natalie Joy Johnson for Her Time of the Month at Joe's Pub

Michael Gioia — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:30 GMT

Natalie Joy Johnson, who was seen on Broadway in Legally Blonde, will celebrate her Time of the Month May 27 at Joe's Pub.

PROP PLAYBILLS: Hit List and Bombshell on "Smash"

Brynn Cox — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:24 GMT

NBC's "Smash" ends its run May 26. The Playbill Vault has all the Playbill covers from the fictional productions featured throughout the series.

STAGE PORTRAIT: Dan Butler, Billy Carter, John Keating, Sean Gormley, Tessa Klein in Irish Rep's The Weir

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00 GMT

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

PHOTO CALL: The 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards � The Ceremony

Matthew Blank — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:54 GMT

Winners of the 2012-13 Outer Critics Circle Awards were announced May 13. The critically acclaimed revival of Pippin, directed by Diane Paulus, earned seven awards. The 63rd Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards ceremony was held May 23 at Sardi's.

THE SCREENING ROOM: Happy Birthday, Leslie Kritzer

Playbill Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:49 GMT

Belter Leslie Kritzer, who recently concluded an Off-Broadway musical with the Transport Group and her own solo show at Joe's Pub, celebrates her birthday May 24.

Cheyenne Jackson, Kate Walsh, Robin Weigert and More Cast in Upcoming Neil LaBute TV Drama "Full Circle"

Michael Gioia — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:03 GMT

Cheyenne Jackson, who was last seen on Broadway in The Performers, is among the performers cast in the upcoming television drama by Neil LaBute entitled "Full Circle," DIRECTV announced May 24.

Tony Administration Committee Issues "Serious Warning" to Producers of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Andrew Gans — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:38 GMT

The Tony Awards Administration Committee assembled May 23 to discuss a possible infraction in the rules governing the type of material Tony-nominated shows can distribute to Tony voters.

Robert Cuccioli Joins Planet Connections Reading of Snow Orchid

Carey Purcell — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:37 GMT

Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Spider-Man, Jekyll & Hyde) will join Matthew Dengler, Leo Ash Evens, Angelina Fiordellisi and Francisco Solorzano in a reading of Joe Pintauro’s family drama Snow Orchid.

PHOTO SPECIAL: A Farewell to "Smash" � Looking Back at Season Two

Krissie Fullerton — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:14 GMT

"Smash," the NBC musical series about the lives of modern-day Broadway babies, will end its run May 26 with a two-hour finale. We take a look back at some photo highlights from the show's second and last season.

PHOTO CALL: Tom Hanks Honored with Sardi's Caricature

Matthew Blank — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:07 GMT

Lucky Guy star Tom Hanks was honored May 23 with the unveiling of a caricature to adorn the walls of the famed eatery Sardi's.

Audra McDonald's Go Back Home Concert Broadcast on "Live from Lincoln Center" May 24

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:03 GMT

Five-time Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald's May 9 Avery Fisher Hall concert, featuring songs from her new album "Go Back Home," is broadcast on PBS stations nationwide May 24 as part of "Live from Lincoln Center."

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, May 18-24: Village Voice Shake-Ups, Murder Ballad Opens, Little Miss Sunshine Set for Second Stage

Robert Simonson — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:02 GMT

It was a fairly quiet week around Times Square, news-wise, with everyone's mind on June 9, the date two weeks from now when the Tony Awards will be handed out.

Betsy Wolfe, Allie Trimm and Lilla Crawford Will Join Oscar Nominee Diane Ladd for Readings of Home Musical

Andrew Gans — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:55 GMT

Casting is now complete for the June 27 industry readings of Scott Alan and Christy Hall's original musical Home, which will be directed by Olivier nominee Stafford Arima (Carrie, Altar Boyz, Ragtime).

PHOTO CALL: The 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards � Arrivals

Matthew Blank — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:50 GMT

Laura Benanti at 54 Below: In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention

Steven Suskin — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:42 GMT

Laura Benanti—a Tony Award winner for her appearance as the title character in the 2008 revival of Gypsy, more recently seen in In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown—starts her engagement at 54 Below with a lovely and upbeat rendition of Jerome Kern & Johnny Mercer's "I'm Old Fashioned."

Humor Abuse Replaces What the Butler Saw in Mark Taper Forum Season

Carey Purcell — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:30 GMT

The Mark Taper Forum's upcoming production of What the Butler Saw has been replaced with the traveling solo show Humor Abuse, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ari Graynor, David Alan Grier and Kristin Davis to Star in CBS Comedy "Bad Teacher"

Carey Purcell — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:10 GMT

Ari Graynor will co-star with David Alan Grier and Kristin Davis in the new comedy "Bad Teacher," according to CBSNews.com.

Reading of Kevin Ray Johnson's The Unpredictable Times Will Be Presented at Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts

Andrew Gans — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00 GMT

Kevin Ray Johnson's The Unpredictable Times will be presented June 19 at The Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts in Fairfield, IA.

Jarrod Spector, Orfeh and Patti Murin Will Sing Adele Songs at Birdland

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:53 GMT

Jarrod Spector, Orfeh, Anika Larsen and Patti Murin are among the performers who will sing the songs of Adele during the June 10 installment of The Pop Show at Birdland Jazz Club.

Emily Bergl, Matthew Saldivar and Molly Pope Will Be Part of Tales from the Jazz Age at the Caf� Carlyle

Andrew Gans — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:40 GMT

Tales from the Jazz Age: An F. Scott Fitzgerald Songbook — featuring songs referenced by F. Scott Fitzgerald in his novels and stories, and directly associated with his life — will be presented beginning June 13 at the Café Carlyle, as part of its new Second Act Late-Night Series.

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Snapshots from The Union Theatre's Sold-Out Bare

Matthew Blank — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:38 GMT

The European premiere of bare, the pop opera by Damon Intrabartolo and Jon Hartmere, plays the Union Theatre in London. Lilly-Jane Young, who stars as Ivy, shares some shots from a recent day at the intimate venue.

Jenny Bacon Will Return to Cast of Off-Broadway's My Name Is Asher Lev

Andrew Gans — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:22 GMT

Jenny Bacon, who created the role of Rivkeh in Off-Broadway's My Name Is Asher Lev, which celebrated its 200th performance at The Westside Theatre May 22, will return to that part next month.

Sarah Ruhl and Les Waters Reunite for Dear Elizabeth at Berkeley Rep Beginning May 24; Mary Beth Fisher, Tom Nelis Star

Michael Gioia — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

Sarah Ruhl and Les Waters, creators of Eurydice, Three Sisters and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), reunite for the West Coast premiere of Ruhl's Dear Elizabeth, which concludes Berkeley Repertory Theatre's 45th season. Performances begin May 24.

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream Begins North American Tour May 24

Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a new concert event written by guitarist Steven Van Zandt, with music and lyrics by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, begins a North American tour beginning May 24.

Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band Returns to 54 Below May 24; Jason Robert Brown, Nick Blaemire Among Performers

Michael Gioia — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band returns to the intimate Manhattan venue 54 Below May 24. Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, Nick Blaemire and Zak Resnick are among the evening's performers.

World Premiere of Sleepless in Seattle, With Tim Martin Gleason, Chandra Lee Schwartz, Joe West, Begins May 24

Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

Tim Martin Gleason, Chandra Lee Schwartz and Joe West star in the world-premiere production of Sleepless in Seattle — The Musical, which is presented by Pasadena Playhouse in association with David Shor Productions, beginning May 24.

DIVA TALK: Catching Up With Pippin Star, Two-Time Tony Nominee Charlotte d'Amboise

Andrew Gans — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

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

Regional Premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Road Show Opens May 24 in Houston

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

The U.S. regional premiere of the Stephen Sondheim-John Weidman musical Road Show, which traces the lives of eccentric brothers Wilson and Addison Mizner on their quest for the American dream, officially opens May 24 after previews that began May 22 at Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston, TX.

Sunday in the Park With George, Featuring Julian Ovenden and 46-Piece Orchestra, Televised May 24 in Europe

Adam Hetrick — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

The Théâtre du Châtelet's recent production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park With George, which starred Julian Ovenden and Sophie-Louise Dann, is broadcast on the European Arts channel Mezzo May 24 and 28.

PLAYBILL VAULT'S Today In Theatre History: MAY 24

David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Ernio Hernandez and Anne Bradley — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00 GMT

1925 Godfrey Tearle is Hamlet in the Fellowship Players production at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The Fellowship offers Sunday performances so these employed professionals have the chance to play Shakespeare.

PHOTO CALL: A First Look at Signature Theatre's Company, Starring Matthew Scott as Bobby

Matthew Blank — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:08 GMT

Three real-life married couples are featured in the Signature Theatre Company's production of Stephen Sondheim's Company, which began performances at the Virginia venue May 21.

Sherie Rene Scott's Solo Show, Piece of Meat, Will Return to 54 Below

Michael Gioia — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:03 GMT

Three-time Tony Award nominee Sherie Rene Scott, last seen on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, will bring her cabaret show, Piece of Meat, back to the intimate Manhattan nightspot 54 Below in June.

THE SCREENING ROOM: Douglas Carter Beane Gives Playbill.com a Shout-Out During Commencent Speech

Playbill Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:40 GMT

Tony Award-nominated Cinderella and The Nance author Douglas Carter Beane was in Philadelphia, PA, May 16 to give the 2013 commencement address at the University of the Arts.

John Cullum, Ryan Silverman, Brad Oscar and More Will Join Santino Fontana, Montego Glover, Alexandra Silber in Caramoor She Loves Me

Andrew Gans — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:20 GMT

Caramoor will kick off its 68th Summer Festival in Katonah, NY, with a semi-staged production of the classic, award-winning musical She Loves Me June 22 at 8:30 PM and June 23 at 4 PM.

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat to Welcome Duncan Sheik, Joe Iconis, Kait Kerrigan, Stew and More

Adam Hetrick — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:53 GMT

Kyle Jarrow, Duncan Sheik, Joe Iconis, Adam Gwon, Kait Kerrigan, Brian Lowdermilk, Stew and Heidi Rodewald are among the writers who will participate in the 2013 Rhinbeck Writers Retreat this summer.

PHOTO CALL: Judith Light Cuts the Ribbon at New Drama League Theatre Center

Matthew Blank — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:44 GMT

The Drama League officially dedicated its new home, The Drama League Theater Center at 32 Avenue of the Americas), a new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of TriBeCa’s arts district, with a May 23 ribbon cutting.