Chat w/ Clinton Greenspan, the Title Star of Broadway’s Aladdin

Get Tickets to ALADDIN: https://www.broadway.com/shows/aladdin-broadway/ Go beyond the palace walls as as Clinton Greenspan turns into the title star of Disney's ALADDIN before a show.

The Broadway company of the Disney musical Aladdin welcomed Clinton Greenspan, who starred in the North American tour of Aladdin, in making his Broadway debut. He succeeded Jacob Dickey. Major Attaway has returned to the role of the Genie on Broadway which began on September 23. Attaway previously played the Genie on Broadway from February 2016 through February 2019.

Based on the Oscar-winning animated film—which was recently adapted into a live-action feature—Aladdin is now in its sixth year on Broadway.

Art Shrian had a wonderful chat with Clinton Greenspan about his role as Aladdin, his experience at Broadway performing our much-loved disney character and a lot more! Listen to the whole interview below:

About Clinton Greenspan:

Clinton Greenspan (Aladdin) is making his Broadway debut in Aladdin! National Tour: Aladdin. Other credits include Romeo & Juliet; Dreamgirls (Dallas Theater Center) and Fiddler on the Roof (Casa Manana). NYMF (2014). Studied at KD Conservatory. Insta: @clinton_patrick

Aladdin cast:

The cast currently features Arielle Jacobs as Jasmine, Tony nominee Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Brian Gonzales, Mike Longo, and Brad Weinstock as Aladdin’s sidekicks Babkak, Kassim, and Omar, respectively, JC Montgomery as Sultan, and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.

The Disney Theatrical Productions:

The Disney Theatrical Productions title features music by Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken, lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman, Tony and Oscar winner Tim Rice, and Tony nominee Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin. The production is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw.

A Glimpse of "Broadway Back to School Gala" Event

The Broadway stars and student Thespians shared the stage at Edison Ballroom for the 5th Broadway Back to School Gala supporting the Educational Theatre Foundation. The event honoring Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s dedication to educational theatre featured some of the biggest names in Broadway, including legends Chita Rivera and Patti LuPone, host Laura Benanti, John Cariani, Gavin Creel, Evan Ruggiero, Carla Stickler, Alex Stone, and J. Harrison Ghee who appeared as Crystal Demure.

Also Read: http://www.mynewyorkeye.com/theater-news/fifth-annual-broadway-back-to-school-gala

Full Casting Announced as Rehearsals Begin for The Frozen North American Tour

The Frozen North American tour will launch in Schenectady, NY prior to an official opening at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

As previously announced, the Frozen North American tour will star Caroline Bowman as Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler as Anna, the sisters at the heart of the joy-filled musical. Joining them are principal cast members Austin Colby (Bowman’s husband) as Hans, F. Michael Haynie as Olaf, Mason Reeves as Kristoff, Jeremy Morse as Weselton, and Collin Baja and Evan Strand alternating as Sven.

Rounding out the principal cast are newly announced company members Stella Cobb (Young Anna), Alyssa Kim (Young Elsa), Jaiden Klein (Young Elsa), and Arwen Monzon-Sanders (Young Anna).

Frozen will also feature Caelan Creaser, C.K. Edwards, Michael Everett, Berklea Going, Michael Allan Haggerty, Tyler Jimenez, Hannah Jewel Kohn, Marina Kondo, Dustin Layton, Nika Lindsay, Tatyana Lubov, Adrianna Rose Lyons, Ralph Meitzler, Kelly Methven, Michael Milkanin, Kyle Lamar Mitchell, Jessie Peltier, Naomi Rodgers, Daniel Switzer, Zach Trimmer, Brit West, and Natalie Wisdom.

From the producers of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, will launch a North American tour this fall, commencing in Schenectady, NY prior to an official opening at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen has emerged as the biggest hit musical of the last two Broadway seasons, breaking four house records at its New York home, the legendary St. James Theatre.

For more information, including a list of currently announced cities, visit FrozenTheMusical.com/Tour.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes, and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. “With the magic, the dancing, and all those iconic tunes, Frozen was born to be a stage musical!” exclaims the Evening Standard, and The Telegraph declares, “Frozen will burn up Broadway for years to come!”

In addition to the Broadway company and the North American tour launching this fall, Frozen’s global footprint will soon expand to include London, Australia, Japan, and Hamburg.

A mysterious secret. A family torn apart. As one sister struggles with being an outsider and harnessing her powers within, the other sets out on a thrilling adventure to bring her family together once again. Both are searching for love, but they’ll learn that to find it they’ll have to look inside themselves first.

Frozen is melting hearts on Broadway in an all-new production created for the stage by an award-winning team. It features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Joining them on a creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards are Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer).

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram, lighting design by six-time Tony winner Natasha Katz, sound design by seven-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski, video design by Tony winner Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, hair design by David Brian Brown, makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates, and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick.

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined on the music team by Tony nominee Dave Metzger (orchestrations), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements), and Faith Seetoo (music director).

An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.

Frozen is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

Frozen North American Tour Company Bios

CAROLINE BOWMAN (Elsa). Broadway credits include Elphaba in Wicked and Nicola in Kinky Boots (opening and closing casts). She has been seen on tour around the world in Evita (Eva Perón, Helen Hayes Award nominee), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Grease (Rizzo), and Fame (Carmen). Favorite regional credits include Louise in Gypsy (Cape Playhouse), Eva Perón in Evita (Vancouver Opera), Natalie/Ed in All Shook Up (Muny) and Narrator in Joseph... (Toby’s, HH nom). Endless gratitude to Soffer/Namoff, Innovative Artists, Rachel Hoffman, and Telsey and Co.! Love always to Mom, Dad, Bobby and her handsome husband Austin Colby. BFA Penn State University. God is good. Instagram: @carolinebowman5.

CAROLINE INNERBICHLER (Anna) is excited to share this beautiful story with you! Credits include: Little House on the Prairie (national tour); Guys and Dolls, Little House on the Prairie (Guthrie Theater); Mamma Mia!, White Christmas, The Sound of Music, The Pirates of Penzance (Ordway Center); Grease, The Little Mermaid, Fiddler on the Roof, Bye Bye Birdie (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres); Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Ensemble Theatre Company); Hair (7th House Theater); Ragtime (Park Square Theatre). Heartfelt gratitude goes to Rachel, Tim, and Liz. Love to her family, her tribe, and her beloved Nathan. Dedicated to Basil and Cecily. @carolineinnerb

AUSTIN COLBY (Hans). Proud husband to Elsa, Caroline Bowman. On this adventure together with our 80+ pound German shepherd, Kodak. Most recently seen Off-Broadway in Jersey Boys. Other credits include The Sound of Music (national tour), West Side Story (Signature Theatre), Smokey Joe’s Café (Arena Stage), South Pacific (Drury Lane). Many thanks to Rachel, Telsey + Co, and the entire Disney team for this opportunity. Love to my family, friends, and KMR for their endless support. @austinvcolby

F. MICHAEL HAYNIE (Olaf). Broadway: Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Holler If Ya Hear Me. Off-Broadway: Carrie (MCC), Dogfight (Second Stage) and others. Regional: Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ogunquit), Found (PTC), and others. TV/film: “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” (NBC); “Peter Pan Live!” (NBC); Not Fade Away (Paramount). Thanks to my moms, dad, JP, FF&FA, the (M)orons, and Nicolosi & Co. @fmichaelhaynie

MASON REEVES (Kristoff) is absolutely thrilled to be making his Disney debut! Regional: Footloose (Ren, MUNY); Mamma Mia! (Sky, Connecticut Repertory Theatre); Guys and Dolls (Bucks County Playhouse). University: We Are Proud to Present… (Actor 2), Passing Strange (Terry), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Jesus of Nazareth). Film: Inhuman (Elliot).  Mason is from Cave Creek, Arizona and studied Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. So much love to friends and family for their support! Masondreeves.com. Instagram: @rasonmeeves. 

JEREMY MORSE (Weselton). Broadway OBC/1st national/ART: Waitress (Ogie). Off-Broadway: Bloodsong of Love by Joe Iconis (Drama Desk nom - Lo Cocodrillo) at Ars Nova. Select regional: Walnut Street: How To Succeed… (Finch); Paper Mill: Oliver! (Noah Claypole); Goodspeed: Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby). Special thanks to his parents, HH, RH, Telsey. Love to his buon little wife, Alex. NYU Steinhardt. jeremymorse.net, @jeremycmorse.

COLLIN BAJA (Sven at certain performances). Broadway: Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus; Hello, Dolly!; Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; Equus. Film: The Producers, Across the Universe. Television: “Tales of the City,” “Political Animals,” “Divorce,” “Key & Peele.” Training: The Juilliard School, The William Esper Studio. Collin is represented by CESD, Wilhelmina Models, and is also a certified professional life coach with A-PlanCoaching. You can find him directly at A-plancoaching.com, @collinbaja. 

EVAN STRAND (Sven at certain performances) grew up as a professional ballet dancer from Huntington Beach, CA, and has now transitioned into acting and singing as well. Some of his favorite works have been Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper; The Reddi Wip Man in “Hairspray Live!;” Sweet Charity at the Freud; ABC’s “Grey's Anatomy;” and many more. He is delighted to make his Broadway touring debut as Sven with Frozen! Thank you to my parents, JC Gutierrez with MSA, and William Blaylock and Brian Espinosa at Optimism Ent.

STELLA R. COBB (Young Anna) is thrilled to be making her Broadway national tour debut! She would like to thank her teachers and peers at The Conservatory School, MA. Many thanks to KTM, CTG, Telsey and Disney for making her dreams come true!  Love to Mom, Dad and Mason. Website: stellacobb.biz. Instagram: @offficialstellacobb.

ALYSSA KIM (Young Elsa) is a bay area resident and thrilled to make her Broadway touring debut. Regional: Matilda (Lavender, CCMT), The Sound of Music (Gretl, FMT), The Music Man (Gracie Shin, BBB). Special thanks to God, Martha, CMTSJ, Telsey, and Frozen team. Love to parents and young brother, Alan. @official.alyssakim

JAIDEN KLEIN (Young Elsa). Credits: National tour: The Grinch (Annie Who); Off-Broadway: Emergency Musical (Lilly); Regional: Les Miserables (Young Cosette) and Annie (Molly); TV: HBO's “I Know This Much is True” (Marie Sexton), PBS's “Mother Goose Club” (Mary). Thanks to Disney/Frozen team, Telsey, Sherry Kayne, Theresa Pittius & Nancy Carson for believing in me. Love to Mom, Dad & Ash. @JaidenKleinOfficial

ARWEN MONZON-SANDERS (Young Anna) is thrilled to be making her Broadway tour debut. Special thanks to God, Telsey + Co., Frozen Team, Take 3 Talent, Dream Maker Talent, Mom, Dad, Donovan, Sunshine, and baby Ocean. Family, friends, teachers, couches, thanks for believing in me. I love you all. IG: @arwen_take3. 

CAELAN CREASER (Ensemble). National tour debut! Select Regional: Jersey Boys (Phoenix Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Arizona Broadway). ASU MT ’19. Endless thanks to God, my family, Bloc, and the Frozen team! For my little sister, Brielle! @caelan_c

C.K. EDWARDS (Ensemble). Broadway: Billy Elliot, After Midnight, Shuffle Along. Off-B’way & tours: Book of Mormon; I Heart Bob; Cotton Club Parade; Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope. Regional: Scottsboro Boys, 42nd Street, My One and Only.

MICHAEL EVERETT (Ensemble). Michael’s credits include: Disney’s Aladdin, Riverdance, High Button Shoes, and Sophisticated Ladies to name a few. He’d like to thank his family for their continued support and is so excited to be working with Disney again. @TheMichaelEverett

BERKLEA GOING (Ensemble) is thrilled to join the Frozen family!  Off-Broadway: City Center Encores! High Button Shoes. Regional: St. Louis MUNY, Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed, TUTS.  Thank you to Telsey, CESD and, as always, her family.

MICHAEL ALLAN HAGGERTY (Ensemble). National tour debut. Regional: The Unsinkable Molly Brown (The Muny), Jersey Boys (North Shore Music Theater). B.F.A Musical Theater Boston Conservatory. Laguardia High School Dance Alumni. Thanks to CESD, family and friends! Instagram: @mike_a_haggerty.

TYLER JIMENEZ (Pabbie, Ensemble). Charlotte, NC native. BFA Syracuse University. TV/film: 73rd Annual Tony Awards, Do You Dance Ms. Parker. National tour: Joseph... Dreamcoat. Regional theaters: Westchester Broadway Theater, Syracuse Stage, Arrow Rock Lyceum. ILYMT. IG @Tylerbo10.

HANNAH JEWEL KOHN (Ensemble). Disney's Beauty and the Beast (national tour), Candide, LaCampana Sommersa (NYCO), Grease (PCLO), Mary Poppins (Paper Mill Playhouse), Holiday Inn, and Mamma Mia!. “Fosse/Verdon” FX promos. Love to my family & The Mine. @hannahjewelkohn

MARINA KONDO (Queen Iduna, Ensemble). Tour: The King & I. Off-Broadway: Road Show (NYCC), KPOP (Ars Nova), Made in America (The Public). Regional: The Muny. TV: “Succession” (HBO). BFA, University of Michigan. Love to family, Nick, BRS/Gage, and Telsey & Co.!

DUSTIN LAYTON (Swing). Broadway: King Kong, Anastasia, An American in Paris, and The Phantom of the Opera. Other: assistant choreographer, An American in Paris (West End, Tokyo, international tour), Phantom national tour. Proud member AEA. @dustinklayton. Make someone smile today.

NIKA LINDSAY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of the Frozen tour! She made her professional debut in Disney Cruise Line's Aladdin directly after graduating from AMDA NY. Beyond thankful for my family, friends, and Telsey. IG: nikalindsay.

TATYANA LUBOV (Ensemble) is thrilled to be touring with Disney’s Frozen! Last seen as Ella in the national tour of Cinderella. Much love to family, friends, and Andrew! BFA & Anthropology from UW-Stevens Point. Many thanks RKS! @taluna13

ADRIANNA ROSE LYONS (Ensemble). Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Pasadena Playhouse); Rock of Ages (Las Vegas); Million Dollar Quartet (tour and Norwegian Cruise Lines); Hair, Spamalot, Mamma Mia! (Hollywood Bowl); 42nd Street (3D Theatricals); Cabaret, American Idiot (La Mirada Theater). Insta/Tw: @adrianna___rose.

RALPH MEITZLER (Swing) thinks joining the Frozen Family is Hygge! Broadway: Rock of Ages. Other theater: Piece of My Heart; Something Rotten!; A Sign of The Times; Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Hairspray. Love to Rexy, Trish, Gardener & my Rock! @ralphmeitzler

KELLY METHVEN (Ensemble) is originally from Atlanta, GA and received his BFA in musical theatre at the University of Oklahoma. He is incredibly excited to be spreading Disney magic around the country with Frozen! @kellymethven

MICHAEL MILKANIN (Oaken, Ensemble). Broadway: Kinky Boots (Hooch; George u/s). Tours: Kinky Boots (dance captain/swing), Bat Out Of Hell (Denym; Falco u/s).  Regional: Beauty and the Beast (u/s Beast, Paper Mill), The Who’s Tommy (ensemble, Kennedy Center). @mmilkanin

KYLE LAMAR MITCHELL (King Agnarr, Ensemble). Broadway: The Lion King. A graduate of Yale University, favorite productions include A Chorus Line, The Wiz and Parade. Endless love to his friends, family, and his superhuman Mom!

JESSIE PELTIER (Swing). National tour debut! Regional: Muny (Music Man, Mamma Mia!), TUTS (Jerome Robbins’ Broadway), MTW (Nice Work..., Hello Dolly!), PCLO. Oklahoma City University Grad. Endless love to my family. Special thanks to Bloc and Telsey + Co. @jessiepeltier

NAOMI RODGERS (Ensemble) just graduated from AMDA in February of 2019 and is debuting in her first national tour with Frozen. She just finished a production of Legally Blonde this summer playing Pilar. Jeremiah 29:11 #WEWON.

DANIEL SWITZER (Ensemble). Broadway: Mean Girls. National tour: Wicked (u/s Boq), Newsies (Race, u/s Davey), Cats (Mungo). Film: Newsies. Originally from St. Louis, MO, loves warm hugs and his family! @danyoswitzer

ZACH TRIMMER (Ensemble). Tours: Hairspray (Corny u/s), Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod u/s). Selected regional: Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy - Sacramento Music Circus), West Side Story (Tony - Engeman and Westchester), Gypsy (Tulsa - Pittsburgh CLO), Holiday Inn (Jim - Canadian premiere). Instagram: @zach.trimmer.

BRIT WEST (Bulda, Ensemble). Broadway/tours: The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Legally Blonde. Regional favorites: Twelfth Night (Yale Rep), West Side Story (Hollywood Bowl/LA Philharmonic), Sister Act. Infinite thanks to Telsey and Disney. @brit_west.

NATALIE WISDOM (Swing). Broadway: Groundhog Day, Billy Elliot. Tours: Matilda (u/s Miss Honey, Mrs. Wormwood), Billy Elliot (dance captain). BFA: Webster Conservatory. Warm hugs to Mom, Dad, and Zach. Huge thanks to Kent, Stef, and Ashley. @natwisdom.

 


CELEBRATES FIVE “GENIE-US” YEARS ON BROADWAY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019

Flying Into Sixth Broadway Year, Title Emerges as

One of the Biggest Stage Hits of Recent Years,

Grossing Over $1 Billion Worldwide

Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, continues to reach a whole new world as it celebrates five “genie-us” (USA Today) years on Broadway on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (previews began February 26, 2014).  Aladdin is the fourth Disney Theatrical Productions show (following Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King,and Mary Poppins) to play five or more years on Broadway.  With six productions on four continents, Aladdin is a worldwide phenomenon that has grossed over $1 billion and welcomed over 10 million guests.

As it approaches its 5th anniversary, Aladdin has broken 14 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and proven itself an enormous and enduring hit, joining a small, exclusive group of blockbusters.  With a gross of over $350 million to date, only two megahits of the last decade (The Book of Mormon and Hamilton) have grossed more in their first five years.  With attendance of over 3 million theatergoers in five years, it has been seen by more people in that period than any Broadway show except Wicked. 

As of the 5th anniversary of Aladdin on Broadway, the Genie has granted Aladdin 6,294 wishes, there have been 83,920 fireworks set off in the New Amsterdam Theatre, and the magic carpet has flown 63 miles.

The scale and reach of the show’s popularity continues on a parallel track internationally, as the show’s global footprint has expanded to include productions that continue playing in Tokyo, Hamburg, London and Australia and a tour across North America.

Aladdin stars Ainsley Melham (original Australian Aladdin) as Aladdin, Arielle Jacobs (In the Heights, Wicked) as Jasmine, Michael James Scott (The Book of Mormon,Something Rotten!) as the Genie, and Tony Award® nominee Jonathan Freeman (Mary Poppins, The Producers, She Loves Me) as Jafar, bringing to the stage the role he indelibly created in the animated film. The show also features Brian Gonzales, Mike Longo, and Brad Weinstock as Aladdin’s sidekicks Babkak, Kassim, and Omar, JC Montgomery as Sultan and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.  Juwan Crawley, Dennis Stowe and Deonté L. Warren stand by for several principals.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Prom, The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, The Prom).

In a cast of 36, Aladdin also features Malik Akil, Kathryn Allison, Netanel Bellaishe, Mike Cannon, Damian Chambers, Alicia Charles, Lauryn Ciardullo, Jacob Dickey,Mark DiConzo, Josh Drake, Tiffany Evariste, Jacob Gutierrez, April Holloway, Amber Owens, Jamie Kasey Patterson, Bobby Pestka, Ariel Reid, Tyler Roberts, Trent Saunders, Jaz Sealey, Angelo Soriano, Katie Terza, Travis Ward-Osborne and Paige Williams. 

Aladdin, adapted from the Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical.  Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.  This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award®-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song.  The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira.  The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly. 

For more information, visit AladdinTheMusical.com. 

Jimmy Fallon and Jack Whitehall Backstage at FROZEN on Broadway After Surprise Cameo

Jimmy Fallon and Jack Whitehall backstage with Caissie Levy (Elsa) and Patti Murin (Anna) after Jack Whitehall’s surprise cameo in the Broadway smash Frozen at the St. James Theatre on Friday, March 1st. The appearance was captured for “The Tonight Show’s” March 1st broadcast.

Photo A: (L to R) Jack Whitehall, Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), and Jimmy Fallon. Photo by Andrew Lipovsky/ NBC

Photo B: (L to R) Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), and Jimmy Fallon. Photo by Andrew Lipovsky/ NBC

DISNEY ON BROADWAY ANNOUNCES THE 2nd ANNUAL WOMEN’S DAY ON BROADWAY: INSPIRING CHANGEMAKERS

HOME OF DISNEY’S FROZEN 

Free Registration Now Available at WomenOfBrodway.com

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Disney on Broadway announces the 2nd annual “Women’s Day on Broadway: Inspiring Changemakers.” 

Following its launch in 2018, the event aims to engage attendees of all genders and backgrounds in a day of open and honest dialogue about gender equality in the theatre industry and beyond, immersing participants and audience members in a series of conversations, empowering each attendee to drive change and make an impact.

“We began ‘Women’s Day on Broadway’ last year to provide a platform for women in the theatre industry to share their experiences and celebrate their accomplishments,” said Anne Quart, Disney Theatrical Production’s SVP of Production and Co-Producer. “The response to last year’s event was overwhelmingly positive, and it was clear that we needed to create a sustainable, annual event that could dive deeper into those discussions, to inform, inspire and provide actionable paths towards equality.”

This year’s event will focus on changemakers driving progress within the theatre and entertainment industry, highlighting ways each person can become an agent of change. The event will feature panel conversations and a variety of speakers and presentations.

“Women’s Day on Broadway” will be held on Tuesday, March 12th, at the St. James Theatre, home of Broadway’s new musical Frozen.  Disney on Broadway invites professionals of all genders and backgrounds working in entertainment and those interested in the topic to attend the event free of charge.

For more information and to reserve your free general admission seat and to see content from last year’s event, visit the new home for Women’s Day on Broadway,www.womenofbroadway.com.

Specifics for the event will be provided at a later date.

AHEAD OF FIRST ANNIVERSARY, FROZEN WELCOMES NEW HANS, OLAF AND KRISTOFF

In Rare Broadway Gender Swap,

Ryann Redmond Will be the First Woman to Play Olaf,

The Lovable Snowman

ORIGINAL STARS CAISSIE LEVY AND PATTI MURIN

EXTEND THEIR CONTRACTS 

As it approaches its first anniversary, Frozen is pleased to announce that Joe Carroll (Once, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Bandstand) and Ryann Redmond (Bring It On The Musical, If/Then) will join the company as Hans and Olaf, respectively, and current cast member, Noah J. Ricketts will assume the role of Kristoff. The three actors will begin performances Tuesday, February 19, 2019, taking over the roles from original cast members Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), Greg Hildreth (Olaf) and John Riddle (Hans), who will play their final performance Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Frozen’s acclaimed original stars Caissie Levy (Elsa) and Patti Murin (Anna) will continue with the production.

Ms. Redmond’s casting marks a milestone: She is the first woman cast as the beloved snowman Olaf in any production of Frozen.

In addition to Levy and Murin, the company of Frozen features Robert Creighton (Weselton), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), Zoe Glick (Young Anna), Leila Rose Gross (Young Anna), Mimi Ryder (Young Elsa), Jenna Weir(Young Elsa), Alyssa Fox (Elsa Standby), Aisha Jackson (Anna Standby) and Adam Jepsen (Sven Alternate). Beginning February 19, the role of Sven will be shared equally by Mr. Pirozzi and Mr. Jepsen, with each actor playing four performances a week.

Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway, playing at the historic St. James Theatre. The new Broadway musical opened on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and has been in the top 10 best-selling shows every week, establishing itself as the biggest musical hit of its season. A North American tour will open at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. The New Yorker calls Frozen “thrilling” and “genuinely moving” and applauds its “inspired stagecraft.” “With the magic, the dancing and all those iconic tunes, Frozen was born to be a stage musical!” exclaims the Evening Standard, and The Telegraph declares, “Frozen will burn up Broadway for years to come!

Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway, playing at the historic St. James Theatre. The new Broadway musical opened on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and has been in the top 10 best-selling shows every week, establishing itself as the biggest musical hit of its season. A North American tour will open at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. The New Yorker calls Frozen “thrilling” and “genuinely moving” and applauds its “inspired stagecraft.” “With the magic, the dancing and all those iconic tunes, Frozen was born to be a stage musical!” exclaims the Evening Standard, and The Telegraph declares, “Frozen will burn up Broadway for years to come!

Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical hits Aladdin and The Lion King on Broadway, playing at the historic St. James Theatre. The new Broadway musical opened on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and has been in the top 10 best-selling shows every week, establishing itself as the biggest musical hit of its season. A North American tour will open at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles this fall.

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. The New Yorker calls Frozen “thrilling” and “genuinely moving” and applauds its “inspired stagecraft.” “With the magic, the dancing and all those iconic tunes, Frozen was born to be a stage musical!” exclaims the Evening Standard, and The Telegraph declares, “Frozen will burn up Broadway for years to come!

JOE CARROLL (Hans). Broadway: Bandstand (Johnny Simpson), Cinderella (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet, Once. Regional: world premiere of Moulin Rouge at the Colonial Theater in Boston and Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Bandstand Live on Broadway, Romeo and Juliet. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans;” “Chicago Fire;” “Elementary;” “Deception;” “The Carrie Diaries;” "All My Children.” Training: RADA, BFA University of Michigan. @joe_carrollmich

RYANN REDMOND (Olaf). Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, If/Then, Bring It On. Television: “Younger” (TV Land). Film: Double Exposure. Off-Broadway: Usual Girls (Roundabout), Gigantic (Vineyard), The Marvelous Wonderettes. National tour: Bring It On. Regional:How to Succeed (TUTS), Hairspray (MUNY). NYU (CAP21).  Twitter/Instagram: @ryannreds. 

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kristoff). Broadway and first national tour: Beautiful The Carole King Musical. Favorite Regional: Terk, Tarzan® (WWT); C.C., Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theatre); Jacob, La Cage (Summer Lyric); Hello, Dolly! (St. Louis MUNY); Macbeth (IAA Shakespeare Festival). Proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). @noahjrkts

Frozen, a full-length stage work told in two acts, is the first and only incarnation of the tale that expands upon and deepens its indelible plot and themes through new songs and story material from the film’s creators; in fact, this new stage production features more than twice as much music as the film.  Like the Disney Theatrical Broadway musicals that have come before it, it is a full evening of theatre running over two hours.

Based on the 2013 film written by a trio of Oscar® winners, Frozen features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Up Here, Winnie the Pooh, In Transit) and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Up Here) and a book by Jennifer Lee (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and director (with Chris Buck).  Frozen won 2014 Oscars for Best Song (“Let It Go”) and Best Animated Feature. 

Frozen’s director is Michael Grandage, a Tony Award® winner (Red) and director of three Olivier Award-winning Outstanding Musicals (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Guys and Dolls), and Rob Ashford, Tony Award winner (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominee, is choreographer.

In a cast of over 40, Frozen also features Alicia Albright, Joe Beauregard, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Robin Masella, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts,Julius Anthony Rubio, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith and Nicholas Ward.

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita), lighting design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aladdin; Hello Dolly!; An American in Paris), sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (The Scottsboro Boys, Motown, After Midnight), video design by Tony winner Finn Ross (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Spamalot), hair design by David Brian Brown (War Paint, She Loves Me), makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates (On Your Feet!; On the Twentieth Century) and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus (Avenue Q, Wicked, The Book of Mormon) is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined on the music team by Tony nominee Dave Metzger (orchestrations), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements) and Brian Usifer (music director).

Frozen is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

JOE CARROLL (Hans). Broadway: Bandstand (Johnny Simpson), Cinderella (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet, Once. Regional: world premiere of Moulin Rouge at the Colonial Theater in Boston and Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Bandstand Live on Broadway, Romeo and Juliet. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans;” “Chicago Fire;” “Elementary;” “Deception;” “The Carrie Diaries;” "All My Children.” Training: RADA, BFA University of Michigan. @joe_carrollmich

RYANN REDMOND (Olaf). Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, If/Then, Bring It On. Television: “Younger” (TV Land). Film: Double Exposure. Off-Broadway: Usual Girls (Roundabout), Gigantic (Vineyard), The Marvelous Wonderettes. National tour: Bring It On. Regional:How to Succeed (TUTS), Hairspray (MUNY). NYU (CAP21).  Twitter/Instagram: @ryannreds. 

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kristoff). Broadway and first national tour: Beautiful The Carole King Musical. Favorite Regional: Terk, Tarzan® (WWT); C.C., Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theatre); Jacob, La Cage (Summer Lyric); Hello, Dolly! (St. Louis MUNY); Macbeth (IAA Shakespeare Festival). Proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). @noahjrkts

Frozen, a full-length stage work told in two acts, is the first and only incarnation of the tale that expands upon and deepens its indelible plot and themes through new songs and story material from the film’s creators; in fact, this new stage production features more than twice as much music as the film.  Like the Disney Theatrical Broadway musicals that have come before it, it is a full evening of theatre running over two hours.

Based on the 2013 film written by a trio of Oscar® winners, Frozen features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Up Here, Winnie the Pooh, In Transit) and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Up Here) and a book by Jennifer Lee (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and director (with Chris Buck).  Frozen won 2014 Oscars for Best Song (“Let It Go”) and Best Animated Feature. 

Frozen’s director is Michael Grandage, a Tony Award® winner (Red) and director of three Olivier Award-winning Outstanding Musicals (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Guys and Dolls), and Rob Ashford, Tony Award winner (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominee, is choreographer.

In a cast of over 40, Frozen also features Alicia Albright, Joe Beauregard, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Robin Masella, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts,Julius Anthony Rubio, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith and Nicholas Ward.

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita), lighting design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aladdin; Hello Dolly!; An American in Paris), sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (The Scottsboro Boys, Motown, After Midnight), video design by Tony winner Finn Ross (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Spamalot), hair design by David Brian Brown (War Paint, She Loves Me), makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates (On Your Feet!; On the Twentieth Century) and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus (Avenue Q, Wicked, The Book of Mormon) is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined on the music team by Tony nominee Dave Metzger (orchestrations), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements) and Brian Usifer (music director).

Frozen is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

JOE CARROLL (Hans). Broadway: Bandstand (Johnny Simpson), Cinderella (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet, Once. Regional: world premiere of Moulin Rouge at the Colonial Theater in Boston and Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Bandstand Live on Broadway, Romeo and Juliet. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans;” “Chicago Fire;” “Elementary;” “Deception;” “The Carrie Diaries;” "All My Children.” Training: RADA, BFA University of Michigan. @joe_carrollmich

RYANN REDMOND (Olaf). Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, If/Then, Bring It On. Television: “Younger” (TV Land). Film: Double Exposure. Off-Broadway: Usual Girls (Roundabout), Gigantic (Vineyard), The Marvelous Wonderettes. National tour: Bring It On. Regional:How to Succeed (TUTS), Hairspray (MUNY). NYU (CAP21).  Twitter/Instagram: @ryannreds. 

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kristoff). Broadway and first national tour: Beautiful The Carole King Musical. Favorite Regional: Terk, Tarzan® (WWT); C.C., Dreamgirls (North Shore Music Theatre); Jacob, La Cage (Summer Lyric); Hello, Dolly! (St. Louis MUNY); Macbeth (IAA Shakespeare Festival). Proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). @noahjrkts

Frozen, a full-length stage work told in two acts, is the first and only incarnation of the tale that expands upon and deepens its indelible plot and themes through new songs and story material from the film’s creators; in fact, this new stage production features more than twice as much music as the film.  Like the Disney Theatrical Broadway musicals that have come before it, it is a full evening of theatre running over two hours.

Based on the 2013 film written by a trio of Oscar® winners, Frozen features music and lyrics by the creators of the film score Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Up Here, Winnie the Pooh, In Transit) and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, Up Here) and a book by Jennifer Lee (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), the film’s screenwriter and director (with Chris Buck).  Frozen won 2014 Oscars for Best Song (“Let It Go”) and Best Animated Feature. 

Frozen’s director is Michael Grandage, a Tony Award® winner (Red) and director of three Olivier Award-winning Outstanding Musicals (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Guys and Dolls), and Rob Ashford, Tony Award winner (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominee, is choreographer.

In a cast of over 40, Frozen also features Alicia Albright, Joe Beauregard, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Robin Masella, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts,Julius Anthony Rubio, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith and Nicholas Ward.

The design team for Frozen includes scenic and costume design by two-time Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita), lighting design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Aladdin; Hello Dolly!; An American in Paris), sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (The Scottsboro Boys, Motown, After Midnight), video design by Tony winner Finn Ross (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Spamalot), hair design by David Brian Brown (War Paint, She Loves Me), makeup design by Anne Ford-Coates (On Your Feet!; On the Twentieth Century) and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus (Avenue Q, Wicked, The Book of Mormon) is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined on the music team by Tony nominee Dave Metzger (orchestrations), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements) and Brian Usifer (music director).

Frozen is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

NO 'Honeymoon' for Honeymoon in Vegas. Closing April 5th

Broadway isn't easy. The songs and slogans about the city hasn't changed and in fact, it's much more truthful today, in 2015, than when Frank Sinatra wrote— "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere. It's up to you, New York, New York,"

The critically-acclaimed new musical, Honeymoon in Vegas, will play its final performance at Broadway’s Nederlander Theater (208 West 41st Street) on Sunday, April 5, 2015, the show’s producers announced today. Lauded as “a real-live, old-fashioned, deeply satisfying Broadway musical in a way few shows are anymore,” by Ben Brantley of the New York Times, Honeymoon in Vegas is directed by Gary Griffin, features a book by Andrew Bergman, and a score by three-time Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown.

Those who have purchased tickets to a performance after April 5, 2015 through Ticketmaster will automatically receive credit to their accounts for their refunded tickets. All others should contact their initial point of purchase to inquire about receiving a refund for their tickets.

Honeymoon in Vegas began performances on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, and officially opened on Thursday, January 15, 2015 to rave reviews. Prior to Broadway, Honeymoon in Vegas completed a successful engagement at the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, NJ October 6 – 27, 2013.

The cast of Honeymoon in Vegas includes Tony Award nominee Rob McClure, Brynn O'Malley, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Tony Danza, David Josefsberg, Nancy Opel, Matthew Saldivar, Matt Allen, Tracee Beazer, Grady McLeod Bowman, Barry Busby, Leslie Donna Flesner, Gaelen Gilliland, Albert Guerzon, Sean Allan Krill, Raymond J. Lee, George Merrick, Jessica Naimy, Zachary Prince, Catherine Ricafort, Jonalyn Saxer, Brendon Stimson, Erica Sweany, Cary Tedder, and Katie Webber.

The creative team for Honeymoon in Vegas also features three-time Tony Award nominee Anna Louizos (scenic design); Emmy Award-winner Brian C. Hemesath (costume design); Tony Award-winner Howell Binkley (lighting design); Tony Award-winner Scott Lehrer & Drama Desk Award-winner Drew Levy (sound design); Tony and Grammy Award-winner Don Sebesky, Larry Blank, Jason Robert Brown, Charlie Rosen (orchestrations); Tom Murray (music director); and Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design).

Honeymoon in Vegas is produced on Broadway by Dena Hammerstein, Roy Gabay, Rich Entertainment Group, Dan Farah, Metro Card, King’s Leaves, Dan Frishwasser, Leslie Greif / Thom Beers, Susan Dietz & Lenny Beer, Howard Hoffman / Anna Czekaj, Important Musicals, Sharon Karmazin, L.G. Scott, and Martin Markinson.

Honeymoon in Vegas, based on the 1992 Castle Rock Entertainment Motion Picture, tells the story of Jack Singer (McClure), a regular guy with an extreme fear of marriage, who finally gets up the nerve to ask his girlfriend Betsy (O’Malley) to marry him. But when they head to Las Vegas to get hitched, smooth talking gambler Tommy Korman (Danza) - looking for a second chance at love - falls head over heels for Betsy and Jack must go to extreme heights to win back the love of his life.

BROADWAY FINDS NEW MUSICAL VOICES

People ask, "where is the new talent" for Broadway especially shaped around musicals.

Revivals are always a big kick but that's not doing much for the new crop of talented but undiscovered lyricists and composers whose dream is to add their artistic contribution to theater. 

Well, the right group was listening and that group is the American Theatre Wing and today, they announced the recipients of the 2015 Jonathan Larson® Grants are writing team Tim Rosser (composer) & Charlie Sohne (composer) receiving $10,000, Sam Willmott (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000 and a week-long residency at the Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab, and Max Vernon (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000. This year’s recipients were selected by an expert panel consisting of Amanda Green (Hands on a Hardbody), Steven Lutvak (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), and Ted Chapin (President and Executive Director of Rodgers & Hammerstein). The prestigious grants totalling $30,000 will be presented on Monday, March 23, 2015 at a private event at the WNYC Greene Space. The event will feature special performances of the recipients’ work.

“The Jonathan Larson Grants give us the opportunity each year to support exciting new theater makers and invest in the changing landscape of the American musical, one writer at a time.” said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing.

Additionally, Sam Willmott and Max Vernon will be featured in an evening of performance at Adelphi University, as part of their Larson Legacy Concert Series. The Concert Series, to be held in Fall 2015 and Winter/Spring 2016 at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center in Garden City, NY, will help nurture and support the next generation of creative artists by one of the same organizations that supported and nurtured Jonathan Larson as an artist – thereby carrying on his creative and ground-breaking legacy.

The grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers, help to continue Tony Award®-winning composer Jonathan Larson’s dream of infusing musical theatre with a contemporary, joyful, urban vitality. Dedicated to celebrating excellence and supporting theatre, the American Theatre Wing awards the Larson Grants to artists to recognize and showcase their work with no strings attached - except to put it to the best use possible to help further the artists' creative endeavours.

Past recipients of the Larson Grants include Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (A Christmas Story), Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal), Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer), John Bucchino (A Catered Affair), Laurence O’Keefe (Bat Boy: The Musical), Michael Korie (Grey Gardens), Amanda Green (Hands on a Hardbody), Sara Cooper & Zach Redler (The Memory Show), and Shaina Taub (The Daughters). 

Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne are 2014-15 Dramatist Guild Fellows. Together, they have written: The Boy Who Danced on Air (2013 NAMT Festival of New Works and Writers Residency Grant, 2013 Rodgers Award Finalist, 2013 ART/NY and NYTB Workshop), The Profit of Creation (2011 Yale Institute for Musical Theater, developed through ASCAP’s 2010 Johnny Mercer Songwriters Program) and the short musical Political Speeches (The Culture Project’s IMPACT Series). Their work has been seen in a sold-out 54 Below Show, at Birdland, Cutting Edge Composers at Joe’s Pub, A Little New Music at Rockwell in L.A, Contemporary Classics at Seattle Rep, The Holiday Concert at the Lincoln Center Library and others. They were members of the Advanced Class of the BMI Workshop. Separately, Charlie Sohne has developed work at New York Stage and Film, the O’Neill National Music Theater Conference, The Lark and the Cherry Lane Theater – and has had his work sung in concert at Second Stage (DCMTW’s “The Concert”) and through BMI’s Smoker and Showcase. His song “I’m Just Glad You’re Here” (music by David Gaines) was named one of the Top 25 Songs in the Directory of Contemporary Musical Theater Writers. Tim Rosser has music directed the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit Broadway Backwards at the Palace and Al Hirschfeld Theaters and was the Associate Music Director of I am Harvey Milk at Avery Fischer Hall.  He has played keyboards for Rocky, The Addams Family on Broadway, Carrie at the Lucille Lortel, and he's played rehearsals for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder on Broadway, and City Center's Encores series.

Sam Willmott is a NYC-based composer/lyricist, whose projects include Bhangin' It (with Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew); Yo, Vikings! (with Marcus Stevens, published by Samuel French); the mini-musical Scarlet Takes a Tumble; and Standardized Testing - The Musical!!!! (published by Playscripts, Inc.), among others. He is the recipient of the 2013 ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award for Lyrics, the 2012 Fred Ebb Award, the 2012 John Wallowitch Award, and the 2009 Kennedy Center ACTF Musical Theater Award, and has been a writer-in-residence at Goodspeed Musicals (2014, 2013) and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (2013).  Sam is also a proud contributor for English Egg, a Korea-based children's language program.  For more information, check outsamwillmott.com. 

Max Vernon is a composer/lyricist, playwright, and performer. Described by the New Yorker as "equal parts bohemia and Broadway," his work has been performed and developed at Ars Nova, Theatreworks USA, Naked Angels, New Dramatists, Two River Theater (NJ), Dixon Place, Woodshed Collective, Ma-Yi, LaMaMa, and Pride Films and Plays (Chicago), among others. This past year he was a Dramatist Guild Theatre Fellow, an artist in residence at Rhinebeck Writer's Retreat, a JFund award recipient, and also finished his first commission for Disney Creative Entertainment. He is currently a member of Ars Nova's Uncharted, as well as the Civilians R&D Group. He has performed over a hundred concerts in New York City, including sold out shows at Joe's Pub (Frisk Me: The Songs of Max Vernon) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Civilians' Let Me Ascertain You). His musicals include The View UpStairs (NYU, Pride Films and Plays) and WIRED (Ars Nova) Developing: Co-Op (Ars Nova, Naked Angels Radio); Aesop's Fables (Theatreworks USA); WAM! Entertainment (Ars Nova/Ma-Yi); Show & Tell (Jerome Foundation, Civilians R&D Group) MFA: NYU-Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. www.maxvernon.com

The American Theatre Wing (William Ivey Long, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, President) is dedicated to advancing artistic excellence and nurturing theatre’s next generation: on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. For nearly a century, the Wing has pursued this mission with programs that span the nation to invest in the growth and evolution of American Theatre. Traditionally, the Wing has encouraged members of the theatre community to share their off-stage time and talent directly with the theatre audience at large--whether it was singing for the troops in the Stage Door Canteen of the 1940's, or sharing their stories on a podcast today.  As the founders of The Tony Awards®, the American Theatre Wing has developed the foremost national platform for the recognition of theatrical achievement on Broadway. Yet the Wing's reach extends beyond Broadway and beyond New York. The Wing develops the next generation of theatre professionals through the SpringboardNYC and Theatre Intern Network programs, incubates innovative theatre across the country through the National Theatre Company Grants, fosters the song of American theatre through the Jonathan Larson Grants, honors the best in New York theatrical design with the Henry Hewes Design Award, and illuminates the creative process through the “Working in the Theatre” program and media archive. The American Theatre Wing has also entered into a long-term partnership with The Village Voice to co-present The OBIE Awards, Off Broadway’s Highest Honor, beginning this year, which will mark the Award’s 60th Anniversary in May 2015.  Visitors toamericantheatrewing.org can get inspired and gain insight into the artistic process through the Wing’s extensive media collection, and learn more about its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences.

Follow the Wing on:

Facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing 

Twitter.com/TheWing.

Luis Dreams and Bam-like Magic-he lights up a stage

Luis Salgado is a role model to many. He is a role model for me. This story teller dreamed it, a long time ago as a little boy, visiting from Puerto Rico and strolling the lights of Broadway. 

Can you imagine how big the city looked through his eyes? 

So - it’s an awesome task to share that Luis Salgado, who won Best Director for the world premiere production of "Zuccotti Park The Musical," at the Venus/Adonis Festival, will direct a brand-new, Spanish-language production of David Mamet's explosive contemporary classic "Speed-the-Plow."

Luis Salgado’s vision of a brand-new translation, will premiere on August 13th, 2015, for a limited run at the historic 18th Century Corralón de San José in Old San Juan. 

A replica of the Corral de Comedias de Almagro (the oldest theater still standing in Spain, built in 1628), the Corralón is one of the oldest performance-spaces still operating as a theater in the western hemisphere.

"I am thrilled about the most recent nomination for best director, and am very focused on the task of re-creating one of David Mamet's most enduring and talked-about works, in one of the most unique performance-spaces in the Americas", said Salgado (In The Heights, Rocky, Women on the Verge), who also recently took part in the developmental lab for the new Gloria Estefan musical On Your Feet. 

"I am not only excited about going back to Puerto Rico as a Director after 13 years since the last show I produced and directed there... I'm inspired about the open-air setting that we will have, combined with the intimacy and stunning features of the centuries-old structure. Add to that the brilliance of Mamet's script, and the fascinating way in which it comes across in Spanish, with a multicultural cast, and we are-in for a Speed-the-Plow unlike we have not seen it before, A LO BORICUA".

The production will play four performances only, August 13-16, 8:30pm, at Corralón de San José, 109 San José Street, Old San Juan.  The cast will feature Éric-Dominique Pérez, Javier E. Gómez and Emmanuelle Bordas. The performances will be free to the public as part of Corralón de San José's Theater Access and Cultural Collaborations Initiative. Rehearsals will begin in New York City on July 7, 2015.

The Spanish-language San Juan production of Speed-the-Plow is produced by High Pitch, Inc. and Dead Jíbaros Productions, in partnership with Amigos del Corralón (Josean Ortiz, Artistic Director), Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Salgado Productions and Tony L. D'Anzica.

Mr. Salgado’s other credits include winning Best Director Award at the Thespis Festival for "Song of Solomon."  Other directing credits include "Amigo Duende, The Musical" (music and lyrics by Joshua Henry, book by Henry, Salgado and Heather Hogan), "Aniversario Sin-Cuenta" and "Candela Fuerza y Pasión" (both in Lima, Peru), and "Zuccotti Park" (music by Vatrena King, book and lyrics by Catherine Hurd), which played its last performance at the Venus/Adonis Festival on March 4th.

BROADWAY and the JERSEY BOYS come Home

The Midtown Men - Jersey Boys

CROON WITH THE JERSEY BOYS. MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR JUNE 20TH !!

Turn the clock back and enjoy the signature sound of the Jersey Boys and you can thank the The Midtown Men, the vocal group comprised of four stars from the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys, for the opportunity to enjoy nostalgia with music.

It’s their long awaited New York City Homecoming concert on June 20th, 2015 at New York’s famed Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway, NYC).

The Midtown Men have been performing nearly 400 concerts across North America, the group’s leading men include Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer. 

The Midtown Men know how to put on a show and that’s using their celebrated arrangements of the greatest hits of the 1960s. This June performance, at the Beacon, will be their final show of this year’s tour.

During their time in the mega-hit musical Jersey Boys, these four talented artists shared the stage for over a thousand performances.  Since forming in 2010 as The Midtown Men, they have played in concert halls from coast to coast and have sung with over 20 major symphonies, including the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. In 2012, The Men released their first radio single, “All Alone on Christmas,” written and produced by rock icon Steven Van Zandt and backed by Van Zandt’s bandmates from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band as a fundraiser for the Red Cross after Hurricane Sandy. They were honored to perform the song at the White House for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington DC that year. Wrapping up their fifth national tour in 2015, the “Men” continue to sell-out venues across the U.S. and Canada.

Promoted by Live Nation, tickets for The Midtown Men’s NYC Homecoming can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. If fans wish to receive their tickets by pledging to public television, they can visit www.thirteen.org/ticketbooth or call 1-800-468-9913.

The group's PBS/Thirteen television pledge drive special will air on WNET (New York), NJTV (New Jersey), and WLIW (Long Island) starting February 28th at 5 p.m. in NYC. Please check your local listings for additional airings.

For more information on The Midtown Men, Visit :

www.themidtownmen.com 

www.oandmco.com 

www.twitter.com/oandmco

Oh New York, it's time to raise your "Hand to God"

Broadway will get a humorous dose of puppetry and religion with the Broadway opening of Hand to God on April 7, 2015 at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street).

It's a Broadway debut of playwright Robert Askins. Hand to God is being directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel in his Broadway debut too.

The previews of the exciting firsts for both creatives begin Saturday, March 14, 2015 ahead of the April 7th opening. Take a moment to review the hilarious content @www.HandToGodBroadway.com.

The subject of this new provocative comedy, Hand to God centers on shy, inquisitive student Jason, who finds an outlet for his burgeoning creativity at the Christian Puppet Ministry in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas.

Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door and—most especially—his mother are thrown into further upheaval when Jason’s hand puppet Tyrone—once soft-spoken—takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. As Tyrone’s influence over Jason steadily grows, Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us.

Hand to God will feature the complete cast of the hit 2014 MCC Theater production: Steven Boyer as Jason/Tyrone; Geneva Carr, in her Broadway debut, as Margery; Tony® Award nominee Marc Kudisch as Pastor Greg; Sarah Stiles as Jessica; and Michael Oberholtzer, in his Broadway debut, as Timmy.

Hand to God is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, whose credits include Rent, Avenue Q and In the Heights—each the winner of the Tony® Award for Best Musical; as well as The Drowsy Chaperone and Motown the Musical, among many others.

Curtains a peek at Broadway News

Broadway makes money for some and sinks others into despair but for producers Tom Kirdahy, Roy Furman, and Ken Davenport these saver producers reported that the Broadway production of It’s Only a Play has recouped its $3.9 million capitalization.

It’s Only A Play was breaking house records at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) since opening in October, and now becomes the first show of the 2014-15 Broadway season to recoup.

“We are delighted that Broadway audiences have embraced the laughter and hijinks of It’s Only A Play.  We knew, with Terrence, Jack and this phenomenal cast, we had something special, but these results exceeded our expectations,” producer Tom Kirdahy said.

It’s Only A Play (Terrence McNally) recently welcomed 1/17) Tony® and Emmy® winner Martin Short, Two-time Tony® winner Katie Finneran, and “30 Rock” alum Maulik Pancholy, into the original cast which includes F. Murray Abraham, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing and Micah Stock. Three-time Tony® Award winner Jack O’Brien directs.

It’s Only A Play ( www.ItsOnlyAPlay.com).

In news that Hollywood is now coming to Broadway - let’s settle on the new musical about rock it’s quirky paring School of Rock—The Musical, with the producers the Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization. This combo might actually make a hit from the movie.

Previews will begin on Monday, November 2, 2015 at the Winter Garden Theatre, with an opening set for Sunday, December 6.

It’s based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock will feature music from the movie, as well as new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater, with a book by Julian Fellowes. School of Rock—The Musical will be directed by Laurence Connor (currently represented on Broadway by Les Miserables).

Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 film was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance. The film received universal critical acclaim and was hailed by The New York Times as an “irresistible comic postscript to the rock revolution.” The film went on to gross more than $130 million worldwide.

In School of Rock—The Musical, down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet. When he discovers his students’ musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

Unique point of fact, Jack Black will be performing at the 87th Oscars in a top, top, top secret performance that may or may not include something with director Richard Linklater whose “BoyHood,” is being favoured to win a few gold men!

Three-time Grammy Award-winner Rob Cavallo also joins the creative team. Cavallo is one of the top-selling record producers in the world, has been involved in albums that have sold more than 150 million units and has worked with Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Goo Goo Dolls, Phil Collins, Cary Clark Jr., among others.

Cavallo said "School of Rock is a wonderful film, a rock and roll story that transcends the genre with passion and heart. To be able to creatively collaborate with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater, Julian Fellowes and the rest of the team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I can't wait to see School of Rock take on a whole new life."

Co-producers The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization issued a joint statement: “This partnership is an extension of a long-standing and productive relationship between our two organizations, and it gives us the exciting opportunity to work with Andrew again.  We are thrilled to be on the producing team with The Really Useful Group and Warner Music Group to bring School of Rock – The Musical to Broadway.”

“I am excited to be working on bringing Jack Black and Mike White's iconic movie to the stage,” said Andrew Lloyd Webber. “It is a joy for me to return to my Jesus Christ Superstar roots – when Deep Purple's Ian Gillan was recording Jesus for Tim Rice and me at London's Olympic Studios, Led Zeppelin was recording next door and a glimpse of a Stone or two was routine! School Of Rock is hugely about how music can empower kids. Tim Rice and my first performed piece, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was written for a school.  Ever since then I and my Art Foundation have been actively involved in music education back home in Britain. It will be a joy to discover and work with talented musical kids in the USA and, who knows, maybe discover a rock star or three of the next generation.”

School of Rock will feature Choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, Scenic and Costume Design by Anna Louizos, Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, and Sound Design by Mick Potter. Nina Lannan serves as Executive Producer.

Casting for the show will begin in January in cities across the country, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Just in case your under a rock and don’t know the heavy hitters involved in this new Broadway musical take a look below:

Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer) is the composer of some of the world’s best known musicals including Cats, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera and  Sunset Boulevard. As theatre producer he has presented not only his own shows but others, including the Olivier award-winning La Bete and Daisy Pulls It Off. As composer he has received many awards including seven Tonys, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship, the Kennedy Center Honor and a Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Requiem, his setting of the Latin Requiem mass which contains one of his best known compositions, “Pie Jesu.” He owns six London theatres including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the London Palladium.  He was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 1992 and created an honorary member of the House of Lords in 1997. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation has become one of Britain’s leading charities supporting the arts and music. For information about the pioneering music in education work supported by the Foundation in the UK please visit: www.andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com

Glenn Slater (Lyrics) co-created Disney’s 2010 worldwide smash Tangled (2011 Grammy Winner, 2010 Oscar and Golden Globe nominee), as well as the Broadway and international hit musicals Sister Act (2011 Tony nominee – Best Score) and The Little Mermaid (2008 Tony nominee – Best Score, Grammy nominee – Best Cast Album). With longtime collaborator Alan Menken he has also written songs for the Disney animated film Home On The Range (2004) and Broadway musical Leap of Faith (Tony nominee – Best Musical, 2012), as well as acting as both songwriters and executive producers of the medieval musical comedy television series  “Galavant,” premiering January 2015 on ABC-TV. In the West End, Glenn provided both book and lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies (2010 Olivier nominee – Best Musical), the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. Other work includes an Emmy-nominated song for the ABC-TV comedy “The Neighbors” (2013), and the stage revue Newyorkers at The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations). Glenn is the recipient of the prestigious Kleban Award for Lyrics, the ASCAP/Richard Rogers New Horizons Award, and the Jonathan Larson Award.  He is an alumnus of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, and a member of both ASCAP and the Dramatists’ Guild.   Glenn lives in New York City with composer/lyricist/wife Wendy Leigh Wilf and sons Benjamin and Daniel.

Julian Fellowes (Book) is a prolific actor, writer, director, and producer.  As an actor, he is probably best known for the BBC series, “Aristocrats,” and for his portrayal of Lord Kilwillie in the BBC’s popular series, “Monarch of the Glen.” On the big screen, he has been seen in many films, including Shadowlands, Damage, Place Vendôme, Fellow Traveller, and Tomorrow Never Dies. As a writer for television, he produced the scripts of “Little Lord Fauntleroy” (winner of an International EMMY, 1995) and “The Prince and the Pauper” (nominated for a BAFTA, 1997) which he also produced.  His first screenplay was Gosford Park, directed by Robert Altman, which won him several prizes, including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Laurence Connor (Director).  Laurence's directorial credits include: Les Miserables (Broadway), Miss Saigon (London), Jesus Christ Superstar (UK and Australian Arena Tour and released for DVD), the entirely new stage production of The Phantom of the Opera (US and UK), Oliver! (UK Tour) and Miss Saigon (UK Tour and Worldwide), which received critical acclaim for two years and won the Manchester Evening News Award for Best Touring Musical, Best New Foreign Production (Korea), Best Ensemble in a Musical (Korea) and the Green Room Award for Best Director of a Musical (Australia). Laurence is also the Co-Director of the new version of Les Miserables which has enjoyed worldwide success including Broadway, UK and US Tours and won awards including Best Musical at the prestigious Manchester Evening News Awards and Best Director of a Musical in Korea.  Laurence directed the 25th anniversary concert of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall and the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables at the O2 in London both of which were simultaneously broadcast in cinemas worldwide and subsequently released on DVD. Laurence has also been associated with the London productions of The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre), Oliver! (Drury Lane), The King and I (London Palladium) and A Slice of Saturday Night (Liverpool Empire). Cinema and Television: Jesus Christ Superstar (Cinema Streaming Worldwide and DVD), Phantom of the Opera (Cinema Streaming Worldwide and DVD), Les Miserables at the O2 London (Cinema Streaming Worldwide and DVD) Current projects include: The Sound of Music Live for ITV.

JoAnn M. Hunter (Choreography) has recently been in development of a new rock musical about the life of Genya Raven, Cheesecake Girl.  Other recent credits include Harmony by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman at the Ahmanson Theatre, LA,  and the world premiere of Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes’ The Nutty Professor directed by Jerry Lewis.  Broadway credits include: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, She Loves Me (Roundabout Gala), and Broadway Bound.  Off Broadway credits include: Dedalus Lounge and The Twelve (workshop). National Tour/Regional credits include: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Grease (PMP), Oliver (PMP), and Curtains (PMP/TUTS). She directed Debra Monk in her one woman show in February of 2014 with special guests Ron Rifkin, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Charlotte D’Amboise, Jimmy Newman, Brandon Victor Dixon and David Hyde Pierce.  She also choreographed The Drama League Galas honoring Angela Lansbury, Kristen Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris.  She served as Associate Broadway Choreographer for Spring Awakening, Curtains, The Wedding Singer, and All Shook Up.

Anna Louizos (Scenic and Costume Design) received Tony Award nominations for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, In the Heights, and High Fidelity. Other Broadway designs include Honeymoon in Vegas; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (and US tour); Avenue Q (also US tour, Paris, London & Las Vegas); The Performers; Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (US &UK tours); Curtains; Baby It’s You; All About Me; To Be Or Not To Be; Steel Magnolias; Golda’s Balcony. Many notable Off-Broadway/regional theatres including Roundabout Theatre;  Second Stage; 5th Avenue Theatre; Ahmanson; Dallas Theater Center; Stratford; world premier productions of tick. Tick…BOOM and Altar Boyz. Art Direction film/TV: “Sex and the City” (HBO).

Natasha Katz (Lighting Design) has designed extensively for the theatre, opera and dance.   Recent Broadway credits include The Glass Menagerie (Tony Award), Once  (Tony Award), Aladdin, Motown, Follies, Sister Act, Coast of Utopia: Salvage (Tony Award),  Aida  (Tony Award), and Beauty and the Beast. She has designed shows Off-Broadway, at American regional theatres, concerts, Las Vegas and permanent installations. Her work with opera and ballet companies include: The Royal Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, NYC Opera, American Ballet Theatre, and City Ballet.  Awards: Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Hewes Award, Whatsonstage, Joseph Jefferson Award, Ruth Morely Design Award, National Broadway Theatre Award. Upcoming Broadway: An American in Paris and Skylight.

Mick Potter (Sound Design). Mick has designed over 100 productions worldwide including the West End and Broadway musicals Saturday Night Fever, Bombay Dreams, The Woman in White, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Love Never Dies, and Miss Saigon. Awards include an Olivier for The Woman in White (London 2005), Parnelli Award for The Phantom of the Opera (Las Vegas 2006), Helpmann Award nominee and Green Room Award for Love Never Dies (Australia 2011) and a Tony nomination for Les Miserables (Broadway 2014).

The Really Useful Group (Producer) is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre producing and rights licensing company that controls the theatrical rights for all of his works, including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Sunset Boulevard.  The Really Useful Group reached over 20 million people across the globe last year from live theatre and concert audiences, cinema goers, television viewers and music fans, to social media and art lovers.  2014 sees The Really Useful Group continue to work across film, television and theatre as it produces and develops new projects and partnerships worldwide alongside its ongoing work in education, amateur licensing and music publishing. 

Warner Music Group (Producer).  With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, East West, Elektra, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch,  Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros., Warner Classics, Warner Music Nashville and Word, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.

The Shubert Organization (Producer) has been at the forefront of the American theatre since the start of the 20th century. The Organization currently owns and operates seventeen Broadway theatres.  Under the leadership of Philip J. Smith, Chairman and Robert E. Wankel, President, the firm continues to be involved in the presentation of distinguished theatrical presentations. Notable Shubert productions and co-productions include Cats, Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls, The Heidi Chronicles, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Amadeus, Children of a Lesser God, The Grapes of Wrath, Ain’t Misbehavin’, A Few Good Men, God of Carnage, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Lucky Guy, Nice Work if You Can Get It,  and Spamalot.

The Nederlander Organization (Producer) is a family owned business founded in 1912. The company is one of the largest and most experienced managers of legitimate venues and entertainment properties in the world today.  Under the leadership of James M. and James L. Nederlander, the company oversees an enterprise that encompasses the ownership and/or management of nine Broadway theaters and venues across the country, as well as theatrical producing, concert presentation and patron services. The Nederlanders’ are prolific producers of over 100 distinguished, award-winning musicals and plays. Notable productions currently include The Elephant Man starring Bradley Cooper; The Last Ship, and Kinky Boots.  Their long list of credits include:  I'll Eat You Last with Bette Midler;  Annie; Evita; Fiddler on the Roof; Grease; La Cage aux Folles; Movin’ Out; Noises Off;  The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby; West Side Story; Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?; Next to Normal; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Les Liaisons Dangereuses; as well as many others. Currently working on the production of My Fair Lady and On Your Feet the Gloria and Emilio Estefan Story.  The Nederlanders’ are also co-founders of The National High School Musical Award, named “The Jimmy Award,” a national program that celebrates outstanding student performances in high school musical productions across the United States.

Nina Lannan (Executive Producer). Nina Lannan’s career spans more than 50 major shows on Broadway and includes two years as Chair of The Broadway League where she was the first female to occupy that position in the organization’s 80-year history.  She is delighted to renew her association with Andrew Lloyd Webber and The Really Useful Company which began in 1980 and includes the shows CATS, Song and Dance, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Whistle Down The Wind.  She is the founding partner of Bespoke Theatricals and a board member of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Broadway remembers Joe Franklin

New Yorkers’ are sentimental and our myNewYorkeye team will debate anyone who feels differently.

We value history and we especially value the creative elders that have helped shape the character and texture of the city.

Non-New Yorkers’ may not understand that just because we don't wear big grins that we aren't smiling on the inside.

Broadway producers Tom Kirdahy, Roy Furman, and Ken Davenport are dedicating todays’ 

Wednesday matinee of It’s Only a Play to the memory of television pioneer, Joe Franklin, who passed away on January 24, 2015.

A “characters’-character” Mr. Joe Franklin was a legendary New York City radio and TV show host, credited with pioneering the behind-the-desk celebrity interview that has come to define modern late-night talk shows. He began hosting “The Joe Franklin Show” in 1950, interviewing the likes of including Woody Allen, Barbra Streisand Al Pacino and Liza Minnelli, to name just a few of the thousands of stars he sat across from over the years.  An icon of the industry for decades, Franklin was often parodied on “Saturday Night Live” by Billy Crystal, and appeared as himself in the classic films Manhattan, Ghostbusters, 29th Street, and Broadway Danny Rose.

In a statement, playwright Terrence McNally said, “Joe Franklin was a true New York treasure, and he loved, supported and promoted theater people for decades.  We dedicate today's matinee performance of It’s Only A Play to his memory.”

On the evening prior to his passing, Mr. Franklin was expected as a guest of the ‘Re-Opening Night’ of It’s Only A Play, which on January 23rd celebrated the production’s move from its original home, the Schoenfeld Theatre, next door to its new home, the Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street),  where it is currently scheduled through March 29, 2015.

Terrence McNally’s It’s Only A Play recently welcomed Tony® and Emmy® winner Martin Short, 2-time Tony® winner Katie Finneran, and “30 Rock” alum Maulik Pancholy, who join original cast members F. Murray Abraham, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing and Micah Stock. 3-time Tony® Award winner Jack O’Brien directs.