by Mike Haber | Aug 7, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
HELLO GORGEOUS!!! It’s been many years of rumors but the first ever Broadway revival of the legendary musical FUNNY GIRL is finally happening. According to an
Actors’ Equity Association casting post, it is aiming to begin performances starting next year. Rehearsals are expecting to begin February 14th, 2022 and will open April 2nd, 2022,
The creative team will consist of the following….
Emmy Award winner
Michael Rafter (TV film version of Gypsy, Broadway’s Thoroughly Modern Millie, Swing, the 1996 revival of The King and I) will be the show’s musical director,
The lead roles of “Fanny Brice” and “Nicky Arnstein” has been casted but not yet announced. Stay tuned. However with auditions, they will be looking for understudies.
This production is rumored to be a remounting of a 2015 West End revival directed by Mayer and also an updated book by Harvey Fierstein.
Now in case anyone may not be familiar with FUNNY GIRL, it’s set in New York City around the year of 1910 prior before World War 1. the story centers on the rise and fame of acclaimed versatile entertainer Fanny Brice. It also follows her stormy relationship with entrepreneur, gambler, and womanizer Nick Arnstein. It features an iconic score by
Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart. It also is best known for being the breakout and signature musical that took off the career of one of the greatest entertainers of all time….
Barbra Streisand. Notable songs include I’M THE GREATEST STAR, PEOPLE, YOU ARE WOMAN, MY MAN, and of course the ultimate powerhouse anthem…. DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE.
The musical was first conceived by Ray Stark, (the son-in-law to Fanny Brice via his marriage to her daughter Frances). He originally wrote an official authorized biography of Fanny Brice’s life based on taped recollections she had dictated. However, he was unhappy with the result. It cot him $50,000 to stop publication of the book entitled THE FABULOUS FANNY.
He then turned Hollywood screenplay writer Ben Hecht on creating a film about Fanny’s life. However, Hecht nor the ten writers who succeeded him were able to produce a version that pleased Stark. Finally, Isobel Lennart submitted the perfect script for the film pleasing both Stark and Columbia Pictures executives, who offered Stark $400,000 plus a percentage of the gross for the property. The original film was initially called MY MAN (named after a real life song by Maurice Yvain, Jacques-Charles, Albert Willemetz, and Channing Pollock which later would later be part of the iconic 1968 film version of FUNNY GIRL). The screenplay got the attention of acclaimed performer Mary Martin, who contacted Ray Stark, and proposed to him an idea that it should be a stage musical instead. Immediately, Stark contacted Broadway producer David Merrick who suggested that Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim would do the score. However, Sondheim was not pleased of the idea of having Fanny being played by Mary Martin since she was NOT Jewish. Martin herself heard Sondheim’s response which caused her to loose interest in the project and dropped out. Sondheim dropped out from co-composing and was replaced by Dorothy Fields and then eventually ended up with Bob Merrill. In addition, the original director of the musical was the acclaimed Broadway director and choreographer Jerome Robbins.
For the lead role of Fanny Brice, several actresses were initially on board for the project including….
Anne Bancroft (however, she dropped due to being disappointed with the score not suiting her voice),
Eydie Gormé (however, she dropped due to the creative team being disappointed with NOT casting her husband Steve Lawrence as Nick Arnstein),
Burnett was interested in the project but really suggested that if the team could find an amazing talent that can play the role, look for a performer who was Jewish. With a list of suggestions running out, a lightbulb lit up for Jule Styne. He recalled attending a performance of I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE and there was a standout performer in that cast…. a 19 year old Barbra Streisand. At the time, Streisand was performing at the Bon Soir in Greenwich Village. He was impressed with her performance but was not impressed with her looks. After a brief argument with his wife, Styne hired Barbra Streisand on the spot.
In addition, there was even was more behind the scenes drama including a full argument between Jerome Robbins vs. Isobel Lennart about the screenplay not being a viable book for a stage musical. Ray Stark refused of all this which caused BOTH Robbins to quit the project and the musical was put back on the shelves temporarily.
A few years later, work on FUNNY GIRL continued. David Merrick hired another set of directors to the production including Bob Fosse and then eventually went to Garson Kanin. From there, Merrick he bowed out and Stark became sole Broadway Producer.
Meanwhile, Barbra Streisand was NOT happy about Garson Kanin’s new direction and was used to working with Jerome Robbins. During rehearsals, Kanin initially insisted on cutting PEOPLE from the musical because it didn’t fit the character. However, the song was already recorded as a single. Luckily, Kanin agreed to let it remain based on audience reaction to it.
The musical had its world premiere Pre-Broadway tryout engagements in both Boston and Philadelphia. Both engagements dealt with tons of negative reviews on the score and book…. including that the show was way too long. However, critics praised the performers (especially Streisand). The creative team kept working on the score and book delaying the New York run…. 5 times. However, the hard work paid off.
FUNNY GIRL officially opened in 1964 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre (later transferred to the Majestic Theatre and the Broadway Theatre) where it ran for 17 previews and 1,348 performances. It was an instant smash. Under the direction of Garson Kanin and choreographed by Carol Haney (under the supervision of Jerome Robbins), the cast was led by…
Barbra Streisand (later Mimi Hines) as “Fanny Brice”,
Sydney Chaplin (later George Reeder, and Johnny Desmond) as “Nick Arnstein”,
Kay Medford (later Fritzi Burr) as “Mrs. Brice”.
Danny Meehan (later Phil Ford) as “Eddie Ryan”,
Jean Stapleton (later Beulah Garrick and Elizabeth Moore) as “Mrs. Strakosh”,
Roger De Koven (later Alan Manson and William Larsen) as “Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.”
The musical was nominated for 8
Tony Awards in 1964 including BEST MUSICAL, BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Barbra Streisand, and BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Sydney Chaplin). However, it lost all the categories.
The musical’s original Broadway cast recording also went on to top the charts. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and achieved gold record status.
FUNNY GIRL would later go on to become a smash hit in London’s West End (featuring Streisand briefly playing the role of “Fanny Brice” till she got pregnant), Australia, several National Tours, and productions all around the world.
When this new upcoming revival does happen, it will mark as the first ever official revival of FUNNY GIRL on Broadway. However, FUNNY GIRL was done on a New York stage as a one night only concert production to raise money for
The Actors Fund in 2002 at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre (where the story of FUNNY GIRL takes place). Under the direction of Peter Flynn and conducted by Seth Rudetsky, it was known for having a different actress play the role of “Fanny Brice” in a different scene. Several of the “Fanny’s” included….
Whoopi Goldberg,
Ana Gasteyer,
Kristin Chenoweth,
Idina Menzel,
LaChanze,
Julia Murney,
Ricki Lake,
Sutton Foster, Carolee Carmello, Bebe Neuwirth,
Judy Kuhn,
Lillias White, and more.
It also included Peter Gallagher as “Nick Arnstein”.
Plans and rumors of a Broadway revival of FUNNY GIRL have been speculating the Theater community since the 2010 era.
Initially a Broadway revival was supposed to come in 2012 at the Imperial Theatre. Under the direction for Tony Award winner Bartlett Sheer, the production was supposed to star
Lauren Ambrose as “Fanny Brice”. However, the production was postponed due to economic finances being low.
In 2014, Ryan Murphy initially was eyeing interest in producing a full scale revival of FUNNY GIRL based on what was seen on his acclaimed Award winning smash hit musical TV series
Glee. As many of us know, GLEE did majority of all the great songs from the musical (including DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE, I’M THE GREATEST STAR, and FUNNY GIRL). On the series, it was the fictional Broadway debut of the main character of “Rachel Berry”. For the actual Ryan Murphy produced revival, he was planning on casting
Lea Michele (who plays “Rachel Berry” on GLEE) in a Broadway comeback….as “Fanny Brice”. However, nothing ever came of the production.
In 2018, talks were made that Rosie O’Donnell has come on board to the new revival playing the role of “Mrs. Brice” (the mother of “Fanny). For the lead role, it was rumored that Grammy and Oscar winning recording artist Lady Gaga would star as “Fanny Brice” following to the success of her performance in the movie musical remake of A Star is Born,
early of last year in 2020, another rumor came about that this revival would be led by Tony winner Idina Menzel as the titular role. However, still nothing has been confirmed.
With FUNNY GIRL being a smash hit on stage, it was also an iconic movie musical that is still loved by Musical Theater fans everywhere. The original film was released in 1968 from Columbia Pictures.
When it was time to make the film, studio executives were really strict and thought Barbra Streisand wasn’t at that level yet to lead a major motion picture. They wanted to cast a bigger and more established Hollywood actress in the role of “Fanny Brice”. Initially, it was given to
Shirley MacClaine. However, Ray Stark (who also produced the film) insisted on Barbra Streisand. From there, they got her and Barbra’s career rose even higher…..
Under the direction of William Wyler, the original film version of FUNNY GIRL starred….
Barbra Streisand reprising her performance as “Fanny Brice”,
Omar Shariff as “Nick Arnstein”,
Kay Medford reprising her performance as “Mrs. Brice”.
Lee Allen as “Eddie Ryan”,
Mae Questel as “Mrs. Strakosh”,
and
Walter Pidgeon as “Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.”
The film went on to be nominated for 8
Academy Awards in 1969 including BEST PICTURE. However, it took home only 1 for BEST ACTRESS for Barbra Streisand….. historically tying with Katharine Hepburn in The Lion in Winter.
Later on there would be a movie musical sequel to FUNNY GIRL entitled FUNNY LADY with Barbra Streisand reprising her role of “Fanny Brice” which was released in 1975. In that sequel, it follows Fanny’s life following her divorce from Nick Arnstein to her marriage to songwriter and impresario Billy Rose. It went on to get several Oscar nominations but lost that year.
Most recently, the acclaimed 2015 West End revival of FUNNY GIRL was filmed in 2018 during its UK tour run at the
Manchester Opera House from Trafaglar. Under the direction of Michael Mayer, it was led by….
Darius Campbell as “Nick Arnstein”,
Rachel Izen as “Mrs. Brice”,
Joshua Lay as “Eddie Ryan”,
Nigel Barber as “Florenz Ziegfeld”,
and more.
We are anxiously awaiting this FUNNY GIRL revival to come soon!!!
Who is ready to say once again HELLO, GORGEOUS when FUNNY GIRL officially returns to Broadway?!!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 7, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
YEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWW! Live Theater is making its way back to the Great Bright Way. Today marks 50 DAYS till we finally get to celebrate Broadway’s biggest night of the year….. the 74th Annual
Tony Awards. This past year alone has been really rough with the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected this magical place we call home. So many shows from the 2019-2020 season have opened. There were other shows that were just starting their runs. Of course, there were the shows that did NOT even begin performances yet. With ongoing safety precautions, we are taking things in that slow and steady approach as we get closer each day to those curtains rising once more. That first night for most shows….especially our favorite musicals is going to be an emotional magical evening. Anyways, to get us in the mood of the Great Bright Way making its comeback and celebrating the Tony Awards in just 50 DAYS….. we at New York Broadway Tours are once again proud to present our TOP 5o TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN!!! Each morning, we will be waking you up each morning playing many of our favorite show stopping performances from previous Tony telecasts. You’ll also discover the history of these beloved shows we know in love. Without further or do…. LET’S GO ON WITH THE SHOW!!
Speaking of saying LET’S GO ON WITH THE SHOW, kicking it all off at # 50 is a classic Musical that truly believes in the spirit of that mantra. We are about to take you deep into the Wild Wild West following the life of one of the most famed sharp shooters in American History….. Annie Oakley. We are talking about the Great American classic that hits the ENTERTAINMENT BULLSEYE itself…..
Annie Get Your Gun. The show features a renowned score by
Irving Berlin along with a book by Dorothy and Herbert Fields.
From the 1999 telecast. the legendary
Bernadette Peters in the titular role of “Annie Oakley”,
Tom Wopat as “Frank Butler”, and the cast of that year’s revival take us to the ultimate Wild West Reception at the Hotel Brevoort. Here they are performing a medley of 2 of the musical’s notable classics I GOT THE SUN IN THE MORNING and AN OLD FASHION WEDDING.
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was first conceived by Dorothy Fields who wanted to create a musical about the famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley for her friend and celebrated powerhouse
Ethel Merman. After a rocky start with producer Mike Todd, Fields approached a new producing team….. Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II (who had just come off the success of their breakout debut musical
OKLAHOMA!). Along with continuing to become successful writers, Rodgers & Hammerstein became Theater entrepreneurs going into the world of producing for both their new shows and other authors. They immediately got attached to the project asking acclaimed songwriter Jerome Kern to do the score. At the same time, Dorothy Fields would do the lyrics along with co-writing the book with her brother Herbert. However, tragedy struck just 3 DAYS after beginning work on the musical….. Jerome Kern suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while walking at the corner of Park Avenue and 57th Street. He was hospitalized and died a week later.
Following Kern’s tragic passing,
Rodgers & Hammerstein reached out to Irving Berlin in taking over on the project. However, he originally refused to do the project due to fear of not being able to write certain songs that would be the perfect fit for each scene. Oscar Hammerstein II mentored Berlin in helping him study the script which eventually led to inspiration for some of the musical’s notable songs today including DOIN’ WHAT COMES NATURALLY and the show’s anthem THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS. The songs themselves were perfect for BOTH the script and Ethel Merman’s vocal chops. At the same time, Dorothy Fields agreed to step down as the lyricist focusing on the book. The work continued for the team till the show was ready.
Finally on May 16th, 1946, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN made its Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre running for 1, 146 performances. Under the direction of Joshua Logan, the original production was led by….
Ethel Merman in her signature performance as “Annie Oakley”,
Ray Middleton (later Milton Watson) as “Frank Butler”,
William O’Neal as “Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody”,
Marty May as “Charlie Davenport”,
Lea Penman as “Dolly Tate”,
Harry Bellaver (later Bert Freed) as “Chief Sitting Bull”,
Kenny Bowers as “Tommy Keeler”,
Betty Anne Nyman as “Winnie Tate”,
George Lipton as “Pawnee Bill”,
The original production of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN did not receive any Tony Award nominations or wins. The Tonys was created a year later in 1947.
With the success of the original Broadway run, the show went on to become a worldwide phenomenon. It embarked on a North American National Tour that following year of 1947 (starring Mary Martin as the title role), in London’s West End (starring Dolores Gray) playing the
London Coliseum for 1,304 performances, and in Australia (starring Evie Hayes). It also launched various productions worldwide including Paris and Mexico.
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN would later be revived several times on the New York stage including 2 BROADWAY REVIVALS.
The 1st Broadway revival of the musical happened in 1966. It played the Vivian Beaumont at
Lincoln Center Theater for a strictly limited engagement of 78 performances. This version was abridged. Several songs, storyline, and characters were cut including the love story between “Tommy Keeler” and “Winnie Tate”. This production would later go on a short 10 week North American National Tour. Under the direction of Jack Sydow, the cast was led by….
Ethel Merman reprising her performance as “Annie Oakley”,
Bruce Yarnell as “Frank Butler”,
Rufus Smith as “Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody”,
Benay Venutta who previously appeared in the 1950 film version reprising the role as “Dolly Tate”,
Jack Dabdoub as “Pawnee Bill”,
This revival was nominated for 2 Tony Awards that year including BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (for Jack Sydow) and BEST CHOREOGRAPHY (for Danny Daniels). However, it lost both its categories.
From there, the show went on to continue launching more productions around the world including 2 West End revivals both in 1986 (starring Suzi Quatro) and 1992 (starring Kim Criswell).
The most recent ON Broadway revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN happened in 1999. Following a triumphant out-of-town tryout at
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in our Nation’s Capitol of Washington D.C., it made its way to Broadway’s Marquis Theatre where it ran for 35 previews and 1,045 regular performances. This version was a fully updated take on the musical for this generation. The book was revised by Peter Stone being structured as a “Show within a show” vibe using Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show as a traveling big-top circus act. Notable changes included the show opening with THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (replacing the initial opening number COLONEL BUFFALO BILL) featuring “Frank Butler” singing and “Buffalo Bill” himself introducing and narrating the story. The “Tommy” and “Winnie” love story was put back in. Under the direction of Graciela Danielle, the cast of this revival was led by….
Peter Marx as “Charlie Davenport”,
Valerie Wright (later Michelle Blakely and Kerry O’Malley) as “Dolly Tate”,
Gregory Zaragoza (later Larry Storch) as “Chief Sitting Bull”,
Andrew Palermo (later Randy Donaldson, Eric Scottio, and Craig D’Amico) as “Tommy Keeler”,
Nikki Snelson (later Emily Rozek and Claci Miller) as “Winnie Tate”,
Ron Caroll (later Gerry Vicchi) as “Pawnee Bill”,
This legendary revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was nominated for 3 Tony Awards that same year of 1999. It won 2 out of the 3 categories for BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (marking the 2nd win for Bernadette Peters). Its cast album also won the
Grammy Award for BEST MUSICAL SHOW ALBUM. It also took home a
Drama Desk Award both in 1999 (for OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL for Peters) and 2001 (getting the SPECIAL AWARD for Reba McEntire when she took over).
There have continued to be many more productions of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN everywhere around the world.
The recent New York production of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN served as a concert production at
New York City Center for its annual GALA show. Under the direction of John Rando, this cast was led by….
Brad Oscar as “Charlie Davenport”,
Marshall Factora as “Chief Sitting Bull”,
Chuck Cooper as “Pawnee Bill”,
and more.
Along with its triumph on stage, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was also a triumphant success on the Big Screen.
The original film version was released in 1950 from
MGM. However, its jump from stage to screen had tons of Behind the Scenes drama. The original budget for this film was $1.5 million with $600,000 payable to Irving Berlin and Dorothy and Herbert Fields to use BOTH the score and book. Produced by Arthur Freed, the film was initially made for and starred
Judy Garland in the role of “Annie Oakley”. At the time, Garland was extremely exhausted from film after film after film at MGM. She insisted on taking 6 months off to recover and recharge. However, the studio refused, forced and threw her right into the movie causing her to feel exhausted, get more sick, and grumpy. The worst situation was that the film’s original director and choreographer was Busby Berkeley. Previously, Garland worked with his tyrannical director on various MGM films including STRIKE UP THE BAND and GIRL CRAZY (which Berkeley previously got fired after causing her to faint). There were days where Garland NOT showed up to set, arrived late, and had several walk outs….. She refused to work with Busy Berkley. With the reports of the un-professionalism, Garland would be BOTH fired from the film and it also officially terminated her contract from MGM. The news of Garland’s termination caused her to even cause a few suicide attempts (which included breaking a glass and slashing her throat in the bathroom). Berkeley would be fired as well. Along with the whole Judy Garland drama, her former
Wizard of Oz co-star Frank Morgan (who was originally tapped to play “Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody” unexpectedly died of a heart attack in the midst while shooting. After a rocky start, MGM put together a full new package for the film. With new direction by George Sidney, the cast was led by….
Betty Hutton (replacing Judy Garland) as “Annie Oakley”,
Louis Calhern as “Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody”,
Keenan Wynn as “Charlie Davenport”,
Benay Venutta as “Dolly Tate”,
J. Carol Naish as “Chief Sitting Bull”,
Edward Arnold as “Pawnee Bill”,
and more.
The film went on to become one of the most successful movie musicals of all time. During its initial release, it earned over $4,708,000 in the US and Canada and $3,048,000 overseas, resulting in a profit of $1,061,000. It also was nominated for 4 Oscars winning 1 for BEST MUSIC SCORING.
The musical would also be captured on film an additional 2 times.
6 years after the original film’s release, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was captured on film again. This time, it was done as a critically acclaimed live TV production in 1957 on
NBC. Under the direction of Vincente J. Donehue, the cast was led by….
Mary Martin (direct from the 1st National Tour) as “Annie Oakley”,
John Raitt as “Frank Butler”,
William O’Neal reprising his original Broadway role as “Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody”,
Donald Burr as “Charlie Davenport”,
Reta Shaw as “Dolly Tate”,
Norman Edwards as “Tommy Keeler”,
Susan Luckey as “Winnie Tate”,
Zachary Charles as “Chief Sitting Bull”,
Robert Nash as “Pawnee Bill”,
and more.
This 1957 live production was nominated for 1 Emmy Award for BEST LIVE CAMERA WORK.
The previous filmed presentation of the musical would happen in 1966…. It was an abbreviated 90 minute version of that year’s Lincoln Center Theatre revival that also aired on NBC. It starred the full cast of that revival (including Ethel Merman as “Annie Oakley”).
Today, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN has been continued to be performed in schools. Community, and Regional Theaters everywhere. There are 2 VERSIONS that are available for licensing consisting…. The 1966 revival for Amateur Performers and the 1999 revival. Truly a celebration of SHOW BUSINESS!!!
How about that toe-tapping performance?
Annie Get Your Gun – YouTube
by Mike Haber | Aug 6, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
Broadway is making its comeback and we celebrate the best of the Great Bright Way with our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN tomorrow morning!!! We will playing you many of our favorite Broadway showstoppers from previous telecasts for the next 50 days leading up to The 74th Annual Tony Awards on September 26th, 2021 on CBS and Paramount+!!! Who is excited?!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 6, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, off broadway, Shows
FIRST LOOK: With Broadway making its comeback, have you always wanted to experience some the actual costumes from your favorite shows up close? Now you can!!!! Introducing the SHOWSTOPPERS: SPECTACULAR COSTUMES FROM STAGE AND SCREEN exhibit on 42nd Street.
This once in a lifetime exhibit will give Show Business fans a chance to see the all those unforgettable details and craftsmanship that most people see from sitting far away up-close. Even real costume makers and experts will be your guides demonstrating the techniques and skills and interacting with guests, and multimedia elements will provide a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the process. You can expect to see costumes from some of Broadway’s hottest tickets past and present including….
Starlight Express,
and
so much more.
This exhibit is also serving as a benefit to raise money for the Costume Industry Coalition Recovery Fund, which continues to support one of the hardest hit sectors of the entertainment industry…. especially after this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SHOWSTOPPERS will be a limited engagement from now through September 26th, 2021 on 234 West 42nd Street…. the former site of the
Modell’s Sporting Goods store there.
How fabulous and stunning is this?!!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 6, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
The Broadway magic is back!!!! The other day was a history making moment for our Live Theater scene as
Pass Over officially began previews and made history as the first Broadway Play to open in 17 months since Live Theater went dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our hearts are booming with chills with the following video of the sold out audience at the August Wilson Theatre bursting into the long awaited historical BROADWAY’S BACK FIRST NIGHT STANDING OVATION!!! The ovation erupted moments right as the show was about to start. Captured by the show’s producer and
Jujamcyn President
Jordan Roth, it includes PASS OVER’s playwright Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu making her grand entrance into the auditorium taking her seat and even capturing footage of the beautiful emotional moment herself.
It also includes the pre-show announcement as soon as the house lights went dark once again. From what we can tell, all Broadway shows will be updating their pre-show announcements. It will remind people not only to silence their cell phones and no camera, audio, or video recordings…… it will also remind people since we’re still in the midst of COVID-19 and Delta Variant cases rising…. to keep WEARING YOUR FACE MASKS ON THE ENTIRE PERFORMANCE! This is for everyone’s health and safety.
PASS OVER runs on Broadway for a limited 9 week engagement. The show’s official Opening Night is set for September 12th, 2021 and will run through October 10th, 2021.
How beautiful was that?!!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 5, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: DON’T CHA know YOU’RE GONNA LIKE IT HERE!!! It has just been announced that
Nicole Scherzinger (
The Pussycat Dolls, TV’s
The Masked Singer, West End’s
Cats, and
Hollywood Bowl production of
Rent) has been tapped to join
NBC‘s upcoming star-studded live televised production of
Annie this Holiday season. The Olivier Award nominee and Pop star will take on the role of the beautiful motherly figured secretary and chief of staff to the WARBUCKS House herself…… “Grace Ferrell”.
Scherzinger steps into the shoes of so many unforgettable talents that have played this beloved character both on stage and screen. The role was originated on Broadway by Sandy Faison. It has later been played by incredible talents such as Anne Kerry, Judith Paris, Kathryn Boulé, Colleen Dunn,
Brynn O’Malley,
Lea Salonga, the legendary late Ann Reinking (in the 1982 film),
Audra McDonald (in the 1999 TV movie), and so much more.
Scherzinger joins the previously announced casting lineup consisting of….
Grammy and Emmy winner and Tony nominee
Harry Connick Jr as billionaire “Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks”,
Currently, an open casting call tour has been going on virtually to seek a rising new star to play the titular role in this live TV production.
Additional casting will be announced soon.
Rehearsals for the new live production begin this Fall 2021.
Annie Live is set for December 2nd, 2021 on NBC. It promises to show the world that THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW. It’s going to be the ultimate celebration of the return of Live Musicals with everything making its way back to normal.
