by Mike Haber | Aug 23, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
RAZZLE DAZZLE NEWS!!!! THEY HAD IT COMIN’ indeed!!! Casting has been announced for the return of the legendary long running revival of
Chicago on Broadway this Fall. Set to REACH FOR THE GUN 8 times a week…… AND ALL THAT JAZZ….. will include a lineup of familiar cast members and newbies….. fully diverse!!!
Directed by Tony Award winner
Walter Bobbie and featuring the iconic
Bob Fosse choreography that was re-updated and staged by the late
Ann Reinking, CHICAGO’s returning cast will include…..
Bianca Marroquin who will now graduate from playing “Roxie Hart” after over 20 YEARS and 4,000 performances to now playing the role of Queen MERRY MURDERESS herself “Velma Kelly”,
Ana Villafañe (Broadway’s ON YOUR FEET and TV’s
New Amsterdam and the upcoming Night Court) will step into the role of aspiring vaudeville star turned killer “Roxie Hart”,
Tony winning legend Lillias White (Broadway’s Barnum,
Dreamgirls,
Cats, Carrie,
Once On This Island, Fela along with various films and TV shows) will return to the long-running production playing THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS, THE COUNTESS OF THE CLINK, and the MISTRESS OF MURDEROUS ROW herself “Matron “Mama” Morton”,
longtime cast member Ray Bokhour will return as MR. CELLOPHANE himself “Amos Hart”,
longtime cast member Ryan Lowe returns as gullible and optimistic operatic reporter “Mary Sunshine”,
Casting for the role of THE SILVER TOUNGE PRINCE OF THE COURTROOM himself “Billy Flynn” will announced at a later time.
CHICAGO is set to make Broadway HOT once again starting September 14th, 2021 at the Ambassador Theatre.
by Mike Haber | Aug 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
Donovan joins the previously announced 5-person tasty Ensemble cast consisting of…..
Emmy Award winner Ron Cephas Jones (TV’s
This Is Us along with Broadway’s Gem of the Ocean, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, and last seen in the recent revival of
Of Mice and Men),
Lucille Lortel Award nominee Kara Young (Off Broadway’s All The Natalie Portmans) in her On Broadway debut,
Reza Salazar (no stranger working with Lynn Notage in the Broadway debut of
SWEAT and appeared in the original 2019 premiere of this play in Minneapolis).
Under the direction of Kate Whoriskey, CLYDE’S will have a delicious Broadway debut at the Hayes at
Second Stage Theater. Previews begin November 3rd, 2021 and the Opening Night is set for November 22nd, 2021. It will run for a strictly limited engagement through January 16th, 2022.
by Mike Haber | Aug 17, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, Shows
This Non-Equity tour production originally launched in the Fall of 2019 bringing paradise to North America. It was one of the many shows that was abruptly shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic on a hiatus for 537 days.
ESCAPE TO MARGARITTAVILLE will relaunch August 31st, 2021 in Tusla, OK before making its way to over 20 cities….
Phoenix, AZ,
Kansas City, MI,
a return to New Orleans, LA (where its Pre-Broadway tour stopped),
Hershey, PA,
New Brunswick, NJ,
Hartford, CT,
Sarasota, FL,
Durham, NC
Buffalo, NY,
and
so much more.
Check out the show’s website to find out more dates.
Directed by Amy Anders Corcoran and replicating the original Broadway production directed by Tony winner Christopher Ashley, this tour cast is led by rising newcomers…..
Sarah Hinrichsen as “Rachel”,
Shelly Lynn Walsh as “Tammy”,
Peter Michael Jordan as “Brick”,
Rachel Lyn Fobbs as “Marley”,
Patrick Cogan as “J.D.”
and
Matthew James Sherrod as “Jamal” and “Ted”.
In case anyone may not know, ESCAPE TO MARGARITTAVILLE is an original musical featuring the songs of Jimmy Buffett. It also features an original book by
Greg GarcÃa and Mike O’Malley. Set in a tropical resort in the Caribbean, it tells the story of a part-time bartender and singer who falls for a career-minded tourist. It includes many of Buffett’s notable songs including FINS, IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE, WHY DON’T WE GET DRUNK, MARGHERITTAVILLE, VOLCANO, CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE, ONE PARTICULAR HARBOR, and more. It also includes some original songs written for the show including LICESNSE TO CHILL, IT’S MY JOB, and LOVE AND LUCK.
The show originally had its world premiere in the Spring of 2017 at the
La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. Immediately afterwards, plans were underway of bringing the show to the Big Apple. Prior before hitting NYC, it had a min 3 city Pre-Broadway tryout tour in New Orleans, Houston, and Chicago.
Finally, ESCAPE TO MARGHERITTAVILLE opened on Broadway in February of 2018 at the Marquis Theatre running for 29 previews and 124 regular performances. Under the direction of Christopher Ashley, the Broadway cast was led by….
Paul Alexander Nolan as “Tully”,
Alison Luff as “Rachel”,
Lisa Howard as “Tammy”,
Rema Webb as “Marley”,
Don Sparks as “J.D.”
and
The production earned mixed to negative reviews. Critics pounded the show considering the production as WASTED. However, the cast performances were praised. At the same time, ticket sales were extremely low.
Following its New York closing,
Broadway Licensing secured the rights for this show. You can now expect to see many productions of ESCAPE TO MARGARITTAVILLE in schools, community, and regional theaters.
Who is excited to experience paradise back on the road after a rough year?!!
ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Tour Returns For Final 12 Weeks This Month (broadwayworld.com)
by Mike Haber | Aug 17, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
Pascal (known his Tony nominated portrayal of “Roger” in the original cast and film versions of
Jonathan Larson‘s
Rent along with appearing in
Aida,
Cabaret,
Chicago,
Memphis,
Disaster, and
Something Rotten) will take on the role of womanizing business man “Edward Lewis which he previously played temporary for a brief stint in the Broadway production
Valli (previously seen as “Elphaba” in the National Tour of
WICKED and last seen Off Broadway in
Jersey Boys about the life of her real-life Grandfather
Frankie Valli) will play the role of the beautiful free spirited Hollywood prostitute “Vivian Ward”.
Additional casting will be announced in the next few weeks.
PRETTY WOMAN’s National Tour is set to kick off October 9th. 2021 in Providence, RI before traveling to the following cities across North America….
Cincinnati, OH,
Detroit, MI
St. Louis, MO,
Buffalo, NY,
Rochester, NY,
Chicago, IL,
Washington D.C.,
Philedelphia. PA.
Cleveland, OH,
Hartford, CT,
Boston, MA,
Baltimore, MD,
Los Angeles, CA,
Tucson, AZ
San Diego, CA,
Denver, CO,
and
so much more.
Check out the official tour dates on line.
In case anyone may not know,
Pretty Woman. is a musical based on the iconic 1990 film of the same name with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. It tells the story of a on down-on-her-luck Hollywood hooker who gets hired by a wealthy businessman, to be his escort for several business and social functions, and their developing relationship over the course of her week-long stay with him. The musical features a score by legendary singer-songwriter
Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. It also includes a book by the original film’s writers J. F. Lawton and the late
Garry Marshall. Notable songs include WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD, ANYWHERE BUT HERE, LOOK AT ME NOW, FREEDOM, YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, NEVER GIVE UP ON A DREAM, I CAN’T GO BACK, and LONG WAY HOME. Later on the iconic titular song OH, PRETTY WOMAN by Roy Orbison was added as the Finale number of the show.
PRETTY WOMAN was originally developed for the stage following the legendary success of the iconic 1990 film back in 2014. Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton had secured the rights and began expanding more from what they’ve done in the film and including it on stage. At the same time, Bryan Adams was hired to co-write the songs giving it that early 80’s / 90’s vibe. However when Garry Marshall (who also directed the original film died in 2016), the show’s head producer Paula Wagner said the show will continue to go on. After several years of early development readings and workshops. It was ready to go.
The show originally had its world premiere out-of-town tryout in Chicago, IL playing The James M. Nederlander Theatre (formerly the Oriental Theatre) in the Spring of 2018. It would then make its way to the Big Apple in the Summer of that same year playing (IRONICALLY) Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre for 27 previews and 420 regular performances. Under the direction and choreography by
Jerry Mitchell, the cast was led by….
Eric Anderson as “Mr. Thompson”,
The musical earned mixed to negative reviews. Critics praised the cast but expressed the disappointment of the show’s writing. At the same time, the show went through a rough set of disappointing low ticket sales.
Despite the production being a disappointment on Broadway, PRETTY WOMAN still went on to become successful overseas. The first production after Broadway opened in Hamburg, Germany with the entire score and book translated into German.
At the same time, the show is continuing to play to packed houses in London’s West End. Originally the show opened in February 2020 at the Piccadilly Theatre but was abruptly shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it reopened recently, it’s now playing at London’s Savoy Theatre. With the same creative team, this London cast stars….
Bob Harms as “Mr. Thompson”,
We are so excited to see this powerful show back in America set to wow audiences everywhere once again.
by Mike Haber | Aug 16, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: So much anticipation in the air celebrating the return of Live Theater in the Big Apple. We are so happy to announce that early casting has been revealed for the upcoming 2021-2022 season of
New York City Center‘s legendary famed ENCORES series. This promises to be an unbelievable all-star lineup of familiar Broadway faces bringing classic musicals back to life like never before.
For anyone who may not be familiar first, ENCORES was created by New York City Center in 1994. It’s a series of staged concert presentations of popular but rarely ever produced Broadway Musicals. We are talking about classic shows that has NOT been seen on the New York stage within over 20+ years. They’re usually rehearsed for about a week and a half in a private rehearsal studio before heading into City Center’s main stage to tech and then run for only 5 SHOWS. All productions feature a full 35 piece orchestra (a.k.a THE ENCORES ORCHESTRA) on stage accompanying a full all-star Broadway cast and Ensemble (carrying scripts along with some stage blocking and choreography).
Many of its productions have later went on to have successful transfers to Broadway including the ongoing long running revival of
Chicago, Wonderful Town, The Apple Tree, Gypsy, Violet, and so much more.
This year’s lineup of shows and casting will consist as follows…..
The season kicks off February 2nd – 6th, 2022 with a production of Henry Krieger, Robert Lorick, and Charles Blackwell’s Tony winning musical THE TAP DANCE KID. This production will be directed by Tony winner
Kenny Leon and featuring choreography by Jared Grimes. It tells the story of an upper middle class African-American family and a 10 year old boy’s dream of becoming a professional dancer but faces opposition from his father, a lawyer. It originally debuted at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre in 1983 running for 669 performances, Notable songs include ANOTHER DAY, CLASS ACT, MAN IN THE MOON, LIKE HIM, SOMEDAY, and DANCE IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY.
Headlining the cast of THE TAP DANCE KID will star….
Emmy Award winner
Dulé Hill who appeared in the musical’s original production on Broadway as the understudy for the lead role of “Willie”. This time he returns to play the role of “Uncle Dipsey”.
The 2nd show of the season running March 16th – 20th, 2022 will be Cy Coleman, Ira Gasman, and David Newman’s Award winning smash musical THE LIFE. This new production will be BOTH adapted and directed by Tony and Emmy winner
Billy Porter. In case anyone may not be familiar, THE LIFE tells the story of life in Times Square’s 42nd Street in the 1980’s during the crazy era long before the “Disneyfication” which was inhabited by pimps, prostitutes, druggies and dealers, runaways and the homeless. It originally debuted in 1990 OFF Broadway at the Westbeth Theatre. It later moved ON Broadway in 1997 playing the Ethel Barrymore Theatre where it ran for 21 previews and 466 regular performances. Notable songs include CHECK IT OUT, MY BODY, YOU CAN’T GO TO HEAVEN, I’M LEAVING YOU, WE HAD A DREAM, and WE GOTTA GO,
Headlining THE LIFE cast will star….
Chuck Cooper who won a Tony for playing the role of “Memphis” in the musical’s origin al production…. this time playing the role of “Old Jojo”,
Grammy Award-winner
Ledisi (who previously appeared on Broadway in the original production of
Caroline, Or Change) in the role of “Sonja”,
Finally, CHILDREN WILL LISTEN to the final production set to run for a 2 week engagement from May 4th – 15th, 2022….. a brand new production of
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s thrilling fairy tale adventure…….
Into The Woods. Directed by Lear deBessonet, this new semi-staged production will take audiences on the ultimate journey. The story of course combines some of the world’s greatest fairy tales by The Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault all tied together in one story. It centers on a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family (the original beginning of The Grimm Brothers’ “Rapunzel”), their interaction with an evil “witch” who has placed a curse on them, and their interaction with other notable characters on their own adventures like “Cinderella”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and more. The musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1987 winning several Tony Awards including BEST SCORE and has had several revivals since there. It’s also a popular show performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere. Notable songs include INTO THE WOODS, GIANTS IN THE SKY, I KNOW THINGS NOW, AGONY, ON THE STEPS OF THE PALACE, YOUR FAULT, ANY MOMENT, NO ONE IS ALONE, and the beautiful CHILDREN WILL LISTEN.
This magical fairy tale cast will include….
What an unforgettable lineup welcoming ENCROES and City Center back!!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 14, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: THE BOY IN THE DRESS is finally making its way to America….. AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW IT!!! It has just been announced that
Layton Williams and Bianca Del Rio are both GONNA BE THE ONE tapped to take part in the North American premiere production of the Olivier nominated smash hit
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie next year.
Williams and Del Rio continue on with this powerful musical after having previously appearing in the show’s inaugural production in London’s West End.
West End favorite Layton Williams (making his American Theater debut and known for his performance on the hit series
Bad Education) will star the titular role of aspiring 16 year old drag queen “Jamie New”
Bianca Del Rio (using real name Roy Haylock and known for being one of the most legendary iconic drag queen stars) will play the role of drag shop owner and mentor “Hugo” who goes by drag alter-ego “Loco Chanelle”.
Additional casting will be announced later on.
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE is set to make its American debut in Los Angeles, CA at the
Ahmanson Theatre. It will run from January 16th-February 20th, 2022.
It also comes at a very exciting time with the release of the new film adaptation of the musical set to premiere on
Amazon Prime on September 21st, 2021.
