by Mike Haber | Oct 16, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
ON THE MARQUEE: For the past few weeks since reopening on Broadway, long running Green Girl
Jennifer DiNoia has been back once again playing “Elphaba” every night in
WICKED. The actress (currently serving as the standby once again) has been filling in for current leading lady
Lindsay Pearce who has been out of the show these last few weeks due to a foot injury.
Filling in for DiNoia as the standby (and now once again being a temporary fulltime leading lady) is another returning cast member
Alyssa Fox (previously seen on Broadway as the standby for “Elsa” in Disney’s
Frozen).
With Pearce is continuing to recover, DiNoia will once again now be playing the smart, fiery, misunderstood, and not-so Wicked Witch of the West herself fulltime all month long. With that in mind, an update has been made outside the show’s front of house billboard of the Gershwin Theatre featuring DiNoia’s photo as “Elphaba”.
Lindsay Pearce is expecting to return to the cast in November.
Jennifer DiNoia is one of WICKED’s longest running and legendary Green Girls. She has played the role on 4 CONTINENTS. She has performed this role on and off for the last 14 YEARS!!! Her journey with the
Stephen Schwartz musical began in 2007 as part of the Chicago company initially being the Dance Captain which she later got plucked from being emergency cover to standby for the role of “Elphaba” where she played the role for about 1,500 performances covering for
Dee Roscioli and Lisa Brescia.
Since the Chicago company closed in 2009, DiNoia immediately got plucked to serving as the standby for “Elphaba” in the New York production marking it her Broadway debut covering once again for Dee Roscioli along with
Mandy Gonzalez, and
Teal Wicks. A few months into her first stint standing by there, DiNoia went on to serve as an Emergency standby for
Jemma Rix in the show’s Australian company out in Sydney for a month. She returned to the Broadway production afterwards where she continued to DEFY GRAVITY as the standby till 2011.
After a year away, DiNoia returned to THE MERRY OLD LAND OF OZ in 2012 joining the Asian Touring Company of WICKED serving as the first ever “Elphaba” alternate going on twice a week. During that time, she shared the role once again with Jemma Rix.
Immediately after a Summer in Asia, DiNoia returned to the Broadway production serving as a temporary filling in for
Donna Vivino as the standby a month…..who at the time was covering for
Jackie Burns.
Finally in 2013, DiNoia was offered and landed the role of “Elphaba” fulltime. She succeeded Christine Dwyer in the role on the 2nd (and on-going) Munchkinland Touring company for a whole year.
A year after the tour in 2014 (with Laurel Harris taking over), DiNoia went back AGAIN to the Broadway production as a temporary standby for Christine Dwyer in the role….. and also filling in before future Tony nominee
Lilli Cooper joined as the standby.
Immediately afterwards, DiNoia got the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime offer to go join
Wicked‘s London production replacing
Kerry Ellis as “Elphaba” fulltime for a 5 month run. This milestone marked her it her West End debut. Along with it being her 4th Continent, DiNoia’s stint in London marked becoming the 2nd American actress to join the London company after the musical’s original Tony winning star
Idina Menzel.
Right after returning overseas to the United States in February 2015, DiNoia jumped into the Emerald City 1st National Tour of WICKED replacing Emma Hunton fulltime as “Elphaba” where she stayed till the company’s closing after 10 years on the road.
After the 1st National Tour closed, DiNoia went back to the Broadway company as a temporary principal while Caroline Bowman was recovering from an injury. She shared this temporary run for 3 weeks alongside Christine Dwyer.
Finally in the Summer of 2016 and after having a baby girl, Jennifer DiNoia replaced
Rachel Tucker as “Elphaba” full time on Broadway for a whole year. She stayed till Summer of 2017 where she was replaced by another fellow long running Green Girl
Jackie Burns.
DiNoia recently rejoined the Broadway production in 2019 till at the time when Broadway was shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the show returned, she’s still going it. As the standby during this stint, she has been covering for BOTH Hannah Corneau and now Lindsay Pearce.
Congrats Jennifer DiNoia!!!
Get well Lindsay Pearce!!!
Isn’t Jennifer DiNoia such a WICKED legend?!!!
How THRILLIFYING is that?
Any Jennifer DiNoia fans out there?!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 15, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: Casting has been revealed for the 2nd chance Broadway run of
Tracy Lett‘s new political play
The Minutes as it finally prepares to finally reach its long awaited Opening on Broadway beginning Spring 2022.
Under the direction of Anna J. Shapiro, the cast will still feature majority of the cast it had prior to the shutdown including….
Sally Murphy (Broadway’s 1994
Lincoln Center Theater revival of Carousel, Linda Vista, and August: Osage County) as “Ms. Matz”,
Tony Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Blair Brown (
The Parisian Woman and Copenhagen, TV’s The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd) as “Ms. Innes”,
New to the cast will include Emmy Award winner
Noah Reid (TV’s
Schitt’s Creek) in his Broadway debut replacing Golden Globe nominee Armie Hammer as “Mr. Peel”.
THE MINUTES will return to Broadway playing the legendary Studio 54 (current home of the limited engagement revival of
Caroline, Or Change). Previews will resume on March 19th, 2022 and will finally reach its long awaited official Opening Night on April 7th, 2022.
This show originally began originally began previews on February 25th, 2020 at its initial home at the Cort Theatre. It was slated to open on March 15th, 2020 but was abruptly shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing Broadway and Live Theater to shutdown.
THE MINUTES moves to Studio 54 due to its original Broadway home at the Cort Theatre currently going through an ongoing full scale renovation project.
by Mike Haber | Oct 14, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
DELICIOUS NEWS!! Acclaimed stage and screen star
Erich Bergen is making his way back to the Doctor’s Office as he rejoins the Tony and Grammy nominated smash hit
Waitress. The actor (best known for appearing in the film version of
Jersey Boys and TV’s
Madam Secretary) will join the cast of the current limited engagement Broadway revival of the hit
Sara Bareilles musical version of the hit film as the hottest doctor in town….. “Dr. Pomatter”. He will play 2 strictly limited runs at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre from October 19th–24th, 2021 and then again November 2nd-7th, 2021.
Bergen previously played the role during WAITRESS’ original Broadway run at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre back in 2018.
When he joins on the 19th, he will come the same day with the show’s upcoming new lead principals starting consisting of…
Broadway favorite Ben Thompson returning for this revival replacing Joe Tippett as “Earl”.
Other new cast members that recently just joined consisted of….
Original “Dr. Pomatter” himself
Drew Gehling will be on a brief leave of absence from the show but will be back to continue his run till November 24th, 2021.
by Mike Haber | Oct 14, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, Christmas Caroling (Times Square), News, Shows
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR is just around the corner. You know what that means…. It’s almost Holiday Time in New York City!!! The world famous
Radio City Music Hall Rockettes are vaccinated, reunited, and once again delivering those high kicks as they are currently preparing to bring back the legendary RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR for the first time in 2 years.
We are so excited to share with you footage of the iconic dance team back in rehearsals showcasing their signature moves back in place and where they belong.
For those who may not know about this beloved holiday show. It’s truly a National Treasure to the Big Apple. The production features over 140 performances on stage (consisting of The Rockettes themselves, Singers, Dancers, and a full orchestra) performing a full original score and a twist on some notable holiday favorites with a twist….. all to get everyone in the spirit of the Holidays in NYC. The show has so many beloved highlighted moments that is still beloved in the show today from the opening Reindeer Sleigh Ride number, The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, a portion from The Nutcracker, The Rag Dolls, New York at Christmas, and of course the beautiful and emotional Living Nativity scene.
Last year’s edition was sadly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also marked the very first time EVER in the show’s history that a season was cancelled since its debut in 1933. However, everyone at
Madison Square Garden Entertainment kept their spirits up to know the show will return. With the show’s return this year, it promises to give fans the greatest performance of their lives and making up for what was missed last year
The 2021 RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR returns to Radio City Music Hall from November 5th, 2021 through January 2nd, 2022.
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by Mike Haber | Oct 12, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
BRAODWAY THROWBACK: The Award winning legendary real-life
Greatest Showman himself
Hugh Jackman is set to make his way back to the Great Bright Way as “Professor Harold Hill” in the highly anticipated revival of Meredith Wilson’s
The Music Man this holiday season. For the stage and screen showstopper, this musical is truly a full circle swing.
THE MUSIC MAN originally auditioned for a production at the age of 14 in Australia. He mentioned in interviews where he prepared the full length song of the show’s opening number ROCK ISLAND (best known as one of the first major OG rap songs in Musical Theater history). However, he was rejected from it. Years later, the score always stayed with him. He even got to visit that iconic opening number from MUSIC MAN when he hosted The 2014
Tony Awards (his 4th time hosting Broadway’s biggest night).
We have footage of that moment right below. Here is Hugh Jackman rapping ROCK ISLAND alongside pro-rappers
LL Cool J and T.I.
Now, Jackman will finally get to march his heart out into this iconic show playing the lead. Of course, Jackman will be sharing the stage alongside Tony winner
Sutton Foster as “Marian Paroo” and a full all-star cast.
After 2 delays, Tony winners Jerry Zaks and Warren Carlyle’s new revival of THE MUSIC MAN will finally march its way into Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. Previews will begin December 20th, 2021 and the official Opening Night is scheduled for February 10th, 2022.
How amazing is this?
Who is excited for Hugh?!!!
P.S. Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUGH JACKMAN!!!! Can’t wait to see you back on Broadway!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 12, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
Grammy Award winner and Tony nominee
Sara Bareilles is currently in her final week at the Diner for the strictly limited Encore engagement of
Waitress. However, it was just announced earlier today that the BRAVE singer-songwriter (and WAITRESS’ composer) will be out of this evening’s performance.
Bareilles took to social media to explain that she is ill with a bacterial infection (non COVID related) and currently on antibiotics. Her doctors advices her to rest forcing her to call out of the show. She is taking her health very seriously…. with everything heading back to normal after a rough pandemic, there will be NO MORE GOING INTO WORK SICK.
At this evening’s show at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, the role of “Jenna Hunterson” will be played by 2nd cover / understudy Molly Jobe.
Bareilles takes her final bow as “Jenna” this Sunday, October 17th, 2021. From there starting November 19th, 2021, Grammy Award winner
Jennifer Nettles will don the blue uniform and white apron. WAITRESS is now running till January 9th, 2022.
Get well Sara!!
Break a leg Molly!!
