PHANTOM’s original leading lady Sarah Brightman to release last year’s A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY livestreamed concert on PBS this week; Tour of North America This Holiday season!!!

by | Oct 11, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Christmas Caroling (Times Square), News, off broadway

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BREAKING NEWS: Get ready to ring in THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR with the ANGEL OF MUSIC herself…. The Phantom of the Opera‘s original leading lady Sarah Brightman will be airing her critically acclaimed Virtual Holiday concert A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY on PBS beginning this week.
Filmed live from the Christ Church, Spitalfields in London and accompanied by members of the Orchestra & Choir of Trinity College, fans can expect to hear an unforgettable versatile setlist from the World’s Best Selling Soprano. The concert features Brightman performing a full selection of Christmas favorites including songs from her 2008 holiday album A WINTER SYMPHONY and her previous solo album HYMN.
In addition, Brightman is also be joined by special guests…..
Celebrated Welsh singer Aled Jones,
acclaimed choral group Gregorian (which Sarah has continued to perform with on and off),
and
a special appearance by the legendary Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber (Brightman’s ex-husband and still lifelong friend) performing the beautiful CHRISTMAS DREAM (written by Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice).
The livestreamed was seen on 4 continents and earned critical praise. It also gave Sarah herself a change of heart with preparing to head back on tour in the United States. Originally planning to reschedule several concerts in Asia and the 2nd leg of North American dates of her HYMN World Tour, Brightman scrapped that whole tour and decided to bring a new tour in for the holidays…. It will now be The A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY Tour.
With the new tour, Sarah will perform majority of the songs from the special along with also including many of her greatest hits including the titular song from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and the beautiful TIME TO SAY GOODBYE.
Sarah Brightman’s A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY TOUR is set to kick off November 26th, 2021 in Bethlehem, PA before heading to the following cities consisting of…..
Newark, NJ,
Staten Island, NY,
Greenvale, NY,
Atlantic City, NJ,
Worcester, MA,
Chicago, IL,
Nashville, TN,
Atlanta, GA,
Clearwater, FL.
Sugarland, TX,
Dallas, TX,
and
wrapping it up in New Orleans, LA.
Come ring in the magic of the holiday season, celebrate the return of live performance, and surrender to THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT with one of the greatest voices of all time.
Who is excited?!!!

Criss, Fishburne, and Rockwell led Broadway revival of AMERICAN BUFFALO will still be happening; Debuts Spring 2022 at Circle in the Square

by | Oct 8, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, Gleeks Fan Tour (Times Square), News, Shows

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BREAKING NEWS: The highly anticipated upcoming Broadway revival of David Mamet‘s American Buffalo will officially be happening after all. This new production directed by Neil Pepe is set to make its long awaited debut at Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre (current home of Chicken and Biscuits) for a strictly limited 16 week engagement beginning Spring 2022.
Previews will now begin March 22nd, 2022 and will finally officially open on April 14th, 2022….exactly two years after it was originally scheduled to open while in the midst of their initial rehearsals.
That’s not all, the all-star casting is still expecting to be the same as it was prior to Broadway being shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, It will star….
Tony & Emmy winner Laurence Fishburne as “Donny”,
Oscar winner Sam Rockwell as “Teach”,
and
Emmy winner, Broadway, & Glee favorite Darren Criss as “Bobby”.
For a little fresh recap, AMERICAN BUFFALO tells the story of a pair of ne’er-do-wells and a young intern plotting the robbery of a coin in a seedy second-hand junkshop…. the coin is a valuable Buffalo nickel.
The play originally premiered in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre in 1975. Under the direction of Gregory Mosher, that world premiere cast was led by…
J.J. Johnston as “Donny”,
Bernard Erhard as “Teach”,
and
William H.Macy as “Bobby”.
A year later, the show moved Off Broadway playing the Theatre at St. Clements Church in 1976. Also directed by Gregory Mosher, this cast was led by….
Michael Egan as “Donny”,
Mike Kellin as “Teach”,
and
J.T. Walsh as “Bobby”.
The production took home the Obie Award for BEST NEW PLAY.
Another year later, AMERICAN BUFFALO made its ON Broadway debut at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre where it played only 122 performances. With direction this time by Ulu Grosbard, the Broadway premiere cast was led by….
Kenneth McMillian as “Donny”,
Robert Duvall as “Teach”,
and
John Savage as “Bobby”.
It was nominated for 2 Tony Awards that year for BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY and BEST SCENIC DESIGN. However it lost the categories. However it won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for BEST AMERICAN PLAY.
The show would later be revived various times on the New York stage. The first revival started out Off Broadway and the Downtown Circle in the Square Theatre in 1981. Under the direction of Arvin Brown, it was led by….
Clifton James as “Donny”,
Al Pacino as “Teach”,
and
Thomas Waltes as “Bobby”.
2 years later, the production transferred to Broadway playing the Booth Theatre for only 100 performances. With Arvin Brown’s direction, the cast starred….
J.J. Johnston reprising his World Premiere performance as “Donny”,
Al Pacino reprising the role of “Teach”,
and
James Hayden as “Bobby”.
It was nominated for a 1984 Tony Award for BEST REVIVAL but lost the category.
FUN FACT: James Hayden passed away 6 hours following a performance back in November 1983. He died from a heroin overdose while on the phone with his estranged wife in his upper westside apartment. Understudy John Shepard took on the role of “Bobby” fulltime for the remainder of the run.
In 2000 following a triumphant production in London, AMERICAN BUFFALO was revived again Off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company. Under the direction of Neil Pepe (who is coincidentally directing the upcoming 2021 revival), this cast was led by….
Phillip Baker Hall as “Donny”,
William H. Macy this time starring as “Teach”,
and
Mark Webber as “Bobby”.
The most recent Broadway revival happened in 2008 playing the Belasco Theatre which was a huge flop in critics and disappointing ticket sales. It only played 28 performances total. Under the direction of Robert Falls, this cast was led by….
Cedric The Entertainer as “Donny”,
John Leguizamo as “Teach”,
and
Haley Joel Osment as “Bobby”.
Today the show is a popular performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
Along with its life on stage, AMERICAN BUFFALO was also an acclaimed film from The Samuel Goldwyn Company. It was released in 1993. Under the direction of the play’s world premiere direction Gregory Mosher, the film starred…
Dustin Hoffman as “Treat”,

Dennis Franz as “Donny,,

and
Sean Nelson as “Bobby”.
We are so excited for the newly start date of this acclaimed dark drama back on the Great Bright Way.
Who is excited?!!!!

Stage and Screen favorite Lea Michele set to release FOREVER Lullaby album next month!!!

by | Oct 7, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Gleeks Fan Tour (Times Square), News

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BREAKING NEWS: Emmy nominee and Broadway favorite Lea Michele has officially announced the release date of her upcoming solo album FOREVER. It is set to be available both in stores and digital download starting November 5th, 2021.
FOREVER is considered as Michele’s first album since giving birth to her first child “Ever Leo” who just turned 1 year old this past August. In celebration of being a new mom (and despite this past year of extreme backlash), the Glee and Spring Awakening star decided in creating her next album to be mainly covers of popular songs but done in the style of beautiful lullabies. The name is a pun on saying it as “FOR EVER” (dedicating it to her boy). The album feature 8 tracks of songs made famous by Guns N’ Roses, The Beatles, Kacey Musgraves, Judy Garland (a promising unbelievable new rendition of OVER THE RAINBOW), and so much more.
FOREVER marks as Michele’s 4th studio album. Her debut album LOUDER was released in 2014 selling over 62,000 copies. It debut at # 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and number 16 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also nominated for a World Music Award for World’s Best Album. In 2017,
Her follow-up Sophomore album PLACES was released in 2017 selling over 16,000 copies in its first week, debuting at # 28 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and # 27 on the UK album charts.
Michele’s 3rd and recent album CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY was released in 2019 prior before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It topped the US Top Holiday Albums at # 3.
If you want to learn more about Lea Michele and many of your favorite Glee stars who have got their start on Broadway, join us for our GLEEKS ON BROADWAY Walking Tour in Times Square.
Who is excited?!!!

MIC CHECK! FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME kicks off Encore Broadway engagement TONIGHT!!!

by | Oct 7, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan to Hamilton Tour (Downtown), In The Heights Walking Tour, Shows

MIC CHECK, ONE TWO!!! After a successful limited engagement on the Great Bright Way 2 years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s acclaimed special Tony winning hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme…. preme, preme, preme, preme…… kicks off its encore Broadway engagement TONIGHT at the Booth Theatre.
Get ready for a fun evening of an unplanned script as Miranda and his friends come up with the most creative raps, song, and beats based on words suggested from the audience. You also never know who might show up.
FREESTYLE LOVE SURPEME’s encore engagement will run for 4 months through January 2nd, 2022. This is a promising feel good, high energetic, and happy night as Broadway is back people!!!
Break a mic to the full troupe, the creative team, crew, and more.
WELCOME BACK TO BROADWAY FREESTYLE LOVE SURPEME!!!
Who is excited?!
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Beanie Feldstein led FUNNY GIRL revival to play Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre Spring 2022; Karimloo, Lynch, and Grimes to join!!

by | Oct 6, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, Gleeks Fan Tour (Times Square), News, Shows

Image of show art and text. Starring: Beanie Feldstein, Ramin Karimloo, and Jane Lynch. Underneath the cast is the show title in big letters: Funny Girl, back on Broadway for the first time. Underneath the title is a quote from the New York Times: "To Say this is Highly Anticipated is an Understatement." To the right of the title and quote is the show art image which is cartoon illustration of a woman smiling wearing a yellow bow on her head. Underneath that is the show billing: Music by Julie Styne, Lyrics by Bob Merrill, Book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart, Revised book by Harvey Fierstein, Tap Choreography by Ayodele Casel, Choreography by Ellenore Scott, Directed by Michael Mayer.

WHO ARE YOU NOW!!! Broadway is ready to MARCH ITS BAND OUT with the highly anticipated long awaited revival of Funny Girl. More details have been made for BOTH casting and the official Theater set for its run.
Under the direction of Tony winner Michael Mayer (based on its critically acclaimed 2015 London revival) of the classic Jule Styne, Bob Merrill, and Isobel Lennart will feature an unforgettable all-star cast.
Joining the previously announced Golden Globe nominee Beanie Feldstein (Broadway’s Hello, Dolly and the film Booksmart) in the titular role of THE GREATEST STAR herself “Fanny Brice” will include….
Tony and Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, and last seen here on the Great Bright Way in Anastasia) taking on the role of the womanizing and gambling love interest himself “Nick Arnstein”,
Jeff Award winner Jared Grimes (Broadway’s A Soldier’s Play and After Midnight) as the sarcastic and supportive song and dance man himself “Eddie Ryan”,
and
5 time Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (last seen on Broadway in Annie) returning to this legendary score after previously singing and hearing it on Glee….. this time, she will appear in the musical 8 times a week in the role of the smart, clever, tough, and humorous housekeeping mother of “Fanny” herself “Mrs. Brice”.
FUNNY GIRL will be coming to Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre (current home of Pass Over and following the limited encore engagement of Slave Play).
Previews will begin March 26th, 2022 and will have its official Opening Night on April 24th, 2022.
Who is excited?!!!

TICK TICK BOOM film releases new trailer!!

by | Oct 5, 2021 | Blog, Inspiration of Rent Tour, News, off broadway

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FIRST LOOK: 2021 has truly been the ultimate year of Movie Musicals making a comeback. We are so happy to share with you the 2nd and major official trailer for the highly anticipated film adaptation of Jonathan Larson‘s powerful autobiographical musical Tick, Tick, Boom.
This new movie marks the film directing debut of Award winning mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda. For the Hamilton and In The Heights creator, this all comes at a full circle moment. After seeing the original production of Rent on Broadway, Miranda looked at the show as an inspiration to create shows featuring the music of today and even taking place now. He also previously played the late composer in the 2014 New York City Center Encore production of the show.
The movie features an all-star cast led by….
Tony winner & Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield as “Jon”,
acclaimed singer & actress Alexandra Shipp as “Susan”,
acclaimed screen & stage star Vanessa Hudgens as “Karessa Johnson”,
Tony nominee Robin De Jesus as “Michael”,
Tony nominee Joshua Henry as “Roger”,
and
Tony & Emmy winner Judith Light as “Rosa Stevens”.
TICK, TICK, BOOM is set to be released on Netflix beginning November 12th, 2021!!
Who is excited?!!!