by Mike Haber | Jul 21, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Festivals & Events, News, Shows
What makes the magic of New York City alive is our unforgettable legacy of our Theater community. Over the years, there has been an unforgettable tradition of special events dedicated to the place we call home…… BROADWAY!!! One of our favorite throwback events used to be a tradition every year….. the annual BROADWAY ON BROADWAY concert.
In case anyone may not know, BROADWAY ON BROADWAY was a free outdoor concert held every year the week after Labor Day in
Times Square,. It features performances from casts of some of your favorite Broadway shows performing highlighted showstoppers accompanied by a full 20 piece orchestra. You hear BOTH the long runners and sneak peaks of new shows that were coming in the new Broadway season. The concert would conclude with a full Grand Finale number (featuring all the casts) coming together with a huge confetti shower at the end. It has been televised live for several years on NBC. The concert was sponsored every year by
The Broadway League and Toys”R”Us.
BROADWAY ON BROADWAY was originally conceived as a WELCOME PARTY back in 1992 for delegates to the Democratic National Convention in New York City. It did so well, the one time concert because an annual event for 10 years. It was cancelled in 2013 but then returned the year afterwards. After the 2014 concert, BROADWAY ON BROADWAY has NOT been back ever since.
To give you all a taste of what BROADWAY ON BROADWAY was like, here is the 2001 concert below. Hosted by
Brooke Sheilds (who at the time was starring in the
Roundabout Theatre Company revival of
Cabaret), that year’s lineup consisted of…..
2 time Tony winner Bebe Neuwirth and the cast of the long running revival of
Chicago The Musical,
Manley Pope and Trey Ellett from the original Broadway production of
Rent,
Tony nominee
Carolee Carmello and Burke Moses from the 2000 revival of Kiss Me Kate,
Tony nominee Louise Pitre and the original Broadway cast of
MAMMA MIA!,
Tony nominee and the late Rebecca Luker from the 2000 revival of
The Music Man,
The cast of The Full Monty,
Pre-Tony nominee Hunter Foster and the cast of Urinetown,
Tony nominee Brad Oscar from The Producers,
The cast of the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show,
a toe-tapping and confetti showered finale from the cast of the 2001 Tony winning revival of
42nd Street.
Who remembers BROADWAY ON BROADWAY?
Could they bring it back when Broadway returns this year?!
by Mike Haber | Jul 21, 2021 | Blog, News
BREAKING NEWS:
Actors’ Equity Association (the official union of Broadway) is officially set to open access to the union for both Actors and Stage Managers that have worked professionally in the US!! It’s also giving artists a second chance to rejoin. Throughout this past year of the COVID-19 pandemic, many artists have left BOTH the union and/or quit the business. This is a chance for rebuilding Live Theater and standing together in solidarity.
For many years, it’s been a huge bucket list for aspiring artists to join in order to have that chance to audition for Broadway shows & so much more. At the time, you would have to be eligible to join join Actors’ Equity Association has either by direct contract offer, through the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) program, or from members of a sibling union (like
SAG-AFTRA for Film and TV).
It’s also planning to open the doors for more opportunities to artists of all diversities…… especially within this past year.
Check out more information below.
Thoughts?
Who is excited?!!
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan to Hamilton Tour (Downtown), News, Shows
ON THE MARQUEE: This Fall, Broadway will RAISE A GLASS TO FREEDOM as
Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s Award winning phenomenon
Hamilton returns. A friend of ours was so kind enough to share this photo of an update to the front of house billboard outside the show’s home of Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre. The marquee itself is letting us know that THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS will BE BACK on…. WAIT FOR IT……. SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2021!!!!
The Broadway production, all 3 of its US National Tours, and London companies are all set to return throughout this year of 2021.
We can’t wait to be back IN THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD and experience Broadway RISE UP like never before!!!
WERK!!!
Who is ready to RISE UP?!!!
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan to Hamilton Tour (Downtown), News, Shows
LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE!!! 5 years later,
Lin-Manuel Miranda and
Jennifer Lopez have re-released their charity song LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND for a very special cause. Both Latin performers are helping both support The
Hispanic Federation. It continue to celebrate love, foster community, and raise additional funds to honor the victims, their families, survivors, and the community….. even especially during this previous past year of the COVID-19 pandemic and support of diversity.
LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND was originally released in July 2016 following Miranda’s departure from
Hamilton on Broadway. The song was recorded as a benefit anthem single to support of those who were effected by the tragic
PULSE Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. When the shooting happened was also the night Miranda and the full HAMILTON team took home their
Tony Awards glory. Most notably when winning for BEST ORIGINAL SCORE, Miranda gave a very emotional speech in support of those in Orlando with the famous saying LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE.
How powerful is this song?
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan to Hamilton Tour (Downtown), News, Shows
RAISE A GLASS!!! Full Principal casting has been announced for the return of the West End company of
Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s Award winning hottest ticket
Hamilton. Under the direction of
Thomas Kail and choreography by
Andy Blankenbuehler, the return of London’s ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS will consist of…..
Karl Queensborough in the title role of THE 10 DOLLAR FOUNDING FATHER himself “Alexander Hamilton”,
Simon-Anthony Rhoden (West End’s
Kinky Boots) will be the show’s narrator and villain himself “AARON BURR, SIR”,
Ava Brennan (West End’s
Tina) as “Angelica Schuyler”,
Emilie Louise Israel will be playing double duty in the roles of “Peggy Schuyler” (AND PEGGY) along with “Maria Reynolds”,
Emile Ruddock will take on the dual roles of “Hercules Mulligan” and “James Madison”,
Khalid Daley will play the dual roles of “John Laurens” and “Phillip Hamilton”,
Waylon Jacobs will take on the showstopping dual roles of “Marquis de Lafayette” and “Thomas Jefferson”,
Harry Hepple will take on royal duties as “King George III”,
Additional casting will also include Nuno Queimado (recently in Regent Park’s production of
Jesus Christ Superstar) serving as the alternate “Alexander Hamilton” at certain performances.
HAMILTON will once again bring on THE REVOLUTION at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre starting August 19th, 2021. It’s also slated to reopen its inaugural production in our New York City backyard at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre starting September 14th, 2021. It’s also set to relaunch its ongoing North American Touring companies later this year. The show will also bring its Australian company to Melbourne beginning March 2022.
Full Casting Announced for the West End Return of HAMILTON (broadwayworld.com)
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
FIRST LOOK: THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT is back!!! One of Musical Theater’s greatest treasures is set to once again haunt Live Theater……
Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s legendary smash hit
The Phantom of the Opera. We are so happy to share with you a brand new trailer for the show’s return to its inaugural home in London’s West End. This is the chance for PHANS to get that early sneak peak of it’s new leads….
West End favorite Lucy St. Louis who makes PHANTOM history as the first black actress to play the iconic role of “Christine Daae”.
With PHANTOM’s return to London, it will be a full brand new physical production while still playing tribute to its late original head creators.
The show will be directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn staying true to the original vision of the late & great Hal Prince,
choreography will be done by Chrissie Cartwright recreated and updated still playing tribute to the movement of the late and legendary
Gillian Lynne,
Matt Kinley updating the set and Jill Parker doing the costumes while still honoring the original visual presentation by the late
Maria Bjornson.
Other changes to the show’s London production will include the Orchestra now reduced to now 14 musicians in the pit instead of its traditional 27.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA re-haunts London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre beginning next Tuesday, July 27th, 2021. From there, the show will later reopen here in our New York backyard at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre starting September 14th, 2021 along with new companies around the world.
Who is excited?
How thrilling is this trailer?
