by Mike Haber | Oct 20, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
PERHAPS WE CAN FRIGHTEN AWAY THE GHOST OF SO MANY YEARS AGO…..AGAIN….. WITH A LITTLE ILLUMINATION…. GENTLEMEN!!!! This week marks another happy time as more of Broadway’s hottest tickets are making their TRIUMPHANT comebacks after 19 1/2 months dark. One of those shows is Broadway’s legendary record-breaking longest running smash hit
Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s
The Phantom of the Opera.
Earlier today on the show’s social media, a brand new promo commercial was released. This promo features the full Broadway cast reunited and back inside their 34 year old home at the Majestic Theatre. Just like in the show, they recreate the musical’s spectacular and breathtaking opening moment in THE PROLOUGE. For the first time since March 12th, 2020, the show’s famous signature set piece is revealed and rises once again….. the legendary chandelier. You also experience the company’s reaction of what exactly the show’s PHANS will be doing when the show reopens on Broadway this Friday….. thunderous applause into a standing ovation.
Get ready to experience that chandelier rising & crashing again 8 times a week as THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT is back. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA reopens at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre this Friday, October 22nd, 2021.
We are a mess watching this.
Chandelier Rises Again on Broadway – YouTube
by Mike Haber | Oct 20, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
Last night was a DELICIOUS evening for the company of the current limited engagement Broadway revival of the Tony and Grammy nominated smash hit
Waitress. The show celebrated several new cast members OPENING UP at the Diner at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre consisting of….
Nik Dodani (recently in the film adaptation of
Dear Evan Hansen) in the role of the awkward, nerdy, and magical “Ogie”,
Acclaimed stage and screen star
Erich Bergen (best known for appearing in the film version of
Jersey Boys and on TV’s
Madam Secretary) kicking off the 1st of 2 limited returning engagement stints as the hottest doctor in town….. “Dr. Pomatter”,
and last night not least…..
Grammy Award winning singing sensation
Jennifer Nettles (Broadway’s
Chicago) beginning her month long limited engagement as the show’s new leading lady playing pregnant pie maker “Jenna Hunterson”.
Check out footage the curtain call below of the new cast members taking their bows. It also featured a surprise appearance from the show’s composer and previous leading
Sara Bareilles who appeared in the audience for moral support of the new cast members.
Congrats Jennifer, Erich, and Nik!!!
How incredible is that?!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 19, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
MIC CHECK!!! After a triumphant sold out engagement 2 years ago and a rough 19 months dark without Broadway,
Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s acclaimed hip-hop improv group
Freestyle Love Supreme has its 2nd official Opening Night of its current ENCORE run at the Booth Theatre.
With bringing some top notch entertainment back to the Great Bright Way, a brand new proshot b-roll trailer was released featuring highlighted promising moments from the show what you can expect.
PLEASE NOTE: Freestyle Love Supreme is a completely different show every single night. It’s a very intimate show where the raps and songs are created on the spot by WORD REQUESTS from the audience.
In the show, you can see a rotating lineup of artists bringing the creative beats live. The current lineup consists of….
Anthony Veneziale (a.k.a. “Two-Touch) – THE MC,
Andrew Bancroft (a.k.a. “Jelly Donut”),
Tarik Davis, (a.k.a. “Tardis Hardaway”),
Aneesa Folds (a.k.a. “Young Nees”),
Chris Sullivan (a.k.a. “Shockwave”) – THE SOUND EFFECT KING,
and
Arthur Lewis (a.k.a. “Arthur The Geniuses).
In addition, there will be a lineup of veteran members expecting to make surprise appearance at certain performances. You never know who may show up but the guest lineup appearing at selected shows will include…..
Lin-Manuel Miranda himself (a.k.a. “Lin-Man”),
Tony winner Daveed D. Diggs (a.k.a. Mr. Diggs”),
Tony nominee Christopher Jackson (a.k.a. C-Jack)
and
Bill Sherman (a.k.a. “King Sherman”).
FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME will run now through January 2nd, 2022 at the Booth Theatre.
Break a leg to the full cast, crew, and creative team!!
Who is excited?!
How incredible is this?!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 19, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
FIRST LOOK: One of the most highly anticipated shows expecting to make its long awaited debut this Fall is the new
Tom Kitt, Michael Kore, and James Lapine musical musical
Flying Over Sunset. We are so happy to share with you the all new b-roll footage of the show in action. It was filmed on the stage of the Vivian Beaumont at
Lincoln Center Theater while still in its initial tech rehearsals prior before the plug on the production due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we may know, FLYING OVER SUNSET only performed 1 performance…. it’s private Invited Dress Rehearsal. The show was initially scheduled to begin previews on March 12th, 2020 which turned out to be the day Broadway shut down. After a rough intermission of 19 1/2 months, this show is coming back to finally have its public audiences.
FLYING OVER SUNSET is set to finally begin its preview performances for the public at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on November 11th, 2021. The official Opening Night will be December 13th, 2021. It will run for a strictly limited engagement.
Today is also a very exciting day as the company has reunited to begin rehearsals for this 2nd chance start. Plus, full casing has been revealed. Under the direction of James Lapine and choreography by Michelle Dorance, majority of the cast is still expecting to be the same as it was prior to the shutdown consisting of….
Tony nominee Carmen Cusack as “Clare Boothe Luce”,
Michele Ragusa in the dual roles of “Betsy Drake” and “Ann Clare Austin”,
Laura Shoop as “Maria Huxley”,
Robert Sella as “Gerald Heard”,
Atticus Ware as “Archie Leach”,
Emily Pynenburg in the dual roles of “Sophia” and “Sophia Loren”,
New to the cast will include….
Kanisha Marie Feliciano who replaces
Erika Henningsen in the dual roles of “Ann Clare Brokaw” & “Judith”,
Nehal joshi who replaces Jeremy Kushnier in the dual roles of “Dr. Harrington” and “Mr. Grant”,
In case anyone may not remember or know what FLYING OVER SUNSET is all about, this work of fiction show tells the tale of 3 notable historical figures…..
Aldous Huxley,
Clare Boothe Luce, and
Cary Grant. At a crossroads in their life, they meet realizing that they all experimented with the drug LSD (short for Lysergic acid diethylamide). In addition, they embark a journey and confront the mysteries of their lives and their world.
Welcome back FLYING OVER SUNSET!!
Can’t wait for this show to make its long awaited debut.
Have a wonderful first day of rehearsal back.
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
HELLO, THERE POPPETS! So unbelievable to see the magic of Broadway and Live Theater back. However, we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic following ongoing safety protocols. Currently, most Broadway shows including the upcoming return of Mrs.
Doubtfire sadly will NOT being doing the popular post-show stage door at this time. This is all for the healthy and safety of the entire cast, crew, musicians, creative team, and your fellow Theatergoers.
Please remember to respect the company and NO RANTS!!!! These are people just like you and me.
However if you still want have the chance to connect with the company, there are various ways to do that….
1. Follow your favorite cast members on their social media
2. Send them a fan letter (depending if the production is allowing fans to still send in fan letters and artwork)
3. Have a virtual hangout (with a meet and greet or even a coaching / master class if you’re a performer) online via
Broadway Booker and
Broadway Plus. Several of DOUBTFIRE’s cast members offering these including its star Tony nominee Rob McClure – depending on his/her schedule with doing the show.
Plans for Stage Door will be back but currently NOT at this time. Keep follow ongoing safety protocols.
Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical will resume Broadway previews on October 21st, 2021 and finally reach its official Opening Night on December 5th, 2021 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
Who is excited for DOUBTFIRE’s return?
Thoughts on the NO Stage Door at this time?!!
