by NYBroadwayTours | Aug 31, 2017 | Blog, Broadway
BREAKING NEWS: The short lived Tupac musical Holler If Ya Hear Me is getting a second chance with a new production directed at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta. In addition, the show will possibly kick off a National Tour as well.
HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME tells the story of community, hope, love, and second chances. The hip hop musical played Broadway’s Palace Theatre in 2014. It was a huge flop running for only 17 previews and 38 performances.
Who is excited?
Tupac Broadway Musical HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Gets Second Life; Kenny Leon Hopes for National Tour
Kenny Leon directs new production of Tupac Shakur musical Holler If Ya Hear Me with hopes for a National Tour
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by NYBroadwayTours | Jun 7, 2017 | Blog, Broadway
GOOD MORNING BROADWAY FANS! We are just 4 days away till Broadway’s biggest night of the year, the 71st Annual Tony Awards. We have more exciting spectacular performances coming your way on our TOP 30 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN.
At # 4, we take you deep into the heart of the Africa where a heroic lion cub is destined to take his Father’s place as the future true king of the jungle. This is Disney’s Award winning smash hit The Lion King – Musical. It features a score by Sir Elton John and lyrics by Sir Tim Rice (Official) with a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. Plus, an additional South African themed score created by Lebo M. Plus spectacular staging by Julie Taymor. It’s based on the acclaimed 1994 Disney Animated film of the same name.
From the 1998 telecast, Tony nominee Tsidii Le Loka as “Rafiki” and the cast perform the show’s iconic and signature opening number CIRLCE OF LIFE.
The musical was first conceived as an idea by former CEO Walt Disney company, Michael Eisner following the success of their first big Broadway hit Beauty and the Beast, Eisner talked to Thomas Schumacher (President of Disney Theatrical Productions) However, Schumacher and everyone at Disney laughed at his idea. Many people thought the show would become a huge flop. However, Schumacher came to his senses and he already knew someone who could possibly pull it off…Julie Taymor at the time was big in the worlds of Theater, Film, TV, and Opera. She watched the film and came up with the most genius ideas by designing these beautiful elaborate sets, costumes, and puppets (along with directing) For those who have seen this show live on stage so far, you know what we’re talking about…
Following an acclaimed out of town tryout in Minneapolis in the Summer of 1997, the show officially arrived on Broadway at the newly renovated New Amsterdam Theatre (in the heart of all the now family-friendly 42nd Street) in the Fall of that same year. The show went on to become a Broadway smash hit! It later transferred to it’s current home at the Minskoff Theatre in 2006 where it continues to play to sold out houses there today. THE LION KING is currently in 3rd Longest Running Show in Broadway and is about to celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary this November. The show run went to be nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 1998 winning 6 including Best Musical. Plus Julie Taymor made Broadway History as the first Female ever to win the Tony for Best Director.
Along with Broadway, THE LION KING continues to play to packed houses as well in London’s West End, across the UK, across the US, and around the world.
Who gets the chills from seeing this spectacular show?
#TheLionKing #TonyAwards #NewYorkBroadwayTours #NYBTTonysCountdown #NYBTTop30TonysCountdown #CountdownToTheTonys #BroadwaysGreatestHits
The Lion King: Circle of Life at 1998 Tony Awards)
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by NYBroadwayTours | Apr 18, 2017 | Blog, Broadway
NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME!!! Also on this day, another smash hit opened on Broadway 15 years ago… that musical was Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan’s musical adaptation of the classic 1967 film Thoroughly Modern Millie. It opened at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre where it ran for an incredible 935 performances. The show also went on to win 6 Tony Awards in 2002 including Best Musical.
What made the musical so popular was because of it being the breakout performance of Sutton Foster. For the show’s initial pre-Broadway tryout at La Jolla Playhouse, Foster was originally cast in the Ensemble and served as understudy for “Millie”. The main actress who originally was playing her was Broadway favorite Erin Dilly. However prior before the first public preview performance, Dilly got ill and Foster was plucked from the chorus to the starring role. Critics praised over Foster’s performance and she won her first Tony for this show.
Check out this video of Foster performing the classic GIMMIE GIMMIE on the The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 2002.
Today, Sutton plays the role of a 40 year-old who pretends to be 26 on TV Land’s Younger. But when she was actually 26, she got the leading role in Thoroughly Modern Millie, which opened on Broadway on this day in 2002!
In celebration, let’s turn back the clock and (re)watch her perform the iconic song Gimme Gimme!
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by NYBroadwayTours | Jan 21, 2017 | Blog, Broadway
Broadway is ready to TURN BACK TIME. As previously announced, a recent industry reading of an upcoming bio musical about the life of Grammy and Oscar winner Cher happened last week. The show featured direction by Jason Moore (Avenue Q), have a book by Rick Elice (Peter and the Starcatcher), and of course songs from Cher’s career. For the production, it’s expecting to have 3 actresses playing the pop icon and actress in various times in her life.
In the reading, Jillian Mueller (Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie, National Tour of American Idiot The Musical and Flashdance the Musical) played Cher from the time she left home, first meeting Sonny Bono, and the beginning of the Sonny & Cher era. Tony winner Lena Hall (HEDWIG on Broadway) played Cher at the time she was already becoming an acclaimed music and movie star, and Lesli Margherita (Matilda The Musical on Broadway) played Cher as how we all know her day during the BELIEVE era.
In addition Tony nominee Jarrod Spector (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys) played Sonny Bono.
The real Cher attended the reading and walked out in laughter and tears.
No word has been made on when the show will hit Broadway.
Who is excited for a CHER musical?
Yes, We Believe in Life After Love! Lesli Margherita, Lena Hall & Jillian Mueller Led a Reading of the Cher Musical
If we could turn back time, we would have front row seats to this reading! According to The New York Post, this week marked …
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by NYBroadwayTours | Dec 28, 2016 | Blog, Broadway
ON THE MARQUEE: The magic of Willy Wonka’s Factory is coming to life. Check out the front of house marquee of the Lunt Fontanne Theatre for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starting in March.
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