Broadway is bringing ‘Wicked’ back with an added Sunday benefit show; 19-day strike comes to end

The 19-day stagehand strike that kept Broadway musicals at a standstill is officially over and as theater goers rejoice, so does the cast and crew of the smash hit production “Wicked” – so much, that the musical decided to hold a special Sunday benefit performance with all proceeds donated to The Actors Fund, a national non-profit organization providing support for the entertainment industry, according to an article published Thursday, Nov. 29 at BroadwayWorld.com.

The benefit show is part of an 80-year-old annual Broadway tradition in which most acting companies adjust their schedules to offer a night when cast and crew donate their time and talent – without pay – and all profits go to The Actors Fund. In order to make these special performances happen, the unions, producers, theatre operators and members of the Actors’ Equity Association, Associated Musicians of Greater New York – Local 802 AFM, Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the United Scenic Artist Union.

Gershwin Theater, the Broadway venue at which “Wicked” has been running for the past four years, has the largest seating capacity of any Broadway Theater besides the New York State Theatre and the City Center and was designed to accommodate lavish musicals and showcase personal and dance company appearances.
Still haven’t seen a performance of “Wicked”? Get Wicked tickets today at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 30, 2007 - Post a comment

Former ‘Wicked’ star appears in new movie ‘Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding’ based on longest running musical

Joey McIntyre, who starred in the smash hit Broadway production of Wicked and the popular TV show “Dancing With the Stars,” is now co-staring alongside TV star Mila Kunis (“That 70s Show”) in “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding: The Movie,” which is based on the longest-running off-Broadway musical, according to an article published Wednesday, Nov. 28 at BroadwayWorld.com.

An unusual midnight premiere screening for the film, which is directed by Roger Paradiso and features up and coming film and TV actor Adrian Grenier (“Entourage,” The Devil Wears Prada),  will be held at the IFC Center on Sixth Avenue Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Movie-goers are invited to say their vows inside the theater, where an official justice of the peace will be on hand, and women wearing wedding dresses will receive free admission.

For more information about the film, visit its official Web site at www.myspace.com/tonyandtinathemovie. If the midnight screening leaves you craving a live theater experience, then there is no better cure than a showing of the smash hit musical Wicked. Get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 29, 2007 - Post a comment

‘The Receptionist’ extends performances at Manhattan Theatre Club; former ‘Wicked’ cast shines

Perhaps it’s because evil and mayhem spiral out of control in this seemingly normal production that theater fans can’t get enough of Broadway’s newest production The Receptionist, which tells the story of an office secretary whose life changes when a representative from the company’s central agency pays her a visit.
 
Former “Wicked” star Adam Bock’s critically acclaimed musical The Receptionist has extended performances at Manhattan Theatre Club through Sunday, Dec. 30 due to popular demand, according to an article published Tuesday, Nov. 27.

The production features former Wicked stars Kendra Kassebaum and Tony Award nominee Jayne Houdyshell, and is directed by two-two Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. In this entertaining musical, Houdyshell, who plays secretary Beverly, breaks out of her safe daily routine of answering phones and listening to her coworker’s romantic troubles when a corporate representative shows up at the office unexpectedly, raising questions about what can really happen when people comply with underlying evil intentions.

Still haven’t seen The Receptionist? Now is the best time to catch a showing of this production and while you’re at it, grab a pair of Wicked tickets for that smash hit musical, as well. Visit Stubhub.com right now!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 28, 2007 - Post a comment

Broadway stage crew strike continues with negotiation talks; ‘Wicked’ still going strong in Chicago, L.A.

The stage crew strike on Broadway is now going on its 18th day, and although negotiations between the League of American Theatres and Producers and Local One have been moving along, the effect on the district’s musical productions is taking its toll, according to an article published Tuesday, Nov. 27 at BroadwayWorld.com.

All performances are cancelled through Wednesday in hopes the two groups can reach an official compromise by then. Negotiation talks last week, however, also fell through last weekend and as officials emerged today from their latest conference, the outlook was not a positive one, according to Broadway World. “Right now it’s the 9th inning of the 7th game of the World Series,” Bruce Cohen, union spokesman, said around 5 a.m. Nov. 27. “I’m optimistic both sides are still talking, even as the sun rises over Manhattan. People are getting their second wind. There’s still hope that before people leave the building today, there will be an agreement.”

By 10 a.m., however, the talks had ceased with no agreement reached and more discussions were scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28. Although “Wicked” is not one of the few Broadway productions that are still running, the smash hit musical is still going strong in Chicago’s Ford Center for Performing Arts and the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The production has also taken to the road, with tour dates in cities in Connecticut, Florida, and New York, to name a few.

Still haven’t seen this critically acclaimed production that has been receiving some of the biggest audiences of all time and still continues to build fans in its fourth year running? Make sure to book a pair of Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com right now!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 27, 2007 - Post a comment

Wicked star sings on soundtrack for new major film ‘Beowulf’

Idina Menzel, the Tony award-winning Broadway actress from the smash hit musical “Wicked,” is featured on the soundtrack for the newly released film “Beowulf,” which is now in theatres, according to an article posted Wednesday, Nov. 21 at BroadwayWorld.com.
The song, “A Hero Comes Home,” was produced by Glen Ballard and the film - based on the classic novel that tells the story of the mighty warrior Beowulf and his fight with the demon Grendel – was directed by Oscar winner Robert Zemeckis. The score was directed by Oscar nominated composer Alan Silvestri (Forrest Gump, The Polar Express), who has won Grammy Awards for “Back to the Future” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

Menzel, who is gearing up to release her new solo album “I Stand,” just put out another new single – available on iTunes – “Brave” and can also be seen in the new Disney film “Enchanted” which is also currently out in theatres.

If you want a dose of live theater and not the movies, then make sure to score a pair of Wicked tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 26, 2007 - Post a comment

Los Angeles Times calls ‘Enchanted’ as good as its name

Stephen Schwartz, famed composer and lyricist who wrote the score for smash hit musical “Wicked,” has created five songs for Disney’s newest major motion picture, “Enchanted,” which hits theaters today. The film stars Amy Adams as princess Giselle, a perky and genuine combination of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, who has been exiled from her animated land by the wicked queen (Susan Sarandon) and who ends up running into trouble when she ends up in the big city and falls in love with another man who is dating, Nancy (“Wicked” star Idina Menzel who played Elphaba.) Adams, who nominated for an Oscar for her breakout role in the film “Junebug,” is crucial to the film in her role as Giselle, according to a review published Nov. 21 by the Los Angeles Times.
 
“Adams never overdoes the earnestness or even hints at condescending to the role, and it is impossible to think of ‘Enchanted’ without her,” Kevin Turan, LA Times movie critic, writes. “It is also difficult to imagine this film without the decades of Disney animated features that have come before it, appealing to audiences for generations because they’ve created an alternate universe that bans nasty reality from the premises.”

Giselle, who is banished from her land of Andalasia, ends up emerging from a manhole in downtown Manhattan. New York City is hardly the place for a princess and Giselle is overwhelmed by what she finds – but not for long because prince charming (James Marsden) emerges soon after from the very same manhole to rescue Adams character.

Get to a theater to see “Enchanted” soon, or if it’s a live performance you are looking for, be sure to check out Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 21, 2007 - Post a comment

‘Enchanted:’ Schwartz’s latest project in theaters Nov. 21

Stephen Schwartz, famed Broadway composer and lyricist who is most well-known for his recent work with the smash hit musical “Wicked,” will receive credit yet again for writing songs for the new Disney major motion picture “Enchanted,” which comes to theaters Nov. 21, according to an article published on MusicalSchwartz.com.

“Enchanted” tells the story of a beautiful princess – played by actress Amy Adams (“The Wedding Date”) – who is banished from her magical animated land and ends up in modern-day Manhattan, features five songs co-written by Schwartz and well-known composer and lyricist Alan Menken. The prince in this romantic musical comedy, played by James Marsden (“The Notebook,” Superman Returns,” “X-Men”), also emerges from the fairy tale world in an effort to rescue Adams from the crazy day to day happenings in downtown New York City. “Wicked” star Idina Menzel (Elphaba) also stars in the film as the wicked queen who instigates Adam’s exile.

“I have long wanted to do a live-action movie musical,” Schwartz said in a Nov. 9 interview published at MusicalSchwartz.com. “’Enchanted’ is a very clever concept that allows characters to sing within the world of the film, which is often difficult to achieve. Plus I thought the screenplay they sent me to read was, well, enchanting.”

Look for “Enchanted” at your local movie theaters starting Nov. 21 and don’t miss out on seeing some of Schwartz most “enchanting” work live by snagging a pair of Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 20, 2007 - Post a comment

‘Wicked’ travels up and down the east coast in December and through 2008

The smash hit musical “Wicked” will soon have productions showing in Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, New York, Iowa, Alabama, Michigan and Connecticut as part of  its national tour starting in December and carrying into the New Year, according to announcements posted at MusicalSchwartz.com.

The production is already showing in Hartford, Connecticut through December 9th, and will be picked up in mid-December in St. Louis, in Cincinnati in January, Cleveland in February, Ft. Lauderdale in March and Charlotte and Orland in April. The tour will continue on through into the summer of 2008, with performances in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as Buffalo and Rochester, New York in May. East Lansing and Birmingham, Alabama will follow in July and September and dates for performances in Des Moines, Iowa are not yet schedule but will be held sometime soon after in late 2008 and early 2009.

If you still haven’t seen this highly sough-after production, which was hailed as best musical of the year in 2006 and reveals the untold story behind the two witches of Emerald City, then now is the time to take advantage of the musicals tour dates and get a pair of Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 19, 2007 - Post a comment

‘Wicked’ cast and crew take on Dolly Parton’s latest musical, ‘9 to 5’ at Ahmanson Theatre

Two-time Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello will head up famous country star and actress Dolly Parton’s adaptation of “9 to 5” the musical, which will have its world premiere in March 2008 at Centre Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, according to an article published Nov. 15 at BroadwayWorld.com. Stephanie Block and Megan Hilty, who played the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the smash hit musical “Wicked,” will be a part of the new productions all all-star cast.

The main character of the show , Violet, joins up with Hilty’s and Block’s charcters – a frazzled divorcee and a sexy executive secretary – to turn the table son their egotistical and lying, yet sexy, boss, Mr. Franklin Hart. The story gains speed, according to press notes, and, “In a series of farcical events, the women inadvertently remove Hart from the workplace and keep him otherwise engaged. Taking advantage of his absence, they begin instituting a host of new and welcomed office procedures such as flexible hours and day care, but their schemes quickly spin wildly and hilariously out of control.”

Parton, who is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, wrote the music and lyrics for the musical, which is based loosely on the novel “9 to 5” by Patricia Resnick and the same-titled film, which Resnick helped co-write. Parton’s 1980 single “9 to 5” was written for the major motion picture and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Although fans won’t be able to snag a pair of “9 to 5” tickets until March, those who are craving a little theater in their lives can visit Stubhub.com for Wicked tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 16, 2007 - Post a comment

‘Spark of Creation’ event journeys through music of Stephen Schwartz

Grammy and Tony award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz will have his music celebrated at yet another Broadway function – “Spark of Creation” - Monday, Nov. 19, at the New York Theatre Barn, according to an article published Wednesday, Nov. 14 at BroadwayWorld.com.

The event will feature songs from Schwartz’s large arsenal, including music from “Wicked,” “Pippin,” “Godspell” and “Children of Eden,” and will attempt to lead the audience on a journey from where we started to where we will eventually end up and to celebrate the relationships developed at the New London Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire – a theatre at which Schwartz and the cast and creative team of “Spark of Creation” all served as artists at one point in their careers, according to Broadway World.

Directed by Hans Friedrichs and with music direction by Phillip Kirchman, “Spark of Creation” is a special one-night only event so be sure to get your tickets before it’s too late! For those still waiting to see one of Schwartz’s masterpieces, check out Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com for all the best deals.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on November 15, 2007 - Post a comment


 Page 1 of 2  1  2 »