Laura Benanti's 54 Below Gigs Will Entertain You and Your Grandmother Television and Broadway star Laura Benanti is doing what she describes as her "favorite thing" — singing on stage in an environment that allows for audience interaction. The set list for her upcoming 54 Below gigs (May 20-25) is a virtual "mix-tape" of songs that promises to entertain audiences of all ages. Expect tunes from shows like The Boy Friend and from artists like Harry Chapin, Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding, as well as original tunes penned by Benanti and her pianist-arranger-musical director Todd Almond. The 54 Below engagement will be recorded for an upcoming CD release. For tickets and info visit 54Below.com.
Nick Adams, Jessica Grové and Liz McCartney Preview Paper Mill's The Little Mermaid Paper Mill Playhouse's new production of Disney's The Little Mermaid offered a sampling of musical numbers as they opened rehearsal-room doors to the press. Jessica Grové stars as Ariel in the titular role alongside Nick Adams as Prince Eric. Liz McCartney plays Ursula and Alan Mingo, Jr. plays Sebastian. Directed by Glenn Casale, the production will feature original choreography by John MacInnis and flying sequence choreography by Paul Rubin. Performances begin May 29. For more, read the Playbill story.
Pasek and Paul (and Mendez) Ready to Bite Into Dogfight Original Cast Recording Based on the film starring River Phoenix, Dogfight (with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) has racked up multiple nominations this awards season, coinciding with the release of the show's original cast recording and a special CD release concert featuring most of the cast and musicians from the Second Stage Theatre production. In this exclusive in-studio video, Pasek, Paul and leading lady Lindsay Mendez run through Dogfight tunes in preparation for the May 15 event. For more on the concert and CD release, read the Playbill story.
Sylvester Stallone, Lynn Ahrens and Alex Timbers Give First Look at Broadway-Bound Rocky the Musical Based on the 1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone (he was an Academy Award nominee for both his acting and screenplay), Rocky the Musical is set for a Broadway bow in Feb. 2014. In this early glimpse behind the scenes of the production (which premiered in Hamburg, Germany, last fall), creator and producer Stallone is joined by Tony-winning lyricist Lynn Ahrens and Tony-nominated director Alex Timbers to chat about love, dreams and the triumph of the underdog. For more, read the Playbill story.
George Salazar Bangs the Drum for F#%king Up Everything George Salazar is known as a performer with roles Off-Broadway and in the hit Broadway revival of Godspell. What many fans might not know is that Salazar's first love was not musical theatre, but drumming. From his earliest days, Salazar was inspired by his father's playing and naturally developed percussion skills of his own. In this exclusive profile, Playbill caught up with Salazar at the Elektra Theatre where he is currently a cast member of F#%king Up Everything. This new comic musical not only displays his chops as a musical theatre performer but also as a drummer — Salazar sits behind the skins for the shows 23 songs. Check out a Playbill Playlist with the show's Salazar, Max Crumm, and Jason Gotay.
Steve Kazee Rested and Ready for 54 Below Shows Fans of Once will feel right at home when Steve Kazee performs at 54 Below on May 10, 11 and 13. His acoustic tunes rife with heartbreak and longing — written while he was on a recent vocal rest — mine the emotional landscape that made Once such a hit on Broadway. Here, Kazee runs through "Another Me" and "On Your Way" and chats with Playbill about revealing his inner life in such personal and hearfelt songs. For details, visit 54Below.com.
Tony Nominees Laura Osnes and Douglas Carter Beane Revel in Cinderella's Broadway Magic Laura Osnes (nominated for Best Actress in a Musical) and Douglas Carter Beane (nominated for Best Book of a Musical) represented Cinderella at the 2013 Tony nominations media junket. Osnes spoke of high school theatre roles and her commitment to the Broadway stage; Beane spoke of an early-in-life connection to Cinderella, as well as his process for revamping the book of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Watch interviews with the Tony-nominated stars of Pippin.
Motown: The Musical Tony Nominees Talk Gordy, Ross, Robinson Valisia LeKae (Best Actress in a Musical) and Charl Brown (Best Featured Actor in a Musical) received 2013 Tony nominations for their work in Berry Gordy's Motown: The Musical, a true-to-life account of the early days of the famous record label. The two stars met with Playbill to chat about the unforgettable music, working with Gordy and meeting Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson, the real-life icons they portrayed in the show. Watch interviews with the Tony-nominated stars of Pippin.
Pippin's Leading Players Patina Miller, Andrea Martin and Terrence Mann Receive Tony Nods Patina Miller, Andrea Martin and Terrence Mann represented Pippin at the 2013 Tony nominee media day which was held at NYC's Millennium Broadway Hotel. The nominated trio (Best Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, respectively) chatted about why the revival of the Stephen Schwartz classic followed along in the tradition of Bob Fosse while at the same time adding a new (and very challenging!) cirque element. Watch interviews with Matilda's 2013 Tony nominees.
