Heaven Help My Heart

Chess In Concert coming to DVD & will air on PBS this June.
PBS's Great Performances will air the spectacular London concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. (check local listings).


Click below for a preview of Chess In Concert. STAGE TUBE: Menzel, Groban and Pascal Led CHESS IN CONCERT: The DVD Trailer (Video Content) (BroadwayWorld.com) Shared via AddThis

The DVD will be released as a two-CD set, a single audio CD, and as a stand-alone DVD on June 16th, 2009. Also you can get a three-disc edition, twoCD and the DVD, available through Groban's official website www.joshgroban.com, and Menzel's official website: www.idinamenzel.com.
"Heaven Help My Heart"-song from Chess

Damn, we're only jokin', stay broke, then...

Click below to see a part of PBS's Great Performances documentary on In the Heights:
In The Heights: Musical Numbers, Dance, and Interviews Great Performances PBS
Shared via AddThis
"Damn, we're only jokin', stay broke, then..."-lyrics from song 96,000 from In The Heights

And if you try to hold me down I'm gonna spit in your eye and say That you cant stop the beat!

What a great new GLEE ad.

"And if you try to hold me down, I'm gonna spit in your eye and say, That you cant stop the beat!" lyrics from You Can't Stop The Beat from Hairspray.

"If music be the food of love, play on."

How I wish I could go to NYC this summer to see Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night.

It will star Julie White, Audra McDonald as Olivia, Raúl Esparza as Orsino and Anne Hathaway as Viola. The production, will run June 10-July 12, with it's opening night on June 25 at the Delacorte Theater.

Public Theatre describes the play as "This beguiling comedy follows the romantic adventures of Viola and her identical twin Sebastian, both shipwrecked in the enchanted dukedom of Illyria. At the helm of this time-honored story of cross-dressing and mistaken identity, all in the name of love, is Tony Award winning Director Daniel Sullivan".
"If music be the food of love, play on."- lines from Twelfth Night

Hopelessly Devoted To You

Calling all Wicked & Little Shop of Horror's fans!!!

Pushing Daisies will return to contractually finish its second season. That's right Broadway babe's Kristen Chenoweth and Ellen Greene will return to TV screens on Saturday at 10pm for three weeks in a row on ABC.

Since the show was canceled both have taken on new projects. Greene will star in the Hollywood Bowl's Guy's and Doll's as Miss Adelaide in concert this summer. Kristen Chenoweth is set to play Dusty Springfield in a film and she will also provide the voice in the upcoming Disney animated film Rapunzel. Also she will have a gust starring role on new show GLEE as well as performing in the opera The Ghosts of Versailles at the Met.

If you have never seen the show before you have been missing out. The 1st season is on DVD now and on their website you can find recaps of this season's first 10 episodes.
"Hopelessly Devoted To You" - lyrics from Grease

It Won't Be Long Now

DO NOT FORGET TONIGHT :"In The Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams," a documentary film telling Behind-The-Scenes Story of the 2008 Tony Award-Winning Musical, premieres on THIRTEEN's Great Performances, on PBS.

WATCH IT!

"It Won't Be Long Now" song from In The Height's

Sugarlumps

UPDATE: Flight of the Conchords concert was great.
Here is a video from the show that I took.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTO'S!!!

"Sugarlumps" song from 2nd season for Flight of the Conchords

My head is stuck in this chair

I am heading out to see the Flight of the Conchords tonight, and I thought i would share their musical. Its from the finale of season two of their self-titled show.


"My head is stuck in this chair" lyrics from the Flight of the Conchords "the musical"

Right Where We Belong

DVD OF THE MONTH: The Muppets Take Manhattan

I picked this film because it is not only full of great songs , jokes, and silliness but it tells the story of how hard it is to get a show on Broadway. The story starts out with Kermit and his friends graduating from college and deciding to move to New York to try to make it on Broadway. A lot of things happen on there road to the Great White Way, But do not worry this film ends with a wedding!

One of my favorite parts in the film is when Kermit tries to pass as a famous Broadway producer by hanging his caricature up at Sardi's (famous restaurant in the Theatre District known for its caricatures of famous Broadway stars that hang on their walls). The picture he replaces with his own is Liz Minnelli's. I made sure that the last time I was in NYC that I stopped by to see if Kermit's picture was still there, and it was.

So check out this flim if you have never seen it, and if you have seen it before check it out again!!!

Side note: This is the first time that the Muppet Babies where introduced and how the TV show came to be.

"Right Where We Belong " song from Muppets Take Manhattan

Maybe This Time

So tonight was the preview of the new show GLEE which will be coming to the fall prime time lineup on FOX.
The reviews so far have been great!!! The Los Angeles Times said: "Glee is the first show in a long time that's just plain full-throttle, no-guilty-pleasure-rationalizations-necessary fun." The New York Times said: " Glee, a new series on Fox, is blissfully unoriginal in a witty, imaginative way. " Entertainment Weekly said: "so funny, so bulging with vibrant characters — that it blasts past any defenses you might put up against it. Glee will not stop until it wins you over utterly. "

Now is the time that you tell me what you think! Please tell me what you thought by answering the poll to the right of the screen.

If you need more GLEE then your in luck, you can go to itunes where you can buy the songs from tonight's preview!!! You can also watch the preview on the FOX website all summer long! Here is video of what is coming to the show this fall then it returns:
If that's not enough then HERE for a video of behind the scenes with Kristen Chenoweth's guest staring role on the show coming this fall. She is singing of my favorite songs from Cabaret!!!

"Maybe This Time"-song from Cabaret

I’m looking for something, baby!

So I have reported on Center Theatre Group's and the Pantages Theatre's upcoming season's, but they do not even come close to the greatest of the OC Performing Arts Center new 2009-2010 season !!!

Broadway Series:

• Monty Python's Spamalot: running October 6th-18th 2009
• Spring Awakening: running November 17th-29th 2009
• Xanadu: running December 15th-27th 2009
• Dreamgirls: running April20th - May 2nd, 2010
• In The Height's: running August 3rd-15th 2010
• Young Frankinstein: running September 7th-19th 2010

The Curtain Call Series:

• The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: running February 16th- 21st 2010
• Hairspray: running April 6th- 11th 2010
• The Lion King: running May 26th-June 13th 2010

Bonus Options:

• RENT(with Adam& Anthony): running October 20th-25th 2009
• Annie: running January 29th-31st 2010
• Rain: running March 23rd-28th 2010

Cabaret Series:

• Christine Ebersole: running October 8th-11th 2009
• Christine Andreas : running November 12th-15th 2009
• Katey Sagal: running December 10th-13th 2009
• Kelli O'Hara : running January 21st -24th 2010
• Paulo Szot: running April 8th -11th 2010

CLICK HERE FOR THERE WEBSITE FOR ALL THE INFO!!!

"I’m looking for something, baby!" song from Dream Girls

Be Italian

Here is a look at the trailer for the new film based off of the musical NINE.
It is directed by Rob Marshall who in 2002 directed the hit musical Chicago. The movie stars: Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido Contini, Nicole Kidman as Claudia Graham, Marion Cotillard as Luisa Contini, Penélope Cruz as Carla Albanese, Sophia Loren as Mamma, Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur, Kate Hudson as Stephanie Necrophuros, Stacy Ferguson as Saraghina, and Martina Stella as Donatella.
(Set to be release in November 2009)

"Be Italian" -Song from Nine

Everyone's A Hero

The American Theatre Wing’s 63rd annual Tony Awards® ceremony will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris!!!

NPH like many hosts before him has been a member of the Broadway world as well as an impressive list of screen credits. NPH can currently be seen as Barney Stinson “How I Met Your Mother,” on CBS. He grew fame from this role in “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” as Doogie himself. Just this past summer he stared in Joss Whedon’s online sensation Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. His theatrical credits include the dual role of The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins, performances in the Broadway productions of Cabaret and Proof. He starred in Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick, BOOM! in London, and played Mark in Rent in Los Angeles.

So mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7, live from Radio City Music Hall on CBS.
"Everyone's A Hero"- song from Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

They're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're all together ooky

The Addams Family is coming to Broadway!

Yes, this famous family is heading for Broadway in the spring 2010 but will do a test-run in Chicago this fall. The show will feature original music by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) and Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party). The show will be based on the characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams rather than past television shows or the films.

The new show will star Nathan Lane as Gomez(A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers) and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia(Sweet Charity, Chicago). The rest of the cast includes Terrence Mann (Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables) as Mal Beineke, Carolee Carmello (Parade, Lestat) as Alice Beineke, Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical, Dirty Blonde) as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman (Hairspray, Xanadu) as Grandmama, Zachary James (South Pacific) as Lurch, Adam Riegler (Shrek) as Pugsley, Wesley Taylor ( Rock of Ages) as Lucas Beineke and Krysta Rodriguez (In the Heights, Spring Awakening) as Wednesday.

Click Here for more INFO on the show!

"They're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're all together ooky"- lyrics to The Addams Family theme song

Mister Cellophane

So I just saw the pilot for Fox's GLEE and I LOVED IT.
As you can see to your left are some photos I took from the May 11th screening at Santa Monica High School. It was a great turn out, and the crowd seemed to love, love, love the show!
The set up of the screening was really cute, they had a snack bar, the high school's choir, jazz band, and Cheerleaders performed for the crowd. Dont forget May 19th on FOX after American Idol!!!
Anyways, here are some videos from the screening with the Cast and Producers of the show. Video # 1 is of the producers of GLEE talking about how they came up with the show. Video # 2 is about how the music get's chosen for the show. Video # 3 is about Lea Michele's nightmare before the tryout for the part of Rachel on GLEE Video # 4 is me asking a question about guest stars (please dont judge).

"Mister Cellophane " -Song from Chicago

Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. Want something!

Here is some upcoming events taking place at Upright Cabaret.

For more info click the photo.

"Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. Want something!"- Lyrics from Being Alive from Company.

Dont Stop Believing

Here is a new look at GLEE which debuts after American Idol on May 19th at 9pm!!! I can not wait! Look out for a lot of promo's and contests to be coming your way, all in support of the new show!

"Dont Stop Believing" song from Rock of Ages

I should tell you

Here is a new interview from Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, original stars of RENT with editor/founder of THE COLUMN and the new Dallas BroadwayWorld.com correspondent, John Garcia.

"I should tell you"-song from RENT

There's no business like show business

Since it is Tony Time, I think it is important to share some information with all of you about the organization behind the awards, The American Theatre Wing (ATW). They are not only in charge of the Tony Awards but also Springboard NYC, Theatre Intern Group, Theatre Company Grants, Jonathan Larson Grants, and Hewes Design Awards.

ATW is "dedicated to celebrating excellence and supporting education in the theatre". They have been at the core of the theatrical community for seven decades now, by providing a behind the scenes look at the industry as well as providing the tools for new blood enter that community. ATW does this by providing programs and activities which help students, audiences, and members of the community learn more about what makes theatre tick from the people who make it so vital. Some of the educational material they provide are Working In The Theatre , Downstage Center, Guide to Careers, and SDCF Masters of the Stage. If you ever want to work in theatre or be a true theatreolic then you must spend some time watching these videos, listening to theses interviews, etc. They teach you sooo much about the business and give you insight into the struggles of living a life in the theatre.

The newest video of their Working In The Theatre series will be up on their website for download this upcoming Wednesday, May 13. The latest topic is At Work and Play: Lead Actors 2009. The lead actors for this panel are Jane Alexander, Bill Irwin, Angela Lansbury, Cynthia Nixon, and Geoffrey Rush. They will talk about such topics as how they choose roles, how they build a relationships an audience, and how they balance the thoughts of the playwright and the director.

Here are a few clips from one of their past topics: Working In The Theatre "The Next Generation" with Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening), Alison Pill (Mauritius) and John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys).

So there is your short, short look into an amazing organization that does so much for the theatre community. I hope you take the time to check out one or two of there series on their website. On a personal side note: I inspire to work and be a part of this organization one day and help out future generations of theatre lovers get there foot in the door. I love the ATW and hope more people learn about them and all the good they do.

"There's no business like show business " from Annie Get Your Gun

Remember the story of your name

PBS Great Performances will debut the documentary In The Heights - Chasing Broadway Dreams on Wednesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. (ET) (For your local PBS channel Click Here)

Here is the description of the documentary from the PBS website: "Making it in New York City is tough. Few get the chance to live out their dreams, and the cast and crew of In the Heights know this all too well. This young, diverse group of relatively unknown artists and performers have dreamed of making it on Broadway, but are well aware that a new original musical set outside a bodega in the Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights is a highly risky proposition. It took eight years in all, but they succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, winning four Tony Awards along the way, including Best Musical and Best Score for a Musical. In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams chronicles the personal stories of composer/lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of In the Heights in the months leading up to opening night".

Here is the trailer.

"Remember the story of your name" lyrics from song Hundreds of Stories from In the Heights

These are a few of my favorite things

So recently I picked out my top 5 favorite Broadway actors for a thing on Facebook and realized that it was really hard to narrow it down. So here is my list of my top 50 favorite Broadway actors, the order changes all the time but they are all my faves.

1. Patti Lupone
2. Raul Esparza
3. John Gallagher Jr.
4. Sutton Foster
5. John Lloyd Young
6. Julie Andrews
7. Nathan Lane
8. Adam Pascal
9. Anthony Rapp
10. Lin-Manuel Miranda
11. Liza Minnelli
12. Jonthan Groff
13. Lea Michele
14. Idina Menzel
15. Mandy Patinkin
16. Daniel Evans
17. Jenna Russell
18. Skylar Astin
19. Lauren Pritchard
20. Cynthia Nixon
21. Christine Ebersole
22. Ellen Greene
23. Patrick Wilson
24. Matthew Broderic
25. Cheyenne Jackson
26. Kristen Chenoweth
27. Joel Grey
28. Stockard Channing
29. Faith Prince
30. Wilson Jermaine Heredia
31. Jesse L. Martin
32. Neil Patrick Harris
33. Matthew Morrison
34. Julie White
35. Roger Bart
36. Beth Leavel
37. Karen Olivo
38. Christopher Sieber
39. Kelli O'Hara
40. Christian Hoff
41. Tracie Thomas
42. David Hyde Pierce
43. Lili Cooper
44. Phoebe Strole
45. Blake Daniel
46. Matt Doyle
47. Blake Bashoff
48. Jonathan B. Wright
49. Angela Lansbury
50. Bernadette Peters

Now that you have seen my list, who is on your list? Please comment below with your list of your favorite Broadway Stars!

"These are a few of my favorite things" -lyrics from My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music

Aint Misbehavin

I went to see Aint Misbehavin at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles; staring Eugene Barry-Hill, Doug Eskew, Armelia McQueen, Roz Ryan, and Debra Walton. The show celebrates the music and style of Thomas "Fats" Walker. It featured songs such as The Viper's Drag/The Reefer song, Your Feet's Too Big, and Black & Blue.

Though the show was full of great numbers and performances by the cast, but the bottom line is that it lacked a storyline. The show was too many songs, no storyline, no message, and was too, too, too long. After the fifth song in a row without a break, I checked out. If you love the music of "Fats", then you will love it but if not then save your money and skip this one.

"Aint Misbehavin" -title track from Aint Misbehavin

Razzle Dazzle

LA's Pantages Theatre just released there 2010 season!

• The Color Purple: It will feature "American Idol" winner Fantasia reprising her acclaimed Broadway performance as Celie in the musical Feb. 10-28, 2010.
• Cats: Andrew Lloyd Webber 's family fun musical will play March 9-21, 2010.
• Chicago: Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash will play April 20-May 2, 2010.
• In the Heights: Last year's Tony Award winning best musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes will play June 22-July 25, 2010.
• Young Frankenstein: Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan's musical will play July 27-Sept. 5, 2010
• 101 Dalmatians: A New stage musical version of 101 Dalmatians will play June 8-20, 2010 and it will feature music by Dennis DeYoung of Styx.
  "Razzle Dazzle " song from Chicago

Because...Broadway is a very special place, filled with very special people, people who can sing and dance, often at the same time!

Nominations for the 2009 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards® Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing Announced by past winners Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cynthia Nixon.

Best Play
Dividing the Estate
God of Carnage
Organization
Reasons to Be Pretty
33 Variations

Best Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical

Best Book of a Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Lee Hall Next to Normal
Brian YorkeyShrek The Musical
David Lindsay-Abaire[Title of Show]
Hunter Bell

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Billy Elliot, The Musical :Music: Elton John Lyrics: Lee Hall
Next to Normal :Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics: Brian Yorkey
9 to 5: The Musical :Music & Lyrics: Dolly Parton
Shrek The Musical :Music: Jeanine Tesori Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Mary Stuart
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot

Best Revival of a Musical
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story

Best Special Theatrical Event
Liza’s at The Palace
Slava’s Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski, Reasons to Be Pretty

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish – Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gavin Creel, Hair
Brian d’Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, Reasons to Be Pretty
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson, Hair

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Rob Howell, The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane, 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask, Pal Joey
Mark Wendland, Next to Normal

Best Costume Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald, Hair

Best Lighting Design of a Play
David Hersey, Equus
David Lander, 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, Hair
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play
Paul Arditti, Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke, Equus
Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Acme Sound Partners, Hair
Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan, Next to Normal

Best Direction of a Play
Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair

Best Choreography
Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Best Orchestrations
Larry Blank, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Jerry Herman
Regional Theatre Tony Award
Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.
Isabelle Stevenson Award
Phyllis Newman
Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
Shirley Herz

Go to http://www.tonyawards.com/ for more info.
CLICK HERE for Video from the press announcement.
"Because...Broadway is a very special place, filled with very special people, people who can sing and dance, often at the same time! "-lyrics from Spamalot's song You Won't Succeed On Broadway

New block of ice Piragua

So I can not stand Legally Blonde the Musical but I have fallen in LOVE with "The Legally Brown - the Search for the Next Piragua Guy". Thousands voted, but only one contestant could win.

The Contestants: Derrick (The Little Mermaid), Hunter (Title Of Show), Cheyenne (Xanadu), Allison (9 to 5), Telly (Rent), Norm (The Little Mermaid), Matthew (South Pacific), Eliseo (In The Heights), and Noah (South Pacific)

The Judges: Bernie Telsey (Casting Director)Quiara Alegría Hudes (In The Heights Writer, Pulitzer Finalist) and Rickey Tripp (Broadway's It Boy)

The Guest Judges: Andy Blankenbeuhler, Janet Dacal, Andréa Burns, Robin DeJesus, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Seth Rudetsky

Here are some of my favorite episodes from online series. For the full series CLICK HERE!

SOOOO Piragua Guy has his own facebook page & app: Click Here to go there.
"New block of ice Piragua"- Lyrics from Piragua from In the Heights

“I Can’t Quit You”

I found this video from last year's 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC while up late while trying to deal with insomnia. It made me laugh and also so proud that organizations like GLAAD exist.
“I can’t quit you” from fake "Brokeback Mountain the Musical." (not real, expect in the minds of Anthony & Cheyenne)

We're Here to Tell You

Duncan Sheik's new musical, The Whisper House will have it's world premiere Jan.13–Feb. 21, 2010 at San Degio's Old Globe Theatre. Music & lyrics by Duncan Sheik, book & lyrics by Kyle Jarrow & directed by Keith Powell.
The play is described to be "[An] enchanting new musical. Set in 1942 during the height of World War II, Americans are being asked to do their part to help their country win the war, including Lily and her Japanese assistant, the caretakers of a remote lighthouse. When Lily's young nephew Christopher comes to stay with her, he begins to think his new home is haunted. When the spirits reveal themselves to Christopher, he is required to grow up quickly and make decisions that are usually left up to grownups. Should he trust these mischievous spirits whose songs only he can hear or should he trust the grownups around him that still treat him like a kid? This beautiful tale reminds us all that fear and misguided assumptions can lead anyone down a road of no return."
"We're Here to Tell You"- song from Whisper House

I got my hair, I got my head, I got my brains , I got my ears...

The 2009 revival of Hair will be hitting the road for the 2010 and 2011 season. That's right a national tour is in the works.

This revival of Hair on Broadway all started with a three night run in September 2007, at Joe's Pub and a concert version of the show for the 40th anniversary production of Hair in Central Park. It was such a success that the Public Theater decided to presented a fully-staged production at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park in the summer of 2008. The run was designed to be a limited run but with great reviews and with great demand the run was extended. Shortly after that run was over it was announced that the show would return to Broadway for a full-revival at the the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, with an official opening on March 31, 2009. They revival has been selling out even since it started previews and so a national tour makes sense as the next step for this "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" . No word or where the first stop will be, but I am sure more news is on it's way.

"I got my hair, I got my head, I got my brains , I got my ears..."-lyrics from the song Hair from show by same title

Passing Phase

Did you miss the hit musical Passing Strange while it was on Broadway? Or have you never heard about this Tony Award winning Best Book for a musical?

Well you in luck PBS' "Great Performances" will air Spike Lee's film adaptation of PASSING STRANGE in 2010. This film had its New York premiere this past January, when it played the Tribeca Film festival. I can not wait to see it Lee's verison of it on TV. Hopefully this production will end up on DVD for all to enjoy.

Passing Strange is about a young black musician's journey to Amsterdam in order to rebel against his mother and his upbringing in a church-going, middle-class, late 1970s South Central Los Angeles neighborhood in order to find "the real". With his "passing" from place to place and from lover to lover, the young musician moves through a number of musical styles from a background of gospel to punk, and then blues, jazz, and rock, until he finds his home.

CLICK HERE to watch the Broadway Cast performing at the 2008 Tony Awards

"Passing Phase" -song from Passing Strange.

Like Wow

Regis Philbin dressed up for his trip to Late Night. Check it out
"like wow"-song from the musical Sherk

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Here are seven things you need to know about Kristin Chenoweth. Video from Newsweek.
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from Wizard of Oz.

Piece of My Heart

So I can not wait for the upcoming Taking Woodstock to come out late this summer. Watch the trailer below and see how many familiar Broadway actors you can spot out (hint, hint one is a transvestite and is awaken by the spring) :)
"Piece of My Heart" song from Love, Janis the off Broadway show

Opening night...

Check it out!

"Opening night..." song from the producers