Stars Turn For Broadway’s Newest Movie Musical Mamma Mia!

No question about it. London was the place to be for fans of the hit musical Mamma Mia! as stars turned out across the galaxy to celebrate the films opening. Here are Dominic Cooper and Rachel McDowall making their way to the movie’s big day! Viva La Abba!

McDowall photo Mike Marsland/WireImage.com, Cooper photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage.com

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Mamma Mia! The Movie Director and Broadway Producer

The story of Mamma Mia!and it’s journey from Abba songs, to Broadway, to the West End, and now to Hollywood is a story of persistence and total inspiration. Now, the triumph is officially global as Mamma Mia! The Movie has its premiere in London. On hand were starsMeryl Streep, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Executive Producers Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and of course producer Judy Craymer, who has been instrumental in making this all happen. Enjoy a virtual trip down the Mamma Mia! Blue Carpet via www.Broadway.tv.

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv
Photo: Producer Judy Craymer and director Phyllida Lloyd attend the Mamma Mia! The Movie world premiere held at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 30, 2008 in London, England.  Photo Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage.com

Boeing-Boeing Broadway Star Transatlantic Mamma Mia! Premiere

Christine Barnaski proved the power of air travel as she took a break from the Broadway run of Boeing-Boeing to join her Broadway Film family at the London premiere of Mamma Mia! The Movie. Amid the mayhem, the solid Baranski had fun and looked pretty in pink. This is definitely shaping up to be her best year ever…and that says a lot. Come back to Broadway soon, Christine!

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Christine Baranski attends the world premiere of “Mamma Mia!” the Movie at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 30, 2008 in London. Photo Mike Marsland/WireImage.com

Between Broadway Shows Catch a Bon Jovi

Few rock acts have been able to transform into Broadway musicals. The Who’s Tommy, Billy Joel’s Movin Out, and an upcoming Pink Floyd The Wall. Bon Jovi fans don’t need to wait to see the band on Broadway. This summer, July 12, they will be giving a free concert in Central Park. Living on a Prayer.

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Jon Bon Jovi of Bon Jovi performs at Twickenham Stadium on June 27, 2008 in London, England.Photo Matt Kent/WireImage.com

Film Stars and Producers Mamma Mia!

The famous Mamma Mia! The Movie Grand Photo with stars, producers, and much more. Take a virtual walk down the Mamma Mia London Blue Carpet right here on our blog.

In the Photo: Executive producers Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, actress Amanda Seyfried, executive producer and member of Abba Benny Andersson, guest, producer Judy Craymer, actress Christine Baranski, actor Dominic Cooper, actress Julie Walters, director Phyllida Lloyd, actor Stellan Skarsgard, guest, actor Colin Firth and executive producer and member of Abba Bjorn Ulvaeus attend the Mamma Mia! The Movie world premiere held at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 30, 2008 in London, England.  Photo Jon Furniss/WireImage.com

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Star Meryl Streep At London Premiere

She could be dancing? She could be wrestling? It could be a simple hug?  Both seem happy as Meryl Streep celebrates the opening of the movie musical Mamma Mia! The Movie with her co-star Peirce Brosnan. Check out the blog for a virtual live walk down the red carpet. Look for an interview with the Broadway dads of Mamma Mia! in the upcoming Broadway Magazine.

Caption: Actress Meryl Streep and actor Pierce Brosnan attend the Mamma Mia! The Movie world premiere held at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 30, 2008 in London, England.  John Furniss/WireImage.com

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Tom Hanks and Stars of Mamma Mia! The Movie Broadway.tv Virtual Red Carpet 

The stars are shining on London as the summer musical event of the year takes off at the gala opening in London. Mamma Mia! The Movie stars Meryl Streep and Boeing-Boeing’s Christine Baranksi. Though we cannot fly you to London teak a virtual front row seat at the red (or rather blue) carpet event. Here you see Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson. Hanks is an Executive Producer of the film.  Inside, Hanks and Wilson pose with Colin Firth, Dominic Cooper, and Stellan Skarsgard…all stars of the film.  –Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Left Photo: Actors Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, executive producers Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and actor Stellan Skarsgard attend the Mamma Mia! The Movie world premiere held at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 30, 2008 in London, England. Photo John Furniss/WireImage.com.

 Actors’ Union and Producers League Yet To Reach Agreement

Given the damage to the Broadway season caused by the strike last fall, it is with particular interest that agreements from the current negotiations between the Actors Equity Association and the Broadway League have not been reached, according to Andrew Salomon of Reuters. Apparently, the current contract covering Broadway and national Broadway show tours expired at midnight.
Does this mean another strike is on the way? Not necessarily, says Salomon. He quotes a spokeswoman for the Broadway League that “both sides are working hard to reach an agreement.” That the deadline has come and gone without much attention is an indication that both sides are working to get a deal done, according to the article. Full details here.

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Pushing Daisies Star and Tony Winner “Tries To Remember” Time In The Fantasticks

Few shows have endeared themselves with audiences and actors the way “The Fantasticks” has. The show is the longest running Off-Broadway musical in history, and has just begun another run at the Snapple Theater Center, in the newly named Jerry Orbach Theatre. A recent visit by Pushing Daisies Star and Tony Winner Kristin Chenowethbrought back memories indeed. Chenoweth was one of a long list of stars who have performed in the show. According the The Fantasticks blog, Chenoweth recalls the show fondly during a recent visit to see the production at the Orbach Theatre.  ”I have many memories of playing Luisa. Singing the songs, acting the first monologue and performing with the cast. Even when the air conditioner broke down at the theater on Sullivan Street, or I slipped and fell on my first entrance, The Fantasticks brought me some of the best times I ever had on stage,” smiles Chenoweth. She reveals the full air conditioner story and more on the shows blog, here.

Photo: Actress Kristen Chenoweth attends the 62nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 15, 2008 in New York City. Credit Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Piven Workshop Celebrates 30+ Years

When people think Chicago theatre, they may think Steppenwolf and August: Osage County. They may want to think “Piven” as well. For those unfamiliar with the Piven Theatre Workshop itself, they likely are more familiar with the celebrated alumni of the theatre training and outreach program.  John and Joan Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Aidan Quinn, Lili Taylor, Harry Lennix, Kate Walsh, Hope Davis, and others from Chicago who have gone on to have celebrated stage, film, or television careers. New York audiences may be familiar with “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” which has roots in connections made at the Piven. Before there were Emmy’s for Jeremy Piven, the Piven theatre workshop in Evanston, Illinois. Well, with over 30 years of work behind it, Jeremy Piven took time to celebrate and host a fund-raiser for the organization with D.B. Sweeny and Billy Dec. The fundraiser was at Rockit Bar and Grill, the actual workshop, classes, and performances are elsewhere.

Photo of Actor D.B. Sweeney and actor Jeremy Piven attends The Annual Piven Theatre WorkShop Sponsored By Grey Goose and Chicago Magazine at Rockit Bar & Grill on June 28, 2008 in Chicago. Brecheisen/Wireimage.com.

–Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv