Highlights and Broadway Images

BROADWAY MAGAZINE - It is a cool, cloudy morning. Fall is rapidly infiltrating a once uncomfortably sweltering Times Square. But there is a palpable excitement in the air stretching from 43^rd to 47^th street. And not just because with the falling leaves and chilly air means a new season of Broadway, which is cause for delight in itself. No, the tangible vibe of anticipation on this particular day is a direct result of the concert that is about to unfold in Times Square: “Broadway on Broadway.”

The annual event, where thousands of fans gather to watch their favorite Broadway stars perform for free, is every theatre-goers’ dream. Where else do you get to see big numbers from almost every show on Broadway perform without paying a penny? As I look across the crowd in disbelief—there must have been at least 10,000 people stretched all the way down four blocks at that moment—I realize the extent to which people in this city truly do value theatre.

Appreciating and enjoying theatre—quite simply, that is what this spectacular event is all about; celebrating the ongoing tradition of gathering together to be a part of live performance, whether it be “Bye Bye Birdie” or “Hamlet.” It is also a great way to kick off the new 2009-2010 theatre season. And let me tell you, from the performances at the concert, it is going to be an unbelievable year at the theatre.

A few numbers in particular grabbed my attention. Some of the shows, after all, are returning after anywhere from 5 to 30 years on Broadway. But there are some new productions that are sure to give the veteran shows a run for their money.

Top Picks include (after the jump):

(more…)

 Thousands Gather In Times Square

It was a sunny day in Times Square as thousands gathered to be a part of Broadway on Broadway 2009. Fans, friends, fanatics, and those just discovering Broadway for the first time stood side by side as show after show performed a Broadway number to the enthusiastic crowd.

“It’s a lot of people,” said Raymond Rivera from Cambridge Securities, who is no stranger to Broadway on Broadway. He’d been in Times Square since Friday night. “It takes two days to build the stage and get it set up,” he said. Though the streets were blocked off up to 47^th Street in Times Square the largest crowd didn’t even reach to the end of 45^th Street. If the turn out was smaller than in previous years, the energy wasn’t. Official crowd estimates were not available.

Among the thousands stood a pair of friends who have more than a Broadway connection in common. Lisa has been coming to Broadway on Broadway since 1996. She went to Syosset High School, ten years after Idina Menzel (of RENT and Wicked fame). However, Lisa became a fan of Idina after first seeing her on TV in an interview.

From her back pack, Lisa pulls a tee shirt she has from the first time Idina Menzel performed at the Bowery Ballroom. It was her appreciation of India that led to her discovery of RENT, which she saw over 200 times (though not all in a row) during its Broadway run. She would do the lottery, and has fond memories of the show and the cast. She still holds Indie in high regard and follows her career.

“She’s had a baby recently,” says Lisa, referring to the child Idina had with Taye Diggs.

Smiling next to Lisa is her friend Danelle. The two met at the final performance of RENT as they waited to see if they won the lottery for the final night of tickets. They didn’t win…or did they? Danelle has seen RENT more than 60 times. ‘It wasn’t fair,” she smiles, “they let the celebrities in…it wasn’t fair,” she remembers.

In some way, maybe both Lisa and Danelle won something better than a ticket at the final performance of RENT.

The two met each other for the first time outside on that September day. They began a friendship that continues now as RENT itself is only a Broadway memory. They see shows together, and stay connected to the other loyal RENT-heads. While both still hold a place of fondness for RENT, they were excited to be up front for the 2009 RENT-less Broadway on Broadway.

Lisa notes that in the early years, there weren’t so many barriers at Broadway on Broadway, and people could be closer to the stage. She said she’s looking forward to “the fun shows.” Danelle has transitioned her Broadway loyalties to Rock Of Ages, she says with a smile.

Danelle and Lisa are a reminder that sometimes the best thing about Broadway isn’t always the stars or the shows themselves…sometimes it’s the fun of forming new memories with old friends. Today, no doubt, Broadway on Broadway created more great memories and friendships that will last longer than even Phantom Of The Opera (perhaps). –Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

Look for extensive video, photos, and additional coverage of this year’s Broadway on Broadway right here on www.Broadway.tv .

 Live Real-Time Twitter Coverage

BROADWAY MAGAZINE – It’s a beautiful New York Sunday and at 11:30 this morning the 2009 Broadway on Broadway free concert in Times Square will begin. If it dances, sings, talks or walks on a Broadway Stage this fall, you’re very likely to see it perform today at
Broadway on Broadway. Right here on Broadway.tv we’ll have comprehensive coverage, including video highlights of all the performances as the day goes on and photography as well. Also, you can follow our Tweet team live from Broadway on Broadway for pics, tweets and real time info from the concert. It’s all free and it’s all here for you on Broadway.tv.

Live Twitter feed from Broadway on Broadway here.

While you wait, check out full video coverage from last season’s concert here.

Reunion Performance For Great Causes

Looks like the cast is assembled and ready to go for the reunion concert of The Who’s Tommy. Playbill.com reports that member of the original cast (including Michael Cerveris and Sherie Rene Scott) will join with other celebrate performers like Christian Hoff, recently of Jersey Boys and Pal Joey, for a special reunion concert to benefit benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Broadway Dreams Foundation and the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation. To paraphrase you-know-WHO: How do you think they do it? I don’t know.

-Broadway Magazine

New Show Aiming For Broadway

This week saw the arrival of Jim Jones Hip-Hop Monolgues at 37 Arts. In an MTV interview, Jones and Damon Dash express their desire to take the show to Broadway. On hand to celebrate the opening were Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Elle Macpherson, Michael McConnell, Damon Dash, Michael Koch and Juelz Santana. Click on the thumbnails to see the event. From the MTV article:

Jones and Dash have a packed schedule in the coming months. They’re currently deciding the proper venue to release the documentary “This Is Jim Jones” and then there’s a movie based on the Byrd gang, but Dash says their aspiration is to eventually get “Hip-Hop Monologues” on Broadway.

Ironically, this week there were also a series of negative reports in the press about Dash’s finances, including this report in the Daily News. We’ll see what happens.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Big Show For Broadway

Elton John has his name all over Broadway these days. Of course, there is the always popular Disney hit The Lion King playing, and he has Billy Elliot opening soon as well. With that in mind, Sir Broadway Elton brought out some of his friends for a great cause the other night with the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and  Elton John AIDS Foundation Friends in Deed. Some of the big name performances and stars included Ben Folds, In The Heights’ Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shockwave, All My Sons’ Patrick Wilson, Joey Arias, Jane Krakowski , Rufus Wainwright, Sheri Rene Scott, John Cameron Mitchell.  Click on the pictures for a unique photo experience. Check out full coverage (and our cool new photo display function) on our homepage…Broadway Snapshot section. Photos by Mazur/WireImage.com

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Hitmaker Plays Atlantic City

While Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, and Jon Bon Jovi are among the recording artists who can claim New Jersey as their home, it is recording star Frankie Valli and his group The Four Seasons who are the true Jersey Boyson Broadway. The subject for the hit Broadway musical, which features their tremendous catalogue of hits, Frankie Valli went back to New Jersey this weekend to perform. Stewie Stone opened. Performing in Atlantic City, Frankie and The Four Seasons remain as popular in real-life as they are popular on Broadway. Welcome home, Mr. Valli.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons perfom at the Borgata Hotel & Casino on September 19, 2008 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. B. Bank/WireImage.com.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight?

As reported earlier, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush invited the cast of The Lion King to the White House to perform. Take a look at the photo. In addition to President Bush, President John Agyekum Kufor of Ghana was on hand as well. Following a state dinner for President Kufor, the cast performed 6 numbers from The Lion King on September 15 at the Rose Garden. From the release:

11 members of the cast - headed by Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Dashaun Young (Simba) and Kissy Simmons (Nala) - performed six numbers from the Oscar-winning score in the White House’s majestic Rose Garden: “One by One,” “Shadowland,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Endless Night,” “He Lives in You,” and “Circle of Life” with “Nants’ Ingonyama.” Also on hand to perform were eight members of the ensemble, including six South African cast members.

With the economy having a bad day, it was just as well that the cast didn’t perform Hakuna Matata. PHOTO: Scott Suchman, Copyright Disney 2008.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

One Night Only

If Gutzon Borglum, carver of Mount Rushmore, were alive today and looking to carve a monument to some of the major forces in Broadway, he might likely be in the audience of Carnegie Hall for a one-night only special event called REVIVAL: Broadway’s Next Act. At Zankel Hall, a panel discussion will take place featuring Spring Awakening co-creator Duncan Sheik; In The Heights’ Tony Winning mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda; Hairspray guru Adam Shankman; Legally Blonde’s driving force Jerry Mitchell; RENT star and Broadway favorite Anthony Rapp. The event starts at 8 and is sponsored by Carnegie Hall’s Notables group, a membership program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s. The October 6 event is free for Notables members. Tickets for non-members, priced at $75 each, are also available. Event information is also available by visiting Notables here. After the panel, there is a party at the Russian Tea Room where guests can say hello to the panel. A one-time only Broadway experience.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

PHOTO: In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda attends the closing night of “RENT” on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre on September 7, 2008 in New York City. J. Pellegrini/WireImage.com

Stars Shine Crowd Roars

While some of the big stars on Broadway have yet to perform at today’s Broadway on Broawday  concert in Times Square, many have performed. Ace Young sang Greased Lightening from Grease, Bailey Hicks brought down the house with So Much Better from Legally Blonde. One of the biggest buzz moments came when the cast of 13 The Musical performed. “Who is that girl with that amazing voice?” was the comment heard during the number. Not sure of her name, but it was a great performance. Tom Wopat got a huge hand for his Chicago number, All I Care About Is Love. Feathers were flying. Speaking of fantastic, the gang from Gypsy was high energy and lots of fun. Great gimmick.  Mary Poppins was polished perfectly too.  It has already been a successful event…and we’re only about half way there. Charles Strouse and Bebe Neuwirth had a special number for the occasion. The performance from In The Heights of When You’re Home by Mandy Gonzalez and Christopher Jackson  hushed the audience and was quite moving. Video from near the stage coming soon. Remember this is only the first half!

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv