'Chicago' to welcome trans actor Angelica Ross as Roxie Hart
Theater-Angelica Ross FILE - Angelica Ross appears at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 11, 2021. Ross is set to make her Broadway debut in the musical “Chicago” this fall, becoming the first openly transgender actor to play the murderous vixen Roxie Hart. Ross, whose credits also include “American Horror Story: 1984,” will start an eight-week run beginning Sept. 12 at the Ambassador Theatre. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) (Richard Shotwell)NEW YORK — (AP) — “Pose” star Angelica Ross is set to make her Broadway debut in “Chicago” this fall, becoming the first openly transgender actor to play the murderous vixen Roxie Hart in the long-running musical. Ross, whose credits also include “American Horror Story: 1984,” will start an eight-week run beginning Sept. 12 at the Ambassador Theatre.
wftv.comFormer actor and producer sentenced to 21 years in prison over $60M fraud scheme
Jason Van Eman, 44, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was sentenced Thursday in Fort Lauderdale federal court, according to court records. A jury found him guilty in May of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. Read: Florida unemployment rate falls to 2.8% in JuneEman was sentenced on Thursday to 21 years and 10 months in prison. On a previous occasion, McConley was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Rafael previously pleaded guilty to his part in the scheme, as well as another case involving fraudulent applications for COVID-19 relief loans.
wftv.comLea Michele to replace Beanie Feldstein as Broadway’s ‘Funny Girl’
Lea Michele to replace Beanie Feldstein as Broadway's 'Funny Girl' Lea Michele arrives at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)NEW YORK — Broadway will soon have a new “Funny Girl.”>> Read more trending newsAccording to The Associated Press, former “Glee” star Lea Michele will play the role of Fanny Brice in the show’s Broadway revival beginning this fall, the production announced Monday. “I’m so incredibly honored to join this amazing cast and production and return to the stage playing Fanny Brice on Broadway. See you September 6th.”On Sunday, Beanie Feldstein, who currently plays Brice, announced she would be leaving the show at the end of the month. She also was the original Wendla in the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening,” according to the news outlet.
wftv.comAt 'Funny Girl,' Lea Michele is in, Beanie Feldstein is out
Theater-Lea Michele-Beanie Feldstein Lea Michele appears at the 75th annual Tony Awards in New York on June 12, 2022, left, and Beanie Feldstein appears at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, 2021. Lea Michele has been tapped to step in and lead the Broadway revival of the beleaguered “Funny Girl” this fall, an announcement made just hours after current star Beanie Feldstein revealed she was leaving the show sooner than anticipated due to the show taking a “different direction. In an extraordinary step, Feldstein took to social media Sunday to say that while playing the heroine of "Funny Girl" was a "lifelong dream," she could no longer continue due to choices by producers and would leave early, on July 31. Her Instagram post was notably liked by Broadway veteran Ramin Karimloo, who plays Brice's love interest in “Funny Girl” and is staying on. “Funny Girl” is a musical that celebrates the oddballs, the kooky and the misfits.
wftv.comHere’s when tickets go on sale for “Hamilton” in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. — Hamilton will return to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 26-Nov. 20, and you don’t want to throw away your shot to nab tickets. READ: ‘What is life without art?’: Rep. Val Demings presents $250K to Dr. Phillips CenterThose purchasing tickets online on July 14 must join the virtual waiting room starting at 10 a.m. if you’re on the site before then, you’ll have to refresh the page to access the button to get tickets. Your place in line will be secure as long as you stay online, the center said. Tickets will range from $49 to $169, with premium seats available for $199 for all performances. READ: Doctor Phillips Center to host National Ballet of Ukraine to support embattled countryVIDEO: Dr. Phillips Center announces plans to celebrate completion of original design The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing arts has opened the doors to its newest stage, finally marking the full completion of the facility’s original design.
wftv.com‘Hair’ co-creator James Rado dies at 90
James Rado dies FILE PHOTO: Creators of the "Hair" James Rado, left, and Galt MacDermot attend the opening night of the Broadway musical "Hair", in New York, on March 31, 2009. Rado died Tuesday night, June 21, 2022 in New York of cardio respiratory arrest, according to friend and publicist Merle Frimark. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File) (Peter Kramer/AP)The co-creator of the groundbreaking musical “Hair” has died. >> Read more trending newsHis friend and publicist, Merle Frimark, said Rado died Tuesday night of cardio respiratory arrest, The Associated Press reported. Rado, along with Gerome Ragni wrote the story and lyrics to “Hair” that put protest, pot and free love center stage.
wftv.comJames Rado, who co-created pioneering ‘Hair,’ dies at 90
Obit James Rado FILE - Creators of the "Hair" James Rado, left, and Galt MacDermot attend the opening night of the Broadway musical "Hair", in New York, on March 31, 2009. Rado died Tuesday night, June 21, 2022 in New York of cardio respiratory arrest, according to friend and publicist Merle Frimark. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File) (Peter Kramer)NEW YORK — (AP) — James Rado, co-creator of the groundbreaking hippie musical “Hair,” which celebrated protest, pot and free love and paved the way for the sound of rock on Broadway, has died. Rado died Tuesday night in New York City of cardio respiratory arrest, according to friend and publicist Merle Frimark. Rado played Claude, a young man about to be drafted and sent to the war in Vietnam.
wftv.comBroadway theaters drop their mask mandate starting in July
Broadway theaters will no longer demand audiences wear masks starting in July. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) (Evan Agostini)NEW YORK — (AP) — In another sign that the world of entertainment is returning to pre-pandemic normal, Broadway theaters will no longer demand audiences wear masks starting in July. In May, most Broadway theaters lifted the requirement that audience members provide proof of vaccination to enter venues. The policy will “be evaluated on a monthly basis as we continue to monitor the science,” according to a statement by the League, which represents Broadway producers. It also said that “audience members are still encouraged to wear masks in theaters.” Producers have long complained that ticket sales may be depressed due to the mask ban.
wftv.comPolice: 3 critically hurt when taxi jumps curb on Broadway
Taxi Pedestrians Struck Bystanders move in to assist pedestrians who were struck by a cab that jumped a curb, Monday, June 20, 2022, in New York. A taxi cab turning onto a narrow section of Broadway hit a bicyclist, then swerved onto a Manhattan sidewalk and into a group of pedestrians Monday afternoon, critically injuring three people, police said. (WABC-TV via AP) (WABC-TV)NEW YORK — (AP) — A taxi cab turning onto a narrow section of Broadway hit a bicyclist, then swerved onto a Manhattan sidewalk and into a group of pedestrians Monday afternoon, critically injuring three people, police said. The yellow cab was on West 29th Street, turning south onto Broadway, when the collision with the bicyclist took place, according to NYPD Deputy Chief John Chell. “As this occurs, a remarkable scene took place," Chell said.
wftv.comSeveral injured when car hits pedestrians in New York City
Crash Several people were injured in a crash in the heart of New York City. (Google Maps /Google)NEW YORK CITY — Four people were injured Monday when a taxi hit pedestrians on a sidewalk before striking a building in Manhattan, according to multiple reports. @FDNYAlerts Activity: Expect traffic delays, road closures & emergency personnel near Broadway & West 29 Street, Manhattan. Officials with the New York City Fire Department told WNYW that three people were transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition following the crash. Police believe a medical issue might have caused the crash, WNYW reported.
wftv.comThe super moon is back. Here’s when to look up
Video: The super moon is back. Here’s when to look upORLANDO, Fla. — You will want to look up to the skies this week. The super moon is back. The moon will appear 7% larger and 15% brighter than normal. READ: 2022 Tony Awards: See the complete winners list from Broadway’s biggest nightThe phenomenon occurs when the moon orbits closest to the Earth.
wftv.comClassic summer-style weather week ahead
ORLANDO, Fla. — We will have a classic summer-style weather week. It will be very hot, with scattered afternoon storms. We will stay in the mid-90s through the upcoming weekend. We will start the workweek with temperatures near 94 degrees, with a 40% chance of afternoon storms. The tropics are quiet.
wftv.com'A Strange Loop’ makes history at Tonys; ‘Company’ wins 5
Jackson also won for best book. "A Strange Loop" beat "MJ," a bio musical of the King of Pop's biggest hits, for the top prize, although the other Jackson musical nabbed four Tony Awards including for best choreography. “Company” is an exploration of a single person’s conflicted feelings about commitment, traditionally focusing on a 35-year-old bachelor. Patti LuPone won best featured actress in a musical for her work in the revival, thanking COVID-19 safety officials in her acceptance speech. And the Tonys ushered in the latest EGOT winner: Jennifer Hudson, who has an Emmy, Grammy and Oscar, and joined that elite group Sunday when “A Strange Loop” won best musical — she’s a producer.
wftv.comPulitzer and now top Tony, 'A Strange Loop' makes history
75th Annual Tony Awards - Show Michael R. Jackson, second left, accepts the award for best new musical for "A Strange Loop" at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Michael R. Jackson’s 2020 Pulitzer Prize drama winner is a theater meta-journey — a tuneful show about a Black gay man writing a show about a Black gay man. Jackson also won for best book, but many of the night's other Tonys were spread over several productions. “A Strange Loop” beat “MJ,” a bio musical of the King of Pop’s biggest hits, for the top prize, although the other Jackson musical nabbed four Tony Awards including for best choreography. Patti LuPone won best featured actress in a musical for her work in the revival, thanking COVID-19 safety officials in her acceptance speech.
wftv.com'Company,' 'The Lehman Trilogy' winning big at Tony Awards
75th Annual Tony Awards - Show The cast of "Company" performs at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. “MJ,” a bio musical of the King of Pop’s biggest hits, nabbed three Tony Awards including for best choreography. “Take Me Out” won for best play revival, and “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson won the Tony for best featured actor in a play for his work in it. Earlier, Darren Criss and Julianne Hough kicked off the four-hour awards, handing out mostly design awards. Best orchestrations went to “Girl From the North Country.” “The Lehman Trilogy” won for best scenic design of a play and lighting design of a play.
wftv.comReworked Sondheim's 'Company' winning big at Tony Awards
75th Annual Tony Awards - Show The cast of "Company" performs at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Charles Sykes)NEW YORK — (AP) — A gender-swapped revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” rode the fondness Broadway has for the late iconic composer by earning five statuettes, including best musical revival. Michael R. Jackson's “A Strange Loop,” a theater meta-journey about a playwright writing a musical, won the Tony for best book of a musical. “MJ,” a bio musical of the King of Pop’s biggest hits, nabbed three Tony Awards including for best choreography. Earlier, Darren Criss and Julianne Hough kicked off the four-hour awards, handing out mostly design awards.
wftv.com'MJ,' 'The Lehman Trilogy' and 'Company' win at Tony Awards
LuPone won best featured actress in a musical for her work in the revival, thanking COVID-19 safety officials in her acceptance speech. “MJ,” a bio musical of the King of Pop’s biggest hits, nabbed three Tony Awards including for best choreography, “The Lehman Trilogy” got two technical awards and Sam Mendes won for best direction of a play. Earlier, Darren Criss and Julianne Hough kicked off the four-hour awards, handing out mostly design awards. Best orchestrations went to “Girl From the North Country.” “The Lehman Trilogy” won for best scenic design of a play and lighting design of a play. The telecast had performances from this year’s Tony Award-nominated musicals, including “A Strange Loop,” “Company,” “Girl from the North Country,” “MJ,” “Mr.
wftv.com'MJ,' Patti LuPone, Jesse Tyler Ferguson win at Tony Awards
NEW YORK — (AP) — “MJ,” a bio musical of Michael Jackson stuffed with the King of Pop’s biggest hits, nabbed a leading three early Tony Awards, and Patti LuPone won the third Tony of her illustrious musical theater career. LuPone won best featured actress in a musical for her work in the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” and she thanked COVID-19 safety officials in her acceptance speech. Earlier, Darren Criss and Julianne Hough kicked off the four-hour awards, handing out mostly design awards. “The Skin of Our Teeth” won best costumes for a play, “MJ” won for choreography, best lighting of a musical and sound design of a musical, while “Dana H.” won for sound design of a play. "A Strange Loop," a theater meta-journey about a playwright writing a musical, goes into the show with a leading 11 Tony nominations.
wftv.com'A Strange Loop’ makes history at Tonys; ‘Company’ wins 5
“A Strange Loop,” an irreverent, sexually frank work about Blackness and queerness took home the best new musical crown at the Tony Awards on Sunday, as voters celebrated Broadway’s most racially diverse season by choosing an envelope-pushing Black voice.
Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts announces 2022-23 Broadway season
The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts 2022-23 season, featuring “Chicago,” “STOMP,” “On Your Feet! The Musical – The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan,” “RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women,” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” runs from Oct. 13, 2022 to April 11, 2023.
On Broadway, more visibility, yes, but also an unseen threat
Other firsts this season included L Morgan Lee of “A Strange Loop” becoming the first out trans performer to be nominated for a Tony. Eleven performers — including Jaquel Spivey from “A Strange Loop,” “Max Frost in ”MJ” and Kara Young from “Clyde’s” — received a nod for their Broadway debut performances and 10 designers received nominations for their Broadway debuts, as did creators like “A Strange Loop” playwright Michael R. Jackson and “Paradise Square” co-book writer Christina Anderson. Shively, an actor nominated for “Paradise Square.” “I really hope that trend continues.”Perhaps nowhere is the diversity more apparent than in the oldest play currently on Broadway. But while representation was seen across Broadway this season so was an invisible virus that didn't care. They debuted in the fall, just as Broadway was slowly restarting and audiences were most fearful.
wftv.comActor Angela Lansbury to receive a special Tony Award
NEW YORK — (AP) — The folks who hand out Tony Awards believe five is not enough for Angela Lansbury. The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced Monday that the legendary actor will receive a 2022 special Tony for lifetime achievement in the theater, making it her sixth. Lansbury made her Broadway debut in 1957 in “Hotel Paradiso” and won Tonys for “Mame” in 1966, “Dear World” in 1969, “Gypsy” in 1974, “Sweeney Todd” in 1979 and “Blithe Spirit” in 2009. The “Murder, She Wrote” star has six Golden Globes and 18 Emmy nominations as well as an honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures. Lansbury also has a National Medal of Arts and a Kennedy Center Honor.
wftv.comStocks fall sharply as Target's woes renew inflation fears
Financial Markets Wall Street FILE - People walk on Broadway at Wall Street, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The retailer lost a quarter of its value after reporting earnings that fell far short of analysts' forecasts, while citing higher costs. Technology stocks, which led the market rally a day earlier, were the biggest drag on the S&P 500. Stocks have been struggling to pull out of a slump over the last six weeks as concerns pile up for investors. The Federal Reserve is trying to temper the impact from the highest inflation in four decades by raising interest rates.
wftv.comUS stocks swoon as Target's woes renew inflation fears
Financial Markets Wall Street FILE - People walk on Broadway at Wall Street, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The retailer lost a quarter of its value after reporting earnings that fell far short of analysts' forecasts, while citing higher costs. Technology stocks, which led the market rally a day earlier, were the biggest drag on the S&P 500. Stocks have been struggling to pull out of a slump over the last six weeks as concerns pile up for investors. The Federal Reserve is trying to temper the impact from the highest inflation in four decades by raising interest rates.
wftv.comMichael Che on comedy and controversy
For "Saturday Night Live" star and writer Michael Che, the first Black anchor of "Weekend Update," and star of the HBO series, "That Damn Michael Che," standup is his first, and possibly deepest, love. Che talks with CBS News' Tony Dokoupil about growing up a "very curious" child, and why he's "just trying to grow up and not get killed."
news.yahoo.comUnauthorized video of Jesse Williams onstage prompts outrage
Theater Jesse Williams This image released by Polk & Co. shows Jesse Williams, center, during a performance of the Broadway revival of the baseball-themed "Take Me Out," in New York. (Joan Marcus/Polk & Co., via AP) (Joan Marcus)NEW YORK — (AP) — Video of a naked Jesse Williams captured onstage in a shower scene from a Broadway play has been posted online, prompting an outcry from the producers and the union that represents actors and stage managers. Second Stage Theater, which is producing the revival, has been using Yondr pouches to protect the actors. Audience members arriving at the theater surrender their phones which are then put in the locked pouches until the end of the show. “Taking naked pictures of anyone without their consent is highly objectionable and can have severe legal consequences," Second Stage said.
wftv.com‘I Get Why His Ex Wife Can’t Leave This Man Alone’: Tamar Braxton and Fans Share Risqué Comments After Leaked Nude Footage of Jesse Williams
On the same day Jesse Williams received a Tony Award nomination, footage of the naked actor surfaced online. On Monday, May 9, the 40-year-old received […]
news.yahoo.comPacked Tony nominations show return of pre-pandemic Broadway
Nominations for this year's Tony Awards will be announced on Monday, May 9. Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren and three-time nominee Joshua Henry were scheduled to help reveal the 26-category list Monday morning on the Tony's YouTube channel. The season — with a whopping 34 new productions — represents a full return to theaters after nearly two years of a pandemic-mandated shutdown. The potential shows eligible for nominations are an extremely varied lot, from a David Mamet revival to one by Paula Vogel. There are golden-age classics like “Funny Girl” and “The Music Man” and very current entries like “Thoughts of a Colored Man” and “Pass Over.” There's Stephen Sondheim's gender-switched “Company” and a show celebrating Michael Jackson.
wftv.comFilm and stage star Ariana DeBose to host the Tony Awards
Theater-Tony Awards-Host FILE - Ariana DeBose arrives at the 94th Academy Awards nominees luncheon on Monday, March 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. DeBose will host this year’s Tony Awards. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) (Jordan Strauss)NEW YORK — (AP) — New Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose will host this year's Tony Awards. DeBose is a theater veteran, with roles in “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” “Hamilton,” “A Bronx Tale,” “Pippin,” “Motown the Musical,” “Bring It On: The Musical” and “Company.”The ceremony will he held nine months after “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” took the best new musical crown at the last Tony Awards, one postponed because of the pandemic.
wftv.comRisking jail and Church ire, Russian priests condemn Ukraine conflict
Since Russia launched its military action on February 24, only a handful of priests from the Russian Orthodox Church led by Moscow Patriarch Kirill -- which counts some 150 million believers across the world -- have spoken out openly against the Kremlin's military campaign. Among them, Father Georgy Edelshtein, 89, says there is no doubt that "Russia is the agressor, and Ukraine the victim." His friend, Father Ioann Burdin has been fined for his sermons on the matter and has left active service, thinking about whether to stay in the Church as he faces a three-year prison sentence for a repeat offence.
news.yahoo.comAnti-trans legislation, plus, Broadway is back : It's Been a Minute
Legislation targeting transgender Americans and trans children has increased sharply in the last year. Guest host Ari Shapiro speaks with the Florida mother of a trans daughter about how their family is coping with that state's new, more restrictive policies. Then, Ari discusses how this wave of law-making differs from so-called "moral panics" of past decades — and why that matters — with historian Jules Gill-Peterson, of Johns Hopkins University.Then, Broadway is back and bigger than ever, with 16 new shows opening this month. But this Broadway burst hasn't been immune to the pandemic. "Macbeth" director Sam Gold talks to Ari about having to go onstage himself this month, when too many of his cast tested positive for Covid; and about what feels different as actors and audiences try to get back to normal. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org.
npr.orgPlaywright Neil Simon's papers go to Library of Congress
Neil Simon-Library of Congress FILE- American playwright Neil Simon appears during an interview in Seattle, Wash., on Sept. 22, 1994. (AP Photo/Gary Stuart, File) (Gary Stuart)NEW YORK — (AP) — Dozens of notebooks, scripts, speeches, drafts of letters, artwork and even signed baseballs owned by the late playwright Neil Simon have been donated to the Library of Congress. The collection offers offering historians and researchers access to the creative process of American theater’s most successful and prolific playwright. It also ensures Simon’s legacy is preserved for generations to come,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement. The Library of Congress is already home to the collections of several Broadway icons, including Arthur Laurents, Marvin Hamlisch and Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon.
wftv.comOrlando’s Norm Lewis continues to make musical history on Broadway
Before he made history by becoming the first African American to play coveted Broadway roles, such as Javert in Les Miserables and the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Norm Lewis spent his years growing up in Eatonville, a town located just to the north of Orlando.