ROCK OF AGES Movie Soundtrack Tracklisting Released

The ROCK OF AGES soundtrack's tracklisting and cover art have been announced by EW. I think it looks great and am so excited to hear it! Also, check out Julianne Hough & Diego Boneta's cover of "More Than Words/Heaven" below as well. They sound great. The track listing is:

1. “Paradise City” – Tom Cruise
2. “Sister Christian” / “Just Like Paradise” / “Nothin’ But A Good Time” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
3. “Juke Box Hero” / “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough
4. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” – Catherine Zeta-Jones
5. “Waiting For A Girl Like You” – Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough
6. “More Than Words” / “Heaven” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta
7. “Wanted Dead Or Alive” – Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough
8. “I Want To Know What Love Is” – Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman
9. “I Wanna Rock” – Diego Boneta
10. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Tom Cruise
11. “Harden My Heart” – Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige
12. “Shadows of the Night” / “Harden My Heart” – Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough
13. “Here I Go Again” – Diego Boneta, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige, Tom Cruise,
14. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” – Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
15. “Any Way You Want It” – Mary J. Blige, Constantine Maroulis, Julianne Hough
16. “Undercover Love” – Diego Boneta
17. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige
18. “Rock You Like A Hurricane” – Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise
19. “We Built This City” / “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Russell Brand / Catherine Zeta-Jones
20. “Don’t Stop Believin’”- Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige

Listen to Nick Jonas' "I Believe In You"

Perez Hilton has posted the first track from Nick Jonas' upcoming EP, SONGS FROM HOW TO SUCCEED.... The song, "I Believe In You," is Jonas' big number and features Michael Urie. The EP will be released on May 8th.

I have to say, not bad. Actually sounds very similar to Radcliffe's take. If you didn't tell me I was listening to Nick Jonas, I probably wouldn't know. Until you tell me I'm listening to Nick Jonas, and then I'd probably turn it off. Check it out for yourself.

My Tony Nominees Predictions!

Before the Tony Award nominees are announced in full on Tuesday 5/1, I thought I would post my predictions for the nominees for the big categories. Check them out below and comment about if you agree, disagree, who you would choose. I also have added my pick that should be nominated but won't be in categories where I don't agree with those that will most likely be nominated.

Best Play
Clybourne Park
Other Desert Cities
One Man, Two Guvners
Peter and the Starcatcher
WISHFUL THINKING: Seminar


Best Musical
Once
Newsies
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Ghost
WISHFUL THINKING: Bonnie & Clyde


Best Revival of a Play
Death of a Salesman
Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Master Class
Wit


Best Revival of a Musical
Follies
Evita
The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess
Jesus Christ Superstar


Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Death of a Salesman
James Cordon - One Man, Two Guvners
John Lithgow - The Columnist
Stacey Keach - Other Desert Cities
Alan Rickman - Seminar
WISHFUL THINKING: Samuel L. Jackson - The Mountaintop


Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Tracy Bennett - End of the Rainbow
Linda Lavin - The Lyons
Nina Arianda - Venus in Fur
Stockard Channing - Other Desert Cities
Cynthia Nixon - Wit
WISHFUL THINKING: Tyne Daly - Master Class


Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
Jeremy Jordan - Newsies
Steve Kazee - Once
Danny Burnstein - Follies
Raul Esparza - Leap of Faith
Norm Lewis - The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
WISHFUL THINKING: Hunter Parrish - Godspell


Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Jan Maxwell - Follies
Audra McDonald - The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
Bernadette Peters - Follies
Kelli O'Hara - Nice Work If You Can Get It
Cristin Milioti - Once
WISHFUL THINKING: Laura Osnes - Bonnie & Clyde

Emma Stone for INTO THE WOODS?

No, Emma Stone won't be playing the Baker (the one role unannounced for this summer's Public Theatre production), but rather is in talks to star in the upcoming Disney film adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall, according to the NY Post.

While there is no other info available, this is an interesting rumor, especially considering no one knows if she can sing or not. The other question is who she'll play. My money is on Cinderella.

Cast of GHOST Covers "Somebody That I Used to Know"

Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans, who are currently starring as Molly and Sam respectively in GHOST on the West End, have covered Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know." I'm not the song's biggest fan, but I love their cover. They sound awesome and it's a great video! Check it out!

14 "I'm a Star" Finalists Perform "Home"

Scott Alan just tweeted a video of the fourteen "I'm a Star" finalists, including winner Alexander Sage Oyen, performing his song "Home." Check it out because it is great!

Gwyneth Paltrow to Star in FINDING NEVERLAND?

Gwyneth Paltrow has reportedly been offered a role in the upcoming musical adaptation of the film FINDING NEVERLAND, set to play Leicester's Curve Theatre in September 2012.

Paltrow would play Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Julian Ovenden is already set to star in the production, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford.

I'd be curious to see how she holds up in a live theatre setting. We'll have to wait and see...

2012 Drama Desk Nominations Announced

The 2012 Drama Desk Award  nominations have been announced. The list is below (my prediction is in bigger font):

Outstanding Play
David Henry Hwang, Chinglish
Dan LeFranc, The Big Meal
Members of the Plastic Theatre, Unnatural Acts
Ita mar Moses, Completeness
Lynn Nottage, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Nina Raine, Tribes
Nicky Silver, The Lyons

Outstanding Musical
Bonnie & Clyde
Death Takes a Holiday
Leap of Faith
Newsies The Musical
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Once
Queen of the Mist

Outstanding Revival of a Play
A Little Journey
Death of a Salesman
Edward Albee's The Lady from Dubuque
Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Lost in Yonkers
Richard III

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Carrie
Evita
Follies
Jesus Christ Superstar
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
The Threepenny Opera

Outstanding Actor in a Play
James Corden, One Man, Two Guvnors
Hugh Dancy, Venus in Fur
Claybourne Elder, One Arm
Santino Fontana, Sons of the Prophet
Joseph Franchini, The Navigator
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Death of a Salesman
Kevin Spacey, Richard III

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Tracie Bennett, End of the Rainbow
Sanaa Lathan, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Jennifer Lim, Chinglish
Kim Martin-Cotten, A Moon for the Misbegotten
Carey Mulligan, Through a Glass Darkly
Joely Richardson, Side Effects

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein, Follies
Kevin Earley, Death Takes a Holiday
Raul Esparza, Leap of Faith
Jeremy Jordan, Newsies The Musical
Norm Lewis, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Ricky Martin, Evita

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Miche Braden, The Devil's Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith
Jan Maxwell, Follies
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Kelli O'Hara, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Bernadette Peters, Follies
Molly Ranson, Carrie

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Bill Camp, Death of a Salesman
Jim Dale, The Road to Mecca
Tom Edden, One Man, Two Guvnors
Bill Irwin, King Lear
Jefferson Mays, Blood and Gifts
Will Rogers, Unnatural Acts
Morgan Spector, Russian Transport

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Stephanie J. Block, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Anna Camp, All New People
Kimberly Hebert Gregory, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Lisa Joyce, The Ugly One
Joaquina Kalukango, Hurt Vii/age
Angela Lansbury, Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Judith Light, Other Desert Cities

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Phillip Boykin, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Matt Cavenaugh, Death Takes a Holiday
Michael Cerveris, Evita
Michael McGrath, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Patrick Page, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Andrew Samonsky, Queen of the Mist

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Judy Kaye, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Marin Mazzie, Carrie
Jessie Mueller, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Elaine Paige, Follies
Sarah Sokolovic, The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Melissa van Der Schyff, Bonnie & Clyde

Outstanding Director of a Play
Jo Bonney, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
David Cromer, Tribes
Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, These Seven Sicknesses
Sam Mendes, Richard III
Mike Nichols, Death of a Salesman
Tony Speciale, Unnatural Acts

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Christopher Ashley, Leap of Faith
Jack Cummings III, Queen of the Mist
Doug Hughes, Death Takes a Holiday
Kathleen Marshall, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Eric Schaeffer, Follies
John Tiffany, Once

Outstanding Choreography
Rob Ashford, Evita
Warren Carlyle, Follies
Breandan de Gallal, Noctu
Christopher Gattelli, Newsies The Musical
Kathleen Marshall, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Sergio Trujillo, Leap of Faith

Outstanding Music
Glen Hansard and Marketa lrqlova, Once
Michael John LaChiusa, Queen of the Mist
Alan Menken, Leap of Faith
Alan Menken, Newsies The Musical
Frank Wildhorn, Bonnie & Clyde
Maury Yeston, Death Takes a Holiday

Outstanding Lyrics
Don Black, Bonnie & Clyde
Jack Feldman, Newsies The Musical
Joy Gregory and Gunnar Madsen, The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Glen Hansard and Marketa lrqlova, Once
Michael John LaChiusa, Queen of the Mist
Maury Yeston, Death Takes a Holiday

Outstanding Book of a Musical
Douglas Carter Beane, Lysistrata Jones
Janus Cercone and Warren Leight, Leap of Faith
Joe DiPietro, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Joy Gregory, The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Michael John LaChiusa, Queen of the Mist
Thomas Meehan and Peter Stone, Death Takes a Holiday

Outstanding Music in a Play
Mark Bennett, An Iliad
Mark Bennett, Richard III
Tom Kitt, All's Well That Ends Well
Gina Leishman, Septimus and Clarissa
Grant aiding, One Man, Two Guvnors
Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik, Carson McCullers Talks About Love

Outstanding Revue
Newsical the Musical: End of the World Edition
The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman

Outstanding Set Design
Jon Driscoll, Rob Howell and Paul Kieve, Ghost The Musical
David Gallo, The Mountaintop
Roger Hanna, A Little Journey
David Korins, Assistance
David Korins, Chinglish
Derek McLane, Follies

Outstanding Costume Design
Gregg Barnes, Follies
ESosa, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
William Ivey Long, Lucky Guy
Jessica Pabst, She Kills Monsters
Martin Pakledinaz, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Catherine Zuber, Death Takes a Holiday

Outstanding Lighting Design
Kevin Adams, Carrie
Neil Austin, Evita
David Lander, One Arm
Brian MacDeviU, Death of a Salesman
Kenneth Posner, Death Takes a Holiday
Paul Pyant, Richard III

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical
ACME Sound Partners, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Jonathan Deans, Carrie
Clive Goodwin, Once
Kai Harada, Follies
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Jesus Christ Superstar
Jon Weston, Death Takes a Holiday

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play
Quentin Chiappetta/mediaNoise, The Navigator
Gregory Clarke, Misterman
Gareth Fry, Richard III
John Gromada, Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Stowe Nelson, Samuel and Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War
Shane Rettig, She Kills Monsters

Outstanding Solo Performance
Baba Br inkman, The Rap Guide to Evolution
Suli Holum, Chimera
Jeff Key, The Eyes of Babylon
Cilli an Murphy, Misterman
Denis O'Hare, An Iliad
Stephen Spinella, An Iliad

Unique Theatrical Experience
Give Me Your Hand
Gob Squad's Kitchen (You've Never Had It So Good)
Noctu
The Complete & Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O'Neill, Vol. 1: Early
Plays/Lost Plays
The Ryan Case 1873
White

Josh Gad to Play Wozniak in JOBS?

Variety is reporting that Josh Gad (Book of Mormon) is set to play Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in the new upcoming biopic about Steve Jobs, JOBS.

"Written by Matt Whiteley, [the] pic chronicles Steve Jobs from wayward hippie to co-founder of Apple, where he became one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of our time."

Gad will play opposite Ashton Kutcher's portrayal of Apple founder Steve Jobs. I think this is great casting and I'm excited to see it.

New ANNIE Revealed

It was announced this morning that 11 year old Lilla Crawford will don the red curly hair for the upcoming revival ANNIE set for Broadway. The new production will open this fall at a yet-unnamed theatre.

Crawford was previously seen in the closing cast of BILLY ELLIOTT.

In other ANNIE news, Rosie O'Donnell tweeted that she did not get the role of Ms. Hannigan. I'm not surprised. I don't think she would be good for that role.

Who's excited for ANNIE to return?

Emma Stone & Paul Rudd Set for THE APARTMENT

Emma Stone & Paul Rudd will co-star in an upcoming reading of THE APARTMENT this Friday in Manhattan. THE APARTMENT is based off of the 1960s movie of the same name. For anyone who may think this name is familiar, it's because the same film was the basis for the hit Broadway musical PROMISES, PROMISES (recently revived on Broadway with Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes).

Rudd will play C.C. Baxter and Stone will play his love interest Fran Kubelik. Also set for the reading are James Woods (Sheldrake), Tom Cavanagh (Dobisch), Cara Buono (Secretary), David Wain (Dreyfuss), Jason Sudeikis, and Lena Dunham.

Based on the reading's website, it seems like this is a one-time thing and that it isn't a developmental reading. So I doubt we'll see this on Broadway anytime soon. Especially because in my opinion, PROMISES is enough of this story for a lifetime.

Victoria Clark, Harriet Harris, and Peter Bartlett Join CINDERELLA

Harriet Harris (Thoroughly Modern Mille), Victoria Clark (Sister Act, Light in the Piazza), and Peter Bartlett (A Free Man of Color) join Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana in the cast of the Broadway-bound production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA.

Harris is set to play Cinderella's stepmother, Clark will be the Fairy Godmother, and Bartlett will play the Prime Minister.

This is a powerhouse cast and should be interesting to see on stage together.

Patrick Breen, Luke MacFarlane and Christopher J. Hanke Set for NORMAL HEART National Tour

Patrick Breen and Luke MacFarlane, who were both in the NORMAL HEART on Broadway, and Christopher J. Hanke (How to Succeed...) will star in the upcoming national tour of THE NORMAL HEART.

I saw Hanke in How to Succeed and he was great and the production on Broadway got such rave reviews, its obvious that they are a good cast and I'm sad that although I had tickets to see it in DC, I won't be able to. Oh well. Maybe next time around. 

Drama League Award Nominations Announced

As award season continues, the Drama League Award nominations were announced today. The nominees are:

DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A PLAY 

Clybourne Park 
The Columinst 
The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures 
The Lyons 
One Man, Two Guvnors 
Other Desert Cities 
Peter and The Starcatcher 
Tribes 
Seminar 
Septimus and Clarissa 
Venus in Fur 

DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A PLAY 

And God Created 
Great Whales 
Death of a Salesman 
Gore Vidal’s The Best Man 
How I Learned To Drive 
Look Back in Anger 
The Maids 
Wit 

DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL 

Ghost 
Leap of Faith 
Mission 
Drift 
Newsies 
Nice Work If You Can Get It 
Once 
Queen of The Mist 

DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL 

Carrie 
Follies 
Evita 
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess 
Jesus Christ Superstar 

DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD 

One winner is selected from this category for which the recipient can only receive the award once during his or her career. 

Jane Alexander, The Lady From Dubuque Nina Arianda, Venus In Fur Annaleigh Ashford, Rent Angela Bassett, The Mountaintop Simon Russell Beale, Bluebird Tracie Bennett, End of the Rainbow Christian Borle, Peter and the Starcatcher Matthew Broderick, Nice Work If You Can Get It Kim Cattrall, Private Lives Heather Christian, Mission Drift James Corden, One Man, Two Guvnors Michael Cristofer, The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures Tyne Daly, Master Class Jesse Eisenberg, Asuncion Linda Emond, The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures Raúl Esparza, Leap of Faith Santino Fontana, Sons of the Prophet Andrew Garfield, Death of a Salesman Russell Harvard, Tribes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Death of a Salesman Samuel L. Jackson, The Mountaintop Jeremy Jordan, Newsies, Bonnie and Clyde Steve Kazee, Once Celia Keenan-Bolger, Peter and the Starcatcher Christine Lahti, Dreams of Flying, Dreams of Falling Angela Lansbury, Gore Vidal's The Best Man John Larroquette, Gore Vidal's The Best Man Linda Lavin, The Lyons Norm Lewis, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Judith Light, Other Desert Cities Ricky Martin, Evita Jan Maxwell, Follies Jefferson Mays, Blood and Gifts Marin Mazzie, Carrie Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Ellen McLaughlin, Septimus and Clarissa Cristin Milioti, Once Jessie Mueller, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever Carey Mulligan, Through A Glass Darkly Cynthia Nixon, Wit Leslie Odom, Jr., Leap of Faith Kelli O'Hara, Nice Work If You Can Get It Denis O'Hare, An Iliad Lily Rabe, Seminar Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Ghost Molly Ranson, Carrie Condola Rashad, Stick Fly Matthew Rhys, Look Back In Anger Alan Rickman, Seminar Elena Roger, Evita Jeremy Shamos, Clybourne Park Kevin Spacey, Richard III Stephen Spinella, An Iliad Mary Testa, Queen of the Mist Blair Underwood, A Streetcar Named Desire Mary Louise Wilson, 4,000 Miles 

The Drama League wishes to recognize the superb contributions to the season of its previous Distinguished Performance Award winners including: 

Norbert Leo Butz, How I Learned To Drive Zoe Caldwell, Elective Affinities Kathleen Chalfant, Painting Churches Stockard Channing, Other Desert Cities Rosemary Harris, The Road To Mecca Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman: Back On Broadway Sir Derek Jacobi, King Lear James Earl Jones, Gore Vidal’s The Best Man Frank Langella, Man and Boy John Lithgow, The Columnist Patti LuPone, An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin Bebe Neuwirth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Bernadette Peters, Follies Sam Waterston, King Lear 

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL THEATRE 

Alan Menken 

UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEATRE 

Rosie O’Donnell 

FOUNDERS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTING 

Diane Paulus 

Thanks BwayWorld for the list!

Two of My Favorite Things: NEWSIES and Nick Pitera

Nick Pitera is at it again with his one-man medleys. This time, his victim is Disney's newest Broadway musical NEWSIES! It's awesome and I recommend everyone listen now!

PS Classics Announces PORGY AND BESS Tracklisting

PS Classics has posted the tracklisting for the upcoming cast recording for THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS, being released on May 22nd. The recording features Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier, Nikki Renee Daniels, and more. The tracklisting is as follows:

Disc One:
1. Overture
2. Summertime
3. Roll Them Bones
4. A Woman Is a Sometime Thing
5. Porgy’s Entrance
6. Crap Game
7. The Killing of Robbins
8. Gone, Gone, Gone
9. My Man’s Gone Now
10. Leaving for the Promised Land
11. It Takes a Long Pull to Get There
12. I Got Plenty of Nothing
13. I Hates Your Strutting Style
14. "Picnics is all right..."
15. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
16. Oh, I Can’t Sit Down

Disc Two:
1. It Ain’t Necessarily So
2. What You Want With Bess?
3. Oh, Doctor Jesus
4. "I was powerful sick..."
5. Street Cries
6. I Loves You, Porgy
7. The Storm Approaches
8. Oh, The Lord Shake the Heaven
9. A Red Headed Woman
10. Oh, Doctor Jesus (Reprise)
11. Clara, Don't You Be Downhearted
12. Summertime (Reprise)
13. The Death of Crown
14. There’s a Boat That’s Leaving Soon
15. Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess?
16. Oh Lord, I’m on My Way

Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations Announced

The Outer Critics Circle Awards nominations have been announced. These awards are nominated by out of town reviewers for publications nationally and outside of the New York area.  I have made the font of my predicted winner bigger. If I have no basis to pick, I skipped picking. The nominations are:

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
The Lyons
One Man, Two Guvnors
Seminar
Stick Fly

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
Bonnie & Clyde
Newsies
Once
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Blood and Gifts
The School for Lies
Sons of the Prophet
Tribes

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Death Takes a Holiday
Lucky Guy
Play It Cool
Queen of the Mist

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Newsies
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Once
Queen of the Mist

OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Bonnie & Clyde
Death Takes a Holiday
Newsies
Queen of the Mist

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
The Best Man
Death of a Salesman
The Lady From Dubuque
Private Lives

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Carrie
Evita
Follies
Porgy and Bess

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Mark Brokaw The Lyons
David Cromer Tribes
Nicholas Hytner One Man, Two Guvnors
Mike Nichols Death of a Salesman

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Jeff Calhoun Newsies
Michael Grandage Evita
Kathleen Marshall Nice Work If You Can Get It
John Tiffany Once

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER
Rob Ashford Evita
Christopher Gattelli Newsies
Steven Hoggett Once
Kathleen Marshall Nice Work If You Can Get It

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Bob Crowley Once
Derek McLane Nice Work If You Can Get It
Christopher Oram Evita
George Tsypin Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Gregg Barnes Follies
Eiko Ishioka Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
William Ivey Long Don’t Dress for Dinner
Martin Pakledinaz Nice Work If You Can Get It

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Neil Austin Evita
Donald Holder Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Brian MacDevitt Death of a Salesman
Hugh Vanstone Ghost: The Musical

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY
James Corden One Man, Two Guvnors
Santino Fontana Sons of the Prophet
Russell Harvard Tribes
Philip Seymour Hoffman Death of a Salesman
Hamish Linklater The School for Lies

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Tracie Bennett End of the Rainbow
Tyne Daly Master Class
Linda Lavin The Lyons
Nicole Ari Parker A Streetcar Named Desire
Laila Robins The Lady From Dubuque

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Danny Burstein Follies
Raúl Esparza Leap of Faith
Jeremy Jordan Newsies
Steve Kazee Once
Norm Lewis Porgy and Bess

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Jan Maxwell Follies
Marin Mazzie Carrie
Audra McDonald Porgy and Bess
Cristin Milioti Once
Kelli O’Hara Nice Work If You Can Get It

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
Will Brill Tribes
Tom Edden One Man, Two Guvnors
Andrew Garfield Death of a Salesman
James Earl Jones The Best Man
Jefferson Mays Blood and Gifts

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Joanna Gleason Sons of the Prophet
Spencer Kayden Don’t Dress for Dinner
Angela Lansbury The Best Man
Judith Light Other Desert Cities
Daphne Rubin-Vega A Streetcar Named Desire

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Phillip Boykin Porgy and Bess
Andrew Keenan-Bolger Newsies
Michael McGrath Nice Work If You Can Get It
Patrick Page Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Chris Sullivan Nice Work If You Can Get It

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Jayne Houdyshell Follies
Judy Kaye Nice Work If You Can Get It
Rebecca Luker Death Takes a Holiday
Da’Vine Joy Randolph Ghost: The Musical
Melissa Van Der Schyff Bonnie & Clyde

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE
Judy Gold My Life as a Sitcom
David Greenspan The Patsy
Denis O’Hare An Iliad
Stephen Spinella An Iliad

JOHN GASSNER AWARD
(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
Robert Askins Hand to God
Gabe McKinley CQ/CX
Erika Sheffer Russian Transport
Jeff Talbot The Submission

Some of these nominations are surprising, especially the number of nominations for NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (9). We'll see how this turns out.

Smash's Raza Jaffrey to Be Billy Flynn

Variety is reporting that Raza Jaffrey, who plays Dev in NBC's SMASH, will be joining the West End cast of CHICAGO in May. Jaffrey will be in the show for about a month.

For those, unsure if Jaffrey is a good choice, because he doesn't sing or dance much on SMASH, he will be singing and dancing on tonight's episode, and from the preview it looks awesome!

Les Mis Poster and "Do You Hear the People Sing"

Check out the first poster for the new LES MISERABLES movie, starring Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, and Aaron Tveit. It isn't much, but it's a start. Also, if you watch the video below, you can hear a clip of the cast singing "Do You Hear the People Sing" on set. This is getting me excited for the movie!

Jake Gyllenhaal To Make US Stage Debut

Jake Gyllenhaal will make his American stage debut this fall in the world premiere of IF THERE IS I HAVEN'T FOUND IT YET by Nick Payne, presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company.

The show will play a 13 week strictly limited engagement from Sept. 20th-Nov. 25th at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre/Laura Pels Theatre. Michael Longhurst will direct.

Anyone really interested in seeing Gyllenhaal on stage? I have a feeling there will be a lot of interest in this show.

Megan Hilty's Full "Breakaway" from SMASH

Here is a full studio recording of Megan Hilty's cover of "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. Part of the song was heard in the background in the SMASH episode "Hell on Earth." She sounds awesome!! Good job Megan!

Tracie Thoms, Shoshana Bean, Jane Lynch, More Set for LAST FIVE YEARS

The Third Street Theatre in LA will host a three night-fundraiser with a rotating cast for Jason Robert Brown's musical (and one of my favorite musicals of all time) THE LAST FIVE YEARS. The show will be hosted by Jane Lynch, William H. Macy, and Felicity Huffman, according to BroadwayWorld

The cast for the shows will include Tracie Thoms (Rent), Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Lindsay Pearce (Glee Project) and Chase Williamson. The four actors will take turns playing Jamie and Cathy, with some of them changing the character of Jamie into a female role.

This is a very different take on what is potentially one of my favorite musicals and I'm upset I won't have the chance to see this because this is so exciting and cool and different.

SMASH REVIEW: Episode 11 - The Movie Star

I don't have too many feelings on this week's SMASH, but here is what I do think:

1. This show is keeping overall quality up, which isn't hurt by the plethora of insanely talented actors. In this episode I'm looking at Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston.
2. This show still has people who could benefit with from a little Stanislavski lesson, as referenced in this week's big musical number. I'm looking at you Julia and Frank's son.
3. Uma Thurman rocks.
4. This Dev/Karen storyline is killing me slowly.

Sorry this is sort of scattered, wanted to share my thoughts but not feeling a big, drawn out review. Share your thoughts in the comments!

Laura Osnes to be Cinderella in Broadway-Bound Production

Laura Osnes (Bonnie & Clyde, Anything Goes), aka the new queen of Broadway, is set to star in the titular role in a Broadway-bound revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. Santino Fontana is also set to portray the prince in this new production, hoping to open during the 2012-2013 season.

This is exciting news, and I'm surprised that this musical hasn't been on Broadway before, but am by no means surprised that Laura Osnes, who seems to be absolutely everywhere this year, will be starring as Cinderella herself.

Kelli O'Hara To Star in Lincoln Center Revival of THE KING & I?

Michael Reidel reports today that Lincoln Center Theatre is eying Kelli O'Hara (Nice Work, South Pacific) to star in a new revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. No other information is currently available.

This is an interesting rumor. I love Kelli, so anything that would star her would be great. My only question, what does this mean for Nice Work...?

Nick Jonas's HOW TO SUCCEED EP Released May 8th

The new EP from Broadway Records, Songs from How to Succeed..., featuring Nick Jonas, will be released on May 8th, BroadwayWorld has reported.

The track listing includes:
1. “How To Succeed” (Nick Jonas)
2. “Company Way” (Nick Jonas and Rob Bartlett)
3. “Rosemary” (Nick Jonas and Rose Hemingway)
4. “I Believe In You” (Nick Jonas)
5. “Brotherhood of Man” (Nick Jonas)

I'm not too interested in this, but I'm sure there are people out there that are...

Quiara Alegria Hudes Wins Pulitzer!

Quiara Alegria Hudes, probably best known for writing the book for the Tony Award Winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS, just won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her new play WATER BY THE SPOONFUL.

WATER BY THE SPOONFUL is described as "Somewhere in Philadelphia, Elliot has returned from Iraq and is struggling to find his place in the world again and put aside the demons that haunt him. Somewhere in a chat room, recovering addicts forge an unbreakable bond of support and love. The boundaries of love, family and community are stretched across, time, generations and cyberspace as birth families splinter and online families collide in this captivating new drama."

Hudes won the award over other nominees OTHER DESERT CITIES by Jon Robin Baitz and SONS OF THE PROPHET by Stephen Karam.

Congratulations and it sounds like a really great play and I hope I get the chance to see it!

MATILDA Wins Big at the 2012 Oliviers

MATILDA THE MUSICAL, which is currently running on the West End and is supposedly coming to Broadway next year, won big at the 2012 Olivier Awards yesterday. The show won the award for Best Musical as well as for Best Actress in a Musical for the Matildas, Best Actor for Bertie Carvel, and more, bringing in seven awards in all.

This will bring the show even more buzz and make a Broadway transfer almost definite. I really should listen to this cast recording today....

Tracie Thoms Lands Pilot!

Tracie Thoms (Rent, Stick Fly) is set to star in the new CBS pilot APPLEBAUM. In the show, Thoms plays "a former doctor, a loving mother and the loyal, supportive best friend of the lead character, Juliet," played by Rachel Lefevre."

That's about all the info we have right now, but this is cool news and I definitely am pumped to see more of Tracie.

Scott Alan Announces Songs/Singers for Live Album/Concert

Scott Alan has started announcing the upcoming songs and singers for his upcoming live album/concert. The concert will take place on April 30th, with an album release later this fall. Check out the list below.

1. Louise Dearman & Julia Murney - And There It Is/Magic
2. Natalie Weiss - I'm a Star
3. Sierra Boggess & Jane Monheit - Always/Goodnight
4. RJ Helton - Blessing
5. Willemijn Verkaik - Say Goodbye
6. Richard Fleeshman - The Distance You Have Come
7. Caissie Levy - Kiss the Air
8. Laura Osnes - Now
9. Kerry Ellis - Never Neverland (Fly Away)
10. Hadley Fraser & Ramin Karimloo - Take Me Away (Studio Recording)*
11. Raena White - Anymore*
12. Melissa Van Der Schyff - Surrender
13. Stephanie J. Block - Watch Me Soar
14. Pentatonix - Love, Love, Love
15. Marc Broussard - In This Moment*
16. Scott Alan - Ignited By a Dream*
17. Liz Callaway & Ann Hampton Callaway - Home
18. Lea Salonga - Look (A Rainbow)*
19. Christiane Noll - Again
20. Mykail Kilgore - Free*
21. Jeremy Jordan - Please Don't Let Me Go
22. Alexander Sage Oyen & I'm A Star Finalists - I've Already Won*

*Song never previously released on a recording (Not having an asterick does not mean the song was recorded by the person singing it for the concert though)

**This is the order as announced by Scott Alan on Twitter, not necessarily the order of the concert or tracklisting for CD.

Alan also has announced that Ben Fankhauser (Newsies) and Pentatonix will also perform at the concert. These are awesome choices and Pentatonix will be different, but in a good way.

Which are you most excited for? Comment below!

Cast of EVITA Performs on GMA

The cast of the new revival of EVITA performed two of the show's major hits, "High Flying Adored" and "Buenos Aires." The production stars Ricky Martin, Elena Roger, and Michael Cerveris. I have to say, I'm not impressed by Roger at all, but was surprisingly impressed with Martin. Check them out and share your opinions!

High Flying Adored

Buenos Aires

REVIEW: SWEENEY TODD 2012 London Cast Recording

So I just got my copy of the cast recording of the new 2012 London production of SWEENEY TODD starring Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball. It is an amazing recording, potentially my favorite recording of the show (I know it's blasphemous to like a revival better than the original but I don't care). While not a full recording, because Pirelli, "Green Finch" (which is all for the better if you ask me), a lot of the wigmaker sequence and the final scene were all cut out, what is on the recording is very high quality. I sort of wish this was a double disk recording so that we could get a sense of the full show.

I think the cast is fantastic. Imelda Staunton really impressed me, especially because I never knew she could sing. Also, never before have I laughed out loud listening to a cast recording of a dramatic show. Antony (Luke Brady) also was very impressive in my opinion. Michael Ball was great as well, but it was sort of assumed that he would sound great.

I wish I could see this production and hope the rumors of a potential Broadway transfer are true.

INTO THE WOODS Has Its Witch...Donna Murphy

Donna Murphy (The People In the Picture) has been confirmed to play the role of the Witch in the Public Theatre's upcoming production of INTO THE WOODS at the Delacorte Theatre this summer. This is really exciting news!!

Murphy joins Amy Adams (The Baker's Wife), Jessie Mueller (Cinderella), Jack Broderick (Narrator), Gideon Glick (Jack), Cooper Grodin (Rapunzel’s Prince), Ivan Hernandez (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Tina Johnson (Granny), Josh Lamon (Steward), Laura Shoop (Cinderella’s Mother), and Tess Soltau (Rapunzel).

Now we are just waiting for a Baker. As good news as this is, with Adams set to be the Baker's Wife, a lesser role than the Witch, I'm sort of surprised they didn't cast a bigger name. That being said, I'm sure Donna Murphy will be great though, especially after watching this video of her at the Sondheim birthday celebration!

Judi Dench Set for New John Logan Play

Judi Dench, best known for playing "M" in the James Bond series, is set to play an aging Alice in an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by award-winning playwright John Logan (Red) in the West End later this year.

Ben Winshaw is set to play Peter Pan in the same production. The show is set to open this fall in the UK.

Producers have stated that if the show is a success, they fully intend to bring it to Broadway. This intrigues me and I love John Logan and Judi Dench so I am extremely excited to see where this goes.

CARRIE to Record Cast Recording

The recently shuttered Off-Broadway production of CARRIE, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, will preserve itself with a cast recording with Sh-K-Boom. This will be the first cast recording of the show ever (which isn't surprising considering the original production ran for about 2 minutes).

Marin Mazzie (Ragtime, Next to Normal) and Molly Ranson (Jerusalem) will be featured on the recording. There is no release date set yet, but the cast will record the album next week on April 17th.

This is interesting news and I guess it's good that this show will finally be preserved in some sense.

EVITA New Cast Recording in the Works?

For anyone who follows me on Twitter, you would have seen this last night. It seems that there is a new cast recording in the works for the new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA starring Elena Roger, Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris.

It seems that it will be released through Sony Masterworks on June 5th. Obviously this is all speculation until a true press release is issued. Here is the listing on Amazon.

This is interesting but not unexpected. This revival has been panned so I don't know how excited I am for this...

REVIEW: Alan Menken's LEAP OF FAITH

[Please note that this was a preview performance so things will be changed and fixed before opening night.]

Last night, April 6th, I saw a preview performance of Alan Menken (Newsies, Sister Act)'s new musical LEAP OF FAITH, based on the movie of the same name. The show features lyrics by Glenn Slater and stars Raul Esparza (Arcadia, Company), Jessica Phillips (Next to Normal), Kendra Kassebaum (Wicked), and Leslie Odom Jr. (Smash).

Overall, the show was a lot better than expected. I had read very mixed to negative things about the first few previews so was not expecting much. I was expecting a forgettable score and a Raul Esparza star vehicle. I have to say though, this was not the case.

While Raul Esparza definitely shone with the show and score that seemed to be built for his voice and style, the other actors definitely held their own. All of the principals did a great job. I was extremely impressed with Kendra Kassebaum, who played Esparza's sister, and Talon Ackerman, who played Phillips's son who is physically disabled (which she clearly describes).

Kassebaum had attitude while still being lovable and her voice just shone on the few songs she had. Her duet with Phillips, "People Like Us," is probably my favorite song from the show. Ackerman, who was the sole person who believed in Esparza's character Jonas Nightingale, made you feel his pain and portrayed this over-eager 13 year old perfectly. His voice was good (you could tell he was having some problems with his voice changing) and he was definitely the person who stood out that I didn't expect.

Technically, the set was alright. I loved the tent, which is the focal piece of the set and is a character in and of itself. That being said, in the beginning of the second act, the show stopped for about 5 minutes because the mechanism that turned the tent platform had broken down. I didn't mind though, because it actually came at the best moment for the break. I also enjoyed how the set grew from the stage, with platforms up to the audience in the mezzanine.

The rest of the set was minimalistic and looked like it was done by a low budget college show. I think they really dropped the ball on the set besides the tent. Hopefully they can change it a bit before opening. The lighting was good, there were a few moments that were a little strange. Sometimes it was difficult to hear soloists over the choir (which rocked hard).

Overall, I think this show is good, but I don't know if it is good enough to survive. I think the Tony's will be important for the show (Raul could easily get at least a nomination). I give it through the summer. I think come fall, it won't be around. I hope it proves me wrong though...

BRING IT ON! Cast Recording Sampler to Be Released

Sh-K-Boom Records has announced that it will release a three track sampler of the original cast recording of BRING IT ON! THE MUSICAL, based on the movie of the same name. The sampler will be released digitally on April 24th.

BRING IT ON! features music from Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) and Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyrics by Amanda Green. The three tracks to be featured are:

1. It's All Happening
2. Ain't No Thing
3. Enjoy The Trip

I'm interested to hear this because the composers are two of the best musical theatre composers out there right now. I wonder why they aren't releasing a full album though.

Jennifer Holliday Records LYSISTRATA JONES Song

Jennifer Holliday (Dreamgirls) has recorded a version of "Hold On," a song featured in the musical LYSISTRATA JONES as a bonus track for the cast recording.

The cast recording will be released on May 15th through Broadway Records.

This is very interesting and I think is an interesting way to promote the recording of this "flop" musical. I'm interested to hear it...

Amy Adams Set to go INTO THE WOODS

Amy Adams (Enchanted) will be making waves this summer as The Baker's Wife in The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS, playing this summer at the Delacorte Theatre.

Adams joins Jessie Mueller (Cinderella), Jack Broderick (Narrator), Gideon Glick (Jack), Cooper Grodin (Rapunzel’s Prince), Ivan Hernandez (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Tina Johnson (Granny), Josh Lamon (Steward), Laura Shoop (Cinderella’s Mother), and Tess Soltau (Rapunzel).

Two more major roles to go. I can only imagine after this announcement, that they will be HUGE names. I WANT TO SEE THIS SHOW!! 

Neil Patrick Harris to Host TONY'S Again

Neil Patrick Harris is set to host the Tony Awards for a third time this year. This will be his third time hosting. The show will take place on June 10th.

This is sweet news and he will be great. I hope he does another rap by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Track Listing Announced for SMASH Soundtrack

The tracklisting has been announced for the first soundtrack for NBC's hit TV show SMASH. The soundtrack, out May 1st, features original music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, as well as a mix of previously released and unreleased covers. It also features Katherine McPhee's version of Ryan Tedder's "Touch Me." The full track listing is:

1. Touch Me
2. Stand
3. Who You Are
4. Crazy
5. Beautiful
6. Haven't Met You Yet (feat. Nick Jonas)
7. Shake It Out
8. Brighter Than the Sun
9. Let Me Be Your Star
10. The 20th Century Fox Mambo
11. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
12. Let's Be Bad
13. History Is Made at Night

Additionally, Target is offering a deluxe edition with 5 bonus tracks. They are:
14. September Song (feat. Anjelica Huston)
15. Our Day Will Come
16. Everything's Coming Up Roses (feat. Bernadette Peters)
17. Breakaway
18. Run (feat. Uma Thurman)

POLL RESULTS: What's the most anticipated cast album?

After our first month-long poll, the NEWSIES cast recording has been voted as the most anticipated cast recording with 62% of the vote (22 votes).

Next was a recording that hasn't been announced with 11% (4 votes), then BONNIE & CLYDE with 8% (3 votes). ONCE and the HOW TO SUCCEED EP were tied with 5% each (2 votes). Closing out the poll was PORGY & BESS and 35MM with 2% (1 vote) each.

Keep checking the homepage today for our next poll!!

Stream the ENTIRE NEWSIES Cast Recording

Soundcheck has posted a free stream of the entire NEWSIES Cast Recording online, ahead of its release next week on iTunes. Check out the stream below and comment with your thoughts. I know this will be my soundtrack for the rest of the day.