The Wiz Revival

It was announced at tonight's CREATIVE EMMY AWARDS that NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! was the winner of three Emmy Awards

Last summer, motivated by a desire for civil peace, David Rowen launched a campaign to raise money for a video project that would promote love and unity, and he donated a portion of all proceeds to Teen and Police Service (TAPS) Academy.

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) launches its 2017-18 reading series, Theater at The Woodland, with a free presentation of SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR, a new play with music, written by Rob Zellers, directed by Billy Porter, with music supervision by Zane Mark and musical direction by Darryl Ivey. 

16th Street Theater announces their Season Eleven 2018: Heroes featuring five thrilling plays about combat and those who wield weapons by authors Kathleen Cahill and Sean Christopher Lewis, and Chicago writers Ike Holter, Aline Lathrop, and J. Joseph Cox. Who are protected and served, and what are the consequences? When violence surrounds, how does one learn to speak another language?

Every picture tells a story; every journey begins differently. The story of Dee Dee Bridgewater's stunning new album, Memphis...Yes, I'm Ready, begins in that city, where she was born at Collins Chapel Hospital

Every picture tells a story; every journey begins differently.  The story of Dee Dee Bridgewater's stunning new album, Memphis...Yes, I'm Ready, begins in that city, where she was born at Collins Chapel Hospital, located not far from where the album was recorded at Producer Willie Mitchell's historic Royal Studios. 

Producers announced today the first North American tour and full casting of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. Performances will begin October 7, 2017 in Schenectady, New York at Proctors and the tour will have its official opening October 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland at The Hippodrome Theatre. The tour will visit more than 30 cities in its first year on tour. Check out a complete tour route for the 2017-18 season below!

Due to an overwhelming demand, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere musical of Ain't Too Proud-The Life and Times of The Temptations will extend for two additional weeks. Originally scheduled to close on October 8, the popular musical will now run through Sunday, October 22.

Children's Musical Theater San Jose (CMT San Jose), a nationally acclaimed theater company honored 10 times by the NEA and the oldest operating performing arts organization in San Jose, has marked the announcement of the 50th Anniversary season of shows with the help of alumni and the launch of a new website, cmtjh.org.

Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that Thirteen Productions LLC for WNET New York has selected the world-renowned opera company's premiere production of the 1774 Paris version of Gluck's Orph e et Eurydice, created by the legendary choreographer John Neumeier and featuring The Joffrey Ballet, to be part of the prestigious Great Performances series on PBS.

The music of American composer, pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington will be celebrated at Music Theater Works, October 6-15, 2017, at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber have announced the first production in its 2017 2018 season of Chicago's hit musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway 1939, hosted by Rob Lindley, directed by Keely Vasquez with music direction by David Fiorello, is Monday, Oct. 23 at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Skokie and Tuesday, Oct. 24 at the Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway at 7:30 p.m.

Talented teenagers from across Wolverhampton and Sandwell are being given the opportunity to perform their acclaimed hip-hop version of The Wizard of Oz, Groove on Down the Road, at the Birmingham Hippodrome for three nights from Wed 27 to Fri 29 September.

Filming has been completed on writer/director Marishka S. Phillips', MELINDA, a suspense-filled short, starring Tony Award winner LaChanze in the title role.

FOX has given a script commitment plus penalty to a hip-hop dance drama inspired by the life of dancer-turned-choreographer Fatima Robinson. Tentatively titled TAKE IT FROM THE TOP, the hour-long drama will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

As previously announced, songwriter Michael Mott will debut his second studio album, Abandoned Heart, live in concert on Monday, October 9th at 9:00PM at The Cutting Room in NYC.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Stephen J. Albert, Executive Director, announces the extension of Five Guys Named Moe by Clarke Peters, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, Music Director Abdul Hamid Royal and Associate Director Felicia P. Fields. Five Guys Named Moe, which features Louis Jordan's greatest hits, now runs through October 15, 2017 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. Tickets to extension performances of Five Guys Named Moe are on sale and available by calling the box office at (773) 753-4472 or www.CourtTheatre.org.

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011.

This Week: Hide the children because this episode gets a bit naughty with acclaimed writer and director Ben Rimalower (PATTI ISSUES, BAD WITH MONEY). The gents discuss Patti LuPone as a gateway drug, Ben's Top 5 Divas, the joy of ranking cast albums, the best auditions ever seen, what was Ben's most controversial Playbill article, what it's like to have Patti in the audience, INTO THE LIGHT returns, a lengthy discussion about length, what shows need to come back, a case for why THE WIZ movie is better than THE WIZ stage play, and Rob does Robert Goulet in FIDDLER.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre has announced the engagement of the hit Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET! - based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, 19-time GRAMMY winning producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan - will star Cuban-American Broadway actress Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan, and acclaimed stage and television actor Mauricio Martinez, playing Emilio Estefan.

Today, BroadwayWorld sits down with Leigh Bardugo to talk about her books, her process when creating THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS, and, of course, her favorite musicals.

Producers James L. Nederlander, Estefan Enterprises, Inc and Bernie Yuman have announced complete casting for the First National Tour of the Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET!, starring Cuban-American Broadway actress Christie Prades as seven-time GRAMMY-winning international superstar Gloria Estefan, and acclaimed stage and television actor Mauricio Martinez, playing her 19-time Grammy-winning producer and husband Emilio Estefan.

Next week, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Rachel Tucker, a West Side Story 60th Anniversary Celebration, Julia Mattison Is Ruby Manger, Gloria Reuben, Brittain Ashford and more. Scroll down for details!

Stage Left Theatre has announced the programming for its 36th season, which asks 'where we are going, where we have been, and where we are we now?'

Songwriter Michael Mott will debut his second studio album, Abandoned Heart, live in concert on Monday, October 9th at 9:00PM at The Cutting Room in NYC.

The early success of Disney on Broadway led other successful entertainment companies to believe that conquering the Great White Way possibly was not that hard. But, as Warner Bros' first foray into the lead producing game, LESTAT, proved, it's not as easy as opening and tossing some money at marketing. And now, after a sole Broadway show, PARAMOUR, Cirque du Soleil has essentially shuttered its theatrical division, Cirque du Soleil Theatrical. A spokesperson for Cirque confirmed that former head Scott Zeiger is no longer with the company.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced full casting for its evocative new production of Ragtime, which begins rehearsals today. A tale of family, heart and perseverance at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime is a vital story about the headstrong and determined individuals and their families who helped make the United States a diverse and thriving nation.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present the first show of its 2017-2018 season, and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre with American Idol's Frenchie Davis starring in AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment present the first show of its 2017-2018 season, and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre with American Idol's Frenchie Davis starring in AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', with music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller, conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz, musical direction by Christopher Troy, choreography by Jeffrey Polk and directed & staged by Ken Page - an original cast member of the 1978 Broadway premiere!

Atlantic for Kids' 2017-2018 Season opens today, September 16, with the family musical Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, inspired by Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine featuring music by Greg Borowsky and Douglas Lyons, lyrics and concept by Douglas Lyons, book by Melvin Tunstall III and direction by Tamilla Woodard.

Below, find out which Broadway stars are up for a Primetime Emmy Award this Sunday night and check out highlights of their outstanding work!

Every picture tells a story; every journey begins differently.  The story of Dee Dee Bridgewater's stunning new album, Memphis...Yes, I'm Ready, begins in that city, where she was born at Collins Chapel Hospital, located not far from where the album was recorded at Producer Willie Mitchell's historic Royal Studios. 

Every picture tells a story; every journey begins differently. The story of Dee Dee Bridgewater's stunning new album, Memphis...Yes, I'm Ready, begins in that city, where she was born at Collins Chapel Hospital

Broadway Records today announced that Michael Mott's ABANDONED HEART will be released digitally and in stores today, September 15, 2017.

One man's voice became everyone's music The incomparable Luther Vandross, the man, THE VOICE, the legend! Luther's voice shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all believe in The Power of Love.

Fear the Walking Dead star and Philadelphia native Colman Domingo partners with nationally-acclaimed theatre-maker Patricia McGregor to co-author Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole, a surprising and unsettling exploration of race and the American Dream. McGregor will also direct.

Broadway Records has announced the release of the original graphic novel rock album Monstersongs, with music and lyrics by The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical composer Rob Rokicki and illustrations by Dave O'Neill (Shankman & O'Neill Children's book series).

Your Kids, Our Kids (Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, Founding Directors) proudly presents the 3rd Annual VOICES FOR THE VOICELESS: Stars For Foster Kids, an event that brings together the very best performers from the American stage and screen to raise awareness about the plight of kids in foster care, particularly those aged 13 and older who are in danger of aging out of the foster care system alone.

Celebrating the life and music of Nina Simone, one of America's most iconic singers and civil rights activists, Christina Ham's provocative musical journey Nina Simone: Four Women makes its East Coast debut at Arena Stage. Set in the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, in which four little girls lost their lives in 1963, Ham uses Simone's song 'Four Women' as the framework to explore the songstress' shift from artist to artist-activist.

The ASCAP Foundation announces that Grammy- and Tony Award-winning jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater will be honored with The ASCAP Foundation Champion Award at The ASCAP Foundation Honors Celebration on Thursday, December 14. The annual, invitation-only event takes place at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

BrightSide Theatre, Naperville's only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district, kicks off their 7thSeason - Cinema to Stage - with the Western Suburb Premiere of two-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County.

Joanna Gleason, Andrea McArdle, Brad Oscar, Laura Osnes and Karen Ziemba will star in the 2017 Best in Shows, a star-studded cabaret evening benefitting the Humane Society of New York, on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 7 pm at Feinstein's/ 54 Below.

Children's Theatre Company has announced its 2017-2018 season, which includes four musicals, two world premieres, one preschool production and partnerships with other leading theatres such as The Old Vic (London, UK), The Civilians (New York, NY) and Penumbra Theatre (Saint Paul, MN). The season also celebrates Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius' 20th Anniversary with CTC.

Broadway Records will release a special limited edition vinyl release of The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical this winter.

Over the weekend, The Television Academy announced the winners of the 2017 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, honoring outstanding artistic and technical achievement in television at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Redhouse Arts Center continues its fall season with 70 Scenes of Halloween by Jeffery M. Jones, which runs from October 19-29, 2017. If you take a David Lynch movie, a domestic drama, and a haunted house than shuffle them together and toss them up in the air, you get

Virginia Stage Company continues its 39th Season with The Parchman Hour: Songs and Stories of the '61 Freedom Riders. Co-produced with Norfolk State University Theatre Company, The Parchman Hour journeys through the Deep South with the pioneers who fought discrimination and paved the way for the future. Written and directed by Mike Wiley, this play is adapted from real life accounts of the 1961 Freedom Rides and shares these struggles through music that ranges from spirituals to Bob Dylan.

Pumpkin King Danny Elfman is coming to Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 6 and 7 to perform his legendary role of Jack Skellington in a very special screening, with the music performed live by a full orchestra and choir, of Disney's timeless holiday classic, 'TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.'

Amazon is developing a new drama series from John Stamos and prolific producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (HAIRSPRAY LIVE! THE WIZ LIVE!) which will follow the fame and excess of daytime soap operas in the 1980s.