Thurgood Sets Official Broadway Opening Date

Thurgood, the one-man show about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, will have its big Broadway opening on April 30. Laurence Fishburne will star in the play, which was written by George Stevens Jr. Thurgood will begin preview performances at the Booth Theatre (currently home to The Seafarer) on April 12.

The Seafarer To Close On Broadway Early

Conor McPherson's new play The Seafarer has announced that it will close a month earlier than planned. Originally scheduled to end its Broadway run on April 30, the show is now planning to sail out of the Booth Theatre on March 30. Get discount tickets to see The Seafarer before it's gone!

Broadway Hits The Beechman With The New Screening Sondheim Series

The work of Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim will be showcased in a new series called "Screening Sondheim" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, beginning February 20 at 7pm. The monthly series will include the screening of a filmed version of one of Sondheim's Broadway musicals and a pre-show discussion with cast members from the show. The first installment will feature the PBS taping of the Broadway revival of Company, and future screenings will be of the original Broadway productions of Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as the touring production of Sweeney Todd starring Angela Lansbury. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located in the West Bank Cafe at 407 W. 42nd Street (at 9th Ave).

Broadway All-Stars Inducted Into The Theater Hall of Fame Tonight

Tonight at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre (home of Broadway musical hit Wicked), several of Broadway's greatest talents will be inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Among those being celebrated are actors Harvey Fierstein, Dana Ivey, and John Cullum; director Jack O'Brien (Hairspray); playwright Peter Shaffer (Equus); and librettist Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof). Multiple Tony Award-winner and Broadway legend Tommy Tune will host the ceremony, and presenters will include famed Broadway directors Hal Prince and Mike Nichols.

The Phantom of the Opera Becomes First Broadway Show To Run For 20 Years

The Phantom of the Opera, already the longest-running musical on Broadway, hit another milestone this weekend when it celebrated its 20th anniversary performance. No other Broadway show in history has reached the 20-year mark. This is yet another in a long list of impressive stats for Phantom, which includes seven Tony Awards, nearly $700 million in ticket sales, and the longest-running touring production of a Broadway show. To get discount tickets to see this Broadway legend, click here.

Scott Bakula To Star In Broadway-Bound Musical

Actor Scott Bakula (TV's Quantum Leap and Star Trek: Enterprise) will return to the stage soon, playing the lead in Dancing in the Dark, an adaptation of the film musical The Band Wagon. Bakula will play Tony Hunter, the role played by Fred Astaire in the film. Adapted by playwright Douglas Carter Beane, Dancing in the Dark will premiere at San Diego's Old Globe in March, with a hope to move on to Broadway. Bakula has been previously seen on Broadway in Romance/Romance and 3 Guys Naked From the Waist Down.

Broadway Revival Of Sunday In The Park With George Begins Previews Tonight

Sunday in the Park with George, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical, is appearing tonight on Broadway for the first time since its original Broadway production in the '80s (excluding a one-night-only 10th anniversary concert in 1994). Roundabout Theatre Company is producing this new version, which comes to us from London, where it premiered at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell, who played troubled painter Georges Seurat and his lover Dot, respectively, in the London production, reprise their roles here. Sunday will have its official Broadway opening on February 21st. For discount ticket info, click here.

The Color Purple To Close On Broadway

After over two years running on Broadway, The Color Purple has announced that it will be closing next month. The musical version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will have its final performance at the Broadway Theatre on February 24th. Produced by Oprah Winfrey (who co-starred in the film adaptation of the novel), The Color Purple did good business for most of its run -- only recently did it start running out of steam. The show got a big boost last year when American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino took over the lead role of Celie from Tony Award winner LaChanze. The current cast features another idol, LaKisha Jones, as well as performers Bebe Winans and Chaka Khan. Though The Color Purple will soon be gone from Broadway, it is survived by a national tour.

Albee To Direct His Own Work Off-Broadway

Playwright Edward Albee will direct two of his own early one-act plays, The American Dream and The Sandbox, at Off-Broadway's Cherry Lane Theatre. This 'evening of Albee' will begin on March 11 and close on April 19. Judith Ivey and George Bartenieff will star.

Sweeney Gets 3 Oscar Noms; Hairspray Shut Out

This year's Broadway-musical-to-movie transfers didn't fare too well with the Academy Awards nominating committee, which announced its picks this morning. Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton's cinematic take on the 1979 Broadway musical, didn't get a Best Picture nomination, but star Johnny Depp did receive a nod for Best Actor. Sweeney was also recognized for its Art Direction and Costume Design. Surprisingly, the Hairspray film -- which was a critical and box office smash this summer -- didn't take away any Oscar nominations at all.

Broadway Diva Idina Menzel To Celebrate Solo CD Release at Virgin Megastore

Idina Menzel, who was catapulted to Broadway fame in Wicked, will be celebrating the release of her new solo album I Stand at the Virgin Megastore (1540 Broadway) in Times Square. On January 29 at 6:30pm, Menzel will perform for fans and will also do a CD signing in the store. Wristbands to attend the event will be given to anyone who buys the CD there, beginning at 9am that morning. Besides Wicked, Menzel also appeared in the original Broadway company of Rent, and her other New York theater credits include Off-Broadway shows The Wild Party and See What I Wanna See.

Spelling Bee Closes on Broadway Today

The sweet, quirky Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ends its run at the Circle in the Square Theatre today. Spelling Bee was an Off-Broadway hit at the Second Stage Theatre before transferring to Broadway, where it has played over 1,100 performances. The show is about -- what else? -- a spelling bee, and in addition to the six cast members playing student spellers, four people from the audience also got to join the competition onstage each night. Spelling Bee lives on through its original Broadway cast recording, and no doubt many regional theaters will now be angling to produce it.

Shrek Is Coming To Broadway In November 2008

One book and three successful film incarnations later, Shrek is finally hitting Broadway this Fall in the form of a stage musical. Shrek The Musical will premiere at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in an engagement from August 14 to September 21 before arriving on Broadway in November. Directed by Jason Moore, Shrek has a book by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and a score by Jeanine Tesori.

Clay Aiken Makes Broadway Debut in Spamalot

American Idol finalist and popular singer Clay Aiken makes his Broadway debut tonight in Monty Python's Spamalot. Aiken is playing the role of Sir Robin, originated on Broadway by David Hyde Pierce. Get discount tickets to Spamalot and see if Clay is a worthy "Broadway idol".

It's November on Broadway Tonight

David Mamet's new play November has its official Broadway opening this evening at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Starring Nathan Lane, November is a farcical comedy about an unpopular U.S. president in the midst of a disastrous re-election campaign.

Rent To Close On Broadway June 1st

It's been rumored for years, but Rent has finally posted its Broadway closing notice. The seventh longest running Broadway musical of all time has announced that its final performance at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City will be on June 1st. News of the impending closing will undoubtedly drive up ticket sales, making it very possible that the show will actually extend through the summer -- but that remains to be seen.

The closing of Rent will be the end of an era. A contemporary take on Puccini's La Boheme, Rent opened in 1996 to rave reviews and brought a whole new generation to Broadway. The youth-oriented musical introduced the practice of selling discounted front row orchestra tickets for $20 on the day of performance, prompting many devoted fans to spend the night on line in front of the theater (until they began distributing tickets via lottery).

If you haven't yet seen this groundbreaking musical on Broadway, or if you're a "Rent-head" wanting to catch it again before the end, find out how to get your discount tickets here.

Mel Brooks Signs Young Frankenstein CDs At Broadway B&N Today

Mel Brooks, co-writer and composer of Broadway's Young Frankenstein, will make an appearance at Barnes & Noble bookstore in New York City today, from 5:00-7:00pm. Brooks will be signing copies of the musical's original Broadway cast recording. Barnes & Noble is located at 1972 Broadway (at 66th Street).

August: Osage County Extends Broadway Run

Following a lot of positive buzz and ecstatic reviews, the new play August: Osage County is extending its run on Broadway an additional five weeks. The darkly funny dysfunctional family drama will now play the Imperial Theatre through April 13th. To get discount tickets to this Broadway smash, click here.

Sweeney Todd Wins Two Golden Globe Awards!

Sweeney Todd just won the Golden Globe award for Best Film (Musical or Comedy), and Sweeney himself, Johnny Depp, won the award for Best Actor! Unfortunately Broadway fans didn't get to see Sweeney's triumph unfold with fanfare, since this year's Globes were handed out in a press conference rather than the usual lavish ceremony. But, all the same, it's a good day for Broadway!

New Broadway Report Examines Discount Ticket Availability

Check out this new Broadway Ticket Discount Comparison Guide, which breaks down the various discounts that exist for Broadway show tickets. The chart explains how much each kind of discount can save you on Broadway tickets, and also details the availability of each discount type.

Star Of Broadway's The Wedding Singer Headlines Comedy Central Special Tonight

Stephen Lynch, the singing comedian who made his Broadway debut in the now-closed musical The Wedding Singer, is featured in a "Comedy Central Presents" special that premieres tonight. So if you miss seeing this multi-talented comic on Broadway, tune into Comedy Central and catch him performing his own off-beat material!

The Little Mermaid Opens On Broadway Tonight

The Little Mermaid, Disney's latest attempt to conquer Broadway by adapting its animated films for the stage, opens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre this evening. The Lunt-Fontanne was the site of Disney's first Broadway triumph (after it moved from the Palace), Beauty and the Beast, which closed there in July 2007. Directed by Francesca Zambello, The Little Mermaid stars Norm Lewis, Eddie Korbich, Sherie Rene Scott, and Broadway newcomer Sierra Boggess in the title role.

Groban To Star In Beloved Broadway Flop Chess

Popular recording artist Josh Groban will star in a concert version of Chess, to play at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 12th and 13th. Also starring in the concert is Broadway regular Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked. A Cold War-era musical about rival American and Russian chess players, Chess opened on Broadway in April of 1988 and closed after only a couple months, but the show subsequently gained cult status due to its Broadway and London cast recordings.

Golden Globe Awards Ceremony Canceled

If Golden Globe Award nominees for this year's big Broadway-to-film transfers Sweeney Todd and Hairspray win, Broadway fans won't get to see them accept. Due to the Writers Guild strike, the ceremony has been canceled this year. Instead, the winners will be announced in a press conference, to be televised live on NBC on January 13 at 6pm.

Les Miz, Cyrano, and Grinch Close on Broadway

Three Broadway shows shuttered today. Cyrano de Bergerac starring Kevin Kline, the holiday favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the revival of Les Miserables all said goodbye to Broadway, ending limited runs that had already been extended past their original close dates.

Broadway Failure Tarzan Starts Over In Atlanta

Following a Broadway run that lasted just over a year, the Disney stage musical version of Tarzan will have a revamped production at Theater of the Stars in Atlanta in January 2009. The new production will still feature David Henry Hwang's book and the Phil Collins score, but it will be directed and choreographed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, with set design by Kenneth Foy and aerial design by Paul Rubin (the Broadway production had direction and scenic design from Bob Crowley). After the new version of Tarzan debuts in Atlanta, it will tour to theaters in San Jose, Raleigh, and Dallas in early '09.

The 39 Steps Climbs Onto The Broadway Stage

The first new show to hit Broadway in 2008 is the play The 39 Steps, which begins performances tonight at the American Airlines Theatre. To get discount tickets to see this comedy thriller, and other Broadway musicals and plays, click here.

Last Chance To Celebrate the Holidays on Broadway

The Radio City Christmas show has come and gone, and Christmas trees are being taken down all over, but there is still one holiday experience available on Broadway: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. This Broadway stage version of the beloved children's book continues playing at the St. James Theater through this Sunday, January 6. So get your tickets while you can!

Happy New Year! Now Is A Great Time For Broadway Discounts

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are a big time for New York City -- and for Broadway. But once the New Year's celebrations die down, Broadway gets rather quiet for the period prior to the Spring tourist season. This means that January, February, and March are especially good months to get discounts on Broadway tickets. For some of the best discounts on Broadway theater tickets, check out the Broadway Discount Ticket Guide here.