Featured Musical of the Month: The Addams Family

Here comes Halloween, and what better than a musical about that Horribly Ghoulish-ious Addams Family? Playing at the Lunt Fontane Theatre in New York City.
Starring: Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.

Watch a Video Clip, listen to samples, buy tickets and download the Soundtrack at Broadway Musical Nut.com 



Happy Halloween!

The Broadway Musical Nut

High School Musical Star Corbin BleuTakes Career to Broadway's " In The Heights"

It looks like Corbin Bleu, one of the popular teen heart throbs from the extremely successful Disney Original Movie franchise High School Musical ,will be joining the Broadway cast of In The Heights on January 25th, 2010. Corbin will be the first star of the popular movie series that will perform on Broadway as he jumps into the role of  of bodega owner Usnavi. It looks like he is scheduled to star in the show until April 25th, 2010.

Corbin gained his popularity and teen stardom by playing alongside Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale in High School Musical and High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3 which was released in theatres. In all three productions he played the character Chad, a devoted basketball player and best friend to Troy (played by Zac Efron).

High School Musical (Encore Edition)

Corbin has theatre experience in his past.  On stage, Bleu starred in the Off-Broadway production of "Tiny Tim is Dead" as well as "Brothers of the Knight" with Debbie Allen. He also attended the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy and then attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a theatre Major.

Corbin has also had some success as a music artist. His debut solo album entitled "Another Side," was released back in May 2007. The album featured the hit single "Push it to the Limit" from his film "Jump In!" He recently released the single "Run It Back Again" from the Disney Channel Original Movie "Minutemen" which was one of the top 10 downloaded songs on iTunes. He was also nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award for "Best New Artist."

Another Side

He was born in Brooklyn, New York (Go Brooklyn!) and currently resides in Los Angeles. Okay. Yay for Los Angeles too. *snicker* What's nice to see is that Corbin is  involved with many childrens charities including St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Starlight Starbright and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Good for you Corbin!!

For more information or to learn how to get discount tickets for In The Heights, check out: Ticketmaster

Passion, Murder and a Crime Spree: What More Could One Ask For In A Musical?

Clearly, that is one of Frank Wildhorn's (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dracula The Musical) thoughts with his new musical, Bonnie and Clyde which will premier at the La Jolla Playhouse in November of this year. It will run from November 10 - December 20, 2009 in The Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

With music by Frank Wildhorn, and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!), here's hoping Bonnie and Clyde will take off and bring something new to the table for musical lovers, instead of the recent trend of turning popular modern movies and tv shows into musicals. Not that all of these are bad, it would just be nice to see more fresh material.

There was of course the iconic film Bonnie and Clyde made in 1967 with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway which is considered a landmark, and is regarded as one of the first films of the "New Hollywood" era. It broke many taboos and was popular with the younger generation of that time. Its success motivated other filmmakers to be more straight forward about presenting sex and violence in their films. But, this musical version will reportedly not be based on the film, but on an original script by Ivan Menchell.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: Bonnie and Clyde

There is also a new film version in the works that will be directed by Tonya S. Holly (When I Find the Ocean). This new film will star Hilary Duff (Disney's Lizzie McGuire) which seemed to have stirred up a little back and forth sparring between Miss Duff and the film icon Faye Dunaway back in Feb. It was reported that when Faye was told that Hilary would be playing the character she made so famous, Faye supposedly zinged "Couldn't they atleast cast a real actress?" Evidently Hilary retaliated in an interview to E! with “I think that my fans that are going to go see the movie don’t even know who she is, so you know…. I think it was a little unnecessary but I might be mad if I looked like that now too.”

Ouch! Claws in kittens! Because now with the musical version, you'll need to scoot over and make a little more room at the Bonnie Parker actress table for Laura Osnes (Grease!, South Pacific) who will give her spin on the roll at La Jolla. So let's try to play nicely.

Osnes is set to co-star with Stark Sands (Journey's End) as Clyde Barrow, the troubled Texas teen, who with Bonnie at his side, sets out to become one of the most infamous couples in American Crime Culture.

If you're unfamiliar with the story of Bonnie and Clyde, it is based on the lives of the Depression-era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose notorious crime spree captured the country's attention with their shocking crimes and exploits. The musical is said to examine this fateful partnership, with a score by Wildhorn and Black that will combine rockabilly, blues and gospel music.

Composer Frank Wildhorn, when asked for more information on the venture, is quoted as saying "When I started working on this show, no one was talking about Bonnie & Clyde. Now, two new books have been published, a remake of the Warren Beatty/Faye Dunaway classic film is in production, and the FBI recently released close to a thousand pages of classified memos on the infamous couple. Clearly, they are once again piquing the interest of a troubled America.This has been a musical challenge unlike any I've known before. These are the most incredible and intriguing characters I've given a musical voice to. Until now, the characters I've written for have been fictional; I've taken theatrical emotions and tried to make them real. With Bonnie and Clyde, I'm taking real emotions and making them theatrical. The exciting libretto, with its danger, pathos and comedy, has inspired a score from country to Texas blues, from gospel to ragtime." (quote source Broadwayworld)

Well, Frank, this is one musical lover that hopes Bonnie and Clyde the Musical will translate well with musical lovers and be as exciting as you describe.

The Broadway Musical Nut
www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

Comments? Thoughts? Is this a good premise for a musical? Can Wildhorn turn this one into a hit? Talk to me!

Will Justin Timberlake Try And See If His Luck Is A Lady In A Big Screen Musical?

According to a British Tabloid, It looks as if Justin Timberlake might be testing his luck in the new film adaptation of the Broadway Musical, "Guys and Dolls" which will be directed by Guy Ritchie. (Snatch, Revolver, RocknRolla)

The tabloid reported that Ritchie and Timberlake shook hands over whiskey at a British pub on June 29, with Timberlake committing to star in this updated remake. Jason Statham, a frequent collaborator with Ritchie, is also rumored to be connected to the project.

Justin has been displaying his acting chops in the last few years by appearing in a few different films. (Alpha Dog , Black Snake Moan, Shrek the Third and The Love Guru.) Guys and Dolls might just be a good fit for the Mega Pop Star who rose to his superstardom with the popular "Boy Band" NSYNC.

The original film version of the stage musical Guys and Dolls (which features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows) was released in 1955 and starred Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson, and Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown. Frank Sinatra was Nathan Detroit and original Broadway star Vivian Blaine brilliantly played the role of Adelaide.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: Guys and Dolls


The most recent Broadway revival, starring Craig Bierko, Kate Jennings Grant, Oliver Platt and Lauren Graham, closed this past June 14, 2009. I saw the revival in '95 with Nathan Lane as Nathan Detroit, Faith Prince as Adelaide and Ernie Sabella (brother to my voice teacher David Sabella, in NYC and also known as the voice of Pumbaa in the Disney animated film, The Lion King...love ya Ernie!) as Nicely Nicely. I really enjoyed it but didn't think there was great chemistry between the two leads. Tom Wopat had taken over as Sky Masterson at that point, but I forget who the female lead was. Hmmm...need to jog my noggin or dig out my box full of playbills!

Ok....back on track. Justin. Ohhhhhh Justin. Having seen a few of his most recent "comic" performances in The Love Guru and his viral video hit with Beyonce on SNL as a "Single Ladies" dancer (laughed 'til I cried), I'm guessing he's being cast as Detroit. I don't really see him as a "Sky" type. But, hey...I didn't really see him dressing up in a leotard, tights and heels either. Disturbingly funny.

Regardless of which role Justin Timberlake takes on...or doesn't, here's hoping this new film version is a worthy retelling of a great Broadway Musical Classic and not some strange Ritchie disaster (Swept Away...Revolver...you get the picture). One would almost venture a guess that if Ritchie had tackled this a few years ago while he was still married to Madonna, that he might have cast her in the film as say...Adelaide? After all...she's played the ditzy blonde bombshell before, and even Eva Peron in Evita. *ahem*

This blogger will now refrain from any "Madonna Poor Acting" rants, and save those for another entry.

Good Musical Nut. Good Girl. * sly grin*

So what do YOU think? Chime in and post your comments! Do you think Justin would be good in Guys and Dolls? Think Ritchie will do good or crash and burn with this one? Tell me now!

The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

Tuacahn to be First Regional U.S. Theatre to present Disney's "Tarzan" in 2010

It's a jungle out there when it comes to securing the rights to present new musicals fresh off the Broadway or Touring circuit, but Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins, Utah seems to be on the right path to secure them. Last year, Tuacahn was one in just eight regional theatre's across the U.S. who was allowed to present "Les Miserables" one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Scott S. Anderson, the Artistic Director at Tuacahn and the director of Les Miz and this year's "Annie" will be heading up another big coup, as he has been given permission by Disney to stage and direct their musical "Tarzan" in their 2010 Broadway In The Desert Season. Tuacahn will be the first Regional Theatre in the U.S. given the right to do so. This very physically active production, with music that is composed by Phil Collins, and the book by David Henry Hwang is based on the Disney animated movie of the same name, and had a short run on Broadway back in 2007. It has found International success in both the Netherlands as well as Hamburg, Germany where it is currently running. A revamped Tour version had previously been announced, and was to be perfomed in Atlanta in January of this year, but was evidently cancelled.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: Tarzan - The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast)


If any of you are familiar with the stage production, you are aware of the physicality of the performers (especially those playing the Apes) and it will be quite the challenge to stage this outdoors as it requires an intricate "fly" system to fly the actors on vines around the Jungle. A few years ago, Anderson directed "Peter Pan" and flew Peter and the children up over the audience which gave the kid in everyone quite a thrill. With the amount of swinging and flying around in current productions of Tarzan, what a spectacle it could be on Tuacahn's outdoor stage! If you have never been to this gem of an outdoor theatre hidden away in Southern Utah, you need to make plans to do so soon. Tuacahn boasts the ability to flood their stage with water which has been used quite effectively in last year's "Big River", recreating the Mississipi River that Jim and Huck travel on by raft, and in "South Pacific" three years ago. In that production, the director Tim Threlfall effectively and quite romantically recreated a "From Here to Eternity" moment between Lieutenant Cable and the young Tongan girl Liat, as they played and kissed in the "surf" and water washed over them on the stage. After witnessing Les Miserables on this stage, it is plain that Anderson has the ability to utilize all of the space there effectively. Here's hoping "Tarzan" at Tuacahn is a visual feast , and that the music and story hold up to the hype.


Check out this trailer ad for the Broadway Production in 2007



The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

Congrats to all the 2009 Tony Award Winners! See Video Clips of Some of The Shows

The 2009 Tony Awards aired this last Sunday, and it really was no surprise that Billy Elliott took home 10 of the 15 Tony's they were nominated for. What was really exciting was that all three actors who play the leading role won for Best Leading Male. David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish were a bit dumbstruck as they accepted their awards, and fumbled for what to say and who should speak. Other highlights were performances by the cast of Hair , the Billy Elliott cast and appearances by Angela Lansbury and others.


Here is a sampling of some of the winners of the evening. For a complete list and even more Tony Award information, go to: www.TonyAwards.com If e you'd like to see some video clips of some of the shows currently playing and some of the nominees, go Here.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: The Tony Awards® Songbook - Second Edition-Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook

Winners of the 2009 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards, announced Sunday.

BEST PLAY: "God of Carnage."

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL: "Hair."

BOOK OF A MUSICAL: Lee Hall, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE: "Next to Normal."

REVIVAL OF A PLAY: "The Norman Conquests."

SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT: "Liza's at The Palace."

PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY: Geoffrey Rush, "Exit the King."

PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Marcia Gay Harden, "God of Carnage."

PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Alice Ripley, "Next to Normal."

PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY: Roger Robinson, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone."

PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Angela Lansbury, "Blithe Spirit."

PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Gregory Jbara, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Karen Olivo, "West Side Story."

SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY: Derek McLane, "33 Variations."

SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Ian MacNeil, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY: Anthony Ward, "Mary Stuart."

COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Tim Hatley, "Shrek The Musical."

LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY: Brian MacDevitt, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone."

LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Rick Fisher, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY: Gregory Clarke, "Equus."

SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Paul Arditti, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

DIRECTION OF A PLAY: Matthew Warchus, "God of Carnage."

DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL: Stephen Daldry, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

CHOREOGRAPHY: Peter Darling, "Billy Elliot, The Musical."

ORCHESTRATIONS: Martin Koch, "Billy Elliot, The Musical"; Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, "Next to Normal."

SPECIAL TONY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE THEATRE: Jerry Herman.

REGIONAL THEATRE TONY AWARD: Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.

ISABELLE STEVENSON AWARD: Phyllis Newman.

TONY HONOR FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE THEATRE: Shirley Herz.

I'm excited to see what entertainment this next year on Broadway holds!

The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

Orem Utah Scores Four Time Tony Winner Audra McDonald for 110 in the Shade

The Hale Center Theatre Orem will welcome Four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald who will reprise her Tony-nominated performance as Lizzie Curry in 110 in the Shade in summer 2010. The community theater production, which will run June 28 through August 7, will also star current Tony Award nominee and Hair star Will Swenson, a Utah native, as Bill Starbuck. The two Broadway performers will appear for the first two weeks of the run. They are donating their time to the production, which benefits the nonprofit Hale Center Foundation for the Arts and Education.

McDonald and Swenson appeared together in the Roundabout Theater Company’s Tony-nominated revival of the musical back in 2007, with McDonald starring as Curry and Swenson understudying Starbuck, then played by Steve Kazee.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)

Audra is quoted as saying:

"I grew up doing community theater, it's very dear to my heart,” McDonald told the local Deseret News of the decision to appear at Hale. “I wouldn't be where I am today without community theater."

Audra, with her amazing "powerhouse" of a voice and award winning acting should truly make the Hale Center Theatre Orem's season.

The Hale Center Theatre Orem is currently run by Swenson's brother Cody and his wife Anne.

The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

A "Green Goblin" in Alan Cumming's Future?

Well, here comes SPIDER-MAN to Broadway and look who may be creating the role of 'Green Goblin' for the stage? It looks like The New York Post's Michael Reidel reported in his column today that Tony Award winner Alan Cumming is being considered for the role of the SPIDER-MAN Villian, 'Green Goblin' in the upcoming SPIDER-MAN musical being written by Julie Taymor of "Lion King" fame.

Alan has worked with Taymor before. He starred in Titus, her 1999 adaptation of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. He is in negotiations to play the Goblin, but there has been no official casting statements as of yet.

Julie will not only be writing the show along with Glen Berger, but will be directing Spider-Man as well. She is working with 22-time Grammy® Award-winning Bono and The Edge creating new music and lyrics.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: X2: X-Men United [Blu-ray]

Taymor, Bono, The Edge as well as the entire team who are bringing the famed comic hero to the Broadway stage, gave a sneak peek at The Times Center this week of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark.

Of course, Alan Cumming isn't a stranger to playing comic book characters. He has most recently played "Nightcrawler" in the successful X-Men movie series.

Alan Cumming Stage Bio:

Alan Cumming trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He made his West End debut in Manfred Karge's Conquest of the South Pole at the Royal Court for which he received a Most Promising Newcomer Olivier award nomination. He gained further Olivier award nominations for La Bete and Cabaret and won for Accidental Death of An Anarchist at the Royal National Theatre, where he also played Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and directed Michel Tremblay's Bonjour la, Bonjour at the RNT studio. He played Hamlet on tour and at the Donmar Warehouse to great acclaim, winning the TMA award and a Shakespeare Globe nomination.

In 1998 he made his sensational Broadway debut in Cabaret and won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics' Circle, Theatre World, NY Press, FANY and New York Public Advocate's awards. He has since appeared on Broadway in Design For Living and The Threepenny Opera. Off-Broadway he appeared in Jean Genet's Elle (which he also adapted) and The Seagull. He returned to the British Stage in 2006 to play Max in Martin Sherman's Bent and for the National Theatre of Scotland he played Dionysus in The Bacchae, which was seen last summer in NYC as part of the Lincoln Center Festival.

For Alan's Film Credits, check out IMDB.

The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

Chess In Concert! Cast Includes: Josh Groban, and Idina Menzel

Years ago I fell in love with the music from Chess, and now it looks like PBS is going to air Chess in Concert on June 17, 2009. I can't wait! They will then be releasing it on CD and DVD. The cast features some amazing artists including: Josh Groban, Idina Mendez, Adam Pascal, David Bedella, Kerry Ellis, Clark Peters, and Marti Pellow as the Arbiter.


Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: Chess



Some of you who (like me) may be a child of the 80's might remember the song "One Night in Bangkok" from this musical that had radio release, but others may be familiar with others like "I Know Him So Well", "Anthem", "Pity the Child" and "Someone Else's Story".

Be sure to watch for it and check your local PBS station listings.

The Broadway Musical Nut

Broadway Musical Nut.com

Watch the Trailer Here:

Tony Nominees Are Out! Look Who's Coming Out On Top!

The Nominations are out! And Billy Elliot topped the list of the 2009 Tony Award nominations with a total of 15, equaling the record number previously held by The Producers. The new musical Next to Normal picked up 11 Tony nods, including Best Musical. Nominations in 27 competitive categories were announced today, May 5 at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center by Tony winners Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cynthia Nixon. The awards ceremony itself will be held at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2009 and will be broadcast on CBS.

And the nominees are...

Best Play
33 Variations by Moises Kaufman
Dividing the Estate by Horton Foote
God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza
Reasons to be Pretty by Neil LaBute

Best Musical
Billy Elliot
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek the Musical

Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Mary Stuart
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot

Best Revival of a Musical
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski, Reasons to be Pretty

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
David Alvarez/Trent Kowalik/Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot
Gavin Creel, Hair
Brian d’Arcy James, Shrek the Musical
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek the Musical
Allison Janney, 9 to 5
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, Reasons to be Pretty
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
David Bologna, Billy Elliot
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5
Christopher Sieber, Shrek the Musical
Will Swenson, Hair

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot

Best Direction of a Play
Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair

Best Choreography
Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot
Randy Skinner, White Christmas

Best Book of a Musical
[title of show] - Hunter Bell
Billy Elliot - Lee Hall
Next to Normal - Brian Yorkey
Shrek the Musical - David Lindsay-Abaire

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Billy Elliot - Elton John and Lee Hall
Next to Normal - Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey
Shrek the Musical - David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori

Best Orchestrations
Billy Elliot - Martin Koch
Next to Normal - Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt
Shrek the Musical - Danny Troob and John Clancy
White Christmas - Larry Blank

Best Scenic Design of a Play
33 Variations - Derek McLane
Exit the King - Dale Ferguson
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone - Michael Yeargan
The Norman Conquests - Rob Howell

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Billy Elliot - Ian MacNeil
Guys and Dolls - Robert Brill
Next to Normal - Mark Wendland
Pal Joey - Scott Pask

Best Costume Design of a Play
Blithe Spirit - Martin Pakledinaz
Exit the King - Dale Ferguson
Mary Stuart - Anthony Ward
Waiting for Godot - Jane Greenwood

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Billy Elliot - Nicky Gillibrand
Hair - Michael McDonald
Rock of Ages - Gregory Gale
Shrek the Musical - Tim Hatley

Best Lighting Design of a Play
33 Variations - David Lander
Equus - David Hersey
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone - Brian MacDevitt
Mary Stuart - Hugh Vanstone

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Billy Elliot - Rick Fisher
Hair - Kevin Adams
Next to Normal - Kevin Adams
West Side Story - Howell Binkley

Best Sound Design of a Play
Equus - Gregory Clarke
Exit the King - Russell Goldsmith
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone - Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg
Mary Stuart - Paul Arditti

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Billy Elliot - Paul Arditti
Hair - Acme Sound Partners
Next to Normal - Brian Ronan
Rock of Ages - Peter Hylenski

Best Special Theatrical Event
Liza’s at the Palace…
Slava’s Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush

Multiple Nominations by Show
Billy Elliot - 15
Next to Normal - 11
Hair - 8
The Norman Conquests - 7
God of Carnage - 6
Joe Turner's Come and Gone - 6
Rock of Ages - 5
33 Variations - 5
Exit the King - 4
9 to 5 - 4
Pal Joey - 4
West Side Story - 4
Reasons to Be Pretty - 3
Waiting for Godot - 3
Blithe Spirit - 2
Dividing the Estate - 2
Equus - 2
Guys and Dolls - 2
White Christmas - 2

Can't wait to see who comes out on top! Time to pick your favs and draw up your lists, then send out invitations for your own Tony Awards Party! Who do you think will win? Leave your comments and let me know!!

The Broadway Musical Nut
http://www.broadwaymusicalnut.com/

9 to 5: The Musical - Opens for Business on Broadway!

The new Broadway musical-comedy,
9 To 5: The Musical starring four-time Emmy Award
winner and Tony Award nominee Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and two-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch opened Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). 9 To 5: The Musical marks the Broadway debut of seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton as composer and lyricist.

The show is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreography by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler. The Book is by by Patricia Resnick, based on her original story and screenplay for the hit 1980 film comedy which tells the story of three females who work in the same office and for the same boss, Franklin Hart, Jr. (Marc Kudisch. The girls are brought to their boiling points with him and, Violet Newstead (Allison Janney), the super efficient office manager, Judy Bernly (Stephanie J. Block), a frazzled divorcee, and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes (Megan Hilty) decide to turn the tables on him. They concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, and hypocritical boss, and that plan quickly runs hysterically out of control. There are over 20 new songs added to the show.

The cast of 9 To 5: The Musical has 30 members and features Kathy Fitzgerald, Andy Karl, Ioana Alfonso, Timothy George Anderson, Jennifer Balagna, Justin Bohon, Paul Castree, Daniel Cooney, Jeremy Davis, Gaelen Gilliland, Autumn Guzzardi, Ann Harada, Neil Haskell, Lisa Howard, Van Hughes, Michael X. Martin, Michael Mindlin, Karen Murphy, Mark Myars (Dance captain), Justin Patterson, Jessica Lea Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Brandi Wooten.

Beginning May 5 the playing schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 3pm; with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or at the Marriott Marquis Theatre Box Office and range from $126.50 to $66.50.
The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com