BWAY: PRISCILLA -- 2 out of 3 ain't bad

The Broadway version of PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT is another step closer to reality.  Two of the three leads were announced to include HAIR's Will Swenson and West End version's Tony Sheldon.  The release also said the move across the pond will have a go in Toronto before the big plunge on the Great White Way in Spring 2011.

With LA CAGE, the upcoming HEDWIG, and now PRISCILLA, it will be interesting to see just how many drag queen shows Broadway can support at one time?!  More mascara and shaving cream, anyone?

For more information on PRISCILLA, go to http://www.priscillathemusical.com. 

BWAY: FELA to launch European tour

The mostly-dance exploration of activism and the Afrobeat, FELA!, will go on tour for at least 12 weeks in late 2011.  Presented by the National Theatre of London, this tour will mark the European premiere of FELA!  

Nominated for 11 Tonys and a winner of an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Choreographer (Bill T. Jones), FELA! has surprised everyone with its collection of awards, acclaim, and longevity on the Great White Way (so far).

For more information on FELA!, to get tickets, or check out the long list of commendations, go to http://www.felaonbroadway.com.

BWAY: LA CAGE announces Nat'l Tour for 2011

The production team of the smash Broadway hit, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, has announced a national tour based on the current revival to be launched in 2011.  Currently nominated for 11 Tony Awards, this morning brought news that LA CAGE had garnered 4 Outer Critics Circle Awards, tying with MEMPHIS, for most wins.  Composer Jerry Herman has been named the recipient of a special Drama Desk Award for his career as a Musical Theatre composer.

The original Broadway production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES opened on August 21, 1983 at the Palace Theatre, wowing audiences with its daring material.  That production won 4 Tony Awards in 1984 and went on to become a staple in regional theatres.

Casting and design details will be forthcoming on the main LA CAGE website, and for more information on national tours, go to http://www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE announces 2009-2010 awards

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the recipients of the 2009-10 Awards.  MEMPHIS and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES both won in 4 categories, with a shocking 3 unprecedented ties in the categories for "New Off-Broadway Musical," "Actress in a Musical," and "Choreographer. 

Movie stars Denzel Washington and Catherine Zeta-Jones won trophies for their work in FENCES and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, respectively.

With history-making wins and lots of surprises, the winners are... 

NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
* Memphis
 

NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
* Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
* The Scottsboro Boys
 

 NEW SCORE - (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
* Memphis
 

REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL - (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
* La Cage aux Folles
 

 DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
* Terry Johnson  - La Cage aux Folles
 

 CHOREOGRAPHER
* Bill T. Jones - Fela!
* Sergio Trujillo - Memphis

SET DESIGN - (Play or Musical)
* Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch - The Addams Family
 

COSTUME DESIGN - (Play or Musical)
* Matthew Wright - La Cage aux Folles
 

LIGHTING DESIGN - (Play or Musical)
* Kevin Adams - American Idiot
   

ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
* Douglas Hodge - La Cage aux Folles

ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
* Montego Glover - Memphis
* Catherine Zeta-Jones - A Little Night Music
 

FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
* Levi Kreis - Million Dollar Quartet
 

FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
* Katie Finneran - Promises, Promises

Source:  http://www.outercritics.org/

BLOG: R.I.P. Lena Horne

Lena Horne was a Broadway performer before she ventured into Hollywood, singing and dancing in a litany of movie musicals.  During World War II, she spoke out against the discrimination against black servicemen, and worked with leaders of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, acting as a well-known star standing for change with Medgar Evers, John F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

She won numerous awards for her rich, sultry singing, but more importantly, she helped break down race barriers in the film and television industry. 

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AUDITION: Nat'l tour of SPRING AWAKENING

From Playbill.com:

"NETworks is please to announce casting calls for the 2010-2011 Spring Awakening National Tour...This tour will begin rehearsals September 13, 2010.

"Auditions will be held at Chelsea Studios, 151 West 26th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY. Please prepare a short folk/alt. rock song. Bring sheet music, pianist will be provided. Bring a picture and resume. PLEASE NOTE: All actors must be at least 18 years of age by September 13, 2010. SEEKING ALL ETHNICITIES FOR ALL ROLES."

FOR DETAILED AUDITION INFO, you must read: http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/29943.html

GUEST: Linda Eder, 04/16 @ 11a EDT/10a CDT

Singing sensation Linda Eder will be on "Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey" this Friday, April 16, at 11 a.m. EDT/ 10 a.m. CDT.

Linda began her career winning Star Search for 12 weeks straight, then played the role of Lucy in Frank Wildhorn's JEKYLL & HYDE. She has performed concerts around the world and released several CD's featuring standards and new classics.

To listen live, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call 347-237-5224.

For more information on shows, guests, updates, and replays, go to the MTT website: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

Some of her available albums:
Broadway, My Way
Soundtrack 
Greatest Hits
The Other Side of Me
It's Time
Gold
My Favorite Broadway - The Leading Ladies