New shows, new casts and new things to look forward to all this month in your Fast Five!
1. Spring brings new shows
Spring is coming and so is a whole new group of fabulous Broadway shows. The buzz around a new Broadway line-up has been mounting this month as Broadway fans everywhere take advantage of the cold weather to read up on each one and schedule visits to see their favorites. On The Twentieth Century, a revival featuring Peter Gallagher and Kristin Chenoweth began previews this month and will officially open in March. Other top shows that start previews in March include Finding Neverland starring Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer, The Visit starring Chita Rivera, An American in Paris based on the Academy Award winning film, It Shoulda Been You featuring Tyne Daly and David Burtka, and finally, Something Rotten starring Christian Borle, Brian d’Arcy James, John Cariani and more. It will certainly be a busy season!
Emma Watson
2. Live-action Beauty and the Beast announced
Emma Watson, of Harry Potter fame, has announced that she will play Belle in an upcoming live-action recreation of the beloved Disney film. The film will be helmed by Dreamgirls and Side Show’s Bill Condon and is set to begin production in 2015. No release date has yet been scheduled. Broadway.com reported British actress Emma Thompson is in talks to play Mrs. Potts.
John Cameron Mitchell as Hedwig
3. Glee star fills big shoes on Broadway
After John Cameron Mitchell, who originated the character of Hedwig, injured his knee performing the role earlier this month, Michael C. Hall (Dexter) stepped back in for temporary relief. But Mitchell, who extended his run through April 26, returned this week knowing who will wear the wig next! Darren Criss (Glee) was announced as the next man to play the transgender rock goddess and we can hardly wait!
4. Frozen looks to 2017 for Broadway
It looks like Frozen may be settling into a 2017 goal for the Great White Way. Rumor has it new songs will be included in the production that will be directed by Alex Timbers. Disney Theatrical even released a statement confirming the project with Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez, the original song writers, returning along with Jennifer Lee, codirect and screenwriter for the film.
Jessie Mueller who plays Carole King in Beautiful.
5. Some kind of wonderful! Beautiful wins 2015 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical took home the trophy for Best Musical Theater Album. The musical beat out the albums of Aladdin, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the San Francisco Symphony’s West Side Story. The Beautiful win is shared by the Tony-winning leading lady Jessie Mueller and producers Jason Howland, Steve Sidwell and Billy Jay Stein.
Get caught up with Broadway Fast 5’s for January and December.
