Ben Michael News

It's December! Voting is now underway for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Buffalo Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatres and performers are recognized. Check out the first set of stats below.

Voting is NOW OPEN and the first votes are in for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Buffalo Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The nominees are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatres and performers are recognized!

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to legendary writer and New York nightlife fixture Michael Musto about the 1968 album 'Diana Ross and The Supremes Sing and Perform Funny Girl.' They also discuss 'The Wiz,' Motown, Barbra Streisand, 'Mahogany,' Liza Minnelli, Madonna, 'Evita,' Nancy Walker, Mary Wilson, 'Follies,' and Marilyn Maye. Michael talks about the first time he saw the movie 'Funny Girl,' as well as his attempt to see Diana Ross live in Central Park. Michael can be seen performing live at venues around New York City, and his weekly column can be found on NewNowNext.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to playwright, composer, and lyricist Michael R. Jackson about Tori Amos's 1994 album 'Under the Pink.' They also discuss Liz Phair, Joni Mitchell, Mariah Carey, alt rock, Fiona Apple, 'Show Boat,' William Finn, 'In Trousers,' 'Raisin,' Sondheim, 'Company,' 'Rent,' and 'Passing Strange.' Michael talks about how he discovered his favorite songwriters and how they influenced his own writing process. Michael's acclaimed new musical 'A Strange Loop' recently played to sold-out audiences, and the cast recording is now available from Broadway Records.

Theatre Horizon, a professional theatre company located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, minutes from Center City Philadelphia, celebrates 15 years of serving the community in 2019.

The UK's ultimate Michael Jackson tribute show Michael Starring Ben is to get its West End premiere with an exclusive one-off performance at the legendary London Palladium.

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and critics alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. The popular show will now run through Sunday, March 3.

Everything old is new again. But who would think the new century would have 19th Century literature resurfacing in the form of theatrical plays. This season Buffalo has seen Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' characters in the new play MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Shea's 710 Theatre. But a good story is a good story. So in re-examining the age old hunt for an eligible bachelor we now bring to the stage Austen's SENSE & SENSIBILITY, that notable work that explores the issues of class, courting, and attaining the perfect husband. With some updating of the era and costumes, this timeless tale could allow Austen's often melodramatic story to play out as a 2019 romantic comedy feature film.

In the episode below, Ben dance all night (AND begs for more) with choreography from My Fair Lady, with the help of Michael Williams. Can you keep up?

Due to an overwhelming demand and two weeks of sold-out previews, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. Originally scheduled to close on February 17, the popular show will now run through Sunday, February 24.

See new photos from Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster.

BroadwayWorld has learned that just last week, Roundabout Theatre Company held a star-studded reading of Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's Parade, helmed by Tony nominee Michael Arden and led by Ben Platt as Leo Frank and Michaela Diamond as Lucille Frank.

On Sunday, November 11th, Feinstein's/54 Below celebrated the composing debut of Ben Caplan with his show Geeks, Misfits, and Nobodies.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present Geeks, Misfits, and Nobodies: The Music of Ben Caplan on November 11th, 2018, at 9:30pm.

Perfectly Victorian is a bold new musical set for a staged reading in the Broadway Bound Theater Festival today August 17th at 1:30pm. The show features a score by Bryan Adam with Book & Lyrics by Bryan Adam & Matt Kelly.

Relive the magic of a true music superstar when this spectacular tribute heads to town.

Perfectly Victorian is a bold new musical set for a staged reading in the Broadway Bound Theater Festival on Friday August 17th at 1:30pm. The show features a score by Bryan Adam with Book & Lyrics by Bryan Adam & Matt Kelly.

From curtain rise to fall, 'An American in Paris' hinges on dance. The show is a work of art from start to finish, as every danced moment, from the nuance of falling in love to show-stopping kick lines, is crafted to artistic perfection.

Eiffel in love. A quarter of the way through its second act, "An American in Paris" transforms from a golden-age dancebox musical into full-out modern musical theatre. The quintet of lovers at the heart of its story weave their raw, overlapping passions through three songs written by George and Ira Gershwin. And they do it all while barely moving. It's a welcome moment of stillness in an otherwise kinetic show.