The Audience (i) News

When the opening chords of a familiar Beatles tune drifts out of the doors of the Walt Disney Theater on May 5th, guests might just think they stepped back in time 50+ years to the iconic eras of Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour and all your favorite hits. And if they come see RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles presented by the Dr. Phillips Center, they might just succeed in that time travel. RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles, a show that has been called 'the next best thing to seeing The Beatles,' boasts a repertoire of nearly 200 Beatles favorites, ranging from such beloved songs as 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'Hey Jude' to classic hits including 'Revolution' and 'Come Together.'  Leading many of those familiar songs, in the iconic shoes of John Lennon is Steve Landes, and actor/singer/musician that has been performing Beatles-songs for most of his adult life and will be a part of the show when it arrives in Orlando. I had the privilege of speaking with Steve a number of years ago to learn a little more about his journey and our conversation still resonates today. Below is a re-sharing of our interview from 2009  (one of my first as a writer for BroadwayWorld!)

Acclaimed Japanese theatre maker Hideki Noda and his production company NODA MAP will return to London this October with another re-telling of a literary masterpiece following their take on Romeo & Juliet set to the songs of Queen two years ago. 

Lempicka, the new musical portrait of artist Tamara de Lempicka, opened on Broadway tonight, Sunday, April 14 at the Longacre Theatre. See what the critics had to say here!

Directed by Jimmy Fairhurst and starring Les Dennis as Malvolio, Not Too Tame return to the Shakespeare North Playhouse this summer, with an exciting new production of Twelfth Night.

FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training will present an unconventional Romeo and Juliet. This unique interpretation promises to captivate audiences with its innovative approach.

Cher needs only one name to be immediately identified. When it comes to dramatizing her life for the stage, however, it’s not surprising that it takes three performers to play her in the Tony Award-winning musical “The Cher Show,” which comes to the Boch Center Wang Theatre March 15–17 on its North American tour.

When you’re a 35-year-old bisexual dating another woman, you get asked quite a few questions, especially about childhood. Comedian Catherine Bohart is here to tell us all about her experiences with relationships, queerness, and family in Catherine Bohart: Again, With Feelings.

BroadwayWorld had a chance to chat with world-renowned star, Alan Cumming, on his cabaret show, Alan Cumming is Not Acting his Age. In this interview, Cumming discusses life balance, his love for cabaret, and some of the wisdom that has gone into creating this amazing show!

What did our critic think of POLARISASI at Graha Bhakti Budaya?

Houdini’s Greatest Escape, put on by New Old Friends in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, tells the story of the great escape artists Harry Houdini and his wife, Bess, as they travel to England with the hopes of being invited to perform at King Edward’s Royal Gala. But, things quickly take a turn when they are framed for murder and robbery.

Review Royalty: An Awards Extravaganza - A theatrical exploration of the internet's opinion-driven culture, in particular the crazy world of online reviews. Join Meg O'Hara at Newcastle Fringe in March to crown the most ridiculous online review of all time. March 16-17 at 7.30pm, March 24 at 4.30pm.

Maybe BEETLEJUICE: THE MUSICAL, is Gen Z’s ROCKY HORROR SHOW. When THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW first premiered in London in 1973, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its campy humor, catchy songs, and provocative themes, others found its content shocking and controversial. However, it quickly gained a cult following among audiences. Fast forward to BEETLEJUICE: THE MUSICAL. It has campy humor, (somewhat) provocative themes, and a cult following. It has a strong presence on social media platforms, with the cast and creative team actively engaging with fans through channels like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. This has helped to cultivate a dedicated fan base among younger audiences who are drawn to the show's behind-the-scenes content, fan art, and discussions.

Queensland Theatre brings Cheryl Strayed’s TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS to the Belvoir stage

Lucille Carr-Kaffashan is bringing two shows back to Don't Tell Mama with a cabaret honoring strong female songwriters of the 70's on February 17th and the 21st century on March 16th, both at 4 pm. We talked about both shows and what's coming up next for her this year.

Broadway Bares will return this summer, with two performances featuring more than 150 of New York City’s most scintillating dancers on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Hammerstein Ballroom.

Steven Hao, playing Pirithous and The Wooer in THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN, spoke to BroadwayWorld about the unusual aspects of Shakespeare’s last play, why Theseus is Iron Man, and the joys of putting on one of the few works in the Shakespearean canon that's a 'hidden gem' without 500 years of baggage.

Keith Allen and Mica Paris lead a tremendous cast in a musical that deserves a bigger stage

I had the opportunity to chat with Manny Tsakanika And Ross Sands, two of the performers who have been with Magic Mike Live for the entirety of its five-year run. We discussed what it has been like to see the show grow, what made them want to be a part of it, and what they hope audience members take away from their experience.

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Buffalo Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Following several runs as a swing in The Lion King on Broadway, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi is playing Young Celie in the new movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple. BroadwayWorld sat down with Mpasi to discuss the transition from stage to screen, sharing the role of Celie with Fantasia Barrino, how Halle Bailey supported her on set, and more.