Sander Jacobs News

West Side Story has returned to Broadway as it began preview performances, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. Laurents and other members of the creative team spoke to Variety about how the show has been shaped anew for a waiting generation of theatre lovers.

West Side Story returns to Broadway as it begins preview performances tonight, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway beginning performances Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Tony Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda played his final performance as 'Usnavi' in his acclaimed Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 7pm. After his emotional final performance the cast and crew let loose to celebrate Lin-Manuel's inspirational journey in the role and BroadwayWorld's cameras caught at the festive fun

Tony Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda played his final performance as 'Usnavi' in his acclaimed Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 7pm. BroadwayWorld's cameras cheered on his final Broadway bow and he bid his show farewell.

Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, the producers of the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights, announced that Javier Munoz will take over the role of 'Usnavi' on Monday, February 16, 2009 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). Javier Munoz joined In The Heights for a reading in 2005 and has been involved ever since, in the ensemble and as understudy for ?Usnavi? at the O?Neill Theater Workshop and in the 2006 Off-Broadway and current Broadway productions. Lin-Manuel Miranda?s last performance will be Sunday February 15, 2009.

Tony Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda will play his final performance as 'Usnavi' in his acclaimed Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 7pm. IN THE HEIGHTS opened to critical acclaim, going on to win four 2008 Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations), and garnering a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for the original cast album. In November, 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on IN THE HEIGHTS.

West Side Story comes to glorious life on the stage of the Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009.

Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, the producers of the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights, announced today that Javier Munoz will take over the role of 'Usnavi' on Monday, February 16, 2009 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). Javier Munoz joined In The Heights for a reading in 2005 and has been involved ever since, in the ensemble and as understudy for ?Usnavi? at the O?Neill Theater Workshop and in the 2006 Off-Broadway and current Broadway productions. Lin-Manuel Miranda?s last performance will be Sunday February 15, 2009.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences thrilled to Cody Green's dynamic performance as 'Riff' in the production. Before Cody left Washington for New York, he spoke to DCTheatreScene.com. Cody Green was chosen as the winner in last years finale episode of BRAVO's 'Step It Up & Dance,' winning the $100,000 grand prize. The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey, Canada beat out 11 other contestants as they competed in weekly dance challenges from some of the top performers and choreographers in the industry including: Tina Landon, Jordi Caballero, Lee Martino and Jason Alexander.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. for the official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung on January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. Master Photographer Walter McBride was in Washington, D.C. to cover the Presidential Inaugural Celebration, while there he swung by the West Side Story 'load out' to give you an example of what it takes to 'take the show on the road' to Broadway! The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences and critics alike embraced Karen Olivo's stunning portrayal of Anita. Before Karen Olivo left Washington for New York, she spoke to DCTheatreScene.com, click here to read the interview. Karen Olivo's many credits include In The Heights, Rent, Brooklyn, Hair- 40th Anniversary Concert (director Diane Paulus), Miracle Brothers (director Tina Landau). 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Conviction.' Film: Adrift in Manhattan, Sibling, Late In The Game, Two Lovers. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography is being reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Broadway in San Diego has announced that the National Tour of IN THE HEIGHTS will play San Diego's Civic Theatre in 2010. The Tony winning musical will play July 27th through August 1st at the Civic, no other tour dates are not known at this time. Casting details are also unknown, but news of the tour production should be released in the next number of months. IN THE HEIGHTS opened to critical acclaim, going on to win four 2008 Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations), and garnering a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for the original cast album. In November, 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on IN THE HEIGHTS. In The Heights broke the house record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre set by Disney's Tarzan the week of December 28, 2008, earning $1,121,695. IN THE HEIGHTS then topped its own record the week of January 4, 2009, earning $1,136,062.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung 'Tonight' (forgive us-but too easy) January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

Various online reports are indicating that Tony Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda will play his final performance as 'Usnavi' in his acclaimed Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 7pm. IN THE HEIGHTS opened to critical acclaim, going on to win four 2008 Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations), and garnering a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for the original cast album. In November, 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on IN THE HEIGHTS.

Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman, the lead producers of the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS, announced today in a statement the recoupment of the show's $10 million investment after running only 10 months (337 performances) since opening on Broadway Sunday, March 9, 2008, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street).

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. last night for its official out of town opening night. West Side Story will play a limited engagement at the National through January 17th, 2009. BroadwayWorld made sure to capture the opening night curtain call for this iconic classic!

The Washington Post has a wonderful article on the Spanish language additions to the iconic Broadway bound West Side Story. The Bilingual staging is getting much acclaim as it woos Washington D.C. audiences with the rich melodies of Leonard Bernstein.

The box office will open on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. for the new Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY will begin preview performances at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Broadway on Monday, February 23, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, March 19, 2009.

The box office will open on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. for the new Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY will begin preview performances at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Broadway on Monday, February 23, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, March 19, 2009.