Oh, Boy! 2003

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!)

Actress and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson, will release her debut picture book, titled You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) on June 18, 2024, illustrated by Paul Kellam. The story opens with a young girl named Lil TJ getting ready for her first day of school and telling her Grandma Patsy about making new friends. “Don’t forget, friendships take time,” Grandma reminds her, but Lil TJ throws herself into school with gusto . . . and immediately attracts the bullying attention of a boy who makes fun of her for her loud voice, colorful drawings, and larger-than-life personality.

After a nationwide search, Amphibian Stage has announced the artists selected to share their talents at SparkFest 2024. In 2024, SparkFest, the annual performing arts festival, will celebrate the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) community.

Join the orchestra on Thursday evening May 2 for a concert featuring a program filled with propulsive music of the Baroque era. Part of its Baroque by Candlelight series, this KCCO concert includes Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 unusually featuring the lower strings with violas soloists, cellos, bass, and harpsichord.

Miko Marks has released the deluxe version of her acclaimed 2022 LP Feel Like Going Home via Red Tone Records. Besides the original track list, the deluxe LP houses several reimagined tracks with featured performers including GRAMMYwinner Buddy Miller on “Lay Your Burdens Down,” the GRAMMY-wining historical ensemble Fisk Jubilee Singers on “Jubilee,” Snarky Puppy’s Mark Lettieri on “River,” and Oh Boy Records artist Tré Burt on “One More Night.” Listen to the album here!

On April 20, 2024, we will see Ringo release his 5th EP, Crooked Boy, as a special limited edition marble vinyl on Record Store Day. He has also shared some of the tour dates for his Ringo & His All Starr Band Fall tour which will see them return to a few of Ringo’s favorite venues including Fallsview Casino in Fallsview, ON where he has launched several tours and to Radio City Music Hall where he has performed 8 times with the All Starrs. See the dates here!

Shannon & The Clams have released their latest single “Big Wheel” and its accompanying music video. The song will be featured on their upcoming album The Moon Is In The Wrong Place, which is out May 10. Kicking off with resounding Moog synthesizer instrumentals and vocals from guitarist Cody Blanchard, “Big Wheel” chronicles the unavoidable passage of time and life’s impermanence. Watch the video here!

For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a particular Wizard School and conquered evil. This play, however, is not his story. It is the story of the Puffs, another group of well-meaning, loyal wizards at that famed wizarding school, who just happened to be around for all of that evil conquering, too.

We are halfway through Portland’s 2024 Fertile Ground Festival of New Works, and every show I’ve seen so far has reminded me why this is my favorite 11 days of the year.

You Do It Entertainment LTD with Carter Dixon McGill Productions will present a workshop and industry presentation of Colin Ross Waterson and Ben Hartley original new British musical, A SECOND CHANCE. Learn more about the show!

Stage Right's Theatre Company concludes its 2023-2024 season with the multi-Tony Award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS, featuring Russell Fischer.

Spirited Away is coming back to theaters. Tickets are on sale now for master director Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning adventure, Spirited Away, which returns to theaters in April for 5 nights of screenings nationwide. Coming off the blockbuster theatrical release, and triumphant Oscar win for the director’s latest feature, The Boy and the Heron, GKIDS and Fathom are thrilled to kick off the 2024 edition of Studio Ghibli Fest with the celebrated filmmaker’s previous Academy Award-winning feature. 

The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton is gearing up for the “world’s most successful Rock & Roll musical” - BUDDY! THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. Learn how to purchase tickets!

On May 14, 1998, Chris Pinnella was in his living room -- a 13-year-old boy -- when the death of Frank Sinatra, 82, was plastered all over the news. This was the same living room in the same beachfront home in Manasquan, New Jersey where Pinnella would watch his great-grandpa play the Chairman of the Board’s most heart-capturing hits on mandolin guitar in 1989 when he was only 4 years old: “Fly Me To the Moon,” “The Summer Wind.” 

BroadwayWorld spoke with Broadway alumn Megan McGinnis about coming back to SoCal, doing an exorcism in front of her 7-year-old son, and keeping a straight face while acting alongside Justin Collette’s Beetlejuice.  

When a successful theatre company presents a period musical they pray for a hit. With good actors, a witty script, great music, excellent direction, and clever choreography that can transport an entire audience back in time; Coachella Valley Repertory has compiled such a hit.

Singer Klea Blackhurst has long been doing tribute shows rich in song and Broadway history. Now, starting this Sunday, April 14th at 7 pm, Blackhurst will be revisiting each of these shows in a season-long series of “The Box Set” at Chelsea Table + Stage, starting this Sunday with “Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke’s Broadway.”

Broadway Palm has revealed its 32nd Season which includes eight main stage productions and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

The 2024 Olivier Awards are fast approaching on April 14. Ahead of one of the most exciting nights in theatreland, our critics – Aliya Al-Hassan, Mica Blackwell, Alexander Cohen, Katie Kirkpatrick, Kat Mokrynski, Gary Naylor, Kerrie Nicholson, Matthew Paluch and Christiana Rose share their thoughts about who and what will triumph on the night, as well as who should twin each category.

Currently at Rogue Machine, the Los Angeles Premiere of Christian St. Croix’ Monsters of the American Cinema, which just opened April 6, 2024, at the Matrix Theatre. Rogue Machine’s producing artistic director John Perrin Flynn directs the cast of Kevin Daniels and Logan Leonardo Arditty. John took some time out of his very busy schedule to answer a few of my queries.

Montreal goth-folk songwriter Ruby McKinnon, better known as Flower Face, makes her return with the dark and brooding “Cat’s Cradle.” Exploring the fine line between adoration and obsession, Flower Face’s hushed vocals dance amongst falling melodies from sullen strings and watery pianos.

Seminal New Jersey post-hardcore band Armor For Sleep will kick off a run of dates supporting Bayside's The Worse Things Than Being Alive Tour tonight, Wednesday, April 3, at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rock, PA.

Today, the Virginia-born, Los Angeles based artist, songwriter and producer Swamp Dogg released “Count The Days” (feat. Jenny Lewis), the second song to be released from his forthcoming album Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St.

“Oh, What a Night” as 3-D Theatricals in association with La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment will present JERSEY BOYS. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has revealed the full cast for Twelfth Night or What You Will. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.