Australian baritenor Ben Lewis, known for his role as the Phantom in 'Love Never Dies' and performances in both Australia and the UK, has died at 46 after battling bowel cancer. He was celebrated for his contributions to musical theatre and is survived by his wife, parents, and family.
Top high school performers from across the U.S. are in New York City competing in the Jimmy Awards, a prestigious national musical theatre competition, culminating in a performance on Broadway and recognition for their talent and dedication.
Angelina Jolie and her daughter Vivienne made a rare red carpet appearance at the opening night of Reefer Madness: The Musical in Los Angeles, alongside Kristen Bell. The event highlighted their shared love for musical theatre, with Jolie also being a head producer for The Outsiders musical, which has received 12 Tony nominations. Jolie expressed pride in her daughter's dedication to theatre, drawing parallels to her own mother.
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will return to Broadway this fall to star as "Rose" in a revival of the musical "Gypsy," directed by five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe. The production will begin performances on November 21, 2024, at the newly renovated Majestic Theatre, with tickets going on sale on May 30, 2024.
Sarah Snook reunites with Succession co-star Brian Cox at the Olivier Awards 2024, where she scoops the Best Actress award for her role in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Other winners include David Cumming for Best Actor in a Musical for Operation Mincemeat, Nicole Scherzinger for Best Actress in a Musical for Sunset Boulevard, and Dear England by James Graham for Best New Play. Sunset Boulevard and Guys and Dolls also received multiple awards in various categories.
Lauren A. Marchand and Langston Lee were named Best Performance winners at the 2023 Jimmy Awards, receiving $25,000 scholarships each. The awards showcase 96 high school students from around the US, with the winners chosen by a panel of judges. Marchand performed “With You” from Ghost The Musical, while Lee performed “Wondering” from The Bridges of Madison County. Both winners expressed their excitement and gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to meet and work with other talented performers.
Sheldon Harnick, the Tony-winning lyricist who collaborated with composer Jerry Bock on some of Broadway's most successful musicals, including Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me, has died at the age of 99. Harnick's lyrics were known for their humanity-rich quality and ability to express the hopes and fears of characters without crossing into sentimentality. He and Bock were nominated for Tony Awards for several productions, winning for Fiorello! and Fiddler on the Roof. Harnick remained creatively active until the end of his life, providing new lyrics for the 2016 revival of She Loves Me.
The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, has ended its 35-year run on Broadway, setting an all-time record. The musical, based on Gaston Leroux's novel, has been seen by over 140 million people worldwide and grossed over $6bn in revenue. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the show's lush, romantic score and extraordinary staging by director Hal Prince made it a hit. The show's producer, Cameron Mackintosh, is credited with changing how Broadway shows are marketed. The musical will likely make a comeback on Broadway in the future.
The first two episodes of Schmigadoon! Season 2, titled Schmicago, have been released on Apple TV+. The season takes on the grittier and darker musicals of the mid-’60s and ‘70s. The episodes feature parodies of Pippin, Cabaret, and Sweet Charity, among others, and introduce new characters played by Tituss Burgess and Patrick Page. The show continues to satirize the musical theatre genre while providing a comedic and entertaining experience for viewers.