Broadway’s A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical will play its final performance on Sunday, June 30, before launching a national tour this fall, producers announced today.
The musical, which began previews on November 2, 2022, at the Broadhurst Theatre and opened that year on December 4, will have played 35 preview performances and 657 regular performances when it closes.
The announcement was made today by producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, who said the production had grossed nearly $63M as of this week.
The musical, which charts the life and career of pop superstar Diamond and includes such hits as “Sweet Caroline,” “Cherry, Cherry” and “Solitary Man,” has seen up-and-down attendance in recent months, with figures for last week indicating that attendance was at just 65% of capacity. The show was one of only several that did not play to attendance of more than 90% capacity during the busy Presidents Day holiday week.
A North American...
The musical, which began previews on November 2, 2022, at the Broadhurst Theatre and opened that year on December 4, will have played 35 preview performances and 657 regular performances when it closes.
The announcement was made today by producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, who said the production had grossed nearly $63M as of this week.
The musical, which charts the life and career of pop superstar Diamond and includes such hits as “Sweet Caroline,” “Cherry, Cherry” and “Solitary Man,” has seen up-and-down attendance in recent months, with figures for last week indicating that attendance was at just 65% of capacity. The show was one of only several that did not play to attendance of more than 90% capacity during the busy Presidents Day holiday week.
A North American...
- 2/22/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Harmony, the Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman musical that opened in November to good reviews that never translated to big audiences, will play its final performance at the Barrymore Theatre on Sunday, February 4.
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief made the announcement this evening. At the time of its closing, Harmony will have played 24 previews and 96 regular performances. The musical began previews October 18 and opened November 13.
Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, Harmony tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a German vocal group that achieved international fame and success in the 1920s and ’30 but were all but wiped from history by the Nazis. At the peak of its career, the group sold millions of records, made dozens of films and played to sold-out venues around the world.
With a score by Manilow and book and lyrics by Sussman, Harmony stars Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Allison Semmes,...
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief made the announcement this evening. At the time of its closing, Harmony will have played 24 previews and 96 regular performances. The musical began previews October 18 and opened November 13.
Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, Harmony tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a German vocal group that achieved international fame and success in the 1920s and ’30 but were all but wiped from history by the Nazis. At the peak of its career, the group sold millions of records, made dozens of films and played to sold-out venues around the world.
With a score by Manilow and book and lyrics by Sussman, Harmony stars Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Allison Semmes,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
American Idol winner Nick Fradiani will take over the role of Neil Diamond this month from the departing Will Swenson in Broadway’s bio-musical A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio announced today.
Fradiani, who won the 2015 edition of American Idol and last year released his second album Past My Past, will begin his role in A Beautiful Noise on Tuesday, October 31 at the Broadhurst Theatre. As previously reported, Swenson’s final performance after originating the role a year ago will be on Sunday, Oct. 29.
“Neil Diamond’s music was a huge part of my childhood,” said Fradiani, who has been the alternate in the role since the show’s premiere, adding, “I have seen first-hand the love, passion, and excitement the audience has brought to our theater over the past year, and I’m so lucky to continue being a part of this beautiful story.
Fradiani, who won the 2015 edition of American Idol and last year released his second album Past My Past, will begin his role in A Beautiful Noise on Tuesday, October 31 at the Broadhurst Theatre. As previously reported, Swenson’s final performance after originating the role a year ago will be on Sunday, Oct. 29.
“Neil Diamond’s music was a huge part of my childhood,” said Fradiani, who has been the alternate in the role since the show’s premiere, adding, “I have seen first-hand the love, passion, and excitement the audience has brought to our theater over the past year, and I’m so lucky to continue being a part of this beautiful story.
- 10/5/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
A new Thursday matinee seems to be paying off for the Neil Diamond Broadway bio-musical A Beautiful Noise: Last week the show grossed more than $1 million, a nine-month high attributable at least in part to an unusual new performance schedule.
Last month, producer Ken Davenport announced that beginning in September the musical would no longer perform on Wednesday evenings, switching instead to a twice-on-Thursday schedule. According to a spokesperson for the production, attendance for the first Thursday matinee (September 7) was a near sell-out of 1,036, about double the July-August average attendance for Wednesday evening shows.
Although specific dollar amounts for the Thursday matinee were not disclosed, the gross was up 130% over the average Wednesday evening gross, according to the rep. For the week ending September 10, the show grossed a total of $1,008,409 for its eight weekly performances, compared to $892,495 the previous week.
When he announced the schedule change, Davenport said that Broadway...
Last month, producer Ken Davenport announced that beginning in September the musical would no longer perform on Wednesday evenings, switching instead to a twice-on-Thursday schedule. According to a spokesperson for the production, attendance for the first Thursday matinee (September 7) was a near sell-out of 1,036, about double the July-August average attendance for Wednesday evening shows.
Although specific dollar amounts for the Thursday matinee were not disclosed, the gross was up 130% over the average Wednesday evening gross, according to the rep. For the week ending September 10, the show grossed a total of $1,008,409 for its eight weekly performances, compared to $892,495 the previous week.
When he announced the schedule change, Davenport said that Broadway...
- 9/11/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers of the struggling A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical are hoping for better attendance by breaking with a long-held Broadway tradition: Beginning next month, the musical will play four weekly matinees rather than the usual three while cutting the number of evening performances to four from the traditional five.
Beginning Sept. 6, the Wednesday evening performance will be no more, with a matinee added on Thursdays to take its place. The number of weekly performances will remain the traditional eight.
In a lengthy statement on social media, producer Ken Davenport explained that he believes the 2020-21 Covid pandemic shutdown interrupted and changed audience habits and preferences. “If you are in the habit of doing something every day, getting up at 5 Am, going to the gym, etc, you’re likely to keep doing it,” Davenport writes. “If you skip a day … even one day … you’ll have a harder time getting back into your routine.
Beginning Sept. 6, the Wednesday evening performance will be no more, with a matinee added on Thursdays to take its place. The number of weekly performances will remain the traditional eight.
In a lengthy statement on social media, producer Ken Davenport explained that he believes the 2020-21 Covid pandemic shutdown interrupted and changed audience habits and preferences. “If you are in the habit of doing something every day, getting up at 5 Am, going to the gym, etc, you’re likely to keep doing it,” Davenport writes. “If you skip a day … even one day … you’ll have a harder time getting back into your routine.
- 8/23/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Sierra Boggess will reprise her role as ‘Mary’ in the Broadway production of Harmony, the new musical by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman that premiered Off Broadway last spring.
The Broadway staging is set to begin previews Wednesday, October 18, at the Barrymore Theatre ahead of an official opening night on Monday, November 13.
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief made the casting announcement today.
Boggess is best-known for originating the role of ‘Ariel’ in The Little Mermaid on Broadway in 2007 and her multiple appearances as ‘Christine Daaé’ in The Phantom of the Opera.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to Broadway in Harmony,” said Boggess. “I think the telling of this story is so deeply important and I’m honored to bring ‘Mary’ to life in this long-awaited Broadway debut for the show. I’ve been lucky to be a part of the process for many years in...
The Broadway staging is set to begin previews Wednesday, October 18, at the Barrymore Theatre ahead of an official opening night on Monday, November 13.
Producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief made the casting announcement today.
Boggess is best-known for originating the role of ‘Ariel’ in The Little Mermaid on Broadway in 2007 and her multiple appearances as ‘Christine Daaé’ in The Phantom of the Opera.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to Broadway in Harmony,” said Boggess. “I think the telling of this story is so deeply important and I’m honored to bring ‘Mary’ to life in this long-awaited Broadway debut for the show. I’ve been lucky to be a part of the process for many years in...
- 6/15/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Julie Benko, who has built a devoted following as the Funny Girl understudy and alternate Fanny Brice, will originate her first Broadway role this fall in the new musical Harmony by by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman.
Benko will play the role of Ruth, producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief announced today. The production will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of an official opening night on Monday, November 13.
“It is rare to be offered the chance to be part of a Broadway show that resonates so deeply on both personal and political levels,” Benko said in a statement. “I’m so proud to be a part of Harmony and tremendously grateful to Barry, Bruce, Warren, Ken, and the entire team for entrusting me with Ruth’s story. I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with the brilliant company this Fall.
Benko will play the role of Ruth, producers Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief announced today. The production will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of an official opening night on Monday, November 13.
“It is rare to be offered the chance to be part of a Broadway show that resonates so deeply on both personal and political levels,” Benko said in a statement. “I’m so proud to be a part of Harmony and tremendously grateful to Barry, Bruce, Warren, Ken, and the entire team for entrusting me with Ruth’s story. I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with the brilliant company this Fall.
- 6/1/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Chip Zien will reprise his Off Broadway performance in the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony when the production moves to Broadway this fall.
Zien will star as “Rabbi,” a role he originated last year in the Off Broadway production at National Yiddish Theatre/Folksbiene. He joins the previously announced Broadway cast members Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey, who will be playing the six real-life Comedian Harmonists at the center of the musical.
Harmony will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Further casting will be announced in the coming weeks.
Based on a true story, Harmony tells the tale of The Comedian Harmonists, a German, partly-Jewish vocal group of the 1920s and ’30s who became international stars before being targeted by the Nazi party. The musical, based in part on...
Zien will star as “Rabbi,” a role he originated last year in the Off Broadway production at National Yiddish Theatre/Folksbiene. He joins the previously announced Broadway cast members Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey, who will be playing the six real-life Comedian Harmonists at the center of the musical.
Harmony will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Further casting will be announced in the coming weeks.
Based on a true story, Harmony tells the tale of The Comedian Harmonists, a German, partly-Jewish vocal group of the 1920s and ’30s who became international stars before being targeted by the Nazi party. The musical, based in part on...
- 5/11/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Harmony, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical that played a sold-out run at New York’s National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene last spring, will move to Broadway this fall, producers announced today.
The production will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Casting will be announced in the coming weeks
Harmony chronicles the real-life story of The Comedian Harmonists, who sold millions of records in the 1920s and ’30s, made dozens of films, and sold out major venues around the world. The official synopsis “Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom. What happened next is the story of Harmony.”
The musical features an original new score by Manilow with lyrics and book by Sussman. Warren Carlyle is the director and choreographer,...
The production will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Casting will be announced in the coming weeks
Harmony chronicles the real-life story of The Comedian Harmonists, who sold millions of records in the 1920s and ’30s, made dozens of films, and sold out major venues around the world. The official synopsis “Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom. What happened next is the story of Harmony.”
The musical features an original new score by Manilow with lyrics and book by Sussman. Warren Carlyle is the director and choreographer,...
- 4/28/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Will Swenson will reprise his Boston performance in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical when the production moves to Broadway this fall, producers confirmed today.
Swenson will be joined in New York by his Boston costars Mark Jacoby (Swenson and Jacoby play Diamond at different stages of the icon’s life), Robyn Hurder as Marcia, and Linda Powell as Doctor.
The castings were announced today by producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio. A Beautiful Noise begins previews Wednesday, November 2 ahead of a Sunday, December 4 opening night at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Rounding out the cast will be Jessie Fisher, Michael McCormick, Tom Alan Robbins, and Bri Sudia as Ellie Greenwich and Rose Diamond.
Director Michael Mayer said in a statement, “I’m excited to bring our stunning company to the Broadhurst this fall to celebrate the music and life of Neil Diamond. His exceptional career speaks for itself, and I...
Swenson will be joined in New York by his Boston costars Mark Jacoby (Swenson and Jacoby play Diamond at different stages of the icon’s life), Robyn Hurder as Marcia, and Linda Powell as Doctor.
The castings were announced today by producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio. A Beautiful Noise begins previews Wednesday, November 2 ahead of a Sunday, December 4 opening night at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Rounding out the cast will be Jessie Fisher, Michael McCormick, Tom Alan Robbins, and Bri Sudia as Ellie Greenwich and Rose Diamond.
Director Michael Mayer said in a statement, “I’m excited to bring our stunning company to the Broadhurst this fall to celebrate the music and life of Neil Diamond. His exceptional career speaks for itself, and I...
- 9/6/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
In rapid succession, three longer-running Broadway shows announced a fall closing, bringing to light the challenges the industry still faces after reopening.
The closing notices, announced the week of June 6, came from Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away, both of which opened in 2017 and were largely sold out before the pandemic, as well as Tina-the Tina Turner Musical, which had also posted strong sales after opening in 2019. All three shows were caught in the middle of a trend impacting most Broadway shows this season, in which there have not been enough attendees to support the number of running productions. The hope is that this changes this summer, but the fallout is likely not over yet.
When Broadway theaters reopened this fall, following an 18-month shutdown, all productions were starting from scratch. This put global brands such as Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera...
In rapid succession, three longer-running Broadway shows announced a fall closing, bringing to light the challenges the industry still faces after reopening.
The closing notices, announced the week of June 6, came from Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away, both of which opened in 2017 and were largely sold out before the pandemic, as well as Tina-the Tina Turner Musical, which had also posted strong sales after opening in 2019. All three shows were caught in the middle of a trend impacting most Broadway shows this season, in which there have not been enough attendees to support the number of running productions. The hope is that this changes this summer, but the fallout is likely not over yet.
When Broadway theaters reopened this fall, following an 18-month shutdown, all productions were starting from scratch. This put global brands such as Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera...
- 6/21/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As expected, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical is heading to Broadway, with producers announcing today that previews will begin Wednesday, November 2, at the Broadhurst Theatre, with an official opening night on Sunday, Dec. 4.
The musical, which features a score of Diamond’s songs, currently is in rehearsals in New York for its upcoming world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre, where it will play a strictly limited six-week engagement from Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, July 31.
The New York dates were announced today by producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio. The producers note that the Broadway dates coincide with the 50th anniversary of a series of concerts Diamond gave in October 1972 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre.
Casting for the Broadway production of A Beautiful Noise will be announced soon. Last month, Deadline reported that the Boston cast would include Tony Award nominees Will Swenson, Mark Jacoby and Robyn Hurder,...
The musical, which features a score of Diamond’s songs, currently is in rehearsals in New York for its upcoming world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre, where it will play a strictly limited six-week engagement from Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, July 31.
The New York dates were announced today by producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio. The producers note that the Broadway dates coincide with the 50th anniversary of a series of concerts Diamond gave in October 1972 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre.
Casting for the Broadway production of A Beautiful Noise will be announced soon. Last month, Deadline reported that the Boston cast would include Tony Award nominees Will Swenson, Mark Jacoby and Robyn Hurder,...
- 5/18/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The upcoming pre-Broadway world premiere engagement of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical in Boston has cast Tony Award nominees Mark Jacoby and Robyn Hurder, and Linda Powell to its cast, producers said today.
Jacoby will play the musical icon as he is now, while the previously announced Will Swenson will portray Diamond as a young man. Jacoby’s casting is the first indication that A Beautiful Noise will include two actors portraying the singer-songwriter.
“Neil Diamond has had a myriad of career highs which are a joy to celebrate, but sometimes as artists we look back and only see the mistakes, the roads not taken, the failures, and the aftermath success can leave behind,” said director Michael Mayer in a statement. “Anthony McCarten’s book for A Beautiful Noise beautifully weaves these two perspectives together: the highs and the lows, looking forward and looking back, the artist...
Jacoby will play the musical icon as he is now, while the previously announced Will Swenson will portray Diamond as a young man. Jacoby’s casting is the first indication that A Beautiful Noise will include two actors portraying the singer-songwriter.
“Neil Diamond has had a myriad of career highs which are a joy to celebrate, but sometimes as artists we look back and only see the mistakes, the roads not taken, the failures, and the aftermath success can leave behind,” said director Michael Mayer in a statement. “Anthony McCarten’s book for A Beautiful Noise beautifully weaves these two perspectives together: the highs and the lows, looking forward and looking back, the artist...
- 4/21/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Broadway-aimed stage musical adaptation of the Vacation film franchise has a new launch: The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation, The Musical will debut in September at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre.
Originally planned, pre-Covid, for Fall 2020, the musical (formerly known by working title Broadway Vacation) will run from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 in Seattle, followed by an engagement at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars from Oct. 25 to Nov. 6.
The dates were announced today by producer Ken Davenport. The announcement described the engagements as “prior to Broadway,” with Broadway dates and venue “to be announced.”
The musical is based on the characters from the Warner Bros. Vacation franchise, which starred Chevy Chase and included 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation, National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997) and the 2015 remake Vacation starring Ed Helms.
“I couldn’t think of a better place for...
Originally planned, pre-Covid, for Fall 2020, the musical (formerly known by working title Broadway Vacation) will run from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 in Seattle, followed by an engagement at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars from Oct. 25 to Nov. 6.
The dates were announced today by producer Ken Davenport. The announcement described the engagements as “prior to Broadway,” with Broadway dates and venue “to be announced.”
The musical is based on the characters from the Warner Bros. Vacation franchise, which starred Chevy Chase and included 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation, National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997) and the 2015 remake Vacation starring Ed Helms.
“I couldn’t think of a better place for...
- 3/8/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Tony-nominated actor Will Swenson has been cast as Neil Diamond in the Broadway-bound musical about the “Sweet Caroline” singer-songwriter, producers announced today.
Swenson will play the title role in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical when the production makes its world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre this summer. Producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio have indicated the musical is aimed at Broadway, though production dates and specific plans for New York have not been announced.
Swenson, whose Broadway credits include his Tony-nominated performance in Diane Paulus’ production of Hair and most recently starred in the acclaimed Off Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, has been cast as Diamond for the six-week Boston engagement that kicks off Tuesday, June 21, and plays through Sunday, July 31.
A Beautiful Noise tells Diamond’s life story and includes a score of his many hit songs. The musical features a book...
Swenson will play the title role in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical when the production makes its world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre this summer. Producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio have indicated the musical is aimed at Broadway, though production dates and specific plans for New York have not been announced.
Swenson, whose Broadway credits include his Tony-nominated performance in Diane Paulus’ production of Hair and most recently starred in the acclaimed Off Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, has been cast as Diamond for the six-week Boston engagement that kicks off Tuesday, June 21, and plays through Sunday, July 31.
A Beautiful Noise tells Diamond’s life story and includes a score of his many hit songs. The musical features a book...
- 3/4/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Kathleen Turner, famed actress of movies (Body Heat) and stage (The Graduate), slammed the U.S. Supreme Court for its approach to women’s reproductive rights at one-woman show, Finding My Voice, produced by Ken Davenport, at New York City’s famed Town Hall. Turner described her itinerant childhood moving from country to country in the show, but […]
The post Kathleen Turner Blasts Supreme Court On Abortion Rights During One-Woman Show appeared first on uInterview.
The post Kathleen Turner Blasts Supreme Court On Abortion Rights During One-Woman Show appeared first on uInterview.
- 12/26/2021
- by Erik Meers
- Uinterview
The previously untitled Broadway musical based on the life of Neil Diamond now has a name.
Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, the producers on the show, announced on Tuesday that A Beautiful Noise will have its world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre next summer in a limited four-week engagement. Performances will begin Tuesday, June 21st, 2022, and play through Sunday, July 17th, 2022, before the show heads to Broadway.
“I’ve had the joy of coming to Boston on countless occasions, but one of the most special was my 2013 trip...
Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, the producers on the show, announced on Tuesday that A Beautiful Noise will have its world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre next summer in a limited four-week engagement. Performances will begin Tuesday, June 21st, 2022, and play through Sunday, July 17th, 2022, before the show heads to Broadway.
“I’ve had the joy of coming to Boston on countless occasions, but one of the most special was my 2013 trip...
- 4/6/2021
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
A Beautiful Noise, the new name for the previously untitled Broadway-bound musical about the life and songs of Neil Diamond, will stage its world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre in June 2022, producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio announced today.
“I’ve had the joy of coming to Boston on countless occasions,” Diamond said in a statement, “but one of the most special was my 2013 trip to Fenway where I had the honor of being part of a moment of relief, unity, strength, and love. Next summer, when A Beautiful Noise has its first performance at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, and we’re all able to safely be in the same space together, experiencing the thrill of live theater, I imagine those same emotions will wash over me and the entire audience. Relief… Unity… Strength… Love… I can’t wait to share that experience.”
The musical, with a book...
“I’ve had the joy of coming to Boston on countless occasions,” Diamond said in a statement, “but one of the most special was my 2013 trip to Fenway where I had the honor of being part of a moment of relief, unity, strength, and love. Next summer, when A Beautiful Noise has its first performance at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, and we’re all able to safely be in the same space together, experiencing the thrill of live theater, I imagine those same emotions will wash over me and the entire audience. Relief… Unity… Strength… Love… I can’t wait to share that experience.”
The musical, with a book...
- 4/6/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Last spring, in the early days of Broadway’s Covid-19 pandemic shutdown, news reports and industry chatter referred to an eventual reopening as if a light switch would be flipped and the marquees of all 41 theaters would light up the Midtown night. Actors had left their dressing rooms full of the usual personal stuff — street clothes, photos, charms — as if they’d soon be back from a long holiday weekend.
The optimism was short lived, as the shutdown was extended time and again — April, June, September, January, June again. News got grim, and then more grim. The National Endowment for the Arts recently released figures indicating that while the overall unemployment rate has averaged 8.5 percent, the average among actors was 52 percent.
But the arrival of two Covid-19 vaccines this fall has reignited at least some of that optimism, with Broadway insiders now expressing confidence that at...
The optimism was short lived, as the shutdown was extended time and again — April, June, September, January, June again. News got grim, and then more grim. The National Endowment for the Arts recently released figures indicating that while the overall unemployment rate has averaged 8.5 percent, the average among actors was 52 percent.
But the arrival of two Covid-19 vaccines this fall has reignited at least some of that optimism, with Broadway insiders now expressing confidence that at...
- 12/30/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
More than 200 million TikTok users can hum along to selections from Ratatouille: The Musical, a statistic all the more impressive considering there’s kinda really no such thing as Ratatouille: The Musical.
At least, not in any traditional Broadway sense, though the line is about to get very blurred. The production company behind Broadway’s Slave Play and Sea Wall/A Life will present a one-time streaming event called Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical as a New Year’s Day benefit for the Actors Fund.
Details – who will perform, which songs – have not yet been announced, but here’s what you need to know: In recent months, with musical theater fans – and a surprisingly high number of very talented musical theater fans at that – have written, choreographed, performed and posted on TikTok songs for an imaginary musical based on the Disney-Pixar 2007 animated film Ratatouille.
The meme kicked into high gear in...
At least, not in any traditional Broadway sense, though the line is about to get very blurred. The production company behind Broadway’s Slave Play and Sea Wall/A Life will present a one-time streaming event called Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical as a New Year’s Day benefit for the Actors Fund.
Details – who will perform, which songs – have not yet been announced, but here’s what you need to know: In recent months, with musical theater fans – and a surprisingly high number of very talented musical theater fans at that – have written, choreographed, performed and posted on TikTok songs for an imaginary musical based on the Disney-Pixar 2007 animated film Ratatouille.
The meme kicked into high gear in...
- 12/9/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadway Vacation The Musical, with characters from the popular Chevy Chase-fronted film franchise, will make its world premiere at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre this Fall.
Though no announcement was made regarding actual Broadway plans for Broadway Vacation, the Seattle venue has been the starting ground for various New York-bound productions over the years, including Hairspray, Aladdin, Memphis and First Date starring Zachary Levi, among others.
The Seattle production was announced today by 5th Avenue’s Artistic Director Bill Berry and Broadway producer Ken Davenport.
The musical will feature a book, music and lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, with direction and choreography by Donna Feore. Casting was not announced.
“We could not be more thrilled to create the world premiere of this joyfully riotous story at The 5th,” said Berry. “I can’t wait to begin our 2020/21 season with...
Though no announcement was made regarding actual Broadway plans for Broadway Vacation, the Seattle venue has been the starting ground for various New York-bound productions over the years, including Hairspray, Aladdin, Memphis and First Date starring Zachary Levi, among others.
The Seattle production was announced today by 5th Avenue’s Artistic Director Bill Berry and Broadway producer Ken Davenport.
The musical will feature a book, music and lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, with direction and choreography by Donna Feore. Casting was not announced.
“We could not be more thrilled to create the world premiere of this joyfully riotous story at The 5th,” said Berry. “I can’t wait to begin our 2020/21 season with...
- 1/13/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The 5th Avenue Theatre hasannounced that it will begin its 202021 Season with the world premiere of Broadway Vacation, The Musical, produced in association with Ken Davenport. Broadway Vacation features a book, music, and lyrics by writers and performers David Rossmer and Steve Rosen The Other Josh Cohen and direction and choreography by Donna Feore. Playing Fall 2020, Broadway Vacation marks the 24th new musical to be produced by The 5th Avenue Theatre.
- 1/13/2020
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene Pushes Premiere Date of Musical Harmony by Barry Manilow to 2021
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek and Executive Director Dominick Balletta, in association with Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport, today announced that New York debut of the new musical Harmony by the legendary Barry Manilow and his longtime collaborator Bruce Sussman will be postponed until 2021 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage a A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place, NYC. The show was previously scheduled to start performances on February 11, 2020.
- 12/6/2019
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
A Neil Diamond bio-musical, with a score by the iconic singer-songwriter and a book by Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten, is heading to Broadway. Producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio announced today that the as-yet-untitled project is in development.
Michael Mayer will direct.
Diamond – the man behind “Sweet Caroline,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and “Song Sung Blue,” to name just a small few – said in a statement, “I’ve always loved Broadway. The inspiration for many of my early songs came from shows like West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof, so it seems only fitting to bring my songs to The Great White Way. I’m honored and excited to be working with this great team.”
Said McCarten, “On the mantle-piece in my childhood home in New Zealand, there were always two pictures: one was of the Pope,...
Michael Mayer will direct.
Diamond – the man behind “Sweet Caroline,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and “Song Sung Blue,” to name just a small few – said in a statement, “I’ve always loved Broadway. The inspiration for many of my early songs came from shows like West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof, so it seems only fitting to bring my songs to The Great White Way. I’m honored and excited to be working with this great team.”
Said McCarten, “On the mantle-piece in my childhood home in New Zealand, there were always two pictures: one was of the Pope,...
- 7/1/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Broadway producer Ken Davenport, whose revival of the Caribbean-themed Once on This Island took the top Tony Award in its category last year, has obtained the Broadway stage rights to the life story of singer and activist Harry Belafonte.
Details – casting, creative team, production timeline – about the as-yet-untitled musical will be announced at a later date.
“Harry Belafonte is one of the most influential and respected Americans of the past century,” Davenport said in making the announcement. “I’m excited to be working with Mr. Belafonte to bring his powerful life story, about a son of immigrants who made a profound impact on the lives of Americans and millions of people around the world, to the theatrical stage.”
Said Belafonte in a statement, “The live theater opened up so many worlds for me as a young man. From the moment I saw professional actors on stage, I knew I could...
Details – casting, creative team, production timeline – about the as-yet-untitled musical will be announced at a later date.
“Harry Belafonte is one of the most influential and respected Americans of the past century,” Davenport said in making the announcement. “I’m excited to be working with Mr. Belafonte to bring his powerful life story, about a son of immigrants who made a profound impact on the lives of Americans and millions of people around the world, to the theatrical stage.”
Said Belafonte in a statement, “The live theater opened up so many worlds for me as a young man. From the moment I saw professional actors on stage, I knew I could...
- 2/4/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Once on This Island is shoving off for good soon. The show, which won this year’s Tony Award for Best Revival, will stage its final Broadway performance January 6, its producers said today.
After closing night, it will have played 458 performances and 29 previews. A national touring production will launch in fall 2019, with details Tba.
“It has been a great privilege to bring Lynn Ahrens’ and Stephen Flaherty’s groundbreaking show back to Broadway under Michael Arden’s incredible direction,” the producers said. “Michael’s brilliant staging, along with the perfect cast and a revolutionary design, are the reasons that the show won the Tony Award and received critical acclaim, and ran as long as the first production in 1990, again delighting audiences for more than 450 performances.”
Written by Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music) and based on Rosa Guy’s novel My Love, My Love, Once On This...
After closing night, it will have played 458 performances and 29 previews. A national touring production will launch in fall 2019, with details Tba.
“It has been a great privilege to bring Lynn Ahrens’ and Stephen Flaherty’s groundbreaking show back to Broadway under Michael Arden’s incredible direction,” the producers said. “Michael’s brilliant staging, along with the perfect cast and a revolutionary design, are the reasons that the show won the Tony Award and received critical acclaim, and ran as long as the first production in 1990, again delighting audiences for more than 450 performances.”
Written by Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music) and based on Rosa Guy’s novel My Love, My Love, Once On This...
- 11/28/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
These boots were made for Broadway, and that’s just where they’ll be — until the spring. Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig said today that Kinky Boots, which won six Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2013, will close on April 7.
When the final curtain falls, it will have played 2,507 regular performances and 34 previews — good for the 25th-longest-running show in Main Stem history.
“When we first set out to make this show, we never could have imagined the success it would have here on Broadway and around the world,” said co-creators Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, who became the first woman to win the Tony for Best Score. “We speak on behalf of the entire company when we say how grateful we are to the fans who have embraced our work across four continents, and counting.”
Based on the 2005 Miramax film written by Geoff Deane & Tim Firth, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price,...
When the final curtain falls, it will have played 2,507 regular performances and 34 previews — good for the 25th-longest-running show in Main Stem history.
“When we first set out to make this show, we never could have imagined the success it would have here on Broadway and around the world,” said co-creators Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, who became the first woman to win the Tony for Best Score. “We speak on behalf of the entire company when we say how grateful we are to the fans who have embraced our work across four continents, and counting.”
Based on the 2005 Miramax film written by Geoff Deane & Tim Firth, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price,...
- 9/29/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Gettin’ The Band Back Together, the rock musical that just opened August 13 at the Belasco Theatre, has set its last performance for Sunday, September 30. It will have played 30 previews and 40 performances. The producers announced the decision Friday.
“It’s not just the money, but when a team of the most creative people you know spends years of their lives working toward a common goal, and it doesn’t turn out the way you all dreamed..it’s heart-crushing,” producer Ken Davenport wrote candidly in a blog post about the decision, which he said made over the past 24 hours.
Davenport said the call was especially tough as he said “surveys of actual Telecharge ticket buyers and got a 98.2% positive rating, and an exceptionally high “Net Promoter Score.” (How likely they are to tell their friends and family to get tickets.),” he said.
“It’s not just the money, but when a team of the most creative people you know spends years of their lives working toward a common goal, and it doesn’t turn out the way you all dreamed..it’s heart-crushing,” producer Ken Davenport wrote candidly in a blog post about the decision, which he said made over the past 24 hours.
Davenport said the call was especially tough as he said “surveys of actual Telecharge ticket buyers and got a 98.2% positive rating, and an exceptionally high “Net Promoter Score.” (How likely they are to tell their friends and family to get tickets.),” he said.
- 9/1/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer Ken Davenport has racked up an impressive collection of Tony Award nominations (and a couple of wins) for shows like “Once on This Island,” “Kinky Boots,” and “Spring Awakening.” But co-writing the book (with improv comedy group the Grundleshotz) for “Gettin’ The Band Back Together,” a musical about a 40-year-old Jersey boy who realizes his dream of starting a rock ‘n’ roll band, was surely a singular labor of love. At a recent preview, Davenport actually got up on stage before the show to tell us so, getting a big laugh by sharing the information that his Barry Manilow high-school tribute band called itself “The Barely Manilows.”
The writer-producer’s affection comes through in the show, which opens, appropriately enough, with a song called “Jersey.” “Perfect beaches and snow-capped hills / It’s like New York but you can pay your bills,” sing the hard-working chorus boys and girls, amusingly...
The writer-producer’s affection comes through in the show, which opens, appropriately enough, with a song called “Jersey.” “Perfect beaches and snow-capped hills / It’s like New York but you can pay your bills,” sing the hard-working chorus boys and girls, amusingly...
- 8/14/2018
- by Marilyn Stasio
- Variety Film + TV
Think Broadway is big now? Then get ready, because the boom is just beginning.
So says Ken Davenport, the producer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of “Once On This Island,” on the latest episode of Stagecraft, Variety‘s theater podcast.
Listen to this week’s podcast for free below and at Apple Podcasts:
“People thought, oh, Broadway’s been booming over the last couple of years? It’s about to experience another [boom],” Davenport predicted. “When ‘Hamilton’ opened, there weren’t kids in the Philippines wearing ‘Hamilton’ T-shirts. There are kids right now in the Philippines wearing ‘Harry Potter‘ and ‘Frozen‘ T-shirts. They’re gonna want to come here.”
Davenport’s revival of “Once On This Island” gave watchers one of the biggest surprises of Tony night, snatching the trophy for musical revival away from its more traditional competition, including the perceived frontrunner “My Fair Lady.” How’d he pull it off?...
So says Ken Davenport, the producer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of “Once On This Island,” on the latest episode of Stagecraft, Variety‘s theater podcast.
Listen to this week’s podcast for free below and at Apple Podcasts:
“People thought, oh, Broadway’s been booming over the last couple of years? It’s about to experience another [boom],” Davenport predicted. “When ‘Hamilton’ opened, there weren’t kids in the Philippines wearing ‘Hamilton’ T-shirts. There are kids right now in the Philippines wearing ‘Harry Potter‘ and ‘Frozen‘ T-shirts. They’re gonna want to come here.”
Davenport’s revival of “Once On This Island” gave watchers one of the biggest surprises of Tony night, snatching the trophy for musical revival away from its more traditional competition, including the perceived frontrunner “My Fair Lady.” How’d he pull it off?...
- 6/26/2018
- by Gordon Cox
- Variety Film + TV
The Griswolds are headed to the Great White Way.
Producers Ken Davenport (Once on This Island) and Kurt Deutsch announced on Monday that they have optioned the rights to develop a musical based on the iconic Vacation film franchise with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
According to Davenport, the production, titled Broadway Vacation, will follow Clark Griswold (whose character was originated by Chevy Chase) and his family as they touch down for the first time in the heart of New York City’s theater district.
“Both Kurt and I came of age on the Vacation films series and can’t wait to bring the Griswolds to Broadway,”...
Producers Ken Davenport (Once on This Island) and Kurt Deutsch announced on Monday that they have optioned the rights to develop a musical based on the iconic Vacation film franchise with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
According to Davenport, the production, titled Broadway Vacation, will follow Clark Griswold (whose character was originated by Chevy Chase) and his family as they touch down for the first time in the heart of New York City’s theater district.
“Both Kurt and I came of age on the Vacation films series and can’t wait to bring the Griswolds to Broadway,”...
- 3/26/2018
- by Evan Real
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Clark Griswold and his hapless family of four may soon be hitting the road for Broadway. Producers Ken Davenport (“Once on This Island”) and Kurt Deutsch announced Monday that they have optioned the rights to develop a stage musical based on the “Vacation” film franchise by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. No composer or book writer has yet been announced for the adaptation, which is in the early stages of development. The producers hinted that the film’s suburban Griswold family may be bound for a vacation in New York City — a departure from the original 1983 comedy in which...
- 3/26/2018
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Mama Will Provide...a cast album for the revival of Once on This Island Broadway Records announced that the album will be released on CD and digitally at most major music retailers on February 23, 2018. The release of Once On This Island will mark the 100th new release by Broadway Records since the label was established in 2012. The album is produced by Elliot Scheiner, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, Hunter Arnold and Ken Davenport.
- 12/22/2017
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
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