Jessica Chastain to Make Her Broadway Debut in ‘The Heiress’

Jessica Chastain will make her Broadway debut this fall in The Heiress.

The play is based on the classic Henry James novel Washington Square and became an Academy Award-winning film.  Written by Ruth Goetz & Augustus Goetz, the show will be directed by Tony Award® nominated playwright and director Moisés Kaufman and will open in the Fall of 2012 at a theatre to be announced.

This production marks 17 years since the celebrated play was last seen on Broadway.  The original production premiered on Broadway in 1947 at the Biltmore Theatre.

A Juilliard graduate, Chastain’s stage work includes the title role of Salome, opposite Al Pacino, Othello at the Public Theater and Rodney’s Wife at Playwrights Horizons.

Paula Wagner, one of the producers said of Chastain: “I was immediately struck by Jessica’s talent and skill when I saw her on stage opposite Al Pacino in Salome. She is an actress with that rare ability to transition effortlessly between the stage and screen. Moisés Kaufman had the vision to see Jessica as the perfect actress to play one of the great psychologically complex female characters.”  Read more

The Stars of London’s ‘Ghost The Musical’ to Reprise Their Roles on Broadway (with video)

The producers of Ghost The Musical announced today that Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy will reprise their roles as Sam and Molly, which they originated in London’s hit West End production, when it premieres this Spring on Broadway.

The show will also star Bryce Pinkham as Carl Bruner and newcomer Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown. 

Preview performances will begin on March 15th, 2012 and opening night is scheduled for Monday, April 23.

A video that features the cast and some of the music, as well as cast bio’s are below.   Read more

Scarlett Johansson on her Broadway debut: “I’d spent four months bleeding all over the stage, completely exposed”

It seems scandal, even more than beauty, is truly in the eye of the beholder.  When Scarlett Johansson’s e-mail was hacked into, and nude photos were leaked onto the internet alongside those of multiple other stars, she reacted with her signature nonchalance.  “I know my best angles,” she recently told Vanity Fair, “They were sent to my husband.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  It’s not like I was shooting a porno.  Although,” she added, “There’s nothing wrong with that either.”

The invasion of privacy from the release of the pictures seems to pale in comparison to other ways Johansson has felt exposed in the past few years.  Her divorce from Ryan Reynolds (the recipient of the aforementioned photos) was public and painful.  Johansson says, “I really didn’t know what to do with myself.  It was such a strange time.  There was nothing that was interesting to me.  I had a very public separation.  It was difficult.  I felt very uncomfortable.”

Previous to the divorce, Johansson starred opposite Live Schreiber in a revival of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge.  She dove into the role and experience and says that it “completely took me over in every way.  I’d spent four months bleeding all over the stage, completely exposed.”  Read more

Jerry O’Connell Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice for his Broadway Debut: Living with Mom and Dad Again!

Look, I’m sorry… no matter what Jerry O’Connell does, I’ll always think of him as the chubby kid in Stand By Me.  Although I’m not sure if he’d be so bothered by that, it’s good to know that television star O’Connell is returning to his native Manhattan to star in his first Broadway show, Seminar.

But returning “home” has made things a bit difficult for O’Connell… because like struggling actors a lot younger than him, O’Connell actually moved back into his parents’ place!

O’Connell tells Broadway.com, “I was born and raised in Manhattan, and I’m staying in my parents’ apartment right now.  It’s a little awkward being well into my 30s and living with my parents again, but that’s how it goes.”

Of course, when you’re married to a beautiful woman like Rebecca Romijn it’s obvious that O’Connell won’t be sleeping at mom and dad’s for long.  Romijn is scheduled to join O’Connell in New York and was very supportive of his move.  He says, “When the opportunity to be part of Seminar came up, my wife and I knew it was something I would have to pursue.  It’s tough that we have to move, but I’m no stranger to New York; I take the number 1 [subway] train up here every day. There was no way I was going to turn Seminar down.”   Read more

Glee’s Darren Criss Will Make His Broadway Debut in ‘How To Succeed’

Darren Criss will make his Broadway debut in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying this coming January 3rd.

The Glee actor takes over the role from Daniel Radcliffe, who’s final performance will be January 1st.

Criss will only be in the show for 3 weeks because of his commitment to Glee.

I saw the show in April and loved it! I thought Radcliffe was great and worked his butt off. Criss will have some tough shoes to fill.

The press release is below.

Read more

Blair Underwood heading to Broadway

Blair Underwood will make his Broadway debut next season as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, the The New York Post is reporting.

The revival will open next March and the cast will be interracial.

No word yet on who will play Stella (yell it like Brando, I know you want to. I just did) and Blanche. “I don’t know who the producers are going to get, but two of my favorite actress are Anika Noni Rose and Sanaa Lathan. They are two Broadway babies I’d love to work with,” he said.

Personally, I think he’d rock the house in that show.

Robin Williams On His Broadway Debut

81 Year Old Actress Makes Her Broadway Debut

While most 81 year old’s are sitting back and thinking about the accomplishments they’ve made in their lives, Alice Duffy isn’t resting on her laurels. She’s just made her Broadway debut at age 81(!) in the Roundabout Theatre Company‘s revival of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter.

This is a totally inspirational story. Never give up your dreams!

Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig talk their careers and “A Steady Rain”

From USAToday.com:

On the show, A Steady Rain:
The gritty account of two Chicago policemen whose lives are upended by shattering events, some inspired by a real-life case, marks Craig’s Broadway debut.

Daniel Craig: “I just was fascinated by this great piece of writing, very emotional and disturbing but quite funny at points.”

Hugh Jackman: “It’s very raw — there are not many plays like it on Broadway.”

On Their Roles and careers:
Jackman: “I suppose the roles are different from others we’ve done, but that’s what you want. To be remembered for different things is something that motivates both of us.”

Craig: “We both come from places where the movie industry isn’t something you can walk straight into.”

Jackman: “Or make a living in.”

Craig: “In drama school, we’d have one day a term where someone brought a camera in, and we’d film each other mucking about. That was it, basically. People say that acting in theater and film are different disciplines, but I can’t agree completely. The only thing that matters in acting is truth. It’s all about making the audience believe you.”

The importance of working with a great actor:
Craig: “I don’t know how much smoke I should blow up his a—, but Hugh’s tremendously talented. When you’re on stage, you want to be looking at someone who’s intelligent and who’s got your back. It makes my job that much easier, lazy actor that I am.”

Katie Holmes debuts on Broadway

Katie Holmes received mixed reviews on Friday for her Broadway debut in the revival of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.” It’s ok though, Xenu will teach those reviewers a lesson.