Jay Binder News

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), began performances Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012. Get a first look at the cast on stage in the photos below!

The new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award® winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award® nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), begins performances tonight, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012.

The new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award® winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award® nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), begins performances Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012.

The company of THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, which opens August 2 upstairs at The Westside Theatre, met the press yesterday, June 21, and treated the audience to a performace preview. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the show and to speak with the exciting team. Click below to go inside the press day!

The company of THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, which opens August 2 upstairs at The Westside Theatre, met the press yesterday, June 21, and treated the audience to a performace preview. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the show and meet and greet and brings you photo coverage below!

The company of THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, which opens August 2 upstairs at The Westside Theatre, met the press today. Check out photos of the cast-Natalie Venetia Belcon, Jake Boyd, John Bolton and Farah Alvin-and creative team below!

The four member cast will feature Drama Desk Nominee Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) as Pam, Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q) as Phyllis, John Bolton (A Christmas Story, "Gossip Girl") as Ernie, and Jake Boyd (MCC's Carrie) as Jimmy. Performances begin Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street), with an official Opening Night set for Thursday, August 2, 2012.

The new musical comedy The Last Smoker in America will get its New York premiere this summer, it was announced today. The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), will be directed by Tony Award-winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man) and choreographed by Tony Award® nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose). Performances begin Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street), with an official Opening Night set for Thursday, August 2, 2012. Casting will be announced shortly.

Rhoda Herrick and The AESOP Group will present an invitation-only, industry reading of new a musical Aesop & Company: The Fabled New Musical Comedy Friday, November 4, 2011 at 2:30 PM.

New York City Center will reopen following a historic renovation and modernization with a star-studded gala on October 25.

This season in Studio 5 at City Center, renowned dancer-turned director Damian Woetzel will offer an intimate look at today's most compelling dance artists and companies, including American Ballet Theatre and Christopher Wheeldon, and Tony Award-winning performer and master teacher Victoria Clark will explore City Center's beloved Encores! series.

New York City Center will reopen following a historic renovation and modernization with a star-studded gala on October 25. The event will kick off a celebratory season of new and expanded programming, festivals, exhibits, a special commission, and performances by world-class dance and theater companies. The renovation, designed by Ennead Architects, LLP (formerly Polshek Partnership), has transformed the landmark building into a contemporary cultural center complete with modern amenities and enhanced historic details, from the mezzanine lobby's painted ceiling and murals to the auditorium's arabesque dome. City Center is located on 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

The Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) is proud to have just completed its 21st consecutive phenomenal three week intensive training program developing key aspects of the Performing Arts and teaching critical life skills for extraordinary theatrical young people on the campus of University of South Florida.

After garnering some of the best reviews of the season, Born Yesterday is set to close following the matinee on Sunday, June 26; it will have played 28 previews and 73 performances. The production, which stars Jim Belushi, Robert Sean Leonard, and Nina Arianda, opened Sunday, April 24, at Broadway's Cort Theatre, 138 West 48 Street. Doug Hughes directed the classic Garson Kanin comedy.

After garnering some of the best reviews of the season, Born Yesterday is set to close following the matinee on Sunday, June 26; it will have played 28 previews and 73 performances. The production, which stars Jim Belushi, Robert Sean Leonard, and Nina Arianda, opened Sunday, April 24, at Broadway's Cort Theatre, 138 West 48 Street. Doug Hughes directed the classic Garson Kanin comedy.

To celebrate the release of her new book Rock the Audition: How to Prepare For and Get Cast in Rock Musicals (Hal Leonard Books, May 24th) Sheri will performing in concert at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street) on the evening of the book's release - May 24th at 8:00pm.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series, part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitor Center and Mini-Museum The Tony Award Documentary Films Series is featuring three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Broadway musical. The Tony Awards Showcase, featuring historic Tony memorabilia, is open until the end of June and free to the public.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched this week, May 9, as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special event and brings you the panel disussion below.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series, part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitor Center and Mini-Museum The Tony Award Documentary Films Series is featuring three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Broadway musical. The Tony Awards Showcase, featuring historic Tony memorabilia, is open until the end of June and free to the public.

To celebrate the release of her new book Rock the Audition: How to Prepare For and Get Cast in Rock Musicals (Hal Leonard Books, May 24th) Sheri will performing in concert at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street) on the evening of the book's release - May 24th at 8:00pm.