Ray Mercer News

A terrifically sung and designed mounting can't mask the lack of strong storytelling.

New York: Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera gets its NY premiere at this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in July. Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera has music and lyrics by Ryan Hayes & Garrett Sherwood, book by Jon Peter Lewis, Ryan Hayes & Garrett Sherwood and will be co-directed by Jon Peter Lewis and Michael Rader, with musical direction by Ben Mathews and choreography by Ray Mercer. Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera will play July 17 - July 24, 2015 at The Griffin Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street). 

On Sunday, June 21, 9:30 pm & Midnight, Broadway Bares is back and sexier than ever. The event will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom located in the Manhattan Center (311 West 34th Street, NYC). BROADWAY BARES is an annual event that consists of an evening of sexy striptease that benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This year the event will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a spectacular edition, Broadway Bares: Top Bottoms of Burlesque, a show inspired by the golden age of Broadway.

CHICAGO—The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago announces its 42nd season of presenting diverse international, national and regional contemporary dance. All performances take place at The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Subscriptions and single tickets go on sale July 7at The Dance Center, 312-369-8330 and online at colum.edu/dancecenterpresents.

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University presents the renowned Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) in the company's first full-length performance at the venue as part of the “Made in Chicago” Dance Series, tonight, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. The evening is highlighted by the world premiere of “Shirt Off My Back,” a full-company work choreographed by award-winning choreographer Ray Mercer (currently a cast member of Disney's hit Broadway musical “The Lion King”) and an all-new version of Autumn Eckman's Pilsen-themed “Moving Sidewalks.” Tickets ($27– $67) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the Auditorium's Box Office (50 E. Congress Pkwy).

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University presents the renowned Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) in the company's first full-length performance at the venue as part of the “Made in Chicago” Dance Series, Saturday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. The evening is highlighted by the world premiere of “Shirt Off My Back,” a full-company work choreographed by award-winning choreographer Ray Mercer (currently a cast member of Disney's hit Broadway musical “The Lion King”) and an all-new version of Autumn Eckman's Pilsen-themed “Moving Sidewalks.” Tickets ($27– $67) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the Auditorium's Box Office (50 E. Congress Pkwy).

The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. The show's spirited opening number celebrated the 40th anniversary of The Wiz, one of the first large-scale, big-budget Broadway musicals to feature an all-black cast and winner of seven Tony Awards in 1975. Check out the full number below!

The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Lightafter two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Below, we bring you the winning numbers from the casts of THE LION KING and PIPPIN!

The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies.

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's The Lion King below!

When he's not performing eight shows a week in The LION KING, Mercer is choreographing commissions nationwide.

The 25th anniversary celebration of GYPSY OF THE YEAR, the culmination of six weeks of extraordinary fundraising by 56 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies, raised an amazing $4,343,234 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 10, at this year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR, which included an array of original dances, songs, and skits performed by more than 250 'gypsies,' the most talented singers and dancers in the ensembles of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out full photo coverage from inside the ceremony below!

The 25th anniversary celebration of GYPSY OF THE YEAR, the culmination of six weeks of extraordinary fundraising by 56 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies, raised an amazing $4,343,234 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Dallas Theater Center presents the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

Dallas Theater Center announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

The 24th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition, the culminating celebration of six weeks of fundraising by 51 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies, raised $3,902,608 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Embarking on its seventh year, Dance from the Heart returns to New York City's Cedar Lake Theater on January 23 and 24 featuring performances by some of the most diverse dancers and choreographers working today.

Embarking on its seventh year, Dance from the Heart returns to New York City's Cedar Lake Theater on January 23 and 24 featuring performances by some of the most diverse dancers and choreographers working today.