Robert E. Wankel News

Last night, the producers of the Broadway hits Beetlejuice, David Byrne's American Utopia and Moulin Rouge! The Musical hosted a special celebration in honor of director Alex Timbers. The evening brought together many producers, collaborators and artists that Alex has worked with throughout his career.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) announced today performers, presenters and the host for the NYTW 2020 Gala, honoring NYTW Usual Suspect & Tony Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, Three Pianos at NYTW) and Tony Award-winning producer Jordan Roth (Producer of Hadestown; President of Jujamcyn Theaters). The Gala will be held on Monday, February 3 at Capitale (130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013).

Three-time Tony Award winning Director Jack O'Brien presented Actor André De Shields, who celebrated the 50th year of his acting career in 2019 by scoring his first Tony Award, for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Hermes in Hadestown, with the 2019 Father George Moore Artistic Impact Award at Encore Ovation – A Celebration of Aging Through Art at Sardi's on November 18. O'Brien directed De Shields in The Full Monty and Impression on Broadway.

Encore Community Services has been providing care and service to the elderly of the Clinton/Times Square/Midtown communities for 43 years. Encore was founded in 1977 by Father George Moore, the pastor of St. Malachy's Church. He, along with Sisters Elizabeth Hasslet and Lillian McNamara, and members of the Broadway community (including The Shubert Organization, Sardi's and the theatrical unions) turned the old Actor's Chapel in the basement of St. Malachy's into the Encore Senior Center, where it still thrives today.

Leonard Soloway's Broadway, a new documentary produced and directed by Jeff Wolk (After Louie; Last Glimmer of Day) will be available for purchase on Amazon as well as on demand and digitally beginning tomorrow, November 12. The film premiered on November 4th at The Landmark on 57th Street.

Beginning this Monday, November 4th at The Landmark at 57th Street (657 W. 57th Street), Leonard Soloway's Broadway, (www.LeonardSolowaysBroadway.com) a new documentary produced and directed by Jeff Wolk (After Louie; Last Glimmer of Day) will premiere from November 4-7. It will then be distributed digitally by 1091 to digital platforms including iTunes, On Demand, and DVDs will be available on Amazon  beginning on November 12. The film will also screen at several film festivals around the country prior to its digital distribution. Tickets for the New York premiere can be purchased here: https://www.landmarktheatres.com/new-york-city/the-landmark-at-57-west/film-info/leonard-soloways-broadway?attributes=983

3-D Theatricals launches its 2019-2020 season with ONCE, The Musical, winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production, directed by Kari Hayter and choreographed by Linda Love Simmons with musical direction and conducting by David Lamoureux, will play October 11-27 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA).

3-D Theatricals launches its 2019-2020 season with ONCE, The Musical, winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production, directed by Kari Hayter and choreographed by Linda Love Simmons with musical direction and conducting by David Lamoureux, will play October 11-27 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA). Opening night is tonight, Saturday, October 12.

Leonard Soloway's Broadway, a new documentary produced and directed by Jeff Wolk (After Louie; Last Glimmer of Day) will premiere at The Landmark at 57th Street (657 W. 57th Street) in New York City from November 4-7 and will be distributed digitally by 1091 to various platforms beginning on November 12. The film will also screen at several film festivals around the country prior to its digital distribution. 

3-D Theatricals launches its 2019-2020 season with ONCE, The Musical, winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy held its 31st Annual Chairman's Award Luncheon at The Metropolitan Club in Manhattan on June 5, 2019. 

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2019 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by the current stars of Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan, at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online here at BroadwayWorld.

Broadway's biggest names, legendary theatre insiders and devoted fans donned their best poker faces on May 13, 2019, to help those in need at this year's spirited and record-breaking edition of Broadway Bets. The lively evening of Texas Hold 'em raised an astounding $315,200 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The 14th annual Shubert Foundation/Music Theatre International Broadway Junior® Student Finale took place earlier today, May 14,  at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, hosted by James Harkness and Jawan M. Jackson, stars from Broadway's new hit, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations.

Broadway stars and poker pros will sit next to theatre fans and industry insiders for a rousing game of Texas Hold 'em when Broadway Bets, Broadway's official poker tournament, returns this Monday, May 13. The event is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The 14th annual Shubert Foundation/Music Theatre International Broadway Junior Student Finale will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:45 a.m. at Broadway's Imperial Theatre

The Actors Fund Home (155-175 West Hudson Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey), an acclaimed short-stay rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care facility for the performing arts and entertainment community, celebrated the opening of The Samuel J. and Florence T. Friedman Pavilion at their facility in Englewood, New Jersey on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2019 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by the current stars of Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan, at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online here at BroadwayWorld.

Fun and philanthropy are in the cards when Broadway Bets, Broadway's official poker tournament, shuffles up and deals on Monday, May 13, 2019. The event is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Last night Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the non-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), hosted the annual "Mr. Abbott" Award gala and celebrated the 60th anniversary of SDC.