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barring a transgender student from playing a male role in his high school’s production of Oklahoma! has reversed course, allowing the original casting decisions to stand.On November 13, the Sherman Independent School District board voted to reinstate the original script and cast for the musical after local community members flooded the board’s regularly scheduled meeting to defend the casting of Max Hightower, a transgender male, as the peddler Ali Hakim.According to Dallas-area ABC affiliate WFAA, more than 60 people spoke in support of Hightower and slammed the board’s decision to prohibit not only Hightower but all students from playing roles that don’t match their assigned sex at birth.Administrators had interceded after several students were cast in cross-gender roles, citing a nonexistent district policy as justification for recasting the musical.Sherman High School administrators also insisted that the musical contained “mature adult themes, profane language, and sexual content,” and the production would have to be postponed for a month while the musical was rewritten to create a more “age-appropriate version.”But local community members weren’t buying the administrators’ explanation, with speaker after speaker denouncing the recasting decision and the decision to rewrite the musical.Speakers criticized the board for caving to perceived political and social pressure to enforce rigid gender roles in school productions.“I’ve played male roles in the past and it was no big deal — and guess what, that’s theater!” one actress told the board.“Reinstate the real version of Oklahoma! and let the students sing!” said another commenter.Following the public comment section of the meeting, the board went into a private,

Burlesque. Now, after all that time, it seems the musical will have a new life, but fans shouldn’t expect a sequel.According to an exclusive report from Entertainment Weekly, Aguilera is planning on set bringing Burlesque to the stage. At present, it appears the Grammy winner is only serving as an executive producer, bringing her star power to the production.

Kimberly Akimbo, which walked away with five prestigious Tony Awards. The production secured accolades such as Best Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre. Close on the heels of Kimberly Akimbo were Some Like It Hot and Leopoldstadt, as both showed earned four wins each.

This girl is on Broadway! Alicia Keys has announced a new musical titled Hell's Kitchen, which will be loosely based on her own life story. The show will feature Keys' music, and centers on a 17 year-old Ali living in a cramped Times Square Apartment and discovering the piano.

As the region’s major theaters rebound from the dark nights of the pandemic, it’s nothing short of miraculous that its fringe scene — under-recognized and under-funded at the best of times — has found a way to keep the curtains rising. Operating on a wing and a prayer, these tiny theater troupes may be labors of semi-volunteer love, but they are, without doubt, the crazy, tinkling bells that keep a city’s culture alive, vibrant and just a whole lot more fun to explore.

Lea Michele and Myles Frost presented the nominees for the 76th annual Tony Awards live on before finishing the list from the heart of Broadway at the Sofitel New York. Recognizing the best in live theater, the Tony Awards cap off a strong year for Broadway, which bounced back during the 2022-2023 season with a number of acclaimed and groundbreaking productions. In total, there were 38 eligible shows, including 17 original plays and nine new musicals as well as six play revivals and six musical revivals.Earning the most of any production, came out on top, with a total of 13 nominations. The most nominated play, meanwhile, is, which garnered six.

Audra McDonald earned a historic 10th acting Tony Award nomination for her performance in. The latest nod ties her with Chita Rivera and Julie Harris as the most nominated individual performers ever in the 76-year history of the Broadway awards. McDonald was nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her turn as writer and alum Suzanne Alexander, who recounts her traumatic experiences while attending OSU. Prior to the 76th annual Tony Awards, McDonald had garnered two previous nominations in the same category for in 2020 and in 2014. She has also been nominated in the Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical category three times, for in 2012, in 2007 and in 2000. Her other acting nods include two for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, for in 2004 and in 1996.

one of the producers of the musical adaptation of, Mariah Carey is a first-time Tony Award nominee now that the production is up for Best Musical. Like Jennifer Hudson did last year when won Best Play, Carey could earn her first Tony ever if the show wins the top prize during the 76th annual Tony Awards. Citing her love for Marilyn Monroe, who was one of the stars of the original 1959 film, Carey signed on to 's production team ahead of its official opening last fall.  «I first became familiar with this story through the timeless film starring Marilyn Monroe.

Aaron Sorkin had a major health scare, revealing that he had a stroke in November 2022 while working on the Broadway revival of. The revelation comes while speaking to the and agreeing to go on the record about what happened to him. Just months before rehearsals for the show, which was rewritten by Sorkin and is set to open at New York City's Vivian Beaumont Theatre on April 13, the 61-year-old creator learned that he had suffered a stroke.

Ben Platt and the producers of are speaking out after the first performance of the Broadway revival about the true story of a Jewish man named Leo Frank who was lynched in 1915 was met with antisemitic protesters outside the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City.Starring Platt and Micaela Diamond as Leo and Lucille Frank, dramatizes the 1913 rape and murder trial of 13-year-old Mary Phagan.

Britney Spears Broadway musical,. The alum-turned-Broadway performer will be joined by star Briga Heelan and Aisha Jackson as Cinderella and Snow White, respectively, when the show opens at the Marquis Theatre in New York City. All three performers are reprising their roles in the fractured fairytale set to Spears' music after first originating them on stage during a run in Washington, D.C.

For the first musical version of Madeleine L’Engle’s acclaimed novel, her granddaughter and the director of her literary estate, Charlotte Jones Voiklis, has helped pick the creative team that includes music and lyrics by composer Heather Christian, a story by Lauren Yee and direction by Lee Sunday Evans. Diana DiMenna and Aaron Glick are also producers.“Knowing my grandmother’s love of and devotion to theater, I had long envisioned a musical adaptation of ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ that could transport audiences to a different dimension in a way only music can,” said Voiklis in a statement released Thursday.

oooooon!“Titanique,” the hilarious off-Broadway musical parody of the 1997 film “Titanic” that’s cleverly told through the songs of Celine Dion, will voyage to the Daryl Roth Theater on Union Square East starting Sunday, November 20. The show, which The Post called “by a nautical mile, the funniest musical in town,” plans to wrap up its successful run at the Asylum Theatre in Chelsea — beneath a shut-down Gristedes — on November 13, and then play a limited engagement at the Daryl Roth through February 19, 2023.Tickets are now on sale. Co-creators Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli never expected their cruise aboard “Titanique,” which is produced by Eva Price, to last this long, let alone transfer theaters.“We really all thought that this was going to be a very fun summer run, and we did not think that this would actually be a massive hit that would take us into the winter time,” Mindelle, who is also a smash playing Celine Dion, told The Post.

appeared on a recent episode of “The Graham Norton Show,” said that the NSFW incident took place when her character was alone on stage.“There’s a moment in ‘The Cherry Orchard’ where my character was on their own onstage for a short time,” recounted Manville. “Judi Dench is in the wings trying to make me laugh and she’s … how can I put this? She’s pretending that she’s being pleasured by somebody from behind.”The 66-year-old actress said that she remembers “desperately trying not to laugh,” but eventually gave in but not before wetting herself in front of the audience.

New Victory Theater, where productions from across the country and around the world play out in a family-friendly space at family-friendly prices.Not for nothing has the New Victory been called the gold standard in children’s theater, the best first stop on the way to taking your kids to see “Wicked” and everything else Broadway has to offer.This season opens with a bang and a clang in “Cookin’,” a loud, slap-happy import from South Korea. Expect nonstop percussive action as four chefs frantically prepare for a wedding feast, using every utensil they can find, including the kitchen sink.You’ll see martial arts, hear authentic Korean samulnori drumming and watch as some of the real food onstage goes flying into the first few rows of the orchestra.

Lea Michele is giving fans a look at her take on the beloved character Fanny Brice.The singer and alum took to her Instagram story on Sunday to share a behind-the-scenes snapshot showing her and the cast belting out «Don’t Rain On My Parade» while rehearsing for her forthcoming run on the Broadway revival of “The incredible @ephieaardema got a photo of me singing Don’t Rain On My Parade on a Broadway stage for the first time ever today," Michele captioned the post, and tagging understudy Ephie Aardema. “@ephieaardema you are amazing I [love] you!!!«Lea Michele shares a photo of herself singing “Don’t Rain On My Parade” for the very first time on the Broadway stage of 'Funny Girl.' pic.twitter.com/6cbgyMGSXPIt was announced in July that Lea Michele has been cast to take over for Beanie Feldstein, who left the Broadway revival of  two months early.Michele, who previously starred in the original cast of , is expected to formally take over the role starting Sept.

Lea Michele is giving fans a look at her take on the beloved character Fanny Brice.The singer and alum took to her Instagram story on Sunday to share a behind-the-scenes snapshot showing her and the cast belting out «Don’t Rain On My Parade» while rehearsing for her forthcoming run on the Broadway revival of “The incredible @ephieaardema got a photo of me singing Don’t Rain On My Parade on a Broadway stage for the first time ever today," Michele captioned the post, and tagging understudy Ephie Aardema. “@ephieaardema you are amazing I [love] you!!!«Lea Michele shares a photo of herself singing “Don’t Rain On My Parade” for the very first time on the Broadway stage of 'Funny Girl.' pic.twitter.com/6cbgyMGSXPIt was announced in July that Lea Michele has been cast to take over for Beanie Feldstein, who left the Broadway revival of  two months early.Michele, who previously starred in the original cast of , is expected to formally take over the role starting Sept.

Angelica Ross is about to make history with her Broadway debut. Ross will become the first openly transgender woman to play a leading role on Broadway when she takes over as Roxie Hart in the long-running starting in September. Ross will step into the iconic role for a limited, eight-week engagement through November while also following in the footsteps of notable film and TV stars to take on Roxie, including Pamela Anderson, Mel B, Christie Brinkley, Erika Jayne, Brandy Norwood, Melanie Griffith, Robin Givens and many, many more. As Roxie, Ross will continue to break down barriers for the transgender community on stage.

To hear Lorcan Otway tell it, he’s in a fight for his life.If he finds someone willing to refinance his debt, Theatre 80 — the iconic East Village venue where Otway has lived and worked since he was 9 years old — will be saved.If he doesn’t, the off-Broadway theater where “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” was born and countless stars have thrived will likely be sold at bankruptcy auction to the highest bidder. Otway is facing nearly $10.5 million in debts after COVID shutdowns left him unable to pay a loan.

“Arena A House Musical” is based on the house music of the 1990s that was pumped at the legendary Arena nightclub in Hollywood.

broke the news in a statement on Wednesday. “14 weeks left to see Beanie Feldstein & Jane Lynch now through September 25th,” it posted.“Stay tuned for additional casting news to join Ramin Karimloo & Jared Grimes and the company of Funny Girl.”The news comes after Feldstein missed several shows after testing positive for COVID-19 on June 6. The 28-year-old performer reflected on her role in her own Instagram post Wednesday.“I’ll never be able to find the words that could even begin to explain what the experience has been to me,” she wrote.

Broadway is about to make history. On Thursday, the Nederlander Organization announced it will rename the Brooks Atkinson Theatre after legendary performer Lena Horne, who died in 2010 at 92.

Jennifer Hudson is now an EGOT winner. The performer completed the achievement by earning a Tony for producing the hit show,, which won Best Musical during the 75th annual Tony Awards. The latest trophy joins her previous wins, which include an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for, two GRAMMY Awards for Best R&B Album and Best Musical Theater Album as well as a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program for . By joining the coveted list of winners, Hudson became the second Black woman to earn an EGOT after Whoopi Goldberg, who completed hers in 2002.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is now a Tony Award winner. The former star earned his first-ever trophy for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for his acclaimed turn in the revival of the gay baseball play,, during the 75th annual ceremony. With his win in the category, Ferguson beat out co-stars Michael Oberholtzer and Jesse Williams, who has garnered headlines for his performance as well as leaked images of his onstage nude scenes. Ferguson, meanwhile, previously explained to ET the significance of reviving this story for Broadway and why Richard Greenberg’s play still resonates as much today as it did 20 years ago. “When I saw this play, it was very timely.

star-studded event, the 75th annual Tony Awards hosted by Ariana DeBose recognized the best in live theater over the past year by celebrating the achievements of the 2021-2022 season. Everyone from RuPaul Charles to Michael Jacksons’ kids, Paris and Prince, took the stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to honor the many nominated productions, including, which was produced by the host of, and, the jukebox musical about the late pop star’s life and career. Other top nominees included,,, and, while the performance categories saw Billy Crystal, Hugh Jackson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rachel Dratch, Ruth Negga and Uzo Aduba all competing for individual prizes.  Unfolding over four hours, the night first kicked off with The Tony Awards: Act One hosted by Darren Criss and Julianne Hough, an hour of exclusive content presented on Paramount+.

75th annual Tony Awards hosted by Ariana DeBose, acting legend Angela Lansbury was recognized with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Though Lansbury was not present to receive the award, the 96-year-old performer was honored at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus performed a tribute to Lansbury.The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus performs a tribute to Angela Lansbury who was not able to attend the #TonyAwards to accept her lifetime achievement award.

75th annual Tony Awards hosted by Ariana DeBose.While the ceremony did not clarify who from the award-winning, groundbreaking musical will be taking the stage, the 2007 production originally starred Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr., who all previously got back together for a one-time performance during the pandemic. That reunion was documented in the HBO film . Other notable performers slated to take the stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday night are Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. Additionally, the evening will feature performances by the 2022 nominated musicals,,,,,,, and .The performers join a star-studded list of presenters from the stage, including Andrew Garfield, Bowen Yang, Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Hudgens and many more. Unfolding over four hours live coast to coast, the evening kicks off at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m.

announced on Tuesday.The Tony-, Grammy- and Oliver Award-winning musical officially opened Dec. 4, 2016, at the Music Box Theatre, and a tweet by the show proclaimed that the closing day will be an “unforgettable” one.“From our earliest reading of Dear Evan Hansen in 2011, there have been two great joys that stand out above all the others (and there are many),” added producer Stacey Mindich in a statement.

75th annual Tony Awards looks to be a star-studded affair, with RuPaul, Michael Jackson’s kids, Paris and Prince, Lin-Manuel Miranda and many more taking the stage during an evening honoring the best of Broadway. For those keeping track, RuPaul is not only the queen of Paramount+, thanks to the record-breaking ratings of, but he is also a producer of, which is the most-nominated production of the 2021-2022 season. Meanwhile, Prince and Paris will be at the Tonys to support, the jukebox musical about the late singer’s life and career endorsed by the Jackson family. That production tied with as the second most-nominated show of the night.

Darren Criss and Julianne Hough are set to host, a one-hour special streaming live on Paramount+ on Sunday, June 12 ahead of the 75th annual Tony Awards on CBS.The two performers will kick off a four-hour evening celebrating the best of Broadway’s 2021-2022 season by handing out multiple awards and introducing several special performances on the streaming platform before Ariana DeBose takes over as host of CBS’s live broadcast of the Tony Awards.  Criss, meanwhile, is currently starring in the Tony-nominated production of, which is up for Best Revival of a Play.

has responded to those leaked Jesse Williams nudes.Currently home to Williams’ “Take Me Out’ play, the theater said it was “appalled” that a spectator broke its sealed-phone policy and shared the eye-opening footage on social media. “Taking naked pictures of anyone without their consent is highly objectionable and can have severe legal consequences,” the theater said in a statement shared on Instagram Tuesday.

pictures and video — warning: you see it all — of a naked Jesse Williams during the Broadway show “Take Me Out.” The full-frontal footage, which surfaced on social media Monday, was captured during a shower scene of the play, which tells the story of a gay professional baseball player dealing with coming out to his teammates and in the press. It opened on Broadway last month.

After a slight delay—they were initially supposed to be announced on May 3, but they were pushed back to accommodate some issues caused by COVID-19—the nominations for the 2022 Tony Awards have finally been unveiled. Beloved theater actors Adrienne Warren and Joshua Henry listed the potential winners of the biggest honor for Broadway shows during a livestream hosted on YouTube for all to see.The most-nominated show this year is A Strange Loop, which racked up an impressive 11 nominations.

Tony Awards. Lee was recognized in the Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical category for her role as Thought 1 in . Michael R.

which runs at Theatre Row through May 21, is inspired by the little-known troop, one of whom finally told her harrowing story in 2013 at age 95. “Young women, forced to be in a room together, with nothing else to distract them except for the fact that they could die at every meal,” playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks, told The Post. “If that isn’t a situation ripe for drama, I don’t know what is.”Added the writer: “Just when you think you’ve heard every frickin’ horrible thing about Hitler.”Margot Wölk, who died in 2014, was a secretary when she started working against her will as one of the gourmet guinea pigs at 24 years old. After her parents’ Berlin apartment was destroyed by Allied bombs, she moved to Gross-Partsch (now Parcz, Poland) to stay with her mother-in-law.

, Noah Reid is back on screen and stage as he appears opposite Josh Brolin in the Prime Video series and makes his Broadway debut in the Tracy Letts play . While speaking with ET, the actor reflects on his groundbreaking role as Dan Levy’s onscreen partner, Patrick, and why Letts’ play drew him to Broadway. Having officially opened on April 17 at Studio 54, Reid is now weeks into his Broadway debut and taking advantage of being on the New York stage.