Jennifer Hudson, who guest starred on NBC’s Smash, is now joining the producing team of its upcoming stage musical adaptation.
Hudson, a Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winner, announced her participation today on her daytime talk show The Jennifer Hudson Show. (Watch the announcement below.)
Smash is expected to arrive on Broadway in spring 2025. Executive producers included Steven Spielberg, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, David Marshall Grant, and Joshua Safran.
Hudson’s participation reunites her with Smash composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and producers Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron, the team behind NBC’s 2016 Hairspray Live!, the musical special in which she played the role of Motormouth Maybelle.
The Broadway production will be directed by five-time Tony-winning director Susan Stroman, with a score by the Tony- and Grammy- winning duo Shaiman and Wittman, who were most recently on Broadway with Some Like It Hot.
Hudson, a Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winner, announced her participation today on her daytime talk show The Jennifer Hudson Show. (Watch the announcement below.)
Smash is expected to arrive on Broadway in spring 2025. Executive producers included Steven Spielberg, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, David Marshall Grant, and Joshua Safran.
Hudson’s participation reunites her with Smash composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and producers Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron, the team behind NBC’s 2016 Hairspray Live!, the musical special in which she played the role of Motormouth Maybelle.
The Broadway production will be directed by five-time Tony-winning director Susan Stroman, with a score by the Tony- and Grammy- winning duo Shaiman and Wittman, who were most recently on Broadway with Some Like It Hot.
- 3/21/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Actors’ Equity will hand out leaflets outside a workshop of the Broadway-bound Smash musical this week, “warning of the possibility of a strike” in light of ongoing negotiations with the Broadway League regarding compensation for work on shows in development.
Equity President Kate Shindle is expected to be in attendance when the union leaflets the Smash developmental workshop Thursday morning and Friday afternoon outside the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The union’s Development Agreement with Broadway League producers covers the development of new works, usually prior to an intended Broadway engagement. Equity and the Broadway League have been in negotiations since January 22, 2024. The current agreement expired on Sunday, February 11.
Last week, the union, which represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theater, voted to authorize a strike against The Broadway League if ongoing negotiations fail. Equity is currently in the...
Equity President Kate Shindle is expected to be in attendance when the union leaflets the Smash developmental workshop Thursday morning and Friday afternoon outside the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The union’s Development Agreement with Broadway League producers covers the development of new works, usually prior to an intended Broadway engagement. Equity and the Broadway League have been in negotiations since January 22, 2024. The current agreement expired on Sunday, February 11.
Last week, the union, which represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theater, voted to authorize a strike against The Broadway League if ongoing negotiations fail. Equity is currently in the...
- 2/14/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
We’re getting closer and closer to the Smash musical coming to Broadway!
A musical version of the beloved NBC series has been in the works for years and it is expected to debut during the upcoming 2024-25 Broadway season, which is anytime between May 2024 and April 2025. Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, and other cast members are sadly not attached and a plot has not been revealed yet.
Well, some lucky fans are going to see an early version of the show very soon.
A six-week workshop will begin this month in New York City and it will culminate in five fully staged and choreographed performances in front of “recruited audiences.”
Keep reading to find out more…
Producer Bob Greenblatt told Variety, “This workshop/rehearsal process will give the creative team a chance to get reactions from real theatergoers who will experience it for the first time in a theater setting.
A musical version of the beloved NBC series has been in the works for years and it is expected to debut during the upcoming 2024-25 Broadway season, which is anytime between May 2024 and April 2025. Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, and other cast members are sadly not attached and a plot has not been revealed yet.
Well, some lucky fans are going to see an early version of the show very soon.
A six-week workshop will begin this month in New York City and it will culminate in five fully staged and choreographed performances in front of “recruited audiences.”
Keep reading to find out more…
Producer Bob Greenblatt told Variety, “This workshop/rehearsal process will give the creative team a chance to get reactions from real theatergoers who will experience it for the first time in a theater setting.
- 1/5/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Pictured left to right are: Jets members Anybodys (Ezra Menas), Mouthpiece (Ben Cook), Action (Sean Harrison Jones); Jets leader Riff (Mike Faist); Baby John (Patrick Higgins); Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler); Maria’s brother and Sharks leader Bernardo (David Alvarez); and Sharks members Quique (Julius Anthony Rubio), Chago (Ricardo Zayas), Chino (Josh Andrés Rivera), Braulio (Sebastian Serra) and Pipo (Carlos Sánchez Falú).
The first look at Academy Award®-winner Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story has been revealed. An adaptation of the original Broadway musical, West Side Story explores young love and tensions between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks on the streets of 1957 New York. The film is now in production for Twentieth Century Fox.
The cast also includes Ariana DeBose (Anita); Ana Isabelle (Rosalia); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); Curtiss Cook (Abe) and Academy Award®-winner Rita Moreno, who plays...
The first look at Academy Award®-winner Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story has been revealed. An adaptation of the original Broadway musical, West Side Story explores young love and tensions between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks on the streets of 1957 New York. The film is now in production for Twentieth Century Fox.
The cast also includes Ariana DeBose (Anita); Ana Isabelle (Rosalia); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); Curtiss Cook (Abe) and Academy Award®-winner Rita Moreno, who plays...
- 6/17/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The cast of Mean Girls made 'fetch' happen in a big way at Broadway Sessions recently. Cast members Rick Younger, Jonalyn Saxer, DeMarius Copes, Talya Rae Groves, Ashley De Larosa, Riza Takahashi, Brittany Nicholas, Myles, McHale, Iain Young, Chris Medlin and Gianna Yanelli brought the talent and the funny til the wee hours of the morning. Mean Maybe not. Fabulous Absolutely Enjoy these highlights here.
- 4/21/2019
- by Ben Cameron
- BroadwayWorld.com
Steven Spielberg has cast his next star for the upcoming remake of West Side Story.
Maddie Ziegler will play a member of the Jets, one of the rival gangs from the 1961 musical film. While it’s unclear who she’ll play in the film, it’s likely her dance talent caught Spielberg’s eye as Ziegler, 16, rose to fame on Dance Moms and has worked extensively with Sia on her music videos.
Joining the cast is Tony nominee Mike Faist who will portray Riff, the leader of the Jets, opposite Ansel Elgort who was cast as the male lead, Tony.
Maddie Ziegler will play a member of the Jets, one of the rival gangs from the 1961 musical film. While it’s unclear who she’ll play in the film, it’s likely her dance talent caught Spielberg’s eye as Ziegler, 16, rose to fame on Dance Moms and has worked extensively with Sia on her music videos.
Joining the cast is Tony nominee Mike Faist who will portray Riff, the leader of the Jets, opposite Ansel Elgort who was cast as the male lead, Tony.
- 4/17/2019
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
Steven Spielberg’s upcoming “West Side Story” remake has announced a cast of Broadway alums — and a few TV dance stars — to fill out the ranks of the new Sharks and Jets.
Mike Faist will play Riff, the leader of the Jets. Faist has already starred in the Broadway productions “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Newsies.” Puerto Rican singer and dancer Ana Isabelle will play Rosalia. Maddie Ziegler, who appeared in “Dance Moms” and in a series of Sia music videos, will play a member of the Jets.
Ansel Elgort and Rita Moreno were previously announced as the two leads. Moreno will be playing Valentina, a remade version of the character of Doc, the owner of the corner store in which Tony works. And Elgort has been cast as Tony.
Casting director Cindy Tolan oversaw auditions from over 30,000 performers that included open casting calls in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and San Juan.
Mike Faist will play Riff, the leader of the Jets. Faist has already starred in the Broadway productions “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Newsies.” Puerto Rican singer and dancer Ana Isabelle will play Rosalia. Maddie Ziegler, who appeared in “Dance Moms” and in a series of Sia music videos, will play a member of the Jets.
Ansel Elgort and Rita Moreno were previously announced as the two leads. Moreno will be playing Valentina, a remade version of the character of Doc, the owner of the corner store in which Tony works. And Elgort has been cast as Tony.
Casting director Cindy Tolan oversaw auditions from over 30,000 performers that included open casting calls in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and San Juan.
- 4/16/2019
- by Daniel Nissen
- Variety Film + TV
“Dear Evan Hansen” actor Mike Faist and singer Ana Isabelle have joined the cast of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” remake, the studio announced on Tuesday.
The movie also rounded out its cast of the warring Sharks and Jets, the rival street gangs at the center of the musical’s story, with more than 50 actors, singers and dancers. Among them is Sia collaborator Maddie Ziegler, who will play one of the Jets.
Faist, who originated roles in the Broadway productions of “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Newsies,” will star in “West Side Story” as Riff. And Isabelle will play a colleague of Maria’s, Rosalia.
Also Read: Rita Moreno to Become 'Pegot' Winner and Receive Peabody Award for Career Achievement
Rita Moreno (Valentina), Ansel Elgort (Tony), Rachel Zegler (Maria), Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino), Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank) and Brian d’Arcy James (Sgt. Krupke...
The movie also rounded out its cast of the warring Sharks and Jets, the rival street gangs at the center of the musical’s story, with more than 50 actors, singers and dancers. Among them is Sia collaborator Maddie Ziegler, who will play one of the Jets.
Faist, who originated roles in the Broadway productions of “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Newsies,” will star in “West Side Story” as Riff. And Isabelle will play a colleague of Maria’s, Rosalia.
Also Read: Rita Moreno to Become 'Pegot' Winner and Receive Peabody Award for Career Achievement
Rita Moreno (Valentina), Ansel Elgort (Tony), Rachel Zegler (Maria), Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino), Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank) and Brian d’Arcy James (Sgt. Krupke...
- 4/16/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story is casting up with over 40 performers set as Sharks and Jets, the rival street gangs at the center of the musical’s timeless love story. Leading the Jets as Riff will be Mike Faist, who is best known for originating roles in the Broadway productions of Dear Evan Hansen and Newsies. Also, Puerto Rican singer and dancer Ana Isabelle will play Rosalia, who works with Maria (played by newcomer Rachel Zegler). Dance Moms alum Maddie Ziegler has also been cast as part of the Jets.
Previously announced players include Rita Moreno (Valentina), Ansel Elgort (Tony), Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino), Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank), and Brian dʼArcy James (Sergeant Krupke).
Spielberg’s team conducted a wide search for performers, many with no on-camera experience, to bring together a cast with a range of musical theater experience. Filming is slated to begin this summer.
Previously announced players include Rita Moreno (Valentina), Ansel Elgort (Tony), Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino), Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank), and Brian dʼArcy James (Sergeant Krupke).
Spielberg’s team conducted a wide search for performers, many with no on-camera experience, to bring together a cast with a range of musical theater experience. Filming is slated to begin this summer.
- 4/16/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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