Look below for full lists of nominees by category and by show. The nominations for the 2013 Tony Awards were announced today by Sutton Foster (Anything Goes, TV's Bunheads) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (...Spelling Bee, TV's Modern Family). Leading the pack with an amazing 13 nominations is Kinky Boots, the musical written by pop star Cyndi Lauper ("Girls Just Want to Have Fun") and Broadway regular Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray). Following closely are Matilda (12), which was a smash hit in London las... [Read more]

1992's Sister Act was one of the best comedies of the 90s, and its huge success is not forgotten today. Closely followed by a 1993 film sequel (Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit), it went on to inspire a musical adaptation that premiered at California's Pasadena Playhouse in 2006, London's West End in 2009, and on Broadway in 2011. Like the film, the musical has become a phenomenon with productions all around the world and now one touring the United States. I caught the show in my city, and I'm he... [Read more]

There is no question that Thanksgiving is all about the feast. What could be better than a roast turkey accompanied by stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce and followed by an irresponsible amount of pie? But between loaded forkfuls of green bean casserole or pumpkin cheesecake, you might notice that there are other things going on. At TL, we always have our eyes on the best in live entertainment, and Thanksgiving has a lot to offer in the way of music, sports, and theatre. Music Now, ... [Read more]

(1) You get to have fun in rehearsals. Rehearsal can be really fun, but after a while, it can wear on you. There are often a lot of late nights, especially during "Hell Week" (or Tech week, the week before opening). And ask any actor how many times they've said "I can't; I have rehearsal." (2) You get to show off. Performing for a live audience is an incredibly energizing experience, but beware of stage fright. Some tricks: don't look any audience member directly in the face; pretend you're stil... [Read more]

Over the past several decades, Mary Poppins has been a cherished part of the lives of millions of children around the world. The original 1934 stories by P.L. Travers and the classic 1964 film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke have kept the story alive and relevant, and now, the Broadway musical is enchanting a whole new generation of fans, young and old alike. Thankfully, the stage version of Mary Poppins preserves nearly every song from the film. Favorites like "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Jol... [Read more]

Like so many people around the world, I count Wicked as one of my all-time favorite musicals. Its success on Broadway and around the world is a testament to its universal appeal. I have seen it four times, and when people ask me for recommendations for what to see on Broadway or on tour, I ask them first if they have seen Wicked yet. It's a crowd pleaser and often opens people up to the world of musical theatre (including my own previously skeptical father, who is now in the process of wearing o... [Read more]

After months of eager anticipation, I recently had the chance to see the groundbreaking, shocking, and hugely popular musical, The Book of Mormon. The hype around this show is epic, thanks in no small part to immense critical praise and a total of 9 shiny Tony Awards. It doesn't hurt that two thirds of the writing team are Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the masterminds behind the cultural phenomenon that is South Park. And while they bring national attention to the show, collaborator Robert Lopez b... [Read more]

It's no secret that Broadway doesn't exactly have a reputation for appealing to the average male demographic. And while I would argue that if the guys just gave most of the fine musicals on Broadway a chance that they would be surprised at how much they like them, virtually no show appeals to everyone. Thankfully, there are several productions that wives, girlfriends, etc... shouldn't have to drag their men to, and if they do, shouldn't be hearing any complaints afterward. After all, as Neil Pat... [Read more]