Thomas Meehan Videos

Today in 2002, Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 2642 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

In a video interview with Variety, Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) talked about her upcoming role as Annie in Sony's remake of the classic musical. Click below to hear what she had to say!

'ANNIE: It's the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage,' a Primetime PBS special premiereD nationally on PBS last week. Annie: It's the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage, follows the creation of a single production number in the current Broadway revival of the classic musical: the tuneful and rhythmic 'It's the Hard-Knock Life.' From the earliest discussions among the production team, through the casting process, into choreography and vocal rehearsals, onto the stage, and finally, into performance, the film traces the young cast's journey to Opening Night. Miss the documantary? Watch it all by clicking below!

ANNIE fans and audiences nationwide are now offered an exclusive, behind-the-curtain look at what it takes to put on a major Broadway production, in the primetime special, ANNIE: It's the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage. Check out the preview below!

On NBC's 'Today' show, GLEE's Jane Lynch discussed her role as Miss Hannigan in Broadway's "Annie" and took time to play a trivia game with hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. Check out the appearance below!

The world premiere of Rocky took place November 18 in Hamburg under the direction of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Tony nominee Alex Timbers. It will transfer to Broadway in Feburary 2014. Check out the pre-Broadway commercial below!

Jane LynchEmmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, who stars in the hit FOX television show 'Glee' as ruthless cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester and who made her Broadway debut last week as tyrannical orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in ANNIE, was a guest on 'The View' today. Click below to watch the interview!

Check out interviews below from Jane Lynch and her new cast mates on what she's bringing to the show, GLEE fans, her rehearsal process and lots more!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tonys Meet & Greet on May 1, 2013, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Rob McClure, a nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Chaplin. Check out what he had to say below!

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre. ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

The paper reports that 'the Broadway version is expected to cost about $15 million, according to Bill Taylor of Stage Entertainment USA, which is producing 'Rocky' on Broadway with Mr. Stallone.' and that 'The Broadway production is expected to be fairly similar to the one in Hamburg, Mr. Taylor said, including the finale - Rocky's climatic fight against Apollo in a regulation-size boxing ring - and the use of music from the movies, like Bill Conti's theme music and 'Eye of the Tiger.'

Immediately, speculation began at what might replace MAMMA MIA! in the theatre, which was previously home to CATS. Today, Michael Riedel reports that Broadway might see a Spring transfer of the ROCKY musical, now running in Germany. He writes that '"Rocky das Musical" cost $20 million to stage in Germany. Sources say the price tag could hit nearly $30 million in New York. With so much money to recoup, the show would inevitably have to land at one of Broadway's largest theaters.'

Today in 1977, Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), where it ran for 2377 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Today in 2001, The Producers opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 2502 performances. The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, it won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production running for three years, national tours, many productions worldwide and a 2005 film version.

Today in 1997, Annie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre), where it ran for 239 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, who stars in the hit FOX television show 'Glee' as ruthless cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, will take on another great tyrannical role as evil orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in the new Broadway production of Annie at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets). Lynch, a stage veteran of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City, will be making her Broadway debut. She will play Miss Hannigan for eight weeks only, from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, July 14. In the video below, Lynch chats with Howard Bragman on 'Gwissues' about her upcoming Broadway debut. Jump to the 9 minute mark to hear what she has to say!

Today in 2009, Hairspraiy closed at the Neil Simon Theatre after 2,641 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

American Airlines is the official airline of the new critically acclaimed new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Annie. Cast members from the production performed a selection of songs from the show at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of American Airlines' JFK concert series on Friday, December 21. Check out 'You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile', 'Little Girls' and 'Tomorrow' below!

Broadway's Elf The Musical and Chaplin share an upcoming closing date-January 6, 2013-and Elf's Jason Eric Testa made a special little video to commiserate. Click below to watch!

The Broadway musical ELF is currently playing Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul for a three-week run. The city's WCCO-TV got a behind-the-scenes look at the production and spoke with the lead actors, including Matt Kopec, who plays Buddy. Click below to watch!