Broadway Archives

Sexiest Man Alive Hugh Jackman sports some fun ogre equipage — Shrek ears! — while posing backstage with Brian d’Arcy James at Broadway’s Shrek: The Musical at The Broadway Theatre on Saturday (December 20) in New York City.

Some of the other genius cast members are also pictured below: Sutton Foster in the purple (Princess Fiona), Christopher Sieber in the red shirt (Lord Farquaad) and John Tartaglia in the hat (Pinocchio, Magic Mirror, Dragon Puppeteer).

For ticket info on the musical based on the 2001 movie hit, visit ShrekTheMusical.com.

Little known fact via WP: To prevent overheating, the show’s costumers tuck ice packets into pockets of the long underwear James wears under his padded [Shrek] suit. Even so, he is soaked with sweat by the end of each performance.

Jeremy Piven had to withdraw from his hit Broadway play, Speed-the-Plow, because of extreme mercury toxicity (six times a healthy amount of mercury).

Dr. Carlon Colker, who has been treating the 43-year-old actor, tells ET, “Jeremy is disappointed that members of the production staff of Speed-the-Plow and other members of the entertainment community have not rallied behind him during this health crisis.”

“Jeremy is suffering from extreme mercury toxicity. A major symptom of mercury poisoning is extreme fatigue. In addition, Jeremy began experiencing neuro-muscular dysfunction late last week, which led to extreme difficulty in lifting his arms and legs. Then, this past Sunday, he began feeling dizzy.”

“Jeremy has been an avid sushi eater for many years, regularly eating sushi twice in one day. He has also taken certain Chinese herbs, and that, in combination with the frequent sushi consumption, could have led to these elevated mercury levels.”

Replacing Piven will be Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz (Dec. 23 to Jan. 11) and Emmy Award winner and Oscar nominee William H. Macy (Jan. 13 to Feb. 22).

Get well soon, Jeremy!!!

Cameron Diaz (in Bill Blass) shows up on opening night of the new Broadway Musical Shrek at NYC’s Broadway Theater on Sunday.

As far as playing Princess Fiona on stage, Cameron said, “No. Absolutely not. What they do up there … is, to me, impossible. It’s wonderful, though. They’ve done such a great job. They worked really hard, and it really pays off.” The 36-year-old actress will reprise her role in a fourth Shrek film, out 2010.

I saw Shrek earlier this month and it was hilarious. The cast cracks jokes spanning classic fairy tales to current pop culture. JJ approved!!!!!

John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Johnny and the Sprites) as Pinocchio really got the crowd going. And Christopher Sieber portraying short-in-stature Lord Farquaad is a total riot. (He’s on his knees the whole time!!!)

You can check out the New York Times’ review at NYTimes.com.

Watch the video preview of Shrek below!!! For ticket info, visit ShrekTheMusical.com.

30+ more pics inside of Cameron Diaz supporting Shrek on Broadway…
More Here! »

Evan Rachel Wood has been cast as Mary Jane Watson in the Spider-Man Broadway musical, reports IESB.

Maybe that’s Evan has been experimenting with dying her hair red?

Evan said the higher-ups are “still trying to convince” Jim Sturgess (her Across the Universe costar) to take the role of Peter Parker.

Spider-Man: The Musical will be helmed by ATU director Julie Taymor with Bono and The Edge of U2 providing the music and lyrics. Rehearsals start in June 2009 and will hit the Broadway stage by mid-2010.

American Idol alum Clay Aiken poses with a female friend and his rumored boyfriend, Broadway dancer Reed Kelly, at Rosie’s Gala at the Marriott Marquis last month in New York City.

“Everybody knows Reed as Clay’s guy,” a Broadway insider tells Star. “Clay met him when he was doing Spamalot in early 2008, and that’s one of the reasons he came back to the show again.”

“It was obvious they were a couple,” a partygoer says of Clay and Reed, who is a member of the Wicked ensemble.

It’s rumored that the pair met through Clay’s piano player, who also plays piano for Wicked. More Here! »

In September, Britney Spears had a blast taking in the Tony award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights.

To celebrate Britney Spears’s 27th birthday today, JustJared.com is giving away an awesome prize pack courtesy of Britney.com and InTheHeightsTheMusical.com!!!

PRIZE PACK INCLUDES:
- (2) tickets to In The Heights in NYC
- In The Heights 2-disc Cast Recording
- In The Heights “Light & Sweet” T-shirt
- Deluxe Edition of “Circus” by Britney Spears (includes DVD)
- Limited edition Britney Spears poster

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here with a valid email address (will not be published) and ONE winner will be chosen at random at the end of the contest. You must live in NYC or be able to travel to NYC to attend a performance in January (excluding Saturday evening performances). This contest ends on Friday, December 5 @ 11:59PM EST. Enter as many times as you want!!! Good luck! CONGRATS!!!

Soccer stud David Beckham has his hands full as he carries his two youngest sons — Romeo, 6, and Cruz, 3 — into the Broadway show Jersey Boys at New York City’s August Wilson Theatre on Friday afternoon.

Moments earlier, his wife Victoria Beckham walked into the theater as she held hands with their oldest son, Brooklyn, 9.

Earlier in the day, the Beckhams picked up a few sweet treats at Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side. (The candy shop is owned by Dylan Lauren, the daughter of designer Ralph Lauren.)

15+ pictures inside of the Beckhams hitting up Dylan’s Candy Bar… More Here! »

Miley Cyrus and “close friend” Justin Gaston head back to their hotel after checking out Broadway in Times Square in New York City on Thursday.

Miley’s mom Tish and sister, Noah, also joined in for the festivities.

Earlier in the day, Miley and Justin checked out Serendipity 3 for some holiday shopping!

Miley will be aboard the lead float at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade tomorrow with David Archuleta!

10+ pictures inside of Miley Cyrus, the Broadway babe… More Here! »