Lin-Manuel Miranda Returning to Broadway in Simon Rich’s “All In: Comedy About Love”

Lin-Manuel Miranda is returning to Broadway… 

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican Tony Award-winning Broadway star will lead the second company of Simon Rich’s All In: Comedy About Love on Broadway this January, taking over when John Mulaney finishes up his limited run in a production featuring a revolving cast of actors.

Lin-Manuel MirandaThe production, directed by Alex Timbers, begins performances on Wednesday, December 11 at the Hudson Theatre with the previously announced Mulaney-led cast of Fred Armisen, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Richard Kind and Chloe Fineman.

In a second roster of cast members for the final five weeks of the production, Miranda takes over on Tuesday, January 14, running through Sunday, February 16.

Appearing on various dates during Miranda’s run will be Aidy Bryant, Andrew Rannells, Sam RichardsonJimmy Fallon, David Cross, Tim Meadows and Hank Azaria

Produced by Seaview and Lorne Michaels, the world premiere of the Rich comedy is a series of stories “about dating, heartbreak, marriage and that sort of thing,” adapted from the short stories of Rich and performed by a rotating cast.

Per the synopsis: “Sometimes they will play pirates, sometimes they will play dogs, and there’s one where we make them talk in British accents. But even though the show’s kind of all over the place, it’s meant to tell one simple story: that the most important part of life is who we share it with. We hope everybody will relate to it, even if it was their date’s idea to come and they are starting out from a place of quiet resentment.”

The musical duo The Bengsons (Abigail and Shaun Bengson) will perform songs live on stage from The Magnetic Fields (composer, Stephin Merritt), including from the album 69 Love Songs.

The dates for the initial cast are: John Mulaney (December 11 – January 12) Fred Armisen (December 11 – January 12) Renée Elise Goldsberry (December 11 – 30) Richard Kind (December 11 – January 12) Chloe Fineman (January 2 – 12).

Miranda will be joined by the following cast: Aidy Bryant (January 14 – February 2), Andrew Rannells (January 14 – 26), Sam Richardson (January 14 – February 2), Jimmy Fallon (January 28 – February 2) David Cross (February 4 – 9), Tim Meadows (February 4 – 16) and Hank Azaria (February 11 – 16).

All In is produced on Broadway by Seaview and Lorne Michaels with New Yorker Studios. Micah Frank and Caroline Maroney will produce on behalf of Broadway Video.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Take Part in “Broadway for Biden” Fundraising Event

Lin-Manuel Miranda will be performing on Broadway with a special purpose…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican Tony-winning songwriter, actor, filmmaker and playwright will be taking part in a Broadway fundraising concert next month for President Joe Biden.

Lin-Manuel Miranda In addition to Miranda, who created the Tony-winning musicals Hamilton and In The Heights, will feature some of theater’s other biggest stars, including Josh Groban, Ben Platt, Sara BareillesCynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Laura Benanti, among others, with the president himself scheduled to attend.

There’s at least one detail being kept under wraps for the moment – the Broadway venue in Times Square has not been identified – the date has been set for Monday, September 18, with ticket prices ranging from $250 for rear mezzanine seats to $7,500 for orchestra center front.

The seating chart at the ticket website indicates that the concert will take place at an indoor theater rather than outdoors in Times Square.

Other stars to be featured at the concert are Annaleigh Ashford, Josh Gad, Alex Edelman, Christopher Jackson, LaChanze, Ruthie Ann Miles, Andrew Rannells and Aaron Tveit.

The one-night-only concert fundraiser is being hosted by Broadway producers and supporters Jeffrey Seller, Thomas Kail, Luz & Luis Miranda, Bruce Cohen & Gabe Catone, Tom Healy & Fred P. Hochberg, Barbara Marcin & Orin Kramer, Stacey & Eric Mindich, Karen & Gary Rose, Janet & Marvin Rosen, Alexandra & Eric Schoenberg, Ted Snowdon & Duffy Violante, Henry Tisch & Sean Walsh.

The Broadway for Biden event is being described by organizers as both a celebration of Biden’s political career and “a call to action, emphasizing the importance of his reelection in 2024.”

Kid Cudi Joins Voice Cast of Trolls Threequel “Trolls Band Together”

Kid Cudi is on a t(roll)

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer, songwriter record producer and actor has joined the voice cast of Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s next Trolls film.

Kid Cudi The studios have unveiled the official title for the third film in their hit animated musical franchise, which opens in theaters nationwide on November 17.

Returning to lead the threequel, Trolls Band Together, as expected, are Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick.

In addition to Kid Cudi, others set for the film include Eric André, Daveed Diggs, Troye SivanCamila Cabello, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells, RuPaul Charles, Zosia Mamet, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Icona Pop collaborators Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt, Anderson .Paak, Ron Funches , Kunal Nayyar and Kenan Thompson.

Trolls is a jukebox musical franchise that has thus far grossed over $396M worldwide between 2016’s Trolls, which landed a Best Original Song Oscar nom for the Timberlake-voiced pop hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” and 2020’s somewhat pandemic-hampered Trolls World Tour.

The new film will pick up with trolls Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) after two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, at a point when they’re now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd (Sivan), John Dory (André), Spruce (Diggs) and Clay (Cudi).

BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since. But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains —Velvet (Schumer) and Veneer (Rannells) — Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.

Walt Dohrn returned to direct Trolls Band Together after helming both past installments, with Trolls World Tour’s head of story Tim Heitz coming aboard as co-director, and Gina Shay returning as producer.

Robin de Jesús to Appear in Hulu’s Chippendales History-Themed Series “Immigrant”

Robin de Jesús is cashing in his chip(pendales)

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican three-time Tony Award-nominated actor has joined the cast of Hulu’s Immigrant in a recurring role.

Robin de Jesusde Jesús will portray Ray Colon, a proud Nuyorican from the Bronx who comes on the Chippendales scene as the resident handyman and self-proclaimed jack of all trades. Affable and eager-to-please, Ray reveres founder Somen “Steve” Banerjee (Kumail Nanjiani) and their growing friendship finds Ray in more than one compromising situation as the season progresses.

Immigrant tells the true story of Banerjee, the Indian-American entrepreneur who started Chippendales. The series will detail the insane, darkly comedic, crime-ridden story behind the unique male revue that became a cultural phenomenon.

The cast includes Dan Stevens, Murray Bartlett, Annaleigh Ashford, Quentin Plair, Andrew Rannells and Nicola Peltz.

Nanjiani will also executive produce alongside series creator Robert Siegel, Dylan Sellers, Jenni Konner, Matt Shakman, Emily V. Gordon, Nora Silver, and Rajiv Joseph, who will write on the series along with Mehar Sethi.

Siegel and Konner serve as co-showrunners and Shakman will direct. Jacqui Rivera is co-executive producer and Annie Wyman is co-producer. 20th Television serves as the studio on the series.

de Jesús most recently starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tick, Tick, Boom!, based on the stage musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson, for Netflix.

He previously appeared in the Ryan Murphy-produced Netflix film, The Boys in the Band, reprising his Tony award-nominated role.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Ariana DeBose’s Musical “The Prom”

Ariana DeBose is heading to prom

Netflix has released the first trailer for Ryan Murphy’s musical The Prom, starring the 29-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer.

Ariana DeBose in The Prom

The plot centers on four Broadwayactors who’ve seen better days who come up with a publicity opportunity to reignite their careers by flying to a small town in Indiana to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to the prom.

The adaptation of the Tony Award-nominated stage musical has a screenplay from original playwrights Chad Beguelinand Bob Martin.

In addition to DeBose, who competed on So You Think You Can Dance, the all-star cast includes Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Jo Ellen Pellman, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Chamberlin, Mary Kay Place, Nico Greetham, Logan Riley, Nathaniel J. Potvin, Sofia Deler, and Kerry Washington.

The film will launch on the streaming service on December 11.

Netflix Releases New Photos of Ariana DeBose’s Musical Film “The Prom”

Ariana DeBose is heading to the big dance

Netflix has released new photos for the film adaptation of the Tony Award-nominated musical The Prom, starring the 29-year-old Afro-Puerto Rican actress and Broadway star.

Ariana DeBose in The Prom

The film, directed by Ryan Murphy, will arrive on Netflix on December 11.

It stars Meryl Streep as Dee Dee Allen, Nicole Kidman as Angie Dickinson, James Corden as Barry Glickman, Andrew Rannells as Trent Oliver, DeBose as Alyssa Greene, Keegan-Michael Key as Mr. Hawkins, Kerry Washington as Mrs. Greene, Kevin Chamberlin as Sheldon Saperstein, and newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman as Emma Nolan.

Featuring a book by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin and a score by Beguelin and Matthew Sklar, the musical tells the story of an Indiana high schooler barred from bringing her girlfriend to the prom—and the group of eccentric Broadway folk who infiltrate the town in an earnest, misguided attempt to fight the injustice.

The Prom opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on November 15, 2018. The musical played 23 preview and 309 performances before closing August 11, 2019, earning seven Tony Award nominations.

The production, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw, starred Tony winner Beth Leavel, Tony nominees Christopher Sieber and Brooks AshmanskasCaitlin Kinnunen, Isabelle McCallaAngie Schworer, Micahel PottsJosh Lamon, and Courtenay Collins.

DeBose’s theater credits include Bring It On, Motown: The Musical, Pippin and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.

Netflix’s “The Boys in the Band,” Starring Robin de Jesus, Added to Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival Lineup with Special Cast Conversation

Robin de Jesus is going Inside Out

The 30th annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival has announced its lineup for this year’s virtual edition, with the 36-year-old Puerto Rican actor/singer’s highly anticipated The Boys in the Band part of the roster.

Robin de Jesus, The Boys in the Band

de Jesus and his The Boys in the Band cast members will take part in an exclusive conversation about the film.

Based on the Tony Award-winning play, the new film also stars Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons. It’s directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Ryan Murphy.

The Boys in the Band debuts on September 30 and will be available for audiences to stream ahead of the conversation.

Meanwhile, some of the Latinx directed and/or Latino-related films that form part of the lineup include Adam Golub’s documentary Your Mother’s Comfort (Brazil), Gil Baroni’s narrative film Alice Junior (Brazil), Daniel Nolasco’s narrative film Dry Wind (Brazil), Clarisa Navas’ narrative film One In a Thousand (Argentina/Germany), Omar Zúñiga Hidalgo’s narrative film The Strong Ones (Chile) and StormMiguel Florez’s documentary The Whistle (USA).

The lineup for the 10-day festival will include drive-in and special events, as it showcases 150 films and nine episodic series. The fest was originally set for May, but was pushed to October 1-11 due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

“The queer community is no stranger to extraordinary situations. Who could have predicted a global pandemic would become the entry point to mobilize around new ideas, new connections and collaborations, to ensure we could still deliver the best and safest possible 30th anniversary,” added the festival’s director Andrew Murphy. “Film is really now the safest way to travel, and this year’s lineup provides a unique opportunity to escape into the many complicated queer worlds via the brilliant minds of our filmmakers, icons, and peers.”

Films will be in competition for jury and audience awards and for the first time award winners will be revealed on opening weekend, giving audiences the opportunity to view the winning films throughout the entire festival.

Click here to see the entire lineup.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Robin de Jesús’ “The Boys in the Band”

Robin de Jesús is playing with the Band

Netflix has released the official trailer for its upcoming Ryan Murphy-produced The Boys in the Band, featuring the 36-year-old Puerto Rican actor/singer, who is best known for his role as Sonny in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In the Heights.

Robin de Jesus, The Boys in the Band

The Boys in the Band is Joe Mantello’s film adaptation of his hit Tony Award-winning Broadway staging. de Jesus starred as Emory in that 2018 staging, earning a Tony Award nominations for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Starring the Broadway cast – including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Andrew Rannells – this adaptation is both faithful to Mart Crowley’s 1968 play while offering a subtle and fresh perspective.

The logline: A group of gay men gather for a birthday party in 1968 New York City, only to find the drinks and laughs interrupted when a visitor from the host’s past turns the evening upside down.

In addition to Parsons, Quinto, Bomer, Rannells and de Jesús, The Boys in the Band also stars Charlie Carver, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tuc Watkins.

With a co-writing credit given to Ned Martel, The Boys in the Band includes some brief scenes you wouldn’t have seen in the 2018 Broadway production nor William Friedkin’s 1970 film version.

The Boys in the Band premieres on September 30 on Netflix.

de Jesús’ previous credits include the films Gun Hill Road and Camp.

Ariana DeBose to Take Part in Virtual Concert to Benefit the Covenant House Charity for Homeless & Trafficked Youth

Ariana DeBose  is helping homeless and trafficked youth…

The 29-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer, known for her work in musical theatre and on So You Think You Can Dance, will take part in a virtual concert event to benefit the Covenant House charity for homeless and trafficked youth.

Ariana DeBose

DeBose joins a 50-plus roster of stars who’ll perform or appear for the May 18 fundraiser that includes Meryl StreepDiane Keaton, Jon Bon JoviRachel BrosnahanStephen ColbertMartin ShortDolly PartonDionne WarwickStephanie J. BlockTony ShalhoubCharlie DayChris O’DowdZachary Leviand Zachary Quinto.

A Night of Covenant House Stars, to be held on Monday, May 18 at 8:00 pm ET on the Broadway on Demand streaming platform, will be co-hosted by six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald and 60 Minutes orrespondent John Dickerson, both members of the Covenant House Board of Directors.

The event is designed to support Covenant House, the international, mostly privately funded charity providing housing, food and healthcare to children and youth facing homelessness, and the front-line staff working during the COVID-19crisis.

“This virus does not get the last word,” said Covenant House President & CEO Kevin Ryan. “This amazing group of stars uniting in love to help us care for kids is proof positive of that.”

Other stars slated to appear include Robin Thicke, Deborah CoxQuentin Earl DarringtonDarius de HaasMary Elizabeth EllisEden EspinosaJordan FisherStephanie Hsu,Randy JacksonCapathia JenkinsJeremy JordanRamona KellerAlex NewellKaren OlivoDawn O’Porter, Laura OsnesBenj PasekJodi Picoult, Shereen PimentelAndrew RannellsKeala SettleJake David SmithWill SwensonBobby Conte ThorntonAna VillafaneFrank Wildhorn, and the Broadway Inspirational Voices choir.

Event proceeds will benefit Covenant House’s work across 31 cities, in six countries.

The May 18 fundraiser will mark the launch of the Broadway on Demand platform (the company had previously announced a May 17 program). Viewers can watch the Covenant House event free of charge.

In addition to Broadway on DemandA Night of Covenant House Starscan be streamed on iHeartRadio BroadwayFacebookTwitchYouTube, and Stars in the House.

Gina Rodriguez Joins Voice Cast of Netflix’s Animated Comedy “Big Mouth”

Gina Rodriguez has a big mouth

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star has joined the voice cast of Netflix’s Big Mouth.

Gina Rodriguez

Rodriguez will lend their voices to the hormonally driven and hilariously inappropriate animated comedy series about the awkwardness and glorious nightmare that is teenaged puberty.

Rodriguez will conveniently voice the character of Gina, a girl on Missy (Jenny Slate) and Jessi’s (Jessi Klein) soccer team who shakes up the social dynamics of the school — which is bound to bring some drama to the fold.

Big Mouth comes from Nick Kroll and his real-life best friend Andrew Goldberg (Family Guy) and includes a roster of noteworthy comedic actors including John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Jason Mantzoukas, Jordan Peele, Fred Armisen, and Andrew Rannells.