Josh Groban: Last News

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Stephen Sondheim’s final musical “Here We Are” is hitting the stage in the fall. The legendary musical theater figure, who composed “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Follies,” “Sweeney Todd” and countless other Broadway classics, died in 2021 at the age of 91. The musical, formerly known as “Square One,” was in the works prior to his death and took inspiration from two Luis Buñuel films, “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” and “The Exterminating Angel.” Joe Mantello, whose credits include Sondheim’s “Assassins,” as well as “Wicked” and “Take Me Out,” is directing “Here We Are.” The strictly limited engagement will begin September 2023 in The Shed’s Griffin Theater, an Off-Broadway venue near Manhattan’s Hudson Yards neighborhood. Casting will be announced soon.

A raft of Broadway’s recent arrivals led by Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street helped push the industry’s total box office last week to $28,638,821, up 13.8% from the previous week. Total attendance was up commensurately to 229,771.

Some recent Broadway arrivals added both star power and box office receipts to the weekly grosses reports, with both Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Parade selling out (the latter despite some loudmouthed neo-Nazi protesters), and A Doll’s House starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella coming close.

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is back on the Great White Way for the first time since 2005.This time around, the story of a murderous barber will call the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre home when previews begin on Sunday, Feb. 26.The cast also features a murderer’s row of theater heavyweights including Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford, Jordan Fisher, Ruthie Ann Miles and “Stranger Things'” star Gaten Matarazzo.Not sold?For the first time since 1980, Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning score will be performed as it was in the original production.Plus, “Hamilton” director Thomas Kail is helming this iteration of the classic.And while ticket prices are rather high for the first few weeks after the crowd-pleasing musical opens, we’re happy to report that they’re a bit cheaper if you buy seats to see victims turned into meat pies far in advance.In fact, we found some tickets going for as low as $66 before fees on Vivid Seats for a matinee in May.All prices were found at the time of publication and are subject to fluctuation.Once ‘Sweeney Todd’ leaves Fleet Street and lands on 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan, the show will adopt a fairly typical schedule.Audiences can catch “Sweeney Todd” five nights a week from Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, Music Veteran music publicists Luke Burland and Bobbie Gale are teaming up to form a new firm, 2b Entertainment. The two share more than 30 years experience working with artists, music companies and brands. Both previously served in senior media relations positions at Warner Bros. Records (now known as Warner Records) and as in-demand indies — Burland, most recently at BB Gun Press (founded by Brian Bumbery, currently a top communications executive at Apple Music); Gale at her own MixedMediaWorks. Based in Los Angeles, 2b Entertainment’s client roster includes Jojo Siwa, Danny Elfman, Mike Dean, Holly Humberstone, Josh Groban, Julian Casablancas, Justin Tranter, Maggie Lindemann, Meghan Trainor, My Chemical Romance, OK Go, Shania Twain and Steve Earle, among other artists. Corporate accounts run across entertainment, lifestyle and fashion, representing such brands as CITI, +1 Records, Laylo, Dad Grass, Muserk and Cosm. (See the full roster here.)

Kelly Ripa got fans - and bff David Muir - talking on Valentine's Day when she shared a series of pictures of her family. The TV host took to social media to post photographs taken with her husband Mark Consuelos from over the years, including with their children and throwbacks to their early days as a couple.But the final picture showed Mark attempting to kiss Kelly — except he appears to have missed and caught her top lip and nose, leaving their faces squished together.WATCH: Kelly Ripa's children reveal their different lifestyles"My forever Valentine," Kelly captioned the post, adding: "A few from the past 27, but it’s the last pic for me," along with a laughing face emoji.Mark was quick to comment, simply writing: "Oh babe."But others loved the hilarious look into their life together, with Josh Groban commenting: "Practice makes perfect on that last pc," and David adding: "Last pic for the win - happy vday you two."Kelly also revealed that, for V-Day 2023, Mark gave her a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses for the holiday, and Mark took to instagram to share his own carousel of snaps from their nearly three decades together.MORE: Was Rihanna's son at Super Bowl 2023? Her family life revealedPOPULAR: Chicago Fire hints at trouble for Taylor Kinney's character ahead of his exit The pair are parents to three adult children, with their two eldest, Michael, 25, and Lola, 21, both living in New York City.Their youngest, Joaquin, 19, however is further away; he moved to Michigan to study in 2021.

They’re never, ever, ever getting rid of each other! Sara Bareilles and longtime beau Joe Tippett are engaged after five years of dating.

Viewers were enchanted by the portrayal of bookworm Belle by H.E.R. on Thursday's broadcast of Beauty And The Beast Live! that celebrated the 30th anniversary of its historic Oscar nomination, but the Beast costume was widely panned on social media.The two-hour live show expertly blended animation from the 1991 Disney animated film with live-action songs featuring 25-year-old H.E.R.

Broadway’s upcoming revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring the previously announced Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford has added to its cast with Dear Evan Hansen‘s Jordan Fisher, Stranger Things‘ Gaten Matarazzo and Tony-winning The King and I actor Ruthie Ann Miles.

The musical documentary Silent Night—A Song For The World will re-air on the CW on November 26 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. An encore presentation is set for December 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

30th anniversary celebration special is rounding out its cast! Shania Twain, Martin Short and David Alan Grier have joined the star-studded ensemble for ABC's upcoming live-action/animated special honoring the iconic Disney film, set to air Thursday, Dec. 15.Short will take on the role of Lumiere, while Grier will portray Cogsworth. Twain will play Mrs.

Martin Short, Shania Twain and David Alan Grier are confirmed for ABC’s upcoming special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Anniversary, playing Lumière, Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth, respectively. Rounding out the cast of the two-hour hybrid animated/live-action special are Rizwan Manji, Jon Jon Briones and Leo Abelo Perry.

O2 Arena was a family affair, as he invited his son and daughter onstage to sing with him. The trio sang several songs together in front of an audience of thousands at the venue on the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London. It comes after the Italian tenor announced the first ever recording with 24-year-old Matteo, and 10-year-old Virginia.

“Hold On to the Nights” and “Right Here Waiting” — as well as hits for everyone from ’N Sync (“This I Promise You”) to Luther Vandross (“Dance with My Father”).But even he had to defer to one legendary tunesmith on his new album, “Songwriter,” out Friday. That would be Burt Bacharach — the 94-year-old composer behind classics such as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “(They Long to Be) Close to You” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”“I’m supposed to go to his house to write with him.

Just months after H.E.R. was announced as Belle in ABC's Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration special, the cast is growing with Shania Twain and Martin Short.Twain, 57, and Short, 72, will be playing Mrs.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor Martin Short and Shania Twain are in final talks to join ABC’s “Beauty and the Beast” special. Sources tell Variety that Short would play Lumière while Twain will take on the role of Mrs. Potts in “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration.” The news comes just days after Variety exclusively reported that David Alan Grier will play the role of Cogsworth in the production. Previously announced cast members include Oscar winner H.E.R. as Belle, Grammy winner Josh Groban as Beast and Joshua Henry as Gaston. EGOT legend Rita Moreno will serve as the show’s narrator in the live-action/animated hybrid production.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor David Alan Grier is joining the cast of ABC’s “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration.” The Tony winner will play Cogsworth in the star-studded production, according to sources. Previously announced cast members include Oscar winner H.E.R. as Belle, Josh Groban as Beast and Joshua Henry as Gaston. Rita Moreno will serve as the show’s narrator in the live-action/animated hybrid production. The special, to be directed by Hamish Hamilton, will be recorded live and feature never-before-seen musical performances. Jamal Sims is serving as executive producer and choreographer. Set design is by Julio Himede with costumes by Marina Toybina (“The Masked Singer”).

January Jones had plenty to smile about on Wednesday as her only son Xander celebrated his eleventh birthday.SEE: January Jones turns heads in chic crop top for rare outing with son XanderTaking to Instagram, the doting mother shared a touching post to commemorate his big day. Alongside a joyous selfie, the 44-year-old gushed: “My son is 11 years old today! I’m coping just fine (obviously), with grace and reflection.WATCH: January Jones slides into her incredible living room at LA homeIn the amusing photo, January could be seen wearing a pair of orange-tinted safety goggles as she beamed for the camera.

Josh Groban is set as the co-lead opposite H.E.R. in ABC’s animated and live-action blended special, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. The announcement was made during Friday’s panel at D23 Expo 2022.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Josh Groban, Joshua Henry and Rita Moreno will star in ABC’s “Beauty and the Beast 30th Anniversary Special,” Variety can exclusively reveal. Groban, who recorded the original song “Evermore” for the 2017 “Beauty and the Beast” film, will play Beast. Henry, who recently starred on Broadway’s “Into the Woods,” will play Gaston. Moreno will serve as the show’s narrator, guiding viewers along the classically enchanting tale. As previously announced, Grammy winner H.E.R. will play Belle in the live-action/animated hybrid. The casting news was announced Friday at the D23 Expo’s “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” panel, moderated by Variety’s senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay.

Black Theatre United has announced the line-up for its inaugural gala next month, and it’s a stellar one: Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, LaChanze, Capathia Jenkins, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Darius de Haas, Natasha Yvette Williams and Lillias White, for starters.