(cheerful music)
- Welcome to the Broadway Across America Report,
coming to you from our studio in the heart of Times Square.
I'm Ryan Lee Gilbert,
national editor for Broadway.com.
- And I'm Julie James,
program director and host of SiriusXM On Broadway.
- For the month of September,
we're giving you the latest updates
about the touring productions of "Waitress,"
"Les Miserables," and "Love Never Dies."
- Plus, we've got a sneak peek at the sexy stars
of the "On Your Feet!" tour
and a must-see music video featuring
"The King and I"'s leading lady, Laura Michelle Kelly.
So let's jump right in and help you get caught up
on all of this exciting news.
- The upcoming national tour
of "Waitress" announced its full cast,
which will be led by Desi Oakley as Jenna,
the titular waitress and expert pie maker
at the center of the musical story.
Joining Oakley, will be Brian Fenkart as Dr. Pomatter,
Lenne Klingaman as Dawn,
Nick Bailey as Earl,
and Ryan G. Dunkin as Cal.
Plus, the touring company
will also feature Broadway cast members,
Charity Angel Dawson as Becky,
Jeremy Morse as Ogie,
and Larry Marshall as Old Joe.
The "Waitress" tour will kick off in October,
so get ready to see the next amazing thing baking can do,
and get your tickets to see this sweet show.
- Following a recent two and a half year run
on the main stem,
the 25th anniversary production of "Les Miserables"
will once again tour North America
and a bunch of Broadway faves
will be storming the barricades.
The tour cast will feature Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean,
Josh Davis as Javert,
Melissa Mitchell as Fantine,
Matt Shingledecker as Enjolras,
Phoenix Best as Eponine,
Joshua Grosso as Marius,
Jillian Butler as Cosette,
J. Anthony Crane as Thenardier,
and Allison Guinn as Madame Thenardier.
"The Les Mis" tour will begin performances
in September as they prepare
to bring the French Revolution to a city near you.
- The cast is also now set for the touring production
of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Love Never Dies,"
the sequel to his blockbuster hit,
"The Phantom of the Opera."
The musical will make its official North American premier
starting with a special preview engagement
at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theater,
October 3rd through the 8th,
before it heads across the country.
The company will be headed
by Gardar Thor Cortes as the Phantom,
Meghan Picerno as Christine Daae,
Karen Mason as Madame Giry,
Sean Thompson as Raoul,
and Mary Michael Patterson as Meg Giry.
Wonders and astonishments await,
so don't miss your chance to see "Love Never Dies."
- As Gloria and Emilio Estefan
in the upcoming national tour of "On Your Feet!",
Christie Prades and Mauricio Martinez definitely
have the looks, talent, and rhythm
to bring the Grammy Award-winning
international sensations to life.
And we were lucky enough to spend a recent day
with the steamy stars
of photographer Matthew Murphy's studio in Queens,
where they showed off their dazzling costumes
and told us why audiences across the country
are in for a Conga-loving treat.
- Every single person around this nation
is going to relate to this show so much.
It's a story about each and every one of us
coming to this country,
whether you are originally from this country
or coming in from wherever you're from,
and just living out or working towards that American dream,
towards whatever it is that you want.
And it's a party.
It's very fun and it's a story about
each and every one of us,
that everyone can relate to.
- The "On Your Feet!" tour launches October 5th
at the Adrian Arsht Center in Miami.
- Olivier Award-winner Laura Michelle Kelly
is currently playing Anna in the touring production
of the Lincoln Center Theater's Tony-winning revival
of "The King and I,"
which means very lucky theatergoers
across North America get to see her perform
some of the most beautiful songs Richard Rodgers
and Oscar Hammerstein ever wrote.
But in case some of you haven't yet had the chance
to see the classic musical,
Laura was kind enough to come to our studio
and perform a gorgeous version of the tune,
"Hello Young Lovers."
♪ Be brave, young lovers, and follow your star ♪
♪ Be brave and faithful and true ♪
♪ Cling very close to each other tonight ♪
♪ I've been in love like you ♪
- "The King and I" tour has already announced
over 30 new cities for the coming season,
starting with Orlando on September 12th
at the Dr. Phillips Center.
So get your tickets asap.
And that's it for this episode
of the Broadway Across America Report.
We'll be back next month with the new buzz and updates
about your favorite touring Broadway productions.
- In the meantime,
be sure you tune in to SiriusXM On Broadway
on Channel 72 to keep up
with all the exciting programming we have planned.
- And for more Broadway and tour buzz,
visit Broadway.com.
And to find out when all of these hit shows
are coming close to your home,
visit Broadwayacrossamerica.com
See you next month with a look behind the scenes
of the best that touring Broadway has to offer.
(calm piano music)