November 25, 2021

VIDEO: Watch a Sneak Peek of ANNIE LIVE! at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Next week, on December 2, Annie LIVE! comes to NBC, starring Celina Smith as Broadway’s favorite orphan, with Taraji P. Henson, Harry Connick Jr., Nicole Scherzinger, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess and more. Before the big night, the cast gave a sneak peek this morning at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Watch below as Daddy Warbucks (Harry Connick, Jr.) and Annie (Celina Smith) perform “I Don’t Need Anything But You” followed by “Tomorrow.”

November 24, 2021

Take a Look at the First Full Cast Photo From NBC’s Annie Live!

E! News can exclusively reveal the first official cast photo from NBC’s Annie Live! featuring Celina Smith, Harry Connick Jr., Taraji P. Henson, Tituss Burgess and Nicole Scherzinger.

The sun’ll come out tomorrow, but today, E! News is bringing you an exclusive look at the first full cast photo from NBC’s Annie Live!.

November 24, 2021

VIDEO: Celina Smith Rehearses ‘Tomorrow’ in New ANNIE LIVE! Video

The live holiday spectacular will air December 2 on NBC.

A new video of Celina Smith singing “Tomorrow” in rehearsals for Annie LIVE! has been released!

Watch Smith sing the song, discuss her interpretation of Annie, and the timelessness of the musical with Taraji P. Henson in the new video below!

October 22, 2021

NBC Debuts First Look at Celina Smith as Annie in ‘Annie Live!’ (TV News Roundup)

NBC revealed a first look at Celina Smith as Annie in “Annie Live!,” which airs on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.

The image sees Smith wearing the titular orphan’s famous white-collared red dress, “holding hands” with the dog who will play Sandy in the production. Smith, who is 12 years old, was cast after NBC’s nationwide search for a “future star” to take the iconic role. She’s most recently been seen as Rebecca in “Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan” on Nickelodeon and has also played Young Nala in the touring company of “The Lion King.”

August 24, 2021

Meet the young actress who will star in ‘Annie Live!’

After a nationwide casting search, the actress who will play the title role in “Annie Live!” this holiday season has been chosen: Celina Smith. Joining TODAY live on the plaza, 12-year-old Celina describes how she got the news that she had landed the part. “It’s just so amazing,” she says.

August 24, 2021

NBC’s ‘Annie Live!’ Casts Title Role: Celina Smith Gets ‘Tomorrow’

Twelve-year-old Celina Smith, a cast member of Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan on Nickelodeon, has landed the title role of NBC’s Annie Live!, the upcoming holiday production of the classic Broadway musical.

Smith, who started her career as Young Nala in the national touring company of The Lion King, joins NBC production’s previously cast Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace and Tituss Burgess as Rooster.

Annie Live! airs Thursday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.

August 11, 2021

Tituss Burgess Joins ‘Annie Live’ for NBC (Exclusive)

The six-time Emmy nominee joins a cast that includes Taraji P. Henson, Harry Connick Jr. and Nicole Scherzinger.

Annie Live continues to come into focus for NBC.

The production, scheduled to air Dec. 2, has tapped Tituss Burgess to play the role of Rooster, the underhanded brother of the ruthless Miss Hannigan.

The six-time Emmy-nominated Kimmy Schmidt alum joins a cast that includes Empire alum Taraji P. Henson as Hannigan, Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks and Nicole Scherzinger as Grace. The role of Annie has yet to be announced.

June 28, 2021

‘Annie Live!’: Harry Connick Jr Set To Play Daddy Warbucks In NBC Musical

Harry Connick Jr has been cast to play Daddy Warbucks in Annie Live!, NBC’s upcoming special inspired by the iconic Tony-winning Broadway musical. He joins as cast that already includes Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan.

A nationwide casting search is underway to play Annie, the orphan who opens the heart of billionaire Sir Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, played in past movie adaptations by Albert Finney and Jamie Foxx and by Reid Shelton in the original 1977 Broadway musical which won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.

June 11, 2021

‘13: The Musical’: Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck & Peter Hermann Round Out Cast Of Netflix Pic

EXCLUSIVE: And the dance card is full. Rhea Perlman (Matilda, Cheers), Josh Peck (Turner & Hooch, The Wackness) and Peter Hermann (Younger, Law & Order: SVU) have joined 13: The Musical, rounding out the cast of Netflix’s feature adaptation of the Broadway show.

It follows 12-year-old Evan Goldman (Eli Golden) as he moves from New York City to small-town Indiana and must grapple with his parents’ divorce, prepare for his pending Bar Mitzvah and navigate the complicated social circles of a new school.

June 8, 2021

Taraji P. Henson Cast as Miss Hannigan in NBC’s ‘Annie’ Live Musical

Some women are dripping in diamonds, some women are dripping with pearls — and Taraji P. Henson will be dripping with little girls during NBC’s holiday production of “Annie Live!”

The Academy Award-nominated actress will play the orphanage’s cruel manager, Miss Hannigan, who hates all children but especially Annie. Henson will lead the musical opposite a soon-to-be-discovered star, as the network kicks off its nationwide casting search for the titular redheaded optimist.

May 24, 2021

Debra Messing’s Number Called To Star In ’13: The Musical’ At Netflix

EXCLUSIVE: We have learned that Will & Grace Emmy winning Best Actress Debra Messing is joining Netflix’s feature adaptation of Broadway’s 13: The Musical.

She joins the previously announced cast that we first told you about of Eli Golden, Gabriella Uhl, JD McCrary, Frankie McNellis, Lindsey Blackwell, Jonathan Lengel, Ramon Reed, Nolen Dubuc, Luke Islam, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Kayleigh Cerezo, Wyatt Moss, Liam Wignall, and Khiyla Aynne in the Tamra Davis directed feature.

May 12, 2021

‘Annie Live’ to Air on NBC This Holiday Season; Bob Greenblatt and Neil Meron Producing (EXCLUSIVE)

NBC is getting a New Deal for Christmas, as it gets back into the live TV musical business with “Annie Live!” Set to air during the holidays, “Annie” also represents a homecoming of sorts for producers Bob Greenblatt and Neil Meron.

Greenblatt, of course, is the former NBC Entertainment chairman who found success in bringing live musicals to the network, starting with “The Sound of Music Live!” in 2013. Meron and the late Craig Zadan were the producers behind that special, which was a tremendous hit — averaging 21.8 million viewers in live+3 ratings. It spawned follow-up events including “Peter Pan Live!” in 2014, “The Wiz Live!” in 2015, “Hairspray Live!” in 2016 and “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” on Easter in 2018.

April 29, 2021

Netflix Feature Adaptation Of Broadway’s ’13: The Musical’ Finds Its Stars

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has locked down the cast to its upcoming feature adaptation of Broadway’s 13: The Musical.

The musical, which ran from October 2008 to January 2009 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre follows Evan Goldman (12) who following a move from NYC to small-town Indiana, grapples with his parents’ divorce, prepares for his impending Bar Mitzvah, and navigates the complicated social circles of a new school.

March 10, 2021

Neil Meron and Stephen Schwartz Join Educational Theatre Foundation Honorary Board

The arts education advocacy group also adds Sarah Jane Arnegger, Tim Kashani, and Craig Pospisil to their National Board of Trustees.

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) has announced a set of new board members, led by producer Neil Meron and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, both joining the arts education advocacy organization’s Honorary Board.

February 10, 2021

Amber Ruffin Joins Broadway-Bound ‘Some Like It Hot’ Musical As Co-Writer

Amber Ruffin has joined the Broadway-bound team of Some Like It Hot as a co-writer of the film-to-stage adaptation. The host of Peacock’s The Amber Ruffin Show will partner with Tony nominee Matthew López on the new musical’s book.

The announcement was made today by producers The Shubert Organization and Neil Meron. In a statement, producers Meron and Bob Wankel also said that Kenny Leon is joining the producing team.

February 4, 2021

Brandy’s ‘Cinderella,’ With Fairy Godmother Whitney Houston, Coming to Disney Plus

Over the years, fans of singer and actor Brandy have learned to “never say never” or believe that something’s “impossible” — and their patience and perseverance has been rewarded. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” the 1997 TV movie that stars Brandy and Whitney Houston, is officially coming to Disney Plus.

Disney announced Thursday that the beloved musical movie will launch on the streaming service “at the stroke of midnight” on Feb. 12.

January 13, 2021

Tina Fey and Wayne Brady Sign on for Educational Theatre Foundation Gala (EXCLUSIVE)

By Marc Malkin // Variety

Tina Fey and Wayne Brady have joined the lineup for this year’s Educational Theatre Foundation Gala.

Theatre Alive!: A Celebration of School Theatre, to be held virtually on Jan. 28, will honor director-producer-actor Kenny Leon with the Craig Zadan Theatre for Life Award. The Shubert Organization will receive the standing ovation award.

December 18, 2020

‘Look At Me’ Drama Inspired By Nyle DiMarco’s Life In Works At NBC From Producer Neil Meron

By Nellie Andreeva // Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: NBC is developing Look At Me, a drama series inspired by the life of deaf model, actor and activist Nyle DiMarco. The America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars winner executive produces the project, which hails from Neil Meron and Zadan/Meron Productions as well as Universal Television where the company is based.