Who doesn’t love the Tony Awards? Ok, ok, there are some out there with no love of signing, dancing, and fabulous musical numbers (Thank you Hugh Jackman for injecting some of that into the Oscars), but for those with a healthy appreciation of Broadway, this is the night to celebrate live theater!

For the first time ever, the Tonys are striking a green hot note in collaboration with the Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) and with guidance from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). These two organizations have for the past year been working diligently to improve the environmental impact of New York’s theater scene. The 2009 Tony Awards marks the first public display of the BGA’s industry-wide initiative to educate, motivate and inspire the theater community and its patrons to adopt environmentally friendlier practices in theater production and reduce its environmental footprint. Here are some highlights of the green happening behind-the-scenes:

>>2009 Tony Awards edition of Playbill will be printed on paper with 30% post-consumer recycled content.
>>500 Clear2Go reusable water bottles with replaceable filters for event guests
>>Hybrid vehicles are being provided for presenter and performer transportation.
>>Recycling bins are being provided at Radio City concession stands for plastic bottles and in production offices for plastics and paper waste.
>>The Red Carpet is made from 100% recycled material with 49% post consumer content.
>>Banners for the show were printed on non-PVC plastics and will be reused or recycled after event.

In addition to the above, Radio City Music Hall also did an energy efficiency analysis of the building resulting in newly installed efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and faucets, and post-consumer recycled content tissue products. “Broadway has landed a starring role in demonstrating to New Yorkers how sustainable practices are easy to implement, and are good for the environment and the bottom line,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Many of the steps the ‘Broadway Green Alliance’ has taken are only visible in the back of the house, but now they will be in the spotlight of the Tony Awards.”

Look for the curtain to rise on the 2009 Tony Awards — with Neil Patrick Harris as host — this coming June 7th on CBS.

Last year we broke the top secret news that Broadway was belting their asses off to help green up the theater scene!

Proving that it wasn’t just talk, last Friday it was announced that The Durst Organization and Bank of America have  just completed the Henry Miller Theater — New York City’s first New York’s first LEED®-rated performance space. Hallelujah!

To meet the necessary requirements, a minimum of 25 percent of materials were locally sourced and forty-five percent of cement in the foundation was replaced with blast furnace slag — significantly reducing the amount of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.

Furthermore, a minimum of 85 percent of  all construction and demolition debris was recycled instead of going straight to the landfill. Oh and let’s talk about the fancy under-slab drainage system that captures groundwater and recycles it into the building’s gray water system. Sexy, right?

About the project, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council Allen Hershkowitz, said: 

“This project sets the standard for environmental stewardship in theater design and, given the visibility of the project, it admirably recognizes Broadway’s potential to influence public opinion and inspire positive action,”

The theater will officially open on Sept. 10th with a production of Bye Bye Birdie. So get your tickets NOW and help support the Great GREEN Way.

Last May Ecorazzi told you that An Inconvenient Truth was being turned into an opera – certainty the first powerpoint presentation to ever receive such a theatrical makeover! 

The opera — which is scheduled to premiere in 2011 — is being composed by Giorgio Battistelli with the help of poet J.D. McClatchy as librettist and William Friedkin directing. However, rumor on the street is that Friedkin recently quit the production, citing “creative differences.” 

McClatchy, however, claims the reasons were personal and lambasted Friedkin for wanting to use special effects, saying “opera isn’t Hollywood.” W-O-W!

But really…An Inconvenient Truth The Opera? What’s next – Skinny Bitch in IMAX?

via: gawker.com

Will Ferrell will make his Broadway debut in You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush — and is offering a special performance to benefit the Actors Fund of America on Jan. 17th.

The Actors Fund is a non-profit organization that provides resources for entertainment professionals, including senior and disabled programs, mental health services, chemical dependency services and entertainment industry assistance programs. The group also runs the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative; the AIDS Initiative and helps provide low-cost housing for artists on both coasts.

You’re Welcome America begins previews at the Cort Theatre on January 20th and runs Feb 5th-March 15th. Tickets to the special Actor’s Fund benefit can be purchased by calling (212) 221-7300, ext. 133. Get ready to laugh your ass off, people!

As a New York City resident, I’m also so pleased when I hear that our lovely theater community is doing something awesome for the world!

On January 12th, the North American casts of Wicked will present Defying Inequality – a one night only benefit to promote equality and civil rights. The exclusive event will be held simultaneously in New York, LA, Chicago and Louisville (where the national tour is currently sitting) and feature stars like Eden Espinosa, Megan Hilty, Shoshana Bean, Donna Vivino, Richard H. Blake and more.

The concerts will benefit Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Garden State Equality and Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, all non-profit charitable organizations working to legislate equality and protect civil rights for the gay and lesbian community.

To find out how YOU can get tickets for this awesome event, visit OMG.Yahoo.com and help support a wonderful cause! Enjoy the show!!!

-Broadway star Jarrod Spector telling Broadway.com about his New Year’s resolution to be more environmentally-friendly. Here at the Razz we’re jazzed (get it? jazzed?) to see Broadway getting greener each day! Help Broadway help the world and go see some live theater today! 

photo credit: Joan Marcus

The “Hairspray Final Performance VIP Package,” includes a pair of orchestra seats to the show’s final performance as well as a 14″ x 22 poster/window card autographed by members of the final Broadway company and the coffee-table book Hairspray: The Roots.

Original stars Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur are currently appearing in the show, which has been running now for 7 years!! WOW!

Visit eBay to bid on this fantastic auction and make sure to check out Hairspray before it closes!!!

Ecorazzi reported earlier this year that the Broadway production of Wicked was getting a super green makeover! Well now it looks like the rest of the Broadway scene is following the lead!

The Great White Way is changing shades as the theater community embraces “Broadway Goes Green,” a new environmental initiative which hopes to “to reduce Broadway’s carbon footprint, adopt environmentally sustainable practices and promote environmental awareness in the creation and presentation of Broadway shows.”

In partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the initiative will help the theater scene become a little more green with new practices like:  washing costumes in cold water, printing theatre related eco-tips in Playbill Magazine, energy efficient lighting in theater marquees, rechargable batteries in sound equipment, sets made from more environmentally preferable materials and offsetting the carbon emissions of national tours by investing in renewal energy.

“This initiative and this commitment brings together the entire Broadway community. We’ve established three committees and they have begun practice and the adoption of better practices as the first step of an ongoing process in making Broadway greener. More task forces will be developed as more people get involved,” said Broadway League executive director Charlotte St. Martin in a statement.

We’re totally jazzed to hear that Broadway will be hopping on the green bandwagon and look forward to seeing what the theater company has in store for us next! 

via: playbill.com

If you live in New York City and have a crush on Broadway, Ecorazzi has the event for you! Tomorrow night Broadway’s best will come under one roof to participate in Don’t Quit Your Night Job – a critically acclaimed comedy variety show featuring a revolving cast of Broadway’s brightest performers! Billed as an event where “Broadway and improv meet…and makeout,”  Don’t Quit has received praise from Time Out New York, the New York Post, the Daily News and Variety magazine!

At this performance your funny bone will be tickled (or at least massaged) by stars from shows like Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, Spider Man 3 and many more! You might also recognize a few fancy pants Hollywood names like Richard Kind (Spin City) and Marc Summers (I’m talkin’ Double Dare here, people!). 

The best part (besides of course the awesome talent) is that the proceeds raised from Don’t Quit Your Night Job will go to the TDF Open Doors Program –  a mentoring program offering small groups of high school students an in-depth introduction to live theatre and dance,

The show will be held tomorrow, November 20th, at 11:30 p.m at the Zipper Factory in Midtown Manhattan! So visit Don’tQuitNYC.com and get your tickets before they all sell out! We promise you’ll laugh your ass off!

Well Broadway did it again! Earlier this month Ecorazzi brought you an exclusive interview with choreographer Connor Gallagher in preparation of the 18th annual Broadway Bares event — a night of fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Essentially, the evening consists of a bunch of scantily clad Broadway actors dancing their faces off for a good cause.

This year the M•A•C AIDS Fund sponsored the event and not only donated employees and supplies, but also wrote a check for $115,000 and presented a surprise “challenge match” check of $50,000. By the end of the evening Broadway Bares raised a new record of  $874,372…$130,585 more than last year’s record setting total.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund-raising and grant-making organization. Since its founding in 1988, the organization has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses. If you missed the show, but still want to give a little pocket change, visit broadwaycares.org and learn more.