December is a magical time of year in New York City, and one of the best times for a visit. The famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree was lit on December 4th and is a spectacle for all visitors to see until January 7th, 2014. Another great activity for visitors is to walk around Manhattan and see the amazing holiday window displays at department stores and boutiques in the city. Ice skating is also a great option, and there are rinks in Central Park, Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center among other locations. Of course, thousands of people will also congregate in Times Square on December 31st to see the crystal ball drop at midnight to welcome in 2014!

There are also some other fun events many people don’t know about, including the Holiday Train Show at the NY Botanical Garden, which will include more trains than ever before! You can view more information about the train show here – http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2013/holiday-train-show/index.php Speaking of trains, NYC Transit will also bring out antique subway trains and buses that are no longer in use for a holiday trip back in time for passengers in December!

In Broadway news…

A trio of Broadway’s biggest hit musicals – Cinderella, Mamma Mia! and The Phantom of the Opera – are meeting the needs of audience demand for more choice and schedule flexibility with the creation of Thursday matinees at 2:00pm. The new performances will begin Thursday, April 3, 2014.

We have some unfortunate closings on Broadway coming up:

Big Fish will close on December 29th, 2013
Annie will close on January 5th, 2014
Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark will close on Broadway on January 4th, 2014 and will be moving to Las Vegas.

Casting Announcements:

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced additional casting for the upcoming musical, Rocky. Terrence Archie, who originated the role of Apollo Creed in the world premiere Hamburg production, will reprise his role for Broadway. Dakin Mathews will play Rocky’s trainer, Mickey, and Danny Mastrogiorgio will play Adrian’s brother, Paulie. They join previously announced cast members Andy Karl and Margo Seibert as Rocky and Adrian.

Cameron Mackintosh announced that Andy Mientus, who captured the hearts of TV viewers with his portrayal of Kyle Bishop on the television series “Smash” and talented newcomer Charlotte Maltby will play Marius and Cosette in his acclaimed new production Les Miserables, which returns to Broadway beginning March 1, 2014. Canadian actor Cliff Saunders (The 39 Steps) and Tony Award-nominee Keala Settle (Hands on a Hardbody), will play the Thenardiers.

The producers of the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Jersey Boys are pleased to announce that Richard H. Blake (Legally Blonde, Wicked) will join the cast on Thursday, January 9, 2014 in the role of “Tommy DeVito.”

Tags: Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, Rocky