BroadwayWorld.com Memphis Stories

PUPPET INVASION to Headline Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:02:17 PST

The 33rd Annual Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival will welcome nationally acclaimed puppeteer, educator, and creative innovator Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkin back to Memphis for a powerful three-day celebration honoring Black freedom, Black joy, civic engagement, and the enduring legacy of Black farmers.

Festival events will take place June 18–20, 2026 at historic Douglass Park - 3299 Omar Robinson Street 381033299 Omar Robinson St

Youth Day: Puppet Invasion

On Youth Day, June 18 at noon, young people and families will experience Jeghetto's Puppet Invasion, an interactive puppet flash mob featuring a giant Juneteenth puppet created especially for the festival alongside puppets created by youth from 11 community centers across Memphis.

Following the surprise procession through Douglass Park, youth will gather for a live puppet performance celebrating imagination, freedom, community, and Black joy. Jeghetto will also appear throughout the day, bringing his signature Hip Hop–infused puppetry and audience participation to one of Memphis's longest-running Juneteenth celebrations.

Rally for Representation & Community Power

On June 19, the festival will host the Rally for Representation beginning at noon, launching with a giant farmer puppet co-created during Jeghetto's residency in the Douglass neighborhood with local residents and youth. The puppet stands as a symbol of community power, resilience, self-determination, and the ongoing fight to ensure that all voices are represented and heard.

As part of the Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival, community leaders, elected officials, advocates, artists, and candidates will gather for a community-centered rally focused on civic engagement, democratic participation, and the protection of voting rights.

“Juneteenth is more than a celebration of freedom—it's an opportunity to remember the people whose labor, courage, and determination built our communities,” said Kathy Temple, Producer of the Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival. “This year we are especially proud to honor Black farmers, whose contributions have too often been overlooked despite their essential role in feeding families, preserving land, and sustaining generations. Through our festival, we celebrate not only our history but our collective responsibility to protect freedom, representation, and opportunity for future generations.”

The Rally for Representation will feature speakers including:

State Representative Justin J. Pearson (Saturday)
Gabby Salinas, State Representative
Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Memphis City Council
Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks
Tim Williams, Always Giving Back Memphis
Rachel Spriggs, The Equity Alliance
Tameka Greer, Memphis Artists for Change
Ian Randolph, Chair, Political Action Committee, NAACP & Shelby County Voter Alliance

The rally invites residents, families, artists, and community advocates to come together in celebration of Juneteenth while engaging in meaningful action around representation, civic participation, and the future of Memphis communities.

On June 20, the festival concludes with a full day of remembrance, culture, and celebration at Douglass Park.

The day begins with the soulful sounds of Empress Joyce, and follows with local 901 artists B-Radical & RLove, Dee Jizzle, Faith PQ, Preacher Man, and many more!

Throughout the day, the festival will bring together families and community members in fellowship, reflection, and celebration of Black cultural traditions and resilience.

The grand finale culminates with a special tribute to local artists, culture bearers, and community leaders before Douglass's own UTURN Band, featuring Bobby Wayne, Kenny J., Chris McDaniels, and Gary Taylor, takes the Mobile Shell stage at 6:00 PM. Their signature blend of smooth R&B, jazz, and blues will close out the festival in true Memphis fashion—bringing the community together in a joyful celebration of freedom, heritage, Black excellence, and the artistic spirit of the city.

About Jeghetto

A nationally recognized artist, Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkin has earned acclaim for transforming recycled materials into larger-than-life puppets that inspire wonder while advancing creativity, education, and environmental stewardship. His work has been featured at festivals, museums, schools, libraries, and cultural institutions across the country, earning national recognition for innovation in arts education and community engagement.

This year marks Jeghetto's fifth visit to Memphis in the last three years. Through ongoing collaborations with local artists, schools, libraries, and community organizations, he has built a deep connection to the city and is widely known for his love of Memphis's creativity, culture, and community spirit.

Honoring Black Farmers

The 2026 Juneteenth Douglass Freedom Festival pays tribute to generations of Black farmers whose labor, land stewardship, innovation, and resilience sustained families and communities despite systemic barriers. Through art, music, civic engagement, and community gathering, the festival honors the vital role Black farmers have played in shaping Southern culture and preserving traditions of self-determination and collective care.

Event Details

June 18 – Youth Day & Puppet Invasion | 10:00 AM
June 19 – Rally for Representation & Festival Programming | 12:00 PM Freedom Market begins at 9AM
June 20 – Community Celebration & Grand Finale | 12:00, stage starts at 3PM

Location: Douglass Park, Memphis, Tennessee
Admission & Parking: Free and Open to the Public

Free Community Reading Of The Declaration Of Independence to be Presented at TN Shakespeare Co.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:56:10 PST

Tennessee Shakespeare Company will kick off its 19th performance season by hosting the Mid-South's free, community Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 4 beginning with a light breakfast buffet at 9:30 am on its Tabor Stage. The Reading will be simulcast on WKNO-FM 91.1 public radio.

TSC's doors will open at 9:30 am for the complimentary buffet in the lobby with live music. The theatre will begin seating patrons at 9:45 am for the Reading. Due to the live radio broadcast, once the Reading begins shortly before 10:00 am, no late-seaters may be permitted in the theatre. The Reading and Roll Call should run approximately 30 minutes.

Directed by TSC founder Dan McCleary, volunteer readers will include Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of TN, Lakeland Mayor Josh Roman, Germantown Municipal Court Judge Rhea Clift, Marquis Dijon Archuleta, E. Frank Bluestein, Jeremy Bukauskas, Michael Christopher, Chris Cotten, Lorraine Cotten, René Curley, Margot Davis, Phoebe Davis, Michael Detroit, Kathryn Edmonds, Tracey Zerwig Ford, Lauren Hester Gunn, Stuart Heyman, Dr. Ted Horrell, James R. Humphreys, Debbie Litch, Steven McMahon, Frank Murtaugh, Jeff Posson, Sarah Sakaan, Bria B. Saulsberry, Kevin Sharp, Stephanie Shine, Christina Wellford-Scott, and Pat Mitchell Worley.

This event is free and open to the public, but reservations must be made in advance for General Admission seating by going online here or by calling the Box Office at (901) 759-0604; open Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

CLUE to Open 2026-2027 Orpheum Broadway Season in Memphis

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:29:29 PST

CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game and adapted from the fan-favorite film, comes to Memphis from Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 20. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 12.

Tickets will be available for purchase through the Orpheum box office (901.525.3000) and Ticketmaster.com. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 901.529.4226 or emailing groups@orpheum-memphis.com. The 2026-2027 Orpheum Broadway Season is generously sponsored by Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis, Memphis Area Honda Dealers, Memphis Dental Corporation, and Pinnacle Financial Partners.

The cast includes Sarah Mackenzie Baron as Mrs. White, Adam Brett as Wadsworth, Camille Capers as Miss Scarlet, Nate Curlott as Colonel Mustard, Joseph Dalfonso as Mr. Boddy, TJ Lamando as Mr. Green, Madeline Raube as Mrs. Peacock, AT Sanders as The Cook, Zoie Tannous as Yvette, Kebron Woodfin as the Cop, and Kyle Yampiro as Professor Plum.

The understudies are Thomas Netter, Allison Masulis, Taylor Tveten, and Layne Roate.

Led by Broadway Director Casey Hushion (Associate Director of Mean Girls and The Prom, Associate Resident Director of Aladdin, choreography for the Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they'll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

CLUE is based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn. Written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. It features original music by Michael Holland.

The production also features scenic design by Lee Savage, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Ryan J. O'Gara, sound design by Jeff Human with hair, wig & makeup design by J. Jared Janas. CLUE is associate directed by Saki Kawamura, with fight choreography by Robert Westley. Casting is by Whitley Theatrical. The Production Stage Manager is Jenna Wadleigh and the Company Manager is Laurence Christopher.

The CLUE franchise began in 1949 with the manufacture of the ‘Cluedo' board game. Currently owned and published by Hasbro, the game has since sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. A murder-mystery comedy film by Paramount Pictures based on the board game was released in 1985 acquiring a passionate fanbase that continues to gain newcomers today.

The Second North American tour of CLUE is produced by Work Light Productions and LME Productions.

Originally produced at Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, Pennsylvania, Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman, and Josh Fiedler, Producers. Developed by Cleveland Playhouse, Laura Kepley, Artistic Director & Kevin Moore, Managing Director.

clueliveonstage.com

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:03:21 PST

Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community. In this May 2026 edition, we're bringing you a fresh batch of standout reviews from regional stages across the country - from Brigadoon at Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles to The Phantom of the Opera at Seattle's Paramount Theatre and Pippin at Signature Theatre in DC.

Diane Paulus directs an immersive, David Bowie-inspired Life on Mars at American Repertory Theater, the producers of Japan's Gypsy revival walk back a planned title change, and we go behind the scenes with interviews spanning Adam Fields of the Beetlejuice national tour, The Muny's casting director Michael Baxter, Richard Kind on finally taking on Edna in Hairspray, and BWW's Kid Reporters chatting with the touring Von Trapp kids of The Sound of Music. Plus, get a first look at exciting new productions through performance videos and photos, including Anastasia at La Mirada Theatre, Dear Evan Hansen at Arden Theatre, Pippin at Signature Theatre, and the Manila cast of Jesus Christ Superstar - and so much more from across the BroadwayWorld.

Diane Paulus Will Direct Immersive David Bowie Inspired LIFE ON MARS at American Repertory Theater

Joshua Wright | Boston

Diane Paulus will direct Life on Mars, an immersive theatrical production set to David Bowie's music, as the inaugural production at the Goel Center for Creativity & Performance in May.

GYPSY in Japan: Producers Walk Back Title Change Ahead of 2026 Revival

Joshua Wright | Japan

The Japanese revival of GYPSY will retain its original title when it returns to the stage in 2026, reversing an earlier decision to present the production under the name 'Rose.'

Interviews

Interview: Adam Fields of BEETLEJUICE National Tour

Brock Mills | Jacksonville

For Adam Fields, returning to Jacksonville with the national tour of Beetlejuice the Musical isn’t just another stop, it’s a full-circle moment. The production will play in Jacksonville from May 12–17 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.

Interview: BWW’s 'Kid Reporters' Chat With THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s Touring Von Trapp Kids

Melissa Heckscher | Los Angeles

BroadwayWorld Los Angeles' kid reporters talk with the young touring cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC to find out what it's like to be part of one of Broadway’s most iconic shows and what actually happens behind the curtain.

Interview: Chatting with The Muny's Casting Director Michael Baxter

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

Michael Baxter’s work will shine on The Muny stage during all 50 performances this summer. He led the efforts and had a hand in hiring every one of the 194 actors who will fill the principal and ensemble roles.

Interview: Richard Kind Talks Finally Taking on Edna in The Muny's HAIRSPRAY

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

When The Muny opens their production of Hairspray on June 15, 2026, the legendary Richard Kind will don Edna Turnblad’s housecoat and step into her fuzzy house slippers. Kind, star of stage, screen and film, calls it bucket list moments to get to perform at The Muny and play Edna all at the same time.

Reviews

Review: BRIGADOON at Pasadena Playhouse

Andrew Child | Los Angeles

Brava to Alexandra Silber for capturing all the heart and humor of Lerner’s original book with her thoughtful new adaptation and brava to Katie Spelman for dreaming up a Brigadoon that is as ebullient and spirited as it is deeply human.

Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Paramount Theatre

Shelley Dean | Seattle

It’s almost unbelievable for me to admit that this was my first time seeing The Phantom of the Opera. Of course, I knew the iconic songs and had seen countless clips over the years, but experiencing the production live on stage for the first time was entirely different, haunting, and spine-chilling in the best way possible. From the chandelier drop to the monumental set pieces, the show truly lives up to its legendary reputation. The 2026 tour, directed by Harold Prince, serves as a revitalized version of the original production, featuring Maria Björnson’s iconic designs, musical staging, and choreography by Gillian Lynne. It is absolutely ravishing, and Seattle audiences are lining up hours early to witness the spectacle for themselves.

Review: PIPPIN at Signature Theatre

Aidan O'Connor | Washington, DC

Certain facets of the human condition are foundational to our very existence – change, connection, desire. One such particularly toxic universal truth is a constant need to be something more than we currently are. To search for happiness in external achievement rather than within ourselves, in our simple joys. Pippin at Signature Theatre breathes within that precise virulence, relatively orchestrated by a troupe of impeccably costumed and choreographed players. A feast for the eyes in all senses, Matthew Gardiner’s production surpasses even the highest of expectations.

Videos

Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'

Michael Major | Los Angeles

La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.

Photos/Video: DEAR EVAN HANSEN At Arden Theatre

A.A. Cristi | Philadelphia

Arden Theatre Company is now presenting DEAR EVAN HANSEN as the final production of its 2025/26 season, with performances continuing through July 5. New production photos and video have been released from the Philadelphia production, including footage of Evan A. Kaushesh performing “Waving Through a Window.”

Video: Watch 'Corner of the Sky' From Signature Theatre's PIPPIN

Michael Major | Washington, DC

Watch a video of Brayden Bambino performing 'Corner of the Sky' in Signature Theatre's production of Pippin. The in-the-round production is now running through July 26 with tickets available now.

Photos

Photos: Get a First Look at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in Manila

Oliver Oliveros | Philippines

The 2017 Olivier Award winner for Best Musical Revival, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' has officially opened at The Theatre at Solaire.

THE LOVES OF LINCOLN to Make World Premiere at Emerald Theatre Company

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:28:08 PST

Emerald Theatre Company will present the world premiere of The Loves of Lincoln, one of only a handful of new plays receiving a full professional premiere in Memphis this year.

The Loves of Lincoln is a deliriously queer bedroom farce about Abe Lincoln, his Black maid, and her animatronic steampunk Lincoln robot. She wants Abe to proclaim the Emancipation Proclamation NOW, but with his love life, a mad wife and losing the Civil War, Abe has so much on his plate!

Fast, loud, and wacky, yes—but in the tradition of George Bernard Shaw, this is comedy with a serious social mission: combating the erasure of LGBTQ people from history. Abraham Lincoln's sexuality is a hotly debated issue among historians, and “The Loves of Lincoln” brings theatre into that conversation.

That the play is opening in Juneteenth (a holiday connected to the Emancipation Proclamation), during Gay Pride Month, is no coincidence. It addresses both race and sexual orientation. At a time when debates over how American history is taught have become increasingly heated, The Loves of Lincoln uses comedy to explore questions of race, sexuality, and historical memory.

Performances will be held at TheatreWorks @ The Square, 2085 Monroe Avenue, in the heart of Overton Square. June 19-28, 2026. Shows are on Friday and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are $20.00 general admission.

The Emerald Theatre has been bravely mouthing Queer theatre in the mid-South for 30 years and is the mid-South's oldest LGBTQ theater company.

SHREK THE MUSICAL Will Come to Cumberland County Playhouse

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:03:51 PST

Beginning June 19, the Cumberland County Playhouse will present Shrek the Musical, bringing all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ear.

In this hilarious fairy-tale adventure that's perfect for the whole family, a grumpy ogre named Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to rescue a feisty princess who doesn't exactly need saving. Add a pint-sized villain, a cookie with an attitude and a kingdom of storybook outcasts, and you've got a mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand.

Returning to the Playhouse stage are Noah Sowalskie (Elf) starring as Shrek with Téa Doherty (Elf) as Princess Fiona. Also returning are Playhouse favorites Michael Ruff (Walking Across Egypt) as Donkey, Caleb Sager (Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream) as Lord Farquaad and Phoenix Aura Woods (Hairspray) as the Dragon.

They are joined on stage by a cast of fairy tale favorites including Logan Purcell (Hairspray) as Pinocchio, DeAnna Helgeson (The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On) as the Sugar Plum Fairy/Gingy, and Kyra Crosby (The Wizard of Oz) as the Ugly Duckling and Teen Fiona. Also featured in the cast are Connor Adair (Elf) as Papa Bear/ Papa Ogre, Carson Brown (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) as Sticks, Jack Catena (Hairspray) as Peter Pan, Robin Houghton (9 to 5) as Straw, Mary Humphrey (The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On) as the Wicked Witch, David Kappel (Hairspray) as the Mad Hatter, Julia Peasall (9 to 5) as the Shoemaker's Elf, Kwincy Pierre (Hairspray) as the White Rabbit, Caitlin Schaub (The Miss Firecracker Contest) as the Evil Queen, with newcomers Arrione Magee as Humpty Dumpty, Nathan Mann as the Captain of the Guard, Damari Padilla as the Big Bad Wolf, Coleman Stoltenberg as Bricks, and Ava Whitaker as the Fairy Godmother/Mama Ogre. Playhouse T3 students Evan Lisic (The Lion King Jr.) star as Young Shrek/ Dwarf with Alyssa Aytes (The Wizard of Oz) and Lydia Sias (White Christmas) sharing the role of Baby Bear and Young Fiona. Cameron Collins (Hairspray) is the Swing.

Shrek the Musical is directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Britt Hancock (Hairspray), with choreography by Jensen Crain-Foster and music direction by David Garrison and Jacob Miller. Shrek the Musical runs on the Mainstage through August 9 and is rated PG.

SHREK THE MUSICAL Will Come to Cumberland County Playhouse

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:03:51 PST

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:05 PST

Ever watched the weekly Broadway grosses roll in and thought you could pick the winners? Now you can put it to the test. BroadwayWorld has launched the Producer Fantasy Game, a free, season-long competition that lets theatre fans build a roster of Broadway shows and earn points based on how those productions actually perform at the box office. The draft window is open now.

How It Works

The setup is simple. During the draft window, you pick any six Broadway productions that opened this season. Drafting is non-exclusive, so there is no need to race a rival for a hot title. Any number of players can roster the same show.

From there, your shows go to work for you. Every week, each production on your roster earns fantasy points based on its reported box office grosses and capacity percentages. When Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations and wins are announced, your shows bank bonus points on top of that. And each week you can answer our Fantasy Forecast prediction questions for up to five bonus points per correct call.

Weekly Scoring

Each week, a show earns one base point for every $50,000 it grosses, so a $1 million week is worth 20 base points. On top of that, shows can earn bonuses: up to five points for filling seats (based on how close to full capacity the house ran), six points for grossing $2 million or more (or three points for grossing between $1 million and $2 million), and eight points if its gross jumped at least 15 percent from the week before. A show loses four points if its gross dropped at least 15 percent. If a show goes dark and reports no gross for a week, it scores zero for that week with no penalty.

The Fantasy Forecast

The Producer Fantasy Game is really two games in one. The first is the box office game: drafting shows and earning points from their weekly grosses and awards. The second is the Fantasy Forecast, a weekly set of prediction questions about what's happening on Broadway, where each correct answer is worth up to five points. You can play one or both.

We track them separately so you can shine at either. Your Producer score covers the box office game, your Forecast score covers your prediction results, and your Combined score adds the two together for the overall championship ranking. The leaderboard lets you toggle between Overall, Producers, and Forecasters, so a sharp predictor can top the Forecasters board even during a rough season for their roster, and a roster powerhouse can lead the Producers board without answering a single question.

Managing Your Roster

Your lineup stays at six shows all season, and you have plenty of room to maneuver. You get one free drop every week, three additional season drops to use anytime before the trade deadline, and free replacements whenever a show on your roster closes. New productions open throughout the season and become available the moment they start reporting grosses, so it pays to keep a transaction in your pocket for that buzzy new opening.

Join the Game

The Producer Fantasy Game is free for all BroadwayWorld users, and you can join any time the draft window is open. Draft within the first two weeks of the season and your roster is scored from opening week, so the earlier you get in, the more weeks you bank. Build your roster, make your predictions, and start climbing the leaderboard today.

Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Orpheum Theatre Memphis

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:25:31 PST

Our beloved "tale as old as time" has returned to the stage, reimagined for its 30th anniversary. Based on the award-winning 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast centers around a selfish prince who is cursed to become a hideous beast until the day he learned to love another, and earn another's love in return. The beauty in this tale is Belle, an intellectual girl in a dull Parisian town full of vapid people who call her "odd". She yearns for adventure, which she finds when she takes her father's place in a Beast's castle. The story is actually a fairytale, written in 1740 by French novelist Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont and became one of Disney's most iconic films in the 1990s. Beauty and the Beast became the highest-grossing animated film in history as well as the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture, altogether winning 2 Academy Awards, 3 Golden Globes, and 4 Grammy Awards. The film was heavily praised for the music and the songwriting, some calling it "better than anything they had seen on Broadway". These reviews encouraged Disney to consider turning it into a stage musical... and it remains Broadway's 11th longest-running production in history.

All of the original songs are used for the stage, including "Human Again" which was actually cut from the Disney film. Alan Menken returned, alongside Tim Rice (who replaced Howard Ashman after his death), and composed six new songs for the production. Some of these songs have been removed for the 30th anniversary production and the dance breaks have been turned into something far more extravagant (which personally I was not a fan of but I am a purist at heart, more often appreciating the original than the updated) I also read that many of these changes were to appeal to the younger audiences, making it more fun to watch and sort of putting a time limit on Belle and Beast-- can true love break the curse before the last petal of the rose falls? As somene who has worked for the Walt Disney Company and the Walt Disney parks, this makes sense to me as children's attention is limited at best. Matt West's exhilarating choreography along with Ann Hould-Ward's spectacular costumes and David H. Lawrence's Hair and Make-Up make it a pure spectacle that all ages can enjoy.

Casting wise, the production is bursting with talent. (A warm Welcome Home shout out to Memphis native, Benjamin Cheng, who is a part of the masterful ensemble) While most reviews will feature Kyra Belle Johnson in the role of Belle, I was actually treated to something different; Grace Marie Rusnica went on last night for Belle and it was a combination of watching the cartoon come to life with a fresh take on the bookworm beauty. Rusnica's sweet tones filled the Orpheum Theatre while her sassy side played wonderfully opposite Stephen Mark Lucas, who portrays the handsome yet horrid Gaston. Lucas had plenty of comedic moments, especially when paired with Harry Francis's Lefou but he was also able to muster up Gaston's sly cunning when he gathers the villagers to raid the Castle and kill the Beast. And speaking of the Beast, Fergie L. Phillipe brings a fresh take on the Beast with vulnerability and humor. While I would have loved to see a little more growling and "beast-like" behavior in the first act, it was really fun to see the Beast as he is-- a pompous brat. Phillipe has moments that has the audience rolling with laughter but as the rose petals fall and he finds himself falling in love, we are treated to intense moments of sensitivity. His rich voice shines beautifully during the tragic tune, "If I Can't Love Her" and later in the reprise. Javier Ignacio, Danny Gardner, Kathy Voytko, Cameron Monroe Thomas, and Holly Ann Butler come together as the enchanted objects of the Castle, Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Babette, and Madame (my personal favorite!) They all have moments to shine but also work together to help push Belle and Beast together and their voices blend together wonderfully. "Be Our Guest" and "Human Again" are great examples of those extravagant changes I mentioned earlier, with the ensemble all joining in to create quite the display!

Another change you might find interesting is the heavy use of projection and screens, particularly with the wolf chase. I have seen Beauty and the Beast on the stage three times so it sort of took me by surprise that the wolves were done on the screen. That being said, Natasha Katz's lighting design, Stanley A. Meyer's scenic design, John Shivers's sound design and Darrell Maloney's video and projection design all work together to bring this piece of magic to life.

The original Broadway production began previews at the Palace Theatre on March 9, 1994, running until September 5th, 1999. The show transferred to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 11th, 1999 and closed on July 29th, 2007, after 5,461 performances. Since then, the show has been performed in 40 different countries. I was lucky enough to meet Susan Egan, who originated the role of Belle. Since I am a both a Disney lover and avid theatre-goer, I asked her about her different roles throughout history and I was fascinated to hear that she credits Beauty and the Beast for her role as Meg in the animated film Hercules. She did not have a chance to audition for the role, as the creators thought that Belle and Meg were polar opposites but her connections within the Disney community helped her get an audition and her sassy side to Belle was perfect for Meg. She also mentioned that she originally refused to audition for Beauty and the Beast, as she thought that Disney should not be putting a cartoon on stage and she also thought she was not attractive enough to play the most beautiful girl in town but she said she was grateful that her agent convinced her otherwise. Beauty and the Beast personally means a great deal to me. I was a very lucky young cast member when I was selected to be a part of the opening photopass photography team in New Fantasyland in 2012. My new home was to be Enchanted Tales with Belle, an attraction that combined storytelling and animatronics with a hint of the Disney magic that we all know and love. The library was my favorite part of the expansion... if you ever get to visit the attraction, be sure to check out the books on the right side of the fireplace! There are two very special books, engraved with the initials "AM" and "HA", for Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the two men behind the magic of Beauty and the Beast.

Since it is PRIDE month, I will take a moment to share one of my favorite bits of history with you. Howard Ashman, who also won an award for Best Original Song for Under the Sea in 1989's The Little Mermaid, worked on Beauty and the Beast with Alan Menken and soon told him that he had been diagnosed with AIDS in 1988. Ashman poured his personal experiences into the lyrics, particularly in "Mob Song" ("We don't like what we don't understand/ In fact it scares us/ And this monster is mysterious at least") The lyrics are widely viewed as a personal metaphor for the AIDS epidemic and the villagers' fear of the Beast reflects society's rejection and fear that gay men faced during this time in history. Ashman viewed the Beast's curse much like his diagnosis-- a hopeless situation that harmed not only him but those around him as well. Ashman unfortunately passed away eight months before Beauty and the Beast premiered. The movie was dedicated to his memory, displaying the message after the credits: "To our friend, Howard, who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul, we wil be forever grateful. Howard Ashman, 1950-1991."

Just something to ponder when you go watch Beauty and the Beast at the Orpheum Theatre this week! Don't miss your chance to witness the magic come to life!

SWEENEY TODD to Open at Playhouse on the Square in Collaboration with Opera Memphis

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:22:49 PST

Playhouse on the Square and Opera Memphis will present Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Performances will run June 12th - July 12th, 2026 at Playhouse on the Square, Overton Square Performing Arts District, 66 S. Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104.

Accused of a crime he didn't commit, Benjamin Barker, a London Barber, is sent to Australia by the evil Judge Turpin. Now serving a dark and vengeful god, he returns to London 15 years later and goes by the name Sweeney Todd. Upon learning of the death of his wife, amongst other updates while he was away, Sweeney takes it upon himself to seek revenge. Befriending a lonely, crazed woman, he enlists Mrs. Lovett's help to apply his razor to unlucky customers while Mrs. Lovett prepares their corpses for her meat-pie shop, but he won't be satisfied until his razor finally falls on Turpin. Swing your razor high, Sweeney - closing the Playhouse on the Square season in a joint effort with our friends at Opera Memphis.

Playhouse on the Square concludes its 2025/2026 season with a collaboration with Opera Memphis, the first since 2011. This Murderous Dramatic Musical is directed and choreographed by Whitney Branan and music direction by Stephen Karr.

The cast of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will be led by Matthew Burns as Sweeney Todd and Amy Nabors as Mrs. Lovett. The company also includes Andy Boggs as Anthony, Dawn Bradley as Johanna, Bryce Goodson as Tobias, Bill Andrews as Judge Turpin, David Schnell as Beadle, Christina Hernandez as the Beggar Woman, Philip Himebook as Pirelli, and Marquis Dijon Archuleta as Fogg.

The ensemble features Madeline Comer, Cameron Crawford (Dance Captain), Chad Fruscione*, Jari Head, Elliot Lear, Emma Less, Chris McCollum, Joshua Orozco, Luca Scarpace, Shelbi Sellers, Drew Sinnard*, Donovan Smith, Taylor Tipton, and Anna Williams.

The creative team includes director and choreographer Whitney Branan, music director Stephen Karr, assistant director Claire D. Kolheim, assistant choreographer Rose Blakeman, stage manager Chelsea Robinson, assistant stage manager Kymbrianna Griggs, lighting designer Meg Christopherson, scenic designer Tim McMath, Costume Designer Em Rossi, props designer Iza Bateman, sound designer Josh Crawford, and production manager/technical director Philip Hughen.

Denotes a Playhouse on the Square Resident Company member.

SWEENEY TODD to Open at Playhouse on the Square in Collaboration with Opera Memphis

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:22:49 PST

Denotes a Playhouse on the Square Resident Company member.

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:57:07 PST

“A Drag Queen Christmas” will return for its 12th year, launching a 39-city national tour this November - December. The 2026 edition is hosted by returning fan favorite and theatre star Nina West, and features an all-new merry lineup of drag superstars from the Emmy-winning RuPaul's Drag Race franchise.

Artist pre-sale begins Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. (local time) with the code “TWELVE,” and general on sale begins Friday, June 5 at 10 a.m. (local time) at dragfans.com.

This year's cast includes:

Myki Meeks, Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Nini Coco, Runner-up, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Darlene Mitchell, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Juicy Love Dion, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Discord Addams, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Crystal Methyd, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026) & Drag Race Season 12 (2020)
Silky Ganache, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026), Drag Race All Stars Season 6 (2021), Drag Race Season 11 (2019)

“A Drag Queen Christmas” is the world's premiere holiday drag showcase and a sensational theatrical experience that delivers high camp, over-the-top lip-sync performances, side-splitting comedy, elaborate costumes, Broadway-style staging, and a whole lot of heart—something we all seek during the chaos of the holiday season. With plenty of spectacular surprises in store, the show offers audiences a chance to see drag queens at the top of their game perform showstopping numbers of epic holiday proportions on revered theater stages across America. Each year, “A Drag Queen Christmas” provides an annual tradition for folks from all walks of life to come together and connect, find community, and celebrate the season with joy and laughter.

This dazzling, 18+ holiday extravaganza runs two hours and offers fans the chance to add-on a VIP Meet & Greet Experience—including early access to the venue, photos with the queens on stage, autographs, and exclusive tour merchandise.

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

November 11 - Detroit, MI (Fisher Theatre)

November 12 - Rochester, NY (Kodak Center)

November 13 - Rutland, VT (Paramount Theatre)

November 14 - Portland, ME (Merrill Auditorium)

November 15 - Boston, MA (Emerson Colonial Theatre)

November 17 - Red Bank, NJ (Count Basie Center for the Arts)

November 18 - Morristown, NJ (Mayo Performing Arts Center)

November 19 - Washington, DC (Warner Theatre)

November 20 - Durham, NC (Durham Performing Arts Center)

November 21 - Wilmington, NC (Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College)

November 22 - Philadelphia, PA (Fillmore)

November 24 - Pittsburgh, PA (Byham Theater)

November 25 - Columbus, OH (Palace Theatre)

November 27 - Chicago, IL (Riviera Theatre)

November 28 - Appleton, WI (Fox Cities Performing Arts Center)

November 29 - Omaha, NE (Orpheum Theater)

November 30 - Oklahoma City, OK (The Criterion)

December 1 - Des Moines, IA (Hoyt Sherman Place)

December 2 - Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)

December 4 - Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)

December 5 - Salt Lake City, UT (Kingsbury Hall)

December 7 - Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)

December 9 - Sacramento, CA (Channel 24)

December 10 - San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Theatre)

December 11 - Stockton, CA (Bob Hope Theatre)

December 12 - Los Angeles, CA (The Wiltern)

December 13 - Santa Rosa, CA (Luther Burbank Center)

December 15 - Mesa, AZ (Mesa Arts Center)

December 16 - Tucson, AZ (Fox Tucson Theatre)

December 17 - El Paso, TX (Plaza Theatre)

December 19 - Austin, TX (ACL Live at The Moody Theater)

December 20 - Dallas, TX (Winspear Opera House)

December 21 - Wichita, KS (Orpheum Theatre)

December 22 - St.Louis, MO (The Factory)

December 23 - Knoxville, TN (Tennessee Theatre)

December 26 - Tampa Bay, FL (Straz Center for the Performing Arts)

December 27 - Fort Myers, FL (Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall)

December 28 - West Palm Beach, FL (Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)

December 29 - Jacksonville, FL (Florida Theatre)

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:59:39 PST

As Sonic the Hedgehog celebrates 35 years as one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, Senbla and SEGA today announced Sonic Live In Concert (www.sonicliveinconcert.com). This new concert experience brings the music and moments of the beloved video games to the stage.

Featuring iconic moments and music from the very first game in 1991 through today, the production will debut in the U.S. at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on September 26, 2026, before making its European premiere at London's Eventim Apollo on September 30. The U.S. tour will visit more than 30 cities nationwide, and a UK tour will follow in February 2027. More European dates will be announced at a later time. Tickets will go on sale May 29, 2026, with pre-sale tickets going on sale on May 28, 2026.

As part of a global rollout celebrating the franchise's milestone anniversary, Sonic Live In Concert features the most recognizable music from the Sonic universe, performed by a live ensemble alongside rock musicians, vocalists, and electronic elements. The setlist includes fan-favorite tracks and an incredible array of music from the very first game through to today accompanied by synchronized HD footage of iconic levels, moments and boss battles from the franchise. Audiences can expect musical Easter eggs woven into the arrangements, adding an extra layer of discovery that brings Sonic's world vividly to life on stage.

The concert also highlights the creative legacy behind Sonic's music from legendary composers Jun Senoue and Tomoya Ohtani, whose work has helped define Sonic's sound across generations.

"Sonic has some of the most distinct and celebrated music in gaming," says Ollie Rosenblatt, CEO of Senbla. "We wanted to create a live show that stays true to what the fans love about Sonic's music, from the electronic and melodic themes to high-energy rock."

“Music has always been a core part of Sonic's identity, shaping how fans experience this world across generations," said Ivo Gerscovich, Chief Business & Brand Officer at SEGA of America, Inc. "With this concert, we're looking forward to celebrating that legacy in a live setting; bringing together the energy, emotion, and creativity of Sonic's music in a way that both longtime fans and new audiences can enjoy together.”

Since his debut in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has become a global entertainment icon spanning video games, film, television, and consumer products. With renewed momentum driven by recent film releases, new game titles, and a global brand campaign tied to the 35th anniversary, the franchise continues to reach new generations of fans worldwide.

The performance schedule includes:

September 20, 2026 – Spokane, Washington – First Interstate Center for the Arts
September 22, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre (preview)
September 23, 2026 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium (preview)
September 25, 2026 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre (preview)
September 26, 2026 – Hollywood, CA – Dolby Theatre
September 27, 2026 – Riverside, CA – Fox Performing Arts Center
September 29, 2026 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater
September 30, 2026 – London, U.K. – London Eventim Apollo
October 1, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre
October 2, 2026 – Fresno, CA – Saroyan Theatre
October 3, 2026 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
October 4, 2026 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
October 6, 2026 – Denver, CO – Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre
October 8, 2026 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
October 9, 2026 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
October 10, 2026 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
October 11, 2026 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
October 13, 2026 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
October 15, 2026 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
October 16, 2026 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance Theater
October 17, 2026 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre
October 18, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
October 19, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
October 20, 2026 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
October 22, 2026 – Brandon, MS – City Hall Live
October 23, 2026 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
October 24, 2026 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
October 25, 2026 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts
October 27, 2026 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
October 28, 2026 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
October 29, 2026 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
October 30, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FL – Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
October 31, 2026 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Au Rene Theater
November 1, 2026 – Orlando, FL – Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
February 17, 2027 – Glasgow, UK – Royal Concert Hall
February 18, 2027 – Edinburgh, UK – Usher Hall
February 19, 2027 – Manchester, UK – Bridgewater Hall
February 20, 2027 – Birmingham, UK – Symphony Hall

For more information, tour dates, and tickets, visit www.sonicliveinconcert.com.

Collierville High School Students to Represent Memphis at the Jimmy Awards on Broadway

Fri, 22 May 2026 19:47:31 PST

On Thursday, May 21, the Orpheum Theatre Group announced the award recipients of the 17th annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards presented by Orion Financial. Students from 56 participating schools across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri gathered on the Orpheum stage to celebrate their peers' on- and off-stage achievements in musical theatre.

The evening was a culmination of a year-long program bringing students from all over the Mid-South together for an intensive week of team building, collaboration, and celebration of musical theatre. The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is the only regional program in the country that encompasses four states.

Award recipients for Lead Actor and Lead Actress – Hayden Hooper (Collierville High School) and Maggie Dinstuhl (Collierville High School) will represent the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards at The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards) at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway on Monday, June 22. For the first time in Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards history, both students also received a financial scholarship valuing $1,500 each generously provided by presenting sponsor Orion Financial.

“Last night was a powerful reminder of what makes high school theatre so magical — the passion, creativity, confidence, and courage these students bring to the stage. The talent across our region is extraordinary, and Orion Financial is incredibly proud to serve as the inaugural presenting sponsor of the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards. We are honored to celebrate these young artists and cannot wait to see where their talent and ambition take them in the future.” — Ashley McDurmon, President & CEO, Orion Financial

The 17th annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards are sponsored in part by Andy Dean Production Services, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Memphis Dental Corporation, Production One, Sedgwick, SouthWorth Capital Management, and Ticketmaster.

The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is an official partner of The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards) which includes 58 programs from across the country. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, the program invites two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway's most accomplished professionals. Nominees will spend ten days in New York City, and their experience will culminate in an extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The 17th annual Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 22 at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway – the current home of Disney's The Lion King.

The Orpheum Theatre Group congratulates the following award recipients!

The Award Recipients of the 2026 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards

The Jalen Award (Spirit of the HSMTAs) sponsored by Pickler Wealth Advisors & Beth and David Pickler

Outstanding Small Ensemble sponsored by The Chauhan Family

Evan Johnson – The Academies of West Memphis

Outstanding Large Ensemble sponsored by Gould's Academy

The Sardines - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical

Outstanding Chorus sponsored by Susan Fetz, Becky Siano & Sherry Williams

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting

Outstanding Student Orchestra sponsored by Ted Donaldson

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting

Outstanding Dance Execution sponsored by Sherry and Don Williams

Houston High School - The Addams Family

Outstanding Choreography sponsored by Daniel Stuart Nelson

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting

Outstanding Playbill sponsored by Christina Torres and Alex Barton

Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

Outstanding Poster sponsored by directFX

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting

Outstanding Front of House sponsored by Friends of the Orpheum (FOTO)

St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Artistic Element sponsored In Memory of Julia Mason

Milan High School - Matilda

Outstanding Hair and Makeup sponsored by Blo Blow Dry Bar Germantown

The Rain - Northpoint Christian School - Singin' in the Rain

Outstanding Costumes sponsored by Kathryn and Jim Gilliland, Jr.

Cabot High School - White Christmas

Outstanding Lighting sponsored by The Pattons in honor of Sherry Williams

Houston High School - The Addams Family

Outstanding Sound Design and Execution sponsored by Lisa and Dr. Mike Cockrell - Cockrell Family Medical Center

Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

Outstanding Set sponsored by Veronica and Brett Batterson

St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Technical Achievement sponsored by Michelle Epps

Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Student Creative Achievement sponsored by Jerry & Ann Barton

Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Student Technical Achievement sponsored by Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle, and Cox

Xavier Ware Jr. – Arlington High School – The SpongeBob Musical

Outstanding Student Stage Management Achievement sponsored by Jennifer McGrath

AJ Loritts – Evangelical Christian School – Matilda

The Bravo Award sponsored by Amy, Alex, and Jack Knight

Becca Graubart – Houston High School – The Addams Family

The Spotlight Award for Outstanding Transition Design and Execution

Libby DePriest as Matilda - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Ella Beth Wilson as Young Cosette - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Liam Lackey as Young Will – Wynne High School - Big Fish: School Edition
Parker Burns as Crutchie - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies

The Inspiring Teacher Award sponsored by The Theatre Conservatory at The Memphis Jewish Community Center

Houston High School – The Addams Family

Outstanding Music Direction sponsored by Memphis Dental Corporation

Lalania Vaughn – Tipton – Rosemark Academy

Outstanding Featured Dancer sponsored by Debbie and Homer Branan

Waverly Watkins - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Featured Actor sponsored by Gaskill Strategies in honor of Sam Gaskill

Addison Northcott - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Featured Actress sponsored by Robin and Billy Orgel

Alexander Li as Sheldon J. Plankton - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical

Outstanding Supporting Actor sponsored by Rachel and Scott Bendure

Eden Stecchi as Medda Larkin - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies

Outstanding Supporting Actress sponsored by Crystal and Martin Hand

Jordan Farley as Camel - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Lead Actor sponsored by Lisa and John Bobango

Josie Li as Pearl Krabs - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical

Outstanding Lead Actress sponsored by Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer

Hayden Hooper as Jacob - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Direction by a Teacher sponsored by Lura Elliott Turner in memory of her favorite music teacher, her mother Helen Elliott

Maggie Dinstuhl as Marlena - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Overall Production sponsored by Rob DelPriore

Stacey Peeney - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Overall Production sponsored by Rob DelPriore

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting

About the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards:

The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards supports, promotes, and celebrates high school musical theatre throughout the Mid-South. The program aims to provide access to arts education, create opportunities for self-expression, develop relationships between schools and the Orpheum, encourage collaboration, enhance excellence, build community, and instill a lifelong passion for the arts. This year-long program invites students and schools to join a community of participating schools from a 150-mile radius in a variety of opportunities that meet each school where they are in providing access to arts education programming.

About The National High School Musical Theatre Awards:

The Jimmy Awards/National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA) is a celebration of student achievement in high school musical theatre across the country, spotlighting the next generation of Broadway talent. The program impacts over 180,000 students who participate in 58 regional high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $9,000,000 in educational scholarships since its launch in 2009, and over 90 alumni have performed on Broadway and in National Tours. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, Inc., the NHSMTA invites two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway's most accomplished professionals. Nominees will spend ten days in New York City from Friday, June 12, 2026, through Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and their experience will culminate in an extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The seventeenth annual Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Minskoff Theatre. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.

About the Orpheum Theatre Group:

The mission of the Orpheum Theatre Group is to enhance the communities we serve by utilizing the performing arts to entertain, educate, and enlighten while preserving the historic Orpheum Theatre and the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education. For more information, visit orpheum-memphis.com.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Will Come to Memphis This Summer

Fri, 22 May 2026 09:08:03 PST

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will return to Memphis this summer as part of the national touring production, playing at The Orpheum Theatre beginning June 2, 2026.

The beloved Broadway musical, based on the animated Disney film, will play multiple performances through June 7 at the historic downtown venue. The production features Alan Menken’s Academy Award-winning score, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton. Audience favorites including “Be Our Guest,” “Belle,” and the title song are expected to be featured in the production.

The Memphis engagement is part of the show’s continuing North American tour and follows recent successful runs across the country. Casting for the touring production is expected to include performers from the current national company, with additional casting details to be announced closer to the engagement.

Performances are scheduled for June 2 through June 7, with evening and matinee performances available throughout the week. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and the Orpheum box office.

THE NOTEBOOK North American Tour Adds 26 Cities to 2026-27 Route

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:13:15 PST

The North American Tour of THE NOTEBOOK hasannounced engagements for the 2026-27 season, adding 26 cites to the previously announced route, including stops in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and Houston. The tour began performances on September 6, 2025, at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, and has welcomed over 500,000 patrons to date.

Read the reviews for the touring production of The Notebook.

Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Based on the book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that is one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK played Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 to December 2024 following a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the fall of 2022.

THE NOTEBOOK features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC's “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).

The creative team for the tour includes scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon. The production's music supervisor is Carmel Dean, who also collaborated on arrangements with Ingrid Michaelson and on orchestrations with John Clancy, and the music director is Tina Faye. Casting by The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin, CSA.

The production was recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical.

2026-2027 Tour Dates:

Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre
September 22 – October 4, 2026

Dayton, OH — Schuster Center
October 6 – 11, 2026

Grand Rapids, MI — DeVos Performance Hall
October 13 – 18, 2026

East Lansing, MI — Wharton Center
October 27 – November 1, 2026

Richmond, VA — Altria Theater
November 3 – 8, 2026

Pittsburgh, PA — Benedum Center
November 10 – 15, 2026

Schenectady, NY — Proctors
December 1 – 6, 2026

Boston, MA — Emerson Colonial Theatre
December 8 – 20, 2026

Oklahoma City, OK — Civic Center Music Hall
December 29, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Houston, TX — Hobby Center
January 5 – 10, 2027

Dallas, TX — Winspear Opera House
January 12 – 24, 2027

New Orleans, LA — Saenger Theatre
January 26 – 31, 2027

Hershey, PA — Hershey Theatre
February 3 – 7, 2027

Providence, RI — PPAC
February 9 – 14, 2027

Rochester, NY — Auditorium Theatre
February 16 – 21, 2027

Fayetteville, AR — Walton Arts Center
February 24 – 28, 2027

Huntsville, AL — Von Braun Center
March 2 – 7, 2027

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Broward Center
March 9 – 14, 2027

Ft. Myers, FL — Barbara B. Mann Hall
March 16 – 21, 2027

Naples, FL — Artis—Naples
March 23 – 28, 2027

North Charleston, SC — North Charleston PAC
March 30 – April 4, 2027

Birmingham, AL — BJCC Concert Hall
April 6 – 11, 2027

Atlanta, GA — Fox Theatre
April 13 – 18, 2027

Tucson, AZ — Centennial Hall
April 27 – May 2, 2027

San Jose, CA — Center for the Performing Arts
May 4 – 9, 2027

Sacramento, CA — SAFE Credit Union PAC
May 11 – 16, 2027

DEATH BECOMES HER Sets Closing Date

Mon, 18 May 2026 11:00:20 PST

BroadwayWorld has just learned that the Tony Award winning and Grammy Award nominated musical, and the most nominated production of the 2024/2025 Broadway season, DEATH BECOMES HER, will conclude its Broadway run on Sunday, June 28, 2026 after 20 months, over 650 performances and 900,000 tickets sold at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Lowe Cunningham, SVP, Head of Creative & Strategy, Universal Theatrical Group said today on behalf of the producers, “Bringing Death Becomes Her to Broadway has been an incredible joy, and we are immensely proud of every artist, musician, crew member, and individual who helped make this show what it is. Night after night, it has been a thrill to watch audiences come together to laugh, celebrate, and embrace the wildly entertaining spirit of this production. We are deeply proud of what this show has brought into the world, and we are excited for its life to continue as it tours across the U.S. and beyond in the years ahead.”

DEATH BECOMES HER will launch a multi-year North American tour this September at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH.

DEATH BECOMES HER North American tour schedule:

CLEVELAND, OH 9/12/2026 10/3/2026 Playhouse Square
COLUMBUS, OH 10/6/2026 10/11/2026 Ohio Theatre
ST. LOUIS, MO 10/13/2026 10/25/2026 The Fabulous Fox
OMAHA, NE 10/27/2026 11/1/2026 Orpheum Theatre
NASHVILLE, TN 11/3/2026 11/8/2026 TPAC
DURHAM, NC 11/10/2026 11/15/2026 DPAC
ATLANTA, GA 11/17/2026 11/22/2026 The Fox Theatre
KNOXVILLE, TN 11/24/2026 11/29/2026 Tennessee Theatre
ORLANDO, FL 12/1/2026 12/6/2026 Dr. Phillips Center
TAMPA, FL 12/8/2026 12/13/2026 Straz
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 12/15/2026 12/27/2026 Broward Center for the Performing Arts
NAPLES, FL 12/29/2026 1/3/2027 Artis-Naples
GREENSBORO, NC 1/5/2027 1/10/2027 The Tanger Center
BOSTON, MA 1/12/2027 1/24/2027 Citizens Bank Opera House
PROVIDENCE, RI 1/26/2027 1/31/2027 Providence Performing Arts Center
BALTIMORE, MD 2/2/2027 2/7/2027 The Hippodrome Theatre
CHARLOTTE, NC 2/9/2027 2/14/2027 Blumenthal | Belk Theater
BUFFALO, NY 2/16/2027 2/21/2027 Shea's Performing Arts Center
PITTSBURGH, PA 2/23/2027 2/28/2027 Benedum Center
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 3/2/2027 3/7/2027 DeVos Performance Hall
LOUISVILLE, KY 3/9/2027 3/14/2027 Overture Center
MADISON, WI 3/16/2027 3/21/2027 Overture Hall
DETROIT, MI 3/23/2027 4/4/2027 Detroit Opera House
TULSA, OK 4/6/2027 4/11/2027 Tulsa Performing Arts Center
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 4/13/2027 4/18/2027 Civic Center Music Hall
HOUSTON, TX 4/20/2027 4/25/2027 The Hobby Center
AUSTIN, TX 4/27/2027 5/2/2027 Bass Concert Hall
SAN ANTONIO, TX 5/4/2027 5/9/2027 Majestic Theatre
DALLAS, TX 5/11/2027 5/23/2027 Music Hall at Fair Park
DENVER, CO 5/25/2027 6/6/2027 Buell Theatre
SAN FRANCSISCO, CA 6/9/2027 6/27/2027 Orpheum Theatre
LOS ANGELES, CA 7/6/2027 7/25/2027 Hollywood Pantages Theatre
COSTA MESA, CA 7/27/2027 8/8/2027 Segerstrom Center for the Arts
SAN DIEGO, CA 8/10/2027 8/15/2027 San Diego Civic Theatre
TEMPE, AZ 8/24/2027 8/29/2027 ASU Gammage
SACRAMENTO, CA 9/1/2027 9/5/2027 SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center

For more information on the tour, visit https://deathbecomesher.com/tour/.

Death Becomes her opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 21, 2025. Check out what the critics had to say.

Death Becomes Her at the box office.

DEATH BECOMES HER was the most nominated show of the 2024-2025 Season with 34 total nominations, including: 12 Outer Critics’ Circle Award Nominations, Five Drama Desk Award Nominations, Four Drama Leage Award Nominations, Two Chita Rivera Award Nominations, 10 Tony Award Nominations, and One GRAMMY Award Nomination for “Best Musical Theater Album.”

DEATH BECOMES HER became a viral sensation on social media following the release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording, which has been streamed over 34 million times in North America and 16 million times elsewhere worldwide. A clip of Tony Nominee Jennifer Simard performing the album’s 16th track, “Hit Me,” went viral on TikTok—peaking at #2 on the TikTok Viral Chart and #13 on the TikTok 50 Chart—with 491,000 creator uses and over 2.7 billion total views to date. The track “Let’s Run Away Together” has also gained traction on the platform, inspiring over 10,000 videos using its audio.

The cast and creative team of DEATH BECOMES HER made over 30 national television appearances during the Broadway run, completing interviews and musical performances on such programs as NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, CBS’s Tony Awards, NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, NBC’s TODAY (Four musical performances and multiple interview segments), CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show, Fox’s SHERRI, Bravo TV’s Watch What Happens Live, ABC’s Nightline, NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, and more.

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DEATH BECOMES HER features direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli, a book by Tony Award Nominee Marco Pennette, and an original score by Tony Award Nominees Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, and stars Tony Award nominees Betsy Wolfe (Madeline Ashton), Tony Award Nominee Jennifer Simard (Helen Sharp), Tony Award Nominee Christopher Sieber (Ernest Menville), and Grammy® Award winner Michelle Williams (Violet Van Horn) with Taurean Everett (Chagall) and Josh Lamon (Stefan). The cast also features Marija Abney, Kate Bailey, Sarita Colón, Alexa DeBaar, Brayden Newby, Ximone Rose, Jonalyn Saxer, Bethany Ann Tesarck, Mitch Tobin, Sir Brock Warren, Bud Weber, Ryan Worsing, David Wright Jr., Warren Yang, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Kristine Covillo, Alex Hartman, Lakota Knuckle, McKinley Knuckle, Justin O’Brien, Preston Perez, Amy Quanbeck, and Dee Roscioli.

DEATH BECOMES HER features scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Derek McLane, costume design by Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Tony Award winner Justin Townsend, sound design by Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski, hair and wig design by two-time Drama Desk Award winner Charles G. LaPointe, make-up design by Joe Dulude II, fight direction by Drama Desk Award winner Cha Ramos, with music supervision by Drama Desk Award winner Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by three-time Tony Award winner Doug Besterman, music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, dance & music arrangements by Tony Award nominee Sam Davis, vocal arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Julia Mattison & Noel Carey, music coordination by Kristy Norter, casting by Tara Rubin Casting, production stage management by Rachel Sterner, and general management by 321 Theatrical Management. Marcia Goldberg serves as Executive Producer.

Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp is the long suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies… until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for. After one sip of Viola’s magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life (and death) with their youth and beauty restored…and a grudge to last eternity. Life’s a bitch and then you die. Or not!

StageMag Launches Programmable PDF Editor for Digital Theater Programs

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:04:02 PST

StageMag, the digital show program platform from BroadwayWorld, today launched its new PDF Editor to all producers and stage managers using the service. The tool gives editors granular, real-time control over how their digital program renders as a downloadable or printable PDF - the format most often used in lobby printouts, accessibility packets, and press kits.

Until now, the StageMag-to-PDF path was a one-shot export: whatever fit, fit. The new editor turns the export into a configurable surface. Each section of a program including the cast list, song list, director's note, bios, advertisements, sponsor pages, articles, listings and more — can be individually told how to paginate. Editors choose between three strategies per section:

Flow: natural pagination, sections may split across pages.
Own page: start the section on a fresh page.
Fit one page: start fresh and scale the section to occupy the whole page.

A live preview pane re-renders the PDF on every change, so editors see the final printed result as they work rather than guessing and re-exporting.Beyond the strategy picker, the editor exposes a set of advanced controls familiar to anyone who has hand-tuned a long-form print document: hide-element selectors (drop sponsor strips or vestigial nav from the print version), forced page breaks before or after named elements, a draggable section-order list, custom header/footer/watermark text, and a custom-CSS escape hatch for theaters whose programs follow a house style.

The release also includes paper-level controls including US Letter or A4, portrait or landscape, three margin presets, three type scales, and a "booklet" mode that adds a binding gutter for stapled lobby printouts.

The PDF Editor is available now to all StageMag-enabled productions at no additional cost, under the Share PDF tab in the program editor. Existing programs render with sensible defaults; the new controls are opt-in and per-production.

About StageMag

StageMag is BroadwayWorld's digital playbill platform, used by Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, university, and community theater productions to publish interactive programs that audiences open on their phones from a QR code in the lobby. StageMag is offered as a free service to participating productions.

About BroadwayWorld

Founded in 2003, BroadwayWorld is the largest theater website in the world, covering Broadway, the West End, and theater news, reviews, interviews, and resources across all 50 US states and 45 countries.

Review: PRIMARY TRUST at Circuit Playhouse

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:38:52 PST

In this ever‑evolving technological revolution, people seem increasingly desperate to stand out. We now have 24/7 intimate access to what anyone, anywhere in the world is doing, thinking, or feeling. And in an almost futile attempt to feel special, hyperbolic language has become the norm. Clickbait headlines are required to lure readers, and bombastic posts are crafted to attract followers. A politician doesn’t simply “win” a debate—he “destroys” his opponent. A woman doesn’t break up with her inconsiderate boyfriend—she escapes a “narcissistic sociopath.”

Using extreme language to describe every event ultimately diminishes all events. Another term that has unfortunately become ubiquitous is “traumatic.” These days, everyone seems to be talking about their traumatic lives—trauma in the workplace, relationship trauma, childhood trauma. If everything is “traumatic,” then perhaps nothing truly is. So what’s a person to do? All that’s left is to normalize, suppress, or medicate it away.

Marc Gill and Trey Oliver

Such is the fate of Kenneth in Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play PRIMARY TRUST, now showing at Circuit Playhouse through May 31st. Under the poignant and insightful direction of Tony Horne, PRIMARY TRUST follows a socially awkward but unfailingly kind man whose days are spent at a bookstore and whose evenings unfold in the corner of a restaurant, quietly nursing multiple mai tais. Narrating his story in small, careful increments, Kenneth reveals a life shaped by his love for his mother, his instinct to assume the best in others, and his singular friendship with Bert. He also carries the shadow of an unimaginable tragedy-one disclosed only briefly near the end of the play.

It’s a simple life, but one that echoes Henry David Thoreau’s observation about “the mass of men leading lives of quiet desperation,” because it rests on a foundation devoid of trust. At the most critical junctures of his childhood, Kenneth was betrayed by the very adults he needed most. And rather than becoming cynical or jaded, he leans into excessive kindness, paired with a quiet reliance on alcohol and imagination as his chosen forms of self‑medication. The writing is serene, the performances are unassuming, but the impact is profound.

Marc Gill as Kenneth

In a performance that’s arguably the best of the season, Marc Gill delivers a gentle, people-pleasing man who has been traumatized into affable submission. Always one to give deference to everyone he meets, Gill’s character finds comfort in his own invisibility. He becomes the face of the average man who moves quietly through the world with a humble smile, carrying unspeakable pain. As his coping mechanisms begin to fall away, Gill’s quiet anguish seeps out in breathtaking ways. His acting choices are deliberate, nuanced and masterful. Go ahead and give this man his Ostrander award.

Trey Oliver as Bert

As Kenneth’s best friend, Bert, Trey Oliver is the epitome of what a best friend should look like-always there, always kind and always supportive. Although he has a family of his own, he still finds time to be there for Kenneth and cheer him on, no matter the situation. Like Gill, Oliver gets better with every show he’s in. He brings a naturalism to his characters that fosters immediate credibility. He’s that rare actor who never lets on he’s acting.

Dave Landis as Clay

Navigating this world with a lot of baggage is no easy feat for anyone, but circumstances can occasionally cross paths with angels. Dave Landis portrays more than one angel in Kenneth’s life as his boss at the bookstore and later as his manager at the Primary Trust bank. With age comes wisdom and Landis delivers a heartwarming guide who regularly swoops in to remind Kenneth of his inherent value. Like the others, Landis’ performance is understated, yet powerful.

Keia Johnson as a Wally's Waiter

Finally, Keia Johnson does the “heavy lifting” portraying multiple characters-employees at Kenneth’s favorite restaurant, demanding customers at the bank and his potential love interest. Her commitment to every character includes distinct voices, mannerisms and energy. Instantly, she vacillates between high comedy and demure realism. Her command of the stage is much harder than it looks, but Johnson’s talent assures us that we’re safe in her capable hands.

It’s rare for a Pulitzer Prize winner like this to never make it to Broadway-it’s only happened a handful of times, but this little gem is certainly worthy of attention. Tony Horne has assembled a highly gifted cast of actors who know how to rely on the writing to reveal its greatness without a need to “push” or oversell the material. They let the words “speak” for themselves with their subdued acting and impeccable timing. Go see this production to be reminded that all of us are wandering this earth as survivors of something profound and deserve immense grace at every turn. Some of us “hide” it better than others, but the wounds are still there. An excellent production such as this can provide some solace, reassurance, and a measure of much-needed healing.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT Reveals 2026-27 Tour Dates and Cities

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:12:44 PST

OPERATION MINCEMEAT has announced the full 2026/27 season dates for the North American leg of its world tour. The news comes as OPERATION MINCEMEAT celebrates its 500th performance on Broadway this Saturday, May 2, after hitting 2,000 performances worldwide - now playing simultaneously in the West End, on Broadway, and on tour across the UK. Following the North American leg, further stops on its international journey will include Australia, China, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Read the reviews for the Broadway run here.

Producer Jon Thoday for Avalon said, “Launching our third OPERATION MINCEMEAT production, the North American leg of the world tour, as the show reaches 500 performances on Broadway and passes 2,000 worldwide is incredibly exciting. With its continued international growth and an expanding fanbase, we look forward to welcoming new audiences across the continent.”

The North American leg of the Mincemeat World Tour will launch at the Providence Performance Arts Center (Providence, RI), on September 20, 2026, before crisscrossing North America this upcoming season, with stops including Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.

Operation Mincemeat Tour Dates:

Providence, RI – Providence Performing Arts Center
September 20–26, 2026

Chicago, IL – CIBC Theatre
September 29–October 11, 2026

Boston, MA – Colonial Theatre
October 13–25, 2026

Toronto, ON – Theatre TBD
October–December 2026

Philadelphia, PA – Forrest Theatre
December 15–20, 2026

Columbus, OH – Ohio Theatre
January 5–10, 2027

Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
January 12–24, 2027

Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
January 26–31, 2027

Eugene, OR – Hult Center
February 3–7, 2027

Seattle, WA – 5th Avenue Theatre
February 10–21, 2027

Tempe, AZ – ASU Gammage
February 23–28, 2027

Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theatre
March 2–7, 2027

San Francisco, CA – Orpheum Theatre
March 9–28, 2027

Los Angeles, CA – Pantages Theatre
March 30–April 18, 2027

San Diego, CA – Civic Center
April 20–25, 2027

Hartford, CT – Bushnell Center
May 4–9, 2027

Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
May 11–16, 2027

Greenville, SC – Peace Center
May 18–23, 2027

Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
May 25–30, 2027

Tampa, FL – Straz Center
June 1–6, 2027

Washington, DC – The National Theatre
June 8–20, 2027

Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Performing Arts Center
June 22–27, 2027

Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
July 6–11, 2027

Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre
July 13–18, 2027

Fort Worth, TX – Bass Performance Hall
July 20–25, 2027

About Operation Mincemeat

In OPERATION MINCEMEAT: A NEW MUSICAL, it's 1943, and the Allied Forces are on the ropes. Luckily, they've got a trick up their sleeve. Well, not up their sleeve, per se, but rather inside the pocket of a stolen corpse. Equal parts farce, thriller, and Ian Fleming-style spy caper (with an assist from Mr. Fleming himself), OPERATION MINCEMEAT tells the wildly improbable and hilarious true story of the covert operation that turned the tide of WWII.

Written by triple Tony Award nominees SpitLip (comprised of David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts), OPERATION MINCEMEAT began performances on Broadway on February 15, 2025, and continues to play at the historic Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street), where it has been extended eight times and will soon celebrate its 500th performance. The West End production, which has been playing at the Fortune Theatre since March 29, 2023, is widely recognized as one of the best-reviewed shows in West End history, holding the record for the most five-star reviews for a new musical, with a tally of 131. OPERATION MINCEMEAT has just launched its world tour, beginning with a UK leg before heading across the pond.

Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky's Edge, National Theatre – Best New Musical Olivier Award winner) will reprise his work for the tour, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. The creative team will include Olivier nominated Set and Costume Designer Ben Stones (Standing at the Sky's Edge), Tony and Olivier winning Lighting Designer Mark Henderson (The History Boys), Tony nominated Sound Designer Mike Walker (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Tony nominated Orchestrator Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and Olivier nominated Music Supervisor Joe Bunker (Spring Awakening). Georgie Staight is Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles is Associate Choreographer. Production Stage Management is by Geoff Maus, Casting is by Carrie Gardner, CSA, and General Management is by TT Partners.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT has been nominated for 64 awards since opening at the 77-seat New Diorama Theatre in 2019, winning 13, including Best Musical 3 times, from the Olivier Awards, WhatsOnStage Awards, and Off-West End Awards. On Broadway, the show was nominated for 4 Tony Awards in 2025, including Best Musical. The production won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jak Malone's portrayal of Hester Leggatt, who previously won the Olivier Award in the same category. The production has also received nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding New Broadway Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Best Musical at the BroadwayWorld Theater Fans' Choice Awards, and Favourite New Musical at the Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards.

RAGTIME Will Launch National Tour in Fall 2027

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:00:22 PST

Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, announced today that it will launch a North American Tour in the fall of 2027. The tour will premiere at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre in Buffalo, New York, before continuing onto cities across the U.S. and Canada. Additional tour stops and casting will be announced at a later date.

Lincoln Center Theater’s limited engagement of Ragtime has been extended twice by popular demand with performances now through August 2, 2026. The production set a new box office record at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and was recently nominated foreight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Lear deBessonet), as well as five Drama League Awards including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Lear deBessonet).

“Ragtime is one of the most ambitious musicals ever written, and it feels timelier than ever,” said producers Tom Kirdahy, Kevin Ryan, Robert Greenblatt, and Lamar Richardson in a statement. “What Lear deBessonet and this extraordinary company have created at Lincoln Center Theater is both epic in scale and deeply human. We couldn’t be more excited to share it with communities across North America.”

“It’s a real honor to kick off the North American Tour of Ragtime at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre,” said Buffalo presenter Al Nocciolino. “This is the kind of production people talk about long after the curtain comes down—remarkable in scale and deeply moving. We’re thrilled to welcome it to our stage and proud to share it with our community first.”

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Featuring a Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Tony Award-winning book by Terrence McNally, and Tony Award-winning orchestrations by William David Brohn, Ragtime weaves fictional narratives with real historical figures and events, creating a rich tapestry that blurs the line between personal struggle and national identity, making history feel both intimate and epic.

The creative team for Ragtime includes Ellenore Scott (choreography), David Korins (scenic design), Linda Cho (costume design), Adam Honoré & Donald Holder (lighting design), Kai Harada (sound design), 59 Studio (projection design), Tom Watson (hair & wig design), Ann James (sensitivity specialist), and The Telsey Office, Craig Burns, CSA (casting).

OH, MARY! Reveals Tour Dates and Cities For 2026-27

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:23:47 PST

The North American Tour of Oh, Mary! has announced the dates and cities for its 2026-27 season. The tour of the Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning comedy will tech and launch at The Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut, with performances beginning September 19, 2026. Casting will be announced at a later date. Check out the full list of tour dates below~

Written by Tony Award and Olivier Award winner Cole Escola and directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! opened on Broadway on July 11, 2024, and continues to play at the Lyceum Theatre, where it became the first show in the theatre’s 121-year history to gross more than $1,000,000 in a single week. Oh, Mary! has since broken its own box office record twelve times and became the first show of the 2024-25 Broadway season to recoup its investment. Oh, Mary! opened to rave reviews in London’s West End on December 18, 2025.

Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).

The full creative team for the Broadway production includes dots (Scenic Designer), Holly Pierson (Costume Designer), Cha See (Lighting Designer), Daniel Kluger (Sound Design and Original Music), Drew Levy (Sound Designer), Leah J. Loukas (Wig Designer), Addison Heeren (Props Supervision), and David Dabbon (Musical Arrangements). Casting by Henry Russell Bergstein, CSA.

Oh, Mary! is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia with Bob Boyett, The Council, Jean Doumanian Productions, Nicole Eisenberg, Jay Marcus & George Strus, Irony Point, Richard Batchelder/Bradley Reynolds, Tyler Mount/Tommy Doyle, Nelson & Tao, Palomares & Rosenberg, and Showtown Productions.

Tour Dates

September 19–23, 2026
Hartford, CT — The Bushnell

September 29–October 4, 2026
San Diego, CA — San Diego Civic Theatre

October 6–11, 2026
Las Vegas, NV — The Smith Center

October 13–November 1, 2026
San Francisco, CA — Curran Theatre

November 3–8, 2026
Seattle, WA — The Paramount Theatre

November 10–December 6, 2026
Los Angeles, CA — Ahmanson Theatre

December 21, 2026–January 3, 2027
Boston, MA — Emerson Colonial Theatre

January 6–17, 2027
Saint Paul, MN — Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

January 19–February 7, 2027
Chicago, IL — CIBC Theatre

February 9–21, 2027
Washington, DC — The National Theatre

February 23–28, 2027
Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre

March 9–14, 2027
Philadelphia, PA — Miller Theater

March 16–28, 2027
Charlotte, NC — Blumenthal Arts

March 30–April 4, 2027
Cleveland, OH — Connor Palace

April 6–11, 2027
Tampa, FL — Straz Center

April 27–May 9, 2027
Houston, TX — Hobby Center

May 11–16, 2027
West Palm Beach, FL — Kravis Center

PRIMARY TRUST Will Come to the Circuit Playhouse

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:14:15 PST

Playhouse on the Square will present Primary Trust by Eboni Booth next month. Performances will run May 8th - May 31st, 2026. Tickets are available now online or by calling the box office (901) 726-4656.

A winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play by Eboni Booth dives into the mind of a seemingly ordinary middle-aged man named Kenneth, who spent most of his evenings at a local bar with his “friend” Bert. Kenneth loses his job at a local bookstore, forcing him to face a world that he has long avoided. Now, he has to learn how to re-establish his life while dealing with new revelations about himself and embark on an internal and external journey. Finding a renewed sense of purpose and self-discovery along the way, he navigates the challenges of disruption to his normal routine. This play tells a story of new friendships, new beginnings, and finding the courage to overcome personal barriers.

Playhouse on the Square continues its 2025/2026 season with this regional premier, directed by Tony Horne.

The cast includes Kenneth: Marc Gill*, Bert: Trey Oliver, Corrina / Wally's Waiter / Bank Customers: Keia Johnson, Clay / Sam / Others: Dave Landis*, Female Presenting Swing/Understudy: Marissa Gilliam, and Male Presenting Swing/Understudy: Charles Ratcliff.

Play Broadway Games Every Day in May and Win a Merch Prize Pack

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:30:20 PST

Broadway fans, your daily warm-up just got a whole lot more rewarding. BroadwayWorld is launching the May 2026 Games Challenge - a month-long streak competition open to fans across the U.S., with a $250 merch prize pack featuring merchandise from popular Broadway shows up for grabs.

The challenge runs all 31 days of May 2026 (Eastern Time), and all you need to enter is a free BroadwayWorld account.

How It Works

The rules are simple: play at least one BroadwayWorld game every day in May. That's it. Complete all 31 days and you'll earn one entry to win the prize pack. Tracking is automatic once you're logged in - your progress populates on the challenge page as you play, no manual check-ins required.

Any of these six games count toward your daily credit:

Make-Up Days: Because Life Happens

Miss a day? You're not out of the running. Play all six games in a single day and you'll earn a make-up credit, which automatically forgives your earliest missed day. You can bank up to three make-up credits over the course of the month - so a skipped Tuesday or a busy weekend doesn't have to end your streak. Credits are applied to your missed days in order, oldest first.

Ready to Start Your Streak?

The May 2026 BroadwayWorld Games Challenge runs May 1-31 (Eastern Time) and is open to U.S. residents only.

Click here to get started. Sign in with your free BroadwayWorld account and your tracking begins automatically - no registration beyond that required.

See full rules and regulations here.

NEWSIES Unseats LES MISÉRABLES to Win BroadwayWorld's 2026 Ultimate Movie Musical Bracket

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:32 PST

After six weeks of voting, BroadwayWorld readers have crowned Newsies the Ultimate Best Movie Musical in the 2026 edition of BroadwayWorld's Annual Bracket. The 1992 Disney film, directed by Kenny Ortega and featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, defeated Les Misérables in the final round, ending the Tom Hooper-directed film's two-year winning streak.

In both 2024 and 2025, Les Misérables was voted as the Ultimate Best Musical of all time, making it the title to beat heading into this year's competition. Newsies, a perennial fan favorite that developed a devoted following after its theatrical release and has since been adapted for the Broadway stage, advanced through six rounds of head-to-head matchups before claiming the title.

Now in its third year, BroadwayWorld's Bracket invites readers to debate, defend, and ultimately crown the greatest movie musical of all time from a field selected by BroadwayWorld editors. Voting in the 2026 edition opened on Tuesday, February 24 and concluded on Sunday, April 12, with new matchups released each week.

Review: SIX THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theatre Memphis

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:22:21 PST

Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.

You likely learned the rhyme in school. If you are a history buff like I am, you know the names of each wife of King Henry VIII. And now this popular musical is back at the Orpheum, after first making HERstory in Memphis in November of 2023. Nearly 3 years later, the show is just as fun, just as vibrant, just as exhilirating, and just as much of a sensation as it was back then!

Six the Musical tells the story of King Henry VIII's wives and how tragic their lives turned out to be. The queens all plan to hold a contest, to see who will be the "winner" of the night, whichever queen suffered the most. Catherine Parr, however, who happens to be Henry's last wife and the one who survived, points out that they should be joining their voices together, not comparing each other's misery. The final number, "Six" is a histo-remix in which the queens live out their "happy endings" that didn't necessarily involve Henry at all.

I saw the show on Broadway right after the show opened post-pandemic and it was the most fun I have ever had in a theatre. Each queen has a different personality but they blend together beautifully, both their voices and personalities, to write a new story for themselves. As seen in the program, each of the queens was inspired by various musical icons. For example, Catherine of Aragon is a mixture of Beyonce and Shakira while Katherine Howard is modeled after Britney Spears and Ariana Grande.

After returning to my article from 2023, I was surprised and pleased to see that Kelly Denice Taylor is back in the role of Jane Seymour and sounds just as powerful as she belts "Heart of Stone", a tragic ballad about truly loving the King and meeting her tragic end just after she gives birth to Henry's desired son. Tonight's performance featured several of the alternates and I was not disappointed! Carlina Parker's Catherine of Aragon was a mixture of humor and power, especially as she tries to sway the audience to vote for her since she OBVIOUSLY suffered the most. But Catherine DID keep her head which is more than I can say about the next wife, Anne Boleyn, portrayed by Nella Cole. Sorry Not Sorry is one of my favorite songs in the show and Nella absolutely slayed the stage. She and Aragon are often paired up, as Anne overlapped with Catherine in history, and both women's charisma makes for an entertaining banter about who Henry treated the worst (again, Catherine kept her head while Anne... well, she wasn't the only one, as Catherine Howard soon points out) Anna of Cleves is always a fan favorite because of her energy and pure sass, not to mention she undoubtedly lived the best life out of the queens. Hailey Alexis Lewis owns the stage during Cleves's number "Get Down", as she points out to the queens and to the audience that despite being rejected by a King, she lived comfortably in a palace and no man to tell her what to do. I have to give Lewis major kudos for tonight's performance-- Six isn interactive show and there are times that it calls for audience participation. When the audience doesn't participate, it can make for an awkward moment but Lewis did not skip a beat and instead followed up with a hilarious joke. Awesome save, Queen! Alize Cruz's Catherine Howard is a perfect counterpart to Nella's Anne Boleyn, as both women are often making jokes about the others. While Boleyn and Howard were actually cousins in real life, the queens shared a similar fate, both meeting their end at the end of a blade. But Six tells Howard's story a little differently than we might have heard before; as Catherine Howard is telling the audience about how promiscuous she has been all her life, the song gets very heavy and we see how much terror the young queen went through. Cruz does a beautiful job, switching between emotions and displaying a more vulnerable side to Catherine Howard, all the while belting her heart out. And lastly but definitely not least (perhaps one of my favorite performances of the night) was Abigail Sparrow as the Survivor Catherine Parr. She is the one who breaks up the competition, insisting that the queens are more than just "Henry's wives". There is a joke made about how Parr is always singing back up vocals but Sparrow had the chance to SHINE during one of the final numbers, "I Don't Need Your Love".

In 2016, a student at Cambridge University student was selected by the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society to create a new musical. The musical would be presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Toby Marlow, a senior at Cambridge, rose to the challenge. They created a concept about the re-telling of the six wives of King Henry VIII and partnered with fellow student Lucy Moss to bring their vision to life. Marlow and Moss went on to win the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Six the Musical. Additional achievements include Moss becoming the youngest woman to direct a musical on Broadway, at age 26, and Marlow becoming the first out non-binary composer/lyricist to win a Tony Award. Today, Six remains a pop sensation and loved for its empowering and modern take on history.

One of my favorite things about the show are the colorful costumes, each representing the queens in a special way. Gabriella Slade won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design and it is easy to see why. My favorite detail is still the "B" brooch that Anne Boleyn wears at her throat, especially after visiting the Tower of London this past November and purchasing my own replica of the Boleyn necklace! Carrie-Anne Ingrouille's choreography and Tim Deiling's lighting design make the show as fun to watch as it is to listen to!

It is a history lesson set to music. It is a pop concert where you will want to get out of your seat and dance. And it is an immensely entertaining night out at the theatre. Don't lose your head-- get your tickets today!

Tivoli Theatre Announces 2027 Broadway Season with Six Musicals in Chattanooga

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:24:03 PST

The Tivoli Theatre Foundation announced Tuesday that Broadway musicals will return to the historic Chattanooga venue with a six-show 2027 season, marking the theater's first programming since closing for extensive renovations several years ago.

The 2027 season includes approximately 40 performances across six productions:

"Waitress" – Feb. 19-21 (five performances)
"Beetlejuice" – March 12-14 (five performances)
"The Outsiders" – April 6-11 (eight performances)
"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" – July 16-18 (five performances)
"Jersey Boys" – Aug. 10-15 (eight performances)
"Disney's Beauty and the Beast" – Sept. 14-19 (eight performances)

The foundation also announced that "Wicked" will make its Chattanooga debut during the 2027-28 Broadway season.

Eight subscription packages are available, ranging from three-show options to full-season packages. Existing subscribers can renew through May 29, and new subscribers can purchase packages beginning June 22.

The 2027 season will be the Tivoli's first since the Broad Street theater closed for renovations aimed at restoring the venue to its former glory. The project also includes transforming the adjacent Fowler Bros. building into the Tivoli Performing Arts Center, which will feature an art-house movie theater, a ground-floor restaurant and additional amenities.

17th Annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards Reveals Nominees

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:28:58 PST

The Orpheum Theatre Group has announced that the 17th annual Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTA) will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 7pm at the Orpheum Theatre. Students and supporters from 58 participating schools across the Mid-South (representing 4 states) will gather at the Orpheum to celebrate an exciting season of high school musical theatre. This year's program and award ceremony is generously presented for the first time by Orion Financial.

“Supporting the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is a natural extension of who we are at Orion Financial. We believe in investing in the next generation, celebrating creativity, and creating opportunities for young people to discover their voice and their confidence. These students represent the very best of our communities, and we are honored to help shine a spotlight on their talent, their passion, and the bright futures ahead of them.” - Ashley McDurmon, President & CEO, Orion Financial.

"The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards are thrilled to highlight our new presenting sponsorship from Orion Financial. Thanks to their benevolence, we will be able to take the production to new heights this year, and we are immensely grateful for their generous support." - Lena Wallace Black, Education and Engagement Manager Orpheum Theatre Group.

The evening will include a red carpet and participation by high school students on stage, backstage, and in the orchestra pit. This year's ceremony will pay tribute to revolutions in American history featuring music from 1776, Hamilton, Ragtime, SUFFS, and more. The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards is sponsored in part by Andy Dean Production Services, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Mid-South Family Dental Group, Production One, SouthWorth Capital Management, and Ticketmaster.

The Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards are on Thursday, May 21 at 7pm. Tickets are $29.90-$65.80 and go on sale to the public Monday, May 4.

Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards Nominees

Outstanding Small Ensemble

The Sardines - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Blue Skies Dancers - Cabot High School - White Christmas
The Ancestors - Houston High School - The Addams Family
The Insects - St. George's Independent School - James and the Giant Peach
The Jitterbugs - Trumann High School - The Wizard of Oz
The Peanuts Gang – Kennett High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
The Fates – Hutchison - Hadestown: Teen Edition

Outstanding Large Ensemble

Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Olive Branch High School – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

Outstanding Chorus

Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Houston High School - The Addams Family
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition

Outstanding Student Orchestra

Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Bartlett High School – The Prince of Egypt
Houston High School - The Addams Family
Harding Academy of Memphis - Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Outstanding Dance Execution

Cabot High School - White Christmas
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Choreography

Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Cabot High School - White Christmas
Desoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition

Outstanding Playbill

Houston High School - The Addams Family
Desoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Milan High School - Matilda
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Harding Academy of Memphis - Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Outstanding Poster

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Academies of West Memphis – Shrek the Musical
St. George's Independent School - James and the Giant Peach
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Front of House

Briarcrest Christian School - Anastasia
Fayette Academy - Oklahoma!
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Milan High School - Matilda
Lausanne Collegiate School - Legally Blonde The Musical
Jackson Preparatory School – Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.

Outstanding Artistic Element

The Dragon - Memphis University School – Shrek the Musical
The Puppet Menagerie - Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
The Projections – Marion High School – The Lightning Thief
The Red Sea – Madison – Ridgeland Academy – The Prince of Egypt
The Rain - Northpoint Christian School - Singin' in the Rain
The Wizard - Trumann High School - The Wizard of Oz
The Projections – Decatur County Riverside High School – Little Women

Outstanding Hair and Makeup

Memphis University School – Shrek the Musical
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Cabot High School - White Christmas
Houston High School - The Addams Family
St. Mary's Episcopal School - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Outstanding Costumes

Trumann High School - The Wizard of Oz
Houston High School - The Addams Family
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Southaven High School – The Little Mermaid
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Lighting

Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
St. Mary's Episcopal School - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Outstanding Sound Design and Execution

Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Kennett High School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Chester County High School - Oklahoma!

Outstanding Set

New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Cabot High School - White Christmas
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Desoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Christian Brothers High School – Into the Woods
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Technical Achievement

Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Cabot High School - White Christmas

Outstanding Student Creative Achievement

Abigail Presley – Corinth High School – Water for Elephants (School Edition)
Mae McRae – Houston High School – The Addams Family
Xavier Ware Jr. – Arlington High School – The SpongeBob Musical
Selena Harris – Munford High School – Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Taylor Gibson – Corinth High School – Water for Elephants (School Editon)
Addy Blu Maness – Lakeland Preparatory School – Anything Goes
Hutch Trevathan – Briarcrest Christian School – Anastasia

Outstanding Student Technical Achievement

Jayden Wald – Cabot High School – White Christmas
Zarriah Clark – Lakeland Preparatory School – Anything Goes
Emma Baker – Harding Academy Searcy – Freaky Friday
Lilian Brock – Bartlett High School – The Prince of Egypt
Ashlyn Loritts – Evangelical Christian School – Matilda
Zoe Meredith – Tipton – Rosemark Academy – Shrek the Musical
Kit Garner – St. Agnes Academy - Shrek the Musical

Outstanding Student Stage Management Achievement

Caroline Byrd – Cabot High School – White Christmas
Hannah Loden – St. Mary’s Episcopal School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Lydia Cashion – Trinity Christian Academy – Disney's High School Musical
Becca Graubart – Houston High School – The Addams Family
McKenzie Nichols – Arlington High Schol – The SpongeBob Musical
Lydia Elliott – Chester County High School – Oklahoma!
Maddie Williams – Briarcrest Christian School – Anastasia

The Bravo Award

Libby DePriest as Matilda - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Ella Beth Wilson as Young Cosette - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Liam Lackey as Young Will – Wynne High School - Big Fish: School Edition
Parker Burns as Crutchie - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies

The Inspiring Teacher Award

Lynden Lewis Jones – Evangelical Christian School
Chris Luter – Collierville High School
Journey Bennett – Corinth High School
Lalania Vaughn – Tipton – Rosemark Academy
Mandy Kershaw – Fayette Academy
Mary Beth Muncie – New Albany High School
Stacey Peeney – St. Benedict at Auburndale

Outstanding Music Direction

Calvin Ellis - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Tate Hansen - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Phillip Nanney - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Waverly Watkins - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Dale Beech and Caitlyn Smith - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Patrick Jones - Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Matt Morrison - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Featured Dancer

Maddie Carpenter - Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Sophie Kate Hampton - Corinth High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Addison Northcott - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Grace Togbo - St. Agnes Academy - Shrek the Musical
Grace Wade - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Patrick Bell - Cabot High School - White Christmas
Kennedy Davis - Lewisburg High School - Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Featured Actor

Noah May as Thenardier - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Jonathan Billings as Naphtali - Munford High School - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Alexander Li as Sheldon J. Plankton - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Lucca Scarpace as Mr. Jankowski - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Josh Chism as Karl the Giant - Jackson Christian School - Big Fish: School Edition
Derwin Miller as Minstrel - White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Eli Lickey as Escapologist - South Gibson County High School - Matilda

Outstanding Featured Actress

Kylee Oldham as Yocheved - Bartlett High School – The Prince of Egypt
Sadie James as Doctor - Milan High School - Matilda
Eden Stecchi as Medda Larkin - DeSoto Christian Academy - Newsies
Molly Flynn as Leaf Coneybear - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Abby Bishop as Sally Brown - First Assembly Christian School – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
AJ Loritts as Doctor - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda
Martha Dinstuhl as Wallis - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Cooper Douglas as Lucas Beineke - Houston High School - The Addams Family
Jayden Haynes as Nigel Bottom - White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Austin Villem as Vice Principal Douglas Panch - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Jordan Farley as Camel - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Brayden Daugherty as Hades – Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Aaden Nichols as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Alexander Garcia as Moonface Martin - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes

Outstanding Supporting Actress

Regan Scott as Fantine - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Carrington Criswell as Erma - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Naima Harper Bey as Hope Harcourt - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Josie Li as Pearl Krabs - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Annsley Coleman as Mae Tuck - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Emma Lockwood as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Tatum Witt as Cosette – Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition

Outstanding Lead Actor

Mark Sanders as Nick Bottom - White Station High School - Something Rotten!
Max Taylor as Marius - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Sawyer Stephenson as SpongeBob SquarePants - Arlington High School - The SpongeBob Musical
Bradley Bolden as Snoopy - St. Mary's Episcopal School - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Beckett Ivy as Jean Valjean - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Gunner Ross as Jesse Tuck - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Hayden Hooper as Jacob - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)

Outstanding Lead Actress

Nita Hardin as Winnie Foster - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Indie Landers as James - St. George's Independent School - James and the Giant Peach
Maggie Dinstuhl as Marlena - Collierville High School - Water for Elephants (High School Edition)
Zoey Yale as Reno Sweeney - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Destiny Smith as Man in Chair – Crosstown High - The Drowsy Chaperone
Sydney Granger as Olive Ostrovsky - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Sydney Nathan as Donna Sheridan - Desoto Central High School - Mamma Mia!

Outstanding Direction by a Teacher

Lauren Suddoth - Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
Mary Beth Muncie - New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
Stacey Peeney - St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Jeff White - Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Melani Morgan Blansett - Cabot High School - White Christmas
Kirie Walz - Bartlett High School - The Prince of Egypt
Lynden Lewis Jones - Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

Outstanding Overall Production

Cabot High School - White Christmas
Hutchison – Hadestown: Teen Edition
Hernando High School - Les Misérables School Edition
New Albany High School - Tuck Everlasting
St. Benedict at Auburndale - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Lakeland Preparatory School - Anything Goes
Evangelical Christian School - Matilda

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Sells Out At Theatre Wesleyan; Standby and Wait List Announced

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:36:16 PST

Theatre Wesleyan has announced that all performances of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS have sold out ahead of its one-weekend run beginning April 23.

The production, the company’s 71st Annual Spring Musical, is directed by Joe Brown and will mark his final musical with the program before retiring after 48 years at Texas Wesleyan University.

STAND-BY & WAIT LIST OPTIONS

Stand-by and wait list options will be available for all performances. An in-person wait list will begin one hour before each show (6:30 p.m. for evening performances and 1:00 p.m. for the Sunday matinee).

Any unclaimed tickets may be released five minutes before showtime to patrons on the wait list. Available tickets will be priced between $10 and $15. Entry is not guaranteed, and patrons should be prepared to wait in the lobby until shortly before the performance begins.

Little Shop of Horrors is recommended for ages 13 and up and is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to Be Presented by Playhouse on the Square

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:58:58 PST

Playhouse on the Square will present JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as part of its 2025–2026 season. Featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the rock opera explores the final week of Jesus’s life through the perspective of Judas Iscariot. The production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group.

The production will run from April 24 through May 17, 2026, at Playhouse on the Square, located at 66 South Cooper Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Performances will take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m., with select weekday matinees available for schools and senior groups.

Directed by Claire D. Kolheim, with music direction by Tammy Holt and choreography by Noelia Warnette-Jones, the production examines the relationships between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, and the disciples amid political unrest in Jerusalem.

Cast

The cast will feature Marvin Holt as Jesus, Braxton Gilliland as Judas, Cameron Crawford as Mary Magdalene, Daniel Stuart Nelson as Simon, Drew Sinnard as Peter, Justin Allen Tate as Pilate, Jeremy Bukauskas as Caiaphas, Alan Toney as Annas, and Chris McCollum as King Herod.

The ensemble will include Hunter Burton, Zoe Dunay, Chad Fruscione, Amaya Hardin, Randall Hill, Kylah Hood, Mads Jackson, Madilyn Mobbs, Brooke Papritz, Ashley Sade, Caroline Simpson, CJ Thomas, and Haley Wilson.

Creative Team

The creative team includes director Claire D. Kolheim, choreographer Noelia Warnette-Jones, music director Tammy Holt, stage manager Tessa Verner, assistant stage manager Hallie Charlefour, lighting designer Petr William, scenic designer Lex van Blommestein, Costume Designer Lindsay Schmeling, props designer Iza Bateman, sound designer Josh Crawford, and production manager/technical director Philip Hughen.

Ticketing Information

Tickets are available at playhouseonthesquare.org or by calling the box office at 901-726-4656. General admission is $35, with discounted tickets available for seniors, military, first responders, and children. A pay-what-you-can performance will take place on April 30.

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The Award Recipients of the 2026 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards

Outstanding Small Ensemble sponsored by The Chauhan Family

Outstanding Large Ensemble sponsored by Gould's Academy

Outstanding Chorus sponsored by Susan Fetz, Becky Siano & Sherry Williams

Outstanding Student Orchestra sponsored by Ted Donaldson

Outstanding Dance Execution sponsored by Sherry and Don Williams

Outstanding Choreography sponsored by Daniel Stuart Nelson

Outstanding Playbill sponsored by Christina Torres and Alex Barton

Outstanding Poster sponsored by directFX

Outstanding Front of House sponsored by Friends of the Orpheum (FOTO)

Outstanding Artistic Element sponsored In Memory of Julia Mason

Outstanding Hair and Makeup sponsored by Blo Blow Dry Bar Germantown

Outstanding Costumes sponsored by Kathryn and Jim Gilliland, Jr.

Outstanding Lighting sponsored by The Pattons in honor of Sherry Williams

Outstanding Sound Design and Execution sponsored by Lisa and Dr. Mike Cockrell - Cockrell Family Medical Center

Outstanding Set sponsored by Veronica and Brett Batterson

Outstanding Technical Achievement sponsored by Michelle Epps

Outstanding Student Creative Achievement sponsored by Jerry & Ann Barton

Outstanding Student Technical Achievement sponsored by Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle, and Cox

Outstanding Student Stage Management Achievement sponsored by Jennifer McGrath

The Bravo Award sponsored by Amy, Alex, and Jack Knight

The Spotlight Award for Outstanding Transition Design and Execution

The Inspiring Teacher Award sponsored by The Theatre Conservatory at The Memphis Jewish Community Center

Outstanding Music Direction sponsored by Memphis Dental Corporation

Outstanding Featured Dancer sponsored by Debbie and Homer Branan

Outstanding Featured Actor sponsored by Gaskill Strategies in honor of Sam Gaskill

Outstanding Featured Actress sponsored by Robin and Billy Orgel

Outstanding Supporting Actor sponsored by Rachel and Scott Bendure

Outstanding Supporting Actress sponsored by Crystal and Martin Hand

Outstanding Lead Actor sponsored by Lisa and John Bobango

Outstanding Lead Actress sponsored by Cheryl and Bill Stegbauer

Outstanding Direction by a Teacher sponsored by Lura Elliott Turner in memory of her favorite music teacher, her mother Helen Elliott

Outstanding Overall Production sponsored by Rob DelPriore

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