BroadwayWorld.com Atlanta Stories

I FEEL GOOD: AN HOMAGE TO JAMES BROWN to Open at Springer Opera House

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:04:38 PST

The Springer Opera House, the State Theatre of Georgia, invites Columbus audiences to celebrate the life and music of one of the most influential artists in American history. "I Feel Good: An Homage to James Brown" takes the Springer stage for two performances only: Saturday, June 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m., just in time for Juneteenth and Father's Day weekend.

Born in poverty outside Barnwell, S.C., and raised in Augusta, Ga., James Brown rose to become one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. An inductee into both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he pioneered soul music alongside Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, and his later work helped lay the foundation for funk, disco and hip-hop. His recordings have influenced generations of artists, from Michael Jackson and Prince to virtually every major hip-hop producer of the last four decades. The man didn't just make music. He changed what music could be. This June, the Springer honors that legacy with a full-scale live production featuring Brown's greatest hits, rare selections and the defining classics that made him the Godfather of Soul. And it will all be backed by a live band.

Sterling Baker-McClary stars in and produces the show, bringing to the role a resume that includes the national tour of "Madagascar the Musical" and the Broadway national tour of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical." Columbus audiences will remember his standout performances as the Tin Man in "The Wiz" and Seaweed J. Stubbs in "Hairspray" earlier this season, where he earned praise for his powerhouse vocals and dynamic choreography. Now he returns to celebrate the legacy of one of music's greatest icons. "This special Juneteenth celebration is one of the most exciting productions of our season, and we are thrilled to welcome Sterling Baker-McClary back to the Springer stage," said Danielle Patterson-Varner, Executive Producer and CEO of the Springer Opera House. "If any performer can do James Brown justice, it's Sterling. He is a true triple-threat performer. Add a live band to the mix, and this will be a show that Columbus won't want to miss."

"I Feel Good: An Homage to James Brown" features Sterling Baker-McClary, Joe Arnotti and Jonathan "Jaybsmoove" Bryant, backed by The Rhythm Major Band.

Performances are Saturday, June 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m. in Emily Woodruff Hall (Main Stage) at the Springer Opera House.

Tickets range from $30 to $50 and are available exclusively through the Springer Opera House Box Office. Tickets may be purchased online at springeroperahouse.org, by phone at 706-327-3688, or in person at 103 10th St., Columbus, Ga. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and two hours prior to each performance. The Springer Opera House does not authorize third-party ticket resellers. Always purchase through official Springer channels to guarantee the validity of your tickets.

ABOUT THE SPRINGER OPERA HOUSE

Located in Columbus, Georgia, the Springer Opera House is a regional producing theatre company housed within a 154-year-old National Historic Landmark. As one of only seven producing theatres in the country to enjoy such a unique setting, the Springer has a rich history of cultural preservation and artistic excellence. Recognized as the State Theatre of Georgia during its 100th Anniversary Season in 1971, the Springer is committed to making the performing arts accessible to all, using theatre as a vehicle for education, entertainment and community enrichment, all while honoring its place as one of Georgia's most treasured historic landmarks.

Video: WATER MEMORY (JALA SMRITI) World Premiere at The Atlanta Opera

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:32:31 PST

A new clip from The Atlanta Opera previews WATER MEMORY (JALA SMRITI), a world premiere opera set to open at the Ferst Center for the Performing Arts at Georgia Tech. The company posted the video ahead of the production's two-performance run, offering audiences an early look at the work before it reaches the stage.

WATER MEMORY (JALA SMRITI) is an original opera by Kitty Brazelton and Vaibu Mohan. The dual title, drawing from both English and Sanskrit, signals a cross-cultural dimension at the heart of the piece. As a world premiere, the production marks the first time the work will be performed before a live audience.

Performances take place on Friday, June 12 at 7:30pm and Sunday, June 14 at 2pm at the Ferst Center for the Performing Arts at Georgia Tech. Tickets are available through atlantaopera.org.

The Atlanta Opera has been active this season with several major productions, including its first complete Ring cycle. TWILIGHT OF THE GODS closed out that cycle, and the company also staged new productions of TURANDOT and THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO earlier in the 2025-26 season.

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TWILIGHT OF THE GODS Trailer Unveiled Ahead of Atlanta Opera Run at Cobb Energy

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:32:20 PST

The Atlanta Opera posted the official trailer for TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, the company's new production of Wagner's final Ring cycle opera, set to run at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta. The clip offers a first look at the staging ahead of its opening.

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, known in German as Götterdämmerung, features music and libretto by Richard Wagner. The production stars Lise Lindstrom as Brünnhilde and Stefan Vinke as Siegfried, with David Leigh as Hagen. Roberto Kalb conducts.

Directed by Tomer Zvulun, who also serves as the company's General and Artistic Director, the production completes the Atlanta Opera's first Ring cycle and has been described as the first new American Ring staging since the pandemic. The run at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center marks a significant milestone for the Atlanta company.

BroadwayWorld previously spoke with Zvulun about the production in an in-depth interview on the Ring cycle finale, and soprano Lise Lindstrom shared her perspective on the role of Brünnhilde in a separate video.

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REVIEW: Aurora Theatre’s IN THE HEIGHTS Soars

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 20:25:36 PST

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical In the Heights takes standard Broadway fare and moves it slightly more uptown - to 183rd Street, to be specific, an area known as Little Dominican Republic in the midst of the Washington Heights district. Lawrenceville's Aurora Theatre has its patrons do the same, moving a little further north outside the Perimeter to see their own new production of this Tony Award-winning musical. This is the theatre’s second mounting of In the Heights, having staged Atlanta’s first professional production of it in 2016.

In the Heights tells the story of a community of largely Latinx New Yorkers as they live, struggle, and celebrate together. A winning lottery ticket has been sold to someone in the area, and the promise of a brighter future is the dream of many in the neighborhood. The central focus is Usnavi de la Vega, owner of the local bodega where the ticket was bought, played by Diego Klock-Perez. It’s no surprise Klock-Perez has played this role before (including a decade ago at Aurora) as he dances through tongue-tripping lines with ease and employs a perfect mixture of humor and heart.

Usnavi’s store serves as an axis around which other businesses and characters orbit - the Rosarios’ taxi business down the street is struggling, as is Daniela’s hair salon. Yet all the people of Washington Heights keep working hard.

As Abuela Claudia, the kind, fervently religious older woman who seems to be the backbone of her community, Felicia Hernandez also returns from Aurora’s initial production. Hernandez not only shows sweet, grandmotherly warmth, she also lends a voice to the struggle of immigrants, a voice that gives the audience chills during “Paciencia y Fe.”

The actors who fill the streets of Washington Heights are numerous, but there are multiple standouts. Isa Martinez shines as Nina Rosario, making a complex role seem effortless. Benny is played with slick humor and brilliant physicality by Russell Alexander II. Lauren Horgan’s Vanessa gives a performance that is fun and exhilarating yet emotional and heartfelt too. The company is made up of consistent triple-threats from top of the bill to the bottom. The dancing is especially noteworthy, blending Latin moves with breakdancing alongside more traditional musical theatre dance.

It is obvious from the production that director-choreographer Ricardo Aponte is working with not only a terrific cast but an amazing technical team too. Shannon Robert and Brandon Roak’s set is immense yet intricate, brilliantly turning inside out and opening like a clever puzzle at times. The lighting choices under Maria-Cristina Fusté are perfection, with clever sunrises, fireworks, and non-diegetic moments, working perfectly in tandem with Aponte’s choreography.

Aponte has managed to make amazing source material even better by incorporating small and beautiful touches like slice-of-life moments between scenes - girls jumping rope, neighbors watering plants, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gay couple on their fire escape. The sheer scope of his direction demonstrates his respect for both his craft and cast, whose performances, in turn, match his meticulousness.

What’s more, the entire theatrical experience at Aurora’s Lawrenceville Arts Center home is top notch. Every single person working (and volunteering!) at the theatre is helpful, kind, and excited to be there. The lobby itself has been turned into Washington Heights, the bar a bodega offering themed drinks, a fundraiser of scratch-offs to mimic the lottery theme (a chance to win free season tickets? Yes, please), and a booth where audience members can buy flags to represent their own Latinx heritage. Given that - according to the most recent US census - Lawrenceville’s Latinx community is roughly a third of their total population, it was extra fun to see the multitude of different colorful flags waving during the “Carnival del Barrio” number.

From beginning to end, Aurora’s production of In the Heights is a treat. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets to the show, running now at Lawrenceville Arts Center through June 21.

In the Heights photo credit: Casey Gardner-Ford Photography

Photos: World Premiere of Gloria & Emily Estefan's BASURA at Alliance Theatre

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:12:51 PST

The Alliance Theatre has opened the world premiere of Basura, a new musical featuring original music and lyrics by 11-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan and her daughter, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Emily Estefan. The production runs at the Atlanta theater through July 12, 2026. Get a first look at production photos below.

Inspired by the true story of Paraguay's Recycled Orchestra, Basura follows a community where a music teacher launches an orchestra for his students, only to find they have no instruments. The young musicians transform discarded materials into the tools of their art, turning empty paint cans, a fork, and a bent license plate into a violin and an oil drum into a cello. As their handmade instruments become symbols of possibility, the orchestra's sound reaches far beyond their corner of the world. The show is based on the award-winning documentary film Landfill Harmonic.

The production stars newcomer Jaci Calderon in the leading role of Nambi, alongside Emmy winner and Tony nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot, Peter and the Starcatcher) as Mario and Drama Desk Award winner Mandy Gonzalez (In the Heights, Hamilton) as Mónica. The cast also features Dario Alvarez as José, Zack Calderon as Nunu, Nathan Diaz as Dani, Isabel Gonzalez as Blanca, and Michelle Zink-Muñoz as Sofía.

The ensemble includes David Andino, Monica Garcia Bradley, Victoria Gómez, Michael Marrero, Gage Martinez, Avital Tikva Masri, Kara Menendez, Coty Perno, Julio Rey, Lannie Rubio, Diego Turner-Figueredo, and Ariana Valdes.

Basura is directed by five-time Tony nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen) with a book by National Latino Playwriting Award winner Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens, Destiny of Desire). Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winner Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, In the Heights) serves as music supervisor, orchestrator, and arranger, with choreography by Tony winner Patricia Delgado (Buena Vista Social Club). Cynthia Meng is music director, Ken Cerniglia is dramaturg, and Andy Señor Jr. is associate director.

The creative team also features scenic design by four-time Tony nominee David Korins, costume design by Tony winner Dede Ayite, lighting design by five-time Tony nominee Ben Stanton, and sound design by Tony winner Peter Hylenski.

The production is produced in partnership with Michael Shulman (Sand and Snow Entertainment) and Colin Callender and Daniel Unitas (Playground), with Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey Wilson of 101 Productions, Ltd. serving as executive producers and general managers.

Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit alliancetheatre.org/basura.

Kevin Del Aguila, Jaci Calderon, and the cast of the world premiere musical, BASURA

Kevin Del Aguila, Jaci Calderon, Zack Calderon, and the cast of the world premiere musical, BASURA

Jaci Calderon in the world premiere musical, BASURA

Kevin Del Aguila, Isabel Conzalez, and the cast of the world premiere musical, BASURA

Mandy Gonzalez and Jaci Calderon in the world premiere musical, BASURA

Nathan Diaz, Zack Calderon, and Dario Alvarez in the world premiere musical, BASURA

Jaci Calderon, Nathan Diaz, Michelle Zink-Muñoz, Isabel Conzalez, and the cast of the world premiere musical, BASURA

Video: TWILIGHT OF THE GODS Soprano Lise Lindstrom on Brunnhilde and Wagner's Final Ring Chapter at Atlanta Opera

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:31:06 PST

Soprano Lise Lindstrom, cast as Brünnhilde in The Atlanta Opera's new production of TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, offers an insider's perspective on the role and the opera in a newly posted video from the company. Speaking directly to the camera, Lindstrom discusses the characters and the dramatic arc of Wagner's final chapter in the Ring cycle, giving audiences a performer's view of the material ahead of the production's opening.

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, known in German as Götterdämmerung, is the fourth and concluding opera in Richard Wagner's monumental DAS RING DER NIBELUNGEN tetralogy. The work brings the cycle's sprawling mythological narrative to its climax, centering on Brünnhilde and the hero Siegfried as fate closes in on the gods and the world they inhabit. It is among the most demanding works in the operatic repertoire, both for its orchestral scale and for the vocal stamina it requires of its leads.

The Atlanta Opera's production opens May 30 at the Cobb Performing Arts Center and runs through June 7, completing the company's first complete Ring cycle and marking the first new American Ring staging since the pandemic. Tomer Zvulun, the company's General and Artistic Director, directs the production. Stefan Vinke and David Leigh are also featured in the cast alongside Lindstrom.

BroadwayWorld previously spoke with Zvulun about the production and its place within the broader Ring cycle in an interview covering his approach to Wagner's storytelling and its universal themes.

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BASURA & More Lead Atlanta's Summer 2026 Top Theatre Shows

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:03:34 PST

Atlanta is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month.

We understand the importance of choosing the perfect show, especially for new theatregoers. That's why our experienced editorial team meticulously reviews a wide range of productions each month. We consider various factors including a producer's track record, audience reviews, and overall production value, to bring you the very best recommendations for the following month.

See what the experts recommend! Check out our editorial team's top picks for the best shows to see in Atlanta for Summer 2026.

BASURA

Alliance Theatre - Now through July 12, 2026

Nine-time Grammy Award® winner Gloria Estefan — whose music has sold over 100 million records worldwide — has shaped generations through song. Now, she joins her daughter and acclaimed singer-songwriter Emily Estefan, to co-write the music and lyrics for Basura, a powerful and bold new musical inspired by the true story of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra, where young artists turn scrap material into instruments and music into possibilities. This world premiere musical continues Estefan’s global legacy — proving that music can rise from anywhere and change everything.

For tickets: click here.

Underground Rep

Alliance Theatre - Now through July 05, 2026

THREE YOUTH AND FAMILY MUSICALS PERFORMED IN REPERTORY – ALL SET UNDERGROUND!

The UNDERGROUND REP Series, where the same cast members will play a different role in each of the three productions running concurrently, features the return of the Alliance Theatre’s delightful family musicals INTO THE BURROW: A PETER RABBIT™ TALE (Jan 31 – Jun 27, 2026); NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: THE ROCK EXPERIENCE (Feb 21 – Jun 20, 2026); and the world-premiere, THE GREAT ANT SLEEPOVER (May 15 – Jul 5, 2025).

For tickets: click here.

In the Heights

Aurora Theatre - Now through June 21, 2026

Set in the vibrant neighborhood of Washington Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights is a Tony Award-winning musical that pulses with infectious energy, rich storytelling, a dynamic blend of hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul, and is bursting with passion and heart. Closing Aurora’s 30th season, and voted by our audience’s as their favorite show in Aurora’s history, In the Heights is a celebration of family, resilience, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

For tickets: click here.

9 to 5: The Musical

Marietta Theatre Company - Now through June 06, 2026

Three unlikely friends take control of their office and learn there is nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world. 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

*Rated PG-13. Director & Choreographer: Zac W. Phelps (LITTLE WOMEN, HANDS ON A HARDBODY, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, & more)

For tickets: click here.

THE REVOLUTIONISTS

Theatrical Outfit - Now through June 28, 2026

Atlanta playwright Lauren Gunderson (Silent Sky & Christmas at Pemberley) returns to TO with THE REVOLUTIONISTS – an irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, and how we actually go about changing the world. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. THERE’S REALLY ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT!

For tickets: click here.

Wit

Actor's Express - Now through June 28, 2026

Dr. Vivian Bearing has spent her life mastering the art of intellect but keeping the world at arm’s length. When an unexpected diagnosis of ovarian cancer shatters the careful structure of her life, Vivian is confronted with questions that require a level of vulnerability that she has long avoided. What unfolds is a journey marked by courage, piercing wit, and unexpected grace, revealing the transformative humanity within her.

For tickets: click here.

The Hobbit (by Greg Banks)

The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse - Now through June 28, 2026

Our unlikely hero, Bilbo Baggins, would much rather be sitting in his cozy Hobbit Hole with a cup of tea and a plate of bacon and eggs. However, he somehow finds himself on a magically mystical adventure. Staged with speed and surprises, and performed by 5 actors, you’ll be delighted as things change before your very eyes. Discover what happens as Bilbo travels on an epic journey over freezing mountains and a frightening forest, meeting all sorts of fierce creatures—some who want to eat him, others who turn into dear friends.

For tickets: click here.

POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive

Live Arts Theatre - July 17, 2026 through July 25, 2026

One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble.

For tickets: click here.

Choir Boy

Actor's Express - August 06, 2026 through August 30, 2026

Pharus struggles to find his place at The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, an esteemed institution committed to shaping the future of young Black men. This year, however, his talent has earned him the honor of leading the school’s renowned choir—an opportunity that calls upon him to be a leader to his peers, and earn the respect he so craves. Tarrell Alvin McCraney, the Oscar-winning writer of Moonlight, weaves together joyous gospel music with a coming-of-age story unlike any that you’ve witnessed before.

For tickets: click here.

Looking to include your shows? Submit them to our listings here.

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.

BLUE MAN GROUP Lottery and Student Rush Tickets to Open for Atlanta Engagement

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:49:15 PST

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta announces that entries for the Blue Man Group special digital lottery and student rush ticket programs are now open for the limited, three-show engagement at the Fox Theatre on June 16 and 17.

For those who feel LUCKY, Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta is partnering with the digital ticket lottery platform Lucky Seat. Participants will have a chance to win a limited number of $39 tickets for the Atlanta Blue Man Group engagement.

Entries for shows at the Fox Theatre will close on Friday, June 12, at 9:30 a.m. Lucky Seat will email winners starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12, and will continue throughout the day, as needed. Winners will have until 7 p.m. on June 12 to purchase and claim their tickets. Participants must have a Lucky Seat account to participate in the lottery or create one by visiting LuckySeat.com.

Tickets are subject to availability. Limit of two tickets per patron. In some cases, tickets may be partial view and, while every effort will be made to group multiple seats together, there is a chance that seats may be split up. Tickets can be picked up at the Box Office at the Fox Theatre with a photo ID starting two hours before the performance time.

In addition to lottery tickets, Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta will also offer special $36 Student Rush Tickets for the Blue Man Group Atlanta engagement. Eligible guests simply need to bring valid identification to the Fox Theatre Box Office two hours prior to each performance. The $36 rush ticket price will be valid for all performances, with a two-ticket limit per ID. Student Rush Tickets are subject to availability and will be sold from best available, which may include limited view locations.

Blue Man Group will play a limited three-show engagement in Atlanta as part of the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2025/2026 season from June 16 - 17. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Blue Man Group continues to redefine live entertainment through their combination of rhythmic artistry, groundbreaking technology and immersive audience interaction. The upcoming tour showcases over three decades of creative evolution, with the iconic trio continuing their legacy as innovators of experimental performance while consistently delivering their signature blend of musical innovation, visual spectacle and spontaneous humor that has captivated millions of fans worldwide.

ABOUT BLUE MAN GROUP

Blue Man Group is a global entertainment phenomenon, known for its award-winning theatrical productions, iconic characters and multiple creative explorations. Blue Man Group performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication. Since debuting at New York's Astor Place Theatre in 1991, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies playing in Las Vegas, Orlando and multiple tours, reaching more than 50 million people worldwide. This year, Blue Man Group launched the return of their North American Tour and will be embarking on a Japan tour this summer. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds, and continually injected with new music, fresh stories, custom instruments and sensory stimulating graphics. Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. For more information, please visit BLUEMAN.com.

BLUE MAN GROUP Lottery and Student Rush Tickets to Open for Atlanta Engagement

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:49:15 PST

Blue Man Group will play a limited three-show engagement in Atlanta as part of the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2025/2026 season from June 16 - 17. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT BLUE MAN GROUP

Interview: Matt Hobbs And Travis Sharp, creators of HOT JAMBALAYA at Horizon Theatre Company

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:19:29 PST

The new musical HOT JAMBALAYA is currently heating up the stage at Horizon Theatre in Atlanta through June 21st, bringing audiences a wildly entertaining mix of murder mystery, comedy, New Orleans flavor, and original music. Created by Atlanta theatre artists Matt Hobbs (Songwriter for WOMAN OF THE YEAR and BLACK NERD, and the viral sensation, PUPPY SONGS) and Travis Sharp (LAWRENCEBURG, SONG OF THE LIVING DEAD, MUSICALS SUCK: THE MUSICAL, and WICKET), the show has been years in the making and has already developed a passionate following after its original run at Dad’s Garage last year.

I caught up with Matt and Travis to talk about their journeys into theater, the evolution of HOT JAMBALAYA, the unique combination of influences behind the show, and what audiences can expect when they step into this fast-paced world of murder, music, and mayhem.

BWW: Thank you both so much for taking time to speak with me. I’m excited to hear more about you and more about HOT JAMBALAYA. I’d love to start by hearing a little bit about both of your journeys into the world of theater, and what brought you to this point.

Matt Hobbs: I moved to Atlanta in 2010, and the coolest thing I did when I was crashing with my former college roommate’s parents out in the suburbs was go to a show at Dad’s Garage. I was like, “Now this is cool.” It was much cooler than Dunwoody. That was where I saw folks like Travis Sharp and Kevin Gillese and Amber Nash and Megan Leahy and all these cool people performing scripted shows and improv shows. There was a cat on the piano on the side and I thought, “I want to do that.” That’s where I joined up with Dad’s and took on a lot of different projects over the years, music directing and working with Travis for many years. Then he and I took a big swing at pitching a scripted musical to Dad’s Garage in 2017. It was not this show, and it did not get a good response. But we went back the next year with this project and have been developing it ever since.

BWW: So, it’s been eight years in the works.

Travis Sharp: Yep. Pretty much pre-pandemic, and this became our pandemic project.

BWW: What about you, Travis? What’s your theatre origin story?

TS: I was always interested in theater and did some in college, but I never really thought of it as a viable career for me. I went into advertising. I was also doing improv in college, but it was terrible. It didn’t leave a terrible taste in my mouth; it just wasn’t something I thought about. Then I had a moment of inspiration when I saw a show at Dad’s Garage in 2000. I had just moved to Atlanta and was taking my then-girlfriend, now wife, out on a birthday date. At some point during the show, I leaned over and whispered to her, “This is what I want to do.” I started taking classes at Dad’s, started doing improv shows, and became an accidental playwright. I basically said, “Hey, could I write a play?” and people were like, “Yeah, try it.” I wrote a play, and then I wrote a musical, and then another musical, and another musical, and another musical. Then Matt and I connected and wrote this musical. It still feels weird to say I’m a playwright, even though I’ve written seven produced plays. It still feels like I’m just this guy trying to be funny with my friends and seeing what happens.

MH: While Trav was writing all of those shows, I was coming up at Dad’s getting more and more gigs being a music director or accompanist or musical improviser. I remember when his show SONG OF THE LIVING DEAD got remounted, I was waist-deep in the Atlanta theater world by then, and I thought, “I want to work with Travis.”

BWW: Let’s talk about the show a bit. For people who may not know much about it, how would you describe HOT JAMBALAYA and what audiences can expect?

TS: The tightest byline we’ve come up with is “the murder mystery musical comedy.” You literally can’t remove any of those words without inaccurately describing the show. It’s also a period piece set in New Orleans in the early 1920s before the bubble burst. It’s a really fun, fast-paced farce with lots of laughs, but it was really important to us to build a legitimate murder mystery into it too. Every character is really distinct and juicy and fun to play. We wanted every role to feel like something an actor would want to step into. But we also took the mystery seriously. If you’re paying attention and you really know your stuff, there’s a chance you might figure it out before we reveal it.

MH: The show is steeped in two things: the confined-space Agatha Christie-style murder mystery genre, and New Orleans. Not just the music or visual aesthetic, but the character aesthetic, the language, and the complicated family dynamic that New Orleans carries. I was born and raised there. Hurricane Katrina hit during my senior year of high school, so I have a complicated relationship with the place I love more than anywhere else in the world. So, the show embraces the good, the bad, and everything in between about New Orleans while also relishing all those cozy murder mystery tropes and traditions we love. When I talk about the show with folks, I say it’s like if THE MOUSETRAP and A GENTLEMAN”S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER had a baby with just a little bit of HADESTOWN thrown in for good measure.

BWW: How has the show evolved from its original run at Dad’s Garage last year to this new production at Horizon Theatre?

TS: I recently heard someone say plays are never finished; playwrights just give up. We definitely learned a lot from putting the show in front of audiences the first time around. Nothing major or structural changed because we had already spent seven and a half years rewriting and revising before the original production. But putting a show in front of audiences teaches you things you can’t learn any other way. Because it’s a murder mystery, we don’t want to hide clues. We want them to be there. So, there were some moments we tightened up, some things we clarified, some jokes we sharpened. I definitely think it’s a stronger show now.

MH: One of the biggest differences has actually been seeing the show in front of a different audience demographic. There’s a joke in Act One about barnacles on a boat being so old they have cataracts. At Dad’s Garage, that joke got maybe a five-out-of-ten response on a good night.

TS: It wasn’t even really a joke at Dad’s Garage. It was accepted as a statement of fact and we moved on.

MH: But at Horizon, there’s been this huge appreciative laugh from the audience. It’s a silly example, but it’s been fascinating to watch. The actors are also still discovering things in these characters, even the returning cast members. That’s the thrill of live theater.

BWW: Was there a specific moment or inspiration that sparked the idea of this show for you?

TS: It goes back to that earlier musical pitch we made that didn’t work. It was this sci-fi concept about Little Five Points being sealed off under a dome from the rest of society. We pitched that to crickets.

MH: Then one night after a show, Kevin Gillese basically gave us advice that changed everything. He said, “Pitch the show only you could pitch.” Driving home afterward, I thought, “I love New Orleans and I love Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries.” Suddenly the pieces clicked together. There were elements we wanted to explore musically in that earlier concept, but this was the right world for them. And because New Orleans is deeply personal for me, it gave the story a lot more depth and authenticity.

BWW: Both of you come from improv backgrounds. I’m curious how that influences your work as writers and creators.

MH: Improv taught me not to be precious about writing. Before all the puppy songs, I was trying very hard to be a serious songwriter and polishing songs endlessly. Then I’d get onstage at an improv show and make something up on the spot that would get a bigger response than songs I’d worked on for years. Improv teaches you to write fearlessly. The worst-case scenario is just writing something else. That mindset really shaped this project.

TS: Twenty-six years of doing improv every week kind of breaks your brain in a good way. Matt and I basically wrote the show through improv. We would slip into character voices and improvise scenes and conversations. We also perform together in improvised music shows, so there were moments where huge parts of HOT JAMBALAYA just appeared in five-minute jam sessions. I remember when we realized the finale needed changing. Matt started playing something, we started singing together, and instantly I thought, “Oh, that’s it. That’s the finale.” You always imagine writers sweating and arguing and chain-smoking while creating musicals, but for us a lot of it was just, “Oh, there it is.”

BWW: Do either of you have creators or artists you feel especially influenced by?

MH: As a songwriter, I’ve always wanted to be Ben Folds when I grow up. I admire everything about him; his musicality, his lyrics, his performance style, and his punk rock attitude. I’m also hugely influenced by Bobby Lopez. We spent a lot of time with THE BOOK OF MORMON, AVENUE Q and that style of musical comedy storytelling.

TS: For a long time, I thought I was a niche playwright because I’d written things like zombie musicals and teenage werewolf musicals and an Ewok musical. But seeing shows like AVENUE Q and THE BOOK OF MORMON really changed my perspective. I remember sitting at BOOK OF MORMON at the Fox Theatre thinking, “Nobody is getting up and leaving. Everyone’s laughing.” It made me realize audiences are willing to go on weird rides if the work is funny and heartfelt and well-crafted.

MH: Another influence for me is Bill Lawrence, especially through shows like Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking. I love storytelling where things can get really silly and then suddenly emotionally honest. That balance was really important to us in this show too.

BWW: I know it’s probably impossible to choose, but do you each have favorite songs or favorite moments in the show?

TS: There’s an 11 o’clock number called “Alone Together” that absolutely gets me every time. After all the chaos and comedy, the show slows down for this really emotional moment. Matt wrote such a beautiful song there. Honestly, sometimes it makes me cry.

MH: Another favorite for me is “Shoulda, Coulda, Didn’t” in Act Two. It starts off very BOOK OF MORMON-inspired and then turns into this Dr. John-style New Orleans piece with dense lyrics and internal rhyme. It’s also a key murder mystery moment because two characters are presenting their alibis through song. It really combines the musical and mystery aspects of the show in a fun way.

TS: We should also mention “Lagniappe Handclap,” which is this early crowd-pleasing New Orleans number before bodies start dropping. Audiences want to clap along with it every night.

BWW: One last question for you both: What’s next for HOT JAMBALAYA and for the two of you?

MH: We’re hoping the show has a life beyond Atlanta. We’re already in conversations with some theaters in New Orleans and exploring possibilities elsewhere around the country.

TS: Matt and I are also realizing the Hobbs-Sharp brand might actually be our thing for a while. We’ve got a couple of ideas we’re already beginning to shape for whatever comes next. And tonight, I’m opening in another show, GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!, at Dad’s Garage where I’m playing a playwright, which feels very appropriate right now.

HOT JAMBALAYA is currently playing at the Horizon Theatre and runs through Sunday, June 21st. Performances are at Horizon Theatre, located at Euclid and Austin in Little Five Points/Inman Park (1083 Austin Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30307). Performances are on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $40 on weekdays and $45 on weekends. Group pricing is available for parties of 10 or more. Full-time students under 25 may purchase $20 tickets with valid ID. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

Lead Photo: Matt Hobbs and Travis Sharp

All other photos: Cast of HOT JAMBALAYA

IN THE HEIGHTS Highlight Reel Released for Aurora Theatre's 30th Season Closer

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:08:11 PST

Aurora Theatre has released a highlight reel for its upcoming production of IN THE HEIGHTS, offering audiences an early look at the musical that will close the Atlanta-area company's landmark 30th season. The footage captures the energy and color of the production, which runs May 28 through June 21, 2026, at Aurora's Lawrenceville home.

IN THE HEIGHTS features music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The Tony Award-winning musical unfolds in Washington Heights, a close-knit Manhattan neighborhood where bodega owner Usnavi and his community navigate dreams, displacement, and the pull of home. Miranda's score weaves together hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul into a propulsive theatrical language that made the show a landmark of 21st-century musical theatre when it opened on Broadway in 2008.

For Aurora Theatre, the production carries particular weight: the company's own audiences voted IN THE HEIGHTS their favorite show in Aurora's history, making it a fitting capstone to a 30th anniversary season that has already included the world premiere of INITIATIVE, a new play by Atlanta local Jacob York. The season finale represents both a celebration of the theatre's past three decades and a testament to the enduring resonance of Miranda's breakthrough work.

IN THE HEIGHTS has been drawing significant regional attention this spring, with productions at Musical Theatre West and South Bay Musical Theatre among those mounting the show ahead of Aurora's June closing night.

Click Here to Play!

Photos: THE REVOLUTIONISTS at Theatrical Outfit

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:26:05 PST

Theatrical Outfit is concluding its 49th Season with the return of Lauren Gunderson’s THE REVOLUTIONISTS. Performances will run June 3 – 28, 2026. Check out photos below!

Atlanta playwright Lauren Gunderson (Silent Sky & Christmas at Pemberley) returns to TO with THE REVOLUTIONISTS – an irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, and how we actually go about changing the world. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. THERE’S REALLY ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT!

Leading THE REVOLUTIONISTS is an all-star Atlanta ensemble that features Tiffany Denise Hobbs as Marianne Angelle, Bethany Anne Lind as Marie Antoinette, Erika Miranda as Charlotte Corday, and Courtney Patterson as Olympe de Gouges. Under the direction of Amber McGinnis, the design team includes: Choreography by Candy McLellan Davison, Scenic Design by Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay, Costume Design by April Andrew Carswell, Lighting Design by Ben Rawson, Sound Design by Jeremiah Davison, Properties Design by Caroline Cook, and Stage Management by Lily Mayfield.

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.

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)

Atlanta Opera Announces RING FESTIVAL for 2029

Sun, 31 May 2026 14:10:30 PST

The Atlanta Opera has announced its milestone Ring Festival 2029, presenting two complete cycles of Richard Wagner’s epic tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in June 2029. This festival marks a triumphant new chapter in a journey that started in 2023 when The Atlanta Opera began presenting each of the four Ring operas over four seasons to Atlanta audiences for the first time, earning critical acclaim and regional renown.

The festival will feature the acclaimed productions directed by Tomer Zvulun and conducted by Principal Conductor Iván López Reynoso. Two full cycles will be offered, providing audiences the rare opportunity to experience Wagner’s complete mythic saga — from the theft of the Rhine gold to the twilight of the gods — in a single week.

Conceived not only as a landmark artistic event but as an international cultural destination, Ring Festival 2029 will welcome audiences from across the United States and abroad to Atlanta. Festival programming beyond the mainstage performances will place a special spotlight on The Atlanta Opera’s future home, the Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts, currently under development along the Atlanta Beltline corridor and scheduled to open in Fall 2027.

The new facility will serve as a vibrant hub for festival events, including recitals, lectures, public conversations, community gatherings, and immersive artistic experiences designed to deepen engagement with Wagner’s epic work while introducing visitors to the company’s expanding artistic footprint. Situated on the thriving neighborhood connector, the Atlanta Beltline, the Molly Blank Center reflects The Atlanta Opera’s long-term vision of linking world-class artistic creation with the cultural and civic life of the city.

The festival presents a singular opportunity for audiences to experience this epic in its entirety — across two complete cycles — in the intimate yet grand setting of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Additional programming, including recitals, lectures, films, and exhibits, will be presented at The Atlanta Opera’s new home, the Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts – now under construction.

Rather than treating the Ring as a museum piece or relying primarily on spectacle, the company has built its productions around emotional clarity, cinematic storytelling, and psychological immediacy. Under the leadership of Tomer Zvulun, the productions aim to make Wagner’s epic feel urgent and human for contemporary audiences — whether they are longtime Wagnerians or first-time opera attendees.

More information and ticket purchases can be made at the Atlanta Opera's website.

YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU: A Judy Garland Tribute to Play Savannah Rep

Thu, 28 May 2026 15:46:59 PST

On June 22, 2026, Savannah Rep will present an intimate evening honoring the music and legacy of Judy Garland. Starring Producing Artistic Director Natasha Drena, the performance features longtime collaborator Chris Brent Davis.

Together, Drena and Davis bring new life to Garland's iconic repertoire, drawing on years of collaboration across cabarets, regional theatre (including End of the Rainbow), and symphony hall performances.

This special engagement offers a rare chance to experience these timeless songs through an intimate, theatrical lens—balancing humor, warmth, and soaring vocals in a single unforgettable night.

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.

EXPIRATION DATE to Play Atlanta Fringe Festival This Summer

Tue, 26 May 2026 11:31:26 PST

Atlanta based devising company You Should Feel Bad will present Expiration Date as part of the 2026 Atlanta Fringe Festival! This year, they are working in collaboration with their debut artist-in-residence Wanyu Yang to bring their most interactive and feel good/bad show ever to the Atlanta Fringe for a third year, this time featuring you as the set and background performers! The show will be presented at The Supermarket's Blue Venue from May 28th through June 6th, with tickets available at the door or online.

Expiration Date is an interactive theater show about toxic relationship dynamics and emotional manipulation. Featuring Adam Friedman and Olive Zhang of How the Grinch Reversed Racism fame, audiences will see a couple break up and try to figure out if they can still be friends, all facilitated by a date coupon that lets them enlist the audience to create date environments. Audience members might find themselves making incense smoke with their arms, pinball sounds with their mouths, or even becoming Rodin's famous Thinker on and off stage.

"I'm really proud of the work we've done to make this show fun for audiences while still handling a weighty topic with care," says company co-founder Olive Zhang. "Whether you've ever been in a toxic relationship or not, we wanted to make sure you could enjoy the show."

Performances will run: May 28th at 10:30 pm, May 30th at 7:00 pm, June 2 at 8:45 pm, June 4 at 10:30 pm, June 6 at 3:30 pm.

EXPIRATION DATE to Play Atlanta Fringe Festival This Summer

Tue, 26 May 2026 11:31:26 PST

Performances will run: May 28th at 10:30 pm, May 30th at 7:00 pm, June 2 at 8:45 pm, June 4 at 10:30 pm, June 6 at 3:30 pm.

Summer 2026 Atlanta Indie Theatre Round Up

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:28:46 PST

When you hear about Atlanta's rich independent, sometimes underground, performance experiences, where do you get your information? Search no more! This ecclectic round up of Atlanta's exquisit performing artists is a great place to start your Atlanta indie theatre adventures. These twelve events are a drop in the ocean of performance talent in this town, but if you're previously unaware of these gems, you can continue to celebrate your discoveries by following these creatives and continuing to support your newfound love for all things indie and alternative.

ATLANTA FRINGE FESTIVAL (May 27 - June 7)
2 Weeks, 51 Productions, 245 Performances
Since 2012, Atlanta Fringe has supported an annual festival featuring live theatre, dance, comedy, storytelling, puppetry, and more. "Creating an artist-first atmosphere of collaboration and joy," this festival is an Altanta performance fanatic's annual must. Artists from all over the world are chosen by lottery and for two weeks fill Atlanta's stages with new works featuring the wild, weird, and wonderful. Visit ATLANTA FRINGE FESTIVAL for more information.

THE CAKE (June 4 - 14) by Bekah Brunstetter and Directed by Riley Rawson at Merely Players Presents
Known as a compassionate comedy that chooses connection instead of division, this funny, warm, and sweet play is about finding the courage to face the unknown. Visit Merely Players Presents for more information.

Produced by Authenticity Theatre, CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION (June 11 - 20) by Annie Baker and Directed by Kelley Jordan at at 7 Stages Backstage Theatre In a small town Vermont community center, a group of curious creatives, explore the complexities of being human with quiet humor and aching honesty. By experiencing the power of performance, creative expression, and authentic interactions, even ordinary connections can lead to catharsis. Visit Authenticity Theatre for more information.

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! (June 5 — 28) Karen Cassady and Travis Sharp of the Dad’s Garage ensemble bring back to life Bev, Doug, and their "explosively funny and ingenious spectacle" musical creation about Johann Gutenberg and the creation of the printing press. Known as for an "authentic, infectious, and spontaneous charm and charisma" of Dad's improv performances, Karen and Travis explore Bev and Doug's impulsive, hair-brained-scheme with all the "pizazz, panache, and delusions of production value found only in modern spectacle theatre!" Visit Dad's Garage for tickets!

Atlanta's SOUL FOOD CYPHER (various events) is an ongoing serial Atlanta experience. Described as "a live, community-driven experience rooted in hip-hop culture and creative expression." SOUL FOOD CYPHER is known as a community above all else open to all who want to witness and practice stepping into the cypher to rap. This dynamic, living art is rooted in freestyle, discipline, and culture providing mindblowing lyrical demonstrations by Atlanta's best freestyle Rappers. Visit SOUL FOOD CYPHER for more information on witnessing the power of presence.

SOUTHERN FRIED QUEER PRIDE (June 22-28) The 12th annual pride festival takes place in Atlanta's iconic Little 5 Points neighborhood and "is fresh off the stove & ready to serve a full week of deep fried art & community!" The SFQP festival embraces "Seeds of Resistance" with a street-sized artist market, dance parties, eclectic entertainment, workshops & educational moments that is said to grow "into trees that bear the fruit of resilience & joy, liberation & community. And when we cultivate these fruits together, it creates abundance for us all!" Visit SOUTHERN FRIED QUEER PRIDE for more information!

HELEN OF THE WEST (August TBD) by Susan Swavely is the winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition and will hit the Atlanta stage this August. Since 1999, Georgia's own Essential Theatre has spent decades discovering and supporting Georgia playwrights. "Founded by a playwright, to create a space for playwrights to be playwrights," Essential has presented 48 new works by 39 different Georgia playwrights, with readings of over 50 more. Visit Essential Theatre for more information on this legendary playwrighting opportunity and the great work they bring to Atlanta's thriving theatre community!

MONSTER SHOW FOR MONSTERS (3rd Monday of every month) at Red Light Cafe is an ongoing, serial event known as an "alternate reality variety show featuring music, comedy, burlesque, drag, storytelling, magic, and more, all performed by your favorite monsters." Touted as Atlanta's only show "where audience, cast, and crew are all monsters," this experience is immersive-themed and uniquely curated each month. Visit Red Light Cafe events and join the summer's best monsters!

Atlanta's LAVENDER FEST Season Three: Unreadable (August 5 - 9) showcases queer talent from around the world. This year they will continue to feature a collection of unique shows hosted at Atlanta’s Out Front Theatre Company. Supported by Qreative Voices, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying, preserving, and protecting Queer Southern narratives, there is sure to be something for everyone and all are welcome. This annual festival is known for helping Atlanta to be seen "as a change-maker in the world of new play development." Visit LAVENDER FEST for more information!

Burning Bones Physical Theatre and Frankie Mulinix will create another of their annual devised theatrical productions. BEAUTIFUL EUNUCHS (August/September TBD) will grace Atlanta's stages again this summer. Burning Bones Physical Theatre is known for building "community engagement with compelling physical performances" and creates original, live shows made by the performance culture here in Atlanta. Company members are predominantly queer and disabled artists, central to their methods of training and creating together. Visit Frankie Mulinix's trainings and past works for more information on this dynamic and exciting movement company.

This summer at Theatrical Outfit, MR. COOL (August TBD) will chill Atlanta's audiences featuring the story of Ray Masinloc who is a "Filipino-American, former UFC champion, tabloid fixation, public disaster is known for surviving the collapse of his own image." But Ray has discovered he has the gift of mediums and can speak with the dead. At a historic public event in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ray "summons the man the stadium was named for, and begins an interview that becomes something else entirely." Visit MR. COOL Play 2026 for more information on this Atlanta debut.

Do not hold your applause! SheATL Arts Summer Theater Festival (August 10 - 16) is coming back to Atlanta this summer! Performing again at 7 Stages Mainstage Theater, join SheATL for a summer of new stories by women, trans, & non-binary folx debuting their love of theatre. Keep your eyes on SheATL for show info and tickets sales.

Formed in 2017 for East Atlanta performance artists, Windmill Arts Productions’ annual programming includes supporting "10 Resident Artists by providing them with mentorship, technical and production expertise as they develop and present new work," presenting the short play & film festival, BLUEPRINT, and producing 1-2 new works per year. Check out Windmill Arts for summer programing including some of the very best Atlanta theatre, dance, and improv talent.

An Atlanta theatrical staple since 1997, PushPush Arts has given artists a place to experiment and grow. In 2016, they moved to College Partk to meet their vision "to serve as a vast creative hub for generative artists across multiple disciplines and offer resources, mentorship, and residency programs, affordable space, and critical response that enables artists to advance their creative developments – and their careers – toward excellence and sustainability." Visit PushPush Arts to see what they are up to this summer!

BABY BIPOLAR to Make Atlanta Premiere at 7 Stages

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:34:00 PST

Maria Mainelli will present the Atlanta premiere of BABY BIPOLAR this summer at 7 Stages.

Created and performed by Mainelli and directed by Fiona Campbell, the solo show explores Mainelli’s experiences following a bipolar 1 diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Blending comedy, autobiographical storytelling, and reflections on grief and mental health, the production examines the first five years following her diagnosis.

The show incorporates manic episodes, depressive periods, and experiences navigating therapy and medication systems, while focusing on themes of acceptance, advocacy, and self-understanding.

Campbell said: “With BABY BIPOLAR, Maria gives us an honest, shameless, and wickedly funny telling of the search for radical self love.”

Mainelli previously toured her debut solo show FLY TRAP and has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Kennedy Center, Dad’s Garage, UCBNY, Camden Fringe, Pittsburgh Fringe, SoloCOM NYC, Atlanta Fringe, and the PIT NYC. She also received Helen Hayes Awards for Best Play and Best Ensemble for Blood at the Root with Theater Alliance.

Performance Schedule

BABY BIPOLAR

July 2, 9, and 17, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Press night: July 2 at 8 p.m.

7 Stages
1105 Euclid Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307

Running time is 55 minutes. Recommended for ages 16+.

Tickets are $18 plus fees and available at Eventbrite - BABY BIPOLAR.

POTENTIAL SPAM COMEDY to Perform Original Sketch Show at Atlanta Fringe Festival

Thu, 21 May 2026 19:30:25 PST

Potential Spam Comedy will bring an all-new original production to the 7 Stages Mainstage as part of the 2026 Atlanta Fringe Festival.

While cities like New York and Chicago have long been known for live sketch comedy, Potential Spam is helping build that tradition in Atlanta through fully original, artist-driven work.

The ensemble features performers with deep Atlanta roots and connections to some of the city's best-known comedy institutions, including Dad's Garage Theatre, Whole World Theatre, Onward Theatre, and Sketchworks. The cast includes: Morgan Bowling, Noelle Campbell, Tavius 'T.C.' Cortez, Birton Cowden, Javier Dominguez, Carlisa N. Johnson, Tonni Lane, Mitchell Mack, Jake Marshall, and Allison Salinger.

The Atlanta Fringe Festival celebrates independent and experimental performance from artists across multiple disciplines. Potential Spam's Fringe production combines this mission with its own, creating ambitious, fully original comedy made by dynamic artists for diverse audiences.

Performance dates include:

• May 29 at 7:00 p.m.
• May 30 at 3:30 p.m.
• June 3 at 8:45 p.m.
• June 4 at 10:30 p.m.
• June 7 at 1:45 p.m.

Tickets and additional information are available at: https://atlantafringe.org/events/potential-spam-comedy/

WATER MEMORY Will Make World Premiere With The Atlanta Opera and Georgia Tech Arts

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:50:59 PST

This June, The Atlanta Opera, together with Georgia Tech Arts, will present the world premiere of Water Memory (Jala Smriti), a one-act opera that weaves a deeply personal story of memory, family, and identity with timely questions about the role of artificial intelligence in our lives. Based on the lived experiences of composer Kitty Brazelton and librettist Vaibu Mohan, Water Memory follows Janani, a South Asian woman navigating the early stages of dementia, and her adult children already beginning to grieve their mother. Set in a hydrangea garden and performed to a score that blends live instruments with an electronic soundscape, the chamber opera challenges audiences to consider the ways emerging technologies can enhance the human experience rather than replace it.

Brazelton and Mohan were commissioned by The Atlanta Opera after winning the Antinori Foundation Grand Prize in the 96-Hour Opera Project in June 2024. Responding to a prompt to integrate AI into a creative work, the pair created a 10-minute scene called Water Memory that formed the basis of this new work. While some teams in the 96-Hour Opera Project have established partnerships, Brazelton and Mohan met for the first time through this project.

Although Water Memory engages with questions around artificial intelligence, the work itself was created entirely by human artists, without AI assistance. Partnering with Georgia Tech Arts, Brazelton and Mohan engaged with specialists in gerontology and memory-assistance programs through the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology & Society, the A-I CARING Institute, the Aware Home Research Initiative, and the Center for Inclusive Design & Innovation, specializing in aging-in-place and technology for older adults.

A talk-back panel discussion with representatives from each organization will be presented on Sunday, June 14, after the performance.

Performance and Ticket Information The world premiere of Water Memory (Jala Smriti) is part of The Atlanta Opera's NOW Festival (New Opera Works), celebrating its fifth year of championing bold, contemporary storytelling.

Water Memory is scheduled for two performances on Friday, June 12, at 7:30pm, and Sunday, June 14, at 3pm, at the Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech. June is designated as Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month.

The festival also includes a new edition of the 96-Hour Opera Project, the company's signature new-works competition, with a public showcase on Saturday, June 13. The event features five new opera scenes followed by an awards ceremony at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College.

Tickets for each day's event are $35. Festival passes, valid for admission to the competition showcase and one performance of Water Memory, are available for $50. The talk-back panel discussion is free to ticket holders.

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS to Complete Atlanta Opera's First Ring Cycle

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:45:34 PST

The Atlanta Opera will close the 2025–26 season with Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun's new production of Wagner's Twilight of the Gods (“Götterdämmerung”), the fourth and final opera in The Atlanta Opera's Ring cycle, featuring Stefan Vinke, Lise Lindstrom, and David Leigh (May 30–June 7). The production will be livestreamed and filmed for release by The Atlanta Opera Film Studio, on whose platform a host of opera films have recently been made available, including the previous three operas in the Ring cycle (see below for more details).

Twilight of the Gods (Götterdämmerung) (May 30–June 7)

Following productions of Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, and Siegfried in The Atlanta Opera's Ring cycle over the past three seasons, Twilight of the Gods (“Götterdämmerung”) closes the cycle during the 150th anniversary year of the Ring cycle's premiere. It also represents other milestones: the first time in history the opera has been presented in Atlanta, and the completion of the first new American Ring production since the pandemic.

Zvulun elaborates: “This is the moment we have been building toward for four seasons, and in truth, the dream began for me and my team on my very first day at The Atlanta Opera 13 years ago. Bringing the Ring cycle to Atlanta has required extraordinary determination, imagination, and collective will. With Twilight of the Gods, we complete the first fully staged Ring cycle in the history of the South and the first new staging of the Ring cycle in America to reach completion since the pandemic began. At a time when producing opera at the highest level has become more difficult than ever, this milestone affirms Atlanta's emergence as a national leader in creating and sustaining world-class art.”

With a cast starring Stefan Vinke as Siegfried, this new Zvulun production also features Lise Lindstrom. The villainous Hagen will be portrayed by David Leigh, replacing Morris Robinson, who had to withdraw from the production. Baritone Aleksey Bogdanov sings Alberich, and bass-baritone Le Bu and soprano Sylvia D'Eramo sing the roles of Gunther and Gutrune. On the podium will be Detroit Opera's music director, Roberto Kalb.

Atlanta Opera Film Studio

Packed with films, documentaries, behind-the-scenes videos, livestream events, full concerts and complete series, The Atlanta Opera Film Studio was founded by Tomer Zvulun and filmmaker Felipe Barral to increase the accessibility of operas in a unique and cinematic style. Twilight of the Gods will be presented online for livestream viewing on the Friday evening performance. The livestreams will then be available for replay here, as are all mainstage productions from previous seasons. Viewing most content requires only an email registration; to view the cinematic operas produced at The Atlanta Opera – which will be available for Twilight of the Gods at a later date – a $25 annual subscription is required.

LADY PENELOPE IN QUARANTINE! To Play Atlanta Fringe Festival

Tue, 19 May 2026 20:24:54 PST

Penny Peyser will bring her one-woman show LADY PENELOPE IN QUARANTINE! to this year's Atlanta Fringe Festival. The production will play multiple performances at the Supermarket Black Box in Atlanta.

Written and performed by Peyser, whose screen credits include The In-Laws, All the President's Men, The Frisco Kid, Knots Landing, Shameless, and NCIS, the play centers on Lady Penelope, a woman who has embraced an extended COVID quarantine until a voicemail from her son forces her to confront unresolved personal issues.

The production features original songs and is directed and produced by Matthew Leavitt and Liza Seneca, co-artistic directors of The 6th Act theater company. Additional producing is by Doug McIntyre, whose television credits include Married... with Children, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Full House.

Performances will take place at Supermarket Black Box, located at 638 N. Highland Ave NE in Atlanta.

Benjamin Sokol Awarded Carlisle Floyd Centennial Prize by Sherrill Milnes VOICE Programs

Tue, 19 May 2026 14:58:27 PST

Benjamin Sokol, has been awarded the 2026 Carlisle Floyd Centennial Prize. The award of $2,500 recognizes Sokol’s talents as a promising young opera singer and is the organization’s first time awarding this prize. Sherrill Milnes VOICE Programs made the announcement at its annual gala in New York City on May 6.

“Receiving the Carlisle Floyd Prize from the Carlisle Floyd Foundation is an honor for which I am deeply grateful.” said Sokol. “I am mindful that any work I do is possible only because of the generosity of the great opera singers, teachers, and educators who have guided and mentored me, and whose example continues to shape my path.”

Sokol continued, “I hold a profound love and respect for the music of Carlisle Floyd, whose artistic voice has left an enduring imprint on American art and continues to teach us how to listen attentively, with honesty, care and above all, a full heart. I accept this prize with humility and thanks, conscious of the legacy it represents and hopeful to honor it through continued learning, service, and dedication to this incredible art form.”

Sokol, a bass-baritone, is a previous Milnes VOICE Scholarship winner with many performance accolades. He has performed in Milnes’ Savannah VOICE Festival productions such as Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and Michael Ching’s “A Royal Feast.”
Carlisle Floyd is attributed as the Father of American Opera. The Carlisle Floyd Centennial organizations aims to celebrate his life, music and centennial year.

The Carlisle Floyd Centennial is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of composer Carlisle Floyd through performance, scholarship, and education. Working in partnership with opera companies, orchestras, universities, libraries, and publishers, the Centennial supports performances, research initiatives, and public programs that deepen engagement with Floyd’s work.

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

Henry Drangel Wins Sherrill Milnes VOICE Scholarship Competition

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:28:51 PST

The Milnes VOICE Programs hosted its 20th annual Sherrill Milnes VOICE Scholarship Competition on May 7 at the National Opera Center and named Henry Drangel as this year's grand prize winner and scholarship recipient. In this master class competition, singers work with opera legend Sherrill Milnes in front of a live audience to win a full scholarship to attend and study in the Milnes VOICE Studio in Savannah, Georgia this summer.

Sponsored by the Tom Lysaught Scholarship Fund, this national search gives artists a chance to continue refining their vocal talents with opera mentors. The judging panel included president and co-founder of the Milnes VOICE Programs Maria Zouves, stage director Fabrizio Melano, and composer Michael Ching. Finalists sang in front of a live audience with strong selections. Marc Cioffi, a bass-baritone, performed “Vi ravviso” from “La sonnambula” by Vincenzo Bellini; Carlee Carpenter, a mezzo-soprano, performed “There is a Garden” from “Trouble in Tahiti” by Leonard Bernstein; and Drangel, a tenor, performed “L'ultima canzone” by F. Paolo Tosti.

“This 20th anniversary of the Sherrill Milnes VOICE Scholarship Competition is a truly meaningful milestone for all of us,” said Zouves. “Over the past two decades, we've had the privilege of discovering and nurturing extraordinary young artists, and each year the level of talent continues to inspire and impress us.”

Chad Sonka, education and outreach director for the Milnes VOICE Programs agreed.

“Working with this year's participants has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Sonka. “Each singer brought a unique voice and perspective, and I'm excited to work with all three of these singers as part of the Milnes VOICE Studio this summer. These singers, especially Henry, are deserving of support and we are honored to help develop the next generation of exceptional artists.”

Past scholarship winners include:

Ethel Trujillo (2025)
Congcong Wang (2024)
Benjamin Sokol (2021) who was recently awarded the 2026 Carlisle Floyd Centennial Prize, recognizing his talents as a promising young vocalist.

Milnes VOICE Programs serve artists and patrons locally and globally, always embracing the ideals of a diverse community. VOICExperience is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by world-renowned baritone Sherrill Milnes and soprano Maria Zouves. Its mission is to pass on the traditions of great singing and develop new audiences for opera. Since 2001, VOICExperience has helped thousands of singers find their career path through educational programs and workshops, where emerging artists work with the best names in opera, musical theatre and song.

For more information about the Milnes VOICE Programs, please visit www.voicexperiencefoundation.org.

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!

BroadwayWorld.com Atlanta Stories

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Photos: World Premiere of Gloria & Emily Estefan's BASURA at Alliance Theatre

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Underground Rep

In the Heights

9 to 5: The Musical

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Wit

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Choir Boy

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Reviews

Videos

Photos

BLUE MAN GROUP Lottery and Student Rush Tickets to Open for Atlanta Engagement

ABOUT BLUE MAN GROUP

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ABOUT BLUE MAN GROUP

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Weekly Scoring

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

This year's cast includes:

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

Atlanta Opera Announces RING FESTIVAL for 2029

YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU: A Judy Garland Tribute to Play Savannah Rep

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

EXPIRATION DATE to Play Atlanta Fringe Festival This Summer

EXPIRATION DATE to Play Atlanta Fringe Festival This Summer

Summer 2026 Atlanta Indie Theatre Round Up

BABY BIPOLAR to Make Atlanta Premiere at 7 Stages

Performance Schedule

BABY BIPOLAR

POTENTIAL SPAM COMEDY to Perform Original Sketch Show at Atlanta Fringe Festival

Performance dates include:

WATER MEMORY Will Make World Premiere With The Atlanta Opera and Georgia Tech Arts

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS to Complete Atlanta Opera's First Ring Cycle

Twilight of the Gods (Götterdämmerung) (May 30–June 7)

Atlanta Opera Film Studio

LADY PENELOPE IN QUARANTINE! To Play Atlanta Fringe Festival

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

2026-2027 Tour Dates:

Henry Drangel Wins Sherrill Milnes VOICE Scholarship Competition

DEATH BECOMES HER Sets Closing Date

DEATH BECOMES HER North American tour schedule: