Marty Casella

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of Emmy, Drama Desk, and Tony nominated lyricist and librettist, Ellen Fitzhugh.

The New York premiere production of Los Otros, a musical in one act with book & lyrics by Tony Award nominee Ellen Fitzhugh (Grind, Paradise Found) and music by five-time Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Giant), will star Luba Mason and Caesar Samayoa.

PREMIERES NYC has announced the expansion of its bi-annual commissioning series INNER VOICES with the New York premiere production of Los Otros, a musical in one act with book & lyrics by Tony Award nominee Ellen Fitzhugh (Grind, Paradise Found) and music by five-time Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Giant). 

PREMIERES, the New York based music theater organization whose mission is 'to bring new music theater to light,' has announced the complete cast and creative teams for this season's Inner Voices, the biannual series of solo works featuring new teams of playwrights and composers. Performances began October 3rd and continue through October 29 at The TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street - between 8th & 9th Avenues). Opening Night is tonight, October 13th at 8:00pm.

PREMIERES, the New York based music theater organization whose mission is 'to bring new music theater to light,' has announced the complete cast and creative teams for this season's Inner Voices, the biannual series of solo works featuring new teams of playwrights and composers.

The new musical THE NINE FATHERS OF ARIEL is currently undergoing a New York workshop, concluding with invited rehearsals for industry members today and tomorrow, November 6 and 7.

?The new musical THE NINE FATHERS OF ARIEL is currently undergoing a New York workshop, concluding with invited rehearsals for industry members on November 6 and 7.

Pride Films and Plays announces that Directions for Restoring the Apparently Dead by Martin Casella was named the winner of the 2013 Great Gay Play Contest. In this lovely new drama, past and present collide when a straight man and gay man reconnect after life-shattering experiences.

Chandler Center for the Arts and Pride Films and Plays bring the 3rd season of Summer Pride to Chandler Music Hall in Randolph, Vermont, July 12-14 and July 19-21. The festival -- the only one of its kind in the state -- was inaugurated in 2011 as a way to facilitate conversations among gay and lesbian Vermonters, their friends and family members, and the broader community.

'PLAY IT COOL' a new musical will be presented Off Broadway at Theatre Row - Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street. Previews begin Thursday, September 2nd. The hot jazz influenced musical is Conceived by Larry Dean Harris; with a Book by Martin Casella and Larry Dean Harris; Lyrics by Mark Winkler; Music by Phillp Swann; with Additional Music by Jim Andron, Michael Cruz, Marilyn Harris, Emilio Palame, Larry Steelman. It is directed by Sharon Rosen with choreography by Marc Kimelman. The musical is produced by Mary's Hideaway, LLC. The design team, cast and opening will soon be announced.

Rehearsals begin today, Monday, April 5 for the World Premiere production of PARADISE FOUND, a new musical under the combined direction of Theater legend and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince (the original productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Company, Follies, Evita) and 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy For You, Show Boat, The Producers, Contact). This is their first collaboration since the landmark, Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat. Following the New York rehearsal period, the production will open at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory with performances running May 19 through June 26.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present Herringbone, book by Tom Cone, music by Skip Kennon, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatchers), and starring Tony Award-winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly; Law & Order: SVU). Herringbone runs August 1 - 30 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening: Friday, August 7 at 8:00 pm).

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present Herringbone, book by Tom Cone, music by Skip Kennon, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatchers), and starring Tony Award-winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly; Law & Order: SVU). Herringbone runs August 1 - 30 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening: Friday, August 7 at 8:00 pm).

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present Herringbone, book by Tom Cone, music by Skip Kennon, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatchers), and starring Tony Award-winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly; Law & Order: SVU). Herringbone runs August 1 - 30 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening: Friday, August 7 at 8:00 pm).

Play It Cool started with a series of long, gabby lunches with my friend Larry Dean Harris (co-writer of the book). Larry was on the board of the Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles. They had initiated another little show I had written some songs for called 'Naked Boys Singing!'--and were in the market for another one. Both Larry and I loved old film noir and jazz-so we came up with the idea of putting them together. To be honest with you, I was all caught up in visions of slick streets, tough talking guys and good lighting so I basically left Larry alone--

On April 14, 2008 GAYFEST NYC hosted a major fundraising event as a kick-off for this year's Festival and a benefit for the Harvey Milk High School scholarship fund. The evening included a performance by Emmy Award-winning actor Leslie Jordan and was be held at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10036, with a reception following.

The first annual Howard L. Blau Award for a promising new work of musical theater was presented to Friends Like These, with music by John McMahon, lyrics by Jay Jeffries, and with book by Jeffries and McMahon.