Ali Stroker News

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia today announced 121 nominations in 23 categories for the 2011 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 66 voters who each saw 8 of the 147 shows nominated this year. Four additional awards-Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award, the Ted and Stevie Wolf Award for New Approaches to Collaborations, Brown Martin Philadelphia Award and the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist-will also be distributed at the ceremony.

If Mike Nichols and Elaine May ever had a routine about two theatre geeks discussing their favorite unsuccessful musicals, it probably would have resembled the kind of banter that goes on between Jennifer Tepper and Kevin Michael Murphy as creators/producers/hosts of the concert series, If It Only Even Runs A Minute.  Monday night's edition, their seventh, was my third visit to their collection of one-nighters where musical theatre well-knowns and not so well-knowns join music director/pianist Caleb Hoyer to sing selections from underappreciated and/or forgotten musicals between quick histories of each production by Tepper and Murphy.  Frequently, original cast members will be on hand to give first-person accounts of the bumpy roads to opening night.

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 7 is the seventh edition of this series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The show features performances and stories from original cast members and writers of several of the featured shows. This is an essential concert for musical theatre nerds.

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 7 is the seventh edition of this series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The show features performances and stories from original cast members and writers of several of the featured shows. This is an essential concert for musical theatre nerds.

Shaina Taub plays a concert at Ars Nova on Thursday July 21st at 8 PM, featuring a ten-piece band of musicians and vocalists in an evening of all original music.

Shaina Taub plays a concert at Ars Nova on Thursday July 21st at 8 PM, featuring a ten-piece band of musicians and vocalists in an evening of all original music.

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 7 is the seventh edition of this series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The show features performances and stories from original cast members and writers of several of the featured shows. This is an essential concert for musical theatre nerds.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce auditions for its 2011 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18.

In the middle of its acclaimed Cino Nights series, which runs through April 2012, Rising Phoenix Rep presented a workshop on Sunday, March 27th of Maya Macdonald's new play The Really Important People, directed by RPR artistic associate Julie Kline. The workshop featured Stephen Brown, Laura Ramadei, Amy Staats, and Ali Stroker, and will be followed by a full production at the Seventh Street Small Stage at Jimmy's No. 43 in July.

The Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will close on February 13. The production is directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Wendy Seyb.

I'm usually not one to sit in judgment of my journalistic colleagues but when one of them is up on stage performing, what's a theatre critic to do?  Fortunately, I can honestly report that Matt Windman, known for his snappy reviews in amNew York and on Theatremania.com, did a fine job in the small role of 'Matt Windman,' on opening night of Paper Mill's funny and heart-tugging production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  (Actually, the role would have been a little larger if he knew how to spell 'palestra' correctly.)

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce auditions for its 2011 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18.

Directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Wendy Seyb, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opened last night at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The production began performances on January 19 and runs through February 13, 2010. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening and brings you photo coverage below.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce casting for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Wendy Seyb, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will run at the Millburn theatre from January 19 through February 13, 2010.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce casting for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Wendy Seyb, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will run at the Millburn theatre from January 19 through February 13, 2010. Family Week is January 19 to January 23 and during this period children's tickets are half off the regular price (certain restrictions apply). This show is recommended for patrons 13 years and older.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 1:30PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 1:30PM & 8:00PM and Sundays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM. Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $25 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at Paper Mill Playhouse's website: www.papermill.org. Paper Mill Playhouse gift cards, available in any denomination, can be purchased at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount or more on tickets and should call 973-379-3636, extension 2438.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce casting for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Wendy Seyb, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will run at the Millburn theatre from January 19 through February 13, 2010.

Philadelphia Theatre Company spells F-U-N when it opens its 35th Anniversary mainstage season with the multiple Tony Award winner The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, running November 12-December 12 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Philadelphia Theatre Company spells F-U-N when it opens its 35th Anniversary mainstage season with the multiple Tony Award winner The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, running November 12-December 12 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Philadelphia Theatre Company spells F-U-N when it opens its 35th Anniversary mainstage season with the multiple Tony Award winner The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, running November 12-December 12 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).