Andrew Lippa News

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) will present its Songwriter Spotlight concert at 54 Below on February 11 at 9:30pm. The concert will highlight three songwriting teams who have been part of NAMT's Festival of New Musicals: Sara Cooper & Zachary Redler (The Memory Show, to be seen Off Broadway this spring at Transport Group), Michael Weiner & Alan Zachary (the Broadway-bound First Dateand Secondhand Lions) and host Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party and Big Fish). The writers, joined by Broadway talents, will sing songs from their Festival shows and upcoming projects, perhaps sharing a behind-the-scenes story or two along the way.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The pre-Broadway 'Big Fish,' a 'Fela!' tour, some long-running shows extend, Theo Ubique lights up the winter, Glencoe's 'Sweet Charity' jazz club, 'Lady Day,' two 'Grand Night' revues and more!

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its new NEXT STEP concert series with a concert version of Passing Strange with music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, and book and lyrics by Stew on Saturday, January 19-21 at Off-Broad Street Theatre (1636 Sansom Street). Directed by Michael Philip O'Brien with music direction by Alex Bechtel , this fourth-wall shattering, genre-bending musical features 2011 Tony Award nominee Forrest McClendon and 11th Hour favorite Carl Clemons-Hopkins as well as Demetria Bailey,Adrienne Brown, Erin Fleming, Nichalas Parker, and Candace Thomas. This show marks McClendon's return to 11th Hour since winning the 2009 Barrymore for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for its production of Avenue X.

As Sir Robin carols merrily to King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot, 'In any great adventure, if you don't want to lose...you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.' Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy is a new, 90-minute documentary by Michael Kantor, creator of the Emmy-winning series, Broadway: The American Musical. The special just aired on Great Performances yesterday, January 1 on PBS. Click below to watch!

Today in 1972, Broadway veteran Taye Diggs was born. In 1996, he originated the role of the landlord Benny in Jonathan Larson's Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent, which also starred his future wife, Idina Menzel. After Rent he appeared as Mr. Black alongside Idina Menzel's character of Kate in Andrew Lippa's off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. Diggs also played The Bandleader in the 2002 film version of the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago and filled in as Billy Flynn on Broadway. He also temporarily filled in for Norbert Leo Butz (an original Rent standby) as the love interest Fiyero of Idina Menzel's Elphaba character in Wicked.

As Sir Robin carols merrily to King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot, 'In any great adventure, if you don't want to lose…you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.' Eric Idle's cheeky lyric, which unfailingly generated knowing guffaws from Broadway audiences, proves to be more than a little grounded in truth, as BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY convincingly attests.

A night in the theatre can seem to go by in an instant. A fabulous cast album can have the same effect - which is why I never travel without an ipod loaded up with lots. I asked via twitter: 'What are your favorite cast albums when you're traveling?' Responses flowed in. Needless to say, I'm not the only one who depends on cast recordings when I have a long trip ahead of me! Depending on my mode of transportation, my listening criteria vary. Here are my favorites!

Santa made a stop at Segerstrom Center to visit the cast of The Addams Family just before the curtain went up. The Addams Family is in town through December 30. Check out photos of Santa and the cast below!

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will star Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, and have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances Tuesday, April 2, 2013, opening Sunday, April 21, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Tickets on sale Monday, February 4, 2013.

The national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, which will make its Orange County premiere tonight, December 18 - 30 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Nobody's Business Trio will warm up the Metropolitan Room tonight, December 15, 2012, at 9:30 pm as they invite you "Home for the Holidays."

Ars Nova presents, as part of the UNCHARTED series, a concert performance of Shaina Taub's music, directed by Jordan Fein. The cast includes Alyse Alan Louis, Etai BenShlomo, Eli Bolin, Mike Brun, Heather Christian, Drew Citron, Jacob Colin Cohen, Clinton Curtis, Damon Daunno, Kate Ferber, Armand Hirsch, Leigh Jones, Andrew Lippa, Carrie Manolakos, Molly McAdoo, Grace McLean, Dave Melton, Benj Pasek, Lauren Pritchard, Meagan Reyes, Jean Rohe, Liana Stampur, Jay Stolar, Ali Stroker and Mary Testa

Broadway's smash hit musical comedy The Addams Family comes to spooky and spectacular life premiering on 23 March 2013 at Sydney's Capitol Theatre. Today, Producer Rodney Rigby announced the Ensemble who will make up the cast of The Addams Family.

Nashville Children's Theatre this season-during the run of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown-has understandably selected Project Linus as its annual holiday season charity, inviting audiences to become involved in the process.

The Los Angeles Company of the Off-Broadway smash hit Silence! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre ends its run today, December 9, 2012.

What do you get when you combine Christmas, Disney styling and a singer currently touring with the 25th Anniversary production of Les Miserables? You get a spectacular, one of a kind Christmas EP. Ian Patrick Gibb's new EP, "The Time of the Year for Miracles."