Bayla Whitten News

Director Eric Schaeffer's restaging is first major American production in 20 years.

CHESS opened at the Signature Theatre on August 10 and will run through September 26. The cast is lead by Jill Paice (Curtains, The 39 Steps) as Florence Vassy, Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Anatoly Sergievsky and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent) as Freddie Trumper. The rock musical is directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. Written by Mamma Mia! composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, the 1984 cult musical of Cold War competition in love and chess is being given its first major Washington area production. Chess is being performed in the fabulous intimacy of the 276-seat MAX Theatre.

After more than a decade of planning and two and a half years of construction, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Southwest D.C. returns to the neighborhood with a ribbon cutting ceremony and Homecoming Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

Chess, the rock musical by the composers of Mamma Mia!, opened at Signature Theatre on August 10, 2010 and plays a limited run through September 26. The first major American production in almost 20 years-and the Washington region's very first professional production-stars Broadway'sJill Paice (Curtains), Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo), and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose) in the Russian/American conflict made new again. Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet) and his creative team capture the gritty, sexy world of Chess' 1985 radio hit 'One Night in Bangkok' in the amazing intimacy of Signature's 276-seat MAX Theatre. The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre has a national reputation for its work with musicals - polishing underappreciated gems, as well as producing world premieres and reinventing classics.

After more than a decade of planning and two and a half years of construction, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Southwest D.C. returns to the neighborhood with a ribbon cutting ceremony and Homecoming Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

Now that The Capital Fringe Festival has finally packed up its tent, (read all 132 reviews of the Fringe reviews and reflections here), DC theatergoers are being offered some musical offerings this month including new productions of the popular musicals Chess, Nunsense, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, The Fantasticks and Side Show.

Complete casting has been announced for the Signature Theatre's staging of CHESS, joining the previously announced Jill Paice, Jeremy Kushnier and Euan Morton will be Eleasha Gamble, Russell, Sunday. Chris Sizemore, Christopher Bloch, Jamie Eacker, Christopher Mueller, Gregory Maheu, Rachel Zampelli, Jonathan Atkinson, James Gardiner, Katie McManus and Bayla Whitten.

CHESS opened at the Signature Theatre on August 10 and will run through September 26. The cast is lead by Jill Paice (Curtains, The 39 Steps) as Florence Vassy, Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Anatoly Sergievsky and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent) as Freddie Trumper. The rock musical is directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. Written by Mamma Mia! composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, the 1984 cult musical of Cold War competition in love and chess is being given its first major Washington area production. Chess is being performed in the fabulous intimacy of the 276-seat MAX Theatre.

2009/10 SEASON: A Concert Tribute to Irving Berlin EXPLORE! EVERYMAN SERIES, Musical Direction by HOWARD BREITBART, Directed by Matthew Gardiner December 26, 2009 - January 3, 2010

2009/10 SEASON: A Concert Tribute to Irving Berlin EXPLORE! EVERYMAN SERIES, Musical Direction by HOWARD BREITBART, Directed by Matthew Gardiner December 26, 2009 - January 3, 2010

New York: Urban Stages will present an evening of songs by award-winning composer and lyricist Adam Gwon on Tuesday, December 15th at 9:00pm. Gwon will perform selections from his musical Ordinary Days, currently finishing its sold-out run at Roundabout Theatre Company's Roundabout Underground, as well as previews of upcoming projects.

New York: Urban Stages will present an evening of songs by award-winning composer and lyricist Adam Gwon on Tuesday, December 15th at 9:00pm. Gwon will perform selections from his musical Ordinary Days, currently finishing its sold-out run at Roundabout Theatre Company's Roundabout Underground, as well as previews of upcoming projects.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and Kellner-Avery Productions proudly present the World Premiere of HURRICANE. This epic new musical takes an all-but-forgotten moment in history and brings it to life with the largest cast in NYMF history, 30 in all. Directed by Michael Bush, HURICANE features a book by Michael Holland and Eric Bernat, and music and lyrics by Michael Holland. Performances begin September 28 at The Theatre at St. Clements.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and Kellner-Avery Productions announce the addition of 2 performances to the World Premiere production of HURRICANE. This epic new musical takes an all-but-forgotten moment in history and brings it to life with the largest cast in NYMF history, 30 in all. Directed by Michael Bush, HURICANE features a book by Michael Holland and Eric Bernat, and music and lyrics by Michael Holland. After selling out its initial run, two performances have been added: Fri. Oct. 9 at 5pm and Tues. Oct. 13 at 5pm. A complete schedule is below.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and Kellner-Avery Productions proudly present the World Premiere of HURRICANE. This epic new musical takes an all-but-forgotten moment in history and brings it to life with the largest cast in NYMF history, 30 in all. Directed by Michael Bush, HURICANE features a book by Michael Holland and Eric Bernat, and music and lyrics by Michael Holland. Performances begin September 28 at The Theatre at St. Clements.

Baltimore Composer and Lyricist Adam Gwon (Book by Joe Meno) and DC Composer and Lyricist Matt Conner (Book by Hunter Foster) Present Two World Premieres.

This summer the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, one of the nation?s leading forces in musical theater, launches 21/24 Signature Lab, a new initiative for the creation of musical theatre works by emerging young composers which gives audiences a first look at new musicals.

This summer the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, one of the nation?s leading forces in musical theater, launches 21/24 Signature Lab, a new initiative for the creation of musical theatre works by emerging young composers which gives audiences a first look at new musicals.

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.