Ben Brantley News

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's FOLLIES officially opened on May 21, 2011. The reviews for the show are still coming in and we've got a roundup of all the reviews below!

Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever.

GOD OF CARNAGE at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre will close on May 29, 2011. The production features the original Broadway cast of Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden.

Producer Peter R.J. Deyell (Road to Nowhere) has acquired the film rights to TRAPPED! THE STORY OF FLOYD COLLINS for an undisclosed sum.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchesta proudly welcomes Broadway legend Patti LuPone to Atlanta Symphony Hall, May 27 and 28.

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's FOLLIES officially opened last night, May 21, 2011 after previews which began May 7. The cast features two-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters as Sally Durant Plummer, four-time Tony nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, two-time Tony nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion.

Vineyard Theatre's (108 E. 15 St.) world-premiere production of Christopher Shinn's play PICKED will close on May 22.

The Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning rock musical "Next to Normal" is coming to the Ordway for a two-week run from May 10-22.

When a Christian gives an atheist the Heimlich Maneuver, love sparks and lives change in this award-winning Broadway hit about two men in love, two parents in denial, and two friends on speed dial.

With a near record number of new productions on Broadway this spring, the Tony® nominated revival of Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest plays of the last century, and one of the best reviewed productions on Broadway this season, is offering affordable tickets for the last five weeks of the scheduled limited engagement through Sunday, June 19 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street).

Billy Crudup, Tony Award® Nominee for his role as 'Bernard Nightingale' in the critically acclaimed revival of Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA, directed by David Leveaux, will appear on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" tomorrow, May 17 (locally on MSNBC, channel 14 between 6AM - 9AM).

Billy Elliot the Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising talent that inspires his family and his whole community and changes his life forever.

Berkshire Theatre Festival and Colonial Theatre Artistic Director/CEO is proud to announce that the 2009 Off-Broadway hit I Got Sick Then I Got Better, written and performed by Jenny Allen, will play three performances at the Unicorn Theatre this Memorial Day weekend.

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, opens tonight, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com. BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK features Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award-nominee Daniel Breaker, Tony Award-nominee David Garrison, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Kevin Isola, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, and Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo. Let's see what the critics had to say!

The Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning rock musical "Next to Normal" is coming to the Ordway for a two-week run from May 10-22.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to ASU Gammage from April 26- May 8. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards. Tickets are on sale now.

The cast for THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE includes Michael Cristofer, Linda Emond, Michael Esper, K. Todd Freeman, Hettienne Park, Steven Pasquale, Molly Price, Matt Servitto, Danielle Skraastad, Stephen Spinella and Brenda Wehle. Cristofer, Emond, Esper and Spinella originated their roles in the Guthrie Theater's world premiere of the play. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The Philadelphia premiere of the smash hit Broadway musical and Tony and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Next to Normal opens at the Academy of Music for a limited engagement June 21 - 26 , 2011 as part of the Broadway Season.

On the heels of the opening of its critically-hailed hit production of 'Passing Strange,' Bailiwick Chicago announced today that the company has been awarded the producing rights for the Chicago premiere of the groundbreaking 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' which, on Tuesday, May 3, was nominated for two Tony Awards (Best Book of a Musical and Set Design) and recently won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical.