Ben Franklin News

Sydney Festival's high-summer program of spectacular art and culture lands in the city from tomorrow, 5 January, with an expansive line-up of touring artists, world premiere works, new commissions, Australian exclusives, local talent and an extensive free events program.

Maine State Music Theatre was saddened to receive news of the passing of one of its legendary stars – an actor whose career was inextricably interwoven with the history of Maine’s premier musical theatre. “Bernie” Wurger was a mainstay of MSMT summers from 1962 until 2000, playing 195 leading and supporting roles and winning an indelible place in the hearts of his public. His long and versatile career spanned opera, musical theatre, directing, and film not only in Maine but in New York and leading regional theatres across the country.

Rehearsals are underway for a bold new production of Bizet’s Carmen opening on 25 November on Sydney’s Cockatoo Island. A short 12 minute ferry ride from the city, this will be the first opera ever performed on the heritage-listed island.

From 27 December, 2022 – 21 January, 2023 a gripping new production of Peter Shaffer's Tony and Academy Award-winning masterpiece Amadeus will be staged in the Opera House's newly transformed Concert Hall.

Final tickets are on sale this week for the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, which has waltzed into Sydney's Lyric Theatre this week, performing to packed audiences.

Sydney Festival returns this January to give the city its sizzle with an exhilarating line-up of vibrant ideas, irrepressible creativity, remarkable talent and pure summertime revelry across 25 days from 5-29 January 2023. 

Almost 20 years since its premiere, WICKED remains one of the most successful and popular musicals in the world. Winner of over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award, six Helpmann Awards, three Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards.

France's support of the nascent United States in 1778 is one of the great diplomatic triumphs of history, credited to the ambassadorial team of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. An exciting backstory to this miracle of statecraft is the platonic affair between Franklin and the flamboyant, beautiful Madame Brillon (Anne-Louise Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy).

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Australia’s newest cultural precinct, has announced the full public program of over 40 free events for its first precinct-wide Open Day, presented across Pier 2/3 and Wharf 4/5 on Saturday 8 October from 10am - 4pm.

Rita Gardner, who starred as Luisa in the original Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks, has passed away at the age of 87 from leukemia, according to friend and collegue Alex Rybeck.

One of Philadelphia's largest and longest running fall festivals is back! Morgan's Pier Fall Fest returns to the Philadelphia waterfront from Thursday, September 22 to Saturday, October 29, 2022.

New tickets for the January school holidays are on sale this week for the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, which will waltz into Sydney's Lyric Theatre in October. Pre-sales for tickets up to 22 January 2023 have begun and general public sales commence Friday 16 September.

Last month the Australian production of the critically acclaimed smash hit TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL was announced to a rapturous response, with the season confirmed at Theatre Royal Sydney from May 2023. 

Disney Theatrical Productions Australia presents a glorious new production of Beauty and the Beast, which will have its premiere Australian season in Sydney from June 2023 at the Capitol Theatre. 

Acclaimed Welsh actor and producer Michael Sheen (The Twilight Saga, Frost/Nixon, The Queen, Tron: Legacy, Masters of Sex, Good Omens, Amadeus) will star as Salieri in a gripping new production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony and Academy Award®-winning masterpiece Amadeus at the Sydney Opera House from 27 December, 2022 – 21 January, 2023.

On July 3, The Big Mix - Independence Day was held at Little Island, featuring Andre De Shields, Judy Kuhn, Faith Prince, and many more.

The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production teams for the theatre's high-flying production of Mary Poppins this July. Find out who is in the cast. 

For the second show in their 50th Anniversary season, Cortland Repertory Theatre presents a revival of one of their most popular comedies, 'Over the River and Through the Woods'. This comedy written by prolific playwright Joe DiPietro will have performances at the Little York Pavilion in Preble from June 22nd - July 1st with evening shows at 7:30 PM.

For the second show in their 50th Anniversary season, Cortland Repertory Theatre presents a revival of one of their most popular comedies, “Over the River and Through the Woods”. This comedy written by prolific playwright Joe DiPietro will have performances at the Little York Pavilion in Preble.

Larry Blank writes a touching tribute to his longtime friend, Don Pippin, who passed away last week a the age of 95 years old.