Bill Russell News

With New York's mayor pushing for size limits on sugary drinks and for keeping baby formula safely locked away until new moms are reminded of the benefits of breast milk, it seems like a good time for Bill Russell and Peter Melnick's tuneful and amusing new musical, The Last Smoker In America, which eschews debates over the health issues of tobacco use in favor of spoofing government control over personal choices.

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), just opened last night at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012. BroadwayWorld was there for the big opening, and we bring you photos from the after party below!

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), just opened last night at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012. BoadwayWorld was there for the big opening, and we bring you photos from the starry arrivals and first official curtain call below!

Farah-Alvin-Natalie-Venetia-and-More-to-Lead-THE-LAST-SMOKER-IN-AMERICA-20010101 The new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award-winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and musical supervision by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), opens tonight, August 2, 2012 at The Westside Theatre.

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), opens tonight, August 2 at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street).

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), began performances Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012. BoadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below!

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), began performances Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012. Get a first look at the cast on stage in the photos below!

According to the NY Post, Off-Broadway's THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA star Farah Alvin was injured during rehearsals last Tuesday, July 10.

Twenty years since its London debut at The King's Head Theatre, Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens opens the Autumn season at The Space Arts Centre on the Isle of Dogs in East London.

The new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award® winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award® nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), begins performances tonight, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012.

The new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award® Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award® winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award® nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), begins performances Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012.

Carly Sakolove, of YouTube's "Broadway Divas Send in The Clowns," debuted her one woman show I HEAR VOICES this month. The show is written by Sakolove and Tony Award nominee Bill Russell. Following an entirely sold out engagement, Carly is staying in therapy, and I HEAR VOICES will now play additional dates at The Duplex on June 21st and June 29th.

The company of THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, which opens August 2 upstairs at The Westside Theatre, met the press yesterday, June 21, and treated the audience to a performace preview. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the show and to speak with the exciting team. Click below to go inside the press day!

The company of THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, which opens August 2 upstairs at The Westside Theatre, met the press yesterday, June 21, and treated the audience to a performace preview. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the show and meet and greet and brings you photo coverage below!

The company of THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, which opens August 2 upstairs at The Westside Theatre, met the press today. Check out photos of the cast-Natalie Venetia Belcon, Jake Boyd, John Bolton and Farah Alvin-and creative team below!

At the press event today for THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA, BWW couldn't resist asking Bill Russell (book and lyrics) for the scoop on the upcoming revival of SIDE SHOW. Click below to get the latest on how much of the show is being revised and more!

Carly Sakolove, of YouTube's "Broadway Divas Send in The Clowns," debuted her one woman show I HEAR VOICES this month. The show is written by Sakolove and Tony Award nominee Bill Russell. Following an entirely sold out engagement, Carly is staying in therapy, and I HEAR VOICES will now play additional dates at The Duplex tonight, June 21st and June 29th.

Carly Sakolove, of YouTube's "Broadway Divas Send in The Clowns," debuted her one woman show I HEAR VOICES this month. The show is written by Sakolove and Tony Award nominee Bill Russell. Following an entirely sold out engagement, Carly is staying in therapy, and I HEAR VOICES will now play additional dates at The Duplex on June 21st and June 29th.