Bobby Lopez News

Last weekend, August 22-25, 2013, the Dramatists Guild of America held its second ever national conference in Chicago, at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. The Dramatists Guild is the professional association of playwrights, librettists, lyricists and composers writing for the stage. And with almost 7,000 members, that's a lot of creative energy!

The Dramatists Guild of America is pleased to announce their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, which will be held from today, August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's Summer Concert, Lyric casts 'Sound Of Music,' Munster's 'Godspell,' youth productions of 'Ragtime' and 'Legally Blonde,' '48 Hour Musicals,' the world premiere musical 'The Lockout,' the Dramatists Guild conference and more!

The Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, currently playing off-Broadway at New World Stages, celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday, July 31. Prior to curtain, Media and Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver presented a proclamation from the City of New York to the musical's cast, creators and producers declaring July 31 as AVENUE Q DAY. BroadwayWorld was there for the milestone performance and you can check out interviews with the evening's special guests below!

The Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, currently playing off-Broadway at New World Stages, celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday, July 31. Prior to curtain, Media and Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver presented a proclamation from the City of New York to the musical's cast, creators and producers declaring July 31 as AVENUE Q DAY. Plenty of past cast members were there to celebrate, along with the musical's creators- Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty. BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion and you can check out photos from the star-studded arrivals below!

The award winning Foothill Music Theatre swings for the fences this summer with the Tony Award-winning musical DAMN YANKEES. With book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, DAMN YANKEES, the musical story of a baseball fanatic who makes a deal with the devil to get his team a chance at the pennant, features a memorable Richard Adler and Jerry Ross score including 'Whatever Lola Want, Lola Gets,' and (You've Gotta Have) 'Heart.' This production will be helmed by Tom Gough with music direction by Catherine Snider, and choreography by Katie O'Bryon and plays today, July 26 - August 18 in the Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills

The Dramatists Guild of America is pleased to announce their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, which will be held from August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL. The conference will include keynote speeches, legal and business seminars, workshops, and conversations with theatre elite. Participating Council and visiting artists include Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Gretchen Cryer, Rebecca Gilman, Carol Hall, Winnie Holzman, David Ives, Lisa Kron, Martha Lavey, Bobby Lopez, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Marsha Norman, Theresa Rebeck, Stephen Schwartz, Jeff Sweet, John Weidman, George C. Wolfe, and Charlayne Woodard.

The award winning Foothill Music Theatre swings for the fences this summer with the Tony Award-winning musical DAMN YANKEES. This production will be helmed by Tom Gough with music direction by Catherine Snider, and choreography by Katie O'Bryon and plays July 26 - August 18 in the Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills.

From Kristin Chenoweth to Deborah Cox to Idina Menzel to Barbra Streisand to Michael Crawford to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Patti LuPone, Raul Esparza, Alan Menken, Lea Salonga, Bernadette Peters, Laura Osnes, Victoria Clark, GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2013 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!

According to the Yale Daily News, alumnus playwright Christopher Durang collapsed onstage yesterday, January 19, during a performance of Kiss Me, Kate.

Yale will pay tribute to alumnus composer and lyricist Cole Porter (B.A. 1913) on the centennial of his graduation from the University by presenting his popular musical 'Kiss Me, Kate' in a concert version with an all-Yale cast and crew. Porter's riff on Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' will have two performances today, Jan. 19, at University Theater, 222 York St., at 2 and 8 p.m.

Yale will pay tribute to alumnus composer and lyricist Cole Porter (B.A. 1913) on the centennial of his graduation from the University by presenting his popular musical 'Kiss Me, Kate' in a concert version with an all-Yale cast and crew. Porter's riff on Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' will have two performances on Saturday, Jan. 19, at University Theater, 222 York St., at 2 and 8 p.m. For ticket information, see below.

To quote Jeff Marx and Bobby Lopez - "There's A Fine, Fine Line". Between what's funny and what's not. Between what's tasteful and what's not. Let's just say that DIRTY LITTLE SHOWTUNES crossed the line on both accounts on multiple occasions throughout the evening. The premise - the Broadway "show tune" melodies we can all sing by heart accompanied by very clever lyrics that lampoon the unique idiosyncrasies of the gay lifestyle. The problem - it ends up being a one joke show that wears out its welcome - better served if it was condensed to a one act revue that didn't keep repeating itself and trying to top itself. I would have a similar complaint about a show that is quite similar in formula- Forbidden Broadway - that starts out with great comic momentum but has trouble finding its way back after intermission.

Gavin Creel is currently starring as 'Elder Price' in the first National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON. The multi-talented actor chatted with BWW about why he is 'blissfully happy' performing in this outrageous, yet heart-warming production.

Before a grade-school backdrop depicting heathery hills, a pair of confused theatre-goers struggle with an outdated map of Broadway while an offstage chorus sings, “Brink of doom, Brink of do-om,” and before you can say “Come ye to the spoof,” the cast of Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking is promising that, “Just like Jesus and Judy Garland, we're resurrected again.”

Children's book illustrators, Broadway performers and composers come together to present selections from Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project, a two-CD set and children's book on May 21 at Barnes & Noble on 86th & Lexington Ave.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel will star as Elder Price in the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, the production announced today. THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony®Awards including Best Musical, will launch the First National Tour in Denver from August 14-September 2 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Additional casting will be announced soon.

The Broadway production of Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN opened officially last night, March 15, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the starry arrivals. Check out the photos below!