Brian Yorkey News

Now through May 28, 2011, the Melbourne Theatre Company will present the Australian premiere of the 2010 Pulitzer-Prize winning Broadway hit, Next To Normal. The production, which is being directed by Dean Bryant and musical directed by Matthew Frank, will star Matt Hetherington and Kate Kendall.

I'm not always the biggest fan of transplanting established shows to another time or place. "Hamlet" doesn't need to be set in space and "Our Town" without that old time Grover's Corners feel would just be wrong. And don't even get me started on the thought of moving "Oklahoma". But sometimes, when it's well thought out and well executed, it works. Such is the case for the modern reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera, "Jesus Christ Superstar" currently at Village Theatre. But while I appreciated the concept and approach, some of the cast left me wanting.

Exploding onto the Mainstage is the groundbreaking theatrical masterpiece Jesus Christ Superstar by legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. This extraordinary rock opera highlights the struggles of Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot during the last week of Jesus's life. With a vibrant score of chart-topping hits like 'Superstar' and 'I Don't Know How to Love Him,' Superstar is timeless and tremendously powerful.

Village Theatre is eagerly anticipating the opening of the upcoming Mainstage production of legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.

It is with great excitement that Village Theatre announces the return of Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey (Next To Normal) to the director's seat for the upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Set to open in Issaquah on May 12, 2011, this incredibly dynamic production features some bold choices by Yorkey including non-traditional casting and shared roles between two of the most legendary musical theatre characters-Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot.

Local Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs) for Pioneer Theatre Company's 2011-2012 Season will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) premieres Murder for Two-A Killer Musical, created by Joe Kinosian (music/book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics/book), May 12-June 19, 2011, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. This comedic Agatha Christie-like whodunit musical comes with a surprising twist: one actor plays the inspector, the other plays all 10 suspects, and both play the piano. Staged by CST veteran director David H. Bell, this 75-minute premiere features the show's co-creator Joe Kinosian playing the slew of hilarious would-be criminals and Chicago favorite Alan Schmuckler performing the role of the inspector. Tickets for Murder for Two-A Killer Musical Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare May 12-June 19, 2011, are $25-$30, with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com

Village Theatre is eagerly anticipating the opening of the upcoming Mainstage production of legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) premieres Murder for Two-A Killer Musical, created by Joe Kinosian (music/book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics/book), May 12-June 19, 2011, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. This comedic Agatha Christie-like whodunit musical comes with a surprising twist: one actor plays the inspector, the other plays all 10 suspects, and both play the piano. Staged by CST veteran director David H. Bell, this 75-minute premiere features the show's co-creator Joe Kinosian playing the slew of hilarious would-be criminals and Chicago favorite Alan Schmuckler performing the role of the inspector. Tickets for Murder for Two-A Killer Musical Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare May 12-June 19, 2011, are $25-$30, with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com

Village Theatre is eagerly anticipating the opening of the upcoming Mainstage production of legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.

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.

Tony winner ALice Ripley has been absent from the Chicago engagment of the NEXT TO NORMAL tur thus far, because of a knee injury, according to the Chicago Tribune. A representative from Broadway in Chicago revealed that Ripley is expected to return to the show tonight, May 5.

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.

Alissa Norby and Lampkin Music Group are proud to present acclaimed Tony Award winner and star of Broadway's Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal Alice Ripley in DAILY PRACTICE: THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS. The celebrated stage artist will perform an exclusive one-night-only engagement at the newly revamped Stage 773 Theatre (1225 W. Belmont in Chicago) May 2nd, 2011. The performance will mark Ripley's Midwest concert debut.

Village Theatre is eagerly anticipating the opening of the upcoming Mainstage production of legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL comes to PlayhouseSquare June 7 -19 as part of the 2010-2011 KeyBank Broadway Series at PlayhouseSquare. Tickets are on sale now at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office, online at www.playhousesquare.org and by phone at 216-241-6000.

The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-Winning NEXT TO NORMAL will play the Fabulous Fox Theatre for almited engagement thru April 24.

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.

Last year the Pulitzer prize-winning play August: Osage County absolutely lit up the Fox Theatre, going down in my memory as one of the finest productions I'd ever had the pleasure to have seen, and this year the Pulitzer prize-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL arrives with similar high expectations and critical acclaim and, I'm happy to report, doesn't disappoint. At a time when the safe bet seems to be simply plucking a comedy from Hollywood's recent past and reworking it for the stage, it's refreshing to see an original work that actually addresses a real life issue, which in this case is mental illness and the devastating effect it can have on individuals and their families. NEXT TO NORMAL is a phenomenal show that's gripping from beginning to end, and the current production playing the Fox Theatre is required viewing for any fan of modern musical theatre.

It is with great excitement that Village Theatre announces the return of Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey (Next To Normal) to the director's seat for the upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Set to open in Issaquah on May 12, 2011, this incredibly dynamic production features some bold choices by Yorkey including non-traditional casting and shared roles between two of the most legendary musical theatre characters-Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot.