Charles Randolph-Wright News

Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will feature Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

'Motown the Musical' plays out like a veritable hit parade. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, this first national touring production showcases Motown Records producer Berry Gordy's greatest songs as performed by some capable onstage talent. The show makes for a lively and fun evening at the theatre but provides little in the way of truly meaningful plot or character development.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for recent Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Appearing in titles roles are Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

Producers Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy, along with Broadway In Chicago, have announced that due to popular demand MOTOWN THE MUSICAL has added four weeks to its Chicago engagement. The National Tour will launch at the Oriental Theatre on April 22 and now play 16 weeks, through August 9, before continuing on its National Tour across North America. The final block of tickets for performances July 15 through August 9 will go on sale Tuesday, April 22 at 10 a.m.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL star Brandon Victor Dixon appeared this week on WLNY-TV's 'Live From The Couch' to speak with host John Elliott about working with Berry Gordy on the smash hit musical from the very beginning, the historical significance of Motown's legacy, and bringing that story to Broadway. Check out the interview below!

On Sunday, April 13, Motown the Musical invites fans to celebrate its first anniversary on Broadway with a one-time-only, free ticket lottery for the 3:00PM performance.

It is Theatre Development Fund's belief that future audiences are built by engaging students, first-hand, in the vital and exciting activity of the creative process, as well as providing opportunities to see live performances of great theatre. To that end, 1,500 New York City public high school and middle school students from 20 schools (and one school from East Orange, NJ), who are participating in TDF's Stage Doors Program, attended a special matinee performance of Broadway's smash hit, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL today, April 3 at 1pm at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special event below!

Last night at New York City's Pierre Hotel, the National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) honored Tony and Emmy Award Winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth, and the Edgerton Foundation for their leadership in the arts at the NCTF 2014 Chairman's Awards Gala. The evening included a special performance by Tony Award Winner Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham, stars of the current hit musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder; an excerpt from the highly acclaimed show Witness Uganda, currently at A.R.T. (an NCTF member theatre); and an appearance by legendary comedian Lily Tomlin, currently on tour with a solo show. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photo coverage below!

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards. The awards, totaling $1,108,000, allow 39 productions extra time in the development and rehearsal of new plays with the entire creative team, helping to extend the life of the play after its first run.

'Happy birthday to you,' MOTOWN THE MUSICAL! The smash hit, which celebrates its first Broadway anniversary on April 14, has released a new montage of show clips set to legendary Motown classics from the musical, including 'I Want You Back,' 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours,' 'Get Ready,' 'Dancing In The Street,' and 'Do You Love Me.' Check it out below!

It is Theatre Development Fund's belief that future audiences are built by engaging students, first-hand, in the vital and exciting activity of the creative process, as well as providing opportunities to see live performances of great theatre. To that end, 1,500 New York City public high school and middle school students from 20 schools (and one school from East Orange, NJ), who are participating in TDF's Stage Doors Program, will be attending a special matinee performance of Broadway's smash hit, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL on Thursday, April 3 at 1pm at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC).

The Pasadena Playhouse announced their 2014-2015 Season today, which includes the critically acclaimed STOP KISS by Diana Son; William Gibson's rarely produced TWO FOR THE SEESAW; a new production of George Bernard Shaw's PYGMALION; and an Artistic Director's Choice to be announced at a later date.

As previously announced, Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes will star in the leading roles of Berry Gordy and Diana Ross. Portraying groundbreaking Motown artists, Nicholas Christopher will play Smokey Robinson and Jarran Muse will play Marvin Gaye. Leon Outlaw, Jr. and Reed L. Shannon will portray Berry Gordy's boyhood counterpart and the roles of young stars Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

Growing up in Staten Island, New York, Jeff Tracta (www.jefftracta.com) remembers watching legendary 'Man of a Thousand Voices' Rich Little on TV, and hearing his dad say, 'This guy is the greatest impressionist in the world. When he goes to work, he makes people happy. Whatever you do in your life, make people happy.'

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, the smash hit Queen & Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You is due finally to close on 31 May 2014, and rumors are circulating that the Tony Award-nominated Motown will open at the theatre in early 2015 to fill the void.

Having rocked over 6.5 million people in a record-breaking 12 years at the London's Dominion Theatre, the smash hit Queen & Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You is due finally to close on 31 May 2014, as BroadwayWorld reported yesterday. Now the longest running show ever at the Dominion by a margin of nine years, the show takes its rightful place in West End history, sitting proudly in the Top 10 longest running musicals of all time. Now according to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, the Tony Award-nominated Motown will open at the theatre in early 2015 to fill the void.

Producers Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy have announced that Clifton Oliver and Allison Semmes have been cast in the leading roles of Berry Gordy and Diana Ross in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. The First National Tour begins performances April 22, 2014 at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago before continuing to cities across the country.

According to The New York Post, Broadway's MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL went uninterrupted after an apparent suicide, when a man leapt from the W New York Hotel on Friday night, landing 50 stories below on the roof of the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith reveals the 2014/15 season lineup for the company's 65th season and fifth year in the Mead Center for American Theater. As a national center focused on showcasing American voices and artists, this season is designed with range through productions that are emotional, uplifting, funny and thought-provoking.