Christopher Ashley News

Veteran independent film distributor Richard Abramowitz announced that his company Abramorama, will release LUCKY STIFF in New York City today, July 24th. The Orchard will compliment the theatrical release by making the film available to all U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite and digital platforms for a simultaneous day and date release.

Rehearsals  are drawing to a close as the bright lights of opening night begin to heat up at Nashville's Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, where the cast and crew of the company's big summer musical, All Shook Up, get ready for their big debut on Thursday. With a cast of Nashville theater veterans – joined by some of the region's brightest up-and-comers – it promises to be a grand theatrical affair. We've been sharing some of the backstage gossip for the past couple of weeks and as our preview coverage concludes, we share a special “by the numbers” look at the show, courtesy of Christen Heilman Runyon…

Mannyville LLC, Dramatic Question Theatre and the New York Musical Theatre Festival are proud to announce the extension of the musical Manuel versus The Statue of Liberty which will begin performances this Tuesday, July 21.

New production images for MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL have been released, now featuring multi-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter Matt Cardle as radio DJ 'Huey Calhoun' and Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight as 'Felicia Farrell', the role she originated in the West End.  Check them out below!

Artistic Director Hal Brooks announced that casting is now complete for the 2015 season of Cape Cod Theatre Project, featuring new works by Lucas Hnath, Laura Jacqmin, Kevin Armento and Ryan King each weekend in July. Two-time Tony Award nominee K. Todd Freeman will be joined by Broadway veterans Glenn Davis, Samantha Soule, and Obie winner Marc Damon Johnson to complete the casting of staged readings in Falmouth, MA. 

Rehearsals got under way last week for Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's big musical for the summer of 2015: All Shook Up. With a cast of Nashville theater veterans - joined by some of the region's brightest up-and-comers - you can rest assured that the rehearsal process will be just as much fun as the show itself. Throughout the next couple of weeks we'll be sharing 'diaries' from members of the cast and crew in anticipation of opening night on July 23.

This summer, visit the idyllic Mediterranean countryside as INDEPENDENT SHAKESPEARE CO. brings you to the end of WWII as it presents its take one of Shakespeare's most loved comedies, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Jeffrey Wienckowski. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING will begin previews at THE GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL on Thursday, July 30 at 7pm and will open on Saturday, August 8 at 7:00pm and perform through Sunday, August 30 at Old Zoo in Griffith Park. All ISC Summer Shakespeare productions are FREE to the public! MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING will follow ROMEO & JULIET, currently playing through July 26. ISC is the 2015 recipient of the LA Drama Critics Circle's highest honor, the Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theater, and a 2015 recipient of a grant award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

With a screenplay by Ahrens, and directed by Christopher Ashley, the new movie version of the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical LUCKY STIFF hits theaters and On Demand on July 24th. Below, check out an exclusive clip of the all-star cast in action!

The complete cast and creative team have been announced for The Old Globe's presentation of Kiss Me, Kate, the classic musical comedy featuring a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter.

La Jolla Playhouse's season opener, COME FROM AWAY, is a world-premiere musical featuring book, music and lyrics by award-winning husband-and-wife team David Hein andIrene Sankoff, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. The production runs now through July 12 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Let's see what the critics had to say...

?La Jolla Playhouse, nationally-renowned for its commitment to the development of new work and new theatrical forms, is pleased to announce the projects and collaborators for its second Without Walls (WoW) Festival taking place October 9 - 11.

BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you an exclusive sneak peek of the new film adaptation of the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical LUCKY STIFF. This hysterical musical comedy with a romantic heart stars Tony Award Winners Jason Alexander (JEROME ROBBINS BROADWAY, FISH IN THE DARK) and Nikki M. James (THE BOOK OF MORMON, PRELUDES), and Kate Shindle (LEGALLY BLONDE, WONDERLAND), Dennis Farina, Pamela Shaw, and Dominic Marsh

La Jolla Playhouse recently announced a second week-long extension for its season opener, Come from Away, a world-premiere musical featuring book, music and lyrics by award-winning husband-and-wife team David Hein and Irene Sankoff, and directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. The production runs now through July 12 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Due to popular demand, La Jolla Playhouse recently announced a second week-long extension for its season opener, Come from Away, a world-premiere musical featuring book, music and lyrics by award-winning husband-and-wife team David Hein and Irene Sankoff, and directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. The production show will now run tonight, May 29, through July 12 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

Due to popular demand, La Jolla Playhouse announces a second week-long extension for its season opener, Come from Away, a world-premiere musical featuring book, music and lyrics by award-winning husband-and-wife team David Hein and Irene Sankoff, and directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. The production show will now run May 29 - July 12 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

It was announced today that the new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago, which opened at the Broadway Theatre on April 21st, 2015, will record its cast album on Thursday, May 28th

The Drama League, embarking on a landmark year of celebration commemorating its 100 years of service to the American theater, announced today The Drama League Centennial Gala set for Monday evening, November 2, 2015 at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue). Cocktails and silent auction will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by dinner and performance at 8:00 p.m.  Special Guests and performers will be announced at a later date.  The Centennial Gala Committee is now in formation; tables and seats are available by calling (212) 244-9494.

Artistic Director Hal Brooks has announced that the 21st Season of the Cape Cod Theatre Project will feature staged readings of new work by Lucas Hnath, Laura Jacqmin, Kevin Armento, and actor-turned-playwright Ryan King. The 2015 Season, the fourth under Mr. Brooks' leadership, runs weekends from July 2 through July 25, 2015 in Falmouth, MA.

The Mountain Play - 'A Great Outdoor Theatre Adventure' and the San Francisco Bay Area's most magical outdoor theater experience, is proud to present Broadway's timeless musical Peter Pan directed by Michael Schwartz for its 102nd  season in May and June of 2015.  

Multi-platinum selling recording artist and songwriter Matt Cardle, who rose to fame winning the seventh series of ITVs The X Factor will join the cast of MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL in London, it is today announced. Cast and company of the award-winning 'Best Musical' at the Shaftesbury Theatre are delighted to welcome Matt who will star as radio DJ 'Huey Calhoun' from 6 July, taking over from Killian Donnelly who originated the role in the West End.