Clarence Derwent News

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Chicago Engagement. Returning to its debut home of Chicago, THE COLOR PURPLE will make its home at The Arie Crown Theater for two weeks, September 2 -13, 2009. Tickets

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' star Tom Lenk will join five-time Tony nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES on Sept. 14. Lenk will star as 'Franz,' the son of a German developer who wants to demolish the Sunset Strip (including LA's favorite rock club). The actor originated the supporting role in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas productions.

American Idol sensation Fantasia Barrino is featured in a new Chicago Sun-Times article. The star of THE COLOR PURPLE national tour made her Broadway debut with the role.

Original cast member AARON TVEIT will return to the Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal on Monday, September 7 at 8:00pm. Tveit, who originated the role of Gabe in the off-Broadway and Broadway productions of the acclaimed musical, was on a leave of absence this summer to star in the World Premiere production of Catch Me If You Can.

Tony Award nominated Broadway star, Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Hairspray) will star in the five-time Tony nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street) as 'Sherrie' beginning Monday, September 21, 2009 for a six month limited engagement for six performances a week. The 'Sherrie' understudy will play the role during both performances on Sundays. Constantine Maroulis continues his Tony Award Nominated performance staring in the show as 'Drew'.

Meet gossip columnists MR. & MRS. FITCH. When the social circuit no longer provides any scandalous news, they find that great celebrity can appear out of thin air. Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane's wicked new comedy is a scathing look at who is in, who is out and who may not even exist at all.

Manhattan Theatre Club's production of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play RUINED begins its final three weeks tonight at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The play, which has been extended eight times at MTC, will end its critically acclaimed run on Sunday, September 6.

Pulitzer Prize winner and Brooklyn native Lynn Nottage was honored by Speaker of the New York City Council The Honorable Christine C. Quinn, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and New York City Council Member Letitia James following the Tuesday, August 11 performance of RUINED at Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center- Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Pulitzer Prize winner and Brooklyn native Lynn Nottage will be honored by Speaker of the New York City Council The Honorable Christine C. Quinn, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and New York City Council Member Letitia James following the Tuesday, August 11 performance of RUINED at Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Pulitzer Prize winner and Brooklyn native Lynn Nottage will be honored by Speaker of the New York City Council The Honorable Christine C. Quinn, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and New York City Council Member Letitia James following the Tuesday, August 11 performance of RUINED at Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will conclude its 30th Anniversary mainstage season with the New York premiere of VANITIES, a new musical written by Jack Heifner, featuring music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, directed by Judith Ivey. With musical staging by Dan Knechtges, VANITIES will feature Lauren Kennedy, Sarah Stiles, and Anneliese van der Pol and will begin preview performances on Thursday, July 2. Opening night is Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm

PETER GALLAGHER, DON'T GIVE UP ON ME is a new musical play by stage and screen star Peter Gallagher. Featuring great American song selections from 'Pal Joey,' 'Guys and Dolls,' and songs by Cy Coleman, Bart Howard, Lyle Lovett, Leon Russell, Burt Bacharach, Dan Penn and others, this new musical play is the story of an actor's apprenticeships with the legends he admires: James Cagney, Jack Lemmon, Peter O'Toole, Stubby Kaye and more and the journey he takes with them.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's recent HEDDA GABLER, and the current star of the Showtime series 'Weeds' speaks to PEOPLE about children, family and the joy of adoption.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) concludes its 30th Anniversary mainstage season with the New York premiere of VANITIES, a new musical written by Jack Heifner, featuring music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, directed by Judith Ivey. With musical staging by Dan Knechtges, VANITIES features Lauren Kennedy, Sarah Stiles, and Anneliese van der Pol.

Due to scheduling requirements in future markets, THE COLOR PURPLE is reducing the Chicago return engagement by eight performances. Theater-goers will be able to see American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino reprise her starring role of Celie at The Arie Crown Theater for one week only, September 2 - 6, 2009.

Playwright Lynn Nottage and director Kate Whoriskey whose Pulitzer Prize winning play RUINED recently announced its final extension at Manhattan Theatre Club, was featured last night on 'Charlie Rose.'

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will conclude its 30th Anniversary mainstage season with the New York premiere of VANITIES, a new musical written by Jack Heifner, featuring music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, directed by Judith Ivey. With musical staging by Dan Knechtges, VANITIES will feature Lauren Kennedy, Sarah Stiles, and Anneliese van der Pol and will begin preview performances on Thursday, July 2. Opening night is Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will conclude its 30th Anniversary mainstage season with the New York premiere of VANITIES, a new musical written by Jack Heifner, featuring music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, directed by Judith Ivey. With musical staging by Dan Knechtges, VANITIES will feature Lauren Kennedy, Sarah Stiles, and Anneliese van der Pol and will begin preview performances on Thursday, July 2. Opening night is Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm

RUINED, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Lynn Nottage currently playing an extended engagement at Manhattan Theatre Club, will observe Congolese Independence Day with a special talkback following the performance on Tuesday, June 30 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).