Dallas Theater Center News

Andrew Lippa along with Kate Baldwin and Conor Ryan, the stars of the recent acclaimed Keen Company production of John & Jen, the musical with music by Andrew Lippa, lyrics by Tom Greenwald, and a book by Greenwald and Lippa, will head over to 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) tonight, June 6th, to celebrate the upcoming release of the 2015 Off-Broadway Cast Recording for Broadway Records.

The Muny announced today the cast for its production of Oklahoma! (August 10 -16) directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcher will restage Ms. Stroman's choreography.

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.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) announces Bucks County's own John Augustine to return (The Hummingbird's Tour, 2014, Director) to the Bucks County Playhouse stage as 'Larry' in Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, running May 29-June 21. Augustine will play alongside Broadway's Candy Buckley (Scandalous, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cabaret) as 'Joanne'.

The Muny announced today the cast for its production ofHairspray. Winner of the 2003 Tony® Award for Best Musical, it features music by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman with a book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan. The Muny's production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces nine awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its seventh year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $46,000 to ten organizations across the country.

This summer, a transition in leadership will begin at Syracuse Stage as Timothy Bond, producing artistic director, and Jeffrey Woodward, managing director, have announced plans to pursue new opportunities.

The Dallas Theater Center Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Jeffrey Woodward as managing director of the 56-year-old organization. Woodward's experience includes Syracuse Stage and 17 years at McCarter Theatre Center. The appointment follows the departure of Heather M. Kitchen, who announced her retirement in September 2014. Woodward will formally assume his post in mid-July.

Tickets for the West End production of Motown the Musical, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in February 2016, are released for sale today (15 May 2015).  With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.  London previews will begin on 11 February 2016 with press night on 8 March 2016 with the show booking to 22 October 2016.  Casting and further information about Motown the Musical will be released shortly.

Andrew Lippa along with Kate Baldwin and Conor Ryan, the stars of the recent acclaimed Keen Company production of John & Jen, the musical with music by Andrew Lippa, lyrics by Tom Greenwald, and a book by Greenwald and Lippa, will head over to 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on Saturday June 6th, to celebrate the upcoming release of the 2015 Off-Broadway Cast Recording for Broadway Records.  A June 16th release is planned. Andrew Lippa and Michael Croiter produced the album. Musical Director is Lily Lang.  This recording will include the premiere of the new song, "Trouble with Men,' as well as new orchestrations and two songs from the score never before recorded.  

Will Connolly will star as Jeremy Heere in Two River Theater's World Premiere Musical 'Be More Chill.' Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Connolly about his career and the show.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage 'And a Nightingale Sang,' a love story surrounding a working-class British family during World War II. Written by C. P. Taylor, and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, the play will run June 9 - 27. The title is based on the 1940s popular song, 'And a Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,' which, among other music of the war years, is included in the play.

After a run in Spring 2014 at Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus), the critically acclaimed score of FLY BY NIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL has been recorded, produced and mixed by Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Michael Croiter (Matilda, Big Fish, Murder Ballad).  The Original Cast recording will be released in digital and CD formats on June 9, 2014, and may be purchased at www.yellowsoundlabel.com and www.PHnyc.org, as well as through online outlets such as iTunes and in stores nationwide. It is also available for pre-order at www.yellowsoundlabel.com.

The Off-Broadway League recently announced nominations in 18 categories for the 30th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Lortel Awards are being handed out tonight, Sunday, May 10, 2015 at NYU Skirball Center beginning at 7:00 PM EST, and BroadwayWorld will be updating the winners as they are announced!

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 18 categories for the 30th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Lortel Awards will be handed out tonight, Sunday, May 10, 2015 at NYU Skirball Center beginning at 7:00 PM EST. Check out the full list of nominees below!

Murder, musical mayhem and a madcap mystery will be on stage when Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the killer musical MURDER FOR TWO, running June 6-28 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).  With book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, and direction by Scott Schwartz, the hilarious whodunit features a two-man cast, with one actor investigating the crime and the other playing all the suspects -- and both playing the piano. 

Dallas Theater Center welcomes Megan Hilty and Seth Rudetsky to headline Centerstage 2015 tonight, May 9.

The Muny announced today several principal cast members for the seven shows in its spectacular 97th season, which opens on June 15 with My Fair Lady. Full casts and companies will be announced throughout May.

Trinity Rep closes out Season 51: The Necessity of Human Connection with the world premiere of Tony-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl and composer Todd Almond's Melancholy Play: a chamber musical, directed by Obie Award-winner Liesl Tommy. Melancholy Play: a chamber musical runs May 28 through June 28, 2015 in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater.