Dan Lauria News

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical will present the November 5 -December 30 Broadway engagement at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Following a nationwide search, Johnny Rabe will don Ralphie's trademark spectacles. John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, "Boardwalk Empire," "Gossip Girl') will reprise his acclaimed performance as The Old Man from the 2011 National Tour. Joining Bolton will be Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Zac Ballard (Oliver! at Irish Repertory Theatre) as little brother Randy, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields, and Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked) as Santa Claus. All join previously announced Dan Lauria (Broadway's Lombardi, TV's "Sullivan & Son" and "The Wonder Years") as Jean Shepherd.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center today announced FREUD'S LAST SESSION, New York's long-running hit play by Mark St. Germain, is set to open in Los Angeles this winter starring Judd Hirsch as Sigmund Freudand Tom Cavanagh as C. S. Lewis under the direction of Tyler Marchant, who helmed the original New York production. Presented by The Broad Stage and CRC Productions, FREUD'S LAST SESSION will begin preview performances January 11(th) through January 15(th). Opening Night is Wednesday, January 16(th) and will run for a limited engagement through February 10(th) at The Broad Stage.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback series in October to discuss Love, Sex, the Meaning of Life and the Existence of God at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. Winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, the Midwest Premiere of FREUD'S LAST SESSION has received rave reviews and three Jeff Award nominations, including Best Play. The production has been extended multiple times and is now in final weeks, ending its successful Chicago run on November 11. Written by Mark St. Germain, under the direction of Tyler Marchant, the production stars local theater legend, Mike Nussbaum (Emmy, Drama Desk Award, four-time Jeff Award winner, and recent Sarah Siddons Award recipient), as "Sigmund Freud" and Coburn Goss (Vigils at the Goodman Theatre, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Off Broadway When the Messenger is Hot at 59E59) as "C.S. Lewis."

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical have announced further casting for the November 5 -December 30 Broadway engagement at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, "Boardwalk Empire," "Gossip Girl') will reprise his acclaimed performance as The Old Man from the 2011 National Tour. Joining Bolton will be Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Zac Ballard (Oliver! at Irish Repertory Theatre) as little brother Randy, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields, and Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked) as Santa Claus. All join previously announced Dan Lauria (Broadway's Lombardi, TV's "Sullivan & Son" and "The Wonder Years") as Jean Shepherd.

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical have announced that Dan Lauria will star as radio icon Jean Shepherd in the production when it arrives on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre for its November 5 - December 30 engagement. Last seen on Broadway in the title role of Lombardi, Lauria is best known to television audiences around the country for portraying fathers, including dad Jack Arnold in the long running series 'The Wonder Years,' and his current role as dad Jack Sullivan on the TBS comedy 'Sullivan & Son." (Peter Billingsley, the film's original 'Ralphie,' is a producer of both A Christmas Story, The Musical and "Sullivan & Son.")

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate its 200th performance on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, in Chicago.

TBS has ordered a second season of the popular new sitcom SULLIVAN & SON. Currently airing Thursdays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), the comedy is averaging more than 2.5 million viewers in its first season and ranks as one of the Top 25 new summer series on television. TBS has ordered 10 episodes for the second season, which is slated to launch in 2013.

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Dr. Jeffrey W. Barbeau, Associate Professor of Theology in the Graduate School of Wheaton College; Dr. Tracy L. Caldwell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Dominican University; and Dr. Larry Arnhart, Presidential Research Professor of Political Science at Northern Illinois University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance today, August 19 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. The scholars will discuss the thought-provoking themes addressed in the play, such as the existence of God and the meaning of life.

Tonight, August 17, The Screen Actors' Guild Foundation will feature a two-hour, moderated career Conversations event with Judith Light. The event is et to take place at the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway at 7:00 PM, and will be moderated by BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of James DeMarse's new play, Ceasefire, on Wednesday, August 22 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). Directed by Joe Cacaci, the production will feature Tony Award-winning actors Ron Holgate and Roger Robinson, along with Kofi Boakye, Mickey Solis, and two actors to be announced. There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person. For more information, see www.berkshireplaywrightslab.org.

Due to popular demand, the smash hit FREUD'S LAST SESSION today announced its final extension through November 11th at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, in Chicago.

Lucky Penny Productions will present the musical WHO MURDERED LOVE? written by LISSA MOIRA & RICHARD WEST, as part of the 16th Annual New York International Fringe Festival/FringeNYC.

Following two successful Off-Off Broadway runs this past year (2011), SIREN'S HEART - Norma Jean & Marilyn in Purgatory ~ Norma Jean Sings Songs Marilyn Never Sang, will begin performances today, August 5th at 2pm at Actors Temple Theatre. The producer, ASCOLS, LLC, have set the opening for 7pm, August 5th (that same night), 50 years to the day, that Marilyn Monroe died.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Dr. Jeffrey W. Barbeau, Associate Professor of Theology in the Graduate School of Wheaton College; Dr. Tracy L. Caldwell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Dominican University; and Dr. Larry Arnhart, Presidential Research Professor of Political Science at Northern Illinois University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, August 19 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. The scholars will discuss the thought-provoking themes addressed in the play, such as the existence of God and the meaning of life.

Lucky Penny Productions will present the musical WHO MURDERED LOVE? written by LISSA MOIRA & RICHARD WEST, as part of the 16th Annual New York International Fringe Festival/FringeNYC.