Daniel Smith News

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will conclude their 20th Anniversary Season with the classic Broadway musical THE PAJAMA GAME.  The one-night-only concert will take place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM.

Though that comedy device of rewritten song lyrics is (unfortunately) not utilized for the film's musical stage adaptation, still, much of the spirit and basic plot architecture of the original movie remains in SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL, which features all-original songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, as well as a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (with additional material contributed later by playwright Douglas Carter Beane). Currently, Musical Theatre West's admirable regional production of this Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy is finishing out its final weekend of performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 24. Goofy and full of cutesy charm MTW's regional production definitely brings in the (joyful) noise and the funk to Long Beach. So what makes the show enjoyable? Well... for lack of a better phrase... it's all about the nuns.

Sister Act the Musical started out in 2006 at the Pasadena Playhouse, premiered in London's West End in 2009 and then underwent serious revisions before coming to Broadway in 2011. I remember liking the first mounting in 2006 with many reservations. Since I loved the 1992 film so much, I didn't feel that the stage version was particularly faithful...no pun intended. Well, with all the 2011 changes, MTW's revival of the Broadway version is tops, a joyful, tuneful, splashy romp that never lets down, with a tremendous cast, stellar direction from Michael Matthews and soulful choreography from Daniel Smith. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony nominated play The Little Dog Laughed, added new book material for the national tour, included here, and this contributes substantially to molding a sleek and unforgettable show.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Sister Act, Broadway's feel-good musical comedy at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center April 8-24.  Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg hit film, written by Joseph Howard, the five-time Tony nominated Broadway sensation features an award winning creative team with original score and music by composer Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Tangled), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers), additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed ).  The reinvented musical adaptation is filled with heavenly music with a disco beat, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!  Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.  Tickets start at $20.

Laura Benanti (Amalia), Zachary Levi (Georg), Gavin Creel (Kodaly), Michael McGrath (Sipos), Jane Krakowski (Ilona) and Byron Jennings (Maraczek) star in Roundabout's new Broadway production of SHE LOVES ME, directed by Scott Ellis, choreographed by Warren Carlyle with musical direction by Paul Gemignani. SHE LOVES ME officially opens tonight, March 17, 2016, and runs through July 10, 2016 at Studio 54 on Broadway. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch interviews with the cast!

Daniel Smith, who was one of the few bassoonists recording and performing in both Jazz and Classical music, described as the "Gerry Mulligan of The Bassoon", in the world of Jazz and the "Rampal of The Bassoon" in classical music, dies at 77 on December 19, 2015 in Brooklyn, NY. 

Newcomers and Chicago favorites are cast in Goodman Theatre's 12th annual NEW STAGES, a festival of new plays designed to give playwrights an opportunity to experience their work with set, lighting, costume and sound elements and to implement audience response.

Newcomers and Chicago favorites are cast in Goodman Theatre's 12th annual NEW STAGES, a festival of new plays designed to give playwrights an opportunity to experience their work with set, lighting, costume and sound elements and to implement audience response.

Stage Left Theatre announces casting for all three shows in the company's mainstage season as well as the addition to the company of two Ensemble Members and four Artistic Associates.

The Hypocrites launch their 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day, book by Green Day frontman/guitaristBillie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Armstrong, direction by Steven Wilson, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and choreography by Katie Spelman. BroadwayWorld has procured a video of the cast performing 'Wake Me up When September Ends,' so check it out here!

The Hypocrites launch their 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day, book by Green Day frontman/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Armstrong, direction by Steven Wilson, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and choreography by Katie Spelman. AMERICAN IDIOT will play now through October 25, 2015 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The press opening is this Sunday, September 6 at 7 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Hypocrites are thrilled to launch their 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day, book by Green Day frontman/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Armstrong, direction by Steven Wilson, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and choreography by Katie Spelman. AMERICAN IDIOT will play tonight, August 28 - October 25, 2015 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

Berkshire Theatre Group's production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, directed by Karen Allen, opens tonight, August 1, and runs through August 22 at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage.

Berkshire Theatre Group's production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune directed by Karen Allen. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune runs from tonight, July 29 to Saturday, August 22 at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage.

The Hypocrites are thrilled to launch their 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day, book by Green Day frontman/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Armstrong, direction by Steven Wilson, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and choreography by Katie Spelman. AMERICAN IDIOT will play August 28 - October 25, 2015 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire, are thrilled to announce the casting for Berkshire Theatre Group's production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune directed by Karen Allen. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune runs from Wednesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 22 at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage.

The Hypocrites will launch their 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day, book by Green Day frontman/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Armstrong, direction by Steven Wilson, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and choreography by Katie Spelman. AMERICAN IDIOT will play August 28 - October 25, 2015 at The Den Theatre Mainstage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at at www.the-hypocrites.com. The press opening Sunday, September 6 at 3 pm.

LONDON

Solange Knowles tied the knot with her longtime love Alan Ferguson on Sunday in front of at least 50 close friends and family (including Beyoncé, Jay Z and Blue Ivy!) at a church in New Orleans.

Congratulations to THE ENSEMBLIST's Nikka Lanzarone who will wed Dr. Daniel David Smith this evening, Oct. 19, at the Bell House in Brooklyn!