David Shire News

West Coast Ensemble is thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed, smash-hit production of BIG, The Musical, with book by John Weidman, music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., based on the motion picture 'BIG' written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins, Assassins) is EXTENDING THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 26 at West Coast Ensemble's new home - The El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood.

La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to present the fifth and final production of La Mirada Theatre?s 2008-2009 season of shows, the West Coast Premiere of a new and completely revised production of Ring of Fire, created by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring one of the original cast members from the Broadway production, Jason Edwards. Ring of Fire will begin performances on Friday, June 5 and will run through Sunday, June 21 at La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to present the fifth and final production of La Mirada Theatre?s 2008-2009 season of shows, the West Coast Premiere of a new and completely revised production of RING OF FIRE, created by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring one of the original cast members from the Broadway production, Jason Edwards.

La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to present the fifth and final production of La Mirada Theatre?s 2008-2009 season of shows, the West Coast Premiere of a new and completely revised production of Ring of Fire, created by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring one of the original cast members from the Broadway production, Jason Edwards. Ring of Fire will begin performances on Friday, June 5 and will run through Sunday, June 21 at La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.

West Coast Ensemble presents the second show of their 2009 season, BIG, The Musical, with book by John Weidman, music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., based on the motion picture 'BIG' written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. BIG, The Musical will be directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins, Assassins).

To mark two decades at the creative helm of McCarter Theatre Center, Artistic Director Emily Mann has announced the 2009-2010 Theater Season, which will include the revival of an audience favorite, an eighteenth-century comic masterpiece, a knockout world premiere drama, a contemporary American classic, and a soaring new musical.

West Coast Ensemble presents the second show of their 2009 season, BIG, The Musical, with book by John Weidman, music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., based on the motion picture 'BIG' written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. BIG, The Musical will be directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins, Assassins).

The Story of My Life is set to get its first post-Broadway regional production in Spring of 2010 at Act II Playhouse in Pennsylvania. Artistic director Bud Martin wrote on the Act II Insider blog 'This is a show that I saw done as a reading in a play festival last year and wanted very much to do the show at Act II and then move it to New York. While I was not able to get it to Act II first, we will be the first ones to do it after its Broadway run. It is being directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. who has written and directed many shows, including AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'.

West Coast Ensemble (WCE) announces its 2009 Season, their 'BIG'-gest Season Ever! The 2009 season of this award-winning theatre company will present two stage adaptations starting with THE GRADUATE and the musical version of the 1987 film, BIG; followed by the West Coast premiere of ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS and Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN. Additionally, WCE will produce a bonus show YENTA: Straight from the Mouth,that will be a FREE BONUS SHOW for Season Subscribers.

Music arranger Angela Morley, who won Emmys for arranging two of Julie Andrews television specials has died at 84 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's said to have passed away from complications of a fall and a subsequent heart attack. The three-time Emmy winner, also received Oscar nominations for adaptaing the songs in the musicals 'The Little Prince' and 'The Slipper and the Rose' This prolific woman also wrote her own official bio for her web site, which we reprint below. A very full life! Our thoughts and prayers go out to her partner Christine Parker, along with her son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during this difficult time.

Atlantis Productions, a bi-continental, multi-media Production Company has announced they will create a bold new production of the Tony Winning hit musical Spring Awakening for a Philippines based mounting in September 2009.

West Coast Ensemble (WCE) announces its 2009 Season, their 'BIG'-gest Season Ever! The 2009 season of this award-winning theatre company will present two stage adaptations starting with THE GRADUATE and the musical version of the 1987 film, BIG; followed by the West Coast premiere of ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS and Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN. Additionally, WCE will produce a bonus show YENTA: Straight from the Mouth,that will be a FREE BONUS SHOW for Season Subscribers.

This February, THE STORY OF MY LIFE, a new musical comes to Broadway. Starring Will Chase (Rent, Aida, The Full Monty) and Tony Award nominee Malcolm Gets (Amour, Merrily We Roll Along, 'Caroline in the City'), the show is directed by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. (Ain't Misbehavin', Song & Dance), THE STORY OF MY LIFE features a score by Neil Bartram and a book by Brian Hill. Performances begin Tuesday, February 3rd on Broadway at The Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street). Opening night is Thursday, February 19th at 7:30PM.

DIDI CONN, star of the smash hit 1978 film GREASE, the Broadway cast of GREASE and StudentsLive will team up on Saturday, November 22 to present an educational workshop for over 500 students, Girl Scouts and teachers. The StudentsLive GREASE WORKSHOP will offer an insider's look into the world of Broadway and reveal 'behind the scenes' information on the Tony Award nominated production.

DIDI CONN, star of the smash hit 1978 film GREASE, the Broadway cast of GREASE and StudentsLive will team up on Saturday, November 22 to present an educational workshop for over 500 students, Girl Scouts and teachers. The StudentsLive GREASE WORKSHOP will offer an insider's look into the world of Broadway and reveal 'behind the scenes' information on the Tony Award nominated production.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

All the world's a mall in this popular musical adaptation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto's 1980s-style Like You Like It. A totally awesome mix of Shakespeare and John Hughes, this romantic musical comedy enjoys its second chance at a first full New York production after being an audience favorite at NYMF in 2004.

The Gallery Players has announced today that Like You Like It has been extended due to popular demand, adding six performances to the schedule now to running from October 18th to November 9th, including 2pm Saturday matinees on November 1st and 8th.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) has announced there will now be a 2PM matinee performance of ROAD SHOW every week as well as an additional 8PM performance on December 22nd, 2008. Tickets went on-sale on Sunday, October 12.