David Thompson News

San Jose Stage Company PRESENTS Broadway's longest-running American musical a??CHICAGOa??. Nominated for three 1975 Tonya??®a?? Awards and the 1997 Tonya??®a?? Award-winner for a?oeBest Revival Of A Musical,a?? a??CHICAGOa?? features a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. a??CHICAGOa?? is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, with the script adaptation by David Thompson. The Stage's production of a??CHICAGOa?? will be directed by Randall King, choreography by Tracey Freeman-Shaw and music direction by Benjamin Belew. a??

San Jose Stage Company presents Broadway's longest-running American musical ​CHICAGO​. 

The Scottsboro Boys were nine African American teenagers, ages 13 to 20, falsely accused in Alabama of raping two white-women on a train in 1931.

There will be a cast recording of their production of RAGS The Musical which is currently playing to sold out houses at Park Theatre, London, running until tomorrow, Saturday 8 February. This will be the first recording of the show since Sony's 1991 album with the Broadway cast.

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) has announced the titles for the Company's upcoming 2020-2021 season. The 2020-2021 season will include A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (September 24 - October 11, 2020), MAME (December 3 - 20, 2020), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (February 11 - 29, 2021), A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING (April 15 - May 2, 2021), WONDERFUL TOWN (May 13 - June 13, 2021) and MY SISTER EILEEN (May 20 - June 13, 2021).

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) has announced the titles for the Company's upcoming 2020-2021 season. The 2020-2021 season will include A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (September 24 - October 11, 2020), MAME (December 3 - 20, 2020), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (February 11 - 29, 2021), A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING (April 15 - May 2, 2021), WONDERFUL TOWN (May 13 - June 13, 2021) and MY SISTER EILEEN (May 20 - June 13, 2021).

The London transfer of Hope Mill Theatre's RAGS opened at Park Theatre, London on 9 January and runs until 8 February 2020.

Rags the Musical was a flop when it first opened on Broadway in 1986. Which is why, one suspects, it kept on receiving a series of revisions over the subsequent decades. The most recent of these is now on display in Bronagh Lagan's assured production at the Park Theatre, first performed at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre in March 2019. David Thompson's revised book, Stephen Schwartz' poignant lyrics, and Charles Strouse's eclectic music (with echoes of ragtime and jazz) join forces to present a fluent rags-to-riches story, but even this reimagined version remains far too formulaic in its portrayal of a group of Jewish immigrants in the 1910's New York.

Carolyn Maitland, Dave Willetts and Sam Attwater will star as Rebecca, Avram and Bronfman respectively in RAGS The Musical at Park Theatre, London. The show will run for a limited season from 9 January to 8 February 2020, with a press night on 14 January. RAGS The Musical has a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), revised book by David Thompson, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and music by Charles Strouse (Annie).

West End stars Alice Fearn and Emma Hatton will, for one night only, star in The Spark of Creation, a Gala Fundraiser celebrating the work of Stephen Schwartz, at Park Theatre, London on Sunday 19 January. Both actresses are known for playing the role of Elphaba in Schwartz's smash-hit musical Wicked. The evening is presented by Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre, while their production of RAGS The Musical (book by Joseph Stein, revised book by David Thompson, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and music by Charles Strouse, directed by Bronagh Lagan) performs at Park Theatre, London from 9 January to 8 February 2020.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2020 season, which opens June 15 with Kander and Ebb's internationally-acclaimed Chicago. Among the talented list are a mix of Muny favorites and newcomers. In addition to casting, a comprehensive list of design teams for each production will be released later this spring. Telsey + Company is the official casting partner for Muny.

San Jose Stage Company (Randall King, Artistic Director and Cathleen King, Executive Director) is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the third production of The Stage's 37th Season, Broadway's longest-running American musical CHICAGO.

by Josh Stent

Photos have been released of the cast of the London transfer of Hope Mill Theatre's RAGS in rehearsal. The show opens at Park Theatre, London on 9 January running until 8 February 2020 with a press night on 14 January.

The magic continues! 'A Christmas Carol' at McCarter Theater, is now on stage through December 29th. Adapted by David Thompson and directed by Adam Immerwahr, the production has marvelous acting, elaborate staging, and exciting new flourishes.

Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to produce The Scottsboro Boys with the esteemed Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre Program. This limited engagement runs February 7 through 23, 2020 in the Mackey Theater. Tickets are on sale now.

Carolyn Maitland, Dave Willetts and Sam Attwater will star as Rebecca, Avram and Bronfman respectively in RAGS The Musical at Park Theatre, London. The show will run for a limited season from 9 January to 8 February 2020, with a press night on 14 January. RAGS The Musical has a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), revised book by David Thompson, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and music by Charles Strouse (Annie).

McCarter Theatre Center is proud to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, directed by Adam Immerwahr. This family-friendly production runs December 10 - 29 in the Matthews Theatre. A popular annual event for families all across the region, McCarter Theatre Center's production of Charles Dickens' timeless story brings a tale of memory and redemption beyond the stage and out into the aisles and lobbies.

While their production of RAGS The Musical (book by Joseph Stein, revised book by David Thompson, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and music by Charles Strouse, directed by Bronagh Lagan) performs at Park Theatre, London from 9 January to 8 February 2020, Hope Aria Productions will present, for one night only, The Spark of Creation, a Gala Fundraiser celebrating the work of Stephen Schwartz, at the theatre on Sunday 19 January.

Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini and the Weathervane Theatre, a professional, award-winning, equity theatre in Whitefield, NH, is proud to announce the addition of the Kander and Ebb musical revue, The World Goes 'Round, to its inaugural fall season. Opening on Wednesday, September 16, T he World Goes 'Round will run in alternating repertory through October 11, 2020 with L ittle Shop of Horrors and one other title to be announced.