David Thompson News

1959 was a heck of a good year for Broadway overtures.  The majestic trumpet fanfare and lowdown bump and grind of Gypsy's is generally regarded as the best in musical theatre, but there was also the rousingly rhythmic curtain-raiser to Fiorello! and, my personal favorite, Philip J. Lang's beautiful interpretation of Bob Merrill's music for Take Me Along, which touches on so many moods of the show while continually building the toe-tapping climax of The catchy title tune.

The Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre (AVENUE Q and [title of show]) will open its 2009-10 season with the Off-Broadway premiere of A BOY AND HIS SOUL -- a new play written and performed by Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE, Logo Network's 'The Big Gay Sketch Show') set to begin previews September 9, prior to officially opening on September 24 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) in Manhattan.

The Vineyard Theatre has announced its 2009-2010 season. The lineup includes new works from Passing Strange's Colman Domingo, Adam Rapp, John Kander & Fred Ebb and more.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL in August? Beat the holi-daze ticket rush and get 50% off while it's hot!

The Vineyard Theatre presents an invitation-only reading of its upcoming musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS -- with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winners John Kander and Fred Ebb (CABARET, CHICAGO, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN) and a book by David Thompson -- featuring John Cullum (URINETOWN), Brandon Victor Dixon (THE COLOR PURPLE) and Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE) at The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) on Friday, June 26 at 3pm.

The Vineyard Theatre presents an invitation-only reading of its upcoming musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS -- with music and lyrics by Tony Award-winners John Kander and Fred Ebb (CABARET, CHICAGO, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN) and a book by David Thompson -- featuring John Cullum (URINETOWN), Brandon Victor Dixon (THE COLOR PURPLE) and Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE) at The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) on Friday, June 26 at 3pm.

Variety reports that 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Mary Stuart' director Phylidda Lloyd is developing a feature project inspired by economist Muhammad Yunus' revolutionary concept of micro-financing.

The Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will open its 2009-10 season with the New York premiere A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE), set to begin previews in September.

Pittsburgh Public Theater turns up the heat with The World Goes 'Round, a song & dance revue of music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the team who wrote hits such as 'All That Jazz,' 'Cabaret,' and 'New York, New York.' Directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and featuring a cast of five plus six musicians, The World Goes 'Round runs March 5 - April 5, 2009 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Pittsburgh Public Theater turns up the heat with The World Goes 'Round, a song & dance revue of music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the team who wrote hits such as 'All That Jazz,' 'Cabaret,' and 'New York, New York.' Directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and featuring a cast of five plus six musicians, The World Goes 'Round runs March 5 - April 5, 2009 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Theater News from Broadway and the Baltimore/Washington Region

Winters Lane Productions is a community based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to presenting the region's residents and visitors with quality theatrical productions, special events and education programs in order to make the Baltimore Region a more conscious and compassionate community. They will present CHESS in Concert February 6-8, 2009 at the Q Theatre, CCBC Catonsville, 800 South Rolling Road in Maryland.

Winters Lane Productions is a community based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to presenting the region's residents and visitors with quality theatrical productions, special events and education programs in order to make the Baltimore Region a more conscious and compassionate community. They will present CHESS in Concert February 6-8, 2009 at the Q Theatre, CCBC Catonsville, 800 South Rolling Road in Maryland.

Broadway alums make return engagement of the reconceived Tony Award-winning Broadway revival a welcome addition to Boston's Broadway Across America schedule

McCarter Theatre Center announces casting for 28th ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF CHARLES DICKENS'A CHRISTMAS CAROL.' Adapted by DAVID THOMPSON Directed by MICHAEL UNGER Featuring Lisa Altomare, Richard Gallagher, Karron Graves, Stephen James King, James Ludwig, Janet Metz, Ned Noyes, John O'Creagh, Anne O'Sullivan, Karen Pittman, Nikki E. Walker with renowned Irish Actor Dermot Crowley as Ebenezer Scrooge Previews begin Sunday, December 7, 2008

McCarter Theatre Center announces casting for 28th ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF CHARLES DICKENS'A CHRISTMAS CAROL.'

The Prince Music Theater will open their season with The World Goes Round starting September 20 - October 12, 2008.

The 2007-2008 Reprise Theatre Company season will end with 'Flora, the Red Menace,' John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb's first Broadway musical. Eden Espinosa stars as Flora, opposite Manoel Felciano as Harry.

The 2007-2008 Reprise! Broadway's Best season will end with Flora, the Red Menace, John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb's first Broadway musical. Kander and Ebb went on to become among American musical theatre's most important creators. Eden Espinosa stars as Flora, opposite Manoel Felciano as Harry.