Dierdre Friel News

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced casting for the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

I am a longtime fan of Whoopi Goldberg with her Sister Act movies ranking as some of my all-time favorites. So, as you can imagine, I am thrilled I finally had the opportunity to see the musical adaptation that Ms. Goldberg produced on Broadway at Long Island's Gateway Theatre. This lively production runs through July 18th at the gorgeous Bellport venue.

WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL will reveal its cast very soon!

WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL pops out of the oven soon!

WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL looks tasty already!

Is WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL prepping for a big announcement?

The Broadway Experience returned for a seventh summer program at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center from July 28th - August 10th. With over 20 professional educators from the Broadway community, TBE offered over 75 classes, workshops, lectures, a performance based second week and invited Jonathan Groff as guest speaker. Jonathan spoke about his life on and off the stage, and took the time to answer questions and offer advice and inspiration. He was even kind enough to give an impromptu performance from Disney's recent hit film, Frozen.

UNDER MY SKIN, starring Tony Award-nominee Kerry Butler and written by Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, will end its Off-Broadway run on June 8 at The Little Shubert Theatre.

Under My Skin opened last night at The Little Shubert Theatre. The new comedy was written by Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, the creative forces behind such television hits as Who's The Boss? and The Nanny. The cast includes Tony Award-nominee Kerry Butler, Matt Walton, Megan Sikora, Allison Strong, Ed Hyland, Dierdre Friel, Kate Loprest, and Andrew Polk. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge takes you behind the scenes of opening night below!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess's first bow in PHANTOM, the 2014 Drama Desk nominees, BroadwayWorld's own concert at Joe's Pub, and more!

Under My Skin opened last night at The Little Shubert Theatre. The new comedy was written by Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, the creative forces behind such television hits as Who's The Boss? and The Nanny. The cast includes Tony Award-nominee Kerry Butler, Matt Walton, Megan Sikora, Allison Strong, Ed Hyland, Dierdre Friel, Kate Loprest, and Andrew Polk. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first curtain call below!

Under My Skin opened last night at The Little Shubert Theatre. The new comedy was written by Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, the creative forces behind such television hits as Who's The Boss? and The Nanny. The cast includes Tony Award-nominee Kerry Butler, Matt Walton, Megan Sikora, Allison Strong, Ed Hyland, Dierdre Friel, Kate Loprest, and Andrew Polk. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night after party below!

The 'Under My Skin' actresses appeared with the play's director, writer and producer at a T.J. Martell Foundation gala.

Dogfight, featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Peter Duchan, is now available for licensing through Music Theatre International. For additional information, visit: http://www.mtishows.com

Under My Skin begins previews tonight at The Little Shubert Theatre. The new comedy was written by Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, the creative forces behind such television hits as Who's The Boss? and The Nanny. The cast includes Tony Award-nominee Kerry Butler, Matt Walton, Megan Sikora, Allison Strong, Ed Hyland, Dierdre Friel, Kate Loprest, and Andrew Polk. It officially opens May 15, 2014.

The Little Shubert Theatre box office for the new Off-Broadway comedy UNDER MY SKIN, featuring Tony winner Kerry Butler, Matt Walton, and Megan Sikora will open Monday, March 31st at 10 AM, producers confirmed this afternoon. Previews for UNDER MY SKIN, written by comedy powerhouse duo Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser (THE NANNY, WHO'S THE BOSS?), are set to kick off on Saturday, April 5 ahead of an official opening on Thursday, May 15.

Royal Family Productions' Emerging Artist Program will presents a workshop benefit performance of the first 40 minutes of Opal Ann Meets the Fabulous Kit Katt, A play with Musical Fantasies written and directed by Chris Henry, with music and lyrics by Summer Hyde and Daniel A. Weiss and choreography by Liz Ramos. Opal Ann Meets the Fabulous Kit Katt, will be presented at RFP's new Times Square location, The American Globe Theatre (145 W 46 Street) on Opal Ann Meets the Fabulous Kit Katt, and Opal Ann Meets the Fabulous Kit Katt. Performances will take place March 10th at 7PM and March 11th at 5:30PM. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased http://ptix.co/OyCIAc Money raised will benefit RFP's Emerging Artist Program.

While more Americans would be familiar with Bart's adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist from its Oscar-winning film version, the stage show is a craftier invention.

Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! features David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! also features 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! plays the Millburn, New Jersey theater through December 29. The official press opening was last night, December 1, 2013, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photos from the after party below!

Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! features David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! also features 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! plays the Millburn, New Jersey theater through December 29. The official press opening was last night, December 1, 2013, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photos from the curtain call below!