Douglas Carter Beane News

It's time to dig through Kansas City closets for leg warmers and disco balls! Starlight Theatre's production of Xanadu, the final show of the 2011 Broadway season, is ready to light up the Starlight stage (with neon!) on Aug. 15-21.

Though heavily speculated since the circulation of Broadway audition notices, the New York Times has just released the news that Douglas Carter Beane's LYSISTRATA JONES will indeed head to Broadway in the fall, beginning previews at the Walter Kerr Theatre November 12, 2011 in anticipation of a December 14 opening. The production last played the basketball court of the Judson Memorial Church Gymnasium off-Broadway in Washington Square, opening on June 5. The production was presented by the Transport Group Theatre Company. The new musical features a book by Douglas Carter Beane, music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn and will be directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges. The New York Times reports that capitalization is set at 6M for the new Broadway incarnation. Most of the off-Broadway cast wil transfer with the show.

Producer Ken Davenport is pleased to announce that Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Edgar Lansbury, producer of both the original Broadway production and 1973 motion picture adaptation of GODSPELL, has joined the producing team of the musical's upcoming Broadway revival.

Cape Rep Theatre will continue its 26th Season on July 28 with the Regional Premiere of Xanadu. Dani Davis will direct with choreography by Todd Underwood and musical direction by Scott Sotrr.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company has announced that I Loved Lucy, written by Lee Tannen, based on his best-selling memoir about the author's friendship with Lucille Ball during the last years of her life, will play a special one-night-only performance of the Laguna Playhouse production on Monday, August 8 at 8pm at at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42 Street.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, '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!

The Freddie G. Teacher Experience (named for Music Theatre International's CEO and Chairman Freddie Gershon who, with his wife Myrna, underwrote the awards and weekend) was a weekend devoted exclusively to professional development for theatrical educators held on July 15th- 17th 2011 in New York City.

Yesterday, July 19, Sister Act celebrated it's 100th performance on Broadway. Stars Patina Miller and Victoria Clark were on hand for the celebration with the company. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look backstage during the celebration.

SISTER ACT features an original score with music by multi-Academy, Grammy and Golden Globe Award-winning composer Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Enchanted), lyrics by Tony and Academy Award-nominee Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid), and a book by multi-Emmy Award winners Cheri and Bill Steinkellner ('Cheers') with additional book material by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed). The show hit the 100 performance mark today - check out a snapshot featuring SISTER ACT stars Victoria Clark and Patina Miller celebrating!

As first reported by Michael Riedel in the New York Post, the Off-Broadway hit musical LYSISTRATA JONES, which closed on Friday, June 24 at the Judson Memorial Church, is hoping to move to Broadway (with a search led by General Manager Alan Wasser) in the fall with a budget between $6-7 million at a small house, ideally the Broadhurst or the Walter Kerr. Confirming this buzz is an Equity EPA notice today for roles under a Broadway minimum contract. Auditions for all roles and understudies will be taking place on July 22 and July 25 at Pearl Studios.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is presenting the New England premiere of XANADU, playing July 20 - August 6 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick.

Rising Action Theatre announced its 2011-2012 Fifth Anniversary Season. Five plays and musicals, celebrating the diversity and promoting tolerance through the theatre arts, will comprise the Season, beginning in September.

Brooklyn's award-winning Off-Off Broadway theatre celebrates its 45th season beginning September 2011.

Dallas Theater Center proudly presents The Wiz at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center July 8 - August 7. Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty will direct the first-ever collaboration between Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

RISING ACTION THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR TWO FALL PRODUCTIONS - 'AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN' and 'THRILL ME' Audition Dates: Monday, July 11 - 7 pm - 10 pm Wednesday, July 13 - 6 pm - 7:30 pm (Call Backs to follow at 7:30 pm) Appointments not required.

Cape Rep Theatre will continue its 26th Season on July 28 with the Regional Premiere of Xanadu. Dani Davis will direct with choreography by Todd Underwood and musical direction by Scott Sotrr.