Duane Poole News

Broadway vet and musical comedy genius Jason Graae will be one of several incredible performers that will be presenting JERRY HERMAN: THE BROADWAY LEGACY CONCERT at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts from January 19 - 21, 2017. For three performances at the Center's Samueli Theater---the campus' intimate cabaret space---Graae and five other artists will be taking the stage to pay tribute to Jerry Herman's musical legacy, highlighted by musical numbers from his many classic shows that include MAME, MACK AND MABEL, HELLO, DOLLY!, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES.

Last season's smash-hit world premiere, Scrooge in Love! returns to 42nd Street Moon to provide audiences with the perfect show for the entire family this holiday season.

Last season's smash-hit world premiere, Scrooge in Love! returns to 42nd Street Moon to provide audiences with the perfect show for the entire family this holiday season.

San Francisco's leading musical theatre company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas as the 42nd Street Moon's new Executive Directors. Daren and Daniel will assume the leadership of all artistic and administrative operations of 42nd Street Moon as the company continues to enrich and embolden its mission as it continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the Bay Area performing arts community.

When Faith Prince and Jason Graae first performed their show The Prince and the Showboy at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in June, 2012, I wrote, '...there were enough sparks to set Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on fire as Jason Graae and Tony Award winner Faith Prince seized the stage with the premiere of their new show The Prince and the Showboy to an adoring packed house. Graae's inimitable sarcasm and overdone delivery along with Prince's unique pauses and double takes made for a delicious evening of comedy through song as they focused on what makes them click as a team, namely the fun side of life'. Well, the show played 54 Below in New York and has returned to the Federal - December 27 and 28 for two nights only. It's now about 20 minutes longer, bringing it in at 90 minutes and allowing each of the stars to concentrate more fully on dramatic career transitions, especially for Prince.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature holiday features in Chicago, Austin, San Diego, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include Mercury Theatre's CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, SDMT's WHITE CHRISTMAS, and SANTALAND DIARIES in Austin, just to name a few.

Only in San Francisco will theatregoers find the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and, yes, even Future dancing together on one stage. The mysterious figure clad in all black bops its head back and forth in just one of many surprising delights awaiting audiences throughout new musical "Scrooge in Love!' 42nd Street Moon gives the "Christmas Carol" sequel a perfect premiere at the intimate Eureka Theatre, now through December 13.

One of my very favorite Christmas stories of all time is A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote about his boyhood growing up with his eccentric cousin Sook Faulk. Geraldine Page played Sook in a 1966 telefilm, and it was later remade for television in the 80s with Patty Duke. It is the Page version that stays with me, having left a lasting impression of the woman, the era and its fierce impact on humanity. Playwright Duane Poole has fashioned a retelling of the story with music by Larry Grossman and lyrics by Carol Hall in a new musical version of A Christmas Memory, now onstage at the Sierra Madre Playhouse through December 27. On this intimate stage with the orchestra in full view behind the actors, the flavor of the original story is well preserved by Alison Eliel Kalmus' fine direction and with a terrific ensemble.

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University will workshop and present a staged reading of the new musical "The Enlightenment of Percival von Schmootz" written by the Fred Ebb Award, Jonathan Larson Grant and Lorenz Hart Award-winning team Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond. 

Get a backstage look at A CHRISTMAS MEMORY starring Alice Ripley!

Truman Capote's short story doesn't provide enough plot for this two-act musical.

Preview one of the standout songs from A CHRISTMAS MEMORY starring Alice Ripley!

Onstage and backstage at A CHRISTMAS MEMORY starring Alice Ripley!

Alice Ripley prepares A CHRISTMAS MEMORY!

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre presents this season's annual holiday offering. Tony Award winner Alice Ripley will lead the cast of the New York premiere of A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, a musical based on the classic Truman Capote short story.

Over the course of their 2014 season, Theatre at the Center, a major equity player on the Chicago theater scene, has introduced audiences to never-before-seen productions on Chicagoland stages. To round out their current season, they will be making no exception, and are thrilled to present the regional debut of the musical adaptation of Truman Capote's A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, November 13 through December 14, with a press opening on Sunday, November 16 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Directed by William Pullinsi, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY is a labor of love for its Broadway veteran team, written by Duane Poole, with music by Larry Grossman and lyrics by Carol Hall. Based on Capote's touching memoir of his own childhood, this wistful Southern Christmas tale is a tender portrait of a rare friendship across generations with a joyous score that will bring love and light to everyone's hearts this holiday season. Sure to delight the entire family, Capote's masterpiece springs to life in this heartfelt musical treat. Check out a first look at highlights below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Grinch' opens, Fox Valley bookends Christmas, new shows 'A Christmas Memory' and 'Christmas On The Air,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' times three, plus 'Nutcracker,' 'Nut Cracking,' 'Mary Poppins' and the latest on 'Peter Pan Live!'

Over the course of their 2014 season, Theatre at the Center, a major equity player on the Chicago theater scene, has introduced audiences to never-before-seen productions on Chicagoland stages. To round out their current season, they will be making no exception and present the regional debut of the musical adaptation of Truman Capote's A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, through December 14, with a press opening last night, Sunday, November 16 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Directed by William Pullinsi, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY is a labor of love for its Broadway veteran team, written by Duane Poole, with music by Larry Grossman and lyrics by Carol Hall. Based on Capote's touching memoir of his own childhood, this wistful Southern Christmas tale is a tender portrait of a rare friendship across generations with a joyous score that will bring love and light to everyone's hearts this holiday season. Sure to delight the entire family, Capote's masterpiece springs to life in this heartfelt musical treat.

Over the course of their 2014 season, Theatre at the Center, a major equity player on the Chicago theater scene, has introduced audiences to never-before-seen productions on Chicagoland stages. To round out their current season, they will be making no exception, and are thrilled to present the regional debut of the musical adaptation of Truman Capote's A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, November 13 through December 14, with a press opening on Sunday, November 16 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster.