Eric Schaeffer News

At a black-tie Gala Benefit on Monday night at the Embassy of Italy, Signature Theatre feted Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living composer/lyricist of American musical theatre, with both music and a new award established in the composer's name.

At a black-tie Gala Benefit on Monday night at the Embassy of Italy, Signature Theatre feted Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living composer/lyricist of American musical theatre, with both music and a new award established in the composer's name.

At a black-tie Gala Benefit on Monday night at the Embassy of Italy, Signature Theatre feted Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living composer/lyricist of American musical theatre, with both music and a new award established in the composer's name. The theatre company, nationally known for its Sondheim productions, inaugurated the ?Sondheim Award' which will be presented annually to individuals for their career contributions in interpreting, supporting, and collaborating on Mr. Sondheim's musical works.

Tony Award® winners Bernadette Peters and Michael Cerveris, and Washington area favorites Will Gartshore and Eleasha Gamble will salute Stephen Sondheim on April 27, when the great musical theater composer is celebrated at Signature Theatre's first annual Sondheim Award Gala at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.

Eric Schaeffer, the Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, tonight announced that Signature will honor Stephen Sondheim at a Gala Benefit in April and establish an annual award as a tribute to America's most influential contemporary musical theater composer. Signature will salute Mr. Sondheim at a black-tie Gala Celebration on Monday, April 27, 2009, in Washington, DC highlighted by a musical tribute, festive dinner, and dancing and inaugurate an annual honor to be known in future years as The Sondheim Award.

This fall, from September 10 ? 27, Signature Theatre will continue its exploration of the music of the great songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb with a new concert performance of some of the illustrious duo?s most popular songs. Following up Signature?s highly praised 2008 Kander & Ebb Celebration, ?First You Dream? The Kander & Ebb Concert will highlight the breadth of their songbook?from their early musical Flora, the Red Menace through hits like Cabaret and Chicago to their most recent show, The Visit, one of Signature?s recent hits. The Kander & Ebb Concert will feature some of Signature and Broadway?s favorite singers accompanied by Broadway-sized 18-piece onstage orchestra in The Max Theatre.

t was a boisterous crowd that filled the seats of the beautifully restored Warner Theatre where the Greater Washington theater community came together to applaud itself and recognize those artists who achieved greatness during the past theater season. How many people attended shows this past season? Would you believe close to two million people, the highest attendance in four years?

At last night?s 25th annual Helen Hayes Awards ceremony saluting excellence in Washington, DC area theater, Signature Theatre took home the leading number of honors for the evening, receiving 39 nominations and ultimately ten awards for its theatrical work in 2008. The black-tie event took place at The Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.

The 25th Annual Helen Hayes Awards were presented last night as one of our nation's most prestigious cultural events. Nearly 2,000 theatre artists and supporters filled the majestic Warner Theatre in downtown DC for an evening of dazzling entertainment replete with humor, celebration, and great tributes to Washington area professional theatre.

Tony Award® winners Bernadette Peters and Michael Cerveris, and Washington area favorites Will Gartshore and Eleasha Gamble will salute Stephen Sondheim on April 27, when the great musical theater composer is celebrated at Signature Theatre's first annual Sondheim Award Gala at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, today announced casting for the world premiere production of the musical Giant by composer Michael John LaChiusa and playwright Sybille Pearson.

Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer today announced Signature's 20th anniversary season, saluting the two decades that have led the company to its position as one of the nation's leading forces in musical theater. The company will present a world premiere musical through its innovative American Musical Voices Project; a masterpiece by the composer for which the company is renowned, Stephen Sondheim; the Washington premiere of a recent Broadway hit; and the reinvention of a classic musical, supporting Signature's 'much-deserved reputation for excellence in revisionist musical theater' (Chicago Tribune).

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, today announced casting for the world premiere production of the musical Giant by composer Michael John LaChiusa and playwright Sybille Pearson.

Broadway Classic Extends to February 22, 2009 by Popular Demand

The Awards Gala The 25th Anniversary Helen Hayes Awards will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Warner Theatre and JW Marriott Hotel.

Million Dollar Quartet will host an evening to benefit GRAMMY Foundation programs in the Chicago area with one-night-only extended encore featuring Chicago Blues' legendary harp player and singer Billy Branch on January 29, 2009, at The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-show reception with silent auction items, including tickets to the 2010 GRAMMY Awards; a Memphis vacation for two, including airfare, two nights at the Peabody Hotel, tickets to Sun Studios, Graceland, STAX Museum of American Soul Music, Gibson Guitar Factory tour, and passes to clubs on Beale Street; music memorabilia signed by past GRAMMY winners and unique opportunities with the Million Dollar Quartet cast. Following the performance there will be a reception with the Million Dollar Quartet cast members. This exclusive performance and reception will benefit GRAMMY Foundation? programs in the Chicago area, which foster future generations of music professionals and helps preserve our nation's musical heritage. Organized under the banner of GRAMMY in the Schools?, the Foundation's education programs for young people include GRAMMY Camp?, the GRAMMY? Jazz Ensembles, GRAMMY Career Day, GRAMMY Signature Schools and GRAMMY SoundChecks.

Million Dollar Quartet will host an evening to benefit GRAMMY Foundation programs in the Chicago area with one-night-only extended encore featuring Chicago Blues' legendary harp player and singer Billy Branch on January 29, 2009, at The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-show reception with silent auction items, including tickets to the 2010 GRAMMY Awards; a Memphis vacation for two, including airfare, two nights at the Peabody Hotel, tickets to Sun Studios, Graceland, STAX Museum of American Soul Music, Gibson Guitar Factory tour, and passes to clubs on Beale Street; music memorabilia signed by past GRAMMY winners and unique opportunities with the Million Dollar Quartet cast. Following the performance there will be a reception with the Million Dollar Quartet cast members. This exclusive performance and reception will benefit GRAMMY Foundation? programs in the Chicago area, which foster future generations of music professionals and helps preserve our nation's musical heritage. Organized under the banner of GRAMMY in the Schools?, the Foundation's education programs for young people include GRAMMY Camp?, the GRAMMY? Jazz Ensembles, GRAMMY Career Day, GRAMMY Signature Schools and GRAMMY SoundChecks.

Signature Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, an outrageous satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion in America's celebrity-obsessed culture. Three-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Holly Twyford portrays the brash, fast-talking agent Diane, whose client Mitchell (Matthew Montelongo) has a chance to make it big if he only stays in the closet. When Mitchell starts to fall for a charmingly sweet male escort (Ivan Quintanilla) with a needy girlfriend (Casie Platt), Diane's plans may unravel. But nothing derails this ?ber-agent in her pursuit of power and money as she skillfully and hilariously manipulates all within her reach. Written by Douglas Carter Beane, it's Hollywood at its juiciest. The Little Dog Laughed runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from January 13 to March 8, 2009.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announced that during the run of Mike Daisey's HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA, there will be free industry roundtables following three performances to discuss the many issues raised in the piece. The roundtable discussions following performances on January 9, 12, and 16 will include local theatre administrators, artists, and funders.

Broadway Classic Extends to February 22, 2009 by Popular Demand