Erik Altemus News

Welcome back to Inside Behind the Curtain Rises! In this exclusive BroadwayWorld special, Tony nominated director Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages) takes you inside the rehearsal room for her new production at Signature Theatre.

Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, through its groundbreaking American Musical Voices Project (AMVP), presents the musical comedy And the Curtain Rises (formerly known as Wheatley's Folly). Beginning performances on Thursday, March 17, 2011, And the Curtain Rises marks the third production presented as part of Signature's AMVP, the largest commissioning program for new musicals in the country, following Michael John LaChiusa's Giant in 2009 and Ricky Ian Gordon's Sycamore Trees last year.

Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre, through its groundbreaking American Musical Voices Project (AMVP), announces the world premiere of the musical comedy And the Curtain Rises (formerly known as Wheatley's Folly). Beginning performances on Thursday, March 17, 2011, And the Curtain Rises marks the third production presented as part of Signature's AMVP, the largest commissioning program for new musicals in the country, following Michael John LaChiusa's Giant in 2009 and Ricky Ian Gordon's Sycamore Trees last year. The Washington Post has said that 'Signature's AMVP is the most ambitious embrace of new musical theater in the DC region.'

With over 30 new productions opening on DC area stages, 4 large festivals, and 2 world premiere musicals, it may still be chilly outside, but DC area stages are sizzling and bursting with great theatre. So come visit the Nation's Capital and visit our vibrant theatre scene.

The Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks and the advocacy organization Women In Need have partnered to create a very special Christmas for New York City's homeless and disadvantaged women and children. From now through Christmas day, audience members who bring a donation of one of Women In Need's most requested items (see list below) to The Snapple Theater Center will have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to The Fantasticks for just $20, a savings of $55. For each item donated, The Fantasticks will donate 2 tickets to a special Christmastime performance of The Fantasticks for New York's homeless and disadvantaged women and children featuring a Christmas party with the cast of The Fantasticks - up to 200 tickets.

Matt Leisy, who currently plays The Mute in the Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks, will take over the role of Matt on Monday, December 6, 2010.

Matt Leisy, who currently plays The Mute in the Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks, will take over the role of Matt on Monday, December 6, 2010.

'50 Years of The Fantasticks', a special episode of Theater Talk devoted to the world's longest-running musical, will premiere on PBS this Friday evening, July 30, 2010 at 12:30am.

Erik Altemus, currently appearing as Matt in the Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks, has been cast in the HBO pilot The Miraculous Year, written by John Logan (Red) and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker). Altemus will play Brandon, a dancer.

Theater Talk, the series devoted to the world of the stage, is co-hosted by Michael Riedel, Broadway columnist for the New York Post, and series executive producer Susan Haskins (pictured here with Tony Lifetime Achievent Award-winner Marian Seldes).

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, will welcome Juliette Trafton, Bill Bateman, MacIntyre Dixon and Charles West to the cast, as Kimberly Whalen, Steve Routman and Scott Willis depart.

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, will welcome Juliette Trafton, Bill Bateman, MacIntyre Dixon and Charles West to the cast, as Kimberly Whalen, Steve Routman and Scott Willis depart.

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, will welcome Juliette Trafton, Bill Bateman, MacIntyre Dixon and Charles West to the cast, as Kimberly Whalen, Steve Routman and Scott Willis depart.

Try to Remember: The Fantasticks, a documentary film recounting the success of the world's longest-running musical, will make its television debut tonight at 9pm on the Ovation network.

Tom Jones, the lyricist and book writer of The Fantasticks, will play his final performances as Henry (The Old Actor) in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, this Sunday, June 6 at 3pm and 7:15pm. Jones first played the role in 1960 when The Fantasticks premiered at The Sullivan Street Playhouse.

Tom Jones, the lyricist and book writer of The Fantasticks, will play his final performances as Henry (The Old Actor) in The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, this Sunday, June 6 at 3pm and 7:15pm. Jones first played the role in 1960 when The Fantasticks premiered at The Sullivan Street Playhouse.

Two backers of the original production of THE FANTASTICKS have reaped a 24,000-percent return on their original investment. The production, which began its run in 1960 and and closed in 2002, will still produce income for the family, Marjorie and Malcolm Gray, until 2020 based on the terms of the original contract, which states the backers will receive money for 18 years following the shows final performance.

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will turn 50 this coming Monday, May 3, 2010. Three days of celebration are planned to commemorate this historic occasion.

BroadwayWold.com is pleased to introduce illustrator Ken Fallin, who will be bringing to you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: the 50th anniversary production of THE FANTASTICKS with Edward Watts, Kimberly Whalen, Steve Routman, Tom Jones, Michael Nostrand, Matt Leisy, Gene Jones, and Erik Altemus.

The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will turn 50 this coming Monday, May 3, 2010. Three days of celebration are planned to commemorate this historic occasion.