Francesca Zambello News

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) today announced the selections for the 2009 Next Link Project. Twelve of the Festival?s full production slots are reserved for participants in The Next Link Project, NYMF?s primary writer service program. The Next Link Project empowers emerging musical theatre writing teams as both artists and entrepreneurs by providing the training and relationships needed to help them move their musicals from mere readings to fully-realized productions and to advance their careers by maximizing the exposure they receive in the Festival.

Producer Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions is pleased to announce DREW SEELEY, star of ?Another Cinderella Story,? as Prince Eric and CHELSEA MORGAN STOCK as Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID. Stock will begin on Tuesday, June 2 and Seeley will appear in the show Tuesday, June 9 though Sunday, August 30 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater (205 West 46th Street).

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Placido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. In this new production, a company premiere conducted by Michael Gittler, acclaimed director Francesca Zambello sets Wagner's tale within the context of the American experience.

National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) held its Annual Chairman's Awards Gala and benefit on Monday, April 20 at New York's Cipriani's Pegasus (30 Rockefeller Plaza). This year, NCTF Chairman James S. Turley, Chairman & CEO of Ernst & Young, honored Jane Fonda (returning to Broadway this season in 33 Variations), producer John Breglio (the recent revival of A Chorus Line) and USA TODAY. Accepting the award on behalf of the USA TODAY was be Ed. Cassidy. All net proceeds of the event will be distributed as the NCTF/John Breglio Fund for New American Theatre.

'Zanna, Don't!', the 2003 Off-Broadway musical about a magical high school matchmaker who challenges the way we view love, will receive its San Diego Premiere on April 17, 2009.

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the World Premiere of A Minister's Wife, a new musical adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Candida, conceived and directed by Michael Halberstam with musical direction by Richard Casey. A Minister's Wife was adapted by Austin Pendleton with music by Joshua Schmidt and lyrics by Jan Tranen.

Online sources are reporting that The Little Mermaid ensemble member Chelsea Morgan Stock has won the leading role of Ariel and will be replacing current star Sierra Boggess when Boggess leaves the production to create the role of Christine Daae in the upcoming sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, 'LOVE NEVER DIES'. Stock has some experience playing the lovelorn Ariel as she has understudied the role since the hit show opened on Broadway. Reports indicate that Chelsea Morgan Stock will take over in June 2009.

'Zanna, Don't!', the 2003 Off-Broadway musical about a magical high school matchmaker who challenges the way we view love, will receive its San Diego Premiere on April 17, 2009.

Disney Theatrical Productions welcomed Tony Award winner Faith Prince to the Broadway company of THE LITTLE MERMAID last night, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street, NYC). Prince stars as 'Ursula,' the evil sea witch. BroadwayWorld's cameras joined in the cheers as the Broadway favorite made her debut in the show and took her first curtain call 'under the sea'!

Disney Theatrical Productions proudly welcomes Tony Award winner FAITH PRINCE to the Broadway company of THE LITTLE MERMAID tonight, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street, NYC). Prince stars as 'Ursula,' the evil sea witch.

Disney Theatrical Productions will welcome Tony Award winner FAITH PRINCE to the Broadway company of THE LITTLE MERMAID beginning Tuesday, April 7, 2009 (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street, NYC). Prince will star as 'Ursula,' the evil sea witch.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Disney Theatrical Productions will welcome Tony Award? winner FAITH PRINCE to the Broadway company of THE LITTLE MERMAID beginning Tuesday, April 7, 2009 (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street, NYC). Prince will star as 'Ursula,' the evil sea witch.

The Tony Award®-winning Old Globe is pleased to announce the cast of its 2009 Summer Shakespeare Festival, featuring two works by Shakespeare, Twelfth Night and Coriolanus, along with Edmond Rostand's celebrated classic, Cyrano de Bergerac. The three productions will be performed in nightly rotation in the Globe's outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre June 13 - September 27, 2009.

THE OLD GLOBE announces calendar for May - August, 2009 Cornelia, By Mark Olsen Directed by Ethan McSweeny May 16 - June 21

ASU Gammage announced the 2009-2010 Broadway Across America - Arizona season. The seven show series includes the 2008 Tony? Award winner for Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS, Best Play AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and the family hit MARY POPPINS. The full series includes: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL - September 22 - 27, 2009

ASU Gammage announced the 2009-2010 Broadway Across America - Arizona season. The seven show series includes the 2008 Tony? Award winner for Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS, Best Play AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and the family hit MARY POPPINS. The full series includes: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL - September 22 - 27, 2009

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Placido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. In this new production, a company premiere conducted by Michael Gittler, acclaimed director Francesca Zambello sets Wagner's tale within the context of the American experience.

Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) President and CEO John C. Breckenridge announces TUTS' 2009-2010 Season: The One That You Want! September 2009 to May 2010 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. 'The quality and beauty of this lineup is something TUTS is very excited about,' said Breckenridge. 'This is the type of season that exemplifies the soul of TUTS. The incomparable energy of Grease, beauty of South Pacific, the over-the-top production quality of Miss Saigon, and the quintessential nostalgia of The Sound of Music are all at the heart of why theatre is so emotionally impactful.' In its 2009-2010 Season, TUTS combines powerful Broadway classics with innovative new creations and revivals.