Gary Griffin News

Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth has joined the cast of Kern and Hammerstein's Music in the Air, the second Encores! production of New York City Center's 2008-09 season, running February 5-8. (Ms. Chenoweth replaces the previously announced Marin Mazzie. Ms. Mazzie is no longer available due to the death of her father.) Music in the Air, a rarely seen 1932 musical, will be directed by Gary Griffin with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Michael Lichtefeld. The production runs for five performances at City Center, West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Marin Mazzie, Douglas Sills, Dick Latessa, Tom Alan Robbins, Sierra Boggess, Walter Charles, Anne L. Nathan and Sally Ann Howes have been cast in Kern and Hammerstein's Music in the Air, the second Encores! production of New York City Center's 2008 - 2009 season, playing for five performances, February 5 - 8 at City Center, West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Music in the Air, a rarely seen 1932 musical, will be directed by Gary Griffin with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Michael Lichtefeld.

The Kennedy Center presents the world premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony based on the book by E.B. White, adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, with music by Jason Robert Brown, and direction by Gary Griffin. The production features a 35-piece orchestra conducted by Jason Robert Brown. Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony is part of a season-long initiative Broadway: The Third Generation, celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers, and will appear for five performances in the Eisenhower Theater December 4-6, 2008. The theatrical adaptation is recommended for audiences aged seven and up.

Variety reports that Jeff Marx, the Tony and Grammy winning co-creator of Avenue Q has joined forces with 'Samantha Who?'writer Marco Pennette on two new musical projects including a new series for ABC titled, 'The Romeos'.

Kerry Ellis will be returning to WICKED London on Monday 1 December after leaving the Broadway production of the show.

Kerry Ellis will be returning to WICKED London on Monday 1 December after leaving the Broadway production of the show.

The Kennedy Center presents the world premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony based on the book by E.B. White, adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, with music by Jason Robert Brown, and direction by Gary Griffin. The production features a 35-piece orchestra conducted by Jason Robert Brown. Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony is part of a season-long initiative Broadway: The Third Generation, celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers, and will appear for five performances in the Eisenhower Theater December 4-6, 2008. The theatrical adaptation is recommended for audiences aged seven and up.

Passage Theatre, Trenton's premiere professional theater company, will open its new season with the world premiere of The Summer House, written by Amber Kain, October 30 through November 23 (press opening: Saturday, November 1). The production, directed by Jade King Carroll, will be performed in Trenton's historic Mill Hill Playhouse (Front and Montgomery Streets).

The charming musical classic Meet Me in St. Louis has been brought back by popular demand to Drury Lane in perfect time for the holidays.

Passage Theatre, Trenton's premiere professional theater company, will open its new season with the world premiere of The Summer House, written by Amber Kain, October 30 through November 23 (press opening: Saturday, November 1). The production, directed by Jade King Carroll, will be performed in Trenton's historic Mill Hill Playhouse (Front and Montgomery Streets).

The most successful rock 'n' roll musical of all time, playing to over 20 million delirious fans, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, is now offering a special family four pack for families with at least one child under the age of 16. The four pack of tickets costs $100 and must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance of the showtime. The family four pack may be redeemed by in person or by phone by calling the Drury Lane Water Tower Box Office at 312.642.2000. The tickets are subject to availability and not available on previous purchased tickets. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is currently running at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut Street Chicago, IL 60611 through November 2 following its sold out run at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace.

On Monday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall, The Carnegie Hall Notables host REVIVAL: Broadway's Next Act, a panel discussion focusing on the fresh approach that composers have recently introduced to Broadway, attracting audiences through a new range of media, from YouTube to MTV.

Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, known for producing acclaimed, innovative and classic musicals, announces its exciting 2009 season, featuring five musicals that have never been seen on the Drury Lane stage. Hot off the Broadway stage, the musical comedy 'CURTAINS', directed by William Brown previews March 19, opens March 26 and runs through May 17; the feel-good musical review 'PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES', directed by Shawn Stengel previews May 28, opens June 4 and runs through August 2; the Tony Award-winning musical 'CABARET', directed by Jim Corti previews August 13, opens August 20 and runs through October 11; the delightful Jazz Age musical 'THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE', directed by Artistic Director William Osetek, previews October 22, opens October 29 and runs through December 20; and the beloved musical 'FUNNY GIRL', directed by Gary Griffin, previews December 31, opens January 7 and runs through March 7, 2010.

Today, the Jefferson Awards announced the 150 nominations in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Beginning with this season, the Jeff Awards is acknowledging the work of Large and Midsize theatres in separate categories for productions and technical elements.

Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place will pair up with the Best Buddies of Illinois organization to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of popular singer and songwriter Buddy Holly on September 10th, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Following the performance of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Best Buddies Illinois will join the cast for a meet and greet and to help Justin Berkobien, who stars as 'Buddy' blow out the candles on his birthday cake.

Drury Lane Oakbrook's opening night benefit photos from 'The Boys From Syracuse'. The benefit was held to help raise funds for The Chicago Academy for the Arts…

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) kicks off the 2008/09 Subscription Season with Peter Shaffer's award-winning drama, Amadeus…

The Boys from Syracuse at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace is a runaway Rodgers and Hart hit…

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario has announced the two musicals for the season, both with roots in the classics, are West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.