Geoff Packard News

Tony Award- and MacArthur 'Genius' Grant-winning director Mary Zimmerman's breathtaking new production of Candide is shaping up to be the venue's theatrical event of the season. Rehearsal photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

Goodman Theatre celebrates its 10th season in Chicago's North Loop Theatre District with a fresh take on an enduring masterpiece- Candide, Voltaire's effervescent, picaresque adventure, newly adapted and directed by Chicago's own Mary Zimmerman, the Goodman's Manilow Resident Director. A cast of 19 and an orchestra of 12, under the direction of Music Director Doug Peck, bring to life nearly 30 songs in Leonard Bernstein's glorious score, and recreate Voltaire's satirical story of Candide (Geoff Packard)-a young optimist shipwrecked, soldiered, swindled and separated (repeatedly) from his true love, Cunegonde (Lauren Molina). For this major revival, Zimmerman has tapped her signature design team-Daniel Ostling (Set), Mara Blumenfeld (Costumes), T.J. Gerkens (Lighting) and Richard Woodbury (Sound). Danny Pelzig choreographs the cataclysmic events that ensue.

Goodman Theatre announces the cast for its major revival of Candide (starts rehearsals on August 10-tickets go on sale August 13*).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Shrek,' 'Carousel,' summer theaters, 'Hot Mikado,' 'Candide,' Windy City Times Theater Series, more....

Goodman Theatre announces the cast for its major revival of Candide (starts rehearsals on August 10-tickets go on sale August 13*).

Broadway's ROCK OF AGES celebrated its 1 year anniversary on Broadway last night, April 6, 2010. In honor of the rock hit musical, Tony di Napoli's restaurant presented the cast with a portrait of its star, Constantine Maroulis, to be displayed on its famed wall. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

In a show of semi-permanent appreciation, ROCK OF AGES honored of one of its most dedicated fans and winner of its holiday 'Deck the Halls Extreme Rock' contest, Gavin Knox, this month. For the Christmas challenge, the production invited fans to submit a performance video of a holiday carol, sung in the rockin' style of the hit show. The winner was selected by ROCK OF AGES cast members, including Constantine Maroulis, Kerry Butler, and James Carpinello. The prize package included a pair of tickets to the performance, a backstage tour, a curtain call ovation, dinner for two at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, a copy of the original cast recording, and a Temptu tattoo, applied by the show's make-up artist, worn by the cast members on stage each night.

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Emily Padgett will take over the role of 'Sherrie,' beginning Monday, March 15, 2010 and Derek St. Pierre ('Franz') and Katie Webber ('Waitress #1') will join the cast on Monday, March 22. After having understudied the role since Monday, November 16, 2009 and performing nightly as 'Waitress #1' at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street), Ms. Padgett will star opposite Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis. She takes over the role from Kerry Butler, who will play her final performance Saturday, March 13 at 8pm. Tom Lenk will play his final performance as 'Franz' on Sunday, March 21 at 7:30pm.

In a show of semi-permanent appreciation, ROCK OF AGES honored of one of its most dedicated fans and winner of its holiday 'Deck the Halls Extreme Rock' contest, Gavin Knox, this month. For the Christmas challenge, the production invited fans to submit a performance video of a holiday carol, sung in the rockin' style of the hit show. The winner was selected by ROCK OF AGES cast members, including Constantine Maroulis, Kerry Butler, and James Carpinello. The prize package included a pair of tickets to the performance, a backstage tour, a curtain call ovation, dinner for two at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, a copy of the original cast recording, and a Temptu tattoo, applied by the show's make-up artist, worn by the cast members on stage each night.

The stars of Broadway's ROCK OF AGES have banded together to raise funds for World Vision, a humanitarian fund that has been in Haiti for 30 years in an effort to contribute to the country's relief. Stars Kerry Butler, Lauren Molina and James Carpinello introduce the fundraiser in the video below. The production will be auctioning off items, the first of which is a backstage tour with Butler. For more information on the fundraiser and how to participate, watch the clip below.

The five-time Tony nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES has announced that beginning Sunday, January 10, 2010, ROCK OF AGES will be changing its Sunday performance schedule to 3pm and 7:30pm. Previously, Sunday shows were at 2pm and 7pm.

The five-time Tony nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES has announced that beginning Sunday, January 10, 2010, ROCK OF AGES will be changing its Sunday performance schedule to 3pm and 7:30pm. Previously, Sunday shows were at 2pm and 7pm.

Actor/Singer/Songwriters D.C. Anderson (currently on stage as 'Andre' in the National Tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) and Geoff Packard (currently on stage as 'George Willard' in WINESBURG, OHIO at Kansas City Rep) will perform an evening of their original songs at the UNICORN THEATRE at 3828 Main St. in Kansas City, Missouri on FRIDAY, APRIL 3 at 11:00 p.m.

Actor/Singer/Songwriters D.C. Anderson (currently on stage as 'Andre' in the National Tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) and Geoff Packard (currently on stage as 'George Willard' in WINESBURG, OHIO at Kansas City Rep) will perform an evening of their original songs at the UNICORN THEATRE at 3828 Main St. in Kansas City, Missouri on FRIDAY, APRIL 3 at 11:00 p.m.

The hopes, dreams and inner desires of the residents of a small Midwestern town will come bursting to life in Kansas City Rep's production of the new Eric Rosen musical Winesburg, Ohio, one of the most original new musicals to come along this decade. Rosen, artistic director of the Rep, wrote the book and lyrics for Winesburg, Ohio and he will direct.

The hopes, dreams and inner desires of the residents of a small Midwestern town will come bursting to life in Kansas City Rep's production of the new Eric Rosen musical Winesburg, Ohio, one of the most original new musicals to come along this decade. Rosen, artistic director of the Rep, wrote the book and lyrics for Winesburg, Ohio and he will direct.

D.C. Anderson will be appearing in concert at the Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22nd Street) on Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 pm. There is a $12.00 cover plus a 2 drink minimum. D.C. will be joined onstage by pianist Deanna Witkowski, acoustic guitarist Geoff Packard and acoustic bassist Ritt Henn for songs from his recent CD release Our Story as well as many premieres in preparation for the recording of his next CD.

D.C. Anderson will be appearing in concert at the Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22nd Street) on Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 pm. There is a $12.00 cover plus a 2 drink minimum. D.C. will be joined onstage by pianist Deanna Witkowski, acoustic guitarist Geoff Packard and acoustic bassist Ritt Henn for songs from his recent CD release Our Story as well as many premieres in preparation for the recording of his next CD.

Cast members from the Broadway production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history, will sing holiday songs live throughout Good Morning America on ABC, this coming Monday morning December 22. Led by PHANTOM star Patricia Phillips, the first-ever African-American to play opera diva Carlotta Giudicelli, the cast's performances are in recognition of the special 10th Anniversary of Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, the annual holiday CD which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. On this year's CD, the cast of PHANTOM can be heard singing their folk version of 'Away in a Manger,' arranged by cast member and acoustic guitarist Geoff Packard.

Cast members from the Broadway production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history, will sing holiday songs live throughout Good Morning America on ABC, this coming Monday morning December 22. Led by PHANTOM star Patricia Phillips, the first-ever African-American to play opera diva Carlotta Giudicelli, the cast's performances are in recognition of the special 10th Anniversary of Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, the annual holiday CD which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. On this year's CD, the cast of PHANTOM can be heard singing their folk version of 'Away in a Manger,' arranged by cast member and acoustic guitarist Geoff Packard.