George Stiles News

When Ugly hatches, the other animals are quick to notice that he doesn't look like any of his darling duckling siblings. His journey of self-discovery teaches them tolerance and ultimately celebrates the fact that being different is not so bad.

The Grove Theatre announces the opening of Mary Poppins, which is running on weekends from May 1st through May 17th.

Casting is now complete for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's musical MARY POPPINS, set to open tonight, April 24. Directed and designed by Tom Thayer, with choreography by Philadelphia choreographer Jenn Rose, lighting design by Noel Rennerfeldt, flying effects by ZFX, costumes by Premiere Clothing and Debby Dowlen, hats by Blanche's Place, and sound sequencing by The MT Pit, the cast will feature local youth in the roles of Michael and Jane. Nate Miller and Kylan Ritchie will play one set of children, while Riley Jenkins and Virginia Richardson will double during the run of the show.

Mary Poppins/book by Julian Fellowes/music by The Sherman Brothers/new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe/directed by Lewis Wilkenfeld/choreographed by Cheryl Baxter/Cabrillo Music Theatre at the Fred Kavli Theatre of the Thousand Oakes Civic Arts Plaza/through April 26 only

If writer P.L. Travers, the notoriously protective creator of Mary Poppins, was even half so prickly as we have been led to believe she was - thanks in large part to the screenplay for Saving Mr. Banks, the film retelling of her experiences with Walt Disney, et al, over the film adaptation of her beloved work - it's very easy to imagine how she might cringe at the thought of high school students taking on the musical theater version of her timeless story. However, if she knew in advance that it was being produced by Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Academy, under the direction of an artist as exacting as Paula Flautt, we rather think Miss Travers would be pleased -and without reservation.

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and The Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2015 will take place at the Garrick Theatre in London on Sunday 17th May, 3pm. Special Guest Performer and Judge is Elaine Paige with Michael Xavier serving as host.

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS plays the Kleberg Stage at Zach Theatre (202 S. Lamar, Austin 78704) now thru April 25th. Performances are Saturdays at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are $20 adults and $17 youth. For tickets and information, please visit www.zachtheatre.org

After a huge volume of submissions and a lengthy selection process, the writers who will be showcased at British Musical Futures have been chosen. They are Stephanie Amies & Teddy Clements, Nick Barstow, Tim Connor, Ben Frost & Richard Hough, Tim Gilvin and John Kristian. The evening will be hosted by award-winning writing partnership George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and will take place on 19th April 2015 at the St James Studio. The cast for the concert will feature a number of West End stars, led by Emma Williams and Aaron Sidwell.

ZACH Theatre is pleased to announce the 2015-16 season with reinventions of contemporary musicals, boundary-breaking plays, and holiday entertainment for those naughty and nice.

Birmingham Ormiston Academy (or BOA as it is fondly known) may already be on your radar but if it isn't, you won't escape it for much longer. The performing arts academy for 14-19 year olds is an independent state-run establishment and was modelled on the very successful Brit School in London. In general, BroadwayWorld UK would not cover many non-professional productions but having been granted an exclusive license by Cameron Mackintosh to produce Betty Blue Eyes; an exception has been made. Performed by the Year 13's musical theatre pathway and supported by the Production Arts students in a technical capacity, the show also boasts a professional creative team whom the students can learn a myriad of skills from.

Casting is now complete for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's musical MARY POPPINS, set to open on Friday, April 24. Directed and designed by Tom Thayer, with choreography by Philadelphia choreographer Jenn Rose, lighting design by Noel Rennerfeldt, flying effects by ZFX, costumes by Premiere Clothing and Debby Dowlen, hats by Blanche's Place, and sound sequencing by The MT Pit, the cast will feature local youth in the roles of Michael and Jane. Nate Miller and Kylan Ritchie will play one set of children, while Riley Jenkins and Virginia Richardson will double during the run of the show.

Acclaimed writing team George Stiles and Anthony Drewe are to host a concert featuring emerging musical theatre writers at the St James Studio on 19th April. The event will provide a development and showcase opportunity for a selection of new writers and writing teams.

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce that their multi award-winning musical MARY POPPINS will embark on a tour of the UK and Ireland, opening at Leicester Curve on Tuesday 13 October 2015. Initial tour schedule attached. Casting to be announced soon.

'Children's Theater' appears to be a misnomer--Instead, the name professional theater produced for children respects the work that First Stage presents in the First Step series for pre-schoolers. Goldilocks and the Three Bears opened this weekend at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, a musical creation by George Stiles paired with Anthony Drewe, the team of Mary Poppins fame, for any and everyone three and over. This utterly entertaining production represents the sophistication currently attached to professional theater for children, a delight for young and old to appreciate.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the full casting and creative team for the highly anticipated world premiere of Sense and Sensibility, a musical adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel, with book, music and lyrics by Tony Award®-nominated composer Paul Gordon.

Covedale Center 'Marquee Series' and Warsaw Federal Incline Theater 'District Series' present varied and exciting shows for spring 2015.

It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary! The beloved classic film turned musical hit lands on the NW Children's Theater stage with a heartwarming score, spoonfuls of imagination, and a flying nanny!

The most successful production in Fine Arts Center history is also its most ambitious.

The Palace Theater, Wisconsin Dells' newest professional theater, 564 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy South, gifts audiences this holiday season by bringing to the stage the world's most beloved nanny, Disney's MARY POPPINS previewing November 19, opening Monday, November 24 at 7 p.m., and running through January 3, 2015. The all-star cast is led by Jessica Lorion Haugh (National Tour of Disney's Beauty & the Beast) who will fly through the air as 'Mary Poppins,' Kyle Szen (National Tour of A Christmas Carol) as 'Bert,' Eddie Urish (National Broadway Tour of Memphis the Musical) as 'George Banks,' and Rebecca Kostell as 'Winifred Banks.' MARY POPPINS is directed and choreographed by Multi Jeff Award-winner Marc Robin and co-directed by Buddy Reeder. Nationally known stand-up comedian and actor, Tom Dreesen, long time guest of The Tonight Show and The David Letterman Show will serve as the emcee at the opening night performance on November 24.

Paramount's Aurora Theatre presents the eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, now thru Jan. 1. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the show below!