Hal Prince News

Appearing in rotation with its production of "The Taming of The Shrew" as part of their summer series at Mill Run Amphitheater's "Island", "Henry IV: Part One" is one of Shakespeare's history plays, but this version is also one of the more accessible Shakespeare productions I have seen in awhile. The storyline, as written by the bard, is admittedly a bit dry at times, but this particular production is acted with gusto, and the plotline is easily understandable, even without the program synopsis. The tale centers around the universal themes of family and duty, and is a coming of age tale of Hal, the Prince of Wales who finds himself torn between living the life of the free and easy at Eastcheap Tavern with his buddies, or assuming the duty of protecting the kingdom of his father, King Henry IV.

If ever a show has become part of the 'fabric' of New York and pop culture, it is the Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q -- with its colorful cast of humans and puppets. The ground-breaking musical hits a new landmark this summer when it celebrates its 10th anniversary on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 with a 'Thank Q' to fans for the decade of laughter and love: starting at 10 a.m., the first 100 patrons in line can purchase $10 seats (cash only) to the special 7 p.m. 10th anniversary performance at New World Stages (340 W. 50 St.), where AVENUE Q has performed for the past four years following its triumphant six-year run on Broadway.

Actress/singer Valerie Perri, best known for her role of Eva Peron in Evita, will open as Norma Desmond in MTW's Sunset Boulevard Saturday July 13 in Long Beach. In our chat she discusses the challenges of portraying bigger than life fictional silent movie queen Norma Desmond.

A team of experienced pros with extensive Broadway, regional and TV experience, will perform the hilarious, madcap comedy RUMORS, by Neil Simon, at the Saint Michael's Playhouse July 17 to 27. The show will be staged, evenings at 8 p.m. July 17 to 20, and 23-27 and matinees at 2 p.m. July 20 and 27.

Coastal Repertory Theatre enters into the 'Age of Aquarius' with what the New York Times calls 'The Ultimate American Rock Musical', HAIR -- written by James Rado & Gerome Ragni and produced for the Broadway Stage by Michael Butler, originally produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre. This production is directed and choreographed by Joe Duffy with musical and vocal direction by Joseph Murphy. The show runs July 19, 2013 through August 10, 2013.

The last few years have brought difficult financial times to a number of venerable Atlanta theatres, including the 2012 closing of Marietta's Theatre in the Square, a successful half-million dollar fundraising campaign by Georgia Shakespeare in 2011, and last week, one of Atlana's oldest theatrical institutions announced a desperate plea for public support. After over six decades in Atlanta, Theater of the Stars (TOTS) now needs to raise $500,000 by the end of next week, and another half-million dollars by the end of August, to continue operations.

A duo of experienced pros with extensive Broadway, regional and TV experience, Bernie Passeltiner, and Christian Kohn, will perform the powerful show TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at the Saint Michael's Playhouse today, July 3-13.

Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC - which contestably features his most well-known hit, 'Send in the Clowns' - opens in Pittsburgh this Sunday as part of Opera Theater of Pittsburgh's second-annual SummerFest. SummerFest is a three-week artistic celebration that 'brings together a pack of independently-spirited, joyfully unconventional people to celebrate community as well as cultural values' through the presentation of six distinct operas for theatergoers of all ages and interests.

The Irish Repertory Theatre announces a second two-week extension of GIBRALTAR-Patrick Fitzgerald's acclaimed two-character adaptation of James Joyce's 'Ulysses'-with Off-Broadway performances now set to run through July 28 in the company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Terry Kinney directs.

Masterworks Broadway continues to explore the rich history of its unrivaled cast recording and film soundtrack catalogs with the release of three musical rarities previously unavailable on CD -Seven Come Eleven (July 16), A Little Night Music (August 13) and Cowardy Custard (September 10).

Returning after extended runs at the New York International Fringe Festival Encore Series and Off Broadway's SoHo Playhouse, The New Colony's award-winning 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE will play the Snapple Theater Center's Anne L. Bernstein Theater (210 West 50th Street at the corner of Broadway, New York City). The play returns for a special three performance Pride Weekend engagement tonight, June 27 to June 29, 2013.

Yesterday, we learned that Atlanta's Theater of the Stars had cancelled the July 9 - 14 engagement of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story at the Fox Theatre. Today we've learned is that the entire theater is in jeopardy if they are unable to raise $1 million dollars by August 30th, with the first $500,000 by July 12th.

A duo of experienced pros with extensive Broadway, regional and TV experience, Bernie Passeltiner, and Christian Kohn, will perform the powerful show TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at the Saint Michael's Playhouse July 3-13. Written by Jeffrey Hatcher and sportswriter Mitch Albom, the show will be staged, evenings at 8 p.m. on July 3, 5, 6, 9-13; matinees at 2 p.m. July 6 and 13.

Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.

Join the 80-piece Hershey Symphony Orchestra and three of Broadway's brightest stars for a concert celebrating the newest shows and latest revivals gracing the Great White Way at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2013 at The Hershey Theatre.

The Irish Repertory Theatre announces a two-week extension of GIBRALTAR-Patrick Fitzgerald's acclaimed two-character adaptation of James Joyce's 'Ulysses'-with Off-Broadway performances now set to run through July 14 in the company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Terry Kinney directs.

Today we are talking to an exceptionally accomplished actress known for her many leading and featured roles in a number of illustrious musical theatre properties - among them, part of the original Broadway casts of FALSETTOS, CITY OF ANGELS, PARADE, LESTAT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SCANDALOUS and many more - the gifted and genuine Carolee Carmello. Discussing many aspects of originating roles in those aforementioned shows as well as her replacement gigs in everything from KISS ME, KATE to SISTER ACT and MAMMA MIA!, Carmello sheds some light on her process in bringing such a striking series of characters to life onstage eight times a week, including creating roles Off-Broadway in ELEGIES, HELLO AGAIN and JOHN & JEN. Additionally, Carmello shares stories from the set of NBC's musical drama series SMASH as well as comments on other potential roles she would like to pursue someday. Most importantly, Carmello previews her highly anticipated performance at this Monday night's NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS and comments upon her affection for the iconic Ms. Garland. Plus, Carmello shares behind-the-scenes stories involving many of her notable collaborators and inspirations such as William Finn, Stephen Sondheim, Kathie Lee Gifford and she also expresses enthusiasm for her upcoming turn in the new musical TUCK EVERLASTING, set to premiere later this season. All of that, early Broadway and touring memories from CHESS, LES MISERABLES, CITY OF ANGELS, observations on the newly-released SCANDALOUS cast recording and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation.

Returning after extended runs at the New York International Fringe Festival Encore Series and Off Broadway's SoHo Playhouse, The New Colony's award-winning 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE will play the Snapple Theater Center's Anne L. Bernstein Theater (210 West 50th Street at the corner of Broadway, New York City). The play returns for a special three performance Pride Weekend engagement June 27 to June 29, 2013.