Hal Prince News

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is considered one of the more challenging musicals for the cast, crew and orchestra, but if it is done well it provides for an enjoyable evening of theatrical entertainment. Pennsylvania Playhouse produces a successful show with their production of COMPANY.

The Tony-Award winning musical, Company is set to open at the Pennsylvania Playhouse this month.

The Collegiate Chorale has announced Song of Norway by Robert Wright and George Forrest on April 30, 2013 at 6:30pm at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, NYC. Tickets are on sale at www.carnegiehall.org. Single tickets for this concert start at $25.

The Tony-Award winning musical, Company is set to open at the Pennsylvania Playhouse this April.

Timeless. Enchanting. Impactful. These three words clearly describe the classic musical SOUTH PACIFIC, coming to the DTC stage April 10th through May 5th. From the hauntingly beautiful first three notes of 'Bali Hai' to the romance of 'Some Enchanted Evening,' it's no surprise that this Rodgers & Hammerstein favorite is one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time.

On Twitter Watch, Elaine Stritch Shoot Me wrote 'The brilliant @ABFalecbaldwin has offically signed on as Executive Producer of 'Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me.' Elaine is THRILLED. What a mensch'

Today we are talking to the originator of Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES onstage and a preeminent Phantom (and the first to actually play the role) in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA who has clearly made a major mark with his performances in the theatre - not to mention his work on the original concept albums of EVITA and JEKYLL & HYDE - who now makes the leap to the big screen in his featured role in the super-successful feature film iteration of the Claude-Michel Schonberg/Alain Boublil musical based on the Victor Hugo novel - the titanically talented Colm Wilkinson. Opening up about his work in the original Royal Shakespeare Company production of LES MISERABLES and his collaboration with the creative team and cast of actors as well as his association with producer Cameron Mackintosh, director Trevor Nunn and more, Wilkinson details the finer points of creating one of the modern musical theatre's most memorable characters, from his first audition through to the West End, Broadway and beyond. Additionally, Wilkinson reveals all about shooting the feature film version, with Broadway/Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman taking over the leading role and whether he would consider taking on another character in the show after having essaying Jean Valjean onstage and the Monsignor onscreen - maybe Javert? Plus, Wilkinson shares backstage stories involving fellow theatrical luminaries like Trevor Nunn, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more in this career-spanning conversation with one of the mega-musical era's most major of stars - - all of that and much, much more awaits!

Timeless. Enchanting. Impactful. These three words clearly describe the classic musical SOUTH PACIFIC, coming to the DTC stage April 10th through May 5th. From the hauntingly beautiful first three notes of 'Bali Hai' to the romance of 'Some Enchanted Evening,' it's no surprise that this Rodgers & Hammerstein favorite is one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time.

According to the New York Times, Jack Viertel will soon write a book on 'why some shows succeed and others falter.' The book which will be released by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in winter 2016, is tentatively titled 'The Secret Life of the Broadway Musical: How Broadway Shows are Built.'

BroadwayWorld has just confirmed that PRINCE OF BROADWAY, the new musical celebrating legendary Broadway director and producer Harold 'Hal' Prince has now been postponed indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts.

Guest conductor Stuart Chafetz returns to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for the Pops performances of Oh, What a Night! on April 5-7, 2013 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring vocalists Ron Bohmer, Tituss Burgess and Bradley Dean, the MSOsalutes those magical Jersey harmonies in a celebration of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and other favorites of the "doo-wop" era.

Today we are talking to an internationally celebrated performer who has scaled the highest heights of the music industry over the course of her incredibly impressive career and also inspired and originated a leading role in one of the most famous Broadway musicals of all time in the process, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - the refreshingly unique and singularly gifted Sarah Brightman. Granting a rare exclusive interview while preparing for the US debut of her new space-themed studio album, DREAMCHASER, Brightman reveals the impetus for the project and shares illuminating insights and opinions on the vast array of musical material, new and old, included on this idiosyncratic and immensely transporting new release - Paul McCartney to Sia and far beyond. Additionally, Brightman reveals plans for a promotional tour in support of DREAMCHASER and discusses some of the intriguing bonus tracks - including a song in Japanese. Also, Brightman takes a look back at her theatrical legacy and her role in the creation of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, sharing stories of rehearsing the original production with Hal Prince, Michael Crawford, Lloyd Webber and company as well as the musical's legacy as the world's most successful entertainment ever. Plus, Brightman offers remembrances of her spectacular appearances at PHANTOM 25 at the Royal Albert Hall as well as the recent Broadway anniversary and offers up insights on Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES. All of that, memories of starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th Birthday Celebration, future plans, thoughts on GLEE and much, much more awaits in this career-spanning conversation!

It has long been buzzed about that Broadway favorite Kristin Chenoweth will return to Broadway next in an upcoming revival of ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. Unfortunately, projected opening dates have not yet been announced, but Chenoweth revealed in a recent interview with the Village Voice that they are 'literally hammering out the dates right now..'

Today we are talking to the king of the modern musical and the most successful theatrical producer in history - the man behind the original productions of countless iconic musicals, among them: LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CATS, MISS SAIGON, STARLIGHT EXPRESS and MARY POPPINS - the one and only Cameron Mackintosh. Looking back at many of his most remarkable musicals to date and also some of his lesser-known success d'estime projects - such as THE FIX - Mackintosh reveals his dedication and passion for the performing arts and discusses many aspects of his legendary shows and displays the characteristic charm and insight that has gotten him to his enviable position over his forty years producing for Broadway, the West End and around the world. Most importantly, Mackintosh and I analyze the mega-successful feature film adaptation of LES MISERABLES, directed by Tom Hooper, and Mackintosh relates many fascinating insights as to the musical's original genesis and the journey of the film from page to stage to screen - such as working with original composer/lyricist team Claude-Michel Schoenberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer on creating new musical material explicitly for the movie, as well as the audition and casting process for the central characters. Looking ahead, Mackintosh shares thoughts on potential MISS SAIGON and OLIVER feature film adaptations in the future and gamely speculates on casting for each, while also giving us the scoop on a new stage production of BARNUM he is producing, set to star Christopher Fitzgerald, and the exciting enhancements being made to the well-regarded musical for this new revised and reconceived production. All of that, Mackintosh's thoughts on the enduring legacy of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and the recent Royal Albert Hall 25th Anniversary Celebration and Broadway anniversary, as well as comments on the new touring productions of LES MISERABLES and PHANTOM coming later this year and next year, as well as the major 2014 LES MISERABLES and MISS SAIGON revivals set for the main-stage of the West End and Broadway - and much, much more!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) launches the 2013/14 Season with Gala 2013 on June 17 at its home on Navy Pier. Funds raised will benefit the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's education and civic engagement initiatives, including Team Shakespeare and Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. Through the generosity of Gala Lead Sponsor the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation, the support of the Gala 2013 Host Committee, and the advocacy of CST's Board of Directors, the Theater anticipates raising over one million dollars in support of its continuing work in Chicago's schools and communities. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the third annual Spirit of Shakespeare Awards. This year's Civic Honoree is former Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Artistic Honoree is composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Both honorees will be in attendance to accept their award. Gala 2013 will also feature performances by Broadway stars Jason Danieley, who triumphed in CST's production ofSunday in the Park with George earlier this season, and Marin Mazzie, who was recently seen opposite Danieley in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced Finn Wittrock as The Actor, Sarah Wayne Callies as The Actress, and Shuler Hensley as The Critic in the Kennedy Center production of The Guardsman in the Eisenhower Theater May 25 to June 23, 2013. Based on the 1910 comedy by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar, The Guardsman features a new literal translation by Richard Nelson and is directed by Gregory Mosher. The press opening will take place on Thursday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Iconic stage and screen performer Diana Rigg is poised to make a significant mark in the hotly anticipated third season of HBO's epic adult fantasy tentpole series GAME OF THRONES if these first glimpses of her in action are any indication.

Gerard Alessandrini's, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: ALIVE AND KICKING, which received unanimous raves from critics and audiences alike, broke all box-office records at the 47th Street Theatre, and won spots on the Top Ten Lists of Time Magazine and the Associated Press, will wind up its current edition at the 47th Street Theatre on Sunday, April 28, in order to make room for The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre's own season, as required by the show's lease agreement with the theatre. In a statement, Mr. Alessandrini said, "We knew from the start that the theatre could only be ours until the end of April. Although we hate to leave town when we're a hit, I actually think this is a perfect time for us to wind up "Alive and Kicking", which has been a thrilling return to New York for us, to take a brief break; and to begin plans to return with another edition later this year." The show, which has recently added extended parodies of Cinderella and the movie version of Les Miz, is also a Critic's Pick for The New York Times, The Daily News and New York Magazine. This edition stars Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Natalie Charle Ellis, Scott Richard Foster, Marcus Stevens and David Caldwell on piano. DRG Record's cast recording FORBIDDEN BROADWAY; ALIVE AND KICKING! The UN-Original Cast Album, is available in stores, on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Get ready, 'cause here it comes- MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL that is! MOTOWN begins preview performances tonight, March 11 and will open on Broadway on April 14, 2013 at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street).Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL will feature a book by Berry Gordy and music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue. Meet the company of the new musical with videos of them from past productions and roles below!

The Orion Ensemble, winner of the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, celebrates Women's History Month by welcoming guest soprano Patrice Michaels for 'A Voice from Heaven,' the third concert series of its 20th Anniversary Season. Performances take place today, March 10 at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church in Geneva, March 13 at the PianoForte Salon at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago and March 17 at Music Institute of Chicago's Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.