Hunter Bell News

Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) delivers on its mission to provide an unparalleled arts and academic education to a diverse student body passionate about the arts through its 2019-2020 Master Artist Series and Creators & Innovators Series. In addition to the school's 16 arts conservatories, these unique programs provide students the opportunity to learn from real-world experts in a variety of industries. Acclaimed artists, educators and industry leaders visit OCSA's campus in Santa Ana to share their expertise and provide students with exclusive advice through demonstrations, residencies, panel discussions, master classes and more. This season's Master Artist Series kicked off with a culinary arts master class with internationally celebrated chef, Jet Tila, who is a best-selling author and host on a?oeIron Chef America.a??

An all-star cast will join the previously announced Tony Award-winners Celia Keenan-Bolger and Chita Rivera to give back to school theatre by supporting the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), which provides financial support for school theatre education programs.

Two guys write a musical about two guys writing a musical. That's the plot of Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell's 2004 project [title of show]. Written as an entry to the first edition of the New York Musical Festival, it went on to conquer audiences first Off-Broadway, then on Broadway, and then all around the US and the world.

Celia Keenan-Bolger will host the fifth annual Broadway Back to School gala, a benefit for the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) that supports theatre education programs for schools in need.

This week, [title of show] celebrates eleven years since this original musical became part of it all on Broadway! In honor of the occasion, we're looking back at the show's opening night featuring Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Susan Blackwell! Check out the video to see why the show is definitely more than nine people's favorite thing!

Brooklyn-based theatre company Colt Coeur will present the east coast premiere of Jonathan Spector's screamingly funny yet profound EUREKA DAY. Spector's lauded play uses a heated vaccination debate at a progressive elementary school as a metaphorical lens for the escalating hostility of America's culture wars and our inability to listen to those with whom we disagree. This timely comedy is directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt (Primary Stages' Downstairs, Colt Coeur's Joan). Previews begin Saturday, August 24th with official opening set for Thursday, August 29th. General admission tickets are priced at $25 and are available at coltcoeur.org.

Down Stage Right Productions presents, SILENCE! The Musical, a laugh out loud naughty satire on the film, The Silence of the Lambs, that's not for the faint of heart.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce THE PROMPTER, the first production of the 2019 Mainstage Season, had a successful opening night on June 1. The show runs through June 16. This World Premiere stars Tovah Feldshuh (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Walking Dead, Golda's Balcony) and Wade Dooley (Jersey Boys), who is also the playwright. Single tickets on sale now or tickets can be purchased now as part of the 3-play subscription package for the 2019 Mainstage Season. Call the Box Office at 631-725-9500; open daily 11 am - showtime or log on to baystreet.org.

In 2019, the International Thespian Society (ITS) marks the 90th anniversary of its founding with a yearlong celebration of the power of theatre to instill confidence, empathy, and compassion to build better communities.

In May, The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (806 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL) will continue its annual Summer Song Cycle Series with a collaborative work by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen and Larry Pressgrove. Now. Here. This. is the second musical written by this creative team.

The 2019 ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty) Color Ball honored Laura Benanti and Lutheran Social Services for their work with ASTEP in providing arts education for students who have arrived in the United States as unaccompanied minors - and Laura's work in the creation of Singing You Home: Children's Songs for Family Reunification, in conjunction with Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Broadway music director and Founder Co-Executive Director of ASTEP. 

Next Monday, April 29 at 54 Below, Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP) and friends are coming together to celebrate the 2019 ASTEP Color Ball. The 2019 Color Ball is a night to honor Artists/Activists who inspire ASTEP students, Sponsors who make our work possible and Community Partners who join our efforts in giving children from underserved communities access to the power of the arts. The evening is conceived by Broadway Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell (ASTEP Founder and Co-Executive Director) and will allow ASTEP to give audience members an in depth look into our programs and the exciting work we have ahead of us.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center just held its Monte Cristo Award Gala last night at the Edison Ballroom- an event that featured opening remarks from composer, actor and Tony Award-winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Academy Award-winning actor and O'Neill Center trustee, Michael Douglas presented the iconic statue to playwright and screenwriter John Logan, at the gala evening in celebration of Logan's many achievements.

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) will honor Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman with the Broadway Back to School Award, which recognizes the impact of key leaders in the theatrical industry and education in building access and excellence in school theatre. Shaiman and Wittman were among the first creative leaders in the theatrical industry to recognize that the involvement of young students in musical theatre was essential for their success in school and life as well as for the progress and growth of the industry. 

The Orchard Project is proud to announce a preview of the chefs, performers and presenters for its 2019 Gala, A TASTE OF SOMETHING NEW, occurring Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Prince George Ballroom and honoring the work of Avram Freedberg and Eva Price (Co-Founders, Maximum Entertainment, Producers of Oklahoma! and Jagged Little Pill) and writers Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden (Veep, Divorce, and the musicals Female Troubles and Hollywood Romance).

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the first show of the 2019 Mainstage Season. The World Premiere of THE PROMPTER (May 28- June 16) a new comedy by Wade Dooley; will be directed by Scott Schwartz, Bay Street Theater's Artistic Director.

Up Next Productions announces the full cast of their upcoming musical comedy [Title of Show] by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell which is the first musical of their 2019 season.

The Orchard Project is proud to announce its 2019 Gala, A TASTE OF SOMETHING NEW, occurring Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Prince George Ballroom and honoring the work of TONY-Award winning producers Avram Freedberg and Eva Price (Co-Founders, Maximum Entertainment) and Emmy Award-winning writers Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Another Monday means another week full of Broadway news! Catch up on the latest below!

A-D-D-D-D-F#-A were the first notes of the show last Monday night, as the Actors Fund brought back the beloved fan favorite and critically acclaimed musical [title of show] in a reunion concert at The Broadhurst Theatre. This one-night only reunion starred original cast members Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff and Jeff Bowen along with musical director Larry Pressgrove. All proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund. Check out highlights from the big night below!