Independent Presenters Network News

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) will present the high-stepping musical Yankee Doodle Dandy from July 17 - 22, 2012 at 8:15 p.m. each night. This production recounts the life of the first giant of American musical theatre, George M. Cohan, and marks TUTS' 45th summer of free musicals at Miller Outdoor Theatre (6000 Hermann Park Drive). A dynamic showbiz saga, Yankee Doodle Dandy offers an intimate portrayal of the trials and tribulations of "the man who owned Broadway."

The honorees of the Broadway League Awards, honoring excellence and achievement for Touring Broadway, were announced today during the Broadway League's 2012 Spring Road Conference. First presented in 1992, the Broadway League Awards recognize the contributions of those who have displayed exemplary service to the Broadway industry and are considered innovators of their craft.

In 1976, Coal Miner's Daughter, country star Loretta Lynn's autobiography (written with journalist George Vecsey) became a New York Times Bestseller; in 1980 the book was made into an Academy Award-winning film starring Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones. Now, it's headed for Broadway, with actress Zooey Deschanel playing Loretta Lynn.

PlayhouseSquare's Senior Vice President of Theater Operations Gina Vernaci has been elected President of the Independent Presenters Network {IPN} at the semi-annual conference in Tampa, FL. Vernaci will serve a two-year term - the first woman to hold that position and only the fourth president in the organization's 20-year existence. IPN's slate of officers include Rich Baker (Fox Associates, St. Louis) and Norbert Mongeon (Providence Center, Rhode Island).

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) just announced the cast of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, running June 5 - 17 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. It's all big songs and big hair in this sassy, spirited musical about a real-life brothel in Texas. Based on the "Chicken Ranch", the infamous, long-running house of ill repute, this tongue-in-cheek story chronicles Miss Mona Stangley, a classy yet brassy madam with a heart of gold, as her "business" becomes the center of a media controversy. Thrusting the Chicken Ranch into the spotlight is Melvin P. Thorpe, a loud-mouthed reporter based on Houston's own late Marvin Zindler. Spicing up the story line is a hot-headed, trigger-happy town sheriff, the Texas A&M football team, and Miss Mona's risque girls. The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas will be a feisty, fun-filled treat that includes favorites such as "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place" and "Hard Candy Christmas".

Producers of LEAP OF FAITH announced today that the show will close at Broadway's St. James Theatre this Sunday May 13 after the matinee performance. In a statement, they said "Although we love our show and very much appreciate both our many award nominations and the joy of our audiences, we have not been able to achieve a sustainable level of ticket sales to continue. We thank all those who worked so hard over so many years to bring LEAP OF FAITH to Broadway."

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for THE 66th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS® were announced today by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jim Parsons and Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement.

Watch the CBS Early Show tomorrow, Saturday April 28, in the 8 AM half-hour for a feature on LEAP OF FAITH hosted by correspondent Elaine Quihano. LEAP OF FAITH opened last night at The St. James Theatre, 246 West 44th Street, with four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza leading the company.

The 2012 Tommy Tune Awards winners have been announced! To a crowd of more than 2,500 people, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) declared the winners of TUTS' tenth annual Tommy Tune Awardson the evening of Tuesday, April 17, at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Adding extra excitement to the evening, the award ceremony's namesake and nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune made a special appearance to kick off the show and to present the night's top honor.

Performances for LEAP OF FAITH began on Tuesday, April 3, at The St. James Theatre. Four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza leads the company along with Jessica Phillips, Kendra Kassebaum, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krystal Joy Brown and Talon Ackerman. Opening night is Thursday, April 26. Production photos have just been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look at the onstage action below!

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is proudly producing a Texas original musical, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, running June 5 - 17 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts.

Performances for LEAP OF FAITH began on Tuesday, April 3, at The St. James Theatre. Four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza leads the company along with Jessica Phillips, Kendra Kassebaum, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krystal Joy Brown and Talon Ackerman. Opening night is Thursday, April 26. Check out this exclusive video below, in which the first audience members react to the show's first preview performance!

Broadway's LEAP OF FAITH begins performances tonight and announces their student ticket policy. They will be $27.00 each, available in person at the St. James Box Office beginning at 10:00 AM daily. The offer is limited to two tickets per valid student I.D., subject to availability and payable by cash only.

LEAP OF FAITH, the new musical based on the motion picture "Leap of Faith," produced by Paramount Pictures Corporation and written by Janus Cercone, begins previews today at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street).

Broadway's LEAP OF FAITH stars four-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza as Jonas Nightingale, Jessica Phillips as Marla Humes, Kendra Kassebaum as Sam Nightingale, Kecia Lewis-Evans as Ida Mae Robinson, Leslie Odom, Jr. as Isaiah Robinson, Krystal Joy Brown as Ornella and Talon Ackerman as Jake Humes. Previews begin Tuesday, April 3 and the production will open on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). The company just met the press, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out a photo preview below and check back later for full coverage!

Broadway's LEAP OF FAITH stars four-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza as Jonas Nightingale, Jessica Phillips as Marla Humes, Kendra Kassebaum as Sam Nightingale, Kecia Lewis-Evans as Ida Mae Robinson, Leslie Odom, Jr. as Isaiah Robinson, Krystal Joy Brown as Ornella and Talon Ackerman as Jake Humes. Previews begin Tuesday, April 3 and the production will open on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Meet the stars of the show, Raul Esparza and Jessica Phillips, in the photos below!