J. Oconer Navarro News

The world premiere of BENNY & JOON will run at The Old Globe Theatre through October 22. Based on the 1993 movie of the same name with a screenplay by Barry Berman and Lesley McNeil, BENNY & JOON follows the story of auto mechanic Benny, who is the only care taker of his eccentric sister Joon. Things become complicated when Sam, with his own take on the world, steps into the picture and turns everything upside down. BENNY & JOON explores what happens when you step outside of what you know, and take the leap toward love.

The world premiere of BENNY & JOON will run at The Old Globe Theatre through October 22. Based on the 1993 movie of the same name with a screenplay by Barry Berman and Lesley McNeil, BENNY & JOON follows the story of auto mechanic Benny, who is the only care taker of his eccentric sister Joon. Things become complicated when Sam, with his own take on the world, steps into the picture and turns everything upside down. BENNY & JOON explores what happens when you step outside of what you know, and take the leap toward love.

The Old Globe presents the first show of its 2017-2018 Season, the world premiere musical Benny & Joon, with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. Based on the beloved 1993 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil, Benny & Joon is directed by Jack Cummings III, Artistic Director of New York's Transport Group.

On Tuesday, Joel B. New announced that he will be bringing his beloved podcast 'Something New' to a close later this month with a special live concert at the Duplex on Saturday, September 30th at 6:30pm. 

The Old Globe presents the first show of its 2017-2018 Season, the world premiere musical Benny & Joon, with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. Based on the beloved 1993 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil, Benny & Joon is directed by Jack Cummings III, Artistic Director of New York's Transport Group. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company below!

In Episode 512 of Something New: a musical theatre podcast, composer and host Joel B. New sat down with Broadway performer Stanley Martin. Martin has been performing professionally since the age of 10. He is currently in, as well as an original cast member of, the hit Broadway musical, ALADDIN. His newest cabaret, 'Smoke and Mirrors,' is a retrospective of his 20 years in show business, with the help of his family and friends navigating through all the highs and lows.

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the first show of its 2017-2018 Season, the world premiere musical Benny & Joon, with book by Kirsten Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein.

Amy Oestreicher is a PTSD peer-to-peer specialist, artist, author, writer for The Huffington Post, speaker for TEDx and RAINN, health advocate, award-winning actress, and playwright. As a survivor and 'thriver' of multiple traumas, Amy eagerly shares the gifts of life's 'beautiful detours' her educational programming, writing, mixed media art, performance and inspirational speaking.

THE NEW PEGGY, the new musical by Drew Larimore (Book & Lyrics) and Jonathan Larson Award Winner J. Oconer Navarro (Music & Lyrics) will be performed at Manhattan's Green Room 42 during a July 16 concert reading. 

In Episode 510 of the Something New podcast, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Nadia Quinn, a performer, writer, producer, and photographer. Nadia's credits include Alex TImbers/Roundabout Theatre Co's production of THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, Broadway: BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, Television: THIS IS US, LOUIE, YOUNGER, THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA, SMASH, THEBIGC, BLANK MEETS BLANK (part of Late Night Snack with Rachel Dratch on TruTV) Film: TOP FIVE, THE FLOWER SHOP, KITTY, JOKE WRITER, BEST WISHES FROM MILLWOOD (producer/actor- winner best short @ the Austin Film Fest 2015), THROAT.

In Episode 509 of the Something New podcast, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Robbie Rozelle, a writer, director, producer, designer, and performing making his solo show debut this coming Friday, June 9th at Feinstein's/54 Below.

In Episode 508 of the Something New podcast, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Michael Kushner, a performer, photographer, writer, makeup artist, and Founding Member of Musical Theatre Factory (mtf.nyc).

On Sunday May 21st at 9:30pm, Honeck-Moss Productions is proud to present 'In The Works.'  This exciting monthly series was conceived as an opportunity for composers to try out new work in front of an audience and see how it plays in a supportive environment.  It is also an opportunity to create community among the composers and their performers.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival invites audiences to "be our guest" for a Falstaffian romp through merry old Windsor; a heroic, Homeric journey home to Ithaka; and a revelatory musical journey of self-discovery when its outdoor theatre opens the weekend of June 16-18. The Allen Elizabethan Theatre will feature The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Dawn Monique Williams; The Odyssey, adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman; and Disney's Beauty and the Beast, directed by Eric Tucker. Previews begin June 6, and all three shows will run through the weekend of October 13-15.

In Episode 507 of the Something New podcast, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Louisa Proske, Founding Co-Artistic Director of Heartbeat Opera. Now entering its third season, Heartbeat Opera transforms great works of the operatic canon through visionary adaptations, radical arrangements for chamber ensembles, and intimate, visceral productions that put the singers and the instrumentalists at the center of the work. Heartbeat distills opera to its essence, and cultivates new audiences for the art form.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) has announced that the score for their World Premiere production of the musical IOWA has been preserved as an Original Cast Recording, produced by Michael Croiter (Matilda, The Visit, Big Fish) and Todd Almond. IOWA is written by Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear, Somewhere Fun) with music by Todd Almond (Girlfriend) and lyrics by Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Almond.

In Episode 506 of the Something New podcast, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Katie Lynch, creator and host of the Broadway World web series, 'Backstage Bite.' On 'Backstage Bite,' viewers are invited to come into Katie's kitchen with some of Broadway's brightest as they eat, drink and merrily mix it up in this new cooking show! See your favorite stars out of their element as they whip up dishes inspired by their Broadway show. Get to know some of your favorite performers with quirky segments like Quickfire Questions!

In Episode 504 of the Something New podcast, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Ben Coleman. Ben Coleman is the Literary Associate for Samuel French Inc. where he is responsible seeing and reading plays and musicals for this 180-year-old theatrical institution, among many more playwright-related responsibilities.

In Episode 503 of Something New, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down Sas Goldberg and Luke Smith, both currently making their Broadway debut in SIGNIFICANT OTHER. For the live song portion of the episode, Joel's friend Jason Pintar premiered 'Crazy Song,' featuring Mike Pettry on guitar. Music and lyrics by Joel B. New.

In Episode 2 of Something New's fifth season, award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Kate Lumpkin, a lifestylist, casting director, and professional fairy godmother. Kate studied Musical Theatre at Ithaca College, the Meisner technique at The William Esper Studios (NYC), and wrapped up her education studying Anthropology and Folklore at Indiana University. In addition to casting and coaching, some of her life adventures have led her to work as the VP of Marketing and PR for a major private consulting firm, spend time working at an elementary school in Tanzania, tour the country as a singing 'dirty dog,' work in development for National Geographic, and be a brand ambassador for numerous high end clothing and lifestyle companies. www.kate-lumpkin.com