James Lapine News

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes The Directors Company in association with New Jersey Repertory Company with the New York City premiere of POETIC LICENSE, written by Jack Canfora and directed by Evan Bergman. POETIC LICENSE begins performances on Thursday, February 9 for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 4. Press opening is Wednesday, February 15 at 7:15 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday at 8:15 PM; Saturday at 2:15 PM and 8:15 PM; and Sunday at 3:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE is a fascinating and visually dazzling examination of painter Georges Seurat and his unique style, which art books call pointillism. Stephen Sondheim has crafted an entertaining score, but it was at the suggestion of book writer, James Lapine, that this artful and delightful production actually came together. While viewing his masterpiece, "A Sunday afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte", Lapine remarked that the only thing missing was the painter himself, and so we're blessed with this visually arresting musical recreation of that moment in time. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has conjured up a superb rendering, filled with sharp performances and a pair of tableaus, one at the end of each act, that are breathtaking in their beauty.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that the hit open-air production of INTO THE WOODS that played London's Regent's Park Theatre in 2011 is now planning for a transfer to Central Part's Delacorte Theater as part of the Public Theater's Summer 2012 programming. Casting is said to be underway already for the role of 'The Witch' and that the producers are seeking a big name. Nothing officially has been announced on a possible transfer, as The Public is expecting to announce the 2012 summer season at the Delacorte sometime next month. The Public Theatre had no comment by press time.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) opened Sunday in the Park with George, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts on January 4. The production will run through January 29, 2012. Click below for a video preview of stars Erin Davie and Ron Bohmer performing 'Color and Light'!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that both LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and LEAP OF FAITH are considering making Spring bows on Broadway as they evaluate both potential available theatres and 'Best New Musical' competitors. Talking to producers for LEAP OF FAITH, Riedel reports 'When I asked about their plans, they said: " 'Leap of Faith' is planning to open [in] fall 2012. If we were presented with the possibility of a spring opening, we would strongly consider it, but many pieces would have to fall into place to make that happen." But I can tell you from sources inside the "Leap of Faith" revival tent, we're comin', praise Jesus, we're comin'

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) opened Sunday in the Park with George, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts last night, January 4. The production will run through January 29, 2012. Get a first glimpse at the production with the video below!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) opens Sunday in the Park with George, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts tonight, January 4. The production will run through January 29, 2012. Below, we bring you a first look at the official production photos!

To provide more flexibility for patrons to attend theater, Westport Country Playhouse announced that "4-Play Seasonal Subscriptions," "Pick 3 Plans" and "FlexTix" for the 2012 season will go on sale Tuesday, January 3, at noon, joining the more traditional "5-Play Subscriptions" already available.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) will present one of the best musicals ever written, Sunday in the Park with George. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, the show will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, January 4 - 29, 2012.

Provincetown Counter Productions will present Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Award winning musical Into the Woods.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) will present one of the best musicals ever written, Sunday in the Park with George.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host.' John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, the couple The New York Times called 'a musical match made in heaven,' will perform with the orchestra in a program featuring festive holiday tunes such as 'We Need a Little Christmas', 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', 'Go Tell It On the Mountain', 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm' and 'Little Bolero Boy'. Essential Voices USA, conducted by Judith Cluman, will also join The New York Pops in the festive concert at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host.' John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, the couple The New York Times called 'a musical match made in heaven,' will perform with the orchestra in a program featuring festive holiday tunes such as 'We Need a Little Christmas', 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', 'Go Tell It On the Mountain', 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm' and 'Little Bolero Boy'. Essential Voices USA, conducted by Judith Cluman, will also join The New York Pops in the festive concert at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

Michael Klingher of Weston was elected to chair Westport Country Playhouse's board of trustees' leadership at a recent annual meeting. Klingher succeeds Sandra DeFeo of Westport, who served as chair since 2008.

Digital Theatre announces William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing as its latest release available to watch online or download to the desktop, with pre-order available from today (13 December 2011) at www.digitaltheatre.com and release on 13 December 2011.

Digital Theatre announces William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing as its latest release available to watch online or download to the desktop, available from today (13 December 2011) at www.digitaltheatre.com.