Jeff Davis News

BroadwayWorld has closely followed the story of Sonja Hansen, the director/choreographer of Ohio's Loveland High School's recent production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. Ms. Hansen was pressured into resigning after school officials claimed her production of Legally Blonde was inappropriate. Below is an open letter to Loveland High School's Principal, Christopher Kloesz.

Here is a list of my favorite productions produced in Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, and the surrounding areas during the last half of 2012. As all of the productions listed were spectacular, it proved impossible for me to rank them, so here they are presented in alphabetical order. Congratulations to all of Central Texas's theatres, performers, and creative professionals on an astounding and successful year.

In this week's edition of 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week', we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 24! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!

The stars of MTV's TEEN WOLF give viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the highly anticipated third season of the drama series. Check it out below!

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Appleton in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 plays that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have just announced that Kate Rockwell (Bring It On: The Musical, Legally Blonde), will 'Bring It' to Broadway's Bourbon Room, taking on the leading role of Sherrie - the "small town girl" who "took the midnight train goin' anywhere" - on Monday, January 21, 2013. That same day, Teresa Stanley (The Color Purple, Rock of Ages First National Tour) will take over the role of Justice, owner of the Sunset Strip's Venus Club.

In this week's edition of 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week', we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 17! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!

This winter marks a momentous occasion for Ballet Austin. This year's THE NUTCRACKER is the company's 50th annual production of the beloved ballet, and from my seat last night, I can say that this Golden Anniversary production is exactly that: golden. Helmed by choreographer Stephen Mills, this NUTCRACKER is full of life, beauty, and charm. Every moment is absolutely wonderful. It's doubtful that you'll find a production better than this.

WHITE CHRISTMAS, now playing at Zach's Topfer Theatre, is the best of the best. It's a fun, dazzling, family-friendly celebration of not only the Holiday season but of the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood as well.

It's Friday and time for another regional news recap! Today, we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 10! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!

When a show is as acclaimed as BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL, the worldwide megahit that won 10 Tony Awards, audience expectations are high to say the least. Mine were. And no matter how high my expectations can get, many a show surpasses them with ease. BILLY ELLIOT isn't one of those shows. Despite the incredibly talented cast of the national tour, now playing Austin's Bass Concert Hall, BILLY ELLIOT is wobbly on its feet due to the numerous missteps of its creative team.

Austin's Palindrome Theatre certainly has a short but interesting history. When it opened three years ago, Palindrome stated they would close their doors in December 2012. In those three short years, they've staged seven productions and have earned plenty of critical acclaim. And now as it is December 2012, it's time for their swan song. While it's sad to see a theater bring the curtain down, The Attic Space is the perfect fit for Palindrome's finale. The original piece, written and directed by Nigel O'Hearn, is a refreshing, new, and haunting play. While it may borrow from various theatrical styles, The Attic Space is unique, innovative, and in many ways unprecedented.

Back in September, I sang the praises of Austin's Capital City Men's Chorus, saying "This group is polished, professional, hungry to be heard, and just as good as their counterparts in other cities such as Los Angeles and New York." Three months later, the only change is an adornment of holly berries and tinsel. With their Christmas-themed concert which closes today, Sunday December 9th, the Capital City Men's Chorus spreads Christmas cheer while showcasing their incredible vocal talents.

It's a Christmas Miracle! With MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, the Georgetown Palace Theatre has breathed new life into a loveable but flawed and forgotten musical and in the process has given Austin a sparkling, family-friendly Holiday treat.

Tickets are currently on sale for UP Comedy Club's roster of stand-up and sketch shows including Loni Love, 'The Second City's Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue,' Carlos Mencia, a special one-night event featuring Nick Kroll, Matt Braunger, Donnell Rawlings, Dana Gould, and Dan Harmon. Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-662-4562 or visiting UPComedyClub.com. UP Comedy Club is located at 230 W. North Ave, 3rd Floor of Piper's Alley in Chicago.

In this week's edition of 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week', we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 3! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!

Family. They'll always be there for you, and odds are they'll drive you crazy, too. That seems to be the general idea of Joe DiPietro's dramatic comedy, Over The River and Through the Woods, currently playing Austin's City Theatre. While there are countless plays like this, City Theatre's production of Over the River employs an effective mix of humor and heart that is tough to beat.

The stage version of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, presented for the 2nd year in a row by The Penfold Theatre Company, is in many ways more enjoyable than the original film. This show is as warm and sweet as a cup of hot coco on Christmas Eve.