Jerome Robbins News

Below lists information regarding pre-performance programs for children and adults taking place at New York City Ballet from May 12-19. For additional information, visit: www.nycballet.com.

More than fifty years ago one musical changed the theatre forever! From the first note to the final breath, this new Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY soars again as the greatest love story of all time. Dancap Productions presents the first national tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY beginning tonight, May 8, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Tickets can be purchased at dancaptickets.com.

Broadway vet Jason Alexander guest stars as Alan's cardiologist, Dr. Goodman on the 200th episode of the CBS comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN tonight, May 7. In the episode entitled "The Straw In My Donut Hole", Alan is showered with love and affection upon returning from the hospital after suffering a minor heart attack. The episode airs 9:00-9:31 PM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

Boston Youth Moves twelfth annual Swellegance Gala Benefit presented one-night only performance by walking, singing, dancing icon of the Golden Age of Broadway musicals at Citi Shubert Theatre.

This Tuesday marked the second most exciting day of any given year for Broadway babies - the Tony Award nominations. The actual awards ceremony on CBS - Broadway's night of nights - is still a few weeks off, but now is certainly an ideal time to size up the competition(s) and see who will most likely walk away with Tony gold come June 10 - and this year's ceremony, more than most before, could very well be as surprising as this season was; or Tuesday's nominations themselves were, for that matter. While the 2011-2012 Broadway season certainly fell far short of the heady promise many ascribed to its prospects way back last Summer, we certainly saw the fulfillment of some big dreams for some notable names if not an all-in-all banner year for Broadway when collectively considered. The highly-praised Off-Broadway critical darling LYSISTRATA JONES landed with a thud early in the season, as did the re-jiggered, gender-bending revival of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER and its star Harry Connick, Jr., and, even the lauded and relatively successful revival of Stephen Sondheim's peerless masterpiece FOLLIES failed to make any money and closed. GODSPELL did not fare much better, though it is still running. The two highly-anticipated revivals of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic early successes JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA were met with indifferent reviews - with the latter receiving some nasty press for its stars, neither of whom received Tony nominations - but receptive audiences so far. THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS could take Best Revival, after all - but will NICE WORK's Kelli O'Hara edge out four-time Tony recipient Audra McDonald? New plays did not fare much better than the measly crop of musicals, but OTHER DESERT CITIES and VENUS IN FUR seemed to hit their target demographics squarely, but CLYBOURNE PARK looks to be the frontrunner for Best Play despite all that. We shall see. Mike Nichols may take home another Best Director for his sensitive, if workmanlike revival of Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN, as conceivably could Philip Seymour Hoffman and Andrew Garfield. John Lithgow is offering up some fierce competition in THE COLUMNIST, though. The acting races are tight, for sure, in both plays and musicals, with more newcomers and first-time nominees than any season this century.

Gretna Theatre celebrates its 85th Anniversary season at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse with a sparkling opening performance by the one and only Tommy Tune in "Steps in Time" featuring the Manhattan Rhythm Kings for a single performance Sunday, June 3 at 7:30 pm. The nine-time Tony Award winner will perform his Broadway biography in song and dance to celebrate 50 years on the Great White Way.

THE Jack Cole PROJECT, a new musical entertainment by director/choreographer Chet Walker, presented at Queens Theatre in the Park (located in Flushing MeadowCorona Park) opens tonight, May 3, 2012.

BELLS ARE RINGING, the next staged reading of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES, will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Following its Spring 2012 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, SMTC presents the enduring classic musical Fiddler on the Roof for a special engagement. Performances will take place at SMTC's new home, the intimate 300-seat Dorrance Auditorium on the beautiful campus at Phoenix Country Day School (3901 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253). Show dates are Thursday, August 16th at 7:30PM; Friday, August 17th at 8PM; Saturday, August 18th at 2PM and 8PM and concluding Sunday, August 19th @ 2PM.

Beginning May 11, SpeakEasy Stage presents the Boston Premiere of the hit Broadway musical comedy XANADU. This acclaimed show will be the company's 100th production and opens May 11.

David Saint took time out of his busy schedule to speak with BWW about the current National tour of West Side Story as well as to remember his close friend and trusted mentor, famed librettist, director and screenwriter Arthur Laurents, who passed away a year ago at the age of 93.

To mark the one year anniversary of the passing of famed Broadway librettist,screenwriter and director Arthur Laurents, BroadwayWorld spoke with his close friend and the literary executor of his estate, David Saint.

The tour of the Broadway revival of West Side Story is coming to New Jersey. West Side Story opens at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center tonight, May 1, 2012. Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. Mr. Saint is also the artistic director of the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presents "Ballerina Assoluta: A Tribute to Natalia Makarova" tonight, April 28 at 7:00 PM at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This evening of dance will illustrate Natalia Makarova's contribution to the art of ballet by presenting some of her most iconic roles performed by today's leading dancers. Performers include Marcelo Gomes (American Ballet Theatre), Natalia Osipova (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg), Sergei Polunin (formally of The Royal Ballet), Tamara Rojo (The Royal Ballet), Yuan Yuan Tan (San Francisco Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg) and Diana Vishneva (American Ballet Theatre/Mariinsky Ballet). Ms. Makarova will narrate the program, reflecting on her experiences as a dancer. In addition, rare photos and archival footage will be shared. Tickets for the performance are $20, $37, $45, $75, $100, $150.

TAP!, Dancers Over 40's final event of their 2011 - 2012 season brings the world of tap center stage for a discussion and performance by DO40 members and guests. This May's event is hosted by Mercedes Ellington, (Sophisticated Ladies, No, No, Nanette!) and begins with a discussion of the history of tap by DO40 members Mercedes and Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street).

Today we are talking to one of the busiest choreographers on Broadway who was recently represented by four shows running on the Great White Way simultaneously (a new record) - the long-running hit JERSEY BOYS, Pulitzer Prize-winner NEXT TO NORMAL, multi-Tony Award-winning MEMPHIS and THE ADDAMS FAMILY. His most recent Broadway credit is the new Alan Menken/Glenn Slater musical adaptation of the 90s hit Steve Martin comedy LEAP OF FAITH featuring Broadway superstar Raul Esparza in the lead. In addition to discussing the unique demands of his involvement with the aforementioned new musicals with a pronounced focus on his current project, Trujillo opens up about the process of collaborating with a director and what musical staging is all about at its core, as well as outlining his experiences working with a number of notable names on his impressive assortment of projects so far and taking a look back at his own career as a performer, having previously appeared in GUYS & DOLLS, FOSSE and the film version of CHICAGO among other illustrious resume entries. Plus, Trujillo shares his infectious enthusiasm and passionate dedication to his art and reveals what he will be taking on next after LEAP OF FAITH's opening night, which is tonight - a tryout tour of a screen-to-stage adaptation of the iconic 80s hit FLASHDANCE and an original dramatic musical included. All of that and much, much more!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre invites audiences to a love story that could only unfold In Paris. This spring - for 20 performances only - legendary performer Mikhail Baryshnikov takes the stage with Anna Sinyakina and a talented ensemble assembled by visionary director Dmitry Krymov.

Joyce SoHo is set to present its Spring/Summer '12 season featuring a riveting line-up of the dance world's most innovative choreographers and companies.