Joan Marcus News

Check out what's playing in Cleveland and Akron for the month of May!

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Boston, May 29-June 3. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Boston Opera House.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick, presents Christina Ricci and two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth in the company's upcoming production of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Directed by Tony Speciale, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM began performances Wednesday, March 28 and play a limited engagement through Sunday, May 6. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

Topher Grace and Olivia Thirlby co-star in Second Stage Theatre's production of Paul Weitz's world premiere comedy, LONELY, I'M NOT, directed by Trip Cullman. Preview performances began Tuesday, April 10 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). The production will officially open on Monday, May 7. For tickets or more information, please visit www.2ST.com. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, featuring music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro, stars two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick and three-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara. The production is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winnerKathleen Marshall. The official opening night is on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre. Production photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

The new off-Broadway show OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will begin performances on Tuesday May 1 and open on May 20 at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Meet the cast below!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: MATILDA wins big, Signature Theatre honors Patti, Corbin starts as Jesus, and so much more!

In the Flea Theater and the Civilians' YOU BETTER SIT DOWN: TALES FROM MY PARENTS' DIVORCE, four actors sit side by side in varying styles of chairs and play their parents, answering questions from actual interviews in one large confessional theater space. We go on a relationship journey of how each couple met and fell in love, got married, began having problems, broke up, and finally cope with life after divorce. Although the material is deep and thought-provoking, it also offers a simplicity that is relatable to anyone who has or is going through a divorce. We learn that "you pay a consequence when you want to get out."

Remember when political conventions were fun?  When the delegates gathered into town, not to perfunctorily declare a pre-determined winner, but to debate through multiple votes, late night deals and maybe a few protest rallies to come up with a nominee?

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED will welcome Christine Dwyer as Elphaba and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Fiyero on Wednesday, May 2 in Durham, NC.

One Man, Two Guvnors, held its first Broadway preview, April 6, leading up to the show's Broadway opening at the Music Box Theatre on April 18, 2012. Directed by Nicholas Hynter and with songs by Grant Olding, One Man, Two Guvnors, showcases physical comedy director is Cal McCrystal, designs by Mark Thompson, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound design by Paul Arditti, fight direction by Kate Waters and choreography by Adam Penford. BroadwayWorld brings you new production shots below!

On March 27, Raven-Symone took over the leading role of Deloris Van Cartier in Broadway's SISTER ACT. She is stepping into the high-heeled boots of Tony and Olivier Award nominee Patina Miller, who gave her final performance on Sunday, March 18. SISTER ACT, which will celebrate its one-year Anniversary on Broadway on April 20, is playing at the Broadway Theater. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots of Raven in action below!

“Are you the great white hope?” a Boston sports reporter asks the Indiana-grown college star newly acquired by the home team; a player expected to help his suspiciously pale-hued group of teammates win basketball championships.

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!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS crosses the pond, LYSISTRATA JONES reunites, Joel turns 80, and so much more!

Early last week, BroadwayWorld brought you a first look at the new musical Ghost on Broadway! The show, adapted from the Academy Award winning film, opens Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Today, new production shots have been released and BroadwayWorld has them! Check out the complete production coverage below!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere production of THE COLUMNIST, by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan began previews on April 4 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The limited engagement of THE COLUMNIST will open Wednesday, April 25 starring Tony and Emmy Award winner John Lithgow, Drama Desk Award nominee Margaret Colin, four time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines, Tony Award nominee Stephen Kunken,Marc Bonan (Broadway debut), Grace Gummer ('Smash,' Arcadia), and Brian J. Smith (MTC's Come Back, Little Sheba; 'Stargate Universe'). BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!