Joe DiPietro News

PBS announced today that OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning March 3, 2012 (check local listings). Hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated Matthew Morrison (Glee), who starred in the 2008 Tony-winning revival of South Pacific as Lieutenant Cable, the film is a celebration of the most acclaimed lyricist and librettist of the 20th century, the man who worked in the theater for over 40 years, writing the lyrics for over a thousand songs and the libretti for dozens of operettas and musicals performed on Broadway, in London and in Hollywood films. His legendary works include Rose-Marie (1924), Show Boat (1927), Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959). Brimming over with movie clips from his greatest musicals, this new PBS special features interviews with Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, Hammerstein family members and others.

MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony® Award Winner for Best Musical, and the show that's currently blowing the roof off Broadway, opened to rave reviews and is coming to the Academy of Music on Jan. 17 - 23 for a limited engagement as part of the Broadway Season, presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization.

Texas' Alley Theatre is currently presenting a revised version of production of The Toxic Avenger starring Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis, and featuring several new songs and revised book by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Memphis, Bon Jovi founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. John Rando (Tony Winner for Urinetown) returns to the Alley to reinvent his hilarious 2009 Off-Broadway staging of The Toxic Avenger, and according to an interview with chron.com, he's hoping to squeeze the new version of the show into the 2012 Broadway season before the dealine for this year's Tony Awards.

Although not as memorable as some of its forebears, MEMPHIS packs plenty of R&B sass.

Today, as a special corollary column to this weekend's extensive InDepth InterView with Tony-nominated stage and screen star Constantine Maroulis, we are shining a special spotlight on his career trajectory as he has risen up through the ranks to become one of the most successful alumni of AMERICAN IDOL from humble beginnings in the non-Equity tour of RENT. Since that landmark Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, Constantine has carved out a unique niche in the Broadway landscape as one of most charismatic and compelling performers of rock-based musical theatre, who has also shown considerable skills tackling the more diverse scores of shows such as JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, THE WEDDING SINGER, and, now, THE TOXIC AVENGER, co-composed by the Tony-winning team behind MEMPHIS comprised of Bon Jovi's David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. Of course, no Constantine-centric conversation would be complete without a thorough look at his unforgettable turn in the hit 80s rock jukebox musical ROCK OF AGES, the expanded film adaptation of which he will be taking to the big screen later this year. RENT to IDOL to TOXIC AVENGER and beyond, Constantine Maroulis is one of the brightest shining new Broadway stars of the 21st century and it will be a treat to see and hear TOXIC AVENGER as it sets its sights on the Great White Way.

On Friday, I had the enviable privilege of talking to ROCK OF AGES Tony Award nominee and AMERICAN IDOL star Constantine Maroulis all about the new musical he is starring in at the Alley Theater in Houston as it eyes Broadway, THE TOXIC AVENGER. In addition to discussing all aspects of the science fiction-themed musical spoof and its creators, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro - of MEMPHIS fame - Maroulis and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and his essaying of roles in RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE WEDDING SINGER and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and ROCK OF AGES, as well as what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Additionally, he shares his reflections on appearing on AMERICAN IDOL Season 4 and being mentored by fellow InDepth InterView participant Simon Cowell, as well as the immense impact that that entertainment entity, along with GLEE, has had on a whole new generation of theatregoers in the 21st century. Plus, Constantine clues us in to the exciting expansions that have been made to ROCK OF AGES for the forthcoming feature film version that he makes an appearance in, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman, and also shares his experiences recording the ASTEP benefit album A NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, his new role as a dad and much, much more!

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the "hysterically funny" (New York Post) new musical The Toxic Avenger.

MEMPHIS is performing in Hartford, Connecticut at the Bushnell Theatre until January 15, and on January 10, Fenkart performed the rousing crowd favorite, 'Memphis Lives in Me' on the show Better Connecticut.

The Alley Theater's production of The Toxic Avenger, starring American Idol and Rock of Ages alum Constantine Maroulis alongside Nancy Opel, begins previews this Friday, January 13, in anticipation of a January 20 opening night.

Although not as memorable as some of its forebears, MEMPHIS packs plenty of R&B sass.

Critically acclaimed MEMPHIS won four 2010 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (Joe DiPietro), and Best Orchestrations (David Bryan and Daryl Waters) and is currently touring the country. Click below to check out highlights from the tour!

Full casting is confirmed and tickets are now on sale to the general public for the new musical comedy NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, featuring music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Academy Award-winner Estelle Parsons joins previously announced stars two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick and three-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara with Tony Award winner Judy Kaye. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall and features a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro. The production begins performances on Thursday, March 29, 2012 and will officially open on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street).

This past fall, Rent vet Adam Pascal stepped into the shoes of Tony nominee Chad Kimball as Broadway's newest 'Huey Calhoun' in MEMPHIS. Production footage of Pascal performing the show's 11th-hour number, 'Memphis Lives in Me' and the show's finale 'Steal Your Rock and Roll' has just been released and we bring it to you below!

MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony® Award Winner for Best Musical, opens at The Bushnell on January 10, 2012 for a limited engagement.

Denver Center Attractions has announced a high-spirited, award-winning season of Broadway hits headed to Denver.

The new musical comedy NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis), will open on Tuesday, April 24 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street).

The Alley Theater's production of The Toxic Avenger, starring American Idol and Rock of Ages alum Constantine Maroulis alongside Nancy Opel, begins previews on January 13, in anticipation of a January 20 opening night. With books & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music & lyrics by David Bryan, based on the film The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, and directed by John Rando, the production will run through Sunday, February 12, 2012. Click below to get the behind-the-scenes scoop from the shows creators and get a sneak peek of rehearsal footage!

The Alley Theater's production of The Toxic Avenger, starring American Idol and Rock of Ages alum Constantine Maroulis and Nancy Opel, begins previews on January 13, in anticipation of a January 20 opening night. With books & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music & lyrics by David Bryan, based on the film The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, and directed by John Rando, the production will run through Sunday, February 12, 2012. Rehearsal shots have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

This fall, RENT and AIDA vet Adam Pascal stepped into the shoes of Tony nominee Chad Kimball as Broadway's newest 'Huey Calhoun' in MEMPHIS. Hear the new star in action with a just released studio recording from the show's official website!