Joe DiPietro News

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, is thrilled to announce the return of its favorite pop-rock group, GrooveLily.

The Toxic Avenger* star and American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo will sing the National Anthem at the New Jersey Nets game tomorrow night, November 17th at 7:30PM.

From Show Boat to Finian's Rainbow to Ragtime to Hairspray the racial divide between white America and Americans of African decent has been one of the richest resources for both Broadway musical dramas and musical comedies. And a popular theme of such musicals has been the assimilation of African-American music into the white mainstream. The latest to tackle this topic, Memphis, certainly wouldn't look like the best of the lot on paper, but on stage the gritty sincerity of Joe DiPietro's book coupled with David Bryan's infectiously melodic compositions (they collaborated on the lyrics), under Christopher Ashley's dynamic staging, frequently threaten to tear the roof off of the Shubert Theatre.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced a month-long series of events celebrating the opening of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. The Theatre Center incorporates the flagship Old Globe Theatre and a newly-constructed four-level facility housing the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Karen and Donald Cohn Education Center, Hattox Hall, Erna and Andrew Viterbi Lobby, Lady Carolyn's Pub and Donald and Darlene Shiley Terrace.

After a successful nine and a half month run, The Toxic Avenger, the critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, will end its New York run, having played over 300 performances at New World Stages on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010, to prepare for its national tour. The Toxic Avenger had its world premiere at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey where it broke box office records before transferring Off-Broadway, beginning previews on March 18, 2009 and officially opening on April 6, 2009.

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 - December 20, 2009 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Dancap Productions Inc. presents the Canadian Premiere of THE TOXIC AVENGER, an eco-monster musical comedy based on the 1984 Lloyd Kaufman classic cult film.

Montego Glover, who can currently be seen playing the role of Felicia Farrell on Broadway in the new musical MEMPHIS, will take part in the weekly talk show 'Seth's Broadway Chatterbox' on November 5th.

Dancap's Production of The Toxic Avenger officially opened on October 31st, and it was quite a crowd to usher the show into it's new home at the Music Hall on Danforth Ave.

Michael Dale's review of Memphis, the new Broadway musical. The verdict is positive: Memphis is bursting with gutsy story-telling, convincing performances and exhilarating moments that more than make up for a bit of predictability.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, November 2, 2009.

Last Wednesday night, some of the cast members from 'ROCK OF AGES' came uptown - 2 blocks! - to New World Stages for some HOT TOXIC LOVE - and got it when they visited THE TOXIC AVENGER, the award-winning musical starring another 'American Idol' finalist. After the show, both casts met onstage for the obligatory photo - or three.

Watch this space for the latest updates on the world of Broadway right here in Toronto! The city has a ton to offer, you just have to know where to look. This week involves a trip into the city to spend Halloween at the premiere of The Toxic Avenger...things are bound to get a little wild!

Dancap Productions presents the Canadian Premiere of The Toxic Avenger opening at The Music Hall Halloween 2009.

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, opened on Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. The show and its long journey to Broadway is featured on VanityFair.com.

Celebration Theatre in association with Calvin Remsberg presents the second show of their 2009-2010 season, the American premiere of f**kING MEN. f**kING MEN is written by Joe DiPietro and will be directed by Calvin Remsberg. f**kING MEN will preview on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10 at 8pm and open on Friday, September 11 and run through Sunday, October 25 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Move over, Bloomberg; the mayoral race just got a whole lot tighter as Erin Leigh Peck takes on the role of Mayor Babs Belgoody, along with other memorable characters, in The Toxic Avenger, the Outer Critics' Circle 2009 pick for Best New Off-Broadway Musical. Peck will be playing the multiple roles currently played by Nancy Opel, who originated the roles in the world premiere production at George Street Playhouse, while Opel is on vacation. Peck has been understudying all female roles since the show began performances at New York's New World Stages (340 W. 50th St) in March of 2009.

The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits. Recent Gypsy Robe honoree, BYE BYE BIRDIEs' Paula Leggett Chase passed the special Broadway garment on to John Jellison backstage before the opening night performance and BroadwayWorld.com was there to cheer him on!

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical opened Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, began previews Wednesday, September 23, 2009. BroadwayWorld and Broadway Beat were on hand to capture all the excitement and celebration of Opening Night to bring you interviews with the cast and creative plus highlights from the show!