John Caird News

Florida Studio Theatre announces its 13-14 Mainstage Season. Bringing up the front is the Tony Award winning musical MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, followed by the eye-opening show THURGOOD, the musical DADDY LONG LEGS and finishing out the season is the regional premiere of TWO POINT OH.

Today we are talking to a top-tier Tony Award-winning talent known for an incredibly accomplished resume ranging from noted performances in original musicals to reinvented revival roles and beyond - the dignified and dynamic Victoria Clark. Discussing many of her most celebrated dramatic, comedic and musical turns to date, Clark recalls an astounding life in the theatre - ranging from her Broadway debut in the unforgettable original production of Sondheim's iconic SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE to the hit revivals of GUYS & DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING to originating memorable parts in the Broadway productions of TITANIC, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SISTER ACT and CINDERELLA, to name just a few of the highlights so far. On the latter note, Clark outlines her experiences in her most recent Broadway musical foray, that of the beloved Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic CINDERELLA, as well as illuminates her acclaimed run in the Los Angeles transfer of the most recent revival of FOLLIES and her Sondheim work in general (SWEENEY TODD, too). Most importantly, Clark sheds some light on her compelling character in the new drama THE SNOW GEESE and relates candid stories of sharing the stage with co-stars and fellow vets Danny Burstein and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. Plus, Clark looks ahead to the upcoming TITANIC reunion concert and imparts her excitement for the project as well as comments on some of her most memorable film roles while also sharing first news of future plans - which include directing herself - and muses on some potential roles she would enjoy bringing to the stage in the future, near and far; HELLO, DOLLY! or MAME, maybe? All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best grande dames!

Cameron Mackintosh announced today that Andy Mientus, who captured the hearts of TV viewers with his portrayal of Kyle Bishop on the NBC series 'Smash' and talented newcomer Charlotte Maltby will play Marius and Cosette in his acclaimed new production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece LES MISERABLES, which returns to Broadway beginning Saturday, March 1 at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Mientus and Maltby join recently announced cast members Ramin Karimloo (Jean Valjean); Will Swenson (Javert); Caissie Levy (Fantine) and Nikki M. James (Eponine) The official opening night for LES MISERABLES is Sunday, March 23. Additional casting, including the roles of Enjolras and the Thenardiers, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Only the greatest opera companies in the world have the resources and orchestral forces to mount the massive and complex masterpieces of Richard Wagner. This month Lyric Opera of Chicago is doing just that with a new production of the German composer's final masterpiece, Parsifal.

Only the greatest opera companies in the world have the resources and orchestral forces to mount the massive and complex masterpieces of Richard Wagner. In November Lyric Opera of Chicago will do just that with a new production of the German composer's final masterpiece, Parsifal.

For anyone who has ever wondered what the view looks like for the actors about to go on from below the vast stage of the West End production of mega-musical sensation LES MISERABLES - the longest-running musical in West End history - then look no further than a new behind-the-scenes glimpse at the legendary trap doors utilized so effectively in Trevor Nunn and John Caird's epic staging of the gigantic show.

November sees Thomas Hampson - a recent inductee into the Gramophone Hall of Fame - return to Lyric Opera of Chicago to help celebrate the Wagner bicentennial, singing Amfortas in the company's new production of Parsifal (Nov 9-29). Wagner's conflicted ruler is one of the baritone's signature roles, and earlier this month he joined Christoph Eschenbach and the National Symphony for a concert rendition of the opera's final act. The results, according to the Washington Times, were a 'revelation.' Awarding the concert full marks, the review singled out Hampson's performance as 'genuinely electrifying, yet moving at the same time.' Similarly, while impressed by the concert as a whole, the Washington Post nonetheless felt that 'it was Thomas Hampson's Amfortas who showed everyone how it is done. ... He effectively carried the end of the evening.' The Washington Times spoke for many in concluding: 'We can confidently assure Lyric Opera patrons that their Amfortas will not disappoint.'

After opening to the season's best reviews and playing to wildly enthusiastic capacity crowds, Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Boublil & Schonberg's masterpiece LES MISERABLES is extending its limited Toronto engagement by six more weeks. LES MISERABLES will now play until February 2, 2014 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. This will be the production's final extension.

OPERATHON 2013, Lyric Opera of Chicago's annual live-radio marathon fundraiser on 98.7WFMT, celebrated its 34th anniversary by raising $501,036 during its 16-hour broadcast on Saturday, October 19, exceeding the $500,000 goal.

It's the news that everyone's been waiting for! Cameron Mackintosh announced today the first four cast members of his acclaimed new production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece Les Miserables, which returns to Broadway beginning Saturday, March 1 at the Imperial Theatre.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, announced Theatreworks USA's area premiere of Peter Pan, today, October 20-27, 2013, at six performance locations throughout the area.

Only the greatest opera companies in the world have the resources and orchestral forces to mount the massive and complex masterpieces of Richard Wagner. In November Lyric Opera of Chicago will do just that with a new production of the German composer's final masterpiece, Parsifal.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre's (NAMT) 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals takes place tomorrow, Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Below, meet the writers of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals shows!

The Canadian Opera Company launches its 2013/2014 season with a new production of one of the world's greatest love stories, La Bohème. Puccini's masterpiece of youthful flirtation, passionate love and heartbreaking tragedy returns to the COC for 12 performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts tonight, October 3 and October 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 19, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 2013.

Trevor Nunn's production of Ingmar Bergman's Scenes from a Marriage, adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith, officially opened at the St. James Theatre last night, Tuesday 24 September 2013 and will run until 9 November. BroadwayWorld has photos of the company's opening night festivities below!

At long last, the phenomenon is coming home. Cameron Mackintosh's production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg's Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece LES MISERABLES will return to the Imperial Theatre, the show's home on Broadway for nearly 13 years and 5244 performances. Previews for the new production of Les Miserables will begin Saturday, March 1 with an official opening night Sunday, March 23. Watch a promo for the show below!

Florida Studio Theatre announces its 13-14 Mainstage Season. Bringing up the front is the Tony Award winning musical MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, followed by the eye-opening show THURGOOD, the musical DADDY LONG LEGS and finishing out the season is the regional premiere of TWO POINT OH.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, announced Theatreworks USA's area premiere of Peter Pan, October 20-27, 2013, at six performance locations throughout the area. "Bringing opportunities for children and their families to enjoy and experience live theater is at the heart of our goals. We are proud to present this award-winning theater group and classic story through the artistry of live performance and original music," commented Pamela K. Lieberman, Manager of Children's Theater Programming-Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Executive Director of Pittsburgh International Children's Theater.