John Doyle News

'Patti LuPone: A Memoir,' which was released in September 2010, will be available in paperback on beginning November 8. Chronicling her life from her childhood through her Tony-winng role in 2008's GYPSY, the book will cost $15.

Broadway stars Barbara Walsh (Company) and Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q) will perform in a benefit reading of A. R. Gurney's classic play, The Dining Room. Also in the cast are Bill Connington (Zombie), David M. Lutken (Inherit the Wind), and Annmarie Benedict (Robeson). The director is Dan Cordle.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, opens its 37th season with the Chicago premiere of Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by David Stern.

With four Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, the Juilliard-trained Audra McDonald returns to performing live full-time this month following four seasons playing Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's hit television series Private Practice. Currently starring alongside Norm Lewis in A.R.T.'s PORGY AND BESS, the Broadway-bound singer will make a stop at Carnegie Hall as a part of her 20-city concert tour across North America. McDonald will present her trademark mix of show tunes, classic songs from movies, and pieces written expressly for her by leading contemporary composers.

Audra McDonald brings her luminous soprano and incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling to the Van Wezel on Sun. Nov. 6, 2011 @ 7:00 PM.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor esteemed stage actress Patti LuPone with the company's third Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit on April 16, 2012 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC. Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer said, 'I am thrilled that Patti LuPone will be this year's recipient of the Stephen Sondheim Award. With her wonderful performances in Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Company, Passion, and more - she has had an amazing connection to Steve's words and music. It's wonderful to add her name to the distinguished honorees Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters. We look forward to saluting Patti and her extraordinary talents in April.'

Today, The Old Globe and CEO/Executive Producer Lou Spisto announced that Mr. Spisto is leaving The Old Globe to work independently as a producer. Mr. Spisto was appointed Executive Director in October of 2002 and assumed the position of Executive Producer in January of 2008.

McCarter Theatre will present the world premiere of Marina Carr's Phaedra Backwards, directed by Artistic Director Emily Mann, October 18 through November 6.

Today, The Old Globe and CEO/Executive Producer Lou Spisto announced that Mr. Spisto is leaving The Old Globe to work independently as a producer. Mr. Spisto was appointed Executive Director in October of 2002 and assumed the position of Executive Producer in January of 2008.

Tony-Award Winning Star Donna McKechnie Returns to TheatreZone -- Takes on lead role as Marmee in Little Women: The Broadway Musical Broadway star and legendary entertainer Donna McKechnie returns to TheatreZone in Naples, cast as Marmee in Little Women: The Broadway Musical, announced artistic director Mark Danni. Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, the musical follows the adventures of the four remarkable March sisters coming of age during the American Civil War era.

Today Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern announced his 20th - and final - season at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The Playhouse' s 52nd season includes two world premieres and three regional premiere productions, as well as the return of one of the most popular musicals in its history.

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Colin Donnell, Betsy Wolfe and Elizabeth Stanley have been cast in Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, the first New York City Center Encores! production of season. Merrily We Roll Along, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, will be directed by James Lapine with music direction by Rob Berman and musical staging by Dan Knechtges. Merrily has been extended for a two-week run, and will play for 15 performances, February 8-19, 2012 at New York City Center, 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Iron Age Theatre will be presenting LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka's 'THE SLAVE' on October 9 at the Centre Theater at 8:00pm.

Tony-Award Winning Star Donna McKechnie Returns to TheatreZone -- Takes on lead role as Marmee in Little Women: The Broadway Musical Broadway star and legendary entertainer Donna McKechnie returns to TheatreZone in Naples, cast as Marmee in Little Women: The Broadway Musical, announced artistic director Mark Danni. Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, the musical follows the adventures of the four remarkable March sisters coming of age during the American Civil War era.

McCarter Theatre will present the world premiere of Marina Carr's Phaedra Backwards, directed by Artistic Director Emily Mann, October 18 through November 6.

Iron Age Theatre presents LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka's 'THE SLAVE' tonight and October 6 as part of the Philly Urban Theatre Festival at the Adrienne main stage at 7:30 pm and October 8 and 9 at the Centre Theater at 8:00pm.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Patti LuPone 'Gypsy In My Soul' for one performance only tonight at 8:00 pm, at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA.

Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern announced his 20th - and final - season at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The Playhouse' s 52nd season includes two world premieres and three regional premiere productions, as well as the return of one of the most popular musicals in its history.