Jonathan Larson News

Renowned Broadway star Frenchie Davis, seen in RENT on Broadway, American Idol and The Voice, stars in her very own Cabaret Show at The Metropolitan Room.

The full cast for Rent - 20 Anniversary Concert has now been announced. Leading the cast is West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis, who will be joined by Superstar runner up Rory Taylor. Mykal Rand will join the production, returning to the role of 'Collins', which he has played both in the West End and on tour.

Happy Birthday, Taye Diggs! In 1996, Diggs originated the role of the landlord Benny in Jonathan Larson's Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent. After Rent he appeared as Mr. Black in Andrew Lippa's off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. Diggs also played The Bandleader in the 2002 film version of the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago and filled in as Billy Flynn on Broadway.

Former RENT star Frenchie Davis will bring THE FRENCH & KAT SHOW to the Metropolitan Room for a series of performances in February 2014.

The Academy of The Company Theatre (ACT) Teen Conservatory presents the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT School Edition, Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, 8 pm; and Sunday, January 26 at 3 pm, at The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA. RENT School Edition's book, music and lyrics are written by Jonathan Larson. The production is directed by Sally Ashton Forrest and Jordie Saucerman, with music direction by Michael Joseph.

From murder mysteries to musicals to debut plays, there was a variety of offerings for theater in West Virginia in 2013. Out of many wonderful musicals and plays, five have been selected as truly stand-out productions from the West Virginia theater scene this year.

Prospect Theater Company will present the New York premiere of JASPER IN DEADLAND, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by Hunter Foster and Ryan Scott Oliver. Performances begin March 16 at the West End Theatre in the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Birdland's 'extreme' open mic, is proud to announce the upcoming MENTOR MONDAYS segment, which takes place on the last Monday of every month. MENTOR MONDAYS pairs up-and-coming singers and composers with established artists to create a featured performance for the historic Birdland stage. MENTOR MONDAYS gives emerging young performers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with some of New York's most talented musical theater songsmiths, including Adam Guettel, Lisa Lambert, Frank Wildhorn, Amanda Green, John Bucchino and Georgia Stitt, as well as singers Jane Monheit and Billy Porter.

THE HINTERLANDS, a free online musical web series about a bullied gay teen, was nominated for four International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV) Awards, including "Best Dramatic Series." Connor Russell (Disney's Aladdin world premiere), star of THE HINTERLANDS, was nominated for "Best Male Performance in a Drama." Danny Larsen and Michelle Elliott, the co-creators of the show, were nominated for "Best Writing (Drama)." Mr. Larsen was also nominated for "Best Cinematography." The IAWTV Awards recognize the best in original online programming and honor the content creators driving today's rapidly evolving digital entertainment industry. The 2014 IAWTV Awards will take place on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker have announced that following rave reviews and strong box office, What's It All About? Bacharach Reimagined, music by Burt Bacharach; lyrics by Hal David and others; musical arrangements by Kyle Riabko; conceived by Kyle Riabko and David Lane Seltzer; directed by Steven Hoggett, will extend four weeks through Sunday, February 2, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. What's It All About? had originally been scheduled to run throughSunday, January 5, 2014.

The WPPAC Conservatory Theatre is excited to announce its Winter & Spring 2014 Season: Conservatory Cabaret, RENT School Edition, Vacation Day Workshops and theatre classes. Details below!

The long battle for thespians at Connecticut's Trumbull High School is at last over, as BroadwayWorld has just learned that earlier today, it was announced that the show will go on. The high school's production of RENT was halted by school administrators at the end of last month, when first-year principal Marc Guarino and the school board decided to cancel the Trumbull High Thespian Society's planned production of Jonathan Larson's hit rock opera.

UPDATE: Howard Sherman told BroadwayWorld: 'A group of students met with Principal Guarino to offer him a range of suggestions of programs that could be implemented quickly to address his possible concerns, although since he has not been specific in his reservations about RENT, their efforts involve a good amount of guesswork. Mr. Guarino has said he is still considering the request to move the show back to its original date, but as it has already lost preparatory time, one cannot help wonder whether Mr. Guarino is simply running down the clock so that his promulgated dates become inevitable, despite their many conflicts. A group of parents will be meeting with Mr. Guarino on Monday.'

Today we are talking to a talented and versatile stage and screen star who has created a lead role in one of the most iconic musicals of the last century as well as crafted a remarkable resume beyond even the Pulitzer Prize-winning RENT - Anthony Rapp. In honor of his spectacular guest starring turn on USA's hit detective series PSYCH in a special event titled PSYCH: THE MUSICAL, Rapp discusses his participation in the series as well as shares his enthusiasm for the impressive score and plethora of performances by the company of actors. Also, taking a look back at his theatre career thus far, Rapp discusses his continuing legacy as one of the prime interpreters of rock musicals in the modern theatre, having famously starred in not only the original production and feature film adaptation of Jonathan Larson's RENT, but also appeared in noted productions of HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH and NEXT TO NORMAL's forerunner, FEELING ELECTRIC - not to mention the hotly anticipated new contemporary musical IF/THEN, in which he stars alongside fellow RENT alum Idina Menzel and which is set to open on Broadway in 2014 following a recent Washington, D.C. tryout. In addition to all about his theatre career, Rapp also comments on his recording work to date, such as his solo album LOOK AROUND and his stunning entry in the Broadway Cares HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS charity album. Plus, Rapp looks ahead to his new film role opposite Broadway regular Cheyenne Jackson, OPENING NIGHT, as well as much, much more!

On Saturday, December 7, TheatreWorks opened the Broadway musical 'Little Women' to an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd in Palo Alto, CA. After the performance, attendees emerged into the courtyard of the Lucie Stern Theatre to find snow - make with theatre magic! - followed by a champagne reception and meet-and-greet with the cast. Check out photos below by David Allen.

The drama surrounding Trumbull High School's impending production of Rent continues, as administators recetly committed to moving the show forward on its home turf. Now the question is whether the students will perform the show at their school (on a delayed schedule), or on their previously announced run dates at Goodspeed Opera House. If the production were to go on at the high school, participating students would be unable to attend their previously planned choir trip to England.

Laughing Dog Media has announced Broadway star and vocal powerhouse JAMES BARBOUR'S Special Guest Artists at his Sixth Annual Holiday Concert. STEPHEN WALLEM will join Mr. Barbour on stage Saturday, December 7. MARY TESTA will join Mr. Barbour on stage Today, December 12.

Signature Theatre presents two limited-run shows that bring the spirit of the holidays to the stage for family, friends, and music lovers of all ages. The fun begins this week with composer and Signature favorite Matt Conner (Crossing, The Hollow, Nevermore), who will warm up the intimate ARK Theatre with his new show A Matt Conner Christmas.

The drama surrounding Trumbull High School's impending production of Rent continues, as just yesterday, administators committed to moving the show forward on its home turf. This news came after reports that Connecticut's famed Goodspeed Musicals had offered to let the students of Trumbull High School put on their cancelled production of RENT at the Goodspeed Opera House.

Yesterday, BroadwayWorld reported that Connecticut's famed Goodspeed Musicals had offered to let the students of Trumbull High School put on their cancelled production of RENT at the Goodspeed Opera House. But as of today, that offer is no longer needed. According to a Facebook post on the 'Trumbull For RENT' page, administrators have now committed to moving the show forward on its home turf.