Jonathan Larson News

Broadway veteran and last year's Tony Awards host Neil Patrick Harris recently spoke for TEDxBroadway on customer service with regards to theatre, talking about what's good, what needs work and even predicted where customer service might end up in twenty years. Hear what he had to say on the matter below!

NCTC will present the San Francisco Premiere of The Story of My Life by Brian Hill and Neil Bartram.

Libra Theater Company will present Songs You Should Know, a concert of new and rarely performed songs by some of today's most prolific music theater writers. Hosted by Jeremy Morse (Drama Desk nominee, Bloodsong of Love) and Jennifer Ashley Tepper (If It Only Even Runs a Minute), Songs You Should Know includes new work from Brad Alexander Sam Carner and Derek Gregor, Joshua H. Cohen and Lavell Blackwell, Bobby Cronin, Adam Gwon, Caleb Hoyer, Joe Iconis, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth, Pete Mills, and Will Reynolds. The concert will feature performances by Anne Bobby, Alex Brightman, Sarah Corey, Scott Coulter, Matt Dengler, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, J. Austin Eyer, Melanie Field, Blair Goldberg, Jessica Grove, F. Michael Haynie, Jeremy Jordan, MK Lawson, Kevin Michael Murphy, and Jason "SweetTooth" Williams.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus is excited to announce the launch of BARNUM BASH(SM), an all-new 45-city US tour. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents BARNUM BASH introduces the Ringling Bros.® Ringlettes, who are the stylish hosts of the swankiest circus party in town. The Ringlettes are ready to inviteChildren of All Ages® in on the hippest circus spectacular that The Greatest Show On Earth® has ever produced!

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) has relaunched its popular podcast series, Downstage Center, with an all new format.

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.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Jeremy Schonfeld returns to Joe's Pub bringing his exciting hybrid brand of rock/theatrical piano man storytelling for one night only - February 6 at 9:30pm.

Theatreworks USA has just announced additional details for its 50th Anniversary Celebration gala on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square North). Tickets for the 50th Anniversary Celebration are now on sale, starting at $100 (show only) and $500 (dinner and show). Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.twusa.org or by calling 212-647-1100 x126.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that the New York premiere of An Iliad, by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, based on Homer's Iliad translated by Robert Fagles, directed by Ms. Peterson, will begin performances on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Mr. O'Hare and Stephen Spinella will alternate performances of the play. Opening nights are Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (Mr. O'Hare) and Wednesday, March 7, 2012 (Mr. Spinella).

Bristol Riverside Theatre kicks off the new year with the world premiere of A Raw Space by Jon Marans on January 31 - February 19. Directed by Susan Atkinson, the ensemble case features BRT's Artistic Director Keith Baker, Madi Distefano, Jack Koenig, and Anette Sanders.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) has relaunched its popular podcast series, Downstage Center, with an all new format.

Libra Theater Company is set to present Songs You Should Know, a concert of new and rarely performed songs by some of today's most exciting music theater writers.

Broadway veteran Taye Diggs recently released a childrens' book titled Chocolate Me. In the video below, Diggs visits 'The Talk' where he chats about the book, his youth, and more! Click below to check it out!

Henry and Mudge, Cynthia Rylant's best-selling children's series, comes to life as part of the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Series! This heartwarming musical adaptation will charm your entire family on Saturday, February 4, with performances at 10:30am, 1pm and 3:30pm.

Powerhouse Broadway veteran Tovah Feldshuh stars in Gypsy at Bristol Riverside Theatre as part of its 25th Anniversary Season on December 6-January 15. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, the production is directed by Keith Baker and also features Robert Newman, Amanda Rose, Brittney Lee Hamilton, Joe Grandy, Bethe B. Austin, Kathryn Kendall, and Demetria Joyce Bailey.

Theatreworks USA has just announced that Tony Award winners Barbara Cook, Nathan Lane, Donna Murphy and Sara Ramirez will headline its 50th Anniversary Celebration gala on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square North).

According to the show's Facebook page, Emma Hunton Josh Grisetti, and Justin Johnston will join the cast of off-Broadway's RENT on January 20. Johnston wrote on Twitter: 'That's right. I start Jan. 18 at New World Stages in NYC. Who knew... Roger'. Hunton added: 'So excited for rehearsal tomorrow. Make sure you all come down to New World Stages and come see Rent.' The trio will replace Annaleigh Ashford, Adam Chanler-Berat and Matt Shindledecker as Maureen, Mark and Roger.

To kick off the New Year, actor Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel attended the Strip's favorite show ABSINTHE on January 1, 2012 to enjoy the raucous comedy from The Gazillionaire, Penny Pibbets and the rest of the eccentric gang.