Julie Taymor News

Polka dots, neon and pastel colors, and innovative use of projector technology comprise a cheerful and vivid new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, which premiered Wednesday night at the San Francisco Opera Memorial House. Although it sometimes lacks the dramatics needed to keep a strong momentum, the production makes a strong addition to a long line of creative takes on the opera. Plus, its nonsensical plot makes it the perfect opera to share with friends who do not regularly attend opera. San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley's new modern English translation also adds to that note, although some audiences may miss the original German.

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark celebrated its one-year anniversary on Broadway yesterday, June 14, 2012. Embarking on its second year on Broadway, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark began preview performances on November 28, 2010, and officially opened on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

Today in 2011, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark opened at the Foxwoods Theatre, where it is still running. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is a rock musical with music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge and a book by Julie Taymor, Glen Berger, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. The musical is based on the Spider-Man comics created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, published by Marvel Comics, as well as the 2002 film about the character and the Greek myth of Arachne. lt tells the story of the origin of the character, his romance with Mary Jane and his battles with the evil Green Goblin.

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark celebrates its one-year anniversary on Broadway today, June 14, 2012. Embarking on its second year on Broadway, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark began preview performances on November 28, 2010, and officially opened on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.(100.02% capacity of The Foxwoods Theatre); set the weekly box office record of $2,941,790.20; and shattered the annual box office record of the Foxwoods Theatre by almost $35 million.

KEIGWIN + COMPANY (K+C) returns to The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, NYC, for its annual weeklong season including the World Premieres of three new dances on June 12- 17, 2012.

Lost In Love, the new musical based on the hit songs of Air Supply, played the Triad Theatre on June 5, the first live follow-up to an industry-only reading in April of this year. Andrea McArdle and Constantine Maroulis returned to star in this latest installment of the production and BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture some of the musical highlights.

Disney Theatrical Productions and SHN announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public today, June 8 at 7 am.Disney's THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43 week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004. THE LION KING will play an 11 week engagement at the SHN Orpheum Theatre beginning November 1 through January 13, 2013.

Music-Theatre Group previously announced a special interview with Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner, to be moderated by Thomas Schumacher (Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group) tonight, June 7th at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10th) at 7:30 p.m.

Lost In Love, the new musical based on the hit songs of Air Supply, played the Triad Theatre yesterday, June 5. The production last held an industry-only reading in April. Andrea McArdle and Constantine Maroulis returned to star in this latest installment of the production. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below!

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

Emmy Award winning actress Jane Lynch will host this year's Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser, which recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising support for the theater's artistic and outreach initiatives, honoring Hollywood legend Carol Burnett and Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment Jim Gianopulos. Ms. Burnett will receive the Distinction in Theater Award and Mr. Gianopulos will be presented with the Distinction in Service Award by entertainment icon and longtime colleague Warren Beatty. The star-studded event will be co-chaired by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger and his wife, journalist Willow Bay. This irreverent evening of laughter, music and stories, which is sponsored by City National Bank, will be held tonight, June 4, 2012 at the Geffen Playhouse.

La MaMa's popular series MONDAY NIGHTS AT LA MAMA -- featuring La MaMa artists in discussions about their careers and their work at La MaMa -- will conclude tonight, Monday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. with the Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated director Julie Taymor at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.)

Disney Theatrical Productions and SHN announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 8 at 7 am.Disney's THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43 week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004. THE LION KING will play an 11 week engagement at the SHN Orpheum Theatre beginning November 1 through January 13, 2013.

The Public Theater announced today that Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare has been cast as The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS, directed by Timothy Sheader with co-direction by Liam Steel. INTO THE WOODS will be O'Hare's Shakespeare in the Park debut. Previews begin on Monday, July 23 at the Delacorte Theater and continue for five weeks through Saturday, August 25, with an official press opening on Thursday, August 9.

The Cabaret at The Columbia Club presents Carol Woods: Singin' the Blues on Broadway on August 10th and 11th.

La MaMa's popular series MONDAY NIGHTS AT LA MAMA -- featuring La MaMa artists in discussions about their careers and their work at La MaMa -- will conclude on Monday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. with the Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated director Julie Taymor at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.)

Last night, May 29, Katrina Lenk joined the cast of Broadway's SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark in the role of "Arachne". Christina Sajous, who had currently played the role of "Arachne", played her final performance on Sunday, May 27th. Reeve Carney, Patrick Page, and Rebecca Faulkenberry continue in their roles as "Peter Parker/Spider-Man", "Norman Osborn/Green Goblin", and "Mary Jane Watson" respectively. BroadwayWorld was on hand for Lenk's opening night curtain call and brings you photo coverage below!