Laurence Olivier News

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) kicks off the 2013-2014 theatre season with the Tony Award-winning comedy 'ART,' by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, August 8-25, 2013. The cast of three features Milwaukee favorites Tom Klubertanz, Brian Mani and C. Michael Wright. 'ART' performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, is pleased to announce that the producer, cast, and management of Disney's THE LION KING have added a special performance to benefit The Fund on Thursday, August 22 at 1:00pm at The Belk Theater in Charlotte, NC. The acting company will donate their time and talent for this performance that will directly benefit The Actors Fund.

The Associated Press reports that Disney Theatrical Group's North American tour of THE LION KING has hit $1 billion in grosses since its launch in 2002.

Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Sam Heughan will play the role of Jamie Fraser in the original series 'Outlander,' adapted from Diana Gabaldon's international best-selling books.

Manhattan Concert Productions has just announced the second installment of its Broadway Series, with a concert performance of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical, TITANIC, for one night only at New York's renowned Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on Monday, February 17, 2014.

There's a new generation of musical theater mavericks taking New York City by storm. The days of the standard musical are waning and the genres as you know them are bending into exciting hybrids. From rock music to interactive productions and quirky subject matter, these pioneers are breaking the barriers of the traditional musical by creating original productions that vibrate with today's savvy and diverse audience. Just last night, SAG Foundation & Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation presented The New Generation of Musical Theatre- a special panel discussion at Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced yesterday the opening of productions developed at CST on four continents over the next several months, bringing new work from Chicago to theaters and festivals around the world. In addition to exporting its work, Chicago Shakespeare's World's Stage Series annually brings international artists to Chicago asserting the Theater's global mission.

Just last week, the Supreme Court struck down California's Proposition 8. The decision comes after the Court held hearings about the legality of the state's gay marriage ban in March. The decision will now allow gay marriage to resume in California, however it does not legalize it in other states. Stage and screen star John Barrowman just posted a video (below) announcing that he and partner Scott Gill would be taking advantage of their new rights by tying the knot. BroadwayWorld sends our congratulations to the happy couple!

According to The New York Times, Sardi's caricaturist Donald Bevan passed away on May 29, 2013, in Studio City, Calif. He was 93.

Broadway's landmark musical event THE LION KING, the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, is pleased to welcome GARETH SAXE back to Broadway as the sardonic and deviously cunning Scar, beginning performances on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

Graham Linehan's hilarious adaptation of the classic Ealing comedy The Ladykillers returns to London at The Vaudeville Theatre this summer following its record breaking debut West End season at the Gielgud Theatre in 2011/12 and subsequent UK tour. The Ladykillers will preview from tonight 29 June 2013 and Press Night will be 9 July 2013. Casting is to be announced.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrated its season on Monday, June 17, with GALA 2013 at its home on Navy Pier, raising more than $1.1 million for Chicago Shakespeare in Urban Communities.

The show has been said to be aimed towards Broadway since it first opened, with American producers on board from day one. Today, Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post that 'Tune, now 74, is getting back in the game. At the behest of his good friend Jimmy Nederlander, a theater legend in his own right, Tune's in London inspecting a new show called 'Top Hat.'

Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical will conclude the 2013 Open Air Theatre season, playing from 25 July to 7 September. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek below!

Shakespeare '70 presents William Shakespeare's comedy masterpiece 'As You Like It' at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Performances are Fridays, tonight, June 28 and July 5 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, June 29 and July 6 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, June 30 and July 7 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance tonight, June 28.

Matthew Kelly is to play Florian in the World Premiere of the Touring Consortium Theatre Company/ Royal & Derngate Northampton co-production of To Sir With Love, written by E R Braithwaite and adapted by Ayub Khan Din (East is East). Mark Babych will direct To Sir With Love, with design by Mike Britten, lighting by Johanna Towns and choreography by Nick Winston.

Additional casting has been announced for the upcoming Broadway production of ROMEO AND JULIET, starring international film star Orlando Bloom and two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad as Shakespeare's titular star-crossed lovers, and directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux.