Lucille Lortel News

Ghostlight Records confirms yesterday's digital release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the critically acclaimed new musical NEXT TO NORMAL. The 4/7 digital release, which has already reached #20 on iTunes, will be followed by a Double-CD brick-and-mortar retail release on May 12th.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) in association with True Love Productions, has announced a full line-up of unique technical endeavors in support of the world premiere of the new musical, Coraline.

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium, 'A Conversation with Mark Brown,' following the Sunday, April 26, 3 p.m. matinee performance of 'Around the World in 80 Days,' written by Brown, based on the novel by Jules Verne.

For this one-night-only event, Broadway performers will join the 2ST Board of Trustees to perform 'The Quest for Fame,' featuring the Great White Way's best show-stopping numbers in this spring gala benefit for the acclaimed off-Broadway theatre company.

Ghostlight Records is proud to confirm its release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the critically acclaimed new musical NEXT TO NORMAL. Digital release has been set for April 7th, followed by a Double-CD brick-and-mortar retail release on May 12th.

Completing its 30th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will present EVERYDAY RAPTURE, written by Dick Scanlan (Tony nominee for Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Sherie Rene Scott (Tony nominee for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), with musical supervision by Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, High Fidelity), directed by Michael Mayer (Tony Award winner for Spring Awakening).

Alice Ripley talks about the journey to Broadway and her role in the new musical NEXT TO NORMAL.

Producer Debbie Bisno and Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jon Steingart and Jenny Wiener Steingart, Executive Producers) announce a by-invitation only Equity staged reading of new musical Big Money by Kyle Jarrow and Nathan Leigh, presented at Ars Nova on April 13 and 14.

PThe New York Times reports that a spokesman for the Broadway production of Neil LaBute's 'reasons to be pretty' revealed Sunday that the show's producers had beefed up the security detail at the Lyceum Theater following an incident at the Saturday evening performance.

Preview performances began, Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night celebrated on Thursday, April 2, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for all the opening night fun.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award® nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

Preview performances began, Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night celebrated on Thursday, April 2, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to cheer the 'reasons' gang on!

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting and dates for the world premiere production of Academy Award winning film maker Ethan Coen's OFFICES, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow).

Nominations in 14 categories and 2 special awards are nnounced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

Preview performances began Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) with an official opening night scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009.

The world-renowned Imagination Workshop was founded 40 years ago by Margaret Ladd, the award-winning actress and Founding Artistic Director, and her husband Lyle Kessler, the critically-acclaimed playwright, and Co-Founder of the organization. Today, the Imagination Workshop, a unique theatre company comprised of professional theatre artists collaborating with patients recovering from mood disorders and other mental illnesses, is one of the longest running Arts and Social Institutions in the country.

Ravinia Festival Chairperson Pamela B. Strobel and President and CEO Welz Kauffman today announced details of the 2009 season of music theater and dance events.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company proudly announces the lineup for its 18th season. The company will present a season focusing on "Family and Fortune," opening in August with AWAKE AND SING!, Clifford Odets' legendary Depression-era drama, directed by veteran Bay Area actress and director Joy Carlin.