Lynn Ahrens News

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre. ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

The paper reports that 'the Broadway version is expected to cost about $15 million, according to Bill Taylor of Stage Entertainment USA, which is producing 'Rocky' on Broadway with Mr. Stallone.' and that 'The Broadway production is expected to be fairly similar to the one in Hamburg, Mr. Taylor said, including the finale - Rocky's climatic fight against Apollo in a regulation-size boxing ring - and the use of music from the movies, like Bill Conti's theme music and 'Eye of the Tiger.'

BroadwayWorld recently chatted with featured performer Donna Murphy about her upcoming appearance in the special celebration:

The Des Moines Community Playhouse Kate Goldman Children's Theatre presents the musical 'Seussical TYA,' today, Apr. 26-May 19. Tickets may be purchased at online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at the Playhouse ticket office. 'Seussical TYA' is sponsored by ITAGroup.

SEUSSICAL JR. by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, directed by Andy Baldwin with musical direction by Lynn Ambrose and choreographed by Stephanie Butler, will be presented by KD Studio and Imagination Players, April 25-28, 2013.

The Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre festival at Muhlenberg College announces the lineup for its 2013 summer season - the 33rd in the festival's history. The season will feature "Crazy for You," the musical based on the music of George and Ira Gershwin; Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar"; and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's "Seussical," the Dr. Seuss musical for young audiences.

BroadwayWorld recently chatted with featured performer Liz Callaway about her upcoming appearance in the special celebration:

The Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education's Performance Lab students will present LUCKY STIFF May 17-19 in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.

SEUSSICAL JR. by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, directed by Andy Baldwin with musical direction by Lynn Ambrose and choreographed by Stephanie Butler, will be presented by KD Studio and Imagination Players, April 25-28, 2013.

Immediately, speculation began at what might replace MAMMA MIA! in the theatre, which was previously home to CATS. Today, Michael Riedel reports that Broadway might see a Spring transfer of the ROCKY musical, now running in Germany. He writes that '"Rocky das Musical" cost $20 million to stage in Germany. Sources say the price tag could hit nearly $30 million in New York. With so much money to recoup, the show would inevitably have to land at one of Broadway's largest theaters.'

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), will present a one-night only benefit concert celebrating up and coming musical theatre writers, with the NEO 9 on Monday, May 20, 2013 at The York Theatre (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a champagne and dessert reception to toast the evening.

The York Theatre Company will present a one-night only benefit concert celebrating up and coming musical theatre writers, with the NEO 9 on Monday, May 20, 2013 at The York Theatre (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a champagne and dessert reception to toast the evening.

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity presents Walden, a story-theatre style musical adaptation of Thoreau's best seller, featuring his work on the underground railroad and his star-crossed romance. Six performances for Walden will be held at the Robert Moss Theatre, 440 Lafayette Street, NYC from May 29-June 15 as part of The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. The Festivity will take place May 29th through June 23rd at Gene Frankel and Robert Moss Theatres in New York City.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced it will produce the world premiere original musical production of Little Dancer featuring book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Lynn Ahrens, music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty, and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The musical will begin performances in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in October 2014. Casting and additional details about Little Dancer will be announced at a later date.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' pays a visit, Circle's 'Death Takes A Holiday,' Porchlight's 'Pal Joey,' TMTC's 'Pajama Game,' plus a piano show, two children's shows, Seth Rudetsky and more, including an unbelievable roundup of current shows!

The Des Moines Community Playhouse Kate Goldman Children's Theatre presents the musical 'Seussical TYA,' Apr. 26-May 19. Tickets may be purchased at online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at the Playhouse ticket office. 'Seussical TYA' is sponsored by ITAGroup.

Broadway musicals come in all different shapes and sizes. The small and cute, 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' and 'Little Shop of Horrors;' the grand and extravagant, 'Hello Dolly!' and 'The King and I;' and the massive and epic, 'The Phantom of the Opera,' 'Les Miserables,' and 'Ragtime.' The latter, the most notable American addition to the list, opens at Marietta's Earl Strand Theatre in a production by the Atlanta Lyric Theatre on Friday. With a book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty, 'Ragtime' opened on Broadway in 1998 and won, amongst others, the Tony Awards for Best Book and Score, and Audra McDonald won her third Tony for playing young-mother, Sarah. The show, set in 1902, combines the joy of a simpler time with the inevitable conflict associated with societal change.

SEUSSICAL, the exuberant children's musical, will be presented from April 24 through June 1 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane. The whimsical production, based on over 14 beloved stories by children's author Dr. Seuss, is Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell, with Musical Direction by Michael Mahler. Drury Lane Theatre also offers families the special opportunity to meet the cast at breakfast with the SEUSSICAL characters on select performance dates, with a kid-friendly buffet-style menu.