Lynn Ahrens News

The Playmakers-Grove's Off Broadway Troupers' summer musical, Seussical, Jr., opens Friday, July 24 and runs for eight performances through August 2.

Stephanie J. Block, currently starring on Broadway in the role of Judy Bernly in 9 to 5: The Musical, made a triumphant return to Birdland to celebrate the release of her debut album, 'This Place I Know,' on Monday, July 13th at 7pm. The evening was part of the award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland, presented by Jim Caruso's Cast Party.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recent all-new critically acclaimed production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel featuring direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, will open on Broadway this fall.

AFTER THE STORM, a doc competition film at the LA Film Fest that focuses on a group of displaced teens in post-Katrina New Orleans as they audition and rehearse for a production of 'Once On This Island', the hurricane-themed hit Broadway musical.

The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, MO, presents the world premiere of U:BUG:ME, a live rock musical by Jeremiah Neal, from June 23 to August 2.

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally's RAGTIME, which was a critically acclaimed sell out at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. now looks set to bring it's 'new music' to Broadway. While there is no official word or comment an Equity casting notice has been posted to Backstage for a Broadway/Production contract for RAGTIME. The notice states rehearsal and performance dates are to be announced. Equity principal auditions will be held June 22, 24 and 25 while Equity chorus calls are June 26 for dancers and June 23 for singers.

The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, MO, presents the world premiere of U:BUG:ME, a live rock musical by Jeremiah Neal, from June 23 to August 2.

Cape Rep Theatre begins its 2009 Daytime Children's Shows in its Outdoor Theatre (if it rains, we go indoors) with the beloved Pitter Patter Puppets and the musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson story The Emperor's New Clothes, book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty.

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, proudly announces the sixth and final production of its upcoming 2009/2010 Season, as well as additional casting. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street, the new production will be: A COOL DIP IN THE BARREN SAHARAN CRICK - the World Premiere of a new play by Playwrights Horizons alumna Kia Corthron (Breath, Boom at Playwrights Horizons, Force Continuum), directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Durango at The Public). A co-production with The Play Company (Kate Loewald, Founding Producer) and Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director).

It's the time of year where the Theatre World celebrates the best of the best and special recognition is bestowed upon certain individuals for their work. No...I am not talking about the Tony Awards...although I know where I will be that evening. I talking about the 19th Annual Kleban Awards, which will be presented in a private ceremony on June 1st, 2009.

Renowned Theatrical Agent Peter Franklin has been let go from the William Morris Agency, according to Variety. Franklin, the head of the theater division at WMA, is among the 100+ employees fired as part of the ongoing William Morris-Endeavor merger.

Three studio titles will change and one production will move to the Main Stage in a major revision of the Portland Center Stage 2009/2010 season. Early strong seller The Chosen will move to the Main Stage, replacing Joe Turner's Come and Gone (which will be deferred to future season). In the studio, a possible Broadway tour causes our production of Thurgood Marshall to be postponed, and The Best So Far will be put on hold to give it a bit more gestation (and New York fundraising) time.

Porchlight Music Theatre will end its 2008-2009 season, Musical Journeys-A Season of Musical Destinations, with the exhilarating Broadway musical Once On This Island at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont. The production begins previews May 9 with a Press Opening on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through June 28, 2009.

Three studio titles will change and one production will move to the Main Stage in a major revision of the Portland Center Stage 2009/2010 season. Early strong seller The Chosen will move to the Main Stage, replacing Joe Turner's Come and Gone (which will be deferred to future season). In the studio, a possible Broadway tour causes our production of Thurgood Marshall to be postponed, and The Best So Far will be put on hold to give it a bit more gestation (and New York fundraising) time.

The Playmakers-Grove announces its 2009/10 season.

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally's RAGTIME, which is selling out at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is looking to bring it's 'new music' to Broadway, reports The Washington Post. While there is no official word or comment, sources told the paper that there are reportedly 'serious negotiations for a move to Broadway.'

The story begins with a boy finding a striped hat sitting on a box on a bare stage. The boy tries to touch the hat, and out of the box pops The Cat in the Hat, one of the most beloved literary figures from the collection of Dr. Seuss (Theodore Giesel).

'The Leading Men IV,' a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, was held Monday, May 11, at 7pm at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St. As part of the long-running Broadway at Birdland series, it featured top singers from Broadway and cabaret. John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Shrek The Musical) once again hosted, and Emmy-nominated writer, host and comic Seth Rudetsky returned as musical director, along with director Alan Muraoka (NAATCO's Falsettoland).

New Outstanding Production Extended to May 17, 2009

Porchlight Music Theatre will end its 2008-2009 season, Musical Journeys-A Season of Musical Destinations, with the exhilarating Broadway musical Once On This Island at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont. The production begins previews May 9 with a Press Opening on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through June 28, 2009.