Lynn Ahrens News

The Kennedy Center presents the world premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony based on the book by E.B. White, adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, with music by Jason Robert Brown, and direction by Gary Griffin. The production features a 35-piece orchestra conducted by Jason Robert Brown. Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony is part of a season-long initiative Broadway: The Third Generation, celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers, and will appear for five performances in the Eisenhower Theater December 4-6, 2008. The theatrical adaptation is recommended for audiences aged seven and up.

Rejoicing over the election, Stokes performs at a L.I. benefit prior to his Feinstein's engagement this week.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is bringing back a traditional holiday favorite and making it bigger than ever. The Broadway holiday sellout A Christmas Carol: The Musical will play on the Festival stage from November 7 - December 24. A Christmas Carol: The Musical follows in the tradition of successful musical productions like Peter Pan and Disney's Beauty and the Beast, promising a bigger and better Carol than any ever seen before at ASF.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns in January for its eleventh season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 17 nights of pop, folk, cabaret, R&B, country, rock, show tunes, bluegrass and multimedia, the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic contemporary songwriting. The 2009 season - January 14 through March 6 - will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song, including top vocalist Kurt Elling and country's winning Patty Loveless. It will feature the rare opportunity to hear Paulo Szot, star of Broadway's South Pacific, and film and stage star Alan Cumming, in intimate concert settings.

Theatergoers will receive $10 off tickets to the Halloween performance of Porchlight Music Theatre's hit musical comedy Candide at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, October 31. The witty operetta, based on the 1759 French masterpiece by Voltaire, is running through November 2 at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont. For reservations call 773.325.9884.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

All the world's a mall in this popular musical adaptation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto's 1980s-style Like You Like It. A totally awesome mix of Shakespeare and John Hughes, this romantic musical comedy enjoys its second chance at a first full New York production after being an audience favorite at NYMF in 2004.

The Gallery Players has announced today that Like You Like It has been extended due to popular demand, adding six performances to the schedule now to running from October 18th to November 9th, including 2pm Saturday matinees on November 1st and 8th.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

Coffeehouse Chronicles, a series at La Mama, will present Plays by Terrence McNally on October 4, 2008 at 3:00pm

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Wojtunik as Artistic Director. Wojtunik, who last year directed Proof for APAC, brings a wealth of talent and experience plus an influx of humor, passion for storytelling, generosity and inspiration to the new season line-up.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces new casting for Broadway: Three Generations, a three act evening featuring condensed versions of Girl Crazy, Bye Bye Birdie, and Side Show.

Coffeehouse Chronicles, a series at La Mama, will present Plays by Terrence McNally on October 4, 2008 at 3:00pm

Perfect for age's four to fourteen, the Paper Mill Playhouse Children's Theatre Series has partnered with the best and brightest theatre companies to bring charming, whimsical, and educational performances filled with audience participation and adventure. All shows take place on select Saturdays and Sundays in the fall and spring and begin at 10:00am. Tickets are $15 for orchestra and box seats and $12 for mezzanine seats. A facility preservation fee applies. Single tickets range in price from $12 to $15. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org.

All the world's a mall in this popular musical adaptation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto's 1980s-style Like You Like It. A totally awesome mix of Shakespeare and John Hughes, this romantic musical comedy enjoys its second chance at a first full New York production after being an audience favorite at NYMF in 2004.

Featuring a legendary score by Leonard Bernstein, Candide has become a beloved musical with a huge cult-like following of admirers. Part sophisticated operetta, part wacky screwball comedy with shades of Monty Python, this funny, irreverent satire is the perfect musical expression of Voltaire's tongue-in-cheek send-up of optimistic philosophies.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, in association with TPTE LLC, will present the New York premiere of TO PAINT THE EARTH, music by Jonathan Portera and words by Daniel Frederick Levin, directed by Michael Bush (Stormy Weather, Based on a Totally True Story), as part of the 5th Annual NY Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Performances will run September 22nd-Oct 1st.

4th Wall Theatre, a non union professional theatre in Bloomfield, NJ is presenting the New Jersey premier of 'Dessa Rose' which had its New York premier in 2005 at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre. The show will be directed by 4th Wall Artistic Director, Gregory G. Allen. 'We are thrilled to present this hard-hitting musical and to have Greg Allen at the helm' says 4th Wall Executive Director, Gwen Ricks-Spencer.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the beloved musical satire Candide at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont. The witty operetta based on the 1759 French masterpiece by Voltaire previews September 13, opens Sunday, September 14 at 2:30 p.m. and runs through November 2, 2008.

The Carlyle Hotel (James McBride, Managing Director) welcomes the return of John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey, the gifted husband-and-wife team, as they open the fall entertainment season in the legendary Café Carlyle. Beginning Tuesday, September 9th and playing through Saturday, November 1st, Mr. & Mrs. Pizzarelli, who made their debut engagement in May 2007, will once again grace the stage to present an entertaining evening of romantic ballads and swinging jazz tunes, including songs from each of their latest recordings: 'With A Song in My Heart' (Telarc, 2008), Mr. Pizzarelli's tribute to composer Richard Rodgers, and 'A Kiss to Build a Dream On' (Arbors Records, 2008), a sophisticated collection of 15 of Ms. Molaskey's favorite tunes. Mr. Pizzarelli (guitar and vocals) will lead a quartet consisting of younger brother Martin Pizzarelli (bass), Larry Fuller (piano) and Tony Tedesco (drums).