Mack Sennett News

Opening this weekend at the Stage Door, and running until September 26, is the musical 'Mack and Mabel.' At the helm is director Michael Leeds (Tony nomination 'Swingin' on A Star'), who was a performer in the first National Tour with Bernadette Peters. Consequently, he has a special affinity for the show and was able to convince Jerry Herman to give him some leeway on new approaches and changes to for this production. 'I didn't get everything I wanted,' says Leeds with a laugh, ' but he was kind enough to give me a lot, including the ending that was eventually used on the tour, but not on Broadway.'

The Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs is beginning rehearsals of 'Mack and Mabel,' which opens their new season. Previews begin on August 20, with the opening on August 28. The musical is considered by Jerry Herman, who is also the author of 'La Cage Aux Folles,' 'Hello Dolly!,' and 'Mame,' to be his best score. The show was nominated for 8 Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1974.

Eric Hafen, Artistic Director of the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, is proud to unveil the Bickford Theatre's 2010-2011 Season

This week we are taking a listen to two wonderful releases from Broadway and West End luminaries John Barrowman and Elaine Paige. Though both have appeared on Broadway, Barrowman in PUTTING IT TOGETHER and Paige in SUNSET BLVD as well as an acclaimed appearance in SWEENEY TODD at City Opera, they are best known for their fantastic work on the West End stage, Barrowman having created roles in MATADOR and THE FIX and Paige having a legendary career creating such impressive roles as Evita, Piaf, Grizabella in CATS, Florence in CHESS, as well as THE DROWSEY CHAPERONE and other appearances in addition to a multi-decade recording and concert career. This could not be a more prescient time to discuss either of these two powerful performers: Paige, with her excellent weekly radio show on BBC Radio, and Barrowman with an upcoming multi-episode arc on ABC's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES beginning this Sunday...

Broadway veteran Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown, Side Show, Beauty and the Beast) returns to Barrington Stage next summer to star in the title role of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street scheduled for a five-week run from June 17-July 17, 2010 on the BSC Mainstage.

Showtunes! Theatre Company has announced its 2008-2009 season.

Stage Centre Productions offers a lively, entertaining staging of the popular French farce. * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

The Shaw Festival offers the Canadian premiere of the troubled Jerry Herman-Michael Stewart musical. Performed by an outstanding cast, this 1974 flop has turned into the hit of the season at Shaw. * * * * (OUT OF 5)

Christopher Curtis' extremely promising musical explores the life and career of the 20th Century's first world famous person

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and the Chaplin Corporation present BEHIND THE LIMELIGHT, a new musical about the life and art of Charlie Chaplin by Christopher Curtis. Directed by Michael Unger, BEHIND THE LIMELIGHT features a distinguished cast that includes Luther Creek (Rent, Urinetown) as Chaplin, as well as Andrea McArdle (Tony Award nominee for Annie, Beauty and the Beast), Janet Metz (Falsettoland, Bingo:The Musical) and Garrett Long (The Spitfire Grill), among others.

Mack & Mabel, directed by John Doyle and starring Janie Dee and David Soul, will begin performances on the West End on April 5th before opening on April 10th

David Soul and Janie Dee will take on the title roles in a new London production of Mack and Mabel that will make its way to the West End

Beginning Monday, October 3, Howard McGillin, Broadway's longest-running Phantom, will return to the title role in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at The Majestic Theatre.

Sharon pulls out of Vagina due to daughter's breast cancer scare, Brooke paints the town red and Anthony Andrews replaces Michael Ball. Plus lots of transfer news!

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) proudly announces complete casting for the upcoming production of MOONLIGHT & MAGNOLIAS by Ron Hutchinson, directed by Lynne Meadow.