Martin Charnin News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: FINDING NEVERLAND opens in Boston, 'REVOLUTION IN THE ELBOW' opens off-Broadway, and future HEDWIG star Andrew Rannells stops by THE TONIGHT SHOW!

Troika Entertainment, LLC just announced that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will launch September 26, 2014 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, MI. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 18th time, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

ANNIE, presented by Broadway Across America, will take center stage on the award-winning morning show The Balancing Act on the Lifetime Channel on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 a.m. (ET/PT). Viewers may tune in as The Balancing Act hits the road to go on location in Manhattan as the touring production of ANNIE looks for its new leading young lady in this first of a special six-part series, “Broadway Balances America.”

Broadway in Detroit has announced that the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will begin at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit, September 26 - October 4, 2014. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 18th time, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

Leapin Lizards! Actors Conservatory Theatre San Diego (ACT San Diego) presents ANNIE JR., now through July 27 at the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. The show is Directed by Bernard Baldan, with Musical Direction by Tim McKnight, Choreography by Athena Espinoza and Stage Management by Mandy Wirt. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the company in action below!

The Citi Performing Arts Center and MSG Entertainment are pleased to announce that the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play November 5 - 16, 2014 at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 18th time, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

Paley Presents will host 'A Celebration of Mary Rodgers' today, July 19, 2014, beginning at 2 pm in New York City.

More colorful new social media images have been released to promote the forthcoming big screen edition of beloved family-friendly musical ANNIE and are now available to view in anticipation of the film's December release.

Leapin Lizards! Actors Conservatory Theatre San Diego (ACT San Diego) proudly presents 'Annie Jr.', today, July 18-27 at the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. The show is Directed by Bernard Baldan, with Musical Direction by Tim McKnight, Choreography by Athena Espinoza and Stage Management by Mandy Wirt.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center Conservatory Theatre has announced the premiere of the Creating Broadway Series. This series will spotlight top-notch Broadway artists showcasing the talents that got them to the Great White Way. The series will be presented in the form of concerts, master classes, lectures and workshops. Whether participating or observing, these events promise to be amazing opportunities for teaching and learning for theatre enthusiasts and professionals of all levels.

Broadway in Indianapolis announces a 'Pick Five Package' for the all-new 2014-2015 season which includes MAMMA MIA!, ELF THE MUSICAL, THE ILLUSIONISTS - Witness The Impossible, ANNIE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLR DREAMCOAT, DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, presented by NETworks, and DIRTY DANCING.

Maryland's oldest running summer theatre, Cockpit in Court, in residence at CCBC Essex, opens the second half of its 2014 season with 'Annie, Jr.' today, July 11-20.

Maryland's oldest running summer theatre, Cockpit in Court, in residence at CCBC Essex, opens the second half of its 2014 season with 'Annie, Jr.' July 11-20, Tickets can be purchased in advance or from the CCBC Box Office (T-F 9-3) at 443-840-2787(ARTS) or online at https://www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit/shows.html. Purchase tickets at the door for 'Annie, Jr.' or the Box Office before the performance if tickets are still available. For general information and accessibility requests, call 443-840-2787 (ARTS).

Today we are talking to a remarkably accomplished writer and director who has amassed numerous top entertainment trophies over the course of his long and distinguished career, including multiple Emmy Awards, Tony Awards and even a Grammy - the uniquely talented Martin Charnin. Sharing his thoughts on the forthcoming big screen adaptation of his hit musical property ANNIE as well as previewing what we can expect from the forthcoming 2014-2015 national tour, Charnin also reflects on the original production of the classic Depression-era musical and analyzes why it remains a continual cultural touchstone for generations new and old while also looking ahead to a potential Broadway production of the sequel, written with original composer Charles Strouse, ANNIE WARBUCKS. Also, Charnin touches upon his time as a member of the original cast of iconic musical WEST SIDE STORY and recounts working alongside legends such as Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents and more. Additionally, Charnin sheds some light on his illustrious string of collaborations with recently deceased composer Mary Rodgers Guettel, ranging from more than 50 songs written as a team to a string of special TV musicals as well as working together on the stage musicals HOT SPOT and THE MADWOMAN OF CENTRAL PARK WEST. Besides of all of that, Charnin also looks back to his heyday as a TV variety special helmer, having created award-winning tributes to a slew of Broadway's best composers and lyricists including George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter and many more. Plus, Charnin shares his thoughts on GLEE, how show business has changed, the possible future life for TWO BY TWO and much, much more in this wide-ranging chat with a major Broadway notable.

Paley Presents will host 'A Celebration of Mary Rodgers' on Saturday, July 19, 2014, beginning at 2 pm in New York City.

Internationally adored musical ANNIE is set to hit the silver screen in an all-new movie musical adaptation later this year, but one of the show's creators has utilized the BroadwayWorld message board to share some thoughts on the two distinctly different iterations of the stage sequel to the original musical via a fascinating new post.

Leapin Lizards! Actors Conservatory Theatre San Diego (ACT San Diego) proudly presents 'Annie Jr.', July 18-27 at the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. The show is Directed by Bernard Baldan, with Musical Direction by Tim McKnight, Choreography by Athena Espinoza and Stage Management by Mandy Wirt.

Broadway in Indianapolis announces free gift with the purchase of a 2014-2015 season package today through Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Each season ticket order will receive a $20 gift card to Target*. Buy in person at the Broadway in Indianapolis office (342 Mass Ave) on Wednesday, June 25 from 9 am to 5 pm to select your seats and enjoy refreshments with the staff. The all-new 2014-2015 season includes ELF THE MUSICAL, THE ILLUSIONISTS - Witness The Impossible, ANNIE,JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLR DREAMCOAT and DIRTY DANCING.

Goodspeed Musicals awarded Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre on June 14, which featured Broadway luminaries and arts sustainers. Check out a look back at the evening below!

Goodspeed Musicals is delighted to announce that Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick will be the latest recipient of The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre. Over the years Mr. Harnick's work has been represented on the Goodspeed stage with Fiorello! (1985), She Loves Me (1978), The Apple Tree (1999), and this summer's 50th Anniversary production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Goodspeed Opera House. The award will be presented by longtime friend and star of stage and screen, two time Tony Award-winner Tony Roberts (Broadway's Promises, Promises; They're Playing Our Song; Victor/Victoria; Cabaret).