Matt Castle News

On October 24, the not-for-profit development group Musical Mondays Theatre Lab will launch its 14th season with a new name and a very heavy organizational heart. This summer, after years of presenting promising new musicals at the Snapple Theatre Center on Thursdays (because that was the only slot that was open in the schedule), the MMTL Board of Directors voted to change the organization's name to Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab (thereby retaining the corporate initials) with the vote and complete blessing of the group's founder and Co-Artistic Director Richard 'Bick' Goss. Less than a month later Goss died from complications of Parkinson's disease. The director, choreographer and former Bob Fosse dancer was 75. But the shows must go on and the newly christened Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab will dedicate the entire season to Goss' memory and begin its 2013-14 season at the Snapple on October 14 at 5pm with a presentation of The Dirty Hippy Jam Band.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced additional casting and creatives for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced initial casting for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Deemed 'new and noteworthy' on iTunes, 'Something New' is a biweekly podcast that dissects what it means to be a working, multifaceted artist in America. Each guest brings multiple talents to the theatre industry -- from photography to vocal training to massage therapy -- and their careers as musical theatre performers have only been enriched by them.

Instead of three mainstage repertory productions and a children's show (which has been the company's norm), ADK Shakes is focusing their efforts on touring a new children's show, producing a staged reading of Much Ado About Nothing, and performing a lively collection of scenes, sonnets, and songs adapted from Shakespeare entitled The Course of True Love.

THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, MONICA RAYMUND of SISU THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, and CAVE 76 PRODUCTIONS are pleased to announce the world premiere production of VOLLEYGIRLS, with book by Rob Ackerman (Tabletop - 2001 Drama Desk), lyrics by Sam Forman (book for F#%king Up Everything), music by Eli Bolin (I Sing, Roller Boogie TV: Sesame Street), musical supervision by Matt Castle, choreographed by Ryan Kasprzak (TV: Smash Tour: Billy Elliot), musical direction by Mike Pettry and directed by Neil Patrick Stewart (LA theatre: The Elephant Man - Ovation Award nominations). VOLLEYGIRLS will play a limited engagement at Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036). Performances begin Monday, July 15 and continue through Saturday, July 27. Opening Night is Monday, July 15 (9 p.m.).

Transport Group, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and OBIE award-winning theatre company, presents the one-night-only, all-star concert of the acclaimed 1959 Broadway classic musical Once Upon A Mattress tonight, June 17 at 7pmat the The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre in The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street.

Ars Nova has released the schedule for its ANT Fest for the week of June 10-15. These events are all part of ANT Fest, their annual All New Talent Festival

Ars Nova has released the schedule for its ANT Fest for the week of June 10-15. These events are all part of ANT Fest, their annual All New Talent Festival

Transport Group, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and OBIE award-winning theatre company, has announced additional casting for the one-night-only, all-star concert of the acclaimed 1959 Broadway classic musical Once Upon A Mattress on Monday, June 17 at 7pmat the The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre in The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street. Joining previously announced Jackie Hoffman as Princess Winnifred and John 'Lypsinka' Epperson as Queen Aggravain are Tony nominee Danny Burstein (Follies) as King Sextimus, Tony nominee John Cariani (Fiddler on the Roof) as The Jester, Jill Paice (Curtains) as Lady Larken, Drama Desk nominee Lewis Cleale (The Book of Mormon) as Sir Harry, OBIE winner Jonathan Hammond (The Boys in the Band) as The Wizard, Stanley Bahorek (Queen of the Mist) as The Minstrel, and Drama Desk nominee David Rossmer (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Prince Dauntless.

Musical theatre icon Stephen Sondheim attended the McCarter Theatre production of Into the Woods as reimagined by Fiasco Theater last night, before posing with the cast after the show. Scroll down for a photo of the group backstage!

Due to popular demand, McCarter Theatre has announced one additional performance of its smash-hit production of Into the Woods as reimagined by Fiasco Theater Company. Thanks to sold-out houses, great reviews, and nightly standing ovations, McCarter had previously announced it had extended the run through the matinee performance on Sunday, June 9. But fans will get one more chance! This innovative new production of the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical-theater classic must close after the added evening performance on Sunday, June 9 at 7:30pm.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), 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. Check out a look back at the night, featuring performances by LaChanze, Lisa Brescia, Titus Burgess, and more!

INTO THE WOODS, with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by James Lapine, will be directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld at McCarter Theatre Center. The show opens tonight, May 10, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), 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 (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.

In honor of comedy legend Carl Reiner's 75 years in the business, Center Theatre Group presented a staged reading of 'Enter Laughing, The Musical,' which is inspired by Reiner's experiences as a young man struggling to break into theatre in New York. The one night only event directed by Stuart Ross ('Forever Plaid'), was performed at the Mark Taper Forum on Monday, January 28, 2013.

David Sisco (Founder/Curator) and Lorene Phillips (Contributing Editor) celebrated the launch of THE DIRECTORY OF Contemporary Theatre WRITERS in a star-studded concert last night, January 21 at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43 Street). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the concert below!