Max Kumangai News

Due to popular demand, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced the extension of the Bay Area premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical based on a tragic chapter in American history. Tickets are now on sale through Sunday, July 22. Preview performances begin tomorrow, June 21, with opening night scheduled for Wednesday, June 27.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will welcome legendary Broadway songwriter and lyricist John Kander (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Contact) and book writer David Thompson (Steel Pier, Chicago) for a one-night only conversation with A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff on Monday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m.

The Old Globe is presenting the West Coast Premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical about an infamous chapter in American history. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys features music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, libretto by David Thompson, musical direction by Eric Ebbenga and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The Scottsboro Boys began performances on April 29 and runs through June 10 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Official production highlights have been released and below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look!

The Old Globe is presenting the West Coast Premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical about an infamous chapter in American history. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys features music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, libretto by David Thompson, musical direction by Eric Ebbenga and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The Scottsboro Boys began performances on April 29 and runs through June 10 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Check out the show trailer featuring the California cast below!

The Old Globe's production of the Tony Award-nominated musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS opens tonight, May 5, and runs through June 10 in its West Coast premiere in San Diego, starring Broadway vet James T. Lane and Tony Award-winner Ron Holgate. Check out shots from The Old Globe's cast 'meet and greet' at the show's first rehearsal and production photos below!

The Old Globe is currently presenting THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, opening May 5 following a preview period which began on April 29. View photos below!

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will close its 2011-12 season with the Bay Area premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical based on a tragic chapter in American history. Nominated for twelve 2011 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys features music and lyrics by the legendary Broadway songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), book by David Thompson (Steel Pier, Chicago), musical direction by Eric Ebbenga, and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Contact). Jeff Whiting will serve as associate director and choreographer. Tony and Emmy Award winner Hal Linden (Barney Miller, The Rothschilds on Broadway) joins the stellar cast as The Interlocutor. The Scottsboro Boys performs a limited run June 21-July 15, 2012, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, June 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets (starting at $20) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for the West Coast Premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical about an infamous chapter in American history.

When it was announced that Transport Group's compact production of bookwriter Douglas Carter Beane and composer/lyricist Lewis Flinn's giddily fun and sexy musical combo of Aristophanes and college hoops, Lysistrata Jones, was moving to Broadway, there was some understandable concern about the Off-Broadway production - originally staged on a gym's half-court - being able to fill out the much larger space.  Not to worry.  It turns out LJ was just aching for some much-needed elbow room to really fly.  At the Walter Kerr, the production values have been expanded to enhance the freestyle romp without overwhelming it, the performances have grown with Broadway-sized confidence and the show is funnier and more delightful than ever.

Monday night marked the 300th performnce for the national tour of HAIR, now performing at Broadways St James Theatre. The Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR kicked of its first national tour at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on October 28, 2010 (following a preview engagement in New Haven, CT) and played 20 cities around the country before heading back to Broadway for a limited 'Summer of Love' run at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Following this Broadway engagement, which ends on Saturday, September 10, the cast heads back out on tour. For a full list of touring cities, visit www.HairOnTour.com. Check out photos from the celebration below!

New York's Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director) and Joey Parnes have announced that HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical will once again rock Broadway this evening, following a one-day shuttering this past Saturday due to Hurricane Irene. Tonight's 7:00 PM performance will also mark the national tour's 300th performance. The Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR kicked of its first national tour at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on October 28, 2010 (following a preview engagement in New Haven, CT) and played 20 cities around the country before heading back to Broadway for a limited 'Summer of Love' run at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Following this Broadway engagement, which ends on Saturday, September 10, the cast heads back out on tour. For a full list of touring cities, visit www.HairOnTour.com.

When initially transforming Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale THE LITTLE MERMAID into an animated film, Disney provided an instant classic that was a smash hit with children and adults (and was a key player in their animation revival). But the transition to the stage proved more troublesome and cumbersome, reworking many plot elements, inserting about a dozen or so songs, and adding about an hour to the film's 80 minutes or so (depending on the version is being viewed) running time. While there's no denying that the audience who braved the heat and humidity in vast numbers at The Muny to see this colorful spectacle had a good time, there's also no denying that a good deal of the original's charm was somehow lost in the process.

As first reported by Michael Riedel in the New York Post, the Off-Broadway hit musical LYSISTRATA JONES, which closed on Friday, June 24 at the Judson Memorial Church, is hoping to move to Broadway (with a search led by General Manager Alan Wasser) in the fall with a budget between $6-7 million at a small house, ideally the Broadhurst or the Walter Kerr. Confirming this buzz is an Equity EPA notice today for roles under a Broadway minimum contract. Auditions for all roles and understudies will be taking place on July 22 and July 25 at Pearl Studios.

Following closely on the heels of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' sparkling 1950's update of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, audiences at the Muny get the unique opportunity to compare and contrast the original with the musical remake as KISS ME KATE takes the stage in wondrous fashion. The chance to hear a swinging ensemble play Cole Porter's terrific score is reason enough to take in this production of Kiss Me Kate, but when you add in the eye-catching costumes, enthusiastic performances and lively dance numbers, you have the complete package.

The 2011 Muny Season kicked off this week with the Muny premiere of LEGALLY BLONDE (June 20 - 26). Next, the Cole Porter favorite KISS ME, KATE (June 27 - July 3) will grace the stage. Following will be the Muny and St. Louis premiere of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID (July 6 - 14), opening Wednesday, and featuring 2 extra performances! Tapping its way across the Muny stage next will be SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (July 18 - 24). Complete casting for KISS ME, KATE has been announced!