Michael John LaChiusa News

In the tradition of Circle's mega-hit Escanaba in da Moonlight, Circle invites you to meet the Turpin family as they come together to plan a funeral with hilarious results in Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, directed by Kevin Wiczer.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Summer 2012 season with the return of MAC and Bistro award winner Raissa Katona Bennett in a special week-long engagement from tonight, August 21 to August 25. The show will celebrate the release of her new CD, Another Kind Of Light from LML Music, produced by Rob Abel.

Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones will play Circle Theatre in Oak Park, directed by Kevin Wiczer. In the tradition of Circle's mega-hit Escanaba in da Moonlight, Circle invites you to meet the Turpin family as they come together to plan a funeral with hilarious results in Dearly Departed, with previews Sept 15 & 18 at 8 p.m. and opening night set for Sept 19 at 8 p.m., running through October 28, 2012.

This fall, Andrew Samonsky returns to Broadway in the new musical SCANDALOUS: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that single tickets are now on sale for the fall 2012 season which will begin in October with WILD WITH HAPPY by Colman Domingo. This fall will also mark the rededication of The Public's historic downtown home at Astor Place following the completion of a $40 million revitalization project. Single tickets are available by calling (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office at 425 Lafayette Street.

Rarely do theatre fans get to hear from an insider on the inner-workings of a Broadway orchestra. In the piece below, GHOST's assistant conductor Deborah Abramson does just that- explaining what it's like to experience the show from her point of view.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Summer 2012 season with the return of MAC and Bistro award winner Raissa Katona Bennett in a special week-long engagement from August 21 to August 25. The show will celebrate the release of her new CD, Another Kind Of Light from LML Music, produced by Rob Abel.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the three Chicago companies selected for the fourth annual Garage Rep: Bailiwick Chicago, Buzz22 Chicago and Theatre Seven of Chicago. These innovative storefront companies present three productions in rotating repertory for a ten-week run February 14 - April 21, 2013in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St).

Bit of a Stretch Theatre Co. is continuing their tradition of bringing complex and thrilling theatre to Houston audiences with Michael John LaChiusa's operetta-like musical FIRST LADY SUITE. Just a couple years out of high school, the young administrative and creative team behind Bit of a Stretch Theatre Co.'s productions is simply inspiring, producing a series of fantastic theatrical events. These talented young artists find and direct casts and crews that convey the intricate works they choose so well that the audience can't help but be blown away, and they make it look so easy on top of it all.

Public Theater reecntly announced the line-up for its 2012-2013 Season, beginning in the fall with an October rededication of The Public's historic downtown building. The season continues the theater's nearly 60 year tradition of developing new theatrical voices and presenting Shakespeare to the entire New York community. In the video below, Artistic Director Oskar Eustis continues his discussion about what's to come this season! Scroll down to watch.

Concerts for City Greens, the free outdoor concert series that brings the sounds of music to the heart of Midtown, dedicates the third concert of this year's summer series to the music of rock 'n roll legend Neil Sedaka.

Hollywood…ROCKIN' WITH THE AGES & THE PINK LADY present the World Premiere production of THE BEAT GOES ON! A Musical Celebration of the Young at Heart, featuring musical direction by David O, and written, choreographed and directed by Ovation Award-winner Cate Caplin. THE BEAT GOES ON! Will begin previews on Thursday, October 4 and will have two Opening nights on Friday, October 12th and Saturday, October 13th and will continue through Sunday, November 11th at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage, 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood.

hile many of us realize the great responsibility our Presidents assumed when they were inaugurated, few consider how their wives were affected. In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below, which opens tonight, July 26, and runs through August 5.

In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. "Weird, Funny, and Wigged out," according to the NY Times, the piece meditates on finding one's identity and how we all must struggle to find our own way while in the shadow of another.

Circle Theatre presents Marvin's Room, directed by Mary Redmon. Marvin's Room, the touching drama of family and faith by Scott McPherson, will be presented in Circle's intimate studio space, August 22 through September 30, 2012.

If you're looking for some cool cabaret/nightclub shows over the next month, try these on for size: Darren Williams (July 26) and Lauren Robert (August 7) are ready to rock Iridium, while two lovely ladies of cabaret will be featured at Feinstein's: Karen Oberlin (July 24-28) and Raissa Katona Bennett (August 21-25).

In her third Feinstein's engagement, MAC & Bistro Award winner and Broadway's Raissa Katona Bennett (Christine in "Phantom of the Opera") celebrates the release of her latest CD, Another Kind of Light. The concert version of the album premieres Tuesday August 21 at 8pm, playing five shows through August 25.

Circle Theatre presents REEFER MADNESS, directed by Matthew Gunnels, which opened last night, July 18 and runs through August 26, 2012. Check out photos from the opening night party below!

Transport Group Theatre Company, the winner of both a Special Drama Desk Award and Obie Award, has announced that that their award-winning 2010 production of See Rock City & Other Destinations will receive an original cast recording produced by Yellow Sound Label. The Drama Desk and Richard Rodgers Award-winning musical has music by Brad Alexander and book and lyrics by Adam Mathias. The show was directed by Transport Group Artistic Director Jack Cummings III.

Circle Theatre presents REEFER MADNESS, directed by Matthew Gunnels, opening tonight, July 18, through August 26, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.