Michael John LaChiusa News

The world premiere of the beautifully crafted musical "Los Otros" begins previews Wednesday, May 23 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, "Los Otros" opens on June 3, 2012; performances continue through July 1. Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk has been cast to play the role of Woman and Julio Monge will play the role of Man.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces 15 awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its fourth year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $48,000 to 14 organizations across the country.

The Kleban Foundation today announced that the 22nd Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has gone to Marcy Heisler. For the Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist, the judges declared a tie between Andrew Gerle and Matt Schatz. The 2012 prizes will be presented on June 18, 2012, in a private ceremony (by invitation only) at ASCAP.

Urban Stages, Frances Hill (Artistic Director) and the Board of Directors, to host the 28th annual Urban Stages benefit in the Central Park Boathouse on Monday, May 21st, 6:30 to 11PM, with celebrated performer KT Sullivan as the fabulous Master of Ceremonies.

Ghostlight Records, alongside Transport Group Theatre Company, announced today that they will release the Original Cast Recording of Michael John LaChiusa's critically-acclaimed new musical, QUEEN OF THE MIST on June 19, 2012 in both digital and physical CD formats. The recording was made possible with generous support from The Shen Family Foundation.Ghostlight Records, alongside Transport Group Theatre Company, announced today that they will release the Original Cast Recording of Michael John LaChiusa's critically-acclaimed new musical, QUEEN OF THE MIST on June 19, 2012 in both digital and physical CD formats. Below is a video sneak peek inside the recording studio with the cast!

Ghostlight Records, alongside Transport Group Theatre Company, announced today that they will release the Original Cast Recording of Michael John LaChiusa's critically-acclaimed new musical, QUEEN OF THE MIST on June 19, 2012 in both digital and physical CD formats. The recording was made possible with generous support from The Shen Family Foundation.

Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty announced today that DTC Associate Artist Joel Ferrell has been promoted to Associate Artistic Director. In his new position, Ferrell will continue to direct and choreograph plays and musicals at DTC, while also expanding his role as the lead producer of DTC's mainstage productions. Ferrell will work closely with guest directors and designers to oversee productions from the initial creative process, including design and casting, through the productions' rehearsals and performances. Ferrell began working for DTC on a freelance basis in the late 1990s and joined the artistic staff on a full time basis in 2009.

We'll be talking to nominees all day for their reactions! Click here for the complete list! Audra McDonald for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS 'I am honored and grateful and I'm super thrilled for the production as a whole to get so many nominations. I am so proud of this production and thankful to the Tony nominating committee for recognizing all aspects of the show. I got the news via text message. As usual, it was up at 6:15 for me to get the kids to school and I was back in bed by 8! Will was here though so it was nice to roll over when I got the news and say 'Hey I got a nomination!' Then we both conked out again. When we finally got up I asked him to be my date for the Tonys - he said yes! - so I guess that was our little celebration. Now it's back to being a mom for the day and get ready for the show tonight. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at the theater tonight to congratulate them.'

Rehearsals have begun for the world premiere of the beautifully crafted chamber musical "Los Otros," which opens June 3, 2012, at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, "Los Otros" will begin previews May 23; performances continue through July 1.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, launched its spring 2012 online auction earlier this week.

Concerts for City Greens, the award-winning free outdoor concert series, will present five concerts throughout the summer beginning Wednesday May 30. Produced and hosted by Raissa Katona Bennett, the fifth annual edition of the summer series will showcase the songs of eight songwriters who are the semifinalists in the first Concerts for City Greens Songwriting Contest.

James William Productions and Stephenie Skyllas will present Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory in 'When Everything Was Possible, A Concert (with comments),' for one night only, Sunday April 29th (7:30pm) at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues), as a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. They will be joined by a thirteen-piece band (Michael Rafter, Music Director), playing new orchestrations by Tony Award winner Jonathan Tunick. Larry Moss directs, with musical staging by Joshua Bergasse ("Smash"). Carolyn Wong will provide lighting design, with sound design by Leon Rothenberg and projection design by Telegraphicmedia.

Some highlights from closed productions that have been receiving award nominations for the 2011-12 season.

The Blank Theatre's world premiere production of Sukie & Sue: Their Story by Michael John LaChiusa, directed by Kirsten Sanderson, was developed last year in The Blank's Living Room Series. Sukie & Sue: Their Story is the only play ever written by LaChiusa, who has received five Tony Award nominations for his musicals. Sukie & Sue: Their Story began previews on April 21, and opening is set for tonight, April 28 at 8pm. The engagement will run through Sunday, June 3.

Nominations for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at a news conference this morning by Drama Desk winners Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James. The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall in Manhattan.

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin' La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band!

Performances for LEAP OF FAITH began on Tuesday, April 3, and the show officially opened tonight at The St. James Theatre. Four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza leads the company along with Jessica Phillips, Kendra Kassebaum, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krystal Joy Brown and Talon Ackerman. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street tonight, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

James William Productions and Stephenie Skyllas will present Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory in 'When Everything Was Possible, A Concert (with comments),' for one night only, Sunday April 29th (7:30pm) at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues), as a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. They will be joined by a thirteen-piece band (Michael Rafter, Music Director), playing new orchestrations by Tony Award winner Jonathan Tunick. Larry Moss directs, with musical staging by Joshua Bergasse ("Smash"). Carolyn Wong will provide lighting design, with sound design by Leon Rothenberg and projection design by Telegraphicmedia.

In a return to its studio productions, Circle Theatre presents ALMOST AN EVENING by Ethan Coen, one of the Academy Award winning Coen Brothers.