Michael John LaChiusa News

Signature Theatre's 22nd season kicks off by making musical theatre history with its American Musical Voices Project: Next Generation 'World Premiere Repertory Series' - the first time in the history of the American theatre that two world premiere musicals will be presented in rotating repertory, in full production. The eight-week series, beginning previews on August 23rd, will produce The Hollow (book by Hunter Foster; music and lyrics by Matt Conner), to be directed by Signature Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner; and The Boy Detective Fails (book by Joe Meno; music and lyrics by Adam Gwon), directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Associate Joe Calarco. Both musicals have been commissioned by Signature Theatre as part of its groundbreaking American Musical Voices Project: The Next Generation.

Splash's Musical Mondays is proud to present a very special edition of 'Curtain Call' with funny girl Lesli Margherita. On August 1st, directly following the video clip extravaganza, host Emily McNamara welcomes Lesli as she makes her 'Curtain Call' debut.

Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel is performing at famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on July 17, backed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. It's part of an 18-month concert tour that has zig-zagged the singer across the United States from Los Angeles to New York (and soon overseas to the United Kingdom), placing her in front of the nation's best symphony orchestras. Idina recently took some time to speak to me about her upcoming concert and her approach to performing.

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel will return to GLEE for a season three arc, according to reports from Deadline. Menzel could appear in up to 12 episodes throughout the season.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its fifth and final show of their second season, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN', starring vocal powerhouse JAKE SIMPSON (2x 'Star Search' Grand Champion, Oprah Winfrey Favorite), Broadway sensation JENNIFER LEIGH WARREN (Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Marie Christine, Big River, Regional: Having It All, The Buddy Holly Story, Diamonds Are Forvever, Cinderella - a Modern Musical Extravaganza), JULIE GARNYE, NATHAN SHRAKE and BROOKE TANSLEY, performing the music of The Mamas and The Papas, Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles.

Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel is performing at famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on July 17, backed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. It's part of an 18-month concert tour that has zig-zagged the singer across the United States from Los Angeles to New York (and soon overseas to the United Kingdom), placing her in front of the nation's best symphony orchestras. Idina recently took some time to speak to me about her upcoming concert and her approach to performing.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its fifth and final show of their second season, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN', starring vocal powerhouse JAKE SIMPSON (2x 'Star Search' Grand Champion, Oprah Winfrey Favorite), Broadway sensation JENNIFER LEIGH WARREN (Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Marie Christine, Big River, Regional: Having It All, The Buddy Holly Story, Diamonds Are Forvever, Cinderella - a Modern Musical Extravaganza), JULIE GARNYE, NATHAN SHRAKE and BROOKE TANSLEY, performing the music of The Mamas and The Papas, Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles.

The Broadway at Birdland series is proud to present 'A Salute To Dre.Dance' on Monday, August 1 at 7pm.

Kathy Evans, Founder and Executive Director of the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, announced the fourteen musical theatre writers who will participate for the inaugural summer in July and August. The Rhinebeck Writers Retreat provides a one-week residency for a musical theatre writing team to create and refine their musical in Rhinebeck, New York.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its fifth and final show of their second season, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN', starring vocal powerhouse JAKE SIMPSON (2x 'Star Search' Grand Champion, Oprah Winfrey Favorite), Broadway sensation JENNIFER LEIGH WARREN (Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Marie Christine, Big River, Regional: Having It All, The Buddy Holly Story, Diamonds Are Forvever, Cinderella - a Modern Musical Extravaganza), JULIE GARNYE, NATHAN SHRAKE and BROOKE TANSLEY, performing the music of The Mamas and The Papas, Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles.

The Kleban Foundation awarded the 21st Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has gone to Adam Gwon and the award for the most promising musical theatre librettist has gone to Michelle Elliott. The 2011 awards were presented on June 27, 2011, in a private ceremony at ASCAP. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the evening and brings you the performances below!

The Kleban Foundation awarded the 21st Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has gone to Adam Gwon and the award for the most promising musical theatre librettist has gone to Michelle Elliott. The 2011 awards were presented on June 27, 2011, in a private ceremony at ASCAP.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company has announced that The Patsy, written by Barry Conners, performed by five-time OBIE Award winner David Greenspan, and directed by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Jack Cummings III, will begin performances Friday, July 15, at 7:30pm at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42 Street. The opening is scheduled for Sunday, July 24, at 7:30pm.

The Kleban Foundation is pleased to announce that the 21st Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has gone to Adam Gwon and the award for the most promising musical theatre librettist has gone to Michelle Elliott. The 2011 awards will be presented on June 27, 2011, in a private ceremony (by invitation only) at ASCAP.

Tony Award winning performer Idina Menzel, best known for her roles in Wicked, Rent and Glee, has just added a new date to her tour and will be performing in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 6, Baz Bamigboye has just reported in the UK Daily Mail. Ticket sales officially launch Saturday, June 18. This engagement preceeds a new US tour the songstress is launching in Philadelphia in November, as BroadwayWorld previously reported. Menzel will be touring the country in concert with local symphonies.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival expands its ongoing commitment to the development and production of new work with five new commissions announced today.