Michael John LaChiusa News

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

A BOOK OF MORMON sweep - Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Score and Best Featured Actress included - with a few unexpected moments along the routine ride was the 2011 Tony Awards in a nutshell - and, if we're putting best things first: it was Neil Patrick Harris and Hugh Jackman that took the prize as Best Actor and Best Featured Actor last night - no question about that. Not only was Harris an assured and energizing presence and great all-around host, he proved that he can roll with the punches no matter what happens - flubs, flop sweat or otherwise. Speaking of which: while Brooke Shields may not be taking home the top prize for her performance this time, certainly the ladies delivered in a big way thanks to the performance of Patina Miller and company from SISTER ACT and Sutton Foster's simply sensational 'Anything Goes'. Additionally, Daniel Radcliffe and newly-minted Tony-winner John Larroquette with the cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING generated quite a white hot heat, as did Norbert Leo Butz and Aaron Tveit leading the medley from CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. While MORMON and THE NORMAL HEART gathered the king's ransom of the big awards - with WAR HORSE winning Best Play, Direction and more - some upsets occurred to spice things up and the specialty material for Neil Patrick Harris brought back memories of the Alexander Cohen broadcasts that mark the finest era of the Tony Awards presentation on television. It could have been better, for sure, but it could - and has been - much, much worse. 6.5/10 - to use the SPIDER-MAN joke scale and match NPH's score.

Always edgy and never dull, Theatre Out--Orange County's Gay and Lesbian Theater company--has continually presented some interesting theater offerings since its remarkable debut in 2006. Its current production, a rambunctious revival of Andrew Lippa's topsy-turvy musical THE WILD PARTY, is no exception, as it corrals a huge pool of talents to tell the story of a bacchanal gone horribly, horribly awry. The show plays at the Empire Theatre in the Santa Ana Arts District through July 2.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the Penumbra Theatre production of I Wish You Love written by Dominic Taylor and directed by Lou Bellamy. Following its world premiere at Penumbra Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the drama with music runs June 11 to 19, 2011 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. I Wish You Love is produced with the assistance of the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays. The press opening for I Wish You Love will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The production features Dennis W. Spears as Nat -King? Cole, singing more than 20 of Cole's beloved songs. Additional casting includes Kevin D. West as Oliver Moore, Eric Berryman as Jeffrey Prince, and Michael Tezla as Bill Henry.

On the heels of rave reviews and sell-out crowds, Transport Group has announced that its production of the New York premiere of Lysistrata Jones, will extend one week only through Friday, June 24. Lysistrata Jones has a book by Douglas Carter Beane; music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn; direction and choreography by Dan Knechtges. The musical plays at Judson Memorial Church Gymnasium, 243 Thompson Street at Washington Square South.

Virginia's Signature Theatre heats up during the dog days of summer with their annual Sizzlin' Summer Cabaret, a 3-week series featuring thirteen individual acts sure to keep things red hot. Headlining the talented array of solo artists assembled will be Tony Award® nominee Marc Kudisch (Broadway's 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, andThoroughly Modern Millie) with his What Makes Me Tick cabaret coming straight from Feinstein's. Broadway star Julia Murney (Elphaba in Wicked and a Drama Desk nominee for The Wild Party) will also be performing for two nights with her own mix of renowned stage songs.

Truth be told, the exit signs in Laura Turner Hall at Nashville's world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center are always illuminated in green, but if Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel wants to think the color of the exit signs were a down-home homage to her Wickedly famous role on Broadway, then so be it. In fact, it's sort of amazing the building is still standing after the thunderous ovations given her Tuesday night by a savvy Music City audience so captivated by her extraordinary performance that we may, henceforth, claim her as one of our own.

11th Hour Theatre Company's artistic staff is pleased to announce its exciting 2011-2012 season, their seventh as a professional company.

Transport Group Theatre Company, the winner of a special Drama Desk Award and two OBIE Awards, presents the New York premiere of LYSISTRATA JONES, a new musical with a book by Douglas Carter Beane; music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn; directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges. Previews began Sunday May 15 on the basketball court of the Judson Memorial Church Gymnasium, 243 Thompson Street at Washington Square South. Opening is Sunday, June 5, at 8pm.

According to her website, Idina Menzel will be hitting the road this November with a new show! More details will be released soon, including pre-sale/on-sale dates (and cities).

Coming quick on the heels of last month's extensive acting-based discussion in BroadwayWorld's SPOTLIGHT ON THE NY POPS series, today we are again highlighting one of the brightest stars on Broadway and talking about all aspects of her stupendous and multi-faceted new album, ALWAYS - online and in stores next week - and, also, all about her solo concert at The Town Hall this Friday night, what surprises may be in store, and, additionally, what we can possibly expect from her onstage in the near future. BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY? FINDING NEVERLAND? What about Encores!? GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES? MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG? All are possibilities - just not Bartlett Sher's FUNNY GIRL! One thing is for sure: whatever Kelli O'Hara is doing, Broadway babies will be watching intently! In addition to tomorrow's gig at The Town Hall, Ms. O'Hara will also be a part of a benefit at Le Poisson Rouge on June 7 and featured on the A CAPITOL FOURTH PBS special alongside GLEE star Matt Morrison on July 4.

Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, announces the casting of I Wish You Love, by Dominic Taylor, directed by Lou Bellamy. The production features Dennis W. Spears as Nat 'King' Cole, singing over 20 of Mr. Cole's beloved songs. This world premiere closes May 22, 2011.

As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, Idina Menzel will play the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on October 22 with the Pasadena Pops. Now, as reveald by her official website, she has added several other stops to her tour itinerary.

Several comedians and performers from the New York improv scene will be taking the stage at The Duplex Cabaret Theater on May, 16 at 9:30 pm to do something that no one expects them to do, take something seriously, well kind of. EJW Productions presents: What's So Funny?: A comedy cabaret featuring songs from the musical theater cannon.

Transport Group Theatre Company, the winner of a special Drama Desk Award and two OBIE Awards, has announced casting and dates for the New York premiere of Lysistrata Jones, a new musical with a book by Douglas Carter Beane; music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn; directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges.

Several comedians and performers from the New York improv scene will be taking the stage at The Duplex Cabaret Theater on May, 16 at 9:30 pm to do something that no one expects them to do, take something seriously, well kind of. EJW Productions presents: What's So Funny?: A comedy cabaret featuring songs from the musical theater cannon.

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.

As reported by Idina Menzel's official website, she will play the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on October 22 with the Pasadena Pops. Fan pre-sale will begin tomorrow, May 10 at 10:00 am PST and run through May 13 at 10:00 pm PST. To purchase tickets, click here.