Michael Mayer News

The Public Theater will kick off the 2015-16 season in September with a free Public Works musical adaptation of Homer's THE ODYSSEY, conceived and directed by Public Works Director Lear deBessonet, with music, lyrics and book by Todd Almond. THE ODYSSEY will once again feature over 200 actors and community members alongside five equity actors, including this year Brandon Victor Dixon as Odysseus, Karen Olivo as Penelope and Taran Killam as Cyclops.

The new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY will honor civil rights hero Edie Windsor as the first recipient of the Absolute Brightness Award after the evening performance tonight, July 16, at the Westside Theatre. The award is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self. 

The 2015 New York International Fringe Festival is pleased to present the world premiere of SHAKE THE EARTH, an explosive one-woman show written by and starring Lousine Shamamian and directed by Misti B. Wills, at the 19th annual New York International Fringe Festival. Performances run Monday, August 17th at 3:45 pm, Thursday, August 20th at 5:30 pm, Saturday, August 22nd at 7:00 pm, Monday, August 24th at 2:00 pm and Saturday, August 29th at 8:45 pm at Spectrum, located at 121 Ludlow Street, 2nd floor (between Delancey and Rivington; subways F, J, M, Z to Delancey/Essex). Tickets go on sale July 17th and will be available atwww.fringenyc.org.

Local theatres each tend to have a niche audience based on the venue's play selection. Dobama leans toward intellectual contemporary which are having their local premiers. convergence-continuum tilts toward off-beat writers and plots, many with homosexual themes. Cleveland Public Theatre thrives on a diet of creative, often devised theater offerings. Beck Center for the Arts is noted as the place for family offerings and scripts that appeal to the more conservative tastes of its older patrons (e.g., 'Mary Poppins,' 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'She Loves Me.')

We came online this morning to an overflowing inbox of thoughts and rememberances that we present belong along with quotes from industry notables on social media. To all those who loved, knew, worked with, or had the pleasure of watching this enormous talent - he will be missed.

Pop stars Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake are being summoned to Broadway!

BroadwayWorld can't think of a more deserving stage maven! Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator and star and 2015 Special Tony Award winner John Cameron Mitchell is this year's Outfest Achievement Award recipient. The presentation will take place before the festival's opening night screening of TIG tonight, July 9, in Los Angeles.

New York Stage and Film has announced its inaugural Filmmakers' Workshop, which launches July 7th on Vassar's campus as part of New York Stage and Film & Vassar's 31st Powerhouse Season. Designed to support early-career screenwriters with creative development and mentorship, the Filmmakers' Workshop features a tailored, process-oriented approach akin to Powerhouse's celebrated development of plays and musicals.

Taye Diggs stopped by 'Live with Kelly and Michael' to talk about the physical demands of playing HEDWIG.

Full casting is announced for Green Day's explosive award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot as it blasts into the UK from 17 July, at The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square.  Check out a first look at the rehearsals below!

On Monday, June 6th the Theater People Podcast welcomes two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris. The star of stage and screen won his second Tony Award last month for his turn as Bruce Bechdel in FUN HOME. Cerveris shares stories of his over two-year journey with the show, which won this year's Tony for Best New Musical. He discusses his decision not to read the graphic memoir on which the show is based, and his experience of visiting the real life Bechdel home where most of the show takes place. 

This month, the Barn Theatre opens Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT - the high octane, electric rock musical of youthful disillusion. This regional premiere plays July 14 - 26.

The actor spoke with ET this week about recent controversial remarks made in character by current HEDWIG, Darren Criss about Caitlyn Jenner.

Taye Diggs will soon make his return to Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, taking over the lead role in the 2014 Tony Award winning Best Musical Revival from Darren Criss. Diggs will play a limited 12-week engagement starting Wednesday, July 22 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street). Hedwig will mark Diggs' first New York stage role since the 2005 revival of A Soldier's Play. Diggs met the press today and you can go inside the special day below!

Taye Diggs recently spoke with ET about playing 'Hedwig', his son's reaction to his glittery makeup and more - click below to watch the interview!

Taye Diggs will soon make his return to Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, taking over the lead role in the 2014 Tony Award winning Best Musical Revival from Darren Criss. Diggs will play a limited 12-week engagement starting Wednesday, July 22 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street). Hedwig will mark Diggs' first New York stage role since the 2005 revival of A Soldier's Play. Diggs met the press today and you can go inside the special day below!

Taye Diggs will soon make his return to Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, taking over the lead role in the 2014 Tony Award winning Best Musical Revival from Darren Criss. Diggs will play a limited 12-week engagement starting Wednesday, July 22 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street). Hedwig will mark Diggs' first New York stage role since the 2005 revival of A Soldier's Play. Diggs met the press today and you can check out a photo preview from the special day below!

This July and August, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

BroadwayWorld can't think of a more deserving stage maven! Variety writes that Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator and star and 2015 Special Tony Award winner John Cameron Mitchell is this year's Outfest Achievement Award recipient.

On Twitter Watch, Lea Salonga wrote 'Post-show. These two are incredible. #HedwigOnBway