Michael Rupert News

Following six weeks of fierce competition among 20 of California's finest young musical theatre performers, LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011 celebrated Judy Mora's outstanding victory at the 5th annual competition's glittering Finale on Sunday, February 6, presented by Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in greater Los Angeles. Runners up included San Francisco's Michael David (2nd place); Matthew McFarland (3rd place); Emily Goglia (4th place); and Reba Buhr (5th place). Broadway World's Dean Butler was there to capture the three and a half hour event ... off and on stage - which also included a Special Guest Star performance by musical theatre, television star and pop composer/singer Blake McIver Ewing.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the highly anticipated Midwest Premiere of the new musical MEET JOHN DOE, based on the film of the same name by Frank Capra, previewing March 4, opening Tuesday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m., and running through April 17, 2011 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Michele Brourman (music) and Amanda McBroom (lyrics).

Andrew Gerle may be one of the most talented and promising composers/writers for the theatre today.

Three-time Richard Rodgers and Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer Andrew Gerle presents an evening of his songs from his shows MEET JOHN DOE, THE TUTOR, GLORYANA, plus stand-alone cabaret numbers from his recently-released songbook. Signing after the show!

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the highly anticipated Midwest Premiere of the new musical MEET JOHN DOE, based on the film of the same name by Frank Capra, previewing March 4, opening Tuesday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m., and running through April 17, 2011 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Michele Brourman (music) and Amanda McBroom (lyrics).

Here is the second part of our three-part discussion, in which Esparza and I analyze his roles and performances in plays, as well as a thorough discussion of the art of acting - and, additionally, a chat about roles he would like to play in the future, both near and far.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music).

The second episode of 'Submissions Only,' a new online television series, will premiere this Sunday, December 5th on YouTube featuring a slew of Broadway guest stars.

The Firehouse Theatre Project proudly announces a very special Readers' Theatre Series event, Scott Organ's 'Phoenix', to be performed Sunday, December 5, 2010.

The Firehouse Theatre Project proudly announces a very special Readers' Theatre Series event, Scott Organ's 'Phoenix', to be performed Sunday, December 5, 2010.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced principal casting for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Amanda McBroom (lyrics) and Michele Brourman (music). Joining the principal cast, with previously announced lead actress Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease) as Veronica Franco, are James Snyder (Drama League Award-nominee for Broadway's Crybaby) as Marco, Bryce Ryness (Drama Desk Award-nominee for Broadway's Tony Award-winning revival of Hair) as Maffio, Laila Robins (Broadway's Heartbreak House) as Paola, Michael Rupert (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Sweet Charity) as Domenico, Megan McGinnis (Ovation Award-nominee for the Rubicon Theatre's Daddy Long Legs) as Beatrice, John Antony (Broadway's Passion) as Pietro and Morgan Weed (Second Stage Theatre's Next to Normal) as Giulia. Tony Award-nominee Sheryl Kaller directs the world premiere, which begins performances on February 1, 2011 with the official press opening on February 13, 2011 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

As the leaves are turning into a rainbow of colors, and we await the first snowflakes to fall, DC theatergoers are anticipating Arena Stage's first two productions in their new Mead Center, while Harry Connick, Jr. introduces children to a friendly elf, and Snow White and a red rose and a guy named Fred make a stop at The Kennedy Center. That red-haired orphan brings Sandy and a bitchy Ms. Hannigan and a pooch named Sandy to Olney, MD. Synetic Theater Artistic Director and his wife/choreographer reunite on the stage, a Ziegfeld Folly stars in a one-woman show, and doughnuts are served at The Studio Theatre.

After reading far too many obituaries claiming, while not exactly mourning, the death of the Broadway musical, insisting that the art form can only be revived by injections of the kind of music that appeals to today's young audiences, I decided to take a night off from cabarets and piano bars a couple of Sundays ago to see what kind of songs were going to save the hallowed grounds of Gershwin, Porter and Rodgers.

On Sunday, August 29, If It Only Even Runs A Minute 3 played Le Poisson Rouge. The concert was the third edition of an evening of rare and inspiring songs, anecdotes, and photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The evening features performances and stories from original cast members of several of the featured shows. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 3 is the third edition of an evening of rare and inspiring songs, anecdotes, and photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The evening features performances and stories from original cast members of several of the featured shows. This is an essential concert for musical theatre nerds!

Outrageous situations lead to hilarious complications in the legendary musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opening on the Main Stage at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Friday, June 25. With previews June 23 and 24, Forum continues through July 11. Ticket prices range from $25 to $53.

Outrageous situations lead to hilarious complications in the legendary musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opening on the Main Stage at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Friday, June 25. With previews June 23 and 24, Forum continues through July 11. Ticket prices range from $25 to $53.

Outrageous situations lead to hilarious complications in the legendary musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opening on the Main Stage at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Friday, June 25. With previews June 23 and 24, Forum continues through July 11. Ticket prices range from $25 to $53.