Neil Simon News

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Meet the full cast below!

Theatre Jacksonville has announced its theatrical offerings for the 2012-2013 season.

Started in 2003 as an extension of Way Off Broadway's Children's Theatre Summer Camp program, the Actors' Studio picks up where the summer camp leaves off, offering workshops and classes during the spring and fall.

This fall, Carolee Carmello and George Hearn will star in the new Broadway musical SCANDALOUS: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson. With book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, SCANDALOUS begins performances at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd St.) on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Opening Night is set for Thursday, November 15.

In recent years, some of the most popular Broadway shows have had their beginning on the silver screen; while popular movies began on the stage. Without a doubt, Broadway and Hollywood go hand-in-hand in the modern era of entertainment. It will be this combination that audiences will celebrate during The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre's 2013 Mainstage Season. The Frederick theatre has announced its upcoming 19th season, which brings together shows that have been a success on stage and screen.

Today in 2002, Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 2642 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) Producing Director Jed Bernstein has announced he will be leading a special Thursday matinee talkback series featuring a selection of cast members, to follow 4:00 p.m. performances of Barefoot in the Park on Thursdays, August 16th , August 23rd and August 30th. Ticket holders are invited to stay after the show to get behind the scenes scoop on the production and the re-opening the Playhouse, plus the latest news on upcoming fall events. For tickets and information visit bcptheater.org.

The Guthrie Theater today announced a special In Conversation with Broadway producer Emanuel "Manny" Azenberg. The event will be held on Monday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie. Artistic Director Joe Dowling will lead the conversation that will be joined by actor Peter Michael Goetz, currently performing as Willie Clark in the Guthrie's production of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys. Tickets for the event are $15 and are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Today, the official website launches for the new Broadway musical SCANDALOUS: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson. Visit www.ScandalousOnBroadway.com to view an exclusive video interview with bookwriter and lyricist Kathie Lee Gifford, plus performance clips, company member bios, production photos and the latest news.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series has announced that Tony Award Nominated actress and singer Anita Gillette will be presenting two evenings of music and memories while taking what's being described as 'an intimate, touching and hilarious look behind the scenes from Broadway to Hollywood' in her new autobiographical one-woman show "After All." The events will take place on Monday, September 24 & Monday, October 1 at 7pm at Birdland (315 West 44 Street, NYC).

Bay Street Theatre welcomes comedian Robert Klein tonight, August 13 at 8pm to kick off the Comedy Club for the month of August.

Tickets to THE PERFORMERS-the new Broadway comedy by David West Read-go on sale via Telecharge today, August 13 it has been announced by the play's producers Robyn Goodman, Scott M. Delman and Amanda Lipitz. Patrons can purchase tickets by calling Telecharge at 212 239 6200 or online at www.telecharge.com.

This fall, celebrated stage veterans Edward Watts (Finian's Rainbow) and Roz Ryan (Chicago, The Pajama Game, Dreamgirls) return to Broadway to co-star in the new musical SCANDALOUS: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson.

Due to popular demand, the smash hit FREUD'S LAST SESSION today announced its final extension through November 11th at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, in Chicago.

Musicals galore fill the schedule of the annual Summer Festival of Shows, August 10-19th, at the Centenary Stage Company Young Performers Workshop (YPW), with a cast of talented young thespians from Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties. The festival will feature the musicals "Over The Moon" by fiction writer Jodi Picoult, Jake Van Leer, and Ellen Wilber; Bob Fosse's "Pippin", Neil Simon's "They're Playing our Song" (with music by the late Marvin Hamlish), "The Roundabout Inn", and The One Act Playhouse. Performances will be held in Little Theatre on the campus of Centenary College at 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, NJ. The YPW is led and directed by Broadway, film and television veteran, Michael Blevins.

Musicals galore fill the schedule of the annual Summer Festival of Shows August 10-19th at the Centenary Young Performers Workshop with a cast of talented young thespians from Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties.

The Cabaret at The Columbia Club presents Carol Woods: Singin' the Blues on Broadway on August 10th and 11th.

Williamstown Theatre Festival Artistic Director Jenny Gersten announced today the opening of the World Premiere of WHADDABLOODCLOT!!! by Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall, beginning performances tonight, August 9, 2012. WHADDABLOODCLOT!!! is the final show to open in Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2012 season.

Park Square Theatre takes a new approach as it brings King Lear, Shakespeare's tragic tale of the aging king of Britain, to the stage October 19-November 11, 2012.