Neil Simon News

Looking to buy last minute tickets to a Broadway show? Don't know what to see? Trying to find a theater? Welcome to one of BroadwayWorld's newest features: the Broadway Ticket Buying Guide. Inside, you will find weekly updates on full priced tickets, discounts, availability for the hottest productions, and locations for shows playing the Great White Way! Catch up on all the latest stats so that you can see your favorite productions at the best price! (And make it there on time). Spring is in the air and the announcement of the 2011 Tony Awards nominations last week is still the hottest news in the theatre community. Topping the list for the most nods was none other than God's favorite musical: THE BOOK OF MORMON, making it more impossible than ever to snag tickets to this season's big draw. London import WAR HORSE has also been enjoying weeks of sold-out houses, which is unlikely to change after earning 5 nominations last Tuesday. And though this year's Tony hype didn't effect them, Broadway staples WICKED and THE LION KING are still going strong, filling their respective theatres on a weekly basis.

The Drama League has announced the rosters of stars who will appear as presenters at The 77th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 20, 2011 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The ceremony will be hosted by Kathleen Turner (High).

On Thursday, May 12, audience members at the new Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will get the chance to hear first-hand from the real Frank W. Abagnale Jr. (played on stage by Aaron Tveit), whose teenage escapades are the basis for the musical and the 2002 film of the same name. Immediately following the 8pm performance, Mr. Abagnale will host an on stage post-show talk back and Q&A. Tickets for this performance can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com and at The Neil Simon Box Office (250 West 52nd Street). Only ticketholders for that evening's performance will be able to attend the Talk Back.

On Monday, May 9th at 6pm New York Post columnist and theatre critic Michael Riedel will interview Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue).

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will present its annual Monte Cristo Award to legendary Broadway and screen actor James Earl Jones, in recognition of his monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community. The award will be presented to Mr. Jones at a gala dinner held in his honor at Bridgewaters - South Street Seaport in New York City on Monday, May 9th at 6:30pm.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN stars Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz as Carl Hanratty, Aaron Tveit as Frank Abagnale, Jr., Tony Nominee Tom Wopat as Frank Abagnale, Sr. and Tony Nominee Kerry Butler as Brenda Strong. This new musical, created by a team of Tony winners, features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, choreography by Jerry Mitchell and is directed by Jack O'Brien. Click below for a behind the scenes look at the making of the show's television commercial.

Times are tough, unemployment is on the rise, and people are struggling to make ends meet let alone keep their sanity. Sound familiar? Well ACT's current production of Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" sounds like it could be set today but instead we go back not too long ago to 1971 to another recession in our country's economy. But even with this dark subject, the cast makes this show frenzied, frothy and fun!

A country in the midst of the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II seems an unlikely setting for a comedy, but 'Brighton Beach Memoirs,' Neil Simon's heartwarming exploration of the unifying power of family and first loves, continues to draw laughs with its timeless humor

A country in the midst of the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II seems an unlikely setting for a comedy, but 'Brighton Beach Memoirs,' Neil Simon's heartwarming exploration of the unifying power of family and first loves, continues to draw laughs with its timeless humor

Nikki Gil, TV personality, actress and recording artist, seems to be fascinated playing off-beat characters in stage musicals. Gil made her theater debut as blonde sorority star Elle Woods last year. And she's set to grace the stage again starring as dancer-for-hire Charity Hope Valentine in 9 Works Theatrical's production of the Broadway musical comedy Sweet Charity in August.

Successful Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin is a modern-day 'Job' with a high-maintenance wife, ungrateful children and wise-cracking household help.

Katselas Theatre Company announces the World Premiere of A Death in Columbia by Shem Bitterman, Directed by Steve Zuckerman at The Skylight Theatre 1816 N. Vermont Ave. LA 90027. Previews begin June 3rd with the official press opening Saturday, June 11th.

New York City's Ground UP Productions and The Summit Playhouse of Summit, NJ announce a thrilling, first-time-ever endeavor this Spring in The Garden State! After much planning, Summit Playhouse is graciously welcoming Ground UP and will host Ground UP's production of The Importance of Being Earnest, from May 20 to June 5, 2011.(Opening night: Saturday, May 21 at 8pm)

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

The English Theatre Of Hamburg has announced its 35th Anniversary Season.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

DanceOn, a YouTube partnership channel exclusive to dance, released the sixth episode of DIARY OF A CHORUS GIRL today. The cast of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is rehearsing during the day and performing at night in preparation for their April 10th opening! Alex sits down with Tony Award-winning director Jack O'Brien to chat about what it means to 'be' on Broadway.

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 65th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced May 3, 2011 by Tony Award winning actor Matthew Broderick and Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose, at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement sponsored by IBM.