Nell Benjamin News

Below, check out highlights from the special night, which included performances by Criss, Danny Burstein, Kristin Chenoweth, Ben Platt and more!

Dallas Theater Center presents the world premiere of CLARKSTON this winter. 

The Theatre School at DePaul University will honor Andre De Shields with the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts tonight, November 9 at the Atlantic Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 North Columbus Drive), Chicago, IL. In honor of the occasion, De Shields sat down with Dean Richards to chat about his upcoming show GOTTA DANCE, his storied Broadway career and more. Watch the interview below!

When cast as a flamboyant 1930s fashion industry tastemaker, Carson Elrod knew exactly which role model to emulate.

Dallas Theater Center's hit production of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol returns to the Wyly Theatre. DTC's Brierley Resident Acting Company member Christie Vela will be the first female director of DTC's adaption of the tale that follows a miserly old man on a magical journey of hope and redemption.

The Dramatists Guild Fund just welcomed a slew of stars for their 2015 Gala, GREAT WRITERS THANK THEIR LUCKY STARS, which was hosted by musician and Emmy-nominated composer, Darren Criss. Directed by Leigh Silverman (Violet, The Wild Party, Chinglish) with Music Direction by Charlie Rosen, the event featured award-winning playwrights, lyricists and composers introducing the stars who brought their work to life on stage, including Stephen Schwartz, Kirsten Childs, Gretchen Cryer & Nancy Ford, Sheldon Harnick, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Laurence O'Keefe & Nell Benjamin, Steven Sater and Benjamin Scheuer.

The Dramatists Guild Fund just welcomed a slew of stars for their 2015 Gala, GREAT WRITERS THANK THEIR LUCKY STARS, which was hosted by musician and Emmy-nominated composer, Darren Criss. Directed by Leigh Silverman (Violet, The Wild Party, Chinglish) with Music Direction by Charlie Rosen, the event featured award-winning playwrights, lyricists and composers introducing the stars who brought their work to life on stage, including Stephen Schwartz, Kirsten Childs, Gretchen Cryer & Nancy Ford, Sheldon Harnick, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Laurence O'Keefe & Nell Benjamin, Steven Sater and Benjamin Scheuer.

The Dramatists Guild Fund welcomes a slew of stars for their 2015 Gala tonight! As previously announced, actor, musician and Emmy-nominated composer, Darren Criss will host and perform at DGF's annual gala GREAT WRITERS THANK THEIR LUCKY STARS at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway at 36th Street) this evening, October 26 (cocktail reception at 6:30pm, dinner and celebration at 7:30pm).

The Dramatists Guild Fund will welcome a slew of stars for their 2015 Gala next week!

GOTTA DANCE, the new Broadway-bound musical about professional basketball's first ever aged 60-and-older dance team, makes its pre-Broadway premiere this winter at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe St, Chicago). GOTTA DANCE begins performances on December 13, 2015 and runs through January 10, 2016. Check out a brand new commercial for the show below!

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announce that actor, musician and Emmy-nominated composer, Darren Criss will host and perform at the annual gala Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars on October 26. Joining the previously announced line up are Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth honoring Stephen Schwartz and Mo Rocca honoring Laurence O'Keefe & Nell Benjamin.

 Producers Dori Berinstein and Bill Damaschke announced today the complete cast for Gotta Dance, the new Broadway-bound musical about professional basketball's first ever aged 60-and-older dance team. The pre-Broadway World Premiere of Gotta Dance begins this winter at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe St, Chicago). Gotta Dance begins performances on December 13, 2015 and runs through January 10, 2016.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announce the lineup for the nonprofit's Gala, Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars being held on October 26 at Gotham Hall. The Gala is the most critical fundraising event for the Dramatists Guild Fund, the public charity arm of the Dramatists Guild of America. This very special evening pays tribute to legendary writers and recognizes their significant contributions to American theater.

The Explorers Club, a Michigan Premiere by Legally Blonde The Musical Composer & Lyricist, Nell Benjamin, plays at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University from tonight, October 7, through November 1. There will be a special Opening Night Afterglow sponsored by Lellis of Auburn Hills and Manny's Liquor on October 10 at 6:00 PM.

The Explorers Club, a Michigan Premiere by Legally Blonde The Musical Composer & Lyricist, Nell Benjamin, plays at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University from October 7 through November 1. There will be a special Opening Night Afterglow sponsored by Lellis of Auburn Hills and Manny's Liquor on October 10 at 6:00 PM.

Dallas Theater Center announced commissions of three North Texas playwrights. Matt Lyle, Jonathan Norton and DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member Steven Walters will each write an original full-length play for DTC in the next 12 months.

Full casting is announced for the highly acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre revival of Guys and Dolls, which is at the New Alexandra Theatre from Tues 24 November to Sat 5 December 2015, prior to a strictly limited run at the Savoy Theatre in the West End.

Smart and full of smiles, "Legally Blonde the Musical" opens at the Olmsted Performing Arts Center (OPAC) - http://www.olmstedperformingarts.com - in Olmsted Falls on Friday Sept. 25. It will be a totally awesome weekend, for sure, you guys.

Clear Creek Community Theatre (CCCT) kicks off its 51st season with the hilarious and heartwarming Broadway musical 'Legally Blonde: The Musical' at CCCT Theatre (18091 Upper Bay Road Nassau Bay) now through Sunday, September 27.

One remarkable dance team. One big chance. One small twist. You gotta be over 60. Broadway In Chicago and Producers Dori Berinstein and Bill Damaschke will present GOTTA DANCE, the new Broadway-bound musical about professional basketball's first ever aged 60-and-older dance team in Chicago this year. GOTTA DANCE begins performances on December 13, 2015 and runs through January 10, 2016 at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre. Check out a first look at the cast in rehearsal below!