Paul Gordon News

Ten dancers of all shapes and sizes take the stage in uniform black costumes. The lights come up, and we see them standing in height order, center stage, in a vertical line. The classical and bubbly Franz Joseph Haydn score begins to play, and at first, I judge harshly. My first thought is: this is certainly not a cohesive company. There are dancers of all different technical levels, and they are even experiencing difficulty keeping time with the music. But the dancers smirk and even giggle with each other, so I am curious; I know something must be up.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre's (NAMT) 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals takes place tomorrow, Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Below, meet the writers of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals shows!

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced final casting for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced additional casting and creatives for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Florida Studio Theatre announces its 13-14 Mainstage Season. Bringing up the front is the Tony Award winning musical MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, followed by the eye-opening show THURGOOD, the musical DADDY LONG LEGS and finishing out the season is the regional premiere of TWO POINT OH.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced initial casting for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Taproot Theatre Company announces the lineup for its 38th season that promises audiences laughter, delight, wit, intellect and downright entertainment. Featuring premieres and classics, there is something for everybody. Taproot Theatre Company's 2014 Season runs from January through October. Resubscriptions are currently being accepted. The season will be open to new subscribers in October 2013.

The Savannah Summer Theatre Institute, now in its sixth season, is proud to present Jonathan Larson's Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, RENT, at the Savannah Country Day School the last two weekends of July.

Sundance Institute today announced the participants for its annual Creative Producing Labs and Creative Producing Summit, both held the week of July 29 at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah. These activities are part of the Institute's year-round Creative Producing Initiative, which encompasses a series of Labs, Fellowships and other events that support independent producers.

An audience of theatre enthusiasts waited in anticipation at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts last night, when Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Managing Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, unveiled the thrilling line-up for its 2013-2014 season. Opening with a groundbreaking World Premiere developed at last season's New Works Festival, the line-up will also give Bay Area audiences their first look at a Broadway hit by playwright Jon Robin Baitz (The Substance of Fire, A Fair Country, Three Hotels); an Off-Broadway smash by Kenneth Lin (Fallow, Po Boy Tango); and a historical drama from Lauren Gunderson (Exit, Pursued by a Bear). Also announced is an enchanting musical journey told through little-known Stephen Sondheim gems.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced on June 28 the nine musicals selected to be part of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

MARRY HARRY is an official selection of the 2013 New York Musical Theatre and will be presented by the New York Musical Theatre Festival. MARRY HARRY has a book by Jennifer Robbins, music by Dan Martin, lyrics by Michael Biello, music direction by Christopher McGovern, choreography by Wendy Seyb, and is directed by Kent Nicholson. MARRY HARRY will play at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, beginning July 19 - July 28. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.nymf.org or www.marryharry.com or by calling (212) 352-3101.

Members of the public are invited to attend free readings of two new plays-in-development at Rubicon Theatre Company tonight, June 8, 9 and 15 as part of Rubicon's continuing Plays-in-Progress series.

Members of the public are invited to attend free readings of two new plays-in-development at Rubicon Theatre Company on June 8, 9 and 15 as part of Rubicon's continuing Plays-in-Progress series. A new psychological thriller, Edgar Allen Poe's Flawless Murder by Gary W. Marion will be read Saturday, June 8 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m., co-produced with Michael Jackowitz and Witz-End Productions. Mary Marie, a new family musical with book by Chana Wise and music by composer Carl Johnson will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m. (in association with the Academy of New Musical Theatre in North Hollywood).

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, has announced the appointment of Leslie Martinson, previously Casting Director/Associate Artist and director of many hit TheatreWorks productions, to the position of Associate Artistic Director. Martinson has served as a director and administrator at TheatreWorks since 1984

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, announces Jodye Friedman's appointment as TheatreWorks' new Director of Advancement. Having previously served as Director of Advancement for Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco, Ms. Friedman has over 20 years of development and strategic fundraising experience, with positions in the arts and culture communities at One World Theatre in Austin, Texas and the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.

When you're a cabaret reviewer on the evening show prowl between Monday night and Saturday evening (although not every night, thank goodness), you'd like to think that the God of Cabaret would make Sunday a day of rest. No such luck, since the weekend allows clubs to book shows as early as brunch time. I learned this again early this month when I felt compelled to attend three shows starring charming female singers-Corinna Sowers-Adler at Stage 72 (the Triad), Eva Kantor at the Laurie Beechman, and Lianne Marie Dobbs at the Metropolitan Room. I didn't break my personal Sunday record of four shows in one day set in late January (yes, I should be committed), but there was a two-hour break in this mix so it still turned out to be an 8-hour cabaret extravaganza. (Thank you, oh God of Cabaret, for press comps!) While it would have been sweet for the musical marathon to have been a clean sweep of excellent shows, as Meat Loaf might croon, 'Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad.'