Paul Kolnik News

CHICAGO is coming back to Detroit with John O'Hurley starring as Billy Flynn. CHICAGO will be at Detroit's Fisher Theatre May 17 -22, 2011. CHICAGO which opened to rave reviews on November 14th, 1996, now has the distinction of being the longest-running musical revival playing on Broadway, the second longest-running musical production currently playing on Broadway, and the fifth longest-running production in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down!

The high-octane theatrical experience that is Blue Man Group will pump up the Warner Theatre for a limited engagement, March 23 to April 3, 2011.

The National Theatre of Great Britain's production of WAR HORSE, presented by Lincoln Center Theater and the National Theatre of Great Britain in association with Bob Boyett, is now in previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65th Street). WAR HORSE is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford, with Handspring Puppet Company, and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. Opening night is Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 pm.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts (formerly the Orange County Performing Arts Center) just announced its brand new Broadway Series for the 2011 - 2012 Season, a year which also coincides with the Center's 25th Anniversary. For it's BROADWAY SERIES, the Center will host touring companies of SHREK THE MUSICAL, BLUE MAN GROUP, IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, LES MISERABLES, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, plus 'Curtain Call Series' shows COME FLY AWAY, TRACES and AMERICAN IDIOT.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's ‘This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix.

Production photos of the new cast of AMERICAN IDIOT have been released! Davey Havok (lead vocalist of the American rock band AFI) has joined for a limited two week engagement as 'St. Jimmy.' In addition, Justin Guarini (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) will play the role of 'Will,' and current and original Broadway cast members Van Hughes and Libby Winters took over the roles of 'Johnny' and 'The Extraordinary Girl,' respectively on March 1, 2011.

The high-octane theatrical experience that is Blue Man Group will pump up the Warner Theatre for a limited engagement, March 23 to April 3, 2011.

OSCAR and GRAMMY Award winning rock star Melissa Etheridge will play the role of 'St. Jimmy' for a one-week engagement in AMERICAN IDIOT, February 1 - 6, 2011. Ms. Etheridge is one of the most iconic recording artists in the music industry. For the rest of the month, Green Day frontman and the musical's composer and co-author Billie Joe Armstrong will return to the role of 'St. Jimmy' and complete his 50 performance, limited engagement from February 10-27, 2011 at the St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street.

On Wednesday, December 15th Ailey kicks off a week-long dedication to America's two greatest art forms - Jazz and modern dance.

On Wednesday, December 15th Ailey kicks off a week-long dedication to America's two greatest art forms - Jazz and modern dance.

While there's certainly plenty to enjoy in the new musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's 1988 film, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown - David Yazbek's jaunty Latin-based score, the winning performances of a star-studded cast (three Tony winners and four other nominees) and the kinetic flashiness of Bartlett Sher's kicky production - the show is also a prime example of how the sum of the pieces can add up to more than the whole when the missing ingredient is a strong book.  Not that the talented Jeffrey Lane doesn't make a game try at it.  Sticking closely to the source, his work is frequently clever and he and Yazbek concoct some quirkily fun musical scenes, but the odds are working against him in this one.

Although Broadway has a history of great artistic success from adapting existing sources for the musical stage (My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Gypsy...) the past decade's ever-increasing trend of turning popular films, novels that inspired popular films and songwriter's catalogues into musicals has, in many minds, elevated the status of the completely original musical; particularly original musicals by American authors.

Your heart will grow three sizes with the spirit of Christmas as the Grinch steals your imagination in this fanciful, musical adaption of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The pages of the beloved children's tale come to life immersing the audience into the world of Whoville and the magic of Dr. Seuss. Geared for children and featuring audience participation, this playful hour-and-thirty-minute intermission free show is perfect for the family.

Greetings Dear Readers from New York. It's Day 3 here and I'm having a wonderful time. Now I know what you're thinking. "Day 3?! Whatever happened to Day 2?"No you haven't missed an installment. Day 2 is going to have to be delayed until next week but I assure you it will come. The show I saw on Day 2 has not officially opened yet and out of respect, we cannot publish reviews of shows still in previews. The play is "After the Revolution" and it opens next week. I apologize for the confusion on that one. But on to Day 3.

So, dear readers, I know you're used to me writing about all things Seattle Theater related but I'm currently out on my pilgrimage to Mecca (as it were) visiting New York to see some of the new shows (both on and off Broadway) they have to offer.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) began performances of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN on October 8 at the Belasco Theatre. Opening night for the musical, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, is set for November 4. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the official production photos!

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, the exhilarating new Kander & Ebb musical, is now in previews at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Opening Night is Sunday, October 31

Mel Brooks has taken a giant tumble off the mountaintop on which he stood following the success of THE PRODUCERS. To think about it, THE PRODUCERS revealed itself not to be one of the greats as soon as Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick departed. Performers mean an awful lot in a Broadway musical. It seems the Brooks machine is willing to trade gifted star performers (they got to be stars for a reason, you know) for a more immediate return of profit. Seems to be unwise for them, and certainly not a reason for the audience to rejoice. But, on to the show.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that it's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, will now begin performances on Friday, October 8 at 8pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). Opening night for the musical, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will remain as originally scheduled on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm.

The producers of the critically acclaimed musical AMERICAN IDIOT announced today that the show grossed $1,092,334.00 for the week of September 29-October 3, 2010, with the musical's composer/ co-author, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, in his Broadway debut as "St. Jimmy."