Richard Gray News

Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Andy Jones (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella), Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (the original Mary Poppins), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan, Aida), Josh Strickland (the original Tarzan), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies), and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King), will join 4,500 students and teachers representing 93 groups from 26 states and the District of Columbia at the 2014 Junior Theater Festival, it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding Chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group. The Junior Theater Festival is being held January 17, 18 and 19 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are storming The 5th Avenue Theatre in Monty Python's Spamalot, the perfect musical to fight the winter blues. Based on the blockbuster 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this hilarious musical comedy lays siege to Seattle featuring a stellar lineup of local talent including Joshua Carter, Allen Fitzpatrick, Richard Gray, Laura Griffith, Louis Hobson, Greg McCormick Allen, Matt Owen, and Dane Stokinger. Called "Fantastic! Gorgeously silly!" by The New York Post, Spamalot blends cerebral audacity with slapstick absurdity in this wacky version of King Arthur's mythical search for the Holy Grail. Bringing to the stage such classic Monty Python shticks as the Knights Who Say Ni, the killer rabbit, flying cows, and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Your Life," Spamalot is side-splitting fun.

Join us at Andrea Meislin Gallery for a Gallery Talk with noted Czech artist Jan Tichy in conjunction with our current show, Musrara - Beyond No-Man's Land (100% of all proceeds from Beyond No-Man's Land are donated to the Naggar School of photography). Tichy will speak about his work Bab El Musrara, 2002 (included in this show), in addition to his work Cage, 2002. The talk is set for today, December 14 at 1 p.m., the Andrea Meislin Gallery, located at 534 W 24th St, New York, NY.

Join us at Andrea Meislin Gallery for a Gallery Talk with noted Czech artist Jan Tichy in conjunction with our current show, Musrara - Beyond No-Man's Land (100% of all proceeds from Beyond No-Man's Land are donated to the Naggar School of photography). Tichy will speak about his work Bab El Musrara, 2002 (included in this show), in addition to his work Cage, 2002. The talk is set for Saturday, December 14 at 1 p.m., the Andrea Meislin Gallery, located at 534 W 24th St, New York, NY.

Seattle Children's Theatre presents the world-premiere musical, James and the Giant Peach. Just in time for the holidays, Timothy Allen McDonald's wonderful adaptation from Roald Dahl's best seller will include original music by Tony-Award nominated lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. James and the Giant Peach runs at SCT's Charlotte Martin Theatre through January 12, 2014. SCT Artistic Director Linda Hartzell directs. BroadwayWorld has a behind-the-scenes look at the show below!

The full 2014 Adelaide Festival visual arts program is out today with a complete line-up of Artists' Week events and speakers. Highlights include a keynote from Erik Davis (USA) and full day co-convened by internationally renowned art historian, independent curator and writer Lars Bang Larsen (DEN).

Seattle Children's Theatre features Tony nominees Justin Paul and Benj Pasek's musical version of James and the Giant Peach as a part of its 2013-2014 Mainstage Season. The musical features a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and is based on the book by Roald Dahl. James and the Giant Peach runs at the Charlotte Martin Theatre, now through January 12, 2014. Check out a first look below!

LYLE THE CROCODILE, based on the children's book series by Bernard Waber, is appearing at the Imagination Stage, in Bethesda, Maryland. Geared for children ages four through twelve, former kids will also appreciate the warm-hearted story and the exuberant dancing.

When casting my reviewers eye to the world premiere musical version of Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach", currently playing at Seattle Children's Theatre, I am forced to look upon the show from two perspectives. From the kid perspective, as this is children's theatre, will this be entertaining and accessible enough for kids? And from the adult musical theater lover perspective, as this is a brand new musical from some up and comers in the musical theater scene Justin Paul, Benj Pasek and Timothy Allen McDonald, is this something that can make a musical theater lover squeal with delight at the thought of it getting a wider audience (like maybe Broadway)? And while from the kid perspective this was a lovely and thoroughly fun time for any age, the musical theater snob in me felt the show just needs a little more work to be truly great. But it's certainly on its way.

An extraordinary crocodile that can tap dance, perform household chores, and rescue cats from burning buildings will star in the musical Lyle the Crocodile at Imagination Stage. Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and adapted by humorist Kevin Kling, this production featuring music by Richard Gray is wonderfully warm and witty and will win the hearts of young people this holiday season. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The 2014 Adelaide Festival presents a program of outstanding music, theatre and dance events, a stellar literary festival and momentous visual arts exhibitions. The 29th Adelaide Festival line-up features 50 events with 29 premieres and 29 festival exclusives over 17 days, from Friday, 28 February to Sunday, 16 March.

An extraordinary crocodile that can tap dance, perform household chores, and rescue cats from burning buildings will star in the musical Lyle the Crocodile at Imagination Stage. Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and adapted by humorist Kevin Kling, this production featuring music by Richard Gray is wonderfully warm and witty and will win the hearts of young people this holiday season.

I've seen it more times than I care to count. Between the movie version, the still running Broadway revival, the touring productions and copious local productions most people have. And why not? 'Chicago' is one of Kander and Ebb's best and most enduring. So when Village Theatre announced it would be closing their season I thought, 'Oh goodie I get to see it AGAIN!' But Director Steve Tomkins has not only assembled one kick-ass cast but they've put their own little twist on it. No, they haven't set it in space or anything but they have returned the glitz, flash and humor to a show that has become known for seductively brooding in the dark. Oh the sex is still there but it's accompanied by a sense of whimsy that makes this production stand apart.

Reptiles, fairies, and giants abound in Imagination Stage's 2013-2014 season of professional theatre. Its upcoming season features two world premieres: Lulu and the Brontosaurus, a musical by local author Judith Viorst, and Cinderella: the Remix, the final play in Psalmayene 24's hip-hop trilogy.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents its new production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, a loving valentine to musical theater, now playing through March 10. Check out the video below of 'Lida Rose.'

Jorge Solis, Board President for Luna Negra Dance Theater, Chicago's only contemporary dance company devoted to the Latino choreographic voice, announces today that Esther Jeles has been named as Luna Negra's new Executive Director, effective immediately. Jeles, 51, has been a business consultant for 19 years and has worked throughout North America as an executive coach, workshop leader and professional speaker. Jeles replaces Joanna Naftali, who left Luna Negra at the close of 2012 to pursue other career opportunities.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is thrilled to announce the cast for its glorious new production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, a loving valentine to musical theater. The 5th's exuberant staging features a cast of 29 adults and 16 children, not to mention a full 20-piece orchestra, bringing this musical masterpiece to booming brassy life with the full force and excitement of a parade. Seattle native and seasoned Broadway pro Noah Racey returns home to star as Professor Harold Hill alongside Laura Griffith as Marian (the librarian) Paroo singing such celebrated songs as "Til There Was You," "Seventy Six Trombones," and "Ya Got Trouble." This all-star cast also features a host of Seattle's finest actors, including Anne Allgood, Jeff Steitzer, Laura Kenny, Richard Gray, Darragh Kennan, Joshua Feinsilber, and many others.

It's been a helluva year for theater in the Seattle area. From the triumphant return of the Intiman with their summer festival to the hugely popular run of "Spring Awakening" from Balagan Theatre Seattle audiences were treated with some amazing shows and performances this past year. And so, allow me to shine the spotlight on some of my favorite outstanding moments from the past year with my 2012 BWW Seattle Critic's Choice Awards.

Village Theatre opens its 2012-2013 with Big River. This Tony Award winning musical is unique among the Broadway musical cannon for its powerful Bluegrass/Country score. The music and lyrics for Big River are by legendary chart topping country singer-songwriter Roger Miller. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.