Richard Rodgers News

Washington National Opera (WNO) will present the world premiere of Approaching Ali on Friday and Saturday, June 8-9, 2013 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Approaching Ali features music by composer D.J. Sparr and a libretto by Mark Campbell and Davis Miller, based on Miller's own autobiographical novella. This new work is the first hourlong opera created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's new commissioning program for contemporary American opera, and will be directed by Nicole Watson in her WNO debut.

Producers Howard and Janet Kagan present Dave Malloy's groundbreaking electropop opera NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 at Kazino (West 13th Street and Washington Street). Kazino is a brand new venue created specifically for the show, in the heart of New York's meatpacking district, to transport audiences to a Russian supper club, complete with an authentic Russian menu and bar. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's Anything Goes in the Kennedy Center Opera House from June 11 to July 7, 2013. Winner of the 2011 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company's Anything Goes sails direct from Broadway under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, who won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Choreography. The production features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. Press opening night is Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

In an homage to Broadway great Jerome Robbins, the NYC has performed three short Robbins compositions: 'Interplay', 'Fancy Free', and 'I'm Old Fashioned'. The results aren't perfect, but Robbins's unique talents are finely displayed.

Viva Atlantis Theatricals Inc., whose recent maiden production was Terrence McNally and David Yazbek's Broadway musical 'The Full Monty,' officially presented to the media earlier today Broadway star Dan Domenech ('Rock of Ages,' 'Glee') and pop star Rachelle Ann Go ('Disney's The Little Mermaid,' 'Party Pilipinas'), who will play the roles of Tarzan and Jane, respectively, in the Asian premiere of Phil Collins and David Henry Hwang's Broadway musical 'Disney's Tarzan.' The post-summer production opens at Meralco Theater on Friday, June 14.

From a manor house outside of London to the halls of power in Vienna to the vast plains of Oklahoma, designs for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 22nd season reflect the diversity of the programming: Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and King Henry VIII, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, Patrick Barlow's The 39 Steps and Rodgers and Hammerstein's legendary musical, Oklahoma!

Country music icon and American Idol star Carrie Underwood will portray the role of Maria von Trapp in NBC's upcoming live holiday broadcast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The network announced today that the show, executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, will premiere on Thursday, December 5, 2013.

Following the highly successful spring leg of his 2013 'The Rant is Due Tour'; tickets for Lewis Black's 2013 fall leg go on-sale Friday, May 17(th) at www.livenation.com.

Five months…  FIVE MONTHS after their previous musical comedy, Jumbo, opened at the Hippodrome, the trio of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and George Abbott had a brand new one at the Imperial.  But far from seeming a rush job, their 1936 On Your Toes can easily be argued to be a huge step forward in refining musical comedy into a sophisticated art form.

The Colony Theatre has announced that the final production of its 'Season of Premieres,' the World Premiere of FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE, is a sellout smash hit, and will add a special performance tonight, May 12, to accommodate the demand for tickets.

BENJ PASEK and JUSTIN PAUL have added a second show at Joe's Pub at The Public on Wednesday, May 15. An 11:30 PM show was just added due to popular demand after the 9:30 PM show sold out. The Tony Award nominated composer and lyricist team is celebrating the new Ghostlight Records cast recording of Dogfight. Both shows will features performances by the original cast of the Second Stage Theatre production and other special guests. Dogfight just won the 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Musical." Tickets to Joe's Pub are $25 and on sale now at JoesPub.com.

Producers Steven Van Zandt and Maureen Van Zandt, Marc Brickman, Larry Magid and BASE Entertainment have announced that following a critically acclaimed, sold-out Broadway engagement, THE RASCALS: ONCE UPON A DREAM will embark on a tour to play venues across North America. The tour kicks off May 24, 2013 at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. THE RASCALS: ONCE UPON A DREAM will play in the Academy of Music on June 5-6, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. and June 8 at 8 p.m. for three performances only.

San Diego Musical Theatre announces its second production of the 2013 season, Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, running tonight, May 10-26, 2013 with a press opening on Saturday, May 11, at The Birch North Park Theatre. THE SOUND OF MUSIC features Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

Following a sold-out engagement of Camelot in concert this past January, Palm Beach Dramaworks is proud to announce the next two musicals in their new Musical Theatre Masters program. Man of La Mancha will kick off the summer series on Wednesday, July 10 and run through July 21, with Carousel up next from Wednesday, August 7 through August 18 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre (201 Clematis Street). Directed by Clive Cholerton, the legendary musicals will play two weeks of performances.

Today in 2006, Tarzan opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 486 performances. Tarzan: The Musical is based on the Disney film of the same name and the story by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The songs are written by Phil Collins and David Zippel, with a book by David Henry Hwang. The production was nominated for a Tony award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz). The cast Featured Josh Strickland, Jennifer Gambatese, Shuler Hensley, Merle Dandridge and Chester Gregory.

The Colony Theatre has announced that the final production of its 'Season of Premieres,' the World Premiere of FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE, is a sellout smash hit, and will add a special performance Sunday, May 12, to accommodate the demand for tickets.

Three dances based on the music of Richard Rodgers are enjoying a run at Lincoln Center. The results are uneven, but Rodgers's mastery is always apparent.