Rick Elise News

Mercury Theater Chicago has staged a “homegrown” production of JERSEY BOYS full of Chicago heart. The bio jukebox musical has graced Chicago tour stages over the years (in fact, I had a chuckle looking back at the review of the first national tour I wrote for my high school newspaper), but this is the first staging to showcase Chicago talent — and it definitely accomplishes that goal.

On Friday, July 7th, I had the pleasure of yet again being blown away by the incredible talent that Musicals at Richter, in Danbury, CT has found to star in their show, this time, being a musical comedy that I have never seen before, THE ADDAMS FAMILY.

Starting Tuesday, May 30th and running through June 8th, AMT Theatre at 354 West 45th Street will present The Addams Family, Jr.

An all-star ensemble with Ryan Bintz soaring to the top as the evil Black Stache!

On Friday, June 3, I had the pleasure of seeing PETER AND THE STAR CATCHER at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT.  This play with music was written by Rick Elise.  This stellar cast’s talents come alive under the first-rate team of director Katherine Ray, assistant director Rae Janeil Sutherland and choreographer Sharon Houk.   It is not a musical in the traditional sense, but the use of song is incorporated throughout, resembling a musical in certain parts.  It is obvious that these cast members are having a wonderful time up on stage, bringing positive energy that radiates throughout the audience, with excellent stage chemistry between the cast. 

It isn't your typical family - a bit creepy and eccentric yet fun-loving. And annually they summon their ancestors back from the dead and dance on their graves!

It isn't your typical family - a bit creepy and eccentric yet fun-loving. And annually they summon their ancestors back from the dead and dance on their graves!

Newnan Theatre Company is pleased to announce the opening of Peter and the Starcatcher on March 1, running through March 11th. The show is based on the novel by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry, and is adapted for the stage by Rick Elise. The show takes the famous characters of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, created by J.M. Barrie, and gives them a long-overdue backstory.

Eagle Theatre Conservatory, a year-round theatrical institute for all ages and levels of professionalism, has announced that a brand new curriculum has been developed for their 2017 Eagle Summer Theatre Intensive, a summer camp guaranteed to shine the spotlight on both training and performance, while offering opportunities for aspiring actors to build skills that will be applied in front of a live audience.

The Lakewood Playhouse is proud to announce its 79th Season of Shows! It's a season filled with Laughter, Mystery, Literature, and Stories That Touch the Heart. This year includes Five Premiers that have never been seen at the Lakewood Playhouse!  

The Costa Mesa Playhouse opens the musical "The Addams Family," opening Oct. 28, just in time for Halloween.

On December 3, TheatreSquared will begin performances of the critically acclaimed Peter and the Starcatcher, a fast-paced theatrical adventure for audiences of all ages. Mark Shanahan (Around the World in 80 Days, The Quest for Don Quixote) will direct this new adaptation by Rick Elise, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, with music by Wayne Barker.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story, and it's a father's worst nightmare: GOMEZ ADDAMS' darkness-loving daughter WEDNESDAY has gotten engaged to a man from a "normal" family, and she doesn't want her mother MORTICIA to know. Now GOMEZ must do something he's never done before-keep a secret from his beloved wife. Everything will change on the night when WEDNESDAY invites her fiance LUCAS BEINEKE and his parents to dinner.

Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the state's largest nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce its 40th Season. Beginning in September, the new season will include Tony Award-winning artistic experiences and family favorites that exemplify The Rep's mission of producing diverse work of the highest artistic standards for its Arkansas audience.

ZACH Theatre kicks off the new year with Peter and the Starcatcher on January 29, 2015. The five-time Tony Award-winning play runs until March 1, 2015 at the Topfer Theatre. The play is written by Rick Elise and based upon the novel of the same name by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. ZACH Theatre will have Director Michael Baron, Artistic Director of Oklahoma City's Lyric Theatre, back for his first time since directing the critically acclaimed Spring Awakening here in 2011.

Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, this stage version by Rick Elise is a deliciously campy prequel (God, I hate that word) to the advent of the famous Peter Pan.

An Idaho film festival reunites a pair of estranged screenwriters in the new musical DOG AND PONY by Rick Elise (Peter and the Starcatcher, Jersey Boys) and Michael Patrick Walker (Altar Boyz). As Mags (Nicole Parker) and Andy (Jon Patrick Walker) rehash memories from their 13-year partnership, we quickly see that this dysfunctional relationship was doomed from the start. We also know from the beginning how this musical is going to end.

Victoria Clark, Alexander Gemignani, Daniel Reichard, Michael Gruber and others joined the American Musicals Project's annual benefit concert, 'Applause for the Golden Boy: The Music of Charles Strouse.' The evening showcased Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and other works by Charles Strouse, who made a special appearance.

A panel of writers, producers, and press agents gathered at Tony's Di Napoli last week to discuss the complex relationship between the press and theatre.