Rob Ackerman News

Working Theater, in its 29th season off-Broadway, will continue its current exploration of the face of poverty in America, with James McManus' Princess Grace Award-winning play, CHERRY SMOKE. The play is a brutal love story that details the irrational hope of four destitute young people, all stretching to grasp the American dream. Directed by Tamilla Woodard, the production will run April 22nd through May 18th at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street in Manhattan. The official opening is on Thursday, May 1st.

New Jersey Repertory Company will present the new musical 'Date of a Lifetime' with book and lyrics by Carl Kissin and music by Robert Baumgartner, Jr., produced in association with Hat on a Hat, LLC, tonight, March 6 through April 6, 2014 at 179 Broadway in Long Branch. Marlo Hunter is the Director/Choreographer and Daniel Rein is the Musical Director.

It's a jungle out there! Finding a soul mate can be an exhausting experience for lonely hearts looking for love in all the wrong places. But for Marvin and Katie, it's kismet when their eyes first meet at a speed dating event. During their brief time together, they imagine what their lives would be like if they allowed this momentary encounter to evolve to the next level. Their decisions may determine their entire future and whether this will turn out to be a date from hell or a date of a lifetime.

New Jersey Repertory Company will present the new musical 'Date of a Lifetime' with book and lyrics by Carl Kissin and music by Robert Baumgartner, Jr., produced in association with Hat on a Hat, LLC, on March 6 through April 6, 2014 at 179 Broadway in Long Branch. Marlo Hunter is the Director/Choreographer and Daniel Rein is the Musical Director.

Working Theater, in its 29th season off?Broadway, will in a co?production with the Harold Clurman Lab Theater, offer a piercing perspective on healthcare reform in the United States, with MERCY KILLERS, written and performed by Michael Milligan. The play, directed by Tom Oppenheim will make its off?Broadway premiere on January 7th at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, 31 West 27th Street. The production will have its official opening on January 15th and will be performed in various communities throughout New York City in order to directly realize Working Theater's mission to bring theater to communities where working people live. Check out a behind the scenes look below!

This week's featured composers are Eli Bolin and Sam Forman whose song 'The Way You Move' from their new musical VOLLEYGIRLS, was performed by original cast member Allison Posner and producer Monica Raymund at at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

VOLLEYGIRLS, the breakout hit from the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), adds The New World Stages Development Prize Award to their list of accomplishments. VOLLEYGIRLS, produced by NYMF, MONICA RAYMUND of SISU THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, and JACOB HARVEY of CAVE 76 PRODUCTIONS, performed to sold-out houses for nine performances in the 10th Anniversary Season of NYMF at the Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre (The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036) in July.

Working Theater, in its 29th season off?Broadway, will in a co?production with the Harold Clurman Lab Theater, offer a piercing perspective on healthcare reform in the United States, with MERCY KILLERS, written and performed by Michael Milligan. The play, directed by Tom Oppenheim will make its off?Broadway premiere on January 7th at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, 31 West 27th Street. The production will have its official opening on January 15th and will be performed in various communities throughout New York City in order to directly realize Working Theater's mission to bring theater to communities where working people live. Check out a behind the scenes look below!

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre presents the second play of its ambitious 44th season, Richard Abrons' Every Day a Visitor, begininng performances today, November 2nd at The Clurman Theater (at Theater Row) and continuing through December 14th. Opening Night is set for Thursday November 14th.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre announces the cast for the second play of its ambitious 44th season, Richard Abrons' Every Day A Visitor,which will begin performances Saturday November 2nd at The Clurman Theater (at Theater Row) and continuing through December 14th. Opening Night is set for Thursday November 14th.

We have no tricks, but definitely a treat for you this week: a song from Sean Mahoney and Creighton Irons' musical Factory Girls! Brooke Sunny Moriber is on lead vocals, while Alison Cusano, Kate Ferber and Molly Hager sing backup in this video loaded with girl power from our CEC concert at the Canal Room.

Today, October 24, the not-for-profit development group Musical Mondays Theatre Lab will launch its 14th season with a new name and a very heavy organizational heart. This summer, after years of presenting promising new musicals at the Snapple Theatre Center on Thursdays (because that was the only slot that was open in the schedule), the MMTL Board of Directors voted to change the organization's name to Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab (thereby retaining the corporate initials) with the vote and complete blessing of the group's founder and Co-Artistic Director Richard 'Bick' Goss. Less than a month later, Goss died from complications of Parkinson's disease. The director, choreographer and former Bob Fosse dancer was 75.

On October 24, the not-for-profit development group Musical Mondays Theatre Lab will launch its 14th season with a new name and a very heavy organizational heart. This summer, after years of presenting promising new musicals at the Snapple Theatre Center on Thursdays (because that was the only slot that was open in the schedule), the MMTL Board of Directors voted to change the organization's name to Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab (thereby retaining the corporate initials) with the vote and complete blessing of the group's founder and Co-Artistic Director Richard 'Bick' Goss. Less than a month later Goss died from complications of Parkinson's disease. The director, choreographer and former Bob Fosse dancer was 75. But the shows must go on and the newly christened Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab will dedicate the entire season to Goss' memory and begin its 2013-14 season at the Snapple on October 14 at 5pm with a presentation of The Dirty Hippy Jam Band.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre announces the cast for the second play of its ambitious 44th season, Richard Abrons' Every Day A Visitor,which will begin performances November 2nd at The Clurman Theater (at Theater Row) and continuing through December 14th. Opening Night is set for Thursday November 14th.

The Kitchen Theatre Company of Ithaca, NY is pleased to announce that Margarett Perry has joined the company as Resident Director beginning with the 2013-14 Season.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the winners of the NYMF 2013 Awards for Excellence and celebrated its closing night yesterday, July 28, 2013. Scroll down for photos of the winners and the closing festivities!

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the winners of the NYMF 2013 Awards for Excellence. Awards are voted on by the NYMF jury.

VOLLEYGIRLS will play limited engagement at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre (The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036). Performances begin tonight, July 15 and continue through Saturday, July 27.

NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (NYMF), MONICA RAYMUND of SISU THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, and CAVE 76 PRODUCTIONS have released a little Jabali (their inner beast) by adding yet another performance of the world premiere of VOLLEYGIRLS on Friday, July 26 at 1 p.m.