Robert Lopez News

The Once Upon A Time Players (under the artistic direction of Brendan Stackhouse) kicks off its sixth season this summer with Avenue Q playing three performances June 8-10 at Washington's Crossing Open Air Theatre (355 Washington's Crossing - Pennington Rd) in Titusville.

Showbiz Players, Inc. presents AVENUE Q from tonight, June 1st - 10th at Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Blvd. Covington, Ky. 41011.

The Lyric Stage Company production of AVENUE Q rivals the national tour that passed this way four years ago. The run has been extended (twice) by popular demand to July 1st. Director Spiro Veloudos has assembled one of the best musical ensemble casts of the season.

Bus Barn Stage Company in Los Altos comes home where the heart is for its 2012-2013 season, the 17th season in residence at Bus Barn Theater in Los Altos.

As previously announced, THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will make its West Coast premiere in a strictly limited 12-week engagement from September 5 through November 25, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets for the engagement will go on sale to the general public June 10, the LA Times reports today.

The Theatre Group at SBCC has announced that after their three year modernization project, the Theatre Group is back, bigger and better than ever. They are thrilled to welcome audiences back to the newly remodeled, technically sophisticated, totally accessible and energy efficient, Garvin and Jurkowitz Theatres and our exciting 2012-13 season.

Showbiz Players, Inc. presents AVENUE Q from June 1st - 10th at Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Blvd. Covington, Ky. 41011. Check out this video of the cast and puppets performing 'Movin' On Up'.

The Kleban Foundation today announced that the 22nd Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has gone to Marcy Heisler. For the Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist, the judges declared a tie between Andrew Gerle and Matt Schatz. The 2012 prizes will be presented on June 18, 2012, in a private ceremony (by invitation only) at ASCAP.

Acclaimed Off-Broadway not-for-profit theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced additional details for its 2012 special online Auction. Bidding for the auction, which already features an outstanding array of unique opportunities and experiences, is now underway at www.BiddingForGood/PlaywrightsHorizons. Online bidding continues through Monday, May 14 (with items staggered to close at 8PM and 9PM).

Theatre Aspen today announced casting for its summer season, opening with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q, on June 25th. The season also includes the new musical How I Became a Pirate, based on the beloved children's book by Melinda Long (July 10th - Aug 18th) and the film noir thriller The 39 Steps (July 25th - Aug 18th).

A free concert celebrating the release of Over The Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project, a multi-media charity project that includes a two-CD set of original lullabies composed and sung by Broadway's brightest stars, a lavishly-illustrated hardcover book of 17 songs from the album, a corresponding e-book encompassing the entire collection, and a documentary film. The project gathers many of contemporary theater's greatest composers and vocalists, as well as award-winning illustrators and set designers, all of whom donated their talent to this endeavor.

Avenue Q was the winner of the TONY "Triple Crown" for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK in 2003. Director Robert D. Nation, will bring this deliciously naughty hit musical with its irresistible charm to Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5th St. Fort Lauderdale, 33301, beginning on April 6 for an unlimited run. With 2,534 performances, Avenue Q ranks 21st on the list of longest running shows in Broadway history.

This summer, New Haarlem Arts Theatre (NHAT), the professional theater company of City College of New York (CCNY), has expanded its programming and will present mainstage productions of 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' and 'Sweet Charity,' as well as a show for young audiences and a readings series. The theater, led by Eugene Nesmith, is entering its second season and will again be in residence at Aaron Davis Hall, located at W. 135th Street and Convent Avenue, Manhattan (Hamilton Heights).

Playwrights Horizons has announced initial details for its 2012 special online Auction in connection with its annual Spring Gala.

Tony winner Robert Lopez has written a song titled 'Enjoy it While You Can' that will be featured in an upcoming episode of 'The Simpsons.' Lopez wrote on Twitter: 'cool, my Simpsons song is out a few days early. I felt very validated by Marge's 'bravo!' at the end.' Check out the song below!

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street tonight, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announced today four musicals to be developed at its 2012 National Music Theater Conference (NMTC).

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street on Thursday, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

Southern Rep has added new dates to its 4- to 8-year-old campers in 101 Dalmations, Kids! Camp after the first round sold out. Spots are still left in its Oklahoma! and Avenue Q camps. See information below.