Signature Theatre News

Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron today announced the special material writing team for the 87th Oscars, which will air live on Oscar Sunday, February 22, 2015, on ABC.

The play's afoot! Sherlock Holmes battles one of his greatest mysteries to date at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, a world-premiere adaptation from Tony Award-winning playwright Ludwig (Broadway's Lend Me a Tenor). Adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved The Hound of the Baskervilles, this fast-paced comedic tale of murder, intrigue and a wild hound is directed by Amanda Dehnert (Arena Stage's The Fantasticks) as part of Arena Stage's 65th anniversary season. A co-production with McCarter Theatre Center, Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery runs January 16-February 22, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award-winner Sheryl Crow. The production begins performances at Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre tonight, December 9. It will play for six and a half weeks, through January 25.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award® winner Sheryl Crow. Directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award® WinnerKathleen Marshall (Broadway's Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), the ensemble piece will feature Whitney Bashor (Barbara; Broadway's Bridges of Madison County and Signature's The Hollow), Bryan Fenkart (Modell; Broadway's Memphis), Aaron Finley (Billy; Broadway's Rock of Ages),Josh Grisetti (Shrevie; Off-Broadway's Enter Laughing), Erika Henningsen (Beth; Show Boat: Live from Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic), Derek Klena (Boogie; Broadway's Wicked, The Bridges of Madison County and Second Stage'sDogfight), Adam Kantor (Eddie; Broadway's Rent, Next to Normal and Second Stage's The Last Five Years), Tess Soltau(Elyse; Broadway's The Addams Family), Matthew James Thomas (Fenwick; Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,Pippin), and John Schiappa (Older Boogie; Broadway's Rocky, The Other Place, Wicked).

Signature Theatre's world premiere of Katori Hall's Our Lady of Kibeho, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, will play its final eight performances this week through Sunday, December 14th only. The production opened to critical acclaim on Sunday, November 16 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Theatre, announces today that the Broadway-bound production, BEACHES will replace DEATHTRAP from June 24 through August 16 during the 2015-2016 season. Presenting the first new work on the Drury Lane stage in 21 years, BEACHES signifies the theater's renewed dedication to develop new works.

Virginia's Signature Theatre will soon present the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award® winner Sheryl Crow. Directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award® Winner Kathleen Marshall (Broadway's Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), the production begins performances at Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre December 9. It will play for six and a half weeks, through January 25. According to the Washington Post, later today Crow and Levinson will both take part in Post: POV, a series hosted by Peter Marks, at which the duo will discuss putting the new musical together.

Legendary Broadway star, actress/singer Betty Buckley will be performing the songs from her recently released album GHOSTLIGHT, produced by 13 time GRAMMY Award Winner T Bone Burnett in a concert featuring a six piece band at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles on January 24, 2015. Buckley will also be performing on January 17th at the Annenberg in Palm Springs with pianist Christian Jacob.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Wichita Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

A Broadway Christmas Carol, created by Kathy Feininger, returns to MetroStage for the holidays through Dec. 28 for a fifth season . It has been the holiday show for the past four seasons and has become a holiday tradition here at MetroStage. Prior to 2009, it had played to sold out houses at Round House Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland, for seven consecutive years ending in 2004.

This December, Signature Theatre invites you and the family to ring in the holiday season with two limited-run shows.

Serrano NY, LLC is thrilled to present the World Premiere of SERRANO THE MUSICAL, book and lyrics by Madeline Sunshine, music by Robert Tepper, musical direction by Jeff Rizzo (Sunset Blvd. The Wizard of Oz), choreography by Tony nominee Peggy Hickey (A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder) and directed by Tony nominee Joel Zwick (Dance With Me, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding').

I've Been Played: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz will be released on Yellow Sound Label in January 2015, featuring the vocals of Alysha Umphress, currently starring in the new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, and original jazz songs and arrangements by Tony Award-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz. Produced by Jeff Blumenkrantz and Michael Croiter, the album will be available via Amazon and iTunes beginning January 6, 2015. It is now available for pre-order at ?Amazon.com.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's (OSF) production of Into the Woods will move to Beverly Hills, Calif., as part of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts' 2014-15 season. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, Into the Woods heads to the Wallis' Bram Goldsmith Theater tonight, December 2, and runs through the 21st.

Signature Theatre has announced that the World of the Play series continues with a panel of experts discussing Art and Political Conflict in Northern Ireland, presented in conjunction with the US premiere of Sam Shepard's A Particle of Dread (Oedipus Variations), on Saturday, December 6th at 4:00 p.m. in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). The event is free and open to the general public (no reservations required).

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Diane Paulus, Artistic Director, begins performances of the second production of its 2014/15 Season: the world premiere of Eve Ensler's O.P.C. (Obsessive Political Correctness), directed by Pesha Rudnick, starting on November 28 and running through January 4, 2015 at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Harvard Square. Tickets from $25. Box Office: 617.547.8300 or visit us on line at americanrepertorytheater.org

Round House Theatre continues its 2014/15 season with a magical, fresh new take on a beloved classic - The Nutcracker, a new holiday musical created by Tommy Rapley, Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, and Kevin O'Donnell. Directed by the award-winning Joe Calarco, The Nutcracker makes its area premiere at Round House Theatre from tonight, November 26 thru December 28, 2014.

A seasoned group of Broadway helmers are bringing magic, drama, history, romance and more to the Great White Way this season. Below, BroadwayWorld rounded up this fall's directors for an in-depth look at their careers.

BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge was on hand at PETER PAN's press day where he talked to the stars and creative team about how they are putting together this live TV event. Here, Richie talks to Christian Borle and Kelli O'Hara.