Stephen Flaherty News

Kids and their favorite grownups will love the WST for Kids' production of Seussical Jr. Based on the works of the one-and-only Dr. Seuss, this fantastical, magical, hour-long musical extravaganza will be performed LIVE at Walnut Street Theatre, September 21 and 28, 2013. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

In the video below, Tartaglia and students from the production chat with 'CBS This Morning' about the importance of the performance to the community. Check it out below!

During the 2013/14 Season an epic slate of personalities and productions awaits you on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage! The monumental, moving, and Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime gives us a glimpse at the early 20th century life of three distinct groups of people, while the side-splitting comedy, Noises Off, peeks behind the curtain at a group of struggling actors. The tumultuous final days of Judy Garland unfold before our eyes in End of the Rainbow, a single virtuoso artist will lead a blazing, contemporary retelling of a Homer classic in An Iliad, and the dynamic birth of Superman will be explored with The History of Invulnerability, forever changing the way we look at superheroes.

For the last 5 weeks, a dedicated team of Broadway professionals - led by 3 of the same individuals who produced a Broadway tribute to the Newtown community in Waterbury last January - has been working with more than 100 Newtown area students in a production of Seussical the Musical. It is the first of what is to be many tangible practices in healing offered by the 12.14 Foundation (the foundation's president and founder, Newtown resident Michael Baroody, serves as Executive Producer of this production). It is comfort and healing in the true sense. The big event was held over the weekend and lyricist Lynn Ahrens left a special message (in rhyme) for the cast in the show's program. Check out what she had to say below!

When more than 100 students from the Newtown area go back to school in the Fall, they will have some amazing tales to tell of their summer. For the last 5 weeks, a dedicated team of Broadway professionals - led by 3 of the same individuals who produced a Broadway tribute to the Newtown community in Waterbury last January - has been working with more than 100 Newtown area students in a production of Seussical the Musical. It is the first of what is to be many tangible practices in healing offered by the 12.14 Foundation (the foundation's president and founder, Newtown resident Michael Baroody, serves as Executive Producer of this production). It is comfort and healing in the true sense. As director Michael Unger works with the cast on their roles, he encourages them to look inward to develop their characters. This is what will eventually be a hallmark program of the 12.14 Foundation as it seeks to strengthen Newtown's youth through the arts. It is something that is mentioned often among these budding artists: that sense of camaraderie and strength.

Since we're living in Houston, I promise I won't be upset with you if you tell me you don't know who Mary Testa is. What you first need to understand is that the theatrical gods divinely intervened in her creation. Imagine if Bette Midler and Patti LuPone had a child and named her Mary. Got it? Good. Now, you're beginning to understand why Mary Testa is a theatrical tour de force. With two Tony Awards and other various New York theatre awards under her belt, she has proven herself to be a phenomenal talent that you should not miss.

Everyone loves a good "The Show Must Go On" story, and they don't get much better than the story of The Playhouse's current production of Ragtime which plays The Charline McCombs Empire Theatre now through August 18th. Though originally planned for The Playhouse's Russell Hill Rogers Theatre, plans changed after the recent San Antonio flood damaged the historic structure, causing the need for major repairs. While a late change in venue is a major curve ball for any production, any problems that it may have caused are nowhere to be seen. While stripped of the grandiose design which usually accompanies the epic American musical, The Playhouse's version is still quite alluring and emotionally stirring.

Joe's Pub at The Public is calling all bros on Thursday, August 22, 7pm. After sold-out shows at Caroline's On Broadway and 92YTribeca, Ewalt and Walker's Bromance in Concert is ready to rock Joe's Pub like a girl gone wild on spring break.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the Broadway cast of The Winslow Boy, starring Tony nominee Michael Cumpsty as 'Desmond Curry', Academy & Tony Award nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as 'Grace Winslow', Alessandro Nivola as 'Sir Robert Morton' and Tony Award winner Roger Rees as 'Arthur Winslow'.

Earlier this year, on March 18, Van Dean, Kenny Howard, and Michael J. Moritz, Jr. brought together a melange of Broadway's most impressive young talent for WHEN I GROW UP: BROADWAY'S NEXT GENERATION, a cabaret concert at 54 BELOW. Kenny Howard says that this group inspired him 'not only with their talents but also with a maturity that is far beyond their years.' For this cabaret concert, the children tackle the adult repertoire of their heroes, taking on music from SPRING AWAKENING, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AVENUE Q, [TITLE OF SHOW], and more.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater has announced the dynamic directors and creative teams selected for the 2013/14 Season, The Rep's 60th Anniversary. These talented directors and creative teams will help The Rep continue in its commitment to offer brave, challenging, entertaining, stimulating, thought-provoking and vital works with a distinctive aesthetic.

Travel into the magical musical world of Dr. Seuss and see the author's cherished characters bounce from the page to the stage. Stagecrafters Youth Theatre presents Seussical Jr. July 18th through 21st at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in downtown Royal Oak.

Enjoy the world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including JoJo, a Who child who gets in trouble for thinking too many 'thinks.' 'Seussical, Jr.,' a whimsical musical comedy will be performed by Cockpit's Court Jesters Young People's Theatre during today, July 12-21. Performances will be held in the Administration Building (formerly the J Bldg.) Lecture Hall at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard, Rosedale. All seats are $8 and tickets are available from the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-ARTS (2787).

An audience of theatre enthusiasts waited in anticipation at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts last night, when Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Managing Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, unveiled the thrilling line-up for its 2013-2014 season. Opening with a groundbreaking World Premiere developed at last season's New Works Festival, the line-up will also give Bay Area audiences their first look at a Broadway hit by playwright Jon Robin Baitz (The Substance of Fire, A Fair Country, Three Hotels); an Off-Broadway smash by Kenneth Lin (Fallow, Po Boy Tango); and a historical drama from Lauren Gunderson (Exit, Pursued by a Bear). Also announced is an enchanting musical journey told through little-known Stephen Sondheim gems.

The 12.14 Foundation has just announced that Emmy Award, Tony Award, and Drama Desk Award nominated John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Shrek, Johnny and the Sprites) will portray 'The Cat in the Hat' and lead a cast comprised of 86 Newtown area students in Seussical: The Musical written by Tony Award winning team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The production will be presented August 9, 10 and 11 at Newtown High School.

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will end its triumphant two-year run this Sunday, July 7th at the Elektra Theatre. The show's producer, Theater Mogul, is currently negotiating licensing deals for future SILENCE! productions to open during the 2013-14 season in major markets across the country and around the world.

Julie Atherton, best known for her roles in Avenue Q and Sister Act, will join Keith Jack (BBC Any Dream Will Do), David Hunter (ITV's Superstar) and Stacey McClean (S Club Juniors) for a two-night performance of musical theatre songs at the Greenwich Theatre on 19th and 20th July.