Stephen Schwartz News

The Brown Paper Box Co returns to Davenport's Piano Bar this September with an exciting new incarnation of CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret. This evening will feature new faces, new characters, and will provide fresh and unexpected perspectives on characters you think you know. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN promises to be a heartfelt and hilarious evening filled with musical theatre classics and contemporary Broadway hits.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's Summer Concert, Lyric casts 'Sound Of Music,' Munster's 'Godspell,' youth productions of 'Ragtime' and 'Legally Blonde,' '48 Hour Musicals,' the world premiere musical 'The Lockout,' the Dramatists Guild conference and more!

The Boston Opera House will welcome the national tour of the iconic Broadway hit WICKED, for a month-long stay in 2013. The show is slated to run from tonight, August 7th through September 15th, 2013. For more information on the national tour of WICKED, visit www.wickedthemusical.com. To purchase tickets for the show's stop at the Boston Opera House, visit www.boston-theater.com.

Rehearsals began Tuesday for Animal Crackers, the first production of Center Stage's 2013-14 Season. This classic American musical comedy is set to feature City Paper Best Actor Bruce Nelson as Groucho Marx playing the ineffable Captain Spaulding. Under the direction of Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones-who previously directed Center Stage's smash production of A Skull in Connemara-Animal Crackers begins previews on September 4 and runs through October 13.

Billy Porter, 2013 Tony Award Winner for Best Actor in a Musical (Kinky Boots) surprised students of Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensive Session One with his appearance on July 25th. Porter entertained the students with tales of his experiences. In addition, he participated in a Q&A, answering student's questions and providing advice for young performers. Check out a look back below!

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center presents the multiple Tony- Award winning musical Pippin, designed and performed by the students of the FAC's Youth Rep program onstage in the SaG?Ji Theatres Aug. 1-4, 2013.

On Sunday, September 15, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., author Susie Duncan Sexton will read from her book "Secrets of an Old Typewriter" as part of the Ann Arbor Arts and Culture Series. She will be joined by son Roy Sexton who, accompanied by pianist Rebecca Biber, will offer a selection of his mom's favorite show tunes. This presentation will be held at the Ann Arbor Senior Center at 1320 Baldwin Avenue, $5 general admission or $4 for guests 60 years and older. To reserve your tickets, please call 734-794-6250, and for more info, including maps to the center, visit www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/ParksandRecreation/seniors/.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, 105.9 Radio High and Concertus, in cooperation with WICKED Worldwide, are indeed bringing Stephen Schwartz's 'Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz,' one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time, to Manila. More details will be announced on Wednesday, August 14.

The electrifying Susan Egan will perform her internationally acclaimed concert: The Belle Of Broadway at Le Centre Pierre-Peladeau in Montreal on Sat., Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.

WICKED, the global musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce the full cast for its forthcoming UK & Ireland Tour.

Tackling a show like Pippin takes some major cojones. The original Bob Fosse production featured an iconic, Tony Award winning performance from Ben Vereen and was the first Broadway musical to feature the work of composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The current Broadway revival of Pippin just won four Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress, Best Actress, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Revival of a Musical. Pippin is certainly not a safe choice for a troupe of young performers like the High School and college age artists of SummerStock Austin. That said, the award-winning SummerStock Austin never takes the safe road, and their courageousness pays off with their exciting, enjoyable, and thrilling production of Pippin.

The Tony Award winning Best Revival of a Musical PIPPIN will help kick off "Back to School" shopping at Bloomingdale's (1000 3rd Ave, NYC) with a special event on Thursday, August 8th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition to unveiling four PIPPIN-themed window displays on 3rdAvenue featuring costumes from the show, cast members will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. to perform a few song selections. The event will also boast fun circus-themed activities for the whole family including face painting, juggling and various contests. Bloomingdale's shoppers who spend $350 or more in women's fashion will receive a voucher, good for two tickets, to see PIPPIN on Broadway, while supplies last.

Last night on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, the Tony and Emmy winning Kristin Chenoweth appeared to sing a hilarious parody version of WICKED's 'Popular', all about Anthony Weiner. Yes, Anthony Weiner.

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, continues their 2013-2014 season with a revival of one of Broadway's most popular rock musicals, GODSPELL. The groundbreaking production based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew runs Thursday, September 12 through October 20. Featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), and an energetic book by original director John-Michael Tebelak,GODSPELL is the upbeat retelling of a series of biblical parables. The production will be directed and choreographed by Stacey Flaster.

Singer/actress Joan Ryan made a rare appearance with a brand new show An Evening with Joan Ryan at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Sunday, July 28 prior to a cross country tour which includes 54 Below in New York. This lady, who has an entire comedic medley labeling herself a belta-holic, remains a consummate vocalist, one of the best there is. She possesses an incredibly powerful range, has a glowing personality that will not quit, and knows how to work a cabaret room, literally from back to front, side to side with superior direction from Andrew MacBean.

The Tuacahn Center for the Arts us currenyly presenting Disney's MULAN: The Stage Musical, a new 75 minute show and BroadwayWorld.com was there to cover the show. The production is directed by Ryan Norton, with choreography by Veronica Yeager.