Stephen Schwartz News

'CARRIE' That Tune: Hit Songs From Flop Musicals” premieres at The Avery Schreiber Playhouse in nine performances from Friday, August 30th –to Sunday, September 29th at 4934 Lankershim Boulevard, Noho CA 91601. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at www.averyschreiberplayhouse.com .

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tonight's Fall Theater Preview Party, the three big local premieres, upcoming: 'Spamalot' and two new works, 'Death Boogie' and 'The Old Man And The Old Moon,' plus a 'Schoolhouse Rock Live' milestone, the Dramatists Guild conference and more!

BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) and Decca Broadway--via MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines)--celebrate the official local release of the Broadway cast album of "Wicked," featuring the original recordings of Broadway superstars Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Galinda/Glinda), by giving away albums to two lucky BWW followers.

The Dramatists Guild of America recently held their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, on August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL. The conference included keynote speeches, legal and business seminars, workshops, and conversations with theatre elite. Participating Council and visiting artists include Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Gretchen Cryer, Rebecca Gilman, Carol Hall, Winnie Holzman, David Ives, Lisa Kron, Martha Lavey, Bobby Lopez, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Marsha Norman, Theresa Rebeck, Stephen Schwartz, Jeff Sweet, John Weidman, George C. Wolfe, and Charlayne Woodard. Check out a look back at the national conference below!

'Possibility Junkie' is a new musical theater work by David Ippolito (music, lyrics, book) and directed by Gretchen Cryer ('I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road'), who co-authored the book. The story is based loosely on the career of David Ippolito, who is known to hundreds of thousands of people across the country and around the world as 'That Guitar Man from Central Park.' Part singer/songwriter, part storyteller, part social-commentator and humorist, Ippolito has become famous for his simple catch phrase, 'It's just us,' and his ability to turn a large crowd of strangers into a group of friends. Theater for the New City will present the world premiere September 28 to October 20, 2013.

The Winthrop Playmakers have announced their upcoming production of Stephen Schwartz' much loved musical Godspell! Opening Friday, September 13th, Godspell is a major achievement for the nonprofit theater organization, as it opens their 75th Season.

The Boublil and Schonberg musical LES MISERABLES has been voted the greatest musical of all time by listeners of JemmThree, the UK's first 24/7, presenter-led radio station devoted to musical theatre.

For much of the month of August, Tovah Feldshuh (Irena's Vow, Golda's Balcony) has played the role of 'Berthe', filling in while two-time Tony Award winner Andrea Martin was on vacation. Martin returns to the role full-time tonight, August 27. PIPPIN is now playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

Last weekend, August 22-25, 2013, the Dramatists Guild of America held its second ever national conference in Chicago, at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. The Dramatists Guild is the professional association of playwrights, librettists, lyricists and composers writing for the stage. And with almost 7,000 members, that's a lot of creative energy!

The Avery Schriber Playhouse will present Trace Oakley's CARRIE THAT TUNE revue, featuring 'Hit Songs from Flop Musicals,' on August 30th at 8 PM, September 1st at 7 PM, September 6th at 8 PM, September 7th at 8 PM, September 8th at 7 PM, September 13th at 8 PM, September 14th at 8 PM, & September 15th at 7 PM, Sept. 22th at 7 PM, Sept. 29 at 7 PM.

Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda's latest project is The Hamilton Mixtape, which recently concluded its run at Vassar College's Powerhouse Theater. The Hamilton Mixtape is a hip-hop song cycle about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton and showcases a fusion of Miranda's signature Latin, hip-hop and classic Broadway styles. Click below to watch Miranda's interview at a Dramatists Guild panel yesterday, where he discussed the show and more!

Dramatists Guild of America presented the 2nd Annual National Conference in Chicago 'Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future' livestreaming on HowlRound TV channel on Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23. On Thursday, Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz spoke about w?riting WICKED with host Michael Kerker. Watch the interview below!

The Dramatists Guild of America is pleased to announce their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, which will be held from today, August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' and 'Flashdance' depart, 'Pageant' and 'Ruthless!' appear, two musicals celebrating black music begin September 14 at BET and the Goodman, two Gary Griffin shows get their leading ladies, plus 'Hank Williams' and much more!

The cast of the UK & Ireland WICKED tour, including former West End cast members Nikki Davis-Jones, Emily Tierney and George Ure, have just entered rehearsal - check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Legendary Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz travels to Melbourne for three special performances of his works Godspell, Pippin and Children of Eden at Melbourne Recital Centre in September, realised by the award-winning theatre company Magnormos and a stellar Australian cast including Chloe Dallimore, Rohan Browne, and David Harris.

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, click here.

Legendary Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz travels to Melbourne for three special performances of his works Godspell, Pippin and Children of Eden at Melbourne Recital Centre in September, realised by the award-winning theatre companyMagnormos and a stellar Australian cast including Chloe Dallimore, Rohan Browne, and David Harris.

Robert Gould reports on the fourth Giggin4Good charity concert at the Actors' Church on August 25.

With the coming of hit Broadway musical “Wicked” to Manila, James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Limited, one of the lead producers, is aware that not everybody is pleased with it. Without going into details, the producer points out that local theater companies are doing great in their own right; these negative reactions are unnecessary because there is room for both local and foreign shows. In as much as “Wicked” Manila would like to employ local talents, the touring company may only have administrative job openings for Filipinos--due to the show's limited run.