Stephen Schwartz News

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) Kansas City North proudly presents Godspell, Thursday, April 7 - Sunday, April 10 at YouthFront Auditorium, 4715 Rainbow Blvd., Shawnee Mission, KS 66205.

The 2011 Festival of New American Musicals, a five-month musical theatre festival, will be held April 1 through August 28, 2011, throughout Southern California.

As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, Laura Benanti will star in NBC's drama pilot 'Playboy Club.' Benanti will star as Carol-Lynne, a 30-year-old Playboy star. Now Variety reports that the pilot's actors had to sign nudity clauses, which state: 'nudity as defined above and/or simulated sex acts may be required in connection with player's services in the pilot and/or series.'

Broadway producer Jed Bernstein will be a guest professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design during the university's current Spring 2011 quarter, beginning April 14.

WICKED will honor the Actors Fund with a special, added performance on Sunday, April 3 at 8pm at the Gershwin Theatre. All procedes will go to benefit The Actor's Fund's programs and services. The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman ('My So Called Life,' 'Once And Again' and 'thirtysomething'), WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who's Tommy, How To Succeed...).

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality is proud to present an upcoming musical extravaganza: 'Hear Our Song,' to be held at the Norwalk City Hall, Concert Hall at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, on Friday April 8, 2011 at 8 pm.

The 2011 Festival of New American Musicals, a five-month musical theatre festival, will be held April 1 through August 28, 2011, throughout Southern California.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Next season's musicals from Broadway In Chicago, Porchlight, Northlight, Writers' Theatre and more, plus 'White Noise,' 'Grease,' Alice Ripley, and, yes, more!

The 2011 Festival of New American Musicals, a five-month musical theatre festival, will be held April 1 through August 28, 2011, throughout Southern California. Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein, and Linda Shusett are the Executive Producers of the annual festival, now in its fourth year. This year's Festival includes 16 world premieres, and an additional 10 west coast premieres.

Reprise Theatre Company will present 'The Apple Tree' with book music and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, additional book material by Jerome Coopersmith, and based on stories by Mark Twain, Frank R. Stockton, and Jules Feiffer as the third production of its 2011-2012 season, playing April 17 to 29, 2012 at the Freud Playhouse.

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality is proud to present an upcoming musical extravaganza: 'Hear Our Song,' to be held at the Norwalk City Hall, Concert Hall at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, on Friday April 8, 2011 at 8 pm.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans are proud to announce the final production of Northlight's 2011-12 Season, [title of show], the Broadway musical sensation about…creating a Broadway musical sensation.

The Mornington Players present the hit musical Godspell.

Chance Theater presents the World Premiere production of the quirky award-winning musical, The Boy in the Bathroom, April 23 - May 22, 2011. The play is directed by Chance Theater Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen. The production is a proud participant in both the 4th Annual Festival of New American Musicals and Arts Orange County's Imagination Celebration.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, March 29, RICHARD H. BLAKE will assume the role of Fiyero in the Broadway company of WICKED. He joins a cast which includes Teal Wicks as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Etai BenShlomo as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond. Kyle Dean Massey, who is currently playing the role of Fiyero, will play his final performance on Sunday, March 27.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and legendary Broadway star Betty Buckley present three benefit concerts featuring her recent Song Interpretation Workshop participants. The concerts are set for March 28, 30 and 31 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth at 7:30pm.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and legendary Broadway star Betty Buckley, currently co-starring in the Dallas Theatre Center's production of Arsenic and Old Lace, present three benefit concerts featuring her recent Song Interpretation Workshop participants. The concerts are set for March 28, 30 and 31 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth at 7:30pm.

Discover the thrilling creative output from many infrequently heard works of musical theater at the cabaret evening Nobody's Side: Broadway's Cult Classics, performed at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret for the last time on March 28, 2011. Reservations can be placed at www.davenportspianobar.com.

As we come to the beginning of April here on the California Central Coast, I trust your plans include availing yourself of at least a couple of the several theatrical offerings that are being presented for your viewing pleasure (or shortly will be) at any number of the live theatre and performance venues here on the Central Coast!