Terrence McNally News

Signature Theatre is now offering theater lovers everywhere the ultimate backstage pass with Brother Russia Presents, a six-session seminar that goes behind-the-scenes of the world premiere rock musical Brother Russia, from the award-winning creators of the hit musicals The Fix and Witches of Eastwick.

Master Class, an extraordinary insight into the life and loves of Maria Callas, the iconic opera singer whose turbulent private life and fiery temperament were as astonishing as her formidable talents. Inspired by her master classes of the early 70s, this is a riveting, hilarious and intensely moving portrayal of the sacrifice and heartache behind the artist, the diva and the legend. In the video below, Tyne Daly chats about her role as Maria Callas!

First up is Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, one of the Nashville's most sought-after actresses, who in 2011 made headlines with her performances as MotorMouth Maybelle in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray and in the all-star cast of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's latest iteration of Annie, which ran last summer. She capped that off with a knock-your-socks-off performance at The First Night Honors, delivering a soul-stirring rendition of "Random Black Girl" that still has people talking.

Manhattan Theatre Club will present its annual Winter Benefit, an evening of cocktails and dinner followed by a special one-night-only cabaret-style show featuring some of the biggest stars of musical theatre on Monday, January 30, 2012 at The Plaza (58th Street & Fifth Avenue).

Signature Theatre's flagship Education Program 'Signature in the Schools' will present local high school students performing in Un-American, a world premiere work by award-winning playwright Joe Calarco.

The Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award®-winning musical Follies will transfer to the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for six weeks, and as BroadwayWorld reported last month, Bernadette Peters will not continue on with the rest of the cast for the transfer of the production. Now we have confirmed that Tony winner Victoria Clark will take over the role of Sally in her place. Also now officially confirmed to transfer with the production are co-stars Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines and Elaine Paige.

Playing opposite Rulon as Sophie, the first soprano, is her daughter Emily Appuzzo, a well-known actress and singer in her own right, who is a member of the Nashville Opera Chorus. Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva plays Sharon, the second soprano, and L.T. Kirk is cast as Anthony Candolino. John Todd doubles as musical director for Master Class and plays Manny, the accompanist. Patrick Goedicke completes the cast as a stage hand.

Signature Theatre will present the world premiere of Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo.

Signature Theatre today announced that the run of Hairspray will be extended for one week, through February 5th.

Some of our writers and reviewers give their thoughts about UK theatre this year!

According to a notice from Actor's Equity, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has cancelled its planned production of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's Pal Joey, which was to feature a new book by Terrence McNally. No official reason for the cancellation has been provided by the Kennedy Center today.

Journey back to turn-of-the-century America, where Scott Joplin's ragtime music fills the air with an infectious beat. Ragtime: the Musical, weaves a spellbinding story of three families whose lives collide against the backdrop of New York in "the American Century"-a white family living the privileged life in New Rochelle, a disillusioned Jewish immigrant bent on achieving success, and a handsome young black piano man courting the woman he loves.

According to a notice from Actor's Equity, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has cancelled its planned production of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's Pal Joey, which was to feature a new book by Terrence McNally. No official reason for the cancellation has been provided by the Kennedy Center today.

OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, has announced that it has awarded nearly $200,000 in Audience Development grants, as part of The Opera Fund, to 16 U.S. opera companies.

Turner Classic Movies has named Angela Lansbury its Star of the Month. Wednesdays throughout January will be devoted to the star, featuring some of her many film roles during primetime and into the early morning hours.

The holiday season is just around the corner and New Year's Eve will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate 2012 than to go back in time to the funkadelic 60's as Signature Theatre hosts their annual New Year's Eve party.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director, proudly announces the world premiere production of Unreachable Eden, a historical drama written and directed by Barbara Kahn, co-directed by Robert Gonzales, Jr., with music by Arthur Abrams. Featuring Zina Anaplioti, Christopher Comeaux, Ben Davis, Claire Epstein, Robert Gonzales, Jr., Gusta Johnson, Franco Pedicini and Steph Van Vlack. Set design by Mark Marcante. Costume design by Carla Gant.

Sunday, January 8 at 4pm Smoke Jazz Club will presents a reading of Frank Christopher's play Flutter By's, a play that pushes the suspension of disbelief envelope. The comedy is set in turbulent New York circa 2001 and examines the lives of the O'Neil family and the lives of their son Anthony's childhood friends. The show will star Michael Cunio, America Olivo, Christian Campbell, Lou Liberatore, Ann Dowd, Brian Kerwin, Lea DeLaria, Annette Hunt, Gerardo Gudino, Eric Michael Gillett and Cindy Cheung.

Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, the men of Broadway can boast a banner year. Norbert Leo Butz won a second Tony for Catch Me If You Can, Harry Potter mega-star Daniel Radcliffe made his debut in a Broadway musical to tremendous acclaim, Matt Stone, Trey Parker and Robert Lopez rocked Broadway to its core with the Rialto's latest certified Blockbuster, The Book of Mormon, and Pee-Wee Herman came to the stage at last.

MASTER CLASS starred Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess (coming back to Broadway in REBECCA) as Sharon Graham and Drama Desk Award winner Alexandra Silber as Sophie De Palma. The two reprised their roles to send a Christmas greeting - see it below!