Thomas Meehan News

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

ELF, based upon the hit movie starring Will Ferrell, returned to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on November 9, 2012. The seasonal production wraps up its 9-week limited engagement today, January 6. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you through the show's joyous journey to Broadway with photos, videos, and more.

The new musical CHAPLIN, depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, concludes its Broadway run today, January 6, at the Barrymore Theatre, after 24 previews and 136 regular performances. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you through the hit musical's traipse on Broadway with photos, videos, and more.

Today in 2009, Hairspraiy closed at the Neil Simon Theatre after 2,641 performances. Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.

The new musical CHAPLIN will be produced in São Paulo, Brazil at the Teatro Procópio Ferreira in April 2014 by Chaim XYZ Produções. The current Broadway production will play its final performance at the Barrymore Theatre on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

CHAPLIN, a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin played by Rob McClure, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis, opened on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012. Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow; Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. McClure's past Avenue Q castmate Ricky Lyon and Joseph Siroa just visited the show and you can catch photos of the duo backstage below!

American Airlines is the official airline of the new critically acclaimed new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Annie. Cast members from the production performed a selection of songs from the show at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of American Airlines' JFK concert series on Friday, December 21. Check out 'You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile', 'Little Girls' and 'Tomorrow' below!

Before the holidays, Broadway's ELF THE MUSICAL made one lucky winner's holiday wish come true with a walk-on role in the musical. Last night, the contest winner, Melissa Marengo, joined Buddy the Elf and the rest of the cast, including two-time Tony winner Beth Leavel and Wayne Knight of Seinfeld, on stage during the Macy's Santa Scene. Check out photos of Melissa prepping for her Broadway debut below!

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts presents 'Annie.' The production will take place on Saturday, January 12 at 3pm and Sunday, January 13 at 3pm at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court (off Post Road East) in Westport, CT. Tickets are $30/$25 for adults and $25/$20 for students and reservations are suggested. For tickets, call Music Theatre of Connecticut at 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com

Broadway's Elf The Musical and Chaplin share an upcoming closing date-January 6, 2013-and Elf's Jason Eric Testa made a special little video to commiserate. Click below to watch!

The Broadway musical ELF is currently playing Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul for a three-week run. The city's WCCO-TV got a behind-the-scenes look at the production and spoke with the lead actors, including Matt Kopec, who plays Buddy. Click below to watch!

American Airlines has been announced as the official airline of the new critically acclaimed new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Annie. Cast members from the production will perform a selection of songs from the show at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of American Airlines' JFK concert series on Friday, December 21 at 2:15 PM and 2:45 p.m.

It may be wintertime, but Theater By The Sea (TBTS) is in full swing planning next summer's blockbuster musical season. TBTS owner and producer Bill Hanney will be independently producing all 4 shows along with his team from his other award-winning theatre, North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. Subscriptions and Holiday Gift Certificates are on sale now by calling (401) 789-2422 or online at theatrebythesea.biz.

On Thursday, December 13, ABC's Good Morning America aired a live performance by Anthony Warlow and understudy Taylor Richardson from the Broadway musical Annie. Check out their performance below!

Lilla Crawford, star of the new Broadway production of Annie will perform live on ABC's 'Live! With Kelly and Michael' between 9:00AM-10:00AM EST this Tuesday. In the New York area, 'Live! With Kelly and Michael' airs on WABC Channel 7. Check your local listings. Tune in to see Lilla Crawford perform 'Tomorrow.'