Thomas Meehan News

"Leapin' Lizards!" ANNIE, one of the best-loved family musicals of all time, takes center stage at North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) from Tuesday, July 17, through Sunday, July 29. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30pm.

The tale of Little Orphan Annie will come to life at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale, CA for 30 performances May 17 through June 30, 2012. Concurrent with Annie celebrating its 35th anniversary this year as America's most beloved musical, the Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT) also celebrates its 65 th year as the oldest, continuously operating theatre in the United States.

Though hot and sunny outside, theaters across the country already are thinking towards the holidays. As previously announced, NETWorks Presentations will present a non-Equity tour of Elf The Musical, which will launch at the Providence Performing Arts Center from November 4 through November 10. Engagements will follow at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton from November 13 through November 18, Tampa's Straz Center for the Performing Arts from November 20 through November 25, and the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall from November 27 through December 2 in Fort Myers. The tour will end in St. Paul at the Ordway Theatre, playing from December 5 through December 30.

The new musical adaptation of ROCKY met the German press, including a mini-concert by the show's stars! The show will open this November in Hamburg under the direction of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Tony nominee Alex Timbers.

For those living under a rock or if you happen to have missed my story last fall on Annie casting, the little orphan with big dreams and red hair is coming back to Broadway this fall. Annie begins previews October 3rd at the Palace Theatre and tickets are now on sale.

The casting for the Hollywood Bowl's production of THE PRODUCERS is complete with the announcement of Dane Cook - one of the country's most popular comedians - as Franz Liebkind. Cook joins previously announced cast members Richard Kind as Max Bialystock, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Leo Bloom, Roger Bart as Carmen Ghia, Gary Beach as Roger De Bris, and Rebecca Romijn as Ulla.

ANNIE, the new production of the classic Tony Award-winning musical, is now on sale. ANNIE, which features a Tony Award-winning score by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin and a Tony Award-winning book by Thomas Meehan, will be directed by three-time Tony Award-winner James Lapine and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler. The production begins previews on October 3 at the Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street). Opening night is Thursday, November 8.

Fountain Hills Theater has announced its exciting 2012-13 Season. In what may be the most ambitious season yet presented, FHT brings six great Mainstage shows, four shows mounted in the all-new Mainstage Too, four productions in the Youth Theater and two special engagements. Note that Mainstage Too is brand new this season - when the Youth Theater is dark, FHT will be presenting smaller comedies, plays and musicals in this venue. See full details below.

Ivoryton is the new home for Hairspray -- the 'soultastic, hair hoppin', dance-til-you-drop musical! It's 1962 and big girl Tracy Turnblad has only one desire - to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network - all without denting her 'do!'

6th Street Playhouse presents 'The Producers' with book and music by Mel Brooks, lyrics and libretto by Thomas Meehan and Mel Brooks.

The Production Company opens its 2012 Season on July 11 with the Mel Brooks comic masterpiece, The Producers. This brand new staging by Andrew Hallsworth and Dean Bryant will star seven of Australia's best comic talents in a company of fifty singers, dancers and musicians.

Beck Center for the Arts has announced its 2012/2013 Professional Theater season including five locally produced premieres and an eclectic mix of outrageous comedies, award-winning musicals and inspiring dramas that Northeast Ohio audiences have come to expect from Beck Center.

ANNIE, the new production of the classic Tony Award®-winning musical, goes on sale today to American Express cardholders. For tickets, call 877-250-2929 or visit Ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be available to the general public on Monday, June 25. ANNIE will star two-time Tony Award® winner Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan, Australian star Anthony Warlow making his Broadway debut as Daddy Warbucks and 11-year-old Lilla Crawford as Annie, with Brynn O'Malley (Wicked, Hairspray) as Grace Farrell, Daddy Warbucks' devoted personal secretary, Clarke Thorell (Hairspray, Mamma Mia!) as Rooster Hannigan, Miss Hannigan's ne'er-do-well brother and J. Elaine Marcos (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, A Chorus Line) as Lily St. Regis, Rooster's floozy girlfriend. The orphans are Madi Rae DiPietro as July, Georgi James as Pepper, Junah Jang as Tessie, Tyrah Skye Odoms as Kate, Taylor Richardson as Duffy, Emily Rosenfeld as Molly and Jaidyn Young as standby for the roles of Annie, Pepper, Duffy and July. The production also features Ashley Blanchet, Jane Blass, Jeremy Davis, Merwin Foard, Joel Hatch, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Gavin Lodge, Liz McCartney, Desi Oakley, David Rossetti, Sarah Solie, Dennis Stowe and Ryan VanDenBoom.

The new musical adaptation of ROCKY has set casting for its German premiere, which will open this November in Hamburg under the direction of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Tony nominee Alex Timbers.

Australia's preeminent musical theatre and opera star Anthony Warlow will make his Broadway debut as billionaire Daddy Warbucks in the new production of ANNIE, the Tony Award-winning classic musical. ANNIE opens November 8 at the Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street). Previews begin October 3. Warlow stars opposite two-time Tony Award-winner Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan and 11-year-old Lilla Crawford (Billy Elliot) as Annie.

Nominations for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at a news conference this morning by Drama Desk winners Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James. The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards took place tonight, Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall in Manhattan.

Nominations for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at a news conference on April 27 by Drama Desk winners Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James. After weeks of anticipation, the ceremony is tonight, June 3, at The Town Hall and BroadwayWorld will be bringing you the full spectrum of coverage, of course!

Rob McClure, who originated the role of Chaplin at the La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the title role of the new Broadway musical CHAPLIN. A new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis, CHAPLIN will open on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. Additional casting and additional creative team to be announced soon.