Thomas Meehan News

Today on Twitter, in response to a fan asking '@Rosie R U doing Annie or is that a rumor?', O'Donnell responded 'rumor - I auditioned but didn't get it'.

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angles Drama Critic's Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, has announced an exciting quintet of shows to celebrate its seventeenth season of Broadway in Concert musicals.

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, opens tonight at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, and runs through June 17, 2012. Check out production photos of the cast below!

Today in 1977, Annie opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), where it ran for 2377 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Today in 2001, The Producers opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 2502 performances. The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, it won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production running for three years, national tours, many productions worldwide and a 2005 film version.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, known for producing acclaimed, innovative and classic musicals and comedies, announces its 2012-2013 season featuring five glorious films brought to new life on stage.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, known for producing acclaimed, innovative and classic musicals and comedies, announces its 2012-2013 season featuring five glorious films brought to new life on stage.

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, previewing April 12, opening April 19, and running through June 17, 2012.

Broadway By The Bay, the Peninsula's premier musical theatre company, presents the hilariously entertaining HAIRSPRAY, running Thursday, April 5 through Sunday, April 22, at the company's home, the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City (2215 Broadway Street, Redwood City). Press night is scheduled for Friday, April 6, 2012 at 8:00. Tickets for HAIRSPRAY range in price from $20 - $48 and are on sale now at Broadway By The Bay Box Office (851 Burlway Road, Suite 300, Burlingame), by phone at 650-579-5565 and on the Web at www.broadwaybythebay.org. Special youth, student, senior and group pricings are available.

Broadway By The Bay, the Peninsula's premier musical theatre company, has finalized its casting for Hairspray, the first show of its 2012 season. This will be the second year of performances at the company's new home, the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City and the 47th season in their history. The season will feature three full-scale productions and the return of the hit Broadway By The Year® series. Hairspray runs April 5 - 22 and tickets as well as season subscriptions are available now by calling 650-579-5565 or at www.broadwaybythebay.org.

J.L. "Lynn" Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), is pleased to announce PPAC's 35th Anniversary Broadway Season and welcomes Taco/The White Family Foundation as the NEW Broadway Series sponsor. The seven-show 2012/2013 Taco/The White Family Foundation Broadway Series includes the launch of the national tours of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and ELF, along with MEMPHIS, JEKYLL & HYDE, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, SISTER ACT, and WAR HORSE.

Today in 1997, Annie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre), where it ran for 239 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.

Auch in diesem Jahr bieten die FreilichtSpiele Tecklenburg ein abwechslungsreiches Programm, u.a. mit 'Marie Antoinette' und 'Hairspray'

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' will continue its 21st season of rock theatre March 1-24, 2012 with the American regional premiere of the Broadway rock musical CRY-BABY.

CHAMPS Charter High School of the Arts Performing Arts Academy brings the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical to life. Jump back to 1960s Baltimore, where pleasantly plump Tracy Turnblad has big hair, an even bigger heart, and a huge dream to be a dancer on the Corny Collins Show. Tracy has never been part of the "in" crowd - until she wins the coveted spot and finds herself a teen idol overnight. Tracy becomes a trend setter, using her popularity to help change the show's segregation policy.

With book by three-time Tony Award winner MEL BROOKS and three-time Tony Award winner THOMAS MEEHAN, Music & Lyrics by BROOKS, and Direction and Choreography by five-time Tony Award winner SUSAN STROMAN, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN makes its Sarasota Premiere Thurs. and Fri. March 22 & 23, 2012 @ 8 PM at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Comedian, talk show host, producer and star Rosie O'Donnell has made no secret of her desire to play 'Miss Hannigan' in the upcoming Broadway revival of ANNIE. Now, an insider has told the Huffington Post that she will indeed be returning to Broadway in the revival. The source told HP: 'Ro loves Broadway and is super excited about playing the part. The paperwork hasn't been signed yet but the negotiations are well under way. This is a great role that she will be able to sink her teeth into and will get her back to acting and performing live, which has always been her first love."

HAIRSPRAY, the Tony Award-winning musical, will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, previewing April 12, opening April 19, and running through June 17, 2012.