Tom Kitt News

It's interesting to me that IF/THEN is billed as 'a new musical'. It's the use of the word 'new' that I find puzzling. The concept certainly isn't an original one, having been explored on the big screen in the films Blind Chance (1981) and its sort-of remake, Sliding Doors (1998). And, even though neither of those movies were musicals, they both featured the idea of having their lead traverse optional story lines, with Blind Chance even offering up three different scenarios for its protagonist to experience. But, this show is new in the sense that it explores contemporary trends, with the caveat that some audiences may not find much to identify with, and it features a wonderfully fresh and tuneful score (music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey). All of that just might be enough to make this show worth seeing. Because it does feature a talented cast who have the ability to pull off these roles and the memorable songs provided with considerable conviction. But, the trickery seems a bit cloying at times, and the show does seem to drag at over 2 ½ hours. I guess, like our heroine, Elizabeth, I'm straddling the fence too, at least when it comes to my opinion.

Just announced, Ghostlight Records will release the original cast recording of Bright Star, the new musical from Grammy and Emmy Award winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell.

Attempting a production of the complex and heart-wrenching Pulitzer Prize winning musical, Next To Normal, in a small theatre in Maine is in itself a bold bit of programming, but to pull it off with such dazzling aplomb is absolutely extraordinary! This is precisely what Biddeford City Theater's Artistic Director, Linda Sturdivant and her excellent ensemble has achieved in a compelling, moving account of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's 2009 Tony award-winning masterpiece. The deceptively 'small' rock opera - only six characters and five musicians - was blessed on Broadway with an incomparable original cast, who seared the songs and story into theatre memory. Stepping into those iconic shoes requires the kind of talent in evidence on the City Theater's stage this March.

I saw the touring production of AMERICAN IDIOT when it played at The Peabody Opera House a while back. I was eager to see it, being a fan of Green Day's music, and this rock opera, in particular. It was a great show, but the one thing that stuck in my mind afterward wasn't the performers, or even the great songs, but instead it was the scenic design. Which brings me to New Line Theatre's intimate production of this extremely tuneful and highly politicized show; a natural for this company to tackle, since they consistently provide fuel-injected presentations of a wide range of material that covers the gamut from neglected newer shows to classics that need some new life pumped into them. It's what they do so extraordinarily well. The disconnect I felt with the touring production vanished in the cozy confines of The Marcelle, and the scenic design wasn't a distraction, instead it became a complement to the anger, frustration, and call to arms that informs this period of terrorism and paranoia in our nation's history. This is a real hit, that genuinely rocks the house! So, get your tickets now.

Broadway In Chicago and The SpongeBob Musical have announced Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles and Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros will contribute original songs to the show.

Decisions big or small can alter your life forever. That's the lesson from IF/THEN, opening at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre, and of one of it's stars, Anthony Rapp.

„Normal" wird das Leben der Goodmans sicherlich nie sein, aber ob sie einen Weg finden, mit der Krankheit umzugehen, davon erzahlt Fast Normal. Die emotionale Kraft von Handlung und Musik begrundet den immensen Erfolg des Musicals, das in Dortmund in einer Inszenierung von Stefan Huber (Funny Girl) zu sehen ist. Die Premiere fand am vergangenen Samstag zu gemischten Kritiken statt, wahrend das Publikum mit minutenlangem Schlussapplaus seine Begeisterung zum Ausdruck brachte. Weitere Vorstellungen laufen noch bis Mitte Juni.

Symphony Space pays exuberant homage to the Great White Way with Project B-way/95, a two-week celebration comprising 14 events, April 7 - 20. Curated and Produced by Joel Fram and Annette Jolles, and named for the intersection where Symphony Space stands, Project B-way/95 salutes Broadway with an exciting array of concerts, tributes, film screenings, discussions, workshops, and more. Anchored by three starry concerts in the Sharp Theatre - an evening with the incomparable Patti LuPone (Tuesday, April 19), the cheerfully nepotistic "All in the Family" with Kelli O'Hara (Monday, April 11), and this year's installment of Symphony Space's signature event, Wall to Wall Stephen Schwartz (Saturday, April 16) - Project B-way/95 offers something for every lover of American musical theater. Tickets for all events are available at symphonyspace.org.

The new American play Eclipsed by Danai Gurira, starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o, officially opened last night, March 6th, 2016 on Broadway at the Golden Theatre (252 W. 45th Street). The play also stars Pascale Armand, Akosua Busia, Zainab Jah and Saycon Sengbloh and is directed by Liesl Tommy. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below!

The red carpet was the place to be last night, as dozens of stars aligned for the big event and BroadwayWorld was on hand to chat with some of them before the curtain went up. Below, check out interviews with Victoria Clark, Steve Kazee, Judy Kuhn, Kerry Butler, Tom Kitt, Megan Hilty and more!

New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' continues its 25th anniversary season of adult, alternative musical theatre, with the first local production of the searing rock fable AMERICAN IDIOT, running now through March 26, 2016, at the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre space in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' continues its 25th anniversary season of adult, alternative musical theatre, with the first local production of the searing rock fable AMERICAN IDIOT, running now through March 26, 2016, at the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre space in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

? The American Theatre Wing announced today that the 2016 Jonathan Larson Grants recipients are Cesar Alvarez (book, music and lyrics), Nikko Benson (music and lyrics), Carson Kreitzer (book and lyrics), and Sam Salmond (book, music, and lyrics). Four prestigious grants of $10,000 each, totaling $40,000, will be presented on Monday, March 21, 2016 at a private event at the WNYC Greene Space. The event will feature special performances of the recipients' work.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND with MARIO CANTONE & JERRY DIXON, 'HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?', May 28 at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale now for Patrons and Subscribers until March 11 and to the general public on March 12. To become a Patron call Kim Fink, Director of Development at 631-725-0818. To become a Subscriber call the Box Office at 631-725-9500. For more information and to find out when tickets are available to the public, log on to www.baystreet.org or call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm. The Box Office will be open 7 days a week beginning Memorial Day weekend. This evening includes a special VIP ticket opportunity to mix and mingle with the artists at a cocktail party following the performance.

Stasera, 3 marzo 2016, e andato finalmente in onda su Rai4, GREASE: LIVE, uscito negli Stati Uniti il 31 gennaio scorso.

The SpongeBob Musical will begin performances on Tuesday, June 7th at Broadway in Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, July 3, 2016.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the song 'BFF' below, featuring Ethan Slater (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Tom Higgenson (Plain White T's)!

Second Stage Theatre will present the world premiere of Sofia Alvarez's FRIEND ART, directed by Portia Krieger, and the New York premiere of Lucy Teitler's ENGAGEMENTS as part of the company's fourteenth annual SECOND STAGE THEATRE UPTOWN SERIES this summer.

Ghostlight Records has released the original cast recording of the world premiere musical FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE -- written by Michael John LaChiusa and directed by Kirsten Sanderson -- in digital formats today, February 26. The physical CD will be online and in stores on Frida­­y, April 1.

BroadwayWorld.com Chicago reviews the national tour of IF/THEN

She might be just 24 years old, but when it comes to bringing new musicals to Broadway, Jennifer Damiano is a pro.