Universal Studios News

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its ?Brave New World? Season with Fiddler on the Roof. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura.

The 2nd North American tour of the worldwide smash WICKED will land at the Tulsa Chapman Music Hall from July 15-August 9, 2009.

The 2nd North American tour of the worldwide smash WICKED launches at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, FL on March 7, and runs through March 29, 2009. A limited number of seats are still available for all performances and can be purchased at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com. Stephen Schwartz discusses the story behind the story of WICKED with Florida Weekly Online, you can read it by clicking here.

Battle Hymn, Jim Leonard's critically acclaimed fantastical epic that follows a young girl's amazing pregnancy and kaleidoscopic journey through history, has been extended through March 7 at the 87-seat [Inside] the Ford in Hollywood. The Circle X world premiere production stars Suzy Jane Hunt as the teenager who remains pregnant for 150 years while searching America for a safe time and place to have her baby. Playing multiple roles in the gender and race-bending allegory are Bill Heck; Robert Manning, Jr.; William Salyers; and John Short. John Langs directs.

Arizona-based actress SUSAN CLAASSEN has just returned from a highly successful engagement on London's West End as legendary Hollywood designer Edith Head in 'A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD'.

The 2nd North American tour of the worldwide smash WICKED launches at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, FL on March 7, and runs through March 29, 2009.

Marcie Dodd comes directly from the Broadway company of WICKED, where she appeared as Elphaba. She has also performed on the North American tour and the Los Angeles companies of WICKED, where she was the standby for Elphaba. Other tours include Hairspray, We Will Rock You, and Grease as well as multiple projects and recordings with Disney Entertainment and Universal Studios

The 2nd North American tour of the worldwide smash WICKED launches at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, FL on March 7, and runs through March 29, 2009. A limited number of seats are still available for all performances and can be purchased at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Frist Center announces their Calendar of Events March 1-May 17, 2009 Free Jazz on the Move Series Continues, March 15 and April 19 The Nashville Jazz Workshop and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts present the popular series, Jazz on the Move, that feature a combination lecture and performance, presented by some of Nashville's top jazz artists and educators. The programs take place on a series of Sunday at 3 p.m. in the auditorium. All performances are free and open to the public. This series is made possible by an Arts Builds Communities (ABC) grant from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 'Brave New World' Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is the Tony Award? winning musical that captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. The play tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman coping with day-to-day 'shtetl' life, Jewish traditions and the women in his life in pre-Revolutionary Russia.

Frist Center announces their Calendar of Events March 1-May 17, 2009 Free Jazz on the Move Series Continues, March 15 and April 19 The Nashville Jazz Workshop and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts present the popular series, Jazz on the Move, that feature a combination lecture and performance, presented by some of Nashville's top jazz artists and educators. The programs take place on a series of Sunday at 3 p.m. in the auditorium. All performances are free and open to the public. This series is made possible by an Arts Builds Communities (ABC) grant from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Percy, James, Gordon - and, of course Thomas - are headed your way! Join these engine friends, Sir Topham Hatt and the townspeople of Sodor for a one-of-a-kind not-to-be-missed live entertainment experience. Thomas & FriendsTM Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town arrives at the Fox Theatre June 13 and 14 for four fabulous family performances packed with audience singalongs, high-energy dancing and thrilling adventures. The 90-minute musical adventure, produced by HIT Entertainment and AEG/ThemeSTAR, includes brand-new singalong songs and a colorful cast of circus performers to tell the engaging story of how all the engines on the Island of Sodor must work together to prepare for the exciting event under the Big Top. Problems arise along the way, and Thomas has to prove he's a really useful engine once again. Thomas & FriendsTM Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town demonstrates the importance of friendship and cooperation as it gets young children dancing and singing along, creating lifelong memories for them and their families.

The Producers of the worldwide smash WICKED announced casting for the 2nd North American Tour today. The role of Elphaba will be played by Marcie Dodd and the role of Glinda will be played by Helene Yorke. Playing the role of Madame Morrible will be Marilyn Caskey and The Wizard will be played by Tom McGowan.

Friends In Deed will present a legendary trio as Charles Busch, Whoopi Goldberg and Lypsinka star in the first-ever New York presentation of the infamous Broadway-play-that-wasn't, LEGENDS!. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner James Kirkwood (A Chorus Line), the play will be presented in a special One Night Only staged reading benefit on Monday evening, March 23 at 8PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street).

Upon the January 27th Finale of six, sold-out nights of competition among 18 contestants at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA, the vivacious Theresa Anne Swain was named LA's Next Great Stage Star 2009. The annual talent search has become the most high profile stage competition in Los Angeles since its inception in 2006. Ms. Swain was awarded a $1000 cash prize, an equally lucrative, paid headlining engagement at Sterling's Upstairs. As the event's Gold Sponsor, the Sheraton Universal Hotel, located adjacent to Universal Studios, will provide the talented redhead with dinner for two at the hotel's noted 'California's Restaurant,' and an overnight stay in a beautifully appointed suite to coincide with her return to Sterling's on a date to be announced prior to May, 2009.

Battle Hymn, Jim Leonard's critically acclaimed fantastical epic that follows a young girl's amazing pregnancy and kaleidoscopic journey through history, has been extended through March 7 at the 87-seat [Inside] the Ford in Hollywood. The Circle X world premiere production stars Suzy Jane Hunt as the teenager who remains pregnant for 150 years while searching America for a safe time and place to have her baby. Playing multiple roles in the gender and race-bending allegory are Bill Heck; Robert Manning, Jr.; William Salyers; and John Short. John Langs directs.

A fantastical epic follows a young girl's amazing pregnancy and kaleidoscopic journey through history: Circle X Theatre Co. presents the World Premiere production of Battle Hymn, by multiple award-winning playwright Jim Leonard (The Diviners, CBS's Close to Home), directed by John Langs. Battle Hymn runs January 17 through February 21 at the 87-seat [Inside] the Ford. This is the second production (following Song of Extinction) in the adventurous 2008-09 season of new plays that is part of the Ford Theatres' partnership program with L.A. County-based performing arts organizations.

The Los Angeles production of WICKED closed last night (Sunday, January 11th) at the Pantages Theatre, after playing 791 performances and 12 previews. It has entered the record books as one of the most successful musicals in Los Angeles theatre history. This production is now transferring to the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, where it begins performances on January 27.

Arizona-based actress Susan Claassen, who completed a highly successful engagement on London's West End this summer as legendary Hollywood designer Edith Head in 'A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD', recently began an intermittent US tour which will bring her to Arizona and California. (The month-long engagement at London's new Leicester Square Theatre was preceded by a sold out run at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.)

Mamma Mia! The Movie is hosting a virtual conga line that stretches worldwide online. There are already over 1000 participants. You simply insert your photo and join the other 'conga dancers', it is a fun way to be your very own 'Dancing Queen'.