Zak Resnick News

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) has announced the full cast for the 28th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS. The Festival will take place on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 2016 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

New York, New York: National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce the first round of casting for the 28th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 2016 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The Festival will kick off on Wednesday, October 26 with its celebrated concert, The 46th Minute, which features songs from Festival shows you will not get to hear in the 45-minute presentation.

For the Record is first and foremost an absolutely awesome show visually... and emotionally. The creative team of For the Record, namely Anderson Davis, Shane Scheel and music supervisor Jesse Vargas, began these amazing shows back in 2010 at Show at Barre on Vermont which turned into Rockwell Table and Stage. It's perfectly suited to a cabaret setting focusing on movie scenes and songs from a particular filmmaker. I first saw Baz Luhrman before it crossed country to great success; another big hit is the show about Quentin Tarantino. Now, in its debut, For The Record: Scorsese American Crime Requiem world premieres at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts through October 16. Scenes form Martin Scorsese films are mixed together with pop songs from the soundtracks of his films featuring a spectacular cast. It's a bigger venue but suits Scorsese's over.the.top portrayal of violent crime in America to a tee.

This fall, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts transforms much of its campus into a lively Little Italy themed street party as it celebrates For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem. The Wallis and For The Record-the acclaimed company that began in a small bar in East Hollywood in 2010 and whose performances have quickly become must see shows-combine forces to pay homage to the visceral world of Martin Scorsese in a new co production that revolutionizes the musical theater experience and brings the legendary filmmaker's epic soundtracks to life in a new generation cabaret, from September 21 through October 16. From the moment audiences arrive at The Wallis, the immersive experience begins with special pre show festivities, continuing through an exhilarating performance, and finishing with post show gatherings that feature specially curated entertainment.

This fall, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts transforms much of its campus into a lively Little Italy themed street party as it celebrates For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem. The Wallis and For The Record-the acclaimed company that began in a small bar in East Hollywood in 2010 and whose performances have quickly become must see shows-combine forces to pay homage to the visceral world of Martin Scorsese in a new co production that revolutionizes the musical theater experience and brings the legendary filmmaker's epic soundtracks to life in a new generation cabaret, from September 21 through October 16. From the moment audiences arrive at The Wallis, the immersive experience begins with special pre show festivities, continuing through an exhilarating performance, and finishing with post show gatherings that feature specially curated entertainment.

From the moment audiences arrive at The Wallis, the immersive experience begins with special pre-show festivities, continuing through an exhilarating performance, and finishing with post-show gatherings that feature specially-curated entertainment.

BroadwayWorld received a statement today from employees of Ellen's Stardust Diner, 'home of the world famous singing waitstaff,' who have joined forces with the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) to establish Stardust Family United in order to dispute alleged unhealthy working conditions, disrespectful treatment from owners and management, and fight for higher wages for its non-tipped employees.

Revolutionizing the live musical theater experience, the acclaimed company For The Record makes its triumphant return to Los Angeles in a new production, For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem. This new show will bring the legendary filmmaker's soundtracks to life in a new generation cabaret from September 21 through October 16 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem is co-produced by The Wallis and Ad Astra Live, and is made possible by the generous support of David C. Bohnett.

Returning to a role she played on Broadway, Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams stars in The Muny's 2016 season closer, AIDA. Scroll down for backstage photos from the production!

On a beautiful summer evening, under a half moon sky, and with a gentle breeze wafting through the air, nothing could compare to seeing the final show of the season at The MUNY. They close with yet another stellar selection that's filled with flair and grace. This was especially important and evident when a 25 minute interruption of the proceedings occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest, and a remembrance of the Ferguson shooting of Michael Brown. A huge thank you should be awarded to actor Ken Page, along with Michelle Williams as they came out to address the protests which took place as the second act was set to begin. Page's eloquent and thoughtful speech allowed the action to continue on stage without further incident. All that aside, this is an absolutely vibrant production of AIDA, which sparkles like it never has before. An excellent cast, led by Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny's Child, and an orchestra that can more than deftly handle the shifts in style the score presents. bring considerable energy and enthusiasm to Elton John's music and Tim Rice's lyrics. And, while the book and music may drift away from versions you've seen before this playful, and sometimes anachronistic, approach to this tale of tragic, star-crossed lovers, is decidedly engaging and entertaining. You'll be enthralled by its majesty!

On the two-year anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown, the performance of AIDA at the Muny in St. Louis was briefly halted at the top of the second act as protesters representing the Black Lives Matter movement held up signs and chanted.

Click to see some brand-new production photos from the St. Louis Muny's star-studded production of Elton John and Tim Rice's, AIDA.

TODAY'S BIG NEWS: THE PURPLE LIGHTS OF JOPPA ILLINOIS opens at Atlantic Theater Company and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED... opens at MCC! Keep an eye out for photo coverage!

The Muny announced today the complete cast for its production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida directed by Matt Lenz, choreographed by Jon Rua and music directed by Andrew Graham.

Relationships are complicated because people are complicated. Take Jason Robert Brown's 'Last Five Years,' which opened Wednesday evening at American Conservatory Theater. The 85-minute, two-person musical is simple. A couple recounts the rise and fall of their love. But just when you think you know to whom fault really belongs, Brown gives his audience another heart wrenching song to balance the scales. That Cathy and Jamie play out their stories with close to no interaction at all, and in opposite chronological order, only makes it all the more curious. And then there's the fact that the show is somewhat autobiographical and you have to wonder if Brown is living proof that we are our own worst critics. Simple, but complicated.

Today's big news: SHUFFLE ALONG and THE HUMANS will be honored this evening at the 2016 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, and Andrew Keenan-Bolger hosts this year's Broadway Junior Student Finale today!

Today's big news: The 2016 Astaire Awards ceremony is tonight, and Broadway's best gather for Manhattan Theatre Club's spring gala!