International City Theatre Closes Season with AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', 10/9-11/4
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 18, 2012
The joint will be jumpin' when International City Theatre closes its 2012 season with Ain't Misbehavin', the Tony Award-winning musical revue based on the life of Thomas "Fats" Waller. Saundra McClain directs Phillip Brandon (national tour: The Color Purple), Niketa Calame (Celebration Theatre's The Color Purple), Amber Mercomes (San Francisco and Los Angeles Opera productions of Porgy and Bess), Lacy Darryl Phillips (Broadway: Fosse and A Raisin in the Sun) and Jennifer Shelton (first national tour of Ragtime; previously seen on the ICT stage in Songs for a New World, Five Course Love, The Story, Honk! and Swinging on a Star), with musical direction by Rahn Coleman and choreography by Stephen Semien. Performances take place October 12 through November 4 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, with low-priced previews beginning October 9.
Photo Flash: XANADU Celebrates Opening Night at Drury Lane Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Sep 14, 2012
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the effervescent Broadway musical XANADU, which opened last night, September 13 at 8 p.m. and runs through October 28, 2012. The cast of XANADU is led by Gina Milo as "Clio/Kira" and and Chris Critelli as "Sonny". Check out photos of the stars at opening night below!
WICKED at the Fox Theatre Goes On Sale Today, 9/15
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2012
After breaking box office records in the three previous engagements, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to the Fox Theatre this holiday season from December 12, 2012 through January 6, 2013. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale today, September 15. Internet sales through metrotix.com will begin at 9 a.m.; the Fox Box Office and MetroTix charge by phone at 314-534-1111 will open at 10 a.m.
Terrence McNally Accepts ACLU's Beacon of Liberty Award at Boston Gala Tonight, 9/15
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2012
Fiddlehead Theatre Company, in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union, with the support of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, City of Boston, announce an exciting new production of the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME. The production runs September 28-October 7, 2012 at Boston's Historic Strand Theatre, and aims to celebrate the work of the ACLU, and in particular keep issues of personal liberty at the forefront of people's minds during the upcoming elections. Tonight, September 15, 2012, at a special gala in Boston, RAGTIME creator Terrence McNally will accept the ACLU's Beacon of Liberty Award on behalf of himself and fellow creators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Marin Mazzie, Santino Fontana and More Set for Westport Country Playhouse's Gala Honoring Terrence McNally, 9/24
by Kelsey Denette - Sep 13, 2012
Westport Country Playhouse's one-night-only fundraising gala, "The Full McNally: A Celebration of the Writing and Works of Terrence McNally," will take place Monday evening, September 24. McNally is the winner of Tony Awards for his plays "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and "Master Class," and his books for the musicals "Ragtime" and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman." His other works include "The Full Monty," and "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," which was produced at Westport Country Playhouse in 2011.
SEUSSICAL Opens 11/14 at Imagination Stage
by Kelsey Denette - Sep 13, 2012
Oh, the places you'll go when Seussical turns Imagination Stage into a world where "Anything is possible!" Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza written by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who also wrote the hits Ragtime and Once On This Island. The two have lovingly brought to life all of the favorite Dr. Seuss characters from a host of the author's most popular books.
Eric Michael Krop, Christine Pedi, and More Set for OVER IT Benefit Concert, 9/24
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 12, 2012
A bevy of fabulous Broadway, Off-Broadway and Downtown performers gather together raise funds and awareness at OVER IT! A Benefit For Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Held at the Laurie Beechman Theater, whose namesake lost her battle with ovarian cancer, the evening's proceeds will go to the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative. Singing the songs that inspire them most, the roster of singers includes Brian Bailey (Cats, The Wizard of Oz), Jennifer Bennett (Cats), Anne Brummel(Wicked), Canadian singing sensation Michael Hughes, Liana Hunt (Mamma Mia), Lisa Karlin (The Addams Family, Ragtime), Eric Michael Krop (Godspell), Annalyse McCoy (2/3 Goat), Cedric Neal (Porgy and Bess), Christine Pedi (Forbidden Broadway, Newsical), Molly Pope (The Material World), Allison Rogers (Giant), Gabrielle Ruiz (In The Heights, A Chorus Line), Lara Siebert (A Christmas Story, Hugh Jackman's Back on Broadway, Young Frankenstein) Antoine L. Smith(Memphis) and The Manhattan Dolls(Sarah Drake, Annemarie Rosano, Christine Tucker). Jason Wetzel serves as music director for the evening.'
Broadway's Current Revival Becomes Longest-Running Production of PORGY & BESS
by Kelsey Denette - Sep 11, 2012
The 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS becomes the longest-running production of Porgy and Bess to ever play on Broadway with its 306th performance today, September 11, 2012, breaking the record formerly held by the 1953 revival at the Ziegfeld Theatre. The show will conclude its limited engagement at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street) on Sunday, September 23, 2012.
XANADU Begins Previews at Drury Lane Theatre Tonight, 9/6
by BWW News Desk - Sep 6, 2012
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the effervescent Broadway musical XANADU, previewing tonight, September 6, opening Thursday, September 13 at 8 p.m. and running through October 28, 2012.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Makes Minnesota Debut at the Orpheum This December; Tickets On Sale 9/10
by Kelsey Denette - Sep 4, 2012
Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that individual tickets for Catch Me If You Can will go on sale Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 at 9 a.m. in person at the State Theatre Box Office and at 10 a.m. online through HennepinTheatreTrust.org or by calling 1.800.982.2787. Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, Catch Me If You Can debuts in Minnesota December 11-16, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre. It is part of Hennepin Theatre Trust's 2012/13 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season.
WICKED at the Fox Theatre Goes On Sale 9/15
by Kelsey Denette - Aug 30, 2012
After breaking box office records in the three previous engagements, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to the Fox Theatre this holiday season from December 12, 2012 through January 6, 2013. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Saturday, September 15. Internet sales through metrotix.com will begin at 9 a.m.; the Fox Box Office and MetroTix charge by phone at 314-534-1111 will open at 10 a.m.
Backstage Conversations with Creative Team of NTC's SEUSSICAL, Opening Tonight, 8/30
by BWW News Desk - Aug 30, 2012
"Seussical" opens at NTC at 8:00 pm tonight, August 30. This zany musical debuted on Broadway in 2000 and has been a favorite with children and regional theatres ever since. The music was written by Lynn Aherns and Stephen Flaherty, who also wrote "Ragtime," which Newnan High School performed this past spring. Below are interviews with the show's director, Dave Dorrell, and choreographer Emily Moore.
Becky Ann Baker, Peter Friedman and More Set for Playwrights Horizons' THE GREAT GOD PAN
by Kelsey Denette - Aug 29, 2012
Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced additional casting for its 2012/2013 Season, with initial casting for THE GREAT GOD PAN, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Amy Herzog (After the Revolution at PH, 4000 Miles), directed by Carolyn Cantor (After the Revolution and Essential Self-Defense at PH, Pumpgirl, Orange Water Flower).
The Astoria Performing Arts Center Announces 12th Season
by Kelsey Denette - Aug 28, 2012
The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC), recipient of the 2012 Caffe Cino Fellowship Award from the Innovative Theatre Foundation, has announced their additional IT Award Nominations and their 12th Season featuring the New York Premiere of Gregory S. Moss's (punkplay, House of Gold) Billy Witch and Willy Russell's (Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine) Blood Brothers. APAC is also fortunate to be working on a developmental piece with Grammy and Tony-award winning composer Galt MacDermot (Hair), Gone Tomoro. APAC's performance venue is located at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd) in Astoria, Queens.
Audra McDonald Returns to Full Performance Schedule in PORGY & BESS Tonight, 8/28
by BWW News Desk - Aug 28, 2012
Producers of the 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS welcome Tony Award winner Audra McDonald's return to an eight-performance schedule beginning tonight, August 28th. She had previously been on a schedule of seven performances per week, not performing the Wednesday evening shows.
Brandon Victor Dixon and Valisia LeKae to Lead MOTOWN; Opening Set for 4/14 at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 27, 2012
According to the New York Times, MOTOWN The Musical, based on the life of iconic Motown founder Berry Gordy, will start previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater on March 11, with opening night set for April 14. The cast will be led by Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple) as 'Berry Gordy Jr.' and Valisia LeKae (Ragtime, The Book of Mormon) as 'Diana Ross.' Additional casting has not yet been announced.
Stafford Arima Set to Direct RAGTIME Concert at Lincoln Center, 2/18
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 27, 2012
Manhattan Concert Productions has just announced Stafford Arima as Stage Director for a concert performance of Ragtime The Musical in New York's Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on February 18, 2013. Nominated for an Olivier Award for his direction of the West End premiere of Ragtime, Arima will now stage direct a whole host of Broadway stars with full chorus in a concert performance of Ragtime The Musical.
RAGTIME Plays Strand Theatre, 9/28-10/7; Terrence McNally Accepts ACLU's Beacon of Liberty Award at Boston Gala, 9/15
by BWW News Desk - Aug 26, 2012
Fiddlehead Theatre Company, in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union, with the support of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, City of Boston, announce an exciting new production of the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME. The production runs September 28-October 7, 2012 at Boston's Historic Strand Theatre, and aims to celebrate the work of the ACLU, and in particular keep issues of personal liberty at the forefront of people's minds during the upcoming elections. On September 15, 2012, at a special gala in Boston, RAGTIME creator Terrence McNally will accept the ACLU's Beacon of Liberty Award on behalf of himself and fellow creators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Backstage Conversations with Creative Team of NTC's SEUSSICAL, Opening 8/30
by BWW News Desk - Aug 26, 2012
"Seussical" opens at NTC at 8:00 pm on August 30. This zany musical debuted on Broadway in 2000 and has been a favorite with children and regional theatres ever since. The music was written by Lynn Aherns and Stephen Flaherty, who also wrote "Ragtime," which Newnan High School performed this past spring. Below are interviews with the show's director, Dave Dorrell, and choreographer Emily Moore.
GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL Opens in the Rep's Stackner Cabaret Tonight, 8/26
by BWW News Desk - Aug 26, 2012
Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2012/13 Season kicks off with the wacky, award-winning musical comedy, Gutenberg! The Musical! The play is written by Scott Brown and Anthony King with original Music Direction and Arrangements by T. O. Sterrett. and will be directed by Rep Associate Artist Laura Gordon, who directed last season's delightful production of In the Next Room or the vibrator play. Gutenberg! The Musical! features comedic actor and Rep Associate Artist Gerard Neugent, former Milwaukee Rep Acting Intern Eric Damon Smith and frequent Rep collaborator Musical Director/Pianist Paul Helm. Gutenberg! The Musical runs in the Stackner Cabaret from August 24 - October 14, and opens tonight, August 26.