Inspired by the words of Will Rogers and Betty Rogers
The Will Rogers Follies focuses on the life and career of
famed humorist and performer Will Rogers (“Oklahoma’s
favorite son”). Using the Ziegfeld Follies as a backdrop,
Follies describes the episodes of Rogers’ life in spectacular
production numbers and conveys the personality of
this quintessentially American figure using snippets of
his famous homespun style of wisdom and common
sense. Follies was the winner of the Tony and Drama
Desk Award for Best Musical.
When the Marriott Theatre in far north suburban Lincolnshire announced it was mounting a production of the 1944 landmark musical comedy 'On The Town,' most cognoscenti were excited. I mean, this is a show that everyone who takes musical theater seriously has studied, but that few have actually seen.
Broadway stars might boast the biggest fan-bases, but without their directors, the vehicle driving their talents could easily swerve off the tracks. Keeping the runaway train at bay are season's bold Broadway 'conductors'. Scroll down to learn more about this season's intrepid and imaginative leaders!
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host 22 theatrical offerings from 20 different countries during WORLD STAGES: International Theater Festival 2014 that will run for three weeks March 10-30, 2014 throughout the Center. The international festival features contemporary theater works offering 13 fully staged productions, 4 theater-focused installations, 3 readings of new works, and 2 forums. From Olivier and Tony Award-winning puppetry to innovative perspectives on old classics, a diverse showcase of theatrical expression will be represented by countries spanning the globe including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, England, France, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Pakistan, Palestine, Scotland, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, and the United States.
Producers David Mirvish and Barry & Fran Weissler just announced that the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone, will finally have its Canadian premiere in a brand new production directed by Thom Southerland. TITANIC will play a six-week engagement at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, from July 22 through August 31. TITANIC will then berth on Broadway in the Fall of 2014.
Muny Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2014 Season, which opens on June 16 with Billy Elliot The Musical. "We're so happy these exciting artists are creating our 2014 season," said Isaacson. "This is a challenging season, one with incredible variety and power. We're fortunate that such extraordinary talents will be creating our 'Muny Magic.'"
Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre just announced the world premiere production of the new musical TRANSPORT. With book and lyrics by world-renowned Australian author Thomas Keneally (Schindler's List, the acclaimed book on which the Oscar-winning film is based) and music by Larry Kirwan (founder of the iconic New York City band Black 47), TRANSPORT follows the uneasy ocean voyage of Irish women who were sentenced and then exiled to the relatively uninhabited south coast of Australia in the mid-19th Century. TRANSPORT has direction and set design by three-time Tony Award-winning director and designer Tony Walton, and choreography by Barry McNabb (Irish Rep's FINIAN'S RAINBOW, STREETS OF NEW YORK). TRANSPORT will be performed February 7ththrough April 6th, 2014 on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage of the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). The Press Opening is scheduled forFebruary 16th.
Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, November 2 at 10 AM for Neil Patrick Harris' return to Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the musical with book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, directed by Michael Mayer. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com.
The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold another in its Sunday Seminars series, focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway today, September 29th.
The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold another in its Sunday Seminars series, focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway this Sunday, September 29th.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, one of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's top-five-selling shows of all time, is back by popular demand today, July 11-21 starring Boston television personality and IRNE Award winner Scott Wahle as Tevye. Reprising the role that earned him critical acclaim 10 years ago, Wahle leads a cast of 45 in this timeless musical based on Sholem Aleichem's beloved stories.Donna Sorbello, the IRNE Award-winning actress who starred as Mrs. Higgins in last season's My Fair Lady at Reagle Music Theatre, returns as Tevye's wife, Golde.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, one of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's top-five-selling shows of all time, is back by popular demand July 11-21 starring Boston television personality and IRNE Award winner Scott Wahle as Tevye. Reprising the role that earned him critical acclaim 10 years ago, Wahle leads a cast of 45 in this timeless musical based on Sholem Aleichem's beloved stories.Donna Sorbello, the IRNE Award-winning actress who starred as Mrs. Higgins in last season's My Fair Lady at Reagle Music Theatre, returns as Tevye's wife, Golde.
3-D Theatricals presents PARADE, tonight, May 10 - 26, 2013 at Plummer Auditorium, 201 East Chapman Ave, Fullerton, Calif., directed by T.J. Dawson, choreographed by Dana Solimando and musically directed by David Lamoureux.
3-D Theatricals presents PARADE, May 10 - 26, 2013 at Plummer Auditorium, 201 East Chapman Ave, Fullerton, Calif., directed by T.J. Dawson, choreographed by Dana Solimando and musically directed by David Lamoureux.
GPR Records (Glen Roven, Peter Fitzgerald, Richard Cohen, artistic directors)releases a children's CD of Catherine Zeta-Jones narrating The Runaway Bunny, based on the best selling children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown. Michael Douglas narrates everyone's favorite elephant - The Story of Babar - The Little Elephant, a 1931 classic written by Jean de Brunhoff. Also on the CD will be English Baritone Mark Stone singing Goodnight Moon also by Margaret Wise Brown. The CD, distributed by Naxos, will be released today, November 15th and will be available at www.GPRRecords.com, Amazon, and iTunes.
GPR Records (Glen Roven, Peter Fitzgerald, Richard Cohen, artistic directors) will release a children's CD of Catherine Zeta-Jones narrating The Runaway Bunny, based on the best selling children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown. Michael Douglas narrates everyone's favorite elephant - The Story of Babar - The Little Elephant, a 1931 classic written by Jean de Brunhoff. Also on the CD will be English Baritone Mark Stone singing Goodnight Moon also by Margaret Wise Brown. The CD, distributed by Naxos, will be released on November 15th and will be available at www.GPRRecords.com, Amazon, and iTunes.
Quest Theatre Ensemble steps into the center ring with The People's Barnum, directed by Andrew Park and musical directed by Tobi Mattingly. Opening is Friday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. at The Blue Theatre, (housed in St. Gregory the Great Church) at 1609 West Gregory (Gregory and Ashland). Tickets and information are available at www.questensemble.org or through reservations@questensemble.org or 312-458-0895.
Nederlander Presentations, Inc. has announced that the JEKYLL & HYDE will return to Broadway in Spring 2013 following a 25-week National Tour starring Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. The tour will launch at San Diego's Civic Theatre in San Diego, California on October 2, 2012.
Quest Theatre Ensemble steps into the center ring with The People's Barnum, directed by Andrew Park and musical directed by Tobi Mattingly. Opening is Friday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. at The Blue Theatre, (housed in St. Gregory the Great Church) at 1609 West Gregory (Gregory and Ashland). Tickets and information are available at www.questensemble.org or through reservations@questensemble.org or 312-458-0895.
BONNIE & CLYDE is currently playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The show began previews on Friday, November 4th and opens tonight, December 1st!
The Broadway cast of FOLLIES will be heading to the recording studio this week, and PS Classics is set to release the new cast recording for the revival on November 29. To pre-order the double-disc album online at $14.95, visit www.psclassics.com.
Today, the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets-a global, grassroots campaign to fight malaria in Africa-announced that Disney's The Lion King and the Nederlander Organization are joining the campaign as its newest partners in the movement to end malaria. The organizations will work together to raise awareness among millions of Broadway fans about how they can help stop malaria, a disease spread by a single mosquito bite that kills a child every 45 seconds in Africa.
Triple-Platinum Recording Artist Aaron Carter, who burst onto the pop music scene in the late nineties and quickly achieved worldwide superstardom and the adoration of millions of loyal fans, will join the cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, on Monday, November 7, 2011.
PS Classics has revealed the complete track list for the the new cast recording for the revival of FOLLIES on November 29. To pre-order the double-disc album online at $14.95, visit www.psclassics.com. The album will feature 33 tracks with some dialogue lead-ins, scenes, and speeches in a two-disc set, complete with 52-page full-color booklet with essay, synopsis, lyrics and production photos.
Limited song clips are available now as well on the PS Classics web site. Tracks will include:
PS Classics is set to release the new cast recording for the revival of FOLLIES on November 29. To pre-order the double-disc album online at $14.95, visit www.psclassics.com. According to PS Classics.com, the album will feature 33-34 songs with some dialogue lead-ins, scenes, and speeches.
Triple-Platinum Recording Artist Aaron Carter, who burst onto the pop music scene in the late nineties and quickly achieved worldwide superstardom and the adoration of millions of loyal fans, will join the cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, on Monday, November 7, 2011.
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