On the Town Photos Page 2 - Off-Broadway

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

Contemporary Theatre of Dallas will make its New York debut in July 2014 with LONE STAR and LAUNDRY & BOURBON. The two one-acts by the widely-produced late playwright James McLure give a flavorful slice of life in rural Texas. Now in its 13th season, the celebrated regional theater company has been named 'Best Theatre Company' by the Dallas Observer. Their productions are regularly selected in the 'Top 10 Shows of the Year' from the Dallas Voice. LONE STAR and LAUNDRY & BOURBON, directed by Cynthia Hestand, will be performed at The Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street) from July 5 to July 26. Scroll down for a sneak peek at both shows!

To witness an entire audience on its feet, joyfully clapping, singing, and dancing into the aisles, one might have imagined rocking at Woodstock rather than in picturesque college town of Brunswick, ME. But, indeed, the exuberance and energy that filled the Pickard Theatre on the Bowdoin campus was a tribute to the triumphant production of The Buddy Holly Story with which Maine State Music Theatre opened its 56th season. The jukebox musical which recounts the last three years in the life of rock legend Charles Hardin 'Buddy' Holly is, in many ways a perfect vehicle to showcase this company's strengths and its new optimistic and visionary artistic direction. Buddy features a largely youthful and hugely talented cast of music theatre singer-actor-musicians, dazzlingly production values, and demonstrates the company's ability to forge an intense connection with its audience.

TimeLine Theatre Company begins its 2013-14 season with the award-winning play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Ron OJ Parson, now through November 17, 2013 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center welcomes summer with Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND with lyrics by Jim Steinman, book by Patricia Knop, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gayle Edwards, directed by Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Kelsey Overberg. WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND plays now through August 10, 2013 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. BroadwayWorld has new photos of the cast in action below!

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and TriStan Wilson Managing Director, presents the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town now through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening was last night, June 16 at 5pm. The show just held a post show talk-back with Amanda Green and William Finn and you can check out photos from the event below!

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and Tristan Wilson Managing Director, presents the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town now through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening is Sunday, June 16 at 5pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, live theatre's wildly popular rock 'n' roll musical, has exploded onto Sierra Repertory Theatre's East Sonora stage. Featuring a dozen live musicians and jam-packed with vintage concert scenes, this rock 'n' roll celebration kicked off Sierra Rep's 34th season on March 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).

The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) dedicated its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4. The ceremony began at the theatre (261 West 47th Street at 8th Avenue) . MTC previously announced that it was renaming its Broadway home, until now known as the Biltmore Theatre, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in recognition of the pioneering Broadway publicist.

A cast of Broadway stars performed in Broadway by the Year: The Broadway Musicals of 1959, presented by The Town Hall, on Monday April 30 at 8 PM.