David Atkins

Off Broadway enthusiasts are increasingly adding the tag South Broadway to denote the fact that first rate productions are being mounted by creative and savvy theater owners in their audience friendly state of the art venues in South Florida. The Wick Theatre In Boca Raton is one of the newest and most glamorous. I was recently there for the dress rehearsal of the season opener Hot Shoe Shuffle. The Wick audience is in for a fabulous evening of song and dance with an unbelievable display of talent on it's stage. Bravo to Producer Marilyn Wick, Director Jonathan Van Dyke, Choreographer Justin M. Lewis, Jason Tucker musical director and a very talented cast. The show runs October 17- November 10. Check out the photos.

Are you ready to 'cut a rug'? The Wick Theatre opens their seventh season with the Australian and West End smash hit, Hot Shoe Shuffle. This award-winning production features a cast of dynamic dancers tapping and singing their way through the biggest hits from the American Big Band era performed by a 10-piece live band.

CAT Theatre presents BINGO! THE WINNING MUSICAL by Ilene Reid, Michael Heitzman, and David Holcenberg, directed by Pat Walker, opening Friday, April 19 and running through Saturday, May 4, 2019.

After last year's sold out Comedy Extravaganza, we've upsized to an all-star variety show of epic proportions! Set in the grand dame that is Hamer Hall and hosted by Rhys Nicholson, the Midsumma Extravaganza will feature Zoe Coombs Marr, Trevor Ashley, Carlotta, Joel Creasey and more. 

The 2018 Helpmann Awards Act II tonight was a star-studded ceremony in front of a full house at the Capitol Theatre Sydney on the set of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical. Hosts for this stellar evening were music writer Glenn A Baker AM, acclaimed choreographer Rafael Bonachela, celebrated musical theatre star and TV host David Campbell, multiple Helpmann Award winning mezzo soprano Jacqueline Dark, comedian Anne Edmonds and Olivier and Tony Award Nominee Tony Sheldon.

The world's premier theatrical ice skating company, The Imperial Ice Stars, returns to Australia with its award-winning masterpiece SWAN LAKE ON ICE, touring to Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney next July.

This year, the winners of the 2018 Helpmann Awards will be announced at two events over two big nights. Both events will be directed by one of Australia's most internationally renowned producers, Olivier and MTV Award winner, choreographer and director David Atkins OAM. This year, for the first time, the Helpmann Awards will be broadcast live across the country, exclusively on the ABC.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to "Seize the Day" as they present the fifth and final show of its 2017-2018 season (and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre) with Disney's NEWSIES, book by Harvey Fierstein, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, musical direction by Brent Crayon and directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds. NEWSIES will preview on Friday, June 1, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 2 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.  

Live Performance Australia (LPA) today announced details of the 18th annual Helpmann Awards, which will see the stars of the live performance industry come together for two remarkable nights.   

The Broadway, West End and international sensation STOMP is back, and it's better than ever! Following a sell-out visit in 2013, STOMP returns to Australia with its unstoppable energy and 'pure stage magic'. The show will tour to Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Sydney from May to August next year.

The Broadway, West End and international sensation STOMP is back, and it's better than ever! Following a sell-out visit in 2013, STOMP returns to Australia with its unstoppable energy and 'pure stage magic'. The show will tour to Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Sydney from May to August next year.

The world's premier theatrical ice skating company, The Imperial Ice Stars, returns to Australia with its award-winning masterpiece SWAN LAKE ON ICE, touring to Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney next July.

The Tony Award nominated musical 'Bright Star' is currently running through November 19, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Presented by Center Theatre Group, the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, will be directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbieand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. See the Carmen Cusack and the cast of the show in a new music video for the opening number, 'If You Knew My Story' below!

BRIGHT STAR at Ahmanson Theatre plays through November 19. This original musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances.

Steve Martin's and Edie Brickell's Bright Star played Broadway in 2016, garnering a Tony nomination for Carmen Cusack. The show fared somewhat well, but did not seem to be an overall critics' choice. On the minus side, it is an all too familiar story about a backwoods pregnant girl and parental abuse in the 1920s, with far-fetched resolutions and a sweet, but for many, saccharine ending. In spite of this, I was delighted with the bluegrass music by Martin and Brickell, with Walter Bobbie's fluid staging and with the performances. It's most definitely uplifting and an entertaining evening at the Ahmanson through November 19.

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' opened at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. Go inside opening night below!

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' will open at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. The Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, is currently in previews and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Performances will continue through November 19, 2017. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast onstage in Los Angeles below!

'Bright Star' begins previews tonight, October 11, opens October 20, and runs through November 19, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Presented by Center Theatre Group, the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, will be directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

From England to New Zealand to Hong Kong, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced 2006 lavish revival of The Sound of Music finally made it to Manila, which officially held its gala performance last Friday, September 29, at The Theatre at Solaire and an after party at the Diamond Hotel. (Thanks to Globe Live, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Concertus Manila, and David Atkins Enterprises--yes, it takes a village to import a first-rate international theatrical production!)

Associate Director Frank Thompson, who was also the resident director of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival production of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, presented the cast of the international touring production of The Sound of Music, led by Carmen Pretorius (Maria) and Janelle Visagie (Mother Abbess), at a media call yesterday.