Elyssa Samsel

Taylor Louderman's Write Out Loud Contest Open for 2026 Submissions
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026

Taylor Louderman's annual Write Out Loud Contest is now accepting song submissions until February 28, 2026. The contest aims to showcase new songwriting talent in the musical theater community.

Indiana High School Cancels BETWEEN THE LINES Due to 'Sexual Innuendos and Alcohol References'
by Stephi Wild - Oct 20, 2025

Mississinewa High School’s fall musical was scheduled to be performed this month at the Gas City Performing Arts Center, and the cast had been in rehearsal for months already, when they found out it would be cancelled.

Video: THE BOOK THIEF Cast Performs 'Music Nonetheless'
by Stephi Wild - Oct 14, 2025

An all new video has been released of the previous cast of THE BOOK THIEF performing the song ‘Music Nonetheless.' The video was released ahead of the musical’s upcoming concerts at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 19 and Sunday 26 October 2025.

Photos: Melanie La Barrie, Isaac Gryn and More in Rehearsals for THE BOOK THIEF in Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2025

You can now get a first look inside rehearsals for  THE BOOK THIEF in concert, which will run at the Prince of Wales Theatre. See photos here and learn how to purchase tickets!

Full Cast Set and Date Extensions For THE BOOK THIEF in Concert
by Stephi Wild - Sep 16, 2025

The full cast has been announced for the musical stage adaptation and concert performances of THE BOOK THIEF, based on the best-selling novel by Markus Zusak, which also adds two extra performances due to popular demand. 

Melanie La Barrie Will Star in THE BOOK THIEF in Concert
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2025

The musical stage adaptation of THE BOOK THIEF, based on best-selling novel by Markus Zusak, will have a special concert performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

San Jose's Playful People Productions Reveals 2025-26 Season
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2025

San Jose's Playful People Productions has announced its 15th Anniversary, 2025—26 season: live stage productions of musicals old and new, and more. Learn more here!

Applications Open For the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Bookwriting Workshop
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025

 BMI is currently accepting applications to the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop for its Musical Theatre Bookwriting Workshop (formerly known as the Librettists Workshop).

BETWEEN THE LINES to be Presented at Beck Center For The Arts Youth Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2025

Beck Center for the Arts will present musical based on a young adult novel with the same name, Between the Lines. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.

Video: Lucie Jones Sings 'Mr. Darcy' From New Musical AUSTENLAND
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2025

You can now get a first look at 'Mr Darcy', performed by Lucie Jones, from the brand new musical AUSTENLAND. Learn more about the upcoming production here!

Photos: Lucie Jones and More in Rehearsal For AUSTENLAND
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

All new photos have been released from the rehearsals of AUSTENLAND, which will have its world premiere with two concert performances at the Savoy Theatre this month. Check out the photos here!

Listen: THE BOOK THIEF Original 2023 UK Cast Recording Available Now
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

The Original 2023 UK Cast Recording is available now for the musical stage adaptation of THE BOOK THIEF, based on of best-selling novel by Markus Zusak. Listen to the album here!

Full Cast Set For World Premiere Concert Performances of AUSTENLAND
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

The full cast has been announced for AUSTENLAND, a new musical based on the novel by Shannon Hale, which will have its world premiere with two concert performances at the Savoy Theatre.

Taylor Louderman's Write Out Loud Contest Accepting Song Entries Through Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 21, 2025

One week remains for writers to enter songs in the annual Write Out Loud Contest, led by the Write Out Loud team – Taylor Louderman, Benjamin Rauhala, Hannah Kloepfer, Josh Collopy, Sarah Glugatch, and Macy Schmidt. Learn how to enter!

BETWEEN THE LINES JR. Now Available for Licensing
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 20, 2025

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International has announced that Between The Lines JR. is now available for licensing. The Broadway Junior adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical based on the novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer, features a book by co-written by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald and music & lyrics by Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson

Lucie Jones Will Lead World Premiere Concert Performance of AUSTENLAND
by Stephi Wild - Feb 6, 2025

AUSTENLAND, a new musical based on the novel by Shannon Hale, will have its world premiere with two concert workshop performances at the Savoy Theatre.

Review: BETWEEN THE LINES at Horace High School Theatre
by Brian Michaels - Jan 21, 2025

What did our critic think of BETWEEN THE LINES at Horace High School Theatre?

20 Unique Audition Songs for Tenors
by Sarah Lasko - Jan 6, 2025

If you’re tired of seeing tenor audition song lists with recommendations that have already been sung a million times, we’ve curated this selection of songs to help you make a great impression at your next audition.

20 Great Audition Songs for Mezzos
by Sarah Lasko - Dec 3, 2024

If you’re a mezzo, it can feel overwhelming to find material you love that hasn’t already been sung to death. There’s so much great audition material for mezzos, and much of it is already in everyone’s audition book. Find great audition songs for mezzo-sopranos here!

Review: BETWEEN THE LINES at Newman University
by John Dalton-White - Nov 11, 2024

What did our critic think of BETWEEN THE LINES at Newman University?