Geoff Packard

The Encore to Open 17th Season With Tribute Concert To Stevie Wonder
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 27, 2025

The Encore will kick off its 17th Season with a Tribute Concert dedicated to the legendary Stevie Wonder. Learn more about the concert and see how to purchase tickets!

Christy Altomare, Liz Callaway & More to Take Part in CCM Concert Honoring Stephen Flaherty at Carnegie Hall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2023

Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning Broadway composer, writing partner to book writer/lyricist Lynn Ahrens, will receive a multimedia, multi-ensemble, all-star tribute entitled “The University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Honors Alumnus: STEPHEN FLAHERTY AT CARNEGIE HALL!

Anna Zavelson, Jo Ellen Pellman, Savy Jackson and More Join IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER: The Music of Emma Ashford at the Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Jul 7, 2023

THE GREEN ROOM 42 presents IF I DIDN’T KNOW BETTER: The Music of Emma Ashford.

Review: Pittsburgh CLO Sets Sail with ANYTHING GOES at Benedum Center
by Greg Kerestan - Jun 15, 2023

Almost every time you see a major production of Anything Goes, it'll vary in some way from the last one you saw. There are at least three licensable editions of the show, from as far back as the 1930s and as recent as 2022. The song stack is in perpetual flux between a long list of Cole Porter greatest hits and B-sides, and there are several characters who appear only in certain editions of the show. About a decade ago, the show underwent a reputation update from 'park and bark' diva and vaudeville standard to an all-singing-all-dancing showcase for triple-threat performers. It's a lot of wigs on a very old head, but somehow the show still works.

Video: First Look at Rashidra Scott, A.J. Shively & More in ANYTHING GOES at Pittsburgh CLO
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 13, 2023

Get a first look at footage of Anything Goes at Pittsburgh CLO!

Carolee Carmello, Patti Murin, Frenchie Davis & More to Star in Pittsburgh CLO's 2023 Summer of Musicals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 5, 2023

As the curtain is about to rise on Pittsburgh CLO's 2023 Summer of Musicals at the Benedum Center between June 13 - August 27, 2023, now is your chance to meet the cast and creative teams!

Broadway Stars Chelsea And Geoff Packard Headline A TRIBUTE TO THE CARPENTERS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 8, 2022

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS, a tribute to the music of The Carpenters, opens this weekend at The Encore, the first offering in their popular tribute concert series.

BWW Review: BRUCE at The Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - Jun 12, 2022

Dear Readers, I need to ask you a question. Have you seen the movie “Jaws”? The original and first big summer blockbuster from 1975. Read our review. 

Preston Truman Boyd, David Benoit & More Announced for World Premiere of BRUCE at Seattle Rep
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 18, 2022

Seattle Rep today announced complete casting of its world-premiere production of Bruce, the new musical is based on Carl Gottlieb’s The Jaws Log, a novel about the making of the iconic film. Bruce will perform on the Bagley Wright stage from May 27-June 26, 2022, and will celebrate its official opening night on June 8.

The Eagles Tribute Concert Comes to The Encore Stage in February
by Stephi Wild - Jan 25, 2022

The Encore Musical Theatre Company kicks off 2022 with another exciting live music event, The Eagles Tribute Concert.  As with their sell-out Queen Tribute last fall, The Encore promises to Take It to the Limit once again with an evening of classic hits, smooth harmonies and a rockin’ band led by music director, BRIAN ROSE. 

Broadway-Style Holiday Cheer Comes To The Encore
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2021

The Encore Musical Theatre Company kicks off a month of joyful seasonal events with MERRY & BRIGHT, a delightful holiday concert starring Broadway's GEOFF AND CHELSEA PACKARD. In what promises to be a fun and festive evening, this talented couple will perform many holiday favorites, such as It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland. 

VIDEO: On This Day, April 26- BANDSTAND Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2021

On this day in 2017, the musical Bandstand opened on Broadway in a production directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler.

VIDEO: Celebrate Veterans Day with a BANDSTAND Reunion on Stars in the House- Live at 8pm!
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 11, 2020

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm) with a BANDSTAND Reunion, in honor of Veteran's Day, with Corey Cott, Laura Osnes, Joey Pero and Beth Leavel.

Broadway Rewind: Nobody Can Stop BANDSTAND at Broadway in Bryant Park!
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 16, 2020

Today we flashback to 2017, when Bandstand performed on the Bryant Park stage. Bandstand played for 166 performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, starring Laura Osnes, Corey Cott, Beth Leavel, Alex Bender, Joe Carroll, Brandon J. Ellis, James Nathan Hopkins and Geoff Packard.

Runyonland Productions Announces New Play Submission Series
by Julie Musbach - Aug 12, 2019

As a part of their 2019-2020 season, Runyonland Productions announces the formation of the Runyonland Victor's Series, a new play development program aimed at launching the careers of young playwrights at the University of Michigan.

BWW Review: THE MUSIC MAN at Goodman Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - Jul 14, 2019

Director Mary Zimmerman lends her whimsy to THE MUSIC MAN at Goodman Theatre in a production that pays homage to the small-town charm and iconic score of Meredith Willson's classic musical. Under Zimmerman's direction, this MUSIC MAN becomes a joyful company piece showcasing, in particular, the talents of the formidable actors in the supporting and ensemble roles. The production finds all the earnest humor embedded in THE MUSIC MAN, and Jermaine Hill's music direction ensures that each note rings out fully from the 12-member orchestra.

The Goodman Announces Final Extension of THE MUSIC MAN
by Julie Musbach - Jul 9, 2019

Due to overwhelming demand for tickets, Goodman Theatre has added a second and final extension week to its major revival of The Music Man, which opened last night in the Albert Theatre

The Goodman Extends THE MUSIC MAN Through August 11
by Julie Musbach - Jun 17, 2019

Due to popular demand, Goodman Theatre adds eight performances to its run of The Music Man, staged by Tony Award-winning Director Mary Zimmerman-now appearing through August 11. Hailed a "musical comedy at its feel-good best" (The New York Times), Meredith Willson's Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece, based on the story by Willson and Franklin Lacey, features beloved songs including "Goodnight My Someone," "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Gary, Indiana," and "Till There Was You."

Goodman Theatre Announces Cast And Creative Team For THE MUSIC MAN
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2019

Goodman Theatre concludes its 2018/2019 Season on a high note with Mary Zimmerman's major revival of The Music Man-Meredith Willson's joyous musical masterpiece, hailed as "one of the sunniest musicals ever" that "glows with enjoyment" with "tunes [that] are full of gusto" (The New York Times), based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey.

Adam Guettel's MYTHS AND HYMNS to be Reimagined at the University of Michigan Museum of Art
by Rebecca Russo - Apr 6, 2019

Runyonland Productions will present A Night of Myths and Hymns, a reimagining of the song cycle by Broadway composer Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza, Floyd Collins) in the newly renovated apse of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. This intersectional work has two performances on April 7th, 6:00pm and 8:00pm. A Night of Myths and Hymns is in collaboration with the Museum of Art's SMTD@UMMA series.