Mel Johnson

Listen: THE 12 Musical Original Cast Recording Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 9, 2025

Center Stage Records and Yellow Sound Label has released The 12 – A New Musical (Original Cast Recording). You can now learn more about the musical, and listen here!

Review: 54 SINGS THE RINK Pays Tribute to a Kander & Ebb Gem at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 27, 2024

Charles Kirsch, host of the Backstage Babble podcast, produced Monday night’s 54 Sings The Rink concert, featuring an array of talent who all had some connection to the 1984 musical. The Rink was a treasure, and this concert was a treasure, too, featuring Karen Ziemba, Mary Testa, Caroline O'Connor and many other stars.

See Laura and Linda Benanti & More Next Week at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 19, 2024

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Full Line-up Set For WOW - Women Of The World Festival In Manchester
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2024

WOW - Women of the World, and Factory International have announced the full programme for WOW Manchester, which will take place at Aviva Studios from 24-26 May. 

VIDEO: Watch Highlights from Goodspeed's THE 12
by Alan Henry - Sep 28, 2023

Get a first look of the cast of THE 12 in action at T he Goodspeed in East Haddam.

Video: Watch Highlights From THE 12 At Goodspeed Musicals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 13, 2023

Watch highlights from the new musical The 12 at Goodspeed Musicals! Learn how to purchase tickets.

Jason Alexander on Stage: A Look Back at the Actor's Theatrical Roles
by Stephi Wild - Jul 22, 2023

Tony Award winner Jason Alexander is making his Broadway directorial debut with The Cottage, which is now playing on Broadway. While Alexander may be best known for his roles on screen, including Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, and more, he also has a longstanding history with the stage!

Christine Ebersole, Judy Kaye, and More Will Reunite on BACKSTAGE BABBLE
by Stephi Wild - Feb 6, 2023

On February 19 at 8 PM EST, Charles Kirsch, the 15-year-old host of the hit theater podcast Backstage Babble, will present a reunion of the 1978 Broadway sensation On the Twentieth Century in honor of the 45th anniversary of its opening night.

Video: Get a First Look at Dan DeLuca, Elena Ricardo & More in THE NUTTY PROFESSOR at Ogunquit Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 27, 2022

The Nutty Professor is running through Saturday, August 6 at Ogunquit Playhouse. The musical adaptation of the beloved 1963 Jerry Lewis film comedy features the final score from Pulitzer Prize, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner Marvin Hamlisch. Get a first look at footage from the production here!

Photos: First Look at Dan DeLuca, Elena Ricardo, and More in THE NUTTY PROFESSOR at the Ogunquit Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jul 14, 2022

Production photos are now available for The Nutty Professor running through Saturday, August 6 at Ogunquit Playhouse, the jewel of the Maine Southern Seacoast. The musical adaptation of the beloved 1963 Jerry Lewis film comedy features the final score from Pulitzer Prize, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner Marvin Hamlisch.

Bobby Daye and Michael Kostroff join Mary Testa In Reading of New Musical EVERYONE COMES TO ELAINE'S
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2022

New York Theatre Barn will present a reading of Everyone Comes to Elaine’s, a new musical about iconic restaurateur Elaine Kaufman with Tony Award® nominee Mary Testa (Oklahoma, The Gardens of Anuncia) in the title role. Bobby Daye (Moulin Rouge, Shrek, The Color Purple) and Michael Kostroff (HBO’s “The Wire”, The Producers) join Testa and the cast.

Mary Testa To Play Restaurateur Elaine Kaufman In Reading Of New Musical EVERYONE COMES TO ELAINE'S
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2022

New York Theatre Barn will present a reading of Everyone Comes to Elaine's, a new musical about iconic restaurateur Elaine Kaufman with Mary Testa (Oklahoma, The Gardens of Anuncia) in the title role. Directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Bonnie and Clyde, Big River), the reading will take place on March 4th, 2022, in New York City.

Mary Testa To Star in Reading of EVERYONE COMES TO ELAINE'S
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 29, 2021

New York Theatre Barn will present a reading of Everyone Comes to Elaine’s, a new musical about iconic restaurateur Elaine Kaufman with Mary Testa (Oklahoma, The Gardens of Anuncia) in the title role. Directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Bonnie and Clyde, Big River), the reading will take place on December 16th, 2021 in New York City.

BWW Interview: From WIESENTHAL to TEVYE: The Unstoppable, Energizing Tom Dugan
by Gil Kaan - Jun 17, 2021

The Wallis inaugurates their new pop-up performance space on the Promenade Terrace for live audiences with the world premiere of Tom Dugan’s TEVYE IN NEW YORK! June 23, 2021. Tom co-directs (with Michael Vale) his one-man show on the well-known musical theatre lead character of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Tom managed to find time amongst his many, many writing projects to answer a few of my enquiries.