A. Davis News

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced the nominees for the 14th annual 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theater.

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents an exciting new 'revisal' of the sweeping saga Lerner & Loewe's PAINT YOUR WAGON. Featuring an all-new book by Pulitzer Prize nominee John Marans, this show has taken an incredible journey over the last five years from developmental workshops to The 5th Avenue stage this season. And BroadwayWorld is happy to report that the company has just announced the full cast and creative team.

Dark Fantasy Drama about life on the Mexican side of the border

Linzi Hateley returns to the role of Donna Sheridan in the global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at London's Novello Theatre from Monday 13 June 2016.  This is a role she has played twice before in London - from 2007-2009 and in 2010.  Her other recent theatre credits include the national tour of Barnum, London Road (National Theatre) and Les Miserables (Queen's Theatre).  Linzi also appeared in the film version of London Road.

The Old Globe welcomes Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, making his musical directing debut with RAIN, a sumptuous world premiere musical by one of the most significant teams working in theatre today: composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa and book writer Sybille Pearson. Based on the short story by Somerset Maugham, RAIN will play now through May 1, 2016 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Eden Espinosa and the company in action below!

Co-artistic director Gary Rucker will direct seven-time Tony Awards winner "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" on the Main Stage at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts opening Friday, May 6.

You cannot beat the Old Globe Theatre for its audacity in mounting the challenging musical Rain, based on a short story by W. Somerset Maugham. Rain was made into three separate films, a silent in 1928 starring Gloria Swanson, and then in 1932 starring Joan Crawford as Miss Sadie Thompson, and finally in 1953 Rita Hayworth assumed the role of the prostitute stranded on the South Pacific Island of Pago, Pago in 1924. This much anticipated musical version with book by Sybille Pearson and music by Michael John LaChiusa is the second time Rain has been performed onstage, the first being a play in 1922. For the entire cast and creative team in San Diego this enterprise has been enormous. It is truly an outstanding ensemble headed by Eden Espinosa as Sadie, and the set designed by Mark Wendland is by itself worth the price of admission.

The Old Globe welcomes Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, making his musical directing debut with RAIN, a sumptuous world premiere musical by one of the most significant teams working in theatre today: composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa and book writer Sybille Pearson. Based on the short story by Somerset Maugham, RAIN will play now through May 1, 2016 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is this Friday, April 1. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Eden Espinosa and the company in action below!

The Old Globe welcomes Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, making his musical directing debut with RAIN, a sumptuous world premiere musical by one of the most significant teams working in theatre today: composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Giant) and book writer Sybille Pearson (Giant). Based on the short story by Somerset Maugham, RAIN will play tonight, March 24, through May 1, 2016 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is Friday, April 1 at 8:00 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars in character, plus the full company, below!

The Old Globe welcomes Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, making his musical directing debut with RAIN, a sumptuous world premiere musical by one of the most significant teams working in theatre today: composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa and book writer Sybille Pearson. Below, BroadwayWorld presents a first listen to the tune 'Sunshine' from the new musical, sung by star Eden Espinosa!

The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA (CWRU/CPH MFA) Acting Program will present Mary Zimmerman's METAMORPHOSES in the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre ('The Helen') at Playhouse Square for 10 performances only, tonight, March 16, through Mrach 26, 2016.

The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA (CWRU/CPH MFA) Acting Program will present Mary Zimmerman's METAMORPHOSES in the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre ('The Helen') at Playhouse Square for 10 performances only, March 16-26, 2016.

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's landmark 20th season features three plays that exemplify the company's lifelong dedication to mind-opening ideas and its special niche in the Chicago theatre community.

The Old Globe welcomes Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, making his musical directing debut with RAIN, a sumptuous world premiere musical by one of the most significant teams working in theatre today: composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Giant) and book writer Sybille Pearson (Giant). Based on the short story by Somerset Maugham, RAIN will play March 24 - May 1, 2016 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Previews run March 24 - 31. Opening night is Friday, April 1 at 8:00 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars in character, plus the full company, below!

New York-based composer/lyricist, Scott Evan Davis, has announced the release date of his second recording, NEXT, on Sonic Landscapes Music (BMI).

The Kegler Brothers present a development premiere of Champagne and Licorice, a new play by Scott Stephen Kegler and directed by Shane William Kegler, March 4th, 5th, 11th & 12th at 7:30 PM and a matinee Sunday March 6th at 2:30 PM, hosted by the Chestnut Street Playhouse, 24 Chestnut Street in Norwich, CT. Tickets are $20 and available at the door or in advance atchestnutstreetplayhouse.tix.com or call (860) 886-2378 for more information.

Hartford Stage presents William Shakespeare's most popular play, ROMEO & JULIET, directed by Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, who previously helmed the critically acclaimed productions of HAMLET, MACBETH, TWELFTH NIGHT and THE TEMPEST. The tragic romance will play from tonight, February 11, through March 20 only.

Dear Reader (It only seems appropriate to start this review off with that), sometimes a show comes along that feels like a no brainer. A show that's fairly bulletproof and if a theater does it well enough with enough pieces in place then it'll be a crowd pleaser. 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' is one of those shows. You're bound to walk away from it with something you enjoyed. Which brings me to the current production at the 5th Avenue Theatre. They've managed to take this pleaser of a show so far beyond the bare minimum making this gem shine with so much brilliance that you may need sunglasses.