Ahmanson Theatre News

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre in 2012. The 44th annual LADCC Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 18 at historic, heralded Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street in downtown L.A.

Tracie Bennett will play Judy Garland in 'End of the Rainbow' by Peter Quilter, directed by Terry Johnson in its West Coast Premiere. Previews begin March 12, 2013 and the show opens March 20.

Previews begin today, January 20, for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' begins performances today, January 20 and continues through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

Previews begin this Sunday, January 20, for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' begins performances January 20 and continues through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

The Old Globe today named director Nicholas Martin an Associate Artist of The Old Globe. He is the 56th artist to receive the prestigious honor recognizing over half a century of his unique contributions to the institution both on and offstage. After making his acting debut in 1957 as the Fool in King Lear, Martin went on to appear on the Globe stage in 18 additional productions, including The Merry Wives of Windsor (1965), The School for Scandal (1989) and Hamlet (1960 and 1990). As a director, he helmed the Globe productions of Later Life, Full Gallop, Overtime, Macbeth and The Mask of Moriarty. The Old Globe is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion with Martin's production of Shaw's masterwork, which runs through Feb. 17. Tickets to Pygmalion can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

R&B superstar Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame has joined the cast of 'Fela!' The musical, produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Stephen and Ruth Hendel, is filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and will be presented from April 26 through May 5, 2013.

Deadline reports that two-time Tony Award winning actress Katie Finneran has joined the cast of Michael J. Fox's upcoming NBC comedy series. The show, which is scheduled to premiere in the fall, has received a 22-episode order from the network.

The cast is set for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' will have its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre, with previews beginning January 20 and performances continuing through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

After playing the role of Bert for over two years on the North American tour of Mary Poppins, with a stint on Broadway in Summer 2010, Nicolas Dromard returns to the New Amsterdam Theatre, beginning performances tonight, January 9. Check out the video below of various cast members from MARY POPPINS and EVITA wishing him a Happy 'Bertday!'

Votes are cast, polls are closed, and results have been tabulated! This was our BIGGEST year yet! After a record number of voters in over 30 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is VERY excited to announce the 2012 Los Angeles Winners! Thanks to all who voted and HUGE congrats to all the winners!

After playing the role of Bert for over two years on the North American tour of Mary Poppins, with a stint on Broadway in Summer 2010, Nicolas DromarD will return to the New Amsterdam Theatre, beginning performances tonight, January 9.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that the New York premiere of Belleville, written by Amy Herzog and directed by Anne Kauffman, will begin performances Tuesday, February 12 at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is set for Sunday, March 3 at 7pm. Belleville is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 31.

Cyndi Lauper just visited the Today Show where she chatted with Hoda Kotb and Meredith Vieira about her new reality show, "Cyndi Lauper: Still so Unusual," as well as her Broadway-bound musical KINKY BOOTS. Check out what she had to say below!

After playing the role of Bert for over two years on the North American tour of MARY POPPINS, with a stint on Broadway in Summer 2010, NICOLAS DROMARD will return to the New Amsterdam Theatre, beginning performances on Wednesday, January 9. Tony Award nominee GAVIN LEE played his final performance before taking a leave of absence on Friday, January 4, 2013. He departs to join the West End production of Top Hat through Summer 2013.

War Horse, the 2011 Tony Award-winning Best Play and international sensation seen by more than 2 million people worldwide, will conclude its Broadway run today, January 6, 2013, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater as the longest-running, Tony Award-winning Best Play of the last decade. At time of closing, the production will have played 718 performances and 33 previews. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you through War Horse's battle onto Broadway and beyond with photos, video and more.

The cast is set for the U.S. premiere of "Backbeat," the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. "Backbeat" will have its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre, with previews beginning January 20 and performances continuing through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

Check out the recently released commercial for the show below and meet the cast with videos of them from past productions and roles!