Alan Johnson News

Known primarily for their excellent work with the Prospect Theatre Company (of which she is Producing Artistic Director and he is Resident Writer), the husband and wife team of director/bookwriter Cara Reichel and composer/lyricist/bookwriter Peter Mills are responsible for some of the most exciting and innovative musical theatre New York has seen since the company was founded in 1998.  And I daresay that with Iron Curtain, they and their inspired cohorts fully succeed in presenting one of their most difficult and risk-taking concepts yet; a fast, loud and funny 1950s-style musical comedy.

Just like Pope Paul VI figured when The Vatican told followers to go ahead and celebrate mass in the vernacular, John-Michael Tebelak figured that if the musical he penned with Stephen Schwartz, based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, was going to connect with young people, it had to be done in their language.  So when Godspell premiered Off-Broadway forty years ago, the son of God and his disciples were depicted as soft pop and folk singing flower children who were too busy learning how to spread love to be bothered with sex, drugs and burning their draft cards.  Arriving on Broadway after Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, it was the first major rock musical that didn't scare the hell out of parents.

Todd Alan Johnson, whose credits include Broadway's Aida, Off Broadway's NEWSical and the national tour of Les Miserables, will join the cast of Prospect Theater Company's upcoming Off Broadway production of Iron Curtain. He replaces Marcus Neville, who has withdrawn from the production due to a scheduling conflict.

Spring Awakening, the winner of 8 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, will deliver home-grown talent and Broadway-rocking pizzazz to San Jose Rep's stage this September. The unique cast features a blend of Broadway stars, local Bay Area up-and-comers, and three students from San Jose State University.

David Henry Hwang's revised 'Tarzan: The Stage Musical,' getting its world premiere at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass., needs more time on the vine

Press photos have just been released from North Shore Music Theatre's new regional production of TARZAN playing through July 24, 2011. For tickets and information, visit www.nsmt.org or (978)232-7200

In celebration of the company's 40th Anniversary, The Music-Theatre Group (Diane Wondisford, Producing Director) presented 'Music-Theatre Jam,' a one-time-only happening featuring a treasure-trove of material from their past productions on April 9th in DUMBO.

In celebration of the company's 40th Anniversary, The Music-Theatre Group (Diane Wondisford, Producing Director) has announced plans for their "Music-Theatre Jam," a one-time-only happening featuring a treasure-trove of material from their past productions, to take place on Saturday, April 9th at 10 Jay Street, 9th Floor in DUMBO at 6:00 p.m.

In celebration of the company's 40th Anniversary, The Music-Theatre Group (Diane Wondisford, Producing Director) has announced plans for their "Music-Theatre Jam," a one-time-only happening featuring a treasure-trove of material from their past productions, to take place on Saturday, April 9th at 10 Jay Street, 9th Floor in DUMBO at 6:00 p.m.

On Friday, February 10, 2010 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South, NYC), a gala evening will be held to benefit the Center for Contemporary Opera (CCO). The evening celebrates the success of CCO's 2010-2011 season and will feature performances by CCO artists, such as Amy Burton and special guest performers from the Frost Opera Theater from The University of Miami (Florida).

On Friday, February 10, 2010 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South, NYC), a gala evening will be held to benefit the Center for Contemporary Opera (CCO). The evening celebrates the success of CCO's 2010-2011 season and will feature performances by CCO artists, such as Amy Burton and special guest performers from the Frost Opera Theater from The University of Miami (Florida).

A free reading of the rock n roll fable THE CURE will be presented Dec. 13 at 7 PM at Roy Arias Theater in Manhattan.

A free reading of the rock n roll fable THE CURE will be presented Dec. 13 at 7 PM at Roy Arias Theater in Manhattan.

On Sunday, March 28, Ann Harada, Raymond J. Lee, Deborah Lew, Jose Llana, Ann Sanders, and Christine Toy Johnson, will celebrate the DVD release of 'Transcending - The Wat Misaka Story' with a benefiit concert for the film. The event will take place at the Laurie Beechman Theatre at 9:30pm.

Olney's luscious production of Camelot, described by The Washington Post as "compelling" and "resonant," has been extended for two weeks, to January 17, 2010. DC Theatre Scene calls Camelot "rip-roaring, ideal holiday entertainment."

How to handle a musical is evident in a Lerner and Lowe Musical.

Winner of four Tony Awards, the classic Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot follows the journey taken when unexpected passion and betrayal upend the world of an idealistic king, his beloved queen, and a virtuous knight.

Olney's luscious production of Camelot, described by The Washington Post as "compelling" and "resonant," has been extended for two weeks, to January 17, 2010. DC Theatre Scene calls Camelot "rip-roaring, ideal holiday entertainment."

Winner of four Tony Awards, the classic Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot follows the journey taken when unexpected passion and betrayal upend the world of an idealistic king, his beloved queen, and a virtuous knight.

The fall temperatures may be getting colder, but the DC area theatre scene is heating up with many musicals, including a new "intimate" production of a 1927 American classic, a Tony-Award Winning family saga, and so many choices - well - take a look for yourself at what this diverse theatre community has to offer in November. This is a great time to celebrate the upcoming holidays with your family, so bring the kids, grandparents, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins to see that Orphan girl and her dog, a Disney heroine, and enjoy an early Christmas, and many more shows to bring in the cheer and joy of the holiday season. We have so much to be thankful for this month, so come to our nation's capital and celebrate the joy of theatre with us!