Amanda Dehnert News

Squeals of delight and blood-curdling screams of fright will fill the Allen Theatre as Cleveland Play House's (CPH) Centennial Season continues with a humorous and heartfelt production of Little Shop of Horrors. Hearkening back to its very first productions in 1915 that featured sophisticated marionettes, CPH is bringing the cheeky and blood-thirsty plant Audrey II to life in a production that will be every vocal coach's dream - and every hemophobic's worst nightmare!

Squeals of delight and blood-curdling screams of fright will fill the Allen Theatre as Cleveland Play House's (CPH) Centennial Season continues with a humorous and heartfelt production of Little Shop of Horrors. Hearkening back to its very first productions in 1915 that featured sophisticated marionettes, CPH is bringing the cheeky and blood-thirsty plant Audrey II to life in a production that will be every vocal coach's dream - and every hemophobic's worst nightmare!

Broadway and Skivvies star, Lauren Molina will play Audrey in Cleveland Play House's production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, which will play at the Allen Theatre Jan. 9-Feb. 7, 2016.

In celebration of Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary, the Weill Music Institute (WMI) has launched The Somewhere Project, a citywide exploration of West Side Story. This extensive creative learning project is engaging people through events in all five boroughs of New York City, plus those outside the city through online content, all anchored by a large-scale production of West Side Story, the classic American musical based on a conception by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents.

From January 19 to 23, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI) presents The Song Continues, an annual series led by renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, exploring song repertoire through master classes and concerts with the goal of encouraging, supporting, and preserving the art of the vocal recital. The series concludes with the Marilyn Horne Song Celebration, a recital featuring special guest artist soprano Nina Stemme on Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall. The evening's concert also features performances by soprano Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, tenor Andrew Haji, bass-baritone Evan Hughes, and pianists John Arida, Keun-A Lee, Ken Noda, and Jennifer Szeto. Complete program information is listed below.

Tickets are now on sale for Carnegie Hall's presentation of WEST SIDE STORY for three performances only March 4, 5, and 6, 2016 at the Knockdown Center, a restored 50,000 square foot former glass and door factory in Queens now serving as an art and event space.

Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI) celebrates A Charlie Brown Christmas with a Family Holiday Concert this December featuring The New York Pops, marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic television special created by Charles M. Schulz. Recommended for ages 5-10, the performance will include a sing-along and other festive surprises.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival wrapped up its 80th year Sunday night, November 1, with the final performances of Much Ado about Nothing and Pericles. Preparations for the 2016 season are well under way; 2016 member ticket sales start this week and preview performances begin February 19. The 2016 opening weekend is February 26-28.

Wild and wacky fun, just in time for the holidays, is onstage when Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the hilarious McCarter Theatre/Arena Stage production of Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery running November 27-December 27 at PTC's home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). Directed by Amanda Dehnert, the ensemble cast features Henry Clarke, Crystal Finn, Adam Green, Ron Menzel, and Matt Zambrano.

Carnegie Hall today announced that it has cast three lead actors for its upcoming production of West Side Story, to be presented in three performances only on March 4, 5, and 6, 2016 at the Knockdown Center, a restored factory in Queens.

Artists Repertory Theatre extends the world premiere production of the Broadway-scale new musical Cuba Libre through November 15. Due to robust advance ticket sales, Artists Rep has added a full week of performances, as well as additional shows within the originally announced run, even prior to the show's first preview performance on Saturday, October 3.

Artists Repertory Theatre is thrilled to present the world premiere production of the new musical Cuba Libre at the Winningstad Theatre from October 3 - November 8.

In celebration of Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary season, the Weill Music Institute (WMI) launches THE SOMEWHERE PROJECT, a citywide exploration of WEST SIDE STORY. This unique creative learning project will engage people through events in all five boroughs of New York City, anchored by a large-scale production of WEST SIDE STORY.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' examines a generation, and 'The Girl In The Train' captures a by-gone era. We run down long-run shows, and break down the Marriott Theatre's 2016 season announcement, too. Plus 'Hollywood' from Light Opera Works, a new show from Underscore, a high school mounts 'Starlight Express,' and Christmas has begun!

The Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland's longest-running professional musical theater, announces its 2016 Season!  The award-winning theatre will present both premiere productions of recent Broadway hits, and classic revivals in 2016.  Joining returning directors Nick Bowling (The King & I) and Rachel Rockwell (October Sky) Marriott Theatre announced four directors who will be bringing their fresh and exciting perspectives to the unique, intimate Marriott stage for the very first time, William Brown, Amanda Dehnert, Don Stephenson and Aaron Thielen.  They will be joined by choreographers Matt Raftery and Alex Sanchez, and musical directors Ryan T. Nelson and Doug Peck on the creative teams.

California Shakespeare Theater concludes its 2015 Main Stage season with King Lear, Shakespeare's most brilliant and profound tragedy, helmed by nationally-acclaimed director Amanda Dehnert, and featuring two-time Tony nominee and film star Anthony Heald (Silence of the Lambs, Broadway's The Elephant Man with Bradley Cooper) in the title role. King Lear plays at the BART-accessible Bruns Amphitheater from September 16 through October 11.

Chicago stage, TV and film star Michael Shannon did the honor of announcing the nominees for the 2014-2015 Equity Jeff Awards. A video of the presentation is available at www.JeffAwards.org.

Artists Repertory Theatre announces the casting of high-caliber actors, dancers and designers from Portland, Los Angeles and New York for the world premiere production of the Broadway-scale new musical Cuba Libre.

Artists Repertory Theatre is thrilled to present the world premiere production of the new musical Cuba Libre at the Winningstad Theatre from October 3 - November 8.

Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary season is fast approaching, and we are looking forward to a variety of exciting new projects and exceptional programming. Listed below are jazz, pop, and world music highlights at Carnegie Hall for the 2015-2016 season.