Andrew Jackson News

Folger Theatre continues its 2017/18 season with The Way of the World, a new comedy freely adapted from the classic play by William Congreve. Written and directed by renowned author Theresa Rebeck (Mauritus and Seminar and Broadway; creator and head writer of TV's Smash), the production will star Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen (Present Laughter, You Can't Take It With You, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike on Broadway).

Maine boasts a vibrant, varied theatrical landscape, is home to a significant local community of fine artists, and plays host each year to artists from New York, Chicago, and all the leading regional theatres in the country. Moreover, Maine can be proud of its sophisticated, loyal, and warm-hearted audiences, who appreciate thoroughly the dedication and creativity that goes into producing professional and community theatre and who are generous with their support and acclaim. I am honored to continue to serve as Broadway World's Maine editor, and I remain excited and energized by the richness of the state's theatre scene. As we come to the end of another year, here are my personal choices of the 2017 best in Maine, grouped by theatre and show.

American Repertory Theater of WNY is teaming up with independent theater producers Pollyanna Productions to bring Will Kern's HELLCAB to the 330 Performance Space November 30th to December 16th for a three-week, Thursday through Saturday run.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Casa Ma ana Theatre presents Santa Claus - A New Musical, sponsored by Frank Kent Cadillac and Macy's as part of the 2017-2018 Children's Theatre season presented by Regions. Tickets are on sale now.

Vineyard Theatre presents the world premiere production of Harry Clarke by Obie Award-winner David Cale (LILLIAN), directed by Obie Award-winner Leigh Silverman (VIOLET) and starring Tony Award-winner Billy Crudup (THE COAST OF UTOPIA, Spotlight, Vineyard's THE METAL CHILDREN) through December 17. The show opened last night, November 21st, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce that the world premiere production of HARRY CLARKE by Obie Award-winner David Cale (LILLIAN), directed by Obie Award-winner Leigh Silverman (VIOLET) and starring Tony Award-winner Billy Crudup (THE COAST OF UTOPIA, Spotlight, Vineyard's THE METAL CHILDREN) will extend for the second time, now playing through December 17. A post-show discussion has been added following the performance on Friday, December 8. Vineyard Theatre produces HARRY CLARKE in association with Audible, the world's largest seller and producer of digital spoken-word entertainment. The production opened Tuesday, November 21 and was named a Critic's Pick by The New York Times with Jesse Green saying the conceit of the play was, Delicious.' Adding, 'What a story. Billy Crudup is having the time of his life in a sly role terrifically suited to his gifts. The production, directed by Leigh Silverman, is just as masterly.'

Vineyard Theatre presents the world premiere production of Harry Clarke by Obie Award-winner David Cale (LILLIAN), directed by Obie Award-winner Leigh Silverman (VIOLET) and starring Tony Award-winner Billy Crudup (THE COAST OF UTOPIA, Spotlight, Vineyard's THE METAL CHILDREN), extended through December 10. The production launches Vineyard Theatre's 35th Anniversary Season, opening tonight, November 21.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the complete cast of the world-premiere production Amy and the Orphans, by Roundabout Underground alumna Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone), with direction by eight-time Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis (She Loves Me, On the Twentieth Century).

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest retail bookseller, announced the return of its Black Friday Signed Editions program, a customer favorite, with over a half-million autographed books by more than 150 highly acclaimed authors. The largest promotion of its kind kicks off on Black Friday, November 24, at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, while supplies last. The autographed books span many genres and interests, and were signed by authors for Barnes & Noble customers.

Philly's favorite holiday tradition KeyBank presents A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season returns to the Kimmel Center stage with eleven performances December 1-19. POPS Music Director Michael Krajewski will conduct an all-new, festive musical program, featuring the 65-piece POPS orchestra, Philly's own guest vocalist Justin Hopkins, Macy's organist Peter Richard Conte, the Philly POPS Festival Chorus, the Philadelphia Boys Choir and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir. Santa is also expected to arrive with gifts and song.

When John Leguizamo's poignant, provocative and, yes, downright hilarious LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS premiered at The Public Theater in March of this year, a country that was created by white people whose bloodlines go back to immigrants and refugees was, as it still is, debating the new president's policies regarding immigrants and refugees who are predominantly not white.

HOT MESS, a romantic comedy by Dan Rothenberg (Suburban Boy; Regretrosexual) and Colleen Crabtree (The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, The Groundlings), and directed by Jonathan Silverstein (tick, tick...BOOM; John & Jen; The Temperamentals), plays The Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center (1627 Broadway at 50th Street) opening tonight, November 16th, it was announced today by producers Jay Alix and Una Jackman.

LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS, written and performed by John Leguizamo, officially opens tonight, November 15, 2017 at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street). This show is a strictly a limited engagement through Sunday, February 4, 2018.

Mary Kathryn Nagle's daring new work Sovereignty makes its world premiere at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.

A romantic comedy...that goes both ways. Hot Mess by Dan Rothenberg (Suburban Boy; Regretrosexual) and Colleen Crabtree (Heavy Phones; Regretrosexual), and directed by Jonathan Silverstein (tick, tick...BOOM; John & Jen; The Temperamentals), is currently playing at The Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center (1627 Broadway at 50th Street) opening on November 16. Hot Mess is produced by Jay Alix and Una Jackman. Watch several scenes from the show below!

As difficult as it is to fathom, some 27 years ago my first review of Les Miserables the internationally renowned musical based upon the iconic 1861 Victor Hugo novel about a reformed bread thief who is pursued over the decades by a relentless lawman in post-Revolutionary France was published, yet one thought remains consistent and steadfast. If faced with someone who claims to dislike musical theater, take them to see Les Mis (as the theatrical juggernaut is known throughout the world thanks to countless revivals, regional production, televised spectacles and one Oscar-winning film) for its epic storytelling, emotionally driven character studies and a lush and memorable score that is sure to win over the most hardened opponents of the art form.

Independent theater company Pollyanna Productions in association with the American Repertory Theater of WNY presents Will Allen's HELLCAB, November 30th to December 16th at the 330 Performance Space, 330 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY. All showtimes are 8 pm, $20 general tickets.

Celebrating the life and music of Nina Simone, one of America's most iconic singers and civil rights activists, Christina Ham's provocative musical journey Nina Simone: Four Women makes its East Coast debut at Arena Stage. Set in the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, in which four little girls lost their lives in 1963, Ham uses Simone's song 'Four Women' as the framework to explore the songstress' shift from artist to artist-activist.