Andrew Lippa News

It is generally agreed upon that the best theatre challenges audiences, and after they experience the piece they are altered. Bayou City Theatrics' production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY vastly excels in this domain. If you're unfamiliar with the show, rest assured that Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY exists in the periphery of the theatre consciousness. Most of those who are aware of it are fans of Andrew Lippa or know a handful of numbers because they follow the Broadway stars Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Brian D'Arcy James, and/or Julia Murney. Bayou City Theatrics took a big risk with producing the musical, but the lascivious, violent, alcohol-drenched production had a profound and strangely enchanting affect on those lucky enough to attend last night's opening night performance. From what we experienced, I am sure that its allure and effect will only get stronger as the run progresses.

Additional performers have been announced for 'Broadway Stands Up for Freedom,' the annual benefit concert of the New York Civil Liberties Union (the state affiliate of the ACLU), which will be presented Monday, July 22 at 7:30pm at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, New York City .

THE WILD PARTY previews August 8th and continues through August 25th at the Center Theatre at the Seattle Center Armory (Formerly the Seattle Center House Theatre). Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/362552 or see www.soundtheatrecompany.org for more information.

Newly announced for the evening are Charl Brown (Tony nomination, Motown The Musical); Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages, Sweeney Todd); and Andrew Lippa, Tony- and Grammy-nominated composer and librettist of The Addams Family, The Wild Party, and Big Fish, opening on Broadway in October.

An audience of theatre enthusiasts waited in anticipation at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts last night, when Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Managing Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, unveiled the thrilling line-up for its 2013-2014 season. Opening with a groundbreaking World Premiere developed at last season's New Works Festival, the line-up will also give Bay Area audiences their first look at a Broadway hit by playwright Jon Robin Baitz (The Substance of Fire, A Fair Country, Three Hotels); an Off-Broadway smash by Kenneth Lin (Fallow, Po Boy Tango); and a historical drama from Lauren Gunderson (Exit, Pursued by a Bear). Also announced is an enchanting musical journey told through little-known Stephen Sondheim gems.

Hodges and Hodges attended an historic night at the Nourse Theatre in San Francisco as droves of people came out to celebrate the 35th anniversary season of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. The world premiere, with words and music by Tony nominated Andrew Lippa soared.

Dallas Theater Center presents the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

Today we are highlighting four particularly compelling recent releases perfect for Summer enjoyment, all from Acorn/Athena Media- the documentaries SHAKESPEARE: THE KING'S MAN and BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY, as well as the complete collection of Judi Dench's British TV series A FINE ROMANCE and also the lavish 1982 TV film THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL starring Ian McKellen, Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the TOP TEN HOT TOPIX in the Mosh Pit for January through June, 2013! And our 203rd weekly column. Check out what YOU've been talking about!

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) responded to this morning's historic U.S. Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage finding DOMA to be unconstitutional and that the district court decision is final and Prop 8 is unconstitutional.

Where has SUMMER ARTS, the Summer Theater Program that has taken Bridgeport by storm, gone? For those of you who arrange your schedules around their shows or have postponed your vacations in order to see their shows for the past eight summers, the incredibleSUMMER ARTS has moved from the Downtown Cabaret after eight years and is now about to start their first season at their beautiful new home, The Bijou Theatre!

Theatre Aspen's 30th summer season begins today. The summer repertory season includes the Tony Award-winning epic LES MISERABLES, opening today, June 25th, the one-man comedy Fully Committed, opening July 6th and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which opens July 12th. All shows run through late August.

Set in the gin-doused Roaring Twenties, ANDREW LIPPA'S WILD PARTY transports you to New York City and into the lives of Vaudeville's sexiest dancer and twisted clown, Queenie (Danica Johnston) and Burrs (Colton Berry). After what seems like a lifetime of numerous unsuccessful lusts and loves, the pair finds each other through the hazy backdrop of jazz and hangovers. They soon come to experience their own hangover, in the form of redundant normalcy. Determined to add some heat to their stagnant lives, Queenie decides to throw the party of the century. As their tiny loft begins to buzz and spin with all seven of the deadliest sins, the party hosts fall victim to their own iniquity. Scroll down for a first look at Bayou City Theatrics' production!

Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.

Tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical Big Fish at Ticketmaster.com (866-870-2717). Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Tickets for Big Fish range from $49 - $142. The marquee just went up at the Neil Simon and you can check it out below!

Completing the programming for the 10th annual New York Musical Theatre Festival, NYMF announced several additional concerts, a series of educational workshops, and a "Musicals on Television" screening series in partnership with the Paley Center for Media. This year's Festival will begin July 8th and continue through July 28th. Single tickets are currently on sale.

Tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical BIG FISH at Ticketmaster.com (866-870-2717). Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Tickets for BIG FISH range from $49 - $142.

Tickets for the new Broadway musical Big Fish will go on sale to the general public today, June 16 at Ticketmaster.com (866-870-2717). Scroll down for the show's artwork!

Today we are talking to an exceptionally accomplished actress known for her many leading and featured roles in a number of illustrious musical theatre properties - among them, part of the original Broadway casts of FALSETTOS, CITY OF ANGELS, PARADE, LESTAT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SCANDALOUS and many more - the gifted and genuine Carolee Carmello. Discussing many aspects of originating roles in those aforementioned shows as well as her replacement gigs in everything from KISS ME, KATE to SISTER ACT and MAMMA MIA!, Carmello sheds some light on her process in bringing such a striking series of characters to life onstage eight times a week, including creating roles Off-Broadway in ELEGIES, HELLO AGAIN and JOHN & JEN. Additionally, Carmello shares stories from the set of NBC's musical drama series SMASH as well as comments on other potential roles she would like to pursue someday. Most importantly, Carmello previews her highly anticipated performance at this Monday night's NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS and comments upon her affection for the iconic Ms. Garland. Plus, Carmello shares behind-the-scenes stories involving many of her notable collaborators and inspirations such as William Finn, Stephen Sondheim, Kathie Lee Gifford and she also expresses enthusiasm for her upcoming turn in the new musical TUCK EVERLASTING, set to premiere later this season. All of that, early Broadway and touring memories from CHESS, LES MISERABLES, CITY OF ANGELS, observations on the newly-released SCANDALOUS cast recording and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation.