Andrew Lippa News

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of March 18!

Broadway Arts Factory presents Broadway leading lady Sierra Boggess in Lessons in Love on Sunday, April 21st, 2013. Lessons in Love is a very special evening in which Sierra Boggess shares her love of life, the theatre, and some very special people who influenced and changed her life forever. Realizing that the answers are within, this journey reveals inspirational moments, from humble beginnings to the bright lights of Broadway. A silent auction & cocktail reception will be held at 6pm, while the performance begins at 7:30pm at The Riverside Church (91 Claremont Avenue New York NY 10027). Tickets are $65 and $95.

BIG FISH might not be heading to Broadway until Fall 2013, but the Chicago production is currently gearing up, and you can check out two just-released promo images of the shows stars (Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin) below!

On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, BroadwayWorld's Chicago Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, sat down for exclusive talks with co-star Bobby Steggert, with the writing team of Andrew Lippa (music and lyrics) and John August (book) and with co-star Kate Baldwin in the balcony lobby of Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Here is his report:

Below, check out two new songs from the show: 'Fight the Dragons' as sung by Norbert Leo Butz and 'Time Stops' as sung by Butz and Kate Baldwin. Catch a first listen below!

In the video below, director Susan Stroman chats with 'Windy City Live' about the new musical and stars Kate Baldwin & Norbert Leo Butz perform 'Time Stops.' Check it out below!

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will make its Philadelphia premiere tonight, March 19 - 24 at the Academy of Music as part of the Broadway Season, presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization. The press opening is tonight, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Berkeley Playhouse has announced the lineup for its sixth season. The family-friendly season of musicals timeless and new opens in October with Andrew Lippa and Brian Crawley's enchanting A LITTLE PRINCESS, directed by Berkeley Playhouse Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy. Marissa Wolf returns to the company to direct Meredith Wilson's THE MUSIC MAN in February, followed by THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE in April, directed by Kimberly Dooley. Closing the MainStage season is SHREK THE MUSICAL directed by Elizabeth McKoy in July. In addition to the MainStage season, the company will present winter, spring, and fall YouthStage productions. The entire 2013-14 season will be staged at the Julia Morgan Theater (2640 College Avenue) in Berkeley. Subscriptions ($54-$112) on-sale March 23; single tickets ($17-$60) on-sale August 1. For tickets and information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed 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), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013. CLICK HERE to listen to 'Time Stops' as sung by Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin!

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and Broadway in Columbus (BIC) today announced the 2013-14 Broadway Series 25th anniversary season. From the creators of "South Park" and winner of nine Tony Awards, The Book of Mormon will play a limited two-week engagement May 13-25, 2014. Subscribers receive priority seating, so a season subscription is the best way to guarantee tickets to The Book of Mormon.

The 2013-2014 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.

The new Hurst Theatre is the setting for Theatre Aspen's new production of Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's Les Miserables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The multiple Tony Award-winner opens June 21st and runs the entire summer, through August 17th.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will offer $29 tickets to college students for its first four performances, April 2-5, 2013. Students will also be invited to attend a Q&A following the show with the cast and creative team members. 200 tickets per performance will be available at this special price when students use the code UNIVERSITY. Tickets are available online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a smash-hit musical comedy that brings the darkly delirious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and, of course, Lurch to spooky and spectacular life.

Theatre Aspen today announced that single tickets and passes for the summer season go on sale April 1st (no fooling). Deals on sale now include season passes for both two or three shows, discounted preview passes and the popular Local's Pass (additional $20 off), for valley residents. Full season passes with early seating preference went on sale January 1st, with exclusive access to booking seats, available through April 1st.

Producers Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Tom Wirtshafter present the New York premiere of the new play, Hit The Wall by Ike Holter, a theatrical exploration of the first night of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, at the Barrow Street Theatre. Directed by Eric Hoff, with original music & music supervision by Dan Lipton. The show began previews at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street) on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 and opened last night, March 10. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the theatre arrivals below!

Broadway in Indianapolis announces its 2013-2014 season. From the creators of South Park and winner of nine Tony Awards, THE BOOK OF MORMON will play a limited two-week engagement January 17-22, 2014. The New York Times calls it 'the best musical of this century' and Entertainment Weekly says it's 'the funniest musical of all time.' Season Subscribers receive priority ticket opportunities to shows so a season subscription is the best way to guarantee seats to THE BOOK OF MORMON.

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its NEXT STEP concert series with Andrew Lippa's Wild Party, based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March and book, lyrics and award-winning music by Andrew Lippa, tonight, March 9-11 at Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 N. American St.). Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien, this 'party to end all parties' stars Michael Philip O'Brien, Alex Keiper, Melissa Joy Hart and Melissa Bird.

On Sunday night, February 24, Broadway director and choreographer Jeff Calhoun hosted his third Annual Oscar Party, Broadway Watches The Oscars! It took place at his favorite neighborhood restaurant, HENRY's (2745 Broadway at 105th Street, NYC, NY 10025).

The Dramatists Guild of America held their annual awards ceremony last evening at The Lambs Club in New York. The awards ceremony was hosted by Lisa Kron and featured a performance by Kenita Miller. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!