Andrew Russell News

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) is proud to announce final casting for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Michael Cassara Casting serves as the resident casting office for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, taking place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Online Festival registration ends Friday, October 17.

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) just announced initial casting for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Michael Cassara Casting serves as the resident casting office for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, taking place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the all-star lineup of directors and musical directors participating in the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will open its 38th theater season with the musical Memphis directed by Rod A. Lansberry, tonight, September 9. Memphis is written by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and All Shook Up) and features music and lyrics by Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., through September 28.

If you remember, Dear Readers, three weeks ago I said that Intiman's production of Part 1 of Tony Kushner's masterpiece, "Angels in America" still resonated through Kushner's script but the show felt under done and lacked focus. But I hoped it would settle into itself over time. I also hoped that the settling in to the characters would affect the power of the second part, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika". Alas, it did not. While it's still, again, Kushner's beautiful script, the show lacks the heart, punch and commitment to the piece to make it truly great. And while you may think that now this one needs to settle in, I think it stems from a larger issue.

20 Years ago a bright eyed theater nerd (as opposed to the bitter, jaded wretch I am today) was over the moon that the Intiman Theatre was able to get the rights to do one of the most exciting and talked about plays of the day, "Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches" so close on the heels of it's wowing Broadway and winning the Tony and Pulitzer. That fresh faced 25 year old was blown away by the artistry, language and sheer incredible storytelling prowess of author Tony Kushner and that amazing production solidified my love for this work. But can anything compare to your first time? Well the bloom may be a little off the rose and my cynical sensibilities of today may have missed some of the focus and wow factor of that original production in this current one being presented by Intiman Theatre, but the play still shows itself to be a masterwork and still deserves attention.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will open its 38th theater season with the musical Memphis directed by Rod A. Lansberry, on Tuesday, September 9. Memphis is written by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and All Shook Up) and features music and lyrics by Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., through September 28.

As the cornerstone of its annual theatre festival, Intiman Theatre presents Angels in America, Tony Kushner's epic masterpiece about finding hope in the face of crisis. One of the great plays of the 20th century, this two-play blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

Scriptwriters/Houston invites you to experience a variety of theatrical experiences all in one night, on one stage. The 24th Annual 10x10 Showcase ten new short plays and nine monologues from a diverse array of Houston writers and directors.

Scriptwriters/Houston invites you to experience a variety of theatrical experiences all in one night, on one stage. The 24th Annual 10x10 Showcase ten new short plays and nine monologues from a diverse array of Houston writers and directors.

As the cornerstone of its annual theatre festival, Intiman Theatre presents Angels in America, Tony Kushner's epic masterpiece about finding hope in the face of crisis. One of the great plays of the 20th century, this two-play blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

The Arvada Center presents the Colorado stage debut of TARZAN® The Stage Musical (with music and lyrics by British pop icon Phil Collins and written by David Henry Hwang) playing now through August 3rd. Familiar to families over several generations, TARZAN tells the story of an infant boy orphaned in a shipwreck on the shores of west Africa. The child is taken in and raised by a tribe of gorillas. He becomes a man, thriving in this primitive environment, until the arrival of a hunting expedition and his realization of the world beyond his jungle home. TARZAN® The Stage Musical is based on the Disney animated film.

The Arvada Center presents the Colorado stage debut of Tarzan® The Stage Musical directed by Gavin Mayer on Friday, July11 (Please note the Friday opening date). Tarzan® The Stage Musical features music and lyrics by British pop icon Phil Collins (drummer and lead singer for rock group Genesis), and is written by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Aida). Tarzan® The Stage Musical is based on the Disney animated film and the original book by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Performances run through August 3. Check out a first look at highlights below!

The Arvada Center presents the Colorado stage debut of Tarzan® The Stage Musical directed by Gavin Mayer on Friday, July11 (Please note the Friday opening date). Tarzan® The Stage Musical features music and lyrics by British pop icon Phil Collins (drummer and lead singer for rock group Genesis), and is written by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Aida). Tarzan® The Stage Musical is based on the Disney animated film and the original book by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Performances run through August 3. Check out a first look below!

The Tony Award-winning Intiman Theatre has partnered with world-renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to raise awareness of Fred Hutch's HIV vaccine research. The collaboration is part of Intiman's 2014 summer theatre festival, THE ANGELS PROJECT, inspired by 'Angels in America,' Tony Kushner's award-winning, two-play masterpiece about the devastating outbreak of HIV in 1980s New York City.

Intiman Theatre proudly presents THE ANGELS PROJECT, a summer-long theatre festival inspired by Angels in America, Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning, epic two-play exploration of politics, religion, race, sexuality, and more through the lens of the 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City. As a global leader in the search for a preventive HIV/AIDS vaccine, Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is the Presenting Sponsor of THE ANGELS PROJECT.

The regional premiere of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, will open at the Arvada Center on April 29, 2014. The Great Gatsby directed by Gavin Mayer, will run in the intimate Black Box Theater April 29 - May 25, 2014. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Previews are today, April 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.. Due to popular demand three 1:00 p.m. matinees have been added on Thursdays, May 1, 8 and 15.

The regional premiere of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, will open at the Arvada Center on April 29, 2014. The Great Gatsby directed by Gavin Mayer, will run in the intimate Black Box Theater April 29 - May 25, 2014. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Previews are April 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.. Due to popular demand three 1:00 p.m. matinees have been added on Thursdays, May 1, 8 and 15.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this fun-filled children's show and found myself laughing throughout from the adult humor sprinkled in the script.

Before "Rent" put AIDS into the mainstream, before "The Temperamentals" looked at the plight of closeted gay men, there was "The Normal Heart", Larry Kramer's somewhat autobiographical, ground breaking master work which shoved the AIDS crisis and the gay lifestyle front and center at a time when people preferred to think of it as someone else's issue. The current production from Strawberry Theatre Workshop may have a few wrinkles to iron out but the performances from the stellar cast do honor to the iconic work.