Ann Harada News

Hoping to inspire and revive a fractured nation, one-armed Civil War veteran John Wesley Powell leads a daring expedition of veterans down the Colorado River to the Grand Canyon, in the spring of 1869. Aware of the physical dangers, Major Powell barely anticipates the emotional and spiritual challenges of the trip, leading back to the War. The guide of the expedition is Somers, who escaped from slavery and embraced the new world of the West. Major Powell's wife Emma Dean, a noted environmentalist of the day, is present in the minds and hearts of both Major Powell and his brother Walter, a survivor of Andersonville prison; as they are in hers. With a score of bluegrass, country, folk, littered with environmental elements, The Great Unknown is an American musical adventure.

Anthony Rapp presents his turbulent journey through the convergence of two life-changing events: the early days of Rent - including the untimely passing of Jonathan Larson - and the illness and death of his own mother. Based on his New York Times best-selling memoir, Rapp uses a mix of original music and songs by R.E.M. and Larson in a stunning one-man show about grief, hope, and triumph.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presented a special preview of the 2010 offerings, featuring musical selections from: The Tenth Floor, I Got Fired, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, Tess, Above Hell's Kitchen, The History of War, Without You, and The Great Unknown. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage of the preview event below.

All Asian American stars of Broadway and Off-Broadway To perform Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS One night only October 11 in Manhattan

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced casting for the 2010 festival. Some of Broadway's and Off-Broadway's favorites are participating in the three week festival including Adinah Alexander (The Wedding Singer), Farah Alvin (Nine)

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, in association with Horseshoe Productions, will present the US premiere of MY MOTHER'S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING, the new musical comedy by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, with songs by David Hein.

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical for the theater. In the tradition of modern myths like J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal, George Lucas' Star Wars, and Disney's The Lion King, this new epic will appeal to children and adults of all ages. Think of The Lion King, underwater...real water!

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical for the theater. In the tradition of modern myths like J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal, George Lucas' Star Wars, and Disney's The Lion King, this new epic will appeal to children and adults of all ages. Think of The Lion King, underwater...real water!

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical for the theater. In the tradition of modern myths like J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal, George Lucas' Star Wars, and Disney's The Lion King, this new epic will appeal to children and adults of all ages. Think of The Lion King, underwater...real water!

Yesterday, July 26, The New York Civil Liberties Union presented their annual Broadway Stands Up for Freedom Concert, supporting the youth programs of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Hosted and musical directed by Seth Rudetsky, the starry line-up of performers includes: Nellie McKay (The Threepenny Opera), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Rebecca Luker (Mary Poppins), J. Robert Spencer (Next to Normal), Kate Baldwin (Finian's Rainbow), Carrie Manolakos (Mamma Mia), De'Adre Aziza (Passing Strange), Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys), Dana Steingold (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Liana Stampur and Clinton Curtis and performers from the cast of Hair and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

Award-winning Broadway Songwriter and Performer lyricist for HIGH FIDELITY and Upcoming BRING IT ON and HANDS ON A HARDBODY (music & lyrics) Larson Award Winner Amanda Green Returns to BIRDLAND, located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves)

Jim Caruso is proud to present the award-winning Broadway songwriter/performer Amanda Green back to the Broadway at Birdland concert series. The event will take place on Monday, July 19 at 7pm at Birdland (315 West 44 Street, NYC).

Award-winning Broadway Songwriter and Performer lyricist for HIGH FIDELITY and Upcoming BRING IT ON and HANDS ON A HARDBODY (music & lyrics) Larson Award Winner Amanda Green Returns to BIRDLAND, located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves)

If you had to choose just one song to represent an entire Broadway year, what would you pick?

Double Crown restaurant's Chef de Cuisine, Christopher Rendell, joins forces with playwrights Theresa Rebeck (Pulitzer Finalist for Omnium Gatherum; Mauritius), Rob Ackerman (the Drama Desk Award-winning Tabletop), and Tony® nominee Douglas Carter Beane (for Xanadu; To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar) to create an original three-course menu inspired by their world premiere plays.

Josh Charles ('The Good Wife,' 'In Treatment'), Ann Harada (AVENUE Q, 9 TO 5), Jason Tam (A CHORUS LINE, LES MISERABLES) and Katie Kreisler (NOISES OFF, OUR HOUSE) will star in 'Eating Their Words' benefit event for The Chase Brock Experience dance company on Monday, June 21st at Double Crown restaurant at 316 Bowery. For this unique evening, Double Crown's Chef de Cuisine, Christopher Rendell, joins forces with playwrights Theresa Rebeck (Pulitzer Finalist for OMNIUM GATHERUM; MAURITIUS), Rob Ackerman (the Drama Desk Award-winning TABLETOP), and Tony® nominee Douglas Carter Beane (for XANADU; THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHTED; screenwriter, 'To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything,' 'Julie Newmar') to create an original three-course menu inspired by their world premiere plays. Produced by Eating Their Words, the unprecedented innovator of events that wed seasoned chefs, award-winning playwrights and notable actors for a synthesis of the performing and culinary arts, the evening's proceeds will support the creation of two premiere dances in The Chase Brock Experience dance company's summer season. The event begins at 7pm in Double Crown restaurant's private dining room. Menu to be announced shortly.

Last night, June 14, The Town Hall celebrated the Broadway By The Year® 10th Anniversary Celebration - Broadway By The Year 1990-2010, Created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for the Town Hall, the Broadway performers included Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid, Sondheim on Sondheim), Karen Mason (Mama Mia!), Astaire Award-winner Spencer Liff (Cry- Baby), Michael Winther (Mama Mia!), Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll & Hyde), Ann Harada (Avenue Q), four-time Tony® Award nominee Gregg Edelmann (Tale of Two Cities), Alexander Gemignani (Les Miserables), Tony® Award winner Debbie Gravitte, Kendrick Jones (The Scottsboro Boys), three-time Tony® Award nominee Mark Kudisch (9 to 5), Tony® Award nominee Bobby Steggert (Ragtime), Julia Murney (Wicked), Max Von Essen (Xanadu national tour), Tony ® Award nominee Barbara Wash (Company) and Lari White (Ring of Fire). Broadway by the Year 1990-2010 was directed by Nightlife Award winner Scott Coulter, who also performed in the show.

Six more performers join the cast of The Town Hall's Broadway By The Year® 10th Anniversary Celebration - Broadway By The Year 1990-2010 on Monday, June 14th at 8PM. Created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for the Town Hall, the new Broadway performers include Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid), Karen Mason (Mama Mia!), Astaire Award-winner Spencer Liff (Cry- Baby), Michael Winther (Mama Mia!), Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll & Hyde) and Ann Harada (Avenue Q).

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the winning selections of the 2010 TRU Voices New Plays Reading Series. In a series that is unique because it develops new producers as well as new plays, three works were chosen from submissions by emerging or established producers, as well as from writers who hoped to be matched with a producer.

Jim Caruso is proud to present the award-winning Broadway songwriter/performer Amanda Green back to the Broadway at Birdland concert series. The event will take place on Monday, July 19 at 7pm at Birdland (315 West 44 Street, NYC).