Ann Mitchell News

The newly formed Theater, Dance & Media Concentration at Harvard University launches its second production with August Stridberg's A DREAM PLAY, adapted and directed by Daniel Kramer.

The newly formed Theater, Dance & Media Concentration at Harvard University launches its second production with August Stridberg's A DREAM PLAY, adapted and directed by Daniel Kramer.

The talented Heidi Blickenstaff took the stage at the renowned Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.

Heidi Blickenstaff (Broadway's Something Rotten!) and Emma Hunton (Broadway's Spring Awakening) are set to star as mother and daughter in the world premiere production of the new musical Freaky Friday at Signature Theatre. The musical, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and hit Disney films and developed by Disney Theatrical Productions expressly for licensing to theatres, features a book byBridget Carpenter, music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. This premiere production will be directed byChristopher Ashley with choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Freaky Friday will run from October 4 - November 13 in Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre. Further casting and creative team members will be announced in the coming months.

A VIEW FROM ISLINGTON NORTH, an evening of imaginative, provocative and hilarious political satire from some of the UK's most celebrated playwrights, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, will play at the Arts Theatre in London from 18 May until 2 July, with a press night on 24 May. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From two buzzy Shakespeare productions and satirical opera to dance at the Old Vic, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

Casting has been announced for A VIEW FROM ISLINGTON NORTH, an evening of imaginative, provocative and hilarious political satire from some of the UK's most celebrated playwrights, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, playing at the Arts Theatre in London from 18 May until 2 July, with a press night on 24 May.

I have always loved opera companies that have the ability to evolve and recreate productions for modern audiences. Typically, Austin Opera always rises to meet this challenge, but regrettably, in this production they miss the mark. Despite some standout performances, A MASKED BALL falls short because of some missed opportunities and questionable choices made by the director.

Poor, plain, easily ignored Nemorino. He's so in love with the beautiful Adina, but she doesn't love him back. Ultimately, lovesick Nemorino is forced to buy a love potion from a charlatan to win Adina's heart. While that may be the plot of Gaetano Donizetti's comic opera, it doesn't take a potion to fall for Austin Lyric Opera's superb production of The Elixir of Love. Every element of this superbly crafted production will win the love and adoration of the audience. Opera lovers will be entranced, and opera newcomers will be enchanted. If you are an opera novice or are under the impression that you hate opera, give this one a chance. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to follow this simple, charming, humorous show, and you'll be glad to know that given its 2 hour and 30 minute running time, it's a relatively brief affair.

New Shoes Theatre returns to the Finborough Theatre with Hurried Steps as part of their 2014 International Women's Day tour, playing for one performance only on Thursday, 6 March 2014 at 2.00pm.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Tony Award-winning actors Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, Spamalot) and Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf), Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), and Broadway stars Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show], The Little Mermaid) and Derek Klena (Wicked, Dogfight) are all scheduled to take part in the developmental reading. Dog and Pony will receive its World Premiere at The Old Globe next spring, running May 28 - June 29, 2014; casting for that production will be announced at a later time.

Sometimes the appearance of a simple story contains universal issues such as loss, abandonment, renewal, and hope for the future. Set in Depression era dustbowl Oklahoma, W.G.Allen's play, Lost Letter grapples with all of these with love and humor.

Meet John Doe, the Jonathan Larson Award-winning musical by Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman, will be released on the Broadway Records label on November 19th, 2013. The album can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com at http://amzn.com/B00FAD1GPA and features Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show], Addams Family), who received a 2007 Helen Hayes Award for the show's world premiere production at the Ford's Theatre in DC. Joining her from the Ford's production are James Moye (Million Dollar Quartet, Full Monty) as John Doe and two-time Tony Award nominee Joel Blum (Show Boat, Steel Pier), as well as Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Spiderman), John Jellison (Memphis), andAndrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies).

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater June 8 to July 1, 2012. The musical revue will star Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott. Originally produced at Signature Theatre in Virginia and co-conceived by David Loud and Eric Schaeffer, the production features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and will be directed by Eric Schaeffer. Jon Kalbfleisch will conduct the 22-piece Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Press opening night is Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

NOW.HERE.THIS. -- which last year received a Developmental Lab Production at The Vineyard - will be given a fully staged, world-premiere production with previews beginning March 7 prior to an official press opening of March 28 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street), it has been announced by Artistic Director Douglas Aibel, and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

The Off West End Theatre Awards were launched in 2010 to recognise and celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent theatres across London. The awards help raise the profile and status of independent theatres in London by giving them greater power to promote their work individually and collectively and to reward the new talent that they nurture that is essential to the future of our theatre industry.