Ann Reinking News

This remarkable milestone-performance achievement has only occurred twice before in Broadway theatre history -- by Cats (which closed in its 18th year after 7,485 performances) and The Phantom of the Opera (now in its 26th year).

Hips. Shoulders. Wrists. And Hats. Chicago is everything essentially Fosse. When you come to see Chicago, do not expect spectacle, it's just not that kind of Broadway show.

Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased by calling (800) 982-ARTS or visiting www.BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com orwww.TheHobbyCenter.org. For groups of 10 or more, please call 888-451-5986 or e-mail houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Chicago arts lovers, tune into WTTW-TV, Channel 11 today, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. for the debut of Shine, a new half-hour documentary about the making of Thodos Dance Chicago's critically acclaimed story ballet A Light in the Dark as captured through the lens of Emmy Award-winning Chicago filmmaker Christopher Kai Olsen.

Paige Davis and Carol Woods are headed back to CHICAGO, packing up and heading out on the road with Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly beginning today, August 31, in Tacoma, Washington. Television star John O'Hurley is also featured in the national tour, performing in a number of cities as Billy Flynn.

Chicago arts lovers, tune into WTTW-TV, Channel 11 on Sunday, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. for the debut of Shine, a new half-hour documentary about the making of Thodos Dance Chicago's critically acclaimed story ballet A Light in the Dark as captured through the lens of Emmy Award-winning Chicago filmmaker Christopher Kai Olsen.

On Friday, August 30, the company is pleased to welcome Ryan Silverman (The Phantom of the Opera, Passion) in his debut engagement in the role of 'that silver-tongued Prince of the Courtroom' Billy Flynn. He'll be joined on by celebrated CHICAGO veteran Roz Ryan (Dreamgirls, 'Amen'), who returns as Matron 'Mama' Morton on Sunday, September 1. And beginning Monday, September 2, acclaimed leading lady and Latina superstar Bianca Marroquin reprises her star-making turn as 'foxy' Roxie Hart.

Longtime dance and music collaborators Thodos Dance Chicago, led by Artistic Director Melissa Thodos, and Fulcrum Point New Music Project, led by Artistic Director Stephen Burns, team up once again to present a retrospective evening titled New Music and Dance, presenting four works the ensembles have created collaboratively over the past decade, plus a world premiere.

He has directed and choreographed over three hundred shows on American regional theatres stages from Chicago to Philadelphia to Houston, Kansas City, and Phoenix, been nominated for over seventy awards, won sixteen of fifty-three Joseph Jefferson nominations! He is currently the full time Artistic Director of the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA, but that will not stop him in the coming season from staging productions not only in Lancaster, but also in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Brunswick, ME, to name but a few gigs already planned. 'Regional theatres are the places that are focusing on art first and commercial aspects second. Regional is where new works begin today and where quality theatre exists. I love the playground of regional theatre,' the Florida born, fifty-two-year-old Marc Robin exclaims with enthusiasm when I am able to catch up with him shortly after the opening of Maine State Music Theatre's highly acclaimed East coast regional premiere of Mary Poppins. Robin, who also staged Dreamgirls and LES MISERABLES in Brunswick this summer, confides, 'I like to be busy. I don't wind down. I always think I am supposed to be doing something. But that's because my work is my passion.'

Virginia's Signature Theatre is happy to announce that the run of Miss Saigon is extended throughSeptember 29 due to popular demand - an addition of eight performances.

Tickets to the show's run will go on sale FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 at 10:00 AM. Start at $25. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m. and are available at BroadwayinAustin.com, the Bass Concert Hall box office, all Texas Box Office Outlets, by phone at (512) 477-6060. For groups of 10 or more, call toll free at (877) 275-3804 or e-mail Austin.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Infinity Theatre Company (Anna Roberts Ostroff & Alan Ostroff) and Perry Street Theatricals (Martin Platt & David Elliott) have just announced that the first Broadway production of DAMES AT SEA will set sail on Broadway in 2014. With a book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, music by Jim Wise, and musical direction byRob Berman (The Pajama Game, Finian's Rainbow), DAMES AT SEA will be directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award nominee Randy Skinner (42nd Street, Irving Berlin's White Christmas). Design team, casting, production dates and Broadway theatre to be announced at a later date.

CHICAGO is back in town and it's pure entertainment! The first national tour of CHICAGO returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis from September 20 through September 22.

Curtains up! AIR TWYLA propels Pacific Northwest Ballet into its new season with a trio of works by its first artist-in-residence, renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp. The program includes the world premiere of Waiting at the Station with a commissioned score by New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint. Sharing the program with Waiting at the Station are the Scottish-inspired Brief Fling (a PNB premiere) and Tharp's homage to Ol' Blue Eyes and ballroom dance, the unforgettable Nine Sinatra Songs. AIR TWYLA runs for only seven performances, September 27 – October 6 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased by calling 206.441.2424, online at pnb.org, or in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street. AIR TWYLA is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Davis will succeed Amy Spanger as Roxie Hart beginning tomorrow, August 13, and continue performances through August 28. Woods will play Mama Morton from August 20-28, after Russian singer Larisa Dolina's Broadway debut in the role.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the metro areas only local, professional musical theatre company, is excited to announce the return of hometown actress Meg Gillentine in Mel Brooks' hysterical Tony Award-winning THE PRODUCERS, playing tonight, August 9th through the 25th at the Cobb Civic Center's Anderson Theatre.

CHICAGO, winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, is returning to Fort Lauderdale October 9th.

Producers Barry and Fran Weissler announced that the suave, debonair, award-winning actor and star of stage, TV & film will return to the road in the national tour of CHICAGO, reprising his role of Billy Flynn in select cities. The relaunch of the wildly successful national tour will kick off Sept. 3 in Portland, Oregon.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the Broadway cast of The Winslow Boy, starring Tony nominee Michael Cumpsty as 'Desmond Curry', Academy & Tony Award nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as 'Grace Winslow', Alessandro Nivola as 'Sir Robert Morton' and Tony Award winner Roger Rees as 'Arthur Winslow'.

The world-famous Hollywood Bowl's annual concert presentation of a Broadway musical is CHICAGO this year, directed by actress Brook Shields and features an all-star cast that includes Samantha Barks, Ashlee Simpson, Stephen Moyer, and Lucy Lawless. The show which opened July 27, is a valiant, admirable production that is genuinely entertaining and filled with terrific musical numbers---particularly those that showcase triple-threat phenom Barks, who proves herself to be the show's best, most legit asset. The show continues with two additional performances this weekend.