Ars Nova News

Capital Stage completes its 2015/16 Season with the Sacramento Premiere of The Totalitarians by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Capital Stage Co-Founder Peter Mohrmann. This 'Riotous political comedy' - Bay Area Reporter, takes the audience on the campaign trail with retired roller derby star turned candidate for Lt. Governor, Penelope Easter! A dark political satire that promises to be the perfect tonic for this election year's headaches, The Totalitarians will run from June 22 through July 24, 2016 with a Press Opening on Saturday, June 25 at 8pm.

Producer Aaron Harnick just announced that Tony Award nominee Phillipa Soo (Hamilton) will play the title role in the 2017 Broadway premiere of AMELIE, A NEW MUSICAL at a confirmed Broadway theater to be announced, following a limited engagement at CTG's Ahmanson Theatre from December 4, 2016, through January 15, 2017. Full casting, Broadway theater and dates to be announced soon.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, welcomes back award-winning composer Niko Tsakalakos with "The Niko Songbook" at Mr. Finn's Cabaret on June 20 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $35.

In Episode 412 of 'Something New' -- a musical theatre podcast that interviews diverse artists and premieres original songs -- award-winning songwriter Joel B. New went to Paris, France and sat down with Lisandro Nesis, the artistic director of Broadway au Carre, which produces a monthly series of concerts and open mics that showcase American contemporary musical theatre.

Camille Harris announces the release of her upcoing LP Where I Go, out on July 29th on all digital platforms.

The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE announces the creative teams and casting for the two original book musicals, Blessing, music and lyrics by Andrew R. Butler and book by Andrew Farmer, and The White City, music by Avi Amon and book and lyrics by Julia Gytri, which will be developed in an intensive two-week summer lab at Yale School of Drama, June 13-25.

Josh Groban as FIDDLER ON THE ROOF's Tevye? Yep, we saw proof on tonight's TONY AWARDS! Check out the video of Groban, who makes his Broadway debut this fall in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812!

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the recently Tony-nominated Phillipa Soo has set the date for her final HAMILTON performance. She will reportedly leave the show after July 9th, the day that many of the current company members' contracts expire. Earlier this month, THR also reported that Lin-Manuel Miranda will leave the show that day.

Kelly Kinsella, hailed by Manhattan With A Twist as "Shamelessly brilliant," brings her hilarious one-woman play WHEN THOUGHTS ATTACK to CoHo Productions for a limited 4 SHOW ONLY appearance. In this honest and funny show about anxiety, Kinsella ("she's like us, just funnier" - nytheatre.com) begs to answer the question, "Is everyone crazy or is it just me?"

From royalty, to rockers; revolutionaries to refugees- check out who's new to the Tony block this year, below!

The Drama League announced today that Jennifer Sunshine has been appointed the company's new Development Director, beginning July 11th, 2016.  Ms. Sunshine is the final new addition to The Drama League's leadership, three of whom were announced last month: Associate Producer Travis LeMont Ballenger, Program Director Sherri Eden Barber, and Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, whose position was expanded to Executive Artistic Director.  The announcement caps a transformative season for The Drama League, in which the organization broke fundraising records, served over 3,000 artists, and celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director), in association with Broadway producer Suzi Dietz, announced today that they will present Tony Award-nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Sam Harris' critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production HAM: A MUSICAL MEMOIR.  Directed by Ken Sawyer (Founding Member of The Road Theatre Company) and Billy Porter (Tony Award-winner for Kinky Boots), the musical comedy takes us from a conflicted childhood in Bible-Belt Oklahoma to the dizzying roller coaster ride of a life in show business and the precarious balancing act of fatherhood. The production features musical direction by Todd Schroeder. HAM will play a limited engagement of three performances only on Saturday, July 9 at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday, July 10 at 2 pm at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

New Light Theater Project and Access Theater will present STRANGE COUNTRY by award-winning playwright Anne Adams. Winner of the New Light New Voices award, it will be directed by Jay Stull (Utility, Rantoul and Die). Previews begin July 21st at Access Theater with opening slated for July 24.

Crowded Outlet, a not-for-profit development and producing organization in its inaugural year, is proud to announce the New York premiere of the new comedy LONE STAR SPIRITS.  Written by Josh Tobiessen (the critically acclaimed Election Day) and directed by Wes Grantom (Eager to Lose and The Steadfast), LONE STAR SPIRITS will be performed Friday, June 3rd through Sunday, June 19th, 2016 at the 4th Street Theatre (83 East 4th Street).  The Press Opening is set for Monday, June 6th at 7 PM.  Tickets ($18.00) are now available online via Brown Paper Tickets -- http://lonestarspirits.bpt.me.

Following the sold-out show of The Petersons! In the Bleak Mid-Winter-on an unseasonably warm night this past February-NEW NEIGHBORHOOD presents the return engagement of The Petersons at New York City's The Cutting Room (44 East 32nd Street). THE PETERSONS GO SPELUNKING! one night only on June 20, 2016 at 7:30PM!

A Hamilton reunion is on the way as Phillipa Soo, who portrays Eliza Hamilton in the hit hip hop musical, will once again sing the music of her fictional stage hubby Lin-Manuel Miranda

Erin Markey, Josh Sharp, April Kidwell, Michael Cyril Creighton and Phillip Taratula will join the cast of the sixth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre. The event will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan) on Monday, June 6.

Drama Desk Award winner Michael Urie (Buyer and Cellar, 'Ugly Betty') will serve as host of the 61st Annual Drama Desk Awards tonight, June 5, 2016 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street).

The Tony-nominated HAMILTON star will be chatting live with Facebook members before this evening's performance.

Barrett Foa and Marissa Mulder will join Annie Golden, Lillias White, Alice Ripley, Nathan Lee Graham, Vivian Reed, Lady Rizo,Gay Marshall, Carol Lipnik, Rob Maitner, Gabrielle Stravelli, T. Oliver Reid and Nadia Quinn & Ahna O'Reilly with the Playbillies to headline the sixth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre.