Arthur Laurents News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ring Of Fire' opens, 'Road Show' readies, 'Gypsy' and 'Chicago' thrive, 'Carnival' prepares, 'Queenie Pie' reschedules, Boho brings the Mozart, plus the new musicals 'Period Piece' and 'Shining Lives,' and more!

Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, OLD LIBRARY THEATRE, announces performance dates for Gypsy. The production is directed by Scott Hart with Musical Direction by Anthony Bevilacqua, and Choreography by Amy Shera. Produced by Julie Galorenzo, Assistant Choreography / Producing by Tomas Ruiz, Stage Management by David Mannarino and Assistant Stage Management by Regina Novicky. Starring Fran Leonardis, Erik O'Connell and Maggie Biedenkapp. Featuring Alex Hartman, Maya Karp, Sarah Lepre, Andy Calderone, Sivan Kaynar Kissinger, Evie Turner-Salerno, Tara Kulbatski, Adelaide Prekopa, Zachary Petzinger, Jack McAvoy, Sonny Leonardis, Eric Parkin, Tom Winkler, Kate Revell, Lou Ann Salkin, Luisa Fuentes, Vinnie Plantamura, Clyde Johnson, Anthony Tessitore, Eliza Prekopa, Adriana Gambo, Ilan Fitterman, Ellen Collins and Allison Beckley.

Louise Pitre delivers an iconic performance unlike nothing you've ever seen in Chicago Shakespeare's 'Gypsy'

The Broadway League's Viva Broadway and the United Palace of Cultural Arts in Washington Heights are hosting a conversation with Rita Moreno and a screening of West Side Story. The event will take place as part of 'Sunday Movies at the Palace with Lin-Manuel Miranda' on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at United Palace Theatre on 175th Street and Broadway. Doors open at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm stage show and 5:30pm screening.

Today, the shortlist is announced for the Sheridan Morley Prize for Theatre Biography, now in its sixth year -- the contenders are...

Today in 1980, the first Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY opened at the Minskoff Theatre, where it ran for 333 performances. West Side Story is an American musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular; it includes 'Something's Coming', 'Maria', 'America', 'Somewhere', 'Tonight', 'Jet Song', 'I Feel Pretty', 'A Boy Like That', 'One Hand, One Heart', 'Gee, Officer Krupke' and 'Cool'.

Leslie Uggams will be gracing the stage at Bucks County Playhouse with her concert, AN EVENING WITH LESLIE UGGAMS. Uggams is best known for her role Kizzy in the 1977 mini-series, ROOTS, as well as many stage roles including Georgina in HALLELUJAH, BABY! According to Bucks County Playhouse audiences can expect "a variety of her classic, signature songs in an evening audiences won't forget." I had a chance to speak with Uggams about her concert as well as some of her most memorable roles.

According to the Daily Mail, Kevin Whately and Lara Pulver are in talks to join the cast of GYPSY, led by Imelda Staunton as Rose at the Chichester Festival Theatre this October. Whately would play Herbie, Rose's love interest and manager, and Pulver would star as Louise Hovick, a.k.a. Gypsy Rose Lee. The production will be directed by Jonathan Kent.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy at CST's Courtyard Theater, running now through March 23), directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and starring Tony Award nominee Louise Pitre as Rose. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy at CST's Courtyard Theater, running now through March 23), directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and starring Tony Award nominee Louise Pitre as Rose. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Matt Shingledecker has been performing most of his life and loving every minute of it. From the time he got his first paying show at age 16, Matt has been hooked. Matt is currently playing Fiyero in the touring company of Wicked and has been loving every minute of it. Broadway World caught up with Matt not too long ago and he shared his feelings about his new role as Fiyero and what led up to this moment.

Merman's Apprentice, a new musical fable with Book and Lyrics by Stephen Cole (Inventing Mary Martin, After the Fair, The Night of the Hunter, The Road to Qatar!) and Music by David Evans (Birds of Paradise, Children's Letters to God) has been chosen to be the opening show as part of London's Landor Theatre's 'From Page to Stage Festival' today, February 11th and 12th at 7:30pm.

The tour smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Calgary! WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium tonight, February 11, 2014.

BrodwayWorld interviews 'The Phantom of the Opera' tour's, Linda Balgord.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, today, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin.

Stage and screen legend Barbra Streisand is set to appear on this Friday's edition of NBC's THE TODAY SHOW, BroadwayWorld has confirmed.

Merman's Apprentice, a new musical fable with Book and Lyrics by Stephen Cole (Inventing Mary Martin, After the Fair, The Night of the Hunter, The Road to Qatar!) and Music by David Evans (Birds of Paradise, Children's Letters to God) has been chosen to be the opening show as part of London's Landor Theatre's 'From Page to Stage Festival' on February 11th and 12th at 7:30pm. There will be an additional presentation for industry professionals on Feb. 13th at 2:30pm at The Concert Artistes' Association at 20 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HP.

Creative Ministries Performing Arts Centre's (CMPAC) latest musical, Gypsy, is certainly one for the books. The Ronald R. Green III directed production boasts a great cast and a well told story. This classic piece runs through February 9th at the Oakdale, Long Island, venue.

Opening the programme in the Park200 is Charles Court's production of the seldom performed Rogers/Sondheim musical Do I Hear A Waltz?. The seasons continues with Engine House's production of Bomber's Moon, written by celebrated screenwriter William Ivory (Made in Dagenham, Burton and Taylor), and is completed by the world premiere of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, a tale of revenge set in the Wild West, adapted by Jethro Compton from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson.

Let CM Performing Arts Center 'entertain you' with the musical GYPSY!