Bay Street Theatre News

The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced today that after an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, the new, smash hit musical will transfer to Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th Street, and open on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Previews begin on Friday, March 20, 2009.

Casting has been announced for the much anticipated San Francisco return of the smash hit musical WICKED, which begins Tuesday, January 27, 2009 for an open-ended engagement at the Orpheum Theatre. This production is a significant homecoming for WICKED, which premiered in San Francisco before casting its spell on Broadway, winning 20 major awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.

Julie Wilson, the legendary theatre and cabaret star, will make a guest appearance at Steven Brinberg's A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular.She joins the previously announced Tituss Burgess and The Broadway Boys. The event will benefit The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular will play at Symphony Space (2357 Broadway at 95th Street) on Saturday, December 20 at 8 pm.

Producers for the Broadway bound revival of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical have announced that the show will now begin previews at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre beginning February 10 (three days earlier than previously scheduled), with an opening set for March 5.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) announced full casting for the upcoming Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which will be directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). The previously announced Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl will be joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer).

The American Theatre Wing's 'Working in the Theatre' Features 'Arias to Showstoppers: The Worlds of Opera and Theatre' on CUNY TV Premieres Sunday, November 16 at 5 p.m. Additional Air Dates: Friday, November 21 at 9 a.m, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22 at 11 a.m.

The American Theatre Wing's 'Working in the Theatre' Features 'Arias to Showstoppers: The Worlds of Opera and Theatre' on CUNY TV Premieres Sunday, November 16 at 5 p.m. Additional Air Dates: Friday, November 21 at 9 a.m, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22 at 11 a.m.

MAC and Bistro Award-winner Steven Brinberg brings his acclaimed show Simply Barbra to the New York stage for 'A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular' along with Tituss Burgess, The Broadway Boys, and other special guests in a concert benefitting The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth.

The New York Times is reporting that HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical which played this summer to sold out houses at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park will play Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theater (currently home to A TALE OF TWO CITIES). Previews begin on February 13, 2009 with the official opening set for March 5, 2009.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers, featuring Maggie Burke as 'Kay Danley,' Natalie Gold as 'Loretta Trumble-Pinkerstone,' Michael Hayden as 'Denton Pinkerstone,' Gio Perez as 'Eben Trumble-Pinkerstone' and Michael Warner as 'Bill Clinton.' The Language of Trees will officially open tonight Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

Euan Morton used the writings of John Lennon and his son Julian as well as John Denver and Nik Kershaw to create an evening of poetry and song entitled 'Stranger in a Strange Land.' 'Stranger in a Strange Land' will be performed at the Metropolitan Room Sundays, October 5, 12, and 19 at 9:30 PM. There will be a $30 cover and two beverage minimum. These performances over the month of October will be the first time in a long time that Euan has performed some of the signature material from the musical 'Taboo' and the first time he and his accompanist, Bryan Reeder, will have played their new material in public. Euan Morton, a native of Scotland, received an Olivier Award nomination for originating the role of Boy George in the musical 'Taboo.' He moved to New York in 2003 to reprise the role on Broadway, earning Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award nominations, as well as the Theatre World Award (for Outstanding Broadway Debut). He earned a 2006 Obie Award for his appearance in 'Measure For Pleasure' at the Public Theatre. His other stage appearances include title roles in: Tony Kushner's adaptation of 'Brundibar' at the New Victory Theatre and Berkeley Rep; 'The Who's Tommy' at the Bay Street Theatre; and 'Caligula' for the inaugural season of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (2004 NYMF Award for Outstanding Individual Performance). Off-Broadway, Euan appeared opposite Alfred Molina in 'Howard Katz' at the Roundabout Theatre. Most recently Euan was seen on Broadway in the 2007 revival of 'Cyrano de Bergerac.' On film, Euan can be seen in the documentary 'Showbusiness: The Road to Broadway' which follows the history of a Broadway season and is now available on DVD. Euan has recently released his debut solo CD, 'NewClear,' and has appeared in concert in New York City at the Oak Room at the Algonquin, Town Hall, the Metropolitan Room, the Zipper, Joe's Pub and Birdland, as well as at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. In addition, he has conducted master classes in the craft of acting and singing around the country. The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, New York's most talked-about intimate concert venue, celebrated its second anniversary in May 2008. There is a two-drink minimum per person for all shows. For reservations call 212/206-0440. For information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) have announced that Academy Awardâ and Tony Awardâ winner Mercedes Ruehl and Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominee Lily Rabe will appear in the upcoming Broadway premiere of THE AMERICAN PLAN by Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out).

Euan Morton has woven the writings of John Lennon and his son Julian, John Denver, Nik Kershaw as well as a few original works of his own with accompanist Bryan Reeder to create an evening of poetry and song entitled 'Stranger in a Strange Land.' He sat down with BWW TV to fill us in on how and why he returns to the New York stage of The Metropolitan Room.

Euan Morton used the writings of John Lennon and his son Julian as well as John Denver and Nik Kershaw to create an evening of poetry and song entitled 'Stranger in a Strange Land.' 'Stranger in a Strange Land' will be performed at the Metropolitan Room Sundays, October 5, 12, and 19 at 9:30 PM. There will be a $30 cover and two beverage minimum. These performances over the month of October will be the first time in a long time that Euan has performed some of the signature material from the musical 'Taboo' and the first time he and his accompanist, Bryan Reeder, will have played their new material in public.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers, featuring Maggie Burke as 'Kay Danley,' Natalie Gold as 'Loretta Trumble-Pinkerstone,' Michael Hayden as 'Denton Pinkerstone,' Gio Perez as 'Eben Trumble-Pinkerstone' and Michael Warner as 'Bill Clinton.' Previews begin tonight, Saturday, October 4th.

New York's eternally boundary-pushing theater company Naked Angels (Geoffrey Nauffts, Artistic Director and Brittany O'Neill, Managing Director) has announced that it will present the Off Broadway premiere of Fault Lines, a new play by Stephen Belber, directed by David Schwimmer.

XANADU in Chicago will star Elizabeth Stanley as 'Kira' (played in the film version by Olivia Newton-John), Max Von Essen as 'Sonny,' Sharon Wilkins and Joanna Glushak as the evil Muses 'Melpomene' and 'Calliope,' respectively, and Larry Marshal as 'Danny' (played in the film version by Gene Kelly). XANADU's cast also features Tallia Brinson, Amy Goldberger, Vince Rodriguez III, Jason Michael Snow, Kristofer Stock, JB Wing and Chicagoland-natives Julius Thomas III and Tiffany Topol.

Casting is announced for the anticipated Chicago and Midwest premiere of the surprise hit Broadway musical XANADU at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. Performances are scheduled to begin January 16, 2009 and individual tickets are now on sale.