Baz Luhrmann News

Folger Theatre and the Capitol Riverfront BID celebrate Shakespeare's birthday this April with three free screenings of some of the most beloved film adaptations of the Bard. From April 24 through April 26, free screenings of Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, and Franco Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew will begin at sundown, between 7:30 and 8pm each night. Actors from Folger Theatre's production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (on stage May 12 through June 21) will be present to introduce the screenings and area vendors will be on hand to provide refreshments. Bard in the Yards represents an exciting collaboration between Folger Theatre and the Capitol Riverfront BID in a burgeoning area just south of Capitol Hill.

THOMAS DEKKER, star of Backstrom on Fox-TV will join RuPaul's Drag Race sensation JINKX MONSOON and San Francisco drag legend PEACHES CHRIST in the New York Premiere of RETURN TO GRAY GARDENS, a theatrical comedy that pays homage to the acclaimed documentary film 'Grey Gardens'.

The latest edition covered 1941 to 1965, featuring songs from Oklahoma, Carousel, Finian's Rainbow, Kiss Me Kate, The Pajama Game, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Oliver!, Hello Dolly, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and more. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the evening below!

Scott Siegel, creator/writer/host of Town Hall's (123 West 43 Street and 6th Avenue) Broadway by the Year, continues the critically acclaimed series that has been lovingly hailed as a success by Variety,Time Out New York and virtually every other theatrical paper, magazine and internet site in New York City. Over four concerts this season, Broadway by the Year will cover a century of Broadway history with over one hundred musical stars singing (and often dancing!) the songs that made the Great White Way great.

After a completely sold out six week run in Los Angeles, and recent 12 show sellout in Chicago, producers Shane Scheel and Siobhan O'Neill of Ad Astra Live are happy to announce that FOR THE RECORD: DEAR JOHN HUGHES at West Hollywood's DBA will extend through May 31.

?PS122's 2015 Spring Gala celebrates homecomings by honoring actor and dancer Claire Danes, whose history with PS122 includes her 1985 performance debut at the age of six along with critically acclaimed dance pieces in 2005 and 2007. In addition, New York City Council Member Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer will receive the Shining Star Award for his unwavering dedication to New York City arts and culture.

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the FOR THE RECORD: DEAR JOHN HUGHES Signature Cocktail winning name 'Fat Hughesday,' submitted by contestant David Lello for Broadway In Chicago's #FTRHUGHES 'Name That Drink' contest and selected by voting cast members in the show.

RuPaul's Drag Race sensation JINKX MONSOON and San Francisco drag legend PEACHES CHRIST will star in the New York Premiere of RETURN TO GRAY GARDENS, a theatrical comedy that pays homage to the acclaimed documentary film 'Grey Gardens'. This original stage show, written and directed by Joshua Grannell, also features MINK STOLE in a cast of 14. It will be performed for one night only, Saturday, April 25 at 7pm at Mason Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center (17 Lexington Avenue at 23rd Street). Tickets range from $25 - $75 at 212-352-3101 or www.SpinCycleNYC.com.

Universal Music Enterprises has announced a rollout of 26 individual soundtrack albums on vinyl

?Popular television star Reg E. Cathey will lead the reading of William Youmans', grandnephew of acclaimed composer and producer Vincent Youmans, Off-Broadway bound production of WHAT WOMEN DO (and men too). This new play, directed by Don Stephenson, is a battle-of-the-sexes farce set in New York City. The reading takes place today and Friday, February 26th and 27th, 2015.

Broadway In Chicago has announced Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen, The Wrestler, Across the Universe) will join the cast of “FOR THE RECORD: DEAR JOHN HUGHES,” an immersive, concert event showcasing the works of beloved Chicago native John Hughes, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut) the second week of performances March 12 – 15, 2015. Evan Rachel Wood will replace Rumer Willis who will play “Basket Case” in the first week of performances March 5 – 8, 2015. Willis will be returning to Los Angeles to prepare for her upcoming, just announced debut on Season 20 of ABC's “Dancing With The Stars.'

Global Creatures confirmed today that Baz Luhrmann's much-loved hit show STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL will open in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in September 2015.

?Popular television star Reg E. Cathey will lead the reading of William Youmans', grandnephew of acclaimed composer and producer Vincent Youmans, Off-Broadway bound production of WHAT WOMEN DO (and men too). This new play, directed by Don Stephenson, is a battle-of-the-sexes farce set in New York City. The reading takes place on Thursday and Friday, February 26th and 27th, 2015.

Lead by the capital campaign co-chairs Alan Cumming, Stella Schnabel, and PS122's Board Vice President Charles Kerr, PS122's 2015 Spring Gala celebrates homecomings by honoring actor and dancer Claire Danes - whose history of performing at PS122 includes her 1985 performance debut at the age of six along with critically-acclaimed dance pieces in 2005 and 2007. The April 20th Gala also expands PS122's Give Performance Space capital campaign and celebrates PS122's anticipated return to its newly renovated East Village building, the organization's home for 30 plus years.

FOR THE RECORD: DEAR JOHN HUGHES at West Hollywood's DBA showcases the works of acclaimed director John Hughes, by reliving his acclaimed coming of age 1980's teen flicks including Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Performances began on February 6 and run through April 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

A cast of five will lead the reading of William Youmans', grandnephew of acclaimed composer and producer Vincent Youmans, Off-Broadway bound production of WHAT WOMEN DO (and men too). This new play, directed by Don Stephenson, is a battle-of-the-sexes farce set in New York City. The reading takes place on Thursday and Friday, February 26th and 27th, 2015.

Jacqui Dark and Kanen Breen are two of Australia's leading operatic performers, and between them have won a slew of awards for their stunning portrayals of Opera's finest characters. In their new cabaret production, Strange Bedfellows, they play their darkest and rawest characters yet: themselves.

Frances Black Project presents, Commedia dell'Artichoke, a bi-monthly show created and performed by Carter Gill and Tommy Russell. Performed in classic commedia dell'arte mask, these two Yale Drama trained actors create a world of characters, such as Pulicinella, Tartaglia and Zanni, who live and work in a pizza shop in New York City. It's a story about following your dreams, being your own boss and the chaos that must ensue. February 22, 23 and 24 at 9:30pm at Artichoke Basille's Pizza, 114 10th Avenue (at 17th Street). General admission tickets are $30 and include a slice and drink of choice. Reserved seating is $40. Tickets are available online at http://www.francesblackprojects.com/#current-projects. The following performances with be April 19 & 20 at Artichoke Basille's.