Ben Stone News

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Maine, Chicago, San Diego and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include LuPone/Ebersole in Goodman Theatre's WAR PAINT, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Ogunquit, and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at The Old Globe, just to name a few.

When looking for memorable images from America in the late 50's/early 60's, you are bound to find some old standards. Mom in the kitchen baking, Dad returning home from a long day at the office, children playing with their Slinky/Mr. Potato Head while drinking Tang, or the iconic footage of man walking on the moon for the first time. These images immediately place you firmly in an era where tradition crashed headlong into a world of new sights and sounds. And it is these images that brilliantly set the stage (and the mood) during the overture for Goodspeed Musicals' new production of the classic Adams/Strouse/Stewart musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE; and they signal the nostalgic, yet amazingly fresh romp the audience will experience for the next two hours.

Miss Asian North America is taking over The Venetian Las Vegas for a collection of events in honor of its fourth annual pageant with delegates from all over the United States and Canada. 

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson. Ms. Thompson's new take on this youthful classic includes two new songs, 'BYE BYE BIRDIE' from the 1963 film and 'A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore' from the 1995 television presentation along with crisp new dance arrangements by accomplished composer of Broadway, film and television David Krane. Go inside Friday's night's first performance cast party - scroll down for photos!

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson.

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson. Ms. Thompson's new take on this youthful classic includes two new songs, 'BYE BYE BIRDIE' from the 1963 film and 'A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore' from the 1995 television presentation along with crisp new dance arrangements by accomplished composer of Broadway, film and television David Krane.  Check out a sneak peek below!

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson.

James Norton and Kate Fleetwood are currently leading BUG, the tense and blackly comic play from award-winning writer Tracy Letts (August Osage County, Killer Joe) at Found111 - and now, audiences have a greater chance to catch it.

James Norton and Kate Fleetwood star in BUG, the tense and blackly comic play from award-winning writer Tracy Letts (August Osage County, Killer Joe) at Found111. Bug, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is a taut exploration of two people on the edge, where the lines between reality and delusions become blurred.

Tense and blackly comic, BUG by multi-award-winner Tracy Letts (August Osage County, Killer Joe), is a taut exploration of two people on the edge; where the lines between reality and delusions become blurred. BUG celebrates its 20th anniversary with a production at Found111 from tonight, March 24, through May 7, 2016. Press night is March 29. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Tense and blackly comic, BUG by multi-award-winner Tracy Letts (August Osage County, Killer Joe), is a taut exploration of two people on the edge; where the lines between reality and delusions become blurred. BUG celebrates its 20th anniversary with a production at Found111 from March 24 - May 7, 2016. Press night is March 29. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

The final cast has been confirmed to appear alongside the previously announced James Norton (War and Peace, Happy Valley) and Kate Fleetwood (London Road, Medea) in the 20th anniversary production of Bug by multi award-winner Tracy Letts (August Osage County, Killer Joe).

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Broadway's Matt Scott, who was last seen by Goodspeed audiences in the 2013 production of SNAPSHOTS at The Norma Terris Theatre, will assume the role of 'Sam Wainwright' for the remainder of the run of A WONDERFUL LIFE at Goodspeed Opera House through December 6th.

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. Just announced, A WONDERFUL LIFE will now play eight additional performances through Sunday, December 6, 2015 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn.

It's a tricky thing when a popular film is adapted for the musical stage. Sometimes it works and sometimes it simply falls flat. For A WONDERFUL LIFE, presented by Goodspeed Musicals, it falls somewhere in-between. To be fair, It's A Wonderful Life is not just a "popular film", it's practically an American institution, so the audience for A WONDERFUL LIFE, the musical adaptation by Sheldon Harnick (Book and Lyrics) and Joe Raposo (Music) most likely come to the show with a very clear expectation of what they will see. They expect encounters with George Bailey as he sacrifices his own dreams for those of his family and neighbors, the harrowing scene where, despondent, he decides to take his own life, Clarence the guardian angel, the truly detestable Mr. Potter, a lovely Mary, some fun "Hee Haw"s with Sam Wainwright, and let's not forget Zuzu's petals.

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currently running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currently running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. The official press opening is tonight, October 14, 2015.

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currentlyi running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the first read through below!

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015.