Ben Whiteley News

The 10-day Encores! rehearsal process is like no other, and now Where's Charley? cast member Amy Justman is blogging each day about the intense rehearsals. (This is Amy's third Encores!) It's a great insider's look at what Kathleen Marshall calls 'summer stock for the A team!' Access here full blog here or read about her first day below!

Twenty-two St. Louis theater companies are represented in the nominations for the Sixth Annual Kevin Kline Awards. Thirty plays and musicals produced in the St. Louis area during 2010 now share 112 nominations in 22 different categories for the coveted award.

The Muny's Sound Of Music will close August 1. THE SOUND OF MUSIC was directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Liza Gennaro, musical direction by Ben Whiteley, set design by Michael Anania, and lighting design by F. Mitchell Dana.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I actually saw the stage version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Of course, I'd been exposed to the movie version long before that, but I never really enjoyed watching it until they started letterboxing the film for broadcast presentations, because the 'pan and scan' versions always ruined the beautiful vistas captured by the cinematographer. But, you don't have to worry about that at the Muny, which offers up its own 'widescreen' take on this classic musical (it is a big stage, after all), producing a solid and enjoyable outing fit for the entire family.

The St. Louis Muny's upcoming production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC will feature some Broadway talent. Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) will play Maria von Trapp opposite Tom Hewitt (CHICAGO, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, THE LION KING) as Baron von Trapp, Playbill reports. The production opens July 26 and runs through August 1.

The St. Louis Muny's upcoming production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC will feature some Broadway talent. Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) will play Maria von Trapp opposite Tom Hewitt (CHICAGO, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, THE LION KING) as Baron von Trapp, Playbill reports. The production opens July 26 and runs through August 1.

The classic French fairy tale, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, is given the full-blown Disney treatment in this adaptation of their own 1991 animated film. While retaining many of the elements that gave the movie it's own particular charm, this version runs a bit too long and leisurely for my tastes, being padded out with additional, and largely forgettable songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, some of which were cut from the movie. But, there's no denying the appeal of this material, and the large contingent of families in attendance on a muggy night at the Muny all seemed to be having a great time with this appealing and fun production that kicks off their 2010 season.

The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre presents a special 25 th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, March 21 at 8 PM in Hill Auditorium. Featuring current students of the department and alumni in collaboration with members of the UM Symphony Band, the 25 th Anniversary Concert celebrates the silver anniversary of this program with a wide variety of musical numbers, dances and musical theatre overtures. Faculty members Brent Wagner, Linda Goodrich, Mark Madama direct and choreograph, with Cynthia Kortman Westphal conducting members of the University Symphony Band.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization released the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO on Sony Masterworks Broadway on February 3, 2009. The CD is produced by David Lai, Bruce Pomahac and Ted Chapin.

The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre presents a special 25 th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, March 21 at 8 PM in Hill Auditorium. Featuring current students of the department and alumni in collaboration with members of the UM Symphony Band, the 25 th Anniversary Concert celebrates the silver anniversary of this program with a wide variety of musical numbers, dances and musical theatre overtures. Faculty members Brent Wagner, Linda Goodrich, Mark Madama direct and choreograph, with Cynthia Kortman Westphal conducting members of the University Symphony Band.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is thrilled to announce that the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway on February 3, 2009. The CD is produced by David Lai, Bruce Pomahac and Ted Chapin.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is thrilled to announce that the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway on February 3, 2009. The CD is produced by David Lai, Bruce Pomahac and Ted Chapin.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization confirmed today that principal orchestral and vocal work has been completed for the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO. A release date for the recording will be announced shortly.

Ken Page and Natascia Diaz were among the winners of the first annual Kevin Kline Awards for St. Louis theatre

The Future of Broadway: A Generation of Genius will showcase songs by some of the leading composers and lyricists of musical theatre in the New-York Historical Society's March 20th benefit concert

Danny Gurwin and Sally Wilfert will be among the performers celebrating the songs of the musically versatile Arthur Schwartz in the New-York Historical Society's March 6th benefit concert

On February 20th, Kate Baldwin and Graham Rowat will be among the performs in the New-Historical Society's concert tribute to Burton Lane

Kevin Kline to participate in the first annual Kevin Kline Awards ceremony on March 20 in St. Louis, to be hosted by Broadway star Jason Danieley

BroadwayWorld was there to capture the farewell party City Center threw for departing Music Director Rob Fisher.