Benj Pasek News

The American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University (AMTP) announces the 2017/2018 season of workshop readings written by award-winning music theatre creators, directed by leading regional theater and Broadway directors and performed by students in the AMTP program.

From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the Academy Award-winning film La La Land, A Christmas Story, The Musical, brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage in Cincinnati at the Aronoff Center, December 5 - 10, 2017 as part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 17/18 Season presented by TriHealth.

Hugh Jackman turned to Twitter this morning to share the first look at new poster art for the bold and original new musical, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!

Come along with us on a magic carpet ride and re-visit the various incarnations of the shining, shimmering, splendid world of Aladdin!

Taylor Trensch, currently starring on Broadway in Hello, Dolly!, will star as the title character in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen, beginning mid-January 2018, following his run in Hello, Dolly!. Noah Galvin, fresh off the starring role in ABC's 'The Real O'Neals,' will play the role of Evan Hansen, beginning November 21, 2017 until Trensch begins performances on Broadway in mid-January. Check out some flashback videos of Broadway's new Evans below!

Today, Tony Award winner Ben Platt took to Twitter to PRAISE yesterday's casting news in a string of posts

Producer Stacey Mindich has announced that Taylor Trensch, currently starring on Broadway in Hello, Dolly!, will star as the title character in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen, beginning mid-January 2018, following his run in Hello, Dolly!.

A nationwide digital casting call is underway for 'Ralphie Parker,' the lead character in FOX's live musical production of A CHRISTMAS STORY airing Sunday, Dec. 17 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

The World Soundtrack Academy has announced the first wave of 2017 World Soundtrack Award nominees. Among those nominated are Tony winners Justin Paul and Benj Pasek and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

2017 Tony winner “Dear Evan Hansen” (DEH) knows how to engage with its massive fan base, especially on Facebook (FB). Take for instance its latest video upload, which showcases thespians and DEH fans Gimbey Dela Cruz and Poppert Bernadas singing a heartwarming duet: a cover version of “Only Us” from the popular Broadway musical. This cover version, which was originally uploaded on YouTube last May 2017, is currently enjoying more than 34,000 views and 1,100 reactions on FB.

Michael Lee Brown joined the Dear Evan Hansen company in October 2016 as understudy for all three young male roles. He has now played Jared, Connor and Evan to acclaim!

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Ben Platt will say goodbye to Evan this fall. The Tony winner will depart Dear Evan Hansen on November 19, 2017. A replacement for Platt has not yet been announced.

A CHRISTMAS STORY is coming to Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi for one performance on December 26.

Broadway stars, live musical presentations and a high school theater department-themed drama series are all on tap for the upcoming 2017-18 primetime television season. Check out the exciting programming slate below!

Tony nominee, Keala Settle, Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, and the cast of the upcoming motion picture musical, 'The Greatest Showman' are featured in this month's issue of Vogue. The director of the film, Michael Gracey, discussed the making of the film with the publication, discussing the process and challenges of making the film with fashion icon Hamish Bowles.

Today, Telsey & Company Casting has announced a search for a young actor to play the lead role of 'Ralphie'. The casting description reads: RALPHIE - Male, 9 - 12, Caucasian, Possibly a bit pudgy; a regular kid ... Actor must be an excellent singer and able to carry a show.

Executive producer Marc Platt (GREASE LIVE!) and composers Ben Pasek and Justin Paul participated in FOX's TCA panel held yesterday in Los Angeles and shared further details on the project.

FOX's next live musical event, A CHRISTMAS STORY, will air Sunday, Dec. 17 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) LIVE on FOX. Emmy Award nominee Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live,” “Bridesmaids”) will star as the mother of nine-year old “Ralphie Parker.”

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced complete casting for its upcoming production of Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG, directed by Moises Kaufman.

With so many upcoming projects in the works, BWW has put together a guide to what's in store from the House of Mouse and its uber-talented creative teams!