Benj Pasek News

The Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF) and the American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University will present the 11th Annual Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project. The weeklong songwriting workshop for emerging songwriters and writing teams will take place from June 19 through 25, on Northwestern's Evanston campus. 

Second Stage Theatre's 37th Anniversary Gala celebration will honor Producer DAVID STONE, celebrating his ongoing 12 year relationship with the Off-Broadway Company.  The evening's Honorary Chair is James M. Nederlander and the Co-Chairs are Marc Platt, Patrick Catullo, and Nancy Coyne.  The gala evening, which will be directed by James Lapine, will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Cipriani 42nd Street.  The evening's entertainment, which will feature stars who have appeared in Stone's productions over the years, will be announced at a later date.  This is the first time Second Stage's annual gala will be honoring a Broadway producer.

The Center for the Arts is pleased to announce its 2016 Season - a 'Season of Celebration' as the company celebrates its 20th Anniversary. The season is comprised of eight Main Stage shows and three Gallery shows.

Stage and screen stars Darren Criss (Glee, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies, Tuck Everlasting), Ben Platt ("Pitch Perfect", Dear Evan Hansen), Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, A Christmas Story, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach), Philip McAdoo (The Lion King and Rent), Brad Simmons ("Camp", Lysistrata Jones), Jacob Brent (Cats); Cory Lingner (On the Town), and writing team Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel (Camp-Wish-No-More, My Little Brony) are some of the talent confirmed for the 2016 Junior Theater Festival (#JTF16), it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group.  

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts presents Roald Dahl's 'James and the Giant Peach,' JR, with words and music and by Benj Pasek and MTC alumni Justin Paul and book by Timothy Allen McDonald. The production will take place on Saturday, January 9 at 11am and 2pm and Sunday, January 10 at 2pm at Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Avenue (behind Nine West) in Norwalk, CT. Tickets are $25-$30 for adults, $20-$25 for students and reservations are suggested. For tickets, call Music Theatre of Connecticut at 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com

We're just three days into the New Year, and we can't wait for all the new shows set to open around the corner from Broadway! Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at some of the upcoming plays and musicals from The Public, Classic Stage, Atlantic Theater, Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Signature Theatre, Roundabout, the Encores! series and more, currently slated to open off-Broadway in 2016!

Following the unprecedented success of Stephen Karam (Roundabout Underground's inaugural playwright) and his Roundabout-commissioned play THE HUMANS moving to Broadway, Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the Underground will now produce two new works each season.  The program's expansion will begin in fall 2016 with the world premiere of Jenny Rachel Weiner's Kingdom Come.

The holiday season is here at last, and in just weeks, the world will be spreading yuletide cheer by decking the halls, wrapping the gifts and sipping the eggnog. There are plenty of ways to join in the spirit, because for theatre fans, Broadway is everywhere this season... and BroadwayWorld has a complete guide of where to find it!

Jean Shepherd historian Steven Glazer hosts a 30-minute talk prior to tonight's performance of A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL at Paper Mill Playhouse. Glazer's talk will reveal interesting facts about Ralphie, Randy, Schwartz, Flick, Miss Shields and even the Bumpus hounds.

Need a laugh? See A CHRISTMAS STORY at TUTS!

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) released a block of great seats today for the final two weeks of the holiday hit, A Christmas Story: The Musical. The musical will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey theater and has best availability from December 23, 2015 thru January 3, 2016. Based on the popular 1983 film, A Christmas Story: The Musical has a book by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.  A Christmas Story: The Musical will be directed by Brandon Ivie and choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2015-2016 Season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Jean Shepherd historian Steven Glazer will host a 30-minute talk prior to select performances of A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL at Paper Mill Playhouse. Glazer's talk will reveal interesting facts about Ralphie, Randy, Schwartz, Flick, Miss Shields and even the Bumpus hounds.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Jean Shepherd historian Steven Glazer will host a 30-minute talk prior to select performances of A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL at Paper Mill Playhouse. Glazer's talk will reveal interesting facts about Ralphie, Randy, Schwartz, Flick, Miss Shields and even the Bumpus hounds.

After THE WIZ LIVE!, NBC can't stay away from Broadway, and we can't thank them enough! Variety reports that Tony nominees Claudia Shear (TUCK EVERLASTING, DIRTY BLONDE) and songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (DEAR EVAN HANSON, SMASH) are developing VOICE OF THE CITY, a one-hour musical drama, for the network.

Still in amazement over THE WIZ LIVE!? To busy getting all of your Holiday shopping in? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

'A Christmas Story: The Musical' is not on stage at Paper Mill Playhouse through January 3rd. Directed by Brandon Ivie, this charming and exciting show will delight guests of all ages.

The Red Ryder BB Gun and the fishnet-clad leg lamp grace the Dutch Apple stage for the Christmas season.

? Paper Mill Playhouse presents this year's holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, based on the popular 1983 film. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL has a book by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics byBenj Pasek and Justin Paul. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL will be directed by Brandon Ivie and choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through January 3, 2016. The official press opening night wass yesterday, November 29. Check out photos from the after party below!

Paper Mill Playhouse presents this year's holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, based on the popular 1983 film. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL has a book by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics byBenj Pasek and Justin Paul. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL will be directed by Brandon Ivie and choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through January 3, 2016. The official press opening night wass yesterday, November 29. Check out photos from the curtain call below!

Paper Mill Playhouse presents this year's holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, based on the popular 1983 film. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL has a book by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL will be directed by Brandon Ivie and choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer. A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater from tonight, November 25, 2015, through January 3, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, November 29, at 7:00pm. Click below to watch highlights for the show!