Benj Pasek News

I remember when the film version of DOGFIGHT was release, and how I was initially repelled by the very concept, but then I saw the film, and I understood. You'll understand even more when you take in Stray Dog Theatre's local premiere presentation of the musical version of DOGFIGHT, and it's and absolute must see! This is truly a revelatory experience, with a smart book by Peter Duchan, and wonderfully arranged music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It's a cool score that lifts the action in an even more affecting manner than the movie does. It's the intimacy we experience when we see something live unfold before our eyes. This is a truly wondrous production that will move you, and that's what theatre is all about.

Fort Wayne Civic Theatre presents A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL at Arts United Center, November 7-22, 2015.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present THE SONGS OF F. MICHAEL HAYNIE on Friday, October 16th at 11:30pm. Ben Thompson (Matilda, Holler If Ya Hear Me), Julia Mattison (Godspell), and Kasie Gasparini (Mamma Mia!) join a lineup that includes Alex Brightman (School of Rock, Matilda), Taylor Louderman (Bring It On, "Peter Pan LIVE!"), Daniel Quadrino (Newsies), and more.

A top-notch cast, stunning costumes, and a memorable story make Valley Youth Theatre's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH a must-see for families.

Looking for adventure--A fairy tale, fantasy and a tale about finding family? The classic children's story Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach returns to First Stage under the clever direction of Matt Daniels--a well-known name in Milwaukee. His talents extend to acting, directing and teaching theater academy classes to name only a few and this week he focuses on opening the Theatre for Young Audeince (TYA) production on October 16 in the Todd Wehr Theatre.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, a lively musical based on the much-loved children's book written by Roald Dahl, lands on stage at Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) October 9th, showcasing a magical cast of creepy-crawly characters.

Tony nominees Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have announced that the ultimate cast recording of their new musical Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach as a permanently-free download* at www.jatgp.com.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announce the lineup for the nonprofit's Gala, Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars being held on October 26 at Gotham Hall. The Gala is the most critical fundraising event for the Dramatists Guild Fund, the public charity arm of the Dramatists Guild of America. This very special evening pays tribute to legendary writers and recognizes their significant contributions to American theater.

For one day only, we are going to set up a photo booth that will allow YOU to get your picture taken with the (now famous) BroadwayWorld Mug. Because you have written us so many emails, loving the photos of your favorite Broadway stars and wanting to know how you can get your own 'mugshot', we will be taking photos of each of you. And the best news yet, is that over the next year, every Friday will feature a FAN of BroadwayWorld.com in these now famous photos that greet our readers each and every morning. Check out some of our favorites below!

DEAR EVAN HANSEN is headed to New York this spring! 

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present THE SONGS OF F. MICHAEL HAYNIE featuring Alex Brightman (School of Rock, Matilda), Taylor Louderman (Bring It On, "Peter Pan LIVE!"), Daniel Quadrino (Newsies), Emmy Raver-Lampman (Hamilton), and more on Friday, October 16th at 11:30pm. 

San Francisco Playhouse opens its thirteenth Mainstage season with the San Francisco premiere of the musical Dogfight, directed by Bill English. The show will feature Jeffrey Brian Adams* (Promises, Promises), Jordan Bridges, Caitlin Brooke, Nikita Burshteyn, Brandon Dahlquist*, Sally Dana*, Kathryn Hart, Andrew Humann, Amy Lizardo*, AeJay Mitchell, and Michael Gene Sullivan*.

He might be the greatest showman on earth, but he'll have to wait a little longer to be resurrected.

This month, Lyric Studio Theatre in the Square will stage EDGES, a song cycle written by Tony nominated Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (DOGFIGHT, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, DEAR EVAN HANSEN) in their sophomore year at the University of Michigan.

Broadwayworld.com interviewed Stephen Fredericks, the Founder and Executive Director of The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, a lively musical based on the much-loved children's book written by Roald Dahl, lands on stage at Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) October 9th, showcasing a magical cast of creepy-crawly characters.

Single tickets are now on sale to the general public for Second Stage Theatre's world premiere production of INVISIBLE THREAD, a new musical by Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews, in association with American Repertory Theater, directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Finding Neverland, Pippin).  INVISIBLE THREAD will begin previews on Saturday, October 31st at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street).  Opening night is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2nd.   

At a time in theatre where shows are all-too-often injected with extreme concepts or 'themes' outside of the originally written text (sometimes successful, sometimes not), it's a remarkable breath of fresh air to see a production where the script is trusted to stand on its own without a director's own imaginations forced upon it. In BoHo Theatre's 'Dogfight,' directed with care by Peter Marston Sullivan, it's this faith in the show itself that makes the production shine.

Two powerhouse musicals DOGFIGHT and VIOLET; two explosive Off-Broadway plays APPROPRIATE and BOOTYCANDY; and the New England debut of Harvey Fierstein's acclaimed comic-drama CASA VALENTINA are set for SpeakEasy Stage Company's 2015-16 Season, the company's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault announced today.

After six long years, the wait is finally over! BroadwayWorld has just learned that the musical web series The Battery's Down, which wrapped up its final season in late 2009, will return for a reunion special later this fall. The episode will premiere on October 20, along with a concert that night with performances from original cast members (and some very special guests).Be sure to check back in the coming weeks for a full trailer!