Benj Pasek News

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, presents DEAR EVAN HANSEN. The original musical, featuring a score by Tony Award nominees Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (Broadway's A Christmas Story, The Musical; Dogfight), a book by Steven Levenson (Masters of Sex) and directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Broadway's Rent, Next to Normal, If/Then), is a contemporary, intimate story of hope, heartache and the things in life we all need-friends, family and a place to call home. With choreography by Danny Mefford and music supervision, orchestrations and dance arrangements by Tony Award winner Alex Lacamoire, Dear Evan Hansen runs now through August 23, 2015, opening tonight, July 30, in the Kreeger Theater.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Pippin' performs at the Cadillac Palace and Sidetrack, dueling showtune concerts on August 17, and a summer 'Altar Boyz.' Plus local premieres of 'The Boy From Oz,' 'American Idiot' and 'Dogfight,' 'Gypsy' in Lake County, and 'The Producers' in true rep with 'Victor/Victoria!'

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*.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, The Book of Mormon) in the original world-premiere musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN which just debuted on July 10. Click here to watch as Platt, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul discuss the show's relevancy, and take a look at some new footage from the show!

BoHo Theatre closes out its groundbreaking 11th season with the musical Dogfight by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Peter Duchan, directed by BoHo Artistic Director Peter Marston Sullivan. Based on the 1991 Warner Brothers film, Dogfight explores the power of compassion in the face of cruelty and malice. The play features a rousing score and an emotional heart that shows musical theatre at its finest.

The new musical DOGFIGHT premiered Off-Broadway in 2012 with a breathtaking score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, accompanied by a thought-provoking book by Peter Duchan. A sensational adaptation of Nancy Savoca's 1991 film by the same name, the musical blends comedy and drama into a tale of love, friendship, and personal growth. Bayou City Theatrics' Houston Premiere of DOGFIGHT runs August 14 to August 30 at the Kaleidoscope.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, The Book of Mormon) in the original world-premiere musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN which just debuted on Friday, July 10. Check out the audience reaction's below!

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, The Book of Mormon) in the original world-premiere musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN which just debuted on Friday, July 10. Check out a first look at the production photos below!

The University of Cape Town's Drama Department presents the annual student-run theatre festival, FRESH FROM FEST, at the university's Hiddingh Campus. This year, UCT Drama will play host to five Western Cape institutions which have returned from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival as part of the Student Theatre or Schools' Festival.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announced today that Laurence O'Keefe will Co-Chair the nonprofit's Fellows Program.  

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, The Book of Mormon) in the original world-premiere musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN which just debuted on Friday, July 10. Designer David Korins has been tweeting photos from rehearsals of the latest Pasek & Paul musical, and we've got them all! Scroll down for a peek at the new show!

Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a new featurette for the world premiere, including interviews with Platt and Laura Dreyfuss, as well as a performance sneak peek. Check it out below!

Cast members from the new musical version of James and the Giant Peach, which the Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT) presents August 1 and 2 at the Shanghai Children's Art Theatre (SHCAT), will fly to Seoul and Shanghai early to offer workshops in American-style musical theatre to youngsters in those cities.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Washington, DC, Chicago, St. Louis, Vancouver, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include DEAR EVAN HANSEN in DC, VANYA AND SONIA in Chicago, and The Muny's HOLIDAY INN, just to name a few.

We all know by now that cameras should not be permitted in the theatre. But here is a little exception to that rule. David Korins just tweeted a photo from the first performance of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, the latest Pasek & Paul musical, at Arena Stage. Scroll down for a peek!

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will soon present Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, The Book of Mormon) in the original world-premiere musical debuting this summer. The production, by Tony Award-nominated composing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dogfight; A Christmas Story, The Musical) and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning playwright Steven Levenson(Masters of Sex), is directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif(If/Then, Next to Normal, Rent) and will run July 10-August 23, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater. Below, go inside the rehearsal room with Platt and Laura Dreyfuss as they sing 'Only Us.'  Check out the promo shots below!

Eight outstanding educators from schools and performing arts centers around the country will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 6th Annual FREDDIE G FELLOWSHIP July 8th - 11th.

The team of Benj Pasek & Justin Paul was literally “on the move” when I had the chance to chat with them about Dear Evan Hansen, their latest project, for which DC is fortunate enough to be the host for the world premiere, thanks to Arena Stage's dedication to nurturing new work. Benj and Justin were, in fact, driving to DC to begin the final stages of preparation for the July 10 first preview of the show. As it turns out, this was their very first visit to Arena Stage, and they were excited, and more than ready to be there. But first, we talked.