Benj Pasek News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Carousel,' 'The King And I' and 'The Merry Widow' at Lyric Opera, and the upcoming season at Porchlight. Plus 'Merman' transfers, 'Mormon' arrives, 'First Wives Club' and 'Gotta Dance' try out, the 'Pride And Prejudice' reading moves, Quest Theatre mounts two, Pasek and Paul's 'Peach,' Bailiwick's 'Wonderful Town,' the Mosh Pit in the Tribune and more honors for Jessie Mueller! Whew!

Broadway Gives Back will present the Third Annual 'Broadway Charity Songs!' 'Broadway Charity Songs' pairs a group of award-winning songwriters with a group of outstanding charities and tasks each songwriter with composing an original song inspired by the mission of the charity. The result is an evening of songs gifted to the charities -- increasing awareness for these outstanding organizations.

A glimpse behind the scenes of ONE NIGHT STAND!

Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful Dogfight, tonight, February 6 through March 15, 2014 in the intimate Studio Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are now on sale.

Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful Dogfight, February 6 through March 15, 2014 in the intimate Studio Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The annual conference that brings together innovative minds and industry experts to help shape the future of Broadway announces the final lineup of speakers for TEDxBroadway on Monday, February 23, 2015 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are priced at $100.

For over 25 years, stars of stage and screen have come out to bowl in support of Second Stage's award-winning seasons and to assist the theatre in its fund-raising efforts at its annual All-Star Bowling Classic. Last night, stars gathered at Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge to bowl and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the event below!

Glimpse behind the curtain of ONE NIGHT STAND!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include coverage of opening night of Roundabout's INTO THE WOODS, the Gypsy Robe Ceremony for HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, John Cameron Mitchell's return to Broadway as HEDWIG, and more!

Following last night's highly anticipated first preview of HAMILTON at the Public, TodayTix hosted the exclusive afterparty at the Public's Library Bar. The party included the cast and creatives for Hamilton as well as special first preview guests including Pitch Perfect's Skylar Astin, Laura Osnes, Benj Pasek and Barrett Weed, among others. Scroll down for photos!

Keegan Theatre will reopen its doors and launch its 18th season with the show that started it all for the company: Tennessee Williams' masterpiece CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.

Oh my! It's been a hell of a year for the Seattle Theatre scene and I can say we've been quite fortunate to see the incredible shows we have. So many amazing shows in fact that picking just a few stand outs (let alone a "best") is a near impossibility. But I have searched the deep dark recesses of my memory to find the shows and performances that really stood out and stuck with me beyond the evening and throughout the year. And so, without further ado, I'm thrilled to present the BWW 2014 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (or Jay's Picks). Let the awesomeness flow!

Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful Dogfight, February 6 through March 15, 2014 in the intimate Studio Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are now on sale.

A new musical version of James and the Giant Peach, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book of the same name, 'floats' into San Francisco tonight, December 27, and will 'anchor' for two weekends at the Theater at the Children's Creativity Museum, 221 4th Street, San Francisco, through January 4. The show plays Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Seattle Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

A new musical version of James and the Giant Peach, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book of the same name, "floats" into San Francisco on Saturday, December 27, and will "anchor" for two weekends at the Theater at the Children's Creativity Museum, 221 4th Street, San Francisco, through January 4. The show plays Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

I'd heard of Jean Shepherd's work as an author when I was younger, but my first true exposure to him came in 1983 in a tiny, and mostly empty, movie theater where I sat and watched director Bob Clark's wonderful valentine to the late 1930's and early 1940's, A Christmas Story. I've since seen it go from sleeper to television staple, then to the stage in a theatrical version, and now I've had the opportunity to view it as a musical. I must say, this endearingly hilarious account of young Ralphie Parker and his quest to own a Red Ryder BB Gun (here essayed by either Evan Gray and Colton Maurer, with Cal Alexander as younger brother, Randy) is still funny to me all these years later. The musical, which is currently playing the Fabulous Fox Theatre, is a twinkling Christmas delight, with pleasant and lively numbers that aim to enhance key moments that you'll recall from the original. This is fun for the whole family, and my son and I had a terrific time.

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Seattle Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

One show into their sixth season, and heading towards their final production at West Boca High, Slow Burn Theatre Company will present Edges, a musical, for a special two-night run tonight and tomorrow, December 18th and 19th, 2014 as a joint fundraiser with the West Boca Drama Department. Tickets are $20.

The annual conference that brings together innovative minds and industry experts to help shape the future of Broadway has added six new speakers to the lineup for TEDxBroadway on Monday, February 23, 2015 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are priced at $100.