Benj Pasek News

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presented a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage, November 16 through the 18th and 20-21, 2013. Click HERE to watch Corey Cott and Kara Lindsay perform!

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop will present its autumn Smoker, a semiannual showcase of new songs from Workshop writers, on Thursday, November 21 in BMI's New York office.

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presents a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage today, November 16 through the 18th and 20-21, 2013.

Last night, November 14, Second Stage opened its much-anticipated production of Little Miss Sunshine. This new musical comedy is based on the film of the same name by Michael Arndt. It was adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning team James Lapine, who wrote the book, and William Finn, who wrote the lyrics and music. Little Miss Sunshine's run has now been extended through Dec 15. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out photos from the star-studded arrivals below!

A CHRISTMAS STORY sticks to what works...a flagpole.

You loved him as the father on TV's 'The Wonder Years.' Now meet him in a new role: The Godfather.

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present a special overview of the many exciting theatre-related events and entertainment available to be enjoyed over the coming weeks and months onstage and onscreen as we enter into the most wonderful time of the year and anticipate the release of Disney's newest animated movie musical FROZEN, featuring a plethora of Broadway performers and songs by the composer behind two of Broadway's biggest recent hits, AVENUE Q and THE BOOK OF MORMON, Robert Lopez.

You loved him as the father on TV's "The Wonder Years." Now meet him in a new role: The Godfather.

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical have announced the full cast for the production when it arrives at The Theater at Madison Square Garden for its December 11 - 29, 2013 engagement. Reprising their roles will be Dan Lauria (Lombardi, 'The Wonder Years,' 'Sullivan and Son') as Jean Shepherd, John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Gossip Girl') as the Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother and Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields. Eli Tokash (Mary Poppins) will play Ralphie at certain perforances, Noah Baird as little brother Randy, and Jake Lucas (Newsies, Far From Heaven), donning the famous spectacles will take on the lead role of Ralphie.

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presents a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage November 16-18 and 20-21, 2013. This live showcase of musical theater works from the past 100 years features songs by some of the theater world's most talented composers and lyricists and concerts from a lineup of acclaimed musical theater performers. The celebration is part of the Center's daily, free Millennium Stage performance series streamed live on the Kennedy Center website and archived for future viewings. It is the first in a series of events across the country that will celebrate ASCAP's upcoming 100th birthday, on February 13, 2014.

Cabaret and special concert event hotspot 54 Below announced earlier today that they would hold a reunion concert featuring some of the stars of NBC's short-lived musical drama series SMASH performing material from one of the musicals within the series, HIT LIST, this December, and a new promotional poster for the event has been released via social media.

Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, The Last 5 Years), Krysta Rodriguez (First Date, The Addams Family), Andy Mientus (Carrie, Spring Awakening), and more will star in HIT LIST at 54 Below on Monday, December 9 for two performances only at 9:30PM and 11:30PM.

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin previously announced the directors for the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at the Addison Theatre Centre. Directing the season opener, Hank Williams: Lost Highway (tonight, October 11-November 3, 2013) will be Michael Serrecchia.

Myrna and Freddie Gershon hosted a full house at 54 Below on Thursday the 26th of September for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin today announced the directors for the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at the Addison Theatre Centre. Directing the season opener, Hank Williams: Lost Highway (October 11-November 3, 2013) will be Michael Serrecchia. The Game's Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) (December 13- January 5, 2014) will be directed by Robin Armstrong. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (January 24-February 16, 2014) will be directed by Emily Scott Banks. Spunk (April 11-May 4, 2014) will be directed by Akin Babatunde.Good People (June 6-29, 2014) will be directed by Rene Moreno and Dogfight (July 25-August 17, 2014) will be directed by Terry Martin.

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical have announced that original cast members will return to star in the production when it arrives at The Theater at Madison Square Garden for its December 11 – 29, 2013 engagement. Reprising their roles will be Dan Lauria(Lombardi, “The Wonder Years,” “Sullivan and Son”) as Jean Shepherd, John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, “Boardwalk Empire,” “Gossip Girl') as the Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields, and talented newcomer to the production Jake Lucas (Newsies, Far From Heaven), donning the famous spectacles as he takes on the lead role of Ralphie.

Seattle Children's Theatre will soon feature Tony nominees Justin Paul and Benj Pasek's musical version of James and the Giant Peach as a part of its 2013-2014 Mainstage Season. The musical features a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and is based on the book by Roald Dahl.

Summertime is an important season for Broadway, with tourists flocking from all over to check out the stars they watched on the Tony Awards, be the first to visit the newest additions to the Broadway line-up, and even stop back at an old favorite. Need help keeping track of Broadway's newest and most buzzed-about performers? BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of the hottest stars of the summer below!

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced two upcoming performers at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko -- actor and comedian Bruce Vilanch and Tony Award nominated composers Pasek and Paul. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko will present a wide range of entertainers all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Bruce Vilanch will perform for one-night-only tonight, July 18th at 8 p.m. Pasek and Paul will perform two performances only - Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents MINT'D, which is comprised of two performances: Inheritance (5PM) and EXPLORERS (8PM). MINT'D will play at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street).