Benj Pasek News

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS STORY at The John W. Engeman Theater?

Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Check out our top Holiday picks for the 2022 holiday season!

Dramatists Guild Foundation has announced the 2022-2023 class of Fellows. The program propels the most promising creative talents to their full potential to help shape the future of theater. 

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge sat down with Patrick Page to discuss his performance as Jacob Marley in the new movie musical. Page discusses what it's like to have his first major role in a feature film, what audiences can expect from the new film, and more. Watch the new interview video now!

 TheaterWorksUSA in association with The Apollo, will present an invite only staged reading of Jason Reynolds’ New York Times best-selling young adult novel Long Way Down in a compelling new musical by Dahlak Brathwaite and Khiyon Hursey, directed and choreographed by Ken-Matt Martin on November 21 at Pearl Studios.   

Gateway Center for Performing Arts (GCPA) opens their ninth MainStage season with the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Story. Enjoy this heartwarming and hilarious story written by Jean Shepherd, adapted for the stage by playwright Joseph Robinette and composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen).

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS STORY THE MUSICAL at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL?

Tickets will go on sale for Second Stage Theater's simulcast performances of its Broadway production of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ play, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, directed by Austin Pendleton on Friday, November 11 at 12pm EST. 

Top stories include new details on the upcoming Wicked films, plus a cast recording of Kimberly Akimbo has been announced, and more!

With original songs by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ('La La Land'), Spirited is the highly-anticipated new movie musical take on A Christmas Carol. The film stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, and more. Read what critics thought of the new movie musical now!

Signature Theatre's production of Quiara Alegría Hudes' My Broken Language, the acclaimed playwright's stage adaptation of her eponymous memoir, officially opened on Sunday night, November 6 and runs through Nov 27, 2022 in the Pershing Square Signature Center's Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre. Check out photos from inside the big night!

Check out photos of Spirited stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, and more on the red capret. Filmmakers in attendance included composers and executive producers Justin Paul and Benj Pasek; director, writer and producer Sean Anders; plus, Mariah Carey, Brooke Shields, and more.

Will Ferrell, Octavia Spencer, and Ryan Reynolds appeared on The TODAY Show this morning to discuss singing and dancing in the new movie musical, Spirited. Watch the complete interview now, in which the group discussed their previous singing experiences, working together on the film, and more.

The ASCAP Foundation recognized playwright, composer and lyricist Michael R. Jackson, creator of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical A Strange Loop, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award.

New York City Center is presenting Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's 1998 Tony Award-winning musical Parade, starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, with direction by Michael Arden. Check out photos from the opening night red carpet here!

From director Sean Anders ('Daddy’s Home,” 'Instant Family”), written by Sean Anders and John Morris, with original songs by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ('La La Land'), the film stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, and Octavia Spencer. Watch the new video trailer now!

Step into Roald Dahl's magical world this Friday as Theatre Arlington presents their all-youth musical James and the Giant Peach, JR. Based on Dahl's book James and the Giant Peach, this beloved tale about courage and self-discovery with book by Timothy Allen McDonald comes alive with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, best known for their work on Dear Evan Hansen.

Dear Evan Hansen celebrated its final London performance at the Noël Coward Theatre on 22 October 2022, three years after its West End premiere on 29 October 2019 and a year after its return to the West End after the covid shutdown (26 October 2021). See photos from the final curtain call here!

 The critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical Dear Evan Hansen celebrated its final London performance at the Noël Coward Theatre on 22 October 2022, three years after its West End premiere on 29 October 2019 and a year after its return to the West End after the covid shutdown.  Check out photos from the final curtain call!

The Encore, Michigan’s award-winning, non-profit professional theatre company, is gearing up for the holidays with A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL.