Benjamin News

This time, the reader question was: How many different roles has one actor been contracted to play in the same Broadway production?

Supported by The Miranda Family, Latiné Musical Theatre Lab will be hosting an internal industry table reading of the musical AZUL, in August 1st, as part of the Lab's Table Reading Series.

Ojai Playwrights Conference (OPC), under the leadership of new Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen, today announced the selection of playwrights for its 26th Annual New Works Festival to be held August 2 – 6 in Ojai, CA.

The Theatre Royal Glasgow has announced that the UK tour of 42nd STREET is coming to the venue from Monday 21 August to Saturday 26 August 2023.

 Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, is pleased to announce a digital lottery ticket policy in Los Angeles where performances will play a six-week run at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre from August 1 – September 10, 2023. A limited number of tickets will be available at $30 each.

 Berkshire Opera Festival continues its 2023 summer season with a mainstage production of La Bohème on August 26, August 29, and September 1 at The Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA.

What did our critic think of BANDSTAND at Playhouse On Park? The multi-award winning Broadway musical Bandstand has arrived at Playhouse on Park with bells on (That pun is for the horn section.) With music by Richard Oberacker and book and lyrics by Oberacker and Robert Taylor,  Bandstand is set just after the end of World War II. It tells the story about a group of six veterans and a war widow who struggle to cope and find their way back to normal lives. Battling survivor’s guilt, amongst other excruciating mental and physical ailments, they turn to music and form a band with the goal of winning a national song contest.

David Hunt Stafford (pictured) is the Artistic Director and Managing Director of Theatre 40, posts he has proudly held since 2000 at the professional theater company located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School. I decided to speak with David about the current plays running in rep during July and August: Doris and Ivy in the Home, in which he appears, and One Moment of Freedom which he produces; and the group’s ongoing Reading Series showcasing new and well-known plays read by company members.

The National Symphony Orchestra opened the three-night run of the symphonic  World Premiere performance of RENT in Concert, directed by Sammi Cannold, on Wednesday, July 26 2023 at 8:00 PM. Check out photos from inside the big night!

​​​​​​​The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre has announced its autumn 2023 programme, including works from Yorke Dance Project, Tala Lee-Turton, Chiara Bersani and Northern Ballet. The season boasts three world premières and three triple bills, giving audiences the chance to witness never before seen works in Leeds before they hit national and international stages. 

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, will play six weeks in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre from August 1 – September 10 and then play two weeks in Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts from September 19 -October 1, 2023.

How do mere mortals celebrate their 50th birthday? By having a midlife crisis? Not dance royalty Carlos Acosta, who seems to literally turn back time by making a return to the stage as a dancer - having retired from performing in 2016 - in Carlos at 50 at the Royal Opera House (with five, basically sold out performances), his old stomping ground.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to announce projects for the sixth Latinx New Play Festival taking place at the Playhouse October 27 – 29, 2023, produced by Dr. Maria Patrice Amon, the Playhouse’s 2023/2024 Artist-in-Residence.

The King's Theatre, Glasgow has announced that Jennifer Ellison is joining The Official Take That Musical GREATEST DAYS, with a book by award-winning playwright Tim Firth and produced by Adam Kenwright for Kindred Partners. Jennifer will join the tour in the role of Rachel from Monday 21 August at The King's Theatre, Glasgow. GREATEST DAYS will run at The King's Theatre, Glasgow from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 August 2023.

Before heading to Oshawa’s Regent Theatre for Mansfield Entertainment’s SPONGEBOB: THE MUSICAL, I had never seen a single episode of the cartoon series featuring the ubiquitous bright yellow sea creature with square pants that lives in a pineapple under the sea. It didn’t matter; the candy-coloured satire was still fantastic, fishy fun.

Get a first look at the Take That Musical GREATEST DAYS UK Tour with this exciting video. Find out where the show is running and get a sneak peek of what to expect from this highly anticipated musical event.

Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 26 for a second performance by Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose on Aug. 26 at Theatre Raleigh Arts Center.

The Handel and Haydn Society has named violinists Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro and Amelia Sie the first ever Stone Fellows. A first of its kind among period-instrument orchestras, the Fellowship, in partnership with the New England Conservatory, will foster the development of early-career musicians whose socio-cultural identities have been historically underrepresented in the field.

What did our critic think of MAMMA MIA at Sheyenne Theatre?

THE BRICK presents the world premiere of The Dastardly Thornes v. The Town of Goldhaven, a new musical by Ben Holbrook and Nate Weida. Following a thrilling series of preview performances, the vibrant comedic western is set to open Saturday July 29 at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn, NY.