Berger News

Next week, the Pantages Theatre will be hosting the L.A. Premiere of Million Dollar Quartet. Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions in history. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," and more.

Today in 2011, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark opened at the Foxwoods Theatre, where it is still running. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is a rock musical with music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge and a book by Julie Taymor, Glen Berger, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. The musical is based on the Spider-Man comics created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, published by Marvel Comics, as well as the 2002 film about the character and the Greek myth of Arachne. lt tells the story of the origin of the character, his romance with Mary Jane and his battles with the evil Green Goblin.

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark celebrates its one-year anniversary on Broadway today, June 14, 2012. Embarking on its second year on Broadway, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark began preview performances on November 28, 2010, and officially opened on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.(100.02% capacity of The Foxwoods Theatre); set the weekly box office record of $2,941,790.20; and shattered the annual box office record of the Foxwoods Theatre by almost $35 million.

Oliver Tobias and Paul Nicholas - two of the original stars of the musical Hair when it premiered in the West End in 1968 - are to make guest appearances in a celebrity-packed fundraiser performance of the musical in the West End for the Help For Heroes charity on Sunday July 1.

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT), Jewish Museum Milwaukee (JMM) and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) are collaborating on "Exploring Jewish Voices." During the 2012-2013 season, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is producing three plays by prominent Jewish playwrights. MCT, JMM & the JCC decided this was an ideal opportunity to partner and provide additional educational and outreach opportunities to the Milwaukee area Jewish community.

Oscar Productions presents The Last Five Years, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, directed by Peter Berube, with music direction by Lauren Fraley. One preview performance plays tonight, June 7th at 7:15pm and the show runs Saturday, June 16th, 17th, 22nd, and 23rd at 5:30pm. All performances are presented as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

On Monday, June 4th at The Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery at East 3rd Street), Paige Davis hosted Red Bull Theater's gala, along with special guest NaTasha Yvette Williams. Check out photos from the event below!

New Line Theatre closes its 21st season with HIGH FIDELITY, playing now through June 23, 2012. With a script by award-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Good People), music by Tom Kitt (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Next to Normal), and lyrics by Amanda Green (Bring It On, Hands on a Hardbody), HIGH FIDELITY explores America's new Lost Generation and the music they live their lives to. Check out photos of the cast performing on stage in St. Louis below!

Last night, May 29, Katrina Lenk joined the cast of Broadway's SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark in the role of "Arachne". Christina Sajous, who had currently played the role of "Arachne", played her final performance on Sunday, May 27th. Reeve Carney, Patrick Page, and Rebecca Faulkenberry continue in their roles as "Peter Parker/Spider-Man", "Norman Osborn/Green Goblin", and "Mary Jane Watson" respectively. BroadwayWorld was on hand for Lenk's opening night curtain call and brings you photo coverage below!

New Line Theatre will close its 21st season May 31-June 23, 2012, with HIGH FIDELITY. Tickets are on sale now through Metrotix, 314-534-1111. View photos below!

Several months ago, 8 year old Armando Bigo was shot in the Bronx while out shopping with his mother. When SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark learned that he is a big time Spidey fan they invited him to the show. After an amazing recovery, he attended on Saturday afternoon with his best friend. Check out photo sof Bigo with the cast below!

CAKE BOSS, TLC's hit series about Buddy Valastro and his family-run Hoboken NJ-based bakery, Carlo's, returns for its 5th season tonight, May 28 at 9/8c, sharing more of the unbelievable cakes and family antics that has made the series a fan-favorite and global hit.

In honor of Fleet Week, Broadway's own super hero Spider-Man, welcomed real American heroes from the U.S. Armed Services to New York City, sailing into New York Harbor aboard the USS Wasp in the "Parade of Ships" earlier today. Spider-Man was given a tour of the ship by the Admiral, took photos with sailors, and gave a salute to everyone onboard for their service.

The Duplex, in association with Ward More UND DIE LIEDER BEGINNEN with Frank Loman tonight, May 24. There is a $15 music charge. Information and reservations can be found by calling 212-255-5428.

The Attic Theater Company will present a limited run of Erica Lipez's (story editor for Suits on USA) play The Tutors. The production will be directed by Drama League Directors Project Alumnus Laura Braza, and performances are May 18th-26thh at The Access Theater.

Towne Street Theatre presents a staged reading of 'The Fountain' by Harriet A. Dickey, Tuesday @ 8pm tonight, May 22, 2012 at the Stella Adler Theatre, located at 6773 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, Calif. $5 donation requested.

Broadway's SPIDER-MAN, which has now been open at the Foxwoods Theatre for almost a year, has likey seen its fair share of hopeful auditionees, all wanting to wear the blue and red suit. In the video below, check out some hilarious 'lost audition footage' of Batman auditionaing for the title role!

Susanna Fazer (The Nerd) will direct a cast starring Paige Simunovich (Finian's Rainbow, Mary Poppins) and Zachary Sayle (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, A Christmas Story, The Musical) with Justin Luciano, Stacey Scotte, Doug Shapiro, and Sean Patrick Folster in a reading of Jay D'Amico (last Piano-in-Residence at Windows of the World) and Pulitzer- nominated Tom Diggs' new musical THE FAIRY HOAX in midtown Manhattan one day only today May 20, 2012 at 6 pm at Workshop Theater Company.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, interim Executive Director) previously announced that the "best party in Pasadena" annual fundraiser entitled PREMIERE GALA: DESTINATION would be held at the private home of Playhouse Board member Stephen Bennett and his wife Chantal Bennett in San Marino tonight, May 19, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. This year's event will honor two "jewels" - Playhouse Board Chair Michele Dedeaux Engemann and The Pasadena Playhouse. Gala Chair Sheila Grether-Marion and The Playhouse Board of Directors will be spearheading this gala event which will sparkle with cocktails, a seated dinner catered by The Kitchen For Exploring Foods, dancing and live entertainment provided by Wayne Foster.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), Huntington Theatre Company, and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston today announced additional events and offerings as part of the third Emerging America- an annual festival featuring groundbreaking performance by American artists.