Berger News

With its funny, sexy and sentimental book by master craftsman George Abbott and a catchy and clever score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, Damn Yankees is a textbook example of the kind of big and brassy musicals that made Broadway's Golden Age glitter.  Paper Mill's terrific new production is packed with boisterous comic performances and, as the song says, miles and miles and miles of heart.

Everything about them was a statement. Their clothes, a rejection of materialism. Their drugs, a quest to get closer to God. Their long hair, a flag of freedom. They were hippies, the social watch dogs of the 1960s, and they played a pivotal role in American pop culture.

Producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS just announced that thanks to a generous donation from the families of George and Ira Gershwin, 2,250 high school students from New York City Public Schools will be coming to see the show on Wednesday matinees from March through May. The event kicked off yesterday, March 13, with a special event that involved both cast members and teachers and city officials. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities, and we bring you full photo coverage below!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts continues this season's Programs for Young Audiences series when American Family Theater brings the timeless story of Cinderella to life on stage in a sparkling production that features a terrific cast, new unforgettable songs and special effects, plus lots of audience participation. This enchanting musical is recommended for audiences ages 4 and up. Performances are Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Red Bull Theater are presenting Jean Genet's The Maids for a strictly limited engagement at Theater at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Mr. Berger directs a company that features Ana Reeder, Jeanine Serralles, and J Smith-Cameron. The Maids will run 90 minutes, with no intermission. Their annual BENEFIT PERFORMANCE & PARTY was held Sunday, March 11th. Among the guests in attendance were playwrights Kenneth Lonergan and Nicky Silver, actors Michael Emerson, Matthew Rauch, and Oscar winner Estelle Parsons.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presents theaterjam3, a one-day festival featuring the work of many of the company's favorite playwrights, actors and directors. The brainchild of playwright Dael Orlandersmith, the all day event will take place at the Rattlestick Theater (224 Waverly Place - off Seventh Avenue South between West 11th & Perry Streets) on Sunday, March 11th. Doors will open at 1:30pm.

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Artistic Director) will present Jean Genet's The Maids for a strictly limited engagement beginning tonight, March 6th at Theater at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Mr. Berger directs a company that features Ana Reeder, Jeanine Serralles, and J Smith-Cameron. The Maids will run 90 minutes, with no intermission.

The producers of SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK are planning to take the show on an arena tour to London and Hamburg, according to Michael Riedel of nypost.com.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presents theaterjam3, a one-day festival featuring the work of many of the company's favorite playwrights, actors and directors. The brainchild of playwright Dael Orlandersmith, the all day event will take place at the Rattlestick Theater (224 Waverly Place - off Seventh Avenue South between West 11th & Perry Streets) on Sunday, March 11th. Doors will open at 1:30pm.

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Artistic Director) will present Jean Genet's The Maids for a strictly limited engagement beginning tonight, March 6th at Theater at St. Clement's (423 West 46th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Mr. Berger directs a company that features Ana Reeder, Jeanine Serralles, and J Smith-Cameron. The Maids will run 90 minutes, with no intermission.

CRY-BABY is a smash, a musical and cultural send up of drape and square mores, while at the same time, a parody of the typical "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" scenarios that we've all been exposed to in more traditional shows. At times, it's like watching a throwdown between Little Richard and Pat Boone over who really sings "Good Golly, Miss Molly" the best and most authentic. And, at other times, it's a completely over the top take off on shows of the past. For some reason, I was reminded of both The Music Man and West Side Story. Scott Miller and New Line Theatre have once again given us something outside the norm, and it's a joyous ride. This revision of CRY-BABY (I confess, I didn't see it on Broadway) is a sheer delight, full of characters and situations from the movie by filmmaker John Waters, but also standing on its own with a clever and hilarious score (music and lyrics by David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger), having jettisoned the tunes from the film itself. Go see this play now. It's wonderfully directed, smartly choreographed, and marvelously acted.

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' continues its 21st season of rock theatre through March 24, 2012 with the American regional premiere of the Broadway rock musical CRY-BABY. Check out the production photos below!

One of the greatest joys of our job is seeing our audiences transformed by a theatre performance. At some point in Roundabout's 46-year history, you've likely experienced a play or musical that has inspired you. Roundabout has been fortunate to produce award-winning productions on Broadway for 20 years now. You may even recall our first Broadway production of Anna Christie at the Criterion Center in 1992.

According to the Associated Press, ex-Spidey director Julie Taymor claimed in court today that she was a 'victim of a conspiracy to unfairly push her out of the production.' Tayor's lawyers argued that the SPIDER-MAN producers 'were secretly conspiring to oust Taymor and use and change her work without pay.'

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' will continue its 21st season of rock theatre March 1-24, 2012 with the American regional premiere of the Broadway rock musical CRY-BABY.

The national tour of the hit Broadway musical ROCK of AGES rolls into Salt Lake City's Kingsbury Hall on March 2-3. Broadway World interviews the tour's Stacee Jaxx, played by Matt Nolan.

Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley was the special surprise guest at the Broadway Artists Alliance 2011 Winter Workshop. Ripley had a Q&A with the students of Broadway Artists Alliance. She surprised the students with a performance of her new single 'Beautiful Eyes,' and a song from Next to Normal.

Reel FX has teamed with Academy Award -nominated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Puss in Boots, Pacific Rim, Pan's Labyrinth) to produce a groundbreaking, CG-animated film - working title, DAY OF THE DEAD.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced casting for the next three offerings in its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series: A Doctor in Spite of Himself (February 20), Lunch at the Picadilly (February 22) and The Gig (February 24), featuring Cady Huffman, Beth Leavel, Jose Llana, Jeff McCcarthy, Brad Oscar, Fleur Phillips, Barbara Walsh, and more. All readings are free to the public and will take place at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's on 54th St, just east of Lexington Avenue. For additional information on the Series and to make reservations for any of the upcoming free presentations, visit the readings page at www.yorktheatre.org.

Following a benefit performances of 110 IN THE SHADE, refurbishments began the Hale Center Theater Orem, including the purchase of industry-standard, burgundy-upholstered, mahogany-framed seats.