Blake Hammond News

Dear Readers, something struck me last night while watching the juggernaut musical “Wicked”, currently playing at the Paramount Theatre. No, it wasn’t a flying monkey. It’s just how incredible this show is. It’s withstood the test of time ever since it’s Broadway premiere back in 2003 even though it didn’t win the Tony for Best Musical (that year it went to “Avenue Q”). It’s still running on Broadway, there have been tour after tour, and now we even have a huge blockbuster movie version coming to theaters in a few weeks. But why? For that answer I think we should take a look at this current run which, while not my favorite viewing of the show, still exemplifies what makes this show great.

What did our critic think of WICKED at Orpheum Theatre? Read our full review.

Center Stage Records has released the world premiere recording of GRUMPY OLD MEN, the new musical by Dan Remmes, Neil Berg and Nick Meglin. Listen now!

The North American tour of the hit Broadway Musical WICKED has finally returned to Toronto and whether you have seen it before or are experiencing it for the first time, this current cast has something very special to offer!

The National Tour of WICKED recently welcomed new cast members beginning performances Tuesday, May 7 at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Check out all new photos of the cast here!

The national tour of Wicked is welcoming new cast members. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Get a first look at The Fulton Theatre's production of 9 to 5: The Musical in an all-new trailer for the production. Watch as the cast performs the title song and more.

Go inside the first orchestra rehearsal for The Fulton Theatre's upcoming production of 9 to 5: The Musical in an all-new video. Watch as the cast performs the title song, Hart to Heart, Backwoods Barbie, and more.

The Fulton Theatre has announced the cast of its upcoming production of 9 to 5: The Musical. Find out who is starring int he musical here!

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central Pennsylvania Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Maine Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a blockbuster spectacle.  It’s an electric powerhouse of entertainment that doesn’t let up. Word of mouth for this show is going to be strong.  I am going to see it again, at least once. I recommend buying tickets now before it inevitably sells out.

The Fulton Theatre has announced the highly anticipated production of the timeless musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

While the plot and jokes of Something Rotten will be appreciated by most audience members, if will be especially welcomed by musical theater nerds who will recognize the beginnings riffs of Pippin’s Magic to Do and brief homages to a certain Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The more you know, the more you will laugh.

The Fulton Theatre has announced the highly anticipated production of the uproarious musical comedy, Something Rotten! This Tony Award-nominated hit will open the Fulton’s 2023/24 Mainstage season, and is set to captivate audiences with its show-stopping musical numbers, hilarious one-liners, and energetic and colorful stage design, beginning on September 15, 2023 with previews September 13 and 14.

Dancing omelettes, a zany soothsayer, THE Bard of English theatre, and a ragtag troupe of Renaissance actors struggling to survive all share the Maine State Music Theatre stage in dizzying profusion in the final main stage production of the season: SOMETHING ROTTEN! - an outrageously funny, simultaneously urbane and plebeian send up and homage to classical theatre and that unique genre the MUSICAL. The stylish and brilliant co-production with Lancaster’s Fulton Theatre, directed by Marc Robin, creates an entirely new imaginary universe, a world at the intersection of Elizabethan England and modern American musical theatre – part Renaissance Faire (on steroids), part Monty Python at their most hilarious. The evening, which is filled with endearing characters, showstopping song and dance numbers, comedy fueled by allusions, puns, slapstick, scatological jokes, and occasionally even poetry, is pure entertainment. No one will need to “brush up his Shakespeare” or be able to “name that tune” in order to come away from SOMETHING ROTTEN! thoroughly exhilarated and brimming with joy.

Get a first look at THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Pittsburgh CLO! Experience the magic of this beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic as it comes to life on stage. Don't miss the inspiring true story and unforgettable melodies that have captured the hearts of millions.