Bob Fosse News

In 1972 Pippin opened on Broadway and became one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, closing in 1977. Stephen Schwartz's bubbling optimistic tunes made the surreal and sensual mood of the piece an ultra-pleasant experience for theatre goers. One actually left the theatre humming the score. Throughout the dreamlike texture of Pippin's quest for his 'Corner of the Sky', however, there blooms a simplistic, timeless message that reverberates to this day. So, even though this brand new revival set in a circus big top is visually more opulent with high swinging artists and feats of magic, the pieces of the puzzle do fit into place - original director Bob Fosse would approve - and the play's substance is untarnished. Director Diane Paulus may take a bow for her simply stunning ambition of embellishment. I prefer the simplicity of the original, which allows your imagination to take flight, but must own up to enjoying most of the new version. How can you not, as the Fosse-esque style with acrobatics added on make for a visually splendid evening of dance and action.

Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

The award-winning morning show The Balancing Act on the Lifetime Channel will turn the spotlight on the all-new Tony Award-winning Pippin, presented by Broadway Across America, in a featured segment airing on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT). Viewers will have the chance to go behind-the-scenes of the production, as part of the "Broadway Balances America" series. This show will re-air on November 5, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime.

From Oct. 7-12, the Crescent City turned into the Second City as the sensational Broadway hit "CHICAGO" gave audiences "All that Jazz" at the Saenger Theatre for the theatre's Broadway in New Orleans series.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces, Pittsburgh International Children's Theater will present SKINK, created and performed by Brian Sanders' JUNK, from November 16-22, 2014, at six performance locations throughout the region. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of the 2014 ? 2015Pittsburgh International Children's Theater Family Series.

Pippin The Musical, The Broadway League and Art of Men will bring seventy-five New York City seniors from Union Settlement to the Broadway production of Pippin on October 19, 2014 to experience their first Broadway musical. Cast members from the Pippin will host a talkback with the seniors immediately following the show.

Pride Films and Plays annual fall benefit Simply Sensational: Legends will reach new heights this year when Tony Award Winner Donna McKechnie headlines the event on October 20. She will be joined on stage by other musical guests American Idol Finalist Devin Velez, Colte Julian from Million Dollar Quartet, and Ryan Lanning from Bailiwick Chicago's The Wild Party. WGN's Dean Richards serves again as the emcee, which features a preshow reception at 6 pm, the performance at 7, and a post show champagne toast with Ms. McKechnie.

Perhaps Kander and Ebb's best musical, apart from Chicago, Cabaret has it all: a fine book, deliciously diverse characters, dynamite music and a subtext that will not quit. The subtext being: either compromise or get out if you value your life, the latter, to be sure, the wiser. This is Berlin, circa 1930, before Hitler, but just as Nazi pressure hits the fan. Crown City Theatre's new revival production, with a small ensemble of 11, has a completely new look with slick direction from Gary Lamb.

CHICAGO which opened to rave reviews on November 14, 1996, now has the distinction of being the longest running American musical in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down, opens at the Majestic Theatre for eight performances, January 27 through February 1, 2015. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, October 17.

GLEE's Harry Shum Jr. chats with BroadwayWorld about judging on the upcoming truTV competition series FAKE OFF.

Cocktails named after some of the show stopping musical numbers from the smash Broadway musical CHICAGO greeted the cast, crew, and guests at a post-performance party at Marti's, a bistro in the French Quarter, late Tuesday night. CHICAGO's current tour cast, headlined by Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart), Terra C. MacLeod (Velma Kelly), John O'Hurley (Billy Flynn in select cities), Jacob Keith Watson (Amos Hart), Roz Ryan (Matron 'Mama' Morton), and C. Newcomer (Mary Sunshine), kicked off CHICAGO's 16th U.S. Tour at the newly reopened atmospheric theatre in NOLA, the 2,736-seater Saenger Theatre along Canal Street, with a rapturous standing ovation from a packed audience earlier that evening.

The '20s come roaring back with a vengeance when the six-time Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO makes its Atlanta Lyric Theatre debut October 24 - November 9, 2014 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 S. Marietta Pkwy., Marietta).

Lucie Arnaz is set to return to Broadway in the role of 'Berthe' in the Tony Award winning PIPPIN for a limited engagement beginning tonight, October 9 through Sunday, November 9. Arnaz comes from the PIPPIN national tour, which is playing at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, CA. PIPPIN is now playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

SHN previously announced that Andrea Martin, who won the 2013 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for creating the role of 'Berthe' in the Broadway production, would reprise the role in the final two weeks (beginning today, October 7 and running through October 19) of the San Francisco engagement at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre.

This fall, the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's hit musical CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back celebrated Broadway baby Amy Spanger in the starring role of merry murderess Roxie Hart.

Director and choreographer Nick Kenkel has swept through the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass. like a breath of fresh autumn air with his inventive, delightful, and often surprising production of CHICAGO: A Musical Vaudeville. With a less stylized concept than Bob Fosse's 1975 original or the current long-running Tony Award-winning Walter Bobbie-Ann Reinking revival, Kenkel has injected a relaxed playfulness into his staging that invites the audience to visit this familiar killer musical anew.

The REP presents SOUVENIR, by Stephen Temperley and directed by Tome Cousin, through Oct. 12 at Studio Theatre. Check out a first look below!

This fall, the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's hit musical CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back celebrated Broadway baby Amy Spanger in the starring role of merry murderess Roxie Hart.

Stars Sasha Allen (Broadway's Hair) and Matthew James Thomas (Broadway's Pippin, Spider-Man) stopped by KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area News yesterday to discuss the musical.