Broadway Across America News

For the first DG Conservatory event of the fall, the Dramatists Guild is thrilled to team up with the writers who created Behind the Music-al, Kyle Ewalt and Michael Ian Walker, on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Dramatists Guild's New York office, in the Frederick Loewe Room, 1501 Broadway (between 43rd and 44th Streets), Suite 710. This free seminar is opening a limited number of seats to the public and reservations are required.

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Pittsburgh, which concluded on Sunday, September 29 at the Benedum Center. The triumphant four-week return grossed over $6.4 million at the box office and entertained more than 85,000 patrons during 32 performances (one of which was tailored to the needs of patrons on the autism spectrum). This was THE LION KING's third sold-out engagement in Pittsburgh, following a six-week premiere in 2004 and a six-week run in 2008 at the Benedum Center.

After winning prestigious awards both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, Disney's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, a magical prequel to Peter Pan, is headed for Houston. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is the First National Tour production's third stop on their expansive route. The tour cast kicked off the show on August 15, 2013 in Denver and are currently playing to audiences in Dallas. Recently, Luke Smith, who plays Smee, took time out of his busy schedule to chat with me about PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, his career on stage, and his band Awning.

Ghostlight Records will celebrate their Original Broadway Cast Recording of the new musical HANDS ON A HARDBODY another special event this month. Green will host the concert Amanda Green and Friends at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street) tonight, September 29 at 6:00 PM to celebrate the album's release. Her special guests will include Keith Carradine, Allison Case, Jenn Colella, Van Hughes, Janet Krupin, Kathleen Monteleone, Jim Newman, Jacob Ming-Trent, Jon Rua and William Youmans. The singers will be backed by members of the original Broadway 'Pit Crew' for Hardbody, including Musical Director Matt Gallagher on piano, Skip Krevens on pedal steel, Shannon Ford on drums and Skip Ward on bass.

Today, Mayor Landrieu, City officials, Canal Street Development Corporation, and representatives of ACE Theatrical Group celebrated the reopening of the historic Saenger Theatre at 1111 Canal Street following a $52 million restoration. Built in 1927 by noted New Orleans architect Emile Weil, the Saenger Theatre is a remarkable example of Italian Renaissance architecture and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was significantly damaged by Hurricane Katrina and has since been the focus of complex redevelopment through a public-private partnership between the City of New Orleans, Canal Street Development Corporation, and ACE Theatrical Group.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, has announced that its 2013 Gimme A Break! benefit will honor producer Beth Williams on Monday, December 9 at 6:30pm, at the Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street.

Broadway Across America is proud to present the San Antonio premiere of the critically acclaimed, record-breaking Broadway musical production Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the Majestic Theatre during the 2013 Broadway in San Antonio holiday season. The classic, whimsical tale will enchant audiences for 10 performances only, Thursday, December 26 through Sunday, December 29. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, September 27.

The producers of the Broadway hit PIPPIN congratulate two-time Tony Award winner Andrea Martin, who will depart the production following today's performance to lead the cast of the new Global TV series 'Working the Engels,' which will film in Toronto. The show is currently playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

Jeremy Greenbaum (The Fantasticks) and Aaron Komo complete the cast of Prospect Theater Company's upcoming world premiere production of TAMAR OF THE RIVER, a new music theater work with music and book by Marisa Michelson, book and lyrics by Joshua H. Cohen and direction by Daniel Goldstein (Godspell). Previously announced cast members include Margo Seibert (set to make her Broadway debut as 'Adrian' in ROCKY on Broadway in Spring 2014) as Tamar, with Ako (Throne of Blood), Erik Lochtefeld (February House), Mike Longo (Hair) and Vince B. Vincent (Geography of Loss), and Jen Anaya, Adam Bashian, Margot Bassett, Troy Burton, Tamrin Goldberg and Mary Kate Morrissey.

Northrop at the University of Minnesota presents Hubbard Dance Street Chicago tonight, Sep 21 at 8:00 pm at the State Theatre as the opening performance in the 2013-14 Northrop dance season.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will serve as the third city in the country to present an autism-friendly performance of Disney's THE LION KING, tailored to the needs of adults and children on the autism spectrum. The special performance is scheduled for today, September 21, 2013 at 2:00 pm., at the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

THE BOOK OF MORMON, the religious satire musical written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone (the creators and writers of South Park), and Robert Lopez (Avenue Q) has given the national tour its latest missionary assignment: The Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.

Tickets start at $50 and may be purchased at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's ticket office and foxcitiespac.com. To charge tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling (920) 730-3786. Group discounts and additional fees may apply.

AnDa Union makes their return to ASU Gammage after a world tour showcasing the power and magic of Mongolian traditions and culture. AnDa Union's inspiration lies within old and forgotten songs, drawing on a repertoire of music that had all but disappeared. Tickets are on sale for the October 10 performance at asugammage.com or at the ASU Gammage Box Office.

The producers of the 2013 Tony Award winning Best Revival of a Musical PIPPIN have announcedthat a new block of tickets have gone on sale and seats are now available for purchase through August 31, 2014. Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers). PIPPIN is now playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

The worldwide smash hit 'rock theatrical', Queen and Ben Elton's We Will Rock You, built around 24 of Queen's biggest hits, opens at the Benedum Center on October 29, and runs through November 3, 2013. We Will Rock You is produced by Queen Theatrical Productions, Tribeca Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and NETworks Presentations.

PNC Broadway in Louisville is thrilled to announce the creation of Bluegrass Brewing Company's (BBC) Lurch's Lager - a beer to celebrate the upcoming production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY playing The Kentucky Center, October 15-20.

Football season is just beginning, but if you're not big on Sundaygridiron action, take advantage of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's Broadway Gameday Special.The touchdown ticket packages for Sunday performances of Memphis and Flashdance - The Musical give Broadway fans the chance to see their favorite shows at a savings!

Northrop at the University of Minnesota presents Hubbard Dance Street Chicago on Sat, Sep 21 at 8:00 pm at the State Theatre as the opening performance in the 2013-14 Northrop dance season.

Jeremy Greenbaum (The Fantasticks) and Aaron Komo complete the cast of Prospect Theater Company's upcoming world premiere production of TAMAR OF THE RIVER, a new music theater work with music and book by Marisa Michelson, book and lyrics by Joshua H. Cohen and direction by Daniel Goldstein (Godspell). Previously announced cast members include Margo Seibert (set to make her Broadway debut as 'Adrian' in ROCKY on Broadway in Spring 2014) as Tamar, with Ako (Throne of Blood), Erik Lochtefeld (February House), Mike Longo (Hair) and Vince B. Vincent (Geography of Loss), and Jen Anaya, Adam Bashian, Margot Bassett, Troy Burton, Tamrin Goldberg and Mary Kate Morrissey.