Broadway Across America News

Annie, the beloved tale of Little Orphan Annie, returns to Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre Thursday, Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 for a limited engagement of four performances. This timeless story is back in its 30th anniversary tour, offering a new generation the opportunity to experience this heartwarming musical about never giving up hope. Individual tickets are on sale now. Annie is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as a special addition to its 2008-09 M&I Bank Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season. Visit www.HennepinTheatreDistrict.org or call 1-800-982-2787 to purchase tickets or for more information. The Chicago Sun Times says, 'Ageless Annie is as engaging as ever.' Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, is directed by its lyricist, Martin Charnin, who brought the original production of Annie to Broadway in 1977. Tony Award-winning set designer, Ming Cho Lee, also has created a fresh look for this tour. The cast features Madison Kerth as Annie; and Minnesota natives Jeffrey Duncan from Eagan as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Cheryl Hoffmann from Sleepy Eye as Lily St. Regis. Mikey, a mixed-breed dog rescued from an animal shelter by trainer William Berloni, plays Sandy. The original Broadway production of Annie won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book and Score. It ran for 2,377 performances and has subsequently been produced all over the world. The original production is one of the top 20 longest running shows in Broadway history, and Annie continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever. It boasts one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including 'It's the Hard-Knock Life,' 'Easy Street,' 'N.Y.C' and the ever optimistic 'Tomorrow.' In addition to Charnin, Meehan, Strouse and Lee, Annie's creative team includes original Broadway musical staging by Peter Gennaro, choreography by Liza Gennaro, lighting design by Ken Billington, costume design by Theoni Aldridge and sound design by Peter Hylenski. Annie is produced by Networks Presentations, LLC. For more information, visit www.annieontour.com.

Florida Theatrical Association and Broadway Across American invite the public to meet the cast of A CHORUS LINE in Barnes and Noble at Colonial Plaza Market Drive, 2418 E Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32803 The cast will be sitting down to share their experiences with life on the road and answer any questions you have about the show.

Casting is announced today for the Seattle engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Seattle's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Paramount Theatre stage from Wednesday, February 11 through Sunday, March 15. The media opening night is Friday, February 13 at 8 pm. This Seattle engagement is one of seven current productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris and Fukuoka.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, flies into Atlanta's Fox Theatre beginning April 21 through April 26 for eight performances only! The special debut engagement is presented by Fidelity Investments Broadway Across America ? Atlanta as part of its 2009 season. Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick.

Broadway Across America tour of acclaimed Donmar Warehouse production is gripping theater that gives a Brit's eye view of a great American tragedy

Movin' Out dances back to Boston for 5 performances only at the Colonial Theatre March 20-22. There is a special priority offer for Broadway Across America-Boston ECLUB!

West Side Story comes to glorious life on the stage of the Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009.

Throw on your favorite high heels, pull out the lipstick and round up the troops for a Girls Night Out at the hottest restaurant in Midtown, Ecco, followed by a spectacular Broadway musical performance at The Fabulous Fox Theatre on Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 5. Through an exclusive package offer, Ecco Restaurant invites the ladies of Atlanta out to enjoy a decadent two-course dinner featuring Long Live the Queen cocktails sure to sweeten up the night and a performance of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, A CHORUS LINE, at The Fox Theatre, presented by Fidelity Investments Broadway Across America-Atlanta.

Fiddler on the Roof, the poignant Tony Award-winning musical starring Chaim Topol as Tevye in his farewell performance of the role he made famous, will play Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre Tuesday through Sunday Feb. 24-March 1, 2009. In this new national tour, Twin Cities audiences will have a rare opportunity to see Jerome Robbins' original Broadway direction and choreography, complete with Topol, the star of the original West End production and 1971 film. Individual tickets are on sale now. Fiddler on the Roof is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2008-09 M&I Bank Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season.

The original production of A CHORUS LINE opened at the Public Theater's Newman Theatre on May 21, 1975 and transferred to Broadway's Shubert Theatre on July 25th, where it officially opened on Broadway on October 19th of that year. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Direction, Choreography, Actress, Supporting Actress, Score and Book, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It ran for nearly 15 years, closing on April 28, 1990 after 6,137 performances.

The producers of the upcoming Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit are pleased to welcome SUSAN LOUISE O'CONNOR in the role of 'Edith'.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the Millennium Stage on January 31, 2009 with 'Broadway Today'-a star-studded, free concert, produced by Michael A. Kerker and presented in cooperation with ASCAP, in the Opera House as a part of the Center's season-long artistic initiative Broadway: The Third Generation. With the composers at the piano, original cast members and Broadway stars perform signature songs that made these artists household names. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be given away one (1) per person in line in front of the Opera House beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Beginning in January, more than 80 students from Orangewood School from the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix have participated in an intensive eight-week curriculum based program called 'Kaleidoscope' presented by ASU Gammage, one of the leading performing arts presenters in the country. The program will culminate on Saturday, January 31 as the students will have a chance to see Disney's THE LION KING and have the exclusive opportunity to meet the cast. Since 1994, Kaleidoscope -a nationally recognized and awarded program - has been the only program of its kind in Arizona and nationally that educates and exposes students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theater.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences thrilled to Cody Green's dynamic performance as 'Riff' in the production. Before Cody left Washington for New York, he spoke to DCTheatreScene.com. Cody Green was chosen as the winner in last years finale episode of BRAVO's 'Step It Up & Dance,' winning the $100,000 grand prize. The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey, Canada beat out 11 other contestants as they competed in weekly dance challenges from some of the top performers and choreographers in the industry including: Tina Landon, Jordi Caballero, Lee Martino and Jason Alexander.

Beginning in January, more than 80 students from Orangewood School from the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix have participated in an intensive eight-week curriculum based program called 'Kaleidoscope' presented by ASU Gammage, one of the leading performing arts presenters in the country. The program will culminate on Saturday, January 31 as the students will have a chance to see Disney's THE LION KING and have the exclusive opportunity to meet the cast. Since 1994, Kaleidoscope -a nationally recognized and awarded program - has been the only program of its kind in Arizona and nationally that educates and exposes students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theater.

Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart will reprise the roles they originated on Broadway in RENT, The Broadway Tour, which comes to Tempe's ASU Gammage, March 17-22, 2009. Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart originated the roles of Roger Davis, Mark Cohen and 'Seasons of Love' soloist, respectively, at New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway. Justin Johnston (Angel), Michael McElroy (Collins) - who are also in the touring show -and Stewart were all members of the final company of RENT which played its last performance on Broadway September 7, 2008. Adam Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for RENT. On Broadway he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical Aida and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of Cabaret. His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation and Goyband. An actor since the age of six, Anthony Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Precious Sons (Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation, and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director and Scaring the Fish. His book, Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. for the official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung on January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. Master Photographer Walter McBride was in Washington, D.C. to cover the Presidential Inaugural Celebration, while there he swung by the West Side Story 'load out' to give you an example of what it takes to 'take the show on the road' to Broadway! The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

Annie, the beloved tale of Little Orphan Annie, returns to Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre Thursday, Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 for a limited engagement of four performances. This timeless story is back in its 30th anniversary tour, offering a new generation the opportunity to experience this heartwarming musical about never giving up hope. Individual tickets are on sale now. Annie is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as a special addition to its 2008-09 M&I Bank Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season. Visit www.HennepinTheatreDistrict.org or call 1-800-982-2787 to purchase tickets or for more information. The Chicago Sun Times says, 'Ageless Annie is as engaging as ever.' Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, is directed by its lyricist, Martin Charnin, who brought the original production of Annie to Broadway in 1977. Tony Award-winning set designer, Ming Cho Lee, also has created a fresh look for this tour. The cast features Madison Kerth as Annie; and Minnesota natives Jeffrey Duncan from Eagan as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Cheryl Hoffmann from Sleepy Eye as Lily St. Regis. Mikey, a mixed-breed dog rescued from an animal shelter by trainer William Berloni, plays Sandy. The original Broadway production of Annie won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book and Score. It ran for 2,377 performances and has subsequently been produced all over the world. The original production is one of the top 20 longest running shows in Broadway history, and Annie continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever. It boasts one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including 'It's the Hard-Knock Life,' 'Easy Street,' 'N.Y.C' and the ever optimistic 'Tomorrow.' In addition to Charnin, Meehan, Strouse and Lee, Annie's creative team includes original Broadway musical staging by Peter Gennaro, choreography by Liza Gennaro, lighting design by Ken Billington, costume design by Theoni Aldridge and sound design by Peter Hylenski. Annie is produced by Networks Presentations, LLC. For more information, visit www.annieontour.com.

Florida Theatrical association and RRA Broadway Across America-Ft. Lauderdale invites you to participate in a free event for MAMMA MIA, Discover Broadway! Discover Broadway is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the national tour and their careers onstage. This televised event in partnership with Becon TV Netowrk and Broward Center for the performing arts allows you to meet the stars up close and personal. Reservations are required. Thursday, January 22 from 5:00pm-6:00pm The event will be at the Broward Center for the performing arts/ABDO New River Room at 201 SW 5th Ave-Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33132

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences and critics alike embraced Karen Olivo's stunning portrayal of Anita. Before Karen Olivo left Washington for New York, she spoke to DCTheatreScene.com, click here to read the interview. Karen Olivo's many credits include In The Heights, Rent, Brooklyn, Hair- 40th Anniversary Concert (director Diane Paulus), Miracle Brothers (director Tina Landau). 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Conviction.' Film: Adrift in Manhattan, Sibling, Late In The Game, Two Lovers. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography is being reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).