Brooks Atkinson News

As the region emerges from a long and difficult winter, Northern Stage taps into the eternal optimism of the American spirit with N. Richard Nash's acclaimed comedy-drama-romance The Rainmaker, on stage from March 16 through April 3 at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction.

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that the production will be holding an open casting call for the role of Drew, who plays Sherrie's love interest and leading man.

Recognized for their lush orchestration and power balladry REO Speedwagon will rock the Van Wezel on Thursday, March 17 at 8:00 pm, following their spring training appearance for the Pirates vs. Orioles game at 1:05 pm.

Variety reports that Julianne Hough has agreed to play Sherrie in the film version of ROCK OF AGES. Julianne Hough made her feature film debut in 'Burlesque' in November, opposite Christina Aguilera and Cher, which also coincided with the release of the two-time 'Dancing With the Stars' champion's second country album.

Whatsonstage.com has revealed that ROCK OF AGES will play the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre in August. Performances begin August 31, with an opening date to be announced. According to the report, tickets are rumored to be on slae as early as March 7. For the full report, visit www.whatsonstage.com.

Last week, Constantine Maroulis, former American Idol contestant and ROCK OF AGES leading man, spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about the upcoming Rock of Ages film and what he thinks of the casting news and rumors. 'I think the guy's amazing, and I think he would just crush it,' he said of Tom Cruise, who is in the final stages of being cast as Stacee Jaxx, as Broadway World reported this morning. '[Stacee Jaxx] would be a great role for him because he can use all his ability and put it into this character.' Well, Tom brough his family to see the show in LA this weekend and here's a photo of the pair together!

The tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Fort Lauderdale. WEST SIDE STORY will open at Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday February 15 for a two-week run through Sunday, February 27. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction has been recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Broadway producer and and actress Haila Stoddard passed away on February 21 in her Connecticut home. She was 97 years old.

After months of speculation, ROCK OF AGES film director Adam Shankman has confrimed that Tom Cruise has officially begun work as Stacee Jaxx. He tells the Toronto Sun: 'I think we're going to see him every drop the rock'n'roll god. He's pouring himself in this part in a way I've never had an actor do. It's pretty intense. Between the voice lessons, the incredible study... researching the period, it's like 1987, just going there!'

When did the Pantages Theatre turn into a nostalgia rock concert venue? 2011 so far has featured 60's-set HAIR and the 1891 emo rockers of SPRING AWAKENING and now, it plays host to the national tour of ROCK OF AGES, the surprising yet undeniably hilarious Tony-nominated jukebox musical that features a conveyor belt of rock hits from the biggest hair bands of the 1980's. This affectionately low-brow but impressively entertaining show charms the leather pants of its audience thanks to its wicked humor, its self-effacing references, plenty of nostalgic sight-gags, and, of course, those ubiquitous 80's tunes most of us won't admit to really liking. Playing at the Pantages through February 27 (then at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Orange County, March 1-6), it's certainly a show chock-full of guilty pleasures.

Last week, Constantine Maroulis, former American Idol contestant and ROCK OF AGES leading man, spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about the upcoming Rock of Ages film and what he thinks of the casting news and rumors. 'I think the guy's amazing, and I think he would just crush it,' he said of Tom Cruise, who is in the final stages of being cast as Stacee Jaxx, as Broadway World reported this morning. '[Stacee Jaxx] would be a great role for him because he can use all his ability and put it into this character.' Well, Tom brough his family to see the show in LA this weekend and here's a photo of the pair together!

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the TRU Writer-Director Communications Lab on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 1pm to 7pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Studio 3C. If accepted into the lab, the cost is $75 ($60 for TRU members). Writer applications are available at www.truonline.org/DirectorLabFeb11.htm. Interested directors may email TRUnltd@aol.com and attach a brief resume. The lab will be taught by producers Pam Koslow (Jelly's Last Jam, Jane Eyre, Yank!) and director Robert Kalfin, former artistic director of Chelsea Theatre (Yentl, Strider, Candide).

Last night, February 16, 2011, the first National Tour's cast of the five-time Tony Award Nominated smash hit musical ROCK OF AGES performed on "Lopez Tonight". The cast, led by Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis (Drew) and Rebecca Faulkenberry (Sherrie), performed a medley of songs including "Here I Go Again" and "Don't Stop Believin". "Lopez Tonight" airs weekdays on TBS at midnight EST.

Tonight, February 16, 2011, the first National Tour's cast of the five-time Tony Award Nominated smash hit musical ROCK OF AGES will perform on "Lopez Tonight". The cast, led by Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis (Drew) and Rebecca Faulkenberry (Sherrie), will be performing a medley of songs including "Here I Go Again" and "Don't Stop Believin". "Lopez Tonight" airs weekdays on TBS at midnight EST.

The tour of the recent smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Fort Lauderdale. WEST SIDE STORY will open at Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday February 15 for a two-week run through Sunday, February 27. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction has been recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Now, Showbiz411.com reports that Mary J. Blige has officially signed on for the film and will play Justice, the bartender and mother of the character Sherrie who gets to sing 'Harden My Heart' amongst other songs.

Constantine Maroulis, former American Idol contestant and ROCK OF AGES leading man, spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about the upcoming Rock of Ages film and what he thinks of the casting news and rumors.

Deadline.com reveals today that Tom Cruise is close to signing a deal with the producers of the ROCK OF AGES film to appear as Stacee Jaxx. In talks to play opposite Cruise is film and stage actress - and upcoming host of the Oscars - Anne Hathaway.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals this morning that Tom Cruise is close to signing a deal with the producers of the ROCK OF AGES film to appear as Stacee Jaxx. It is expect that, as in the stage version, Cruise's character will perform Bon Jovi's 'Wanted Dead or Alive.' Additional stars in talks for the film include Gwyneth Paltrow, Alec Baldwin (in the role of Dennis Dupree), Mary J. Blige and Russel Brand. The film will be directed by Adam Shankman and is being adapted for the screen by it's stage scribe, Chris D'Arienzo.

Why you won't see a review of Spider-Man from BroadwayWorld today.