Chris Johnson News

In the documentary film Hired Gun: Out of the Shadows, Into the Spotlight, an elite group of 'First Call, A-List' musicians share their behind-the scene stories of touring, what it takes to play next to the world's most iconic musicians and create some of the world's most popular songs.

Highland Park Players has announced the cast and production team for their 30th anniversary production of The Pajama Game directed by three time Jeff Award winner, Dominic Missimi.

EnterTalk Radio, the undisputed leader in music business talk and programming, announced that its popular podcast show 'Jackie's Groove' featuring percussionist Jackie Bertone has joined forces with the upcoming documentary 'Hired Gun' to put the spotlight on some great UNSUNG musicians who play alongside some of today's top artists.

Hairspray is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, and meets a colorful array of characters. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, located at The Graduate Center, CUNY, announces its Spring 2017 season of free public programs. The season features free public programs, welcoming and celebrating contemporary theatre and performing artists from around the world.

This winter, fun will be spelled U-A-C as Up and Coming Theatre Company brings 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' to Phoenix Bar & Night Club.

The Actor's Church in Covent Garden will more than live up to its name on the Sunday before Christmas as a stellar lineup of twelve musical theatre actors will perform in aid of Children with Cancer UK at a special Christmas concert, accompanied by the students of the Musical Theatre Masterclass (MTM).

Red Bull Theater today announced the complete cast for their next Revelation Reading on Monday November 14th (7:30pm) at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street).

The School of Night is pleased as punch to announce the impending remount of its 2016 Hollywood Fringe Festival hit Punch and Judy.

The School of Night is pleased as punch to announce the impending remount of its 2016 Hollywood Fringe Festival hit Punch and Judy.

Bettina May is thrilled to kick off the fall season of the Flatiron Follies with a stellar cast of some of the biggest names in burlesque!

Soon, the leaves will start to turn and many local theatres will be lifting their curtains to welcome a new season. Here's a list of some of the offerings of local theatres through the fall season. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL THEATRES!

BRIC is pleased to announce free programming for its spring 2016 season at BRIC Arts | Media House, the organization's 40,000SF home in Downtown Brooklyn. The season includes over 30 free events including dance, film, music and spoken word BRIC is the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn, and one of the largest in New York City. With offerings ranging from evening concerts to daytime family programming, BRIC House has quickly become one of New York City's most inviting and accessible spaces to experience the arts. More info can be found at bricartsmedia.org.

What a time for Music Theatre of Connecticut to revive this musical, bringing the 'circus' that is how we the people view seemingly larger-than-life characters into its snug Norwalk space.

On Sunday August 9th, Imagine Productions presented a cabaret called Let's Duet Again! Featuring a night of pop duets and musical theatre. Directed by Ryan Stem and co-hosted by Doug Joseph and Nick Hardin. With performances featuring Alex Almeida, Caleb Baker, Corinne Buuk, Ed Eblin, Cassie Gress, Nick Hardin, Chris Johnson, Doug Joseph, Sharon Kibe, Jesika Lehner, Tahrea Maynard-Johnson, Chase McCants, Michael Quinichett, Elena Reinert, Keith Robinson, Ryan Stem, Steve Stumphauzer, Rachel Verdi, and Abby Zeszotek.

Stars talk atheism!

Local actor and theatre lover Jeb Bigelow hosted the biggest cast party in Columbus at the Bluestone on March 13, 2015. Check out an exclusive look at the red carpet and event below!

Full disclosure: I'm a huge fan of Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion. He's the Mark Twain of our generation, and is Minnesota's best export. If A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION is one of the things that Minnesota is most known for, I am proud to be a Minnesotan. So of course, I absolutely love his new play RADIO MAN, the first he's written. I saw a reading of it early this year as part of the History Theatre's Raw Stages festival and loved it then, but this full production, now playing at the History Theatre, is so much more polished and complete, and really a thing unto itself and not just an episode of A Prairie Home Companion on stage. Yes there is the familiar music, the jingles for Powdermilk Biscuits, rhubarb pie, and ketchup, stories from Lake Wobegon, and beloved characters including Dusty and Lefty and Guy Noir. But there's also a story and a character (the host of a radio show called A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION who bears a striking resemblance to Garrison) who we get to know as he reminisces about his past and contemplates his future.

Winners of the 2014 Joey Awards were announced last weekend at a formal evening ceremony at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Organized and overseen by the Joe Allen Academy of Arts & Bitching (JAAAB), 'The Joeys' are a set of awards given annually for excellence in food service and patronage at New York's City's famous Times Square celebrity hot-spots: Joe Allen, Orso and Bar Centrale.

Cartoon Network is pleased to announce quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) and Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) will host Cartoon Network's fourth annual Hall of Game Awards