Christina Baldwin News

The Ordway will say farewell to the McKnight Theatre in grand style tonight, April 28 at 7:30 pm, in a special performance called, 'The Night of a Million Stars.' The concert production will highlight area artists and feature musical pieces from productions previously held in the McKnight Theatre.

James Rocco is the vice president of programming and producing artistic director of the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn. He is also the director, host and a performer in the Ordway's latest edition of BROADWAY SONGBOOK, this time, focusing on American musical theatre master, Cole Porter. I recently sat down to learn about James, the BROADWAY SONGBOOK: Cole Porter and what's next for the theatre.

The Ordway will say farewell to the McKnight Theatre in grand style on Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 pm, in a special performance called, "The Night of a Million Stars." The concert production will highlight area artists and feature musical pieces from productions previously held in the McKnight Theatre.

In 1960, the front lines of the struggle for Civil Rights ran right up to the front steps of an elementary school in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges, who was only six years old, was ready to start first grade. Suddenly, she was in all the papers, and it seemed like half the world wanted to stop her from going to school. But Ruby faced the dangers, went to school day after day. This true story of courage and family is as inspirational today as it was 50 years ago.

In 1960, the front lines of the struggle for Civil Rights ran right up to the front steps of an elementary school in New Orleans. Ruby Bridges, who was only six years old, was ready to start first grade. Suddenly, she was in all the papers, and it seemed like half the world wanted to stop her from going to school. But Ruby faced the dangers, went to school day after day. This true story of courage and family is as inspirational today as it was 50 years ago.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer plays tonight, Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 2012 at SteppingStone Theatre. Written by Mark Jensen and based on the book by Mark Twain, this world premiere features music by Gary Rue.

For its 2012 season closer, the Jungle Theater presents the regional premiere of IN THE NEXT ROOM (or The Vibrator Play), one of Broadway's latest mega-hits. This 2010 Tony-nominated comedy about marriage, intimacy and electricity is directed by Sarah Rasmussen, who worked with playwright Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House, Eurydice) on the original Broadway production. Set in the Victorian era, just before corseted women shed their inhibitions, this funny, smart and provocative play concerns the early history of the vibrator, when doctors used it as a clinical device to treat women for "hysteria." In the Next Room opens November 2 and runs through December 16 at the Lyn-Lake theater at 2951 Lyndale Avenue S., in Minneapolis.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer plays Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 2012 at SteppingStone Theatre. Written by Mark Jensen and based on the book by Mark Twain, this world premiere features music by Gary Rue.

Roman Holiday is now playing on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater, and we have a new promo spot featured on the video below. Click below to watch!

On June 9th The Guthrie Theater premiered ROMAN HOLIDAY, a musical rendition of the classic Audrey Hepburn film. The plot features a frustrated and bored Princess Anne escaping her regimented advisors for some fun on the town during an international diplomatic tour. The princess meets a dashing silver fox of a newspaperman who takes her out in the city of love. However, the kindly Joe Bradley is also covertly planning to print a newspaper exclusive on their shenanigans. Of course, dastardly conflict arises the two realize that they've actually taken a liking to one another. If only real love were so dependable.

Roman Holiday opens tonight and continues through August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $29 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org. We have a first look at scenes from the show below!

Currently onstage at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis is the period musical spectacular Roman Holiday. Based on the iconic film, the show features the music of Cole Porter, including hits like 'Easy to Love,' 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye' and 'Riding High', in addition to rarely heard gems that fit perfectly into the story. The production began preview performances on June 9 and opens tonight, June 15. The run is scheduled to continue through August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage. Guthrie Artistic Producing Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany helms.

Stephanie Rothenberg leads the cast of Roman Holiday as Princess Anne-a radiant young woman in Rome on a widely publicized European tour who sneaks away from her royal duties to explore the city. Rothenberg recently made her Broadway debut stepping into the role of Rosemary in the Tony-nominated revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Edward Watts plays Joe Bradley-a handsome, crafty American newspaper reporter who charms the princess. Watts most recently appeared in the long-running production of The Fantasticks in New York City. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

The Guthrie Theater previously announced complete casting for the sparkling new musical Roman Holiday. This song-filled delight-based on the iconic 1953 Paramount Pictures film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck-includes timeless music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Paul Blake. The production plays from tonght, June 9 - August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage and features soul-stirring Porter standards like "Easy to Love," "Just One of Those Things" and "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Guthrie Associate Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany (1776, God of Carnage and A Streetcar Named Desire) directs.

Roman Holiday begins preview performances on June 9, opens June 15 and continues through August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $29 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for the sparkling new musical Roman Holiday. This song-filled delight-based on the iconic 1953 Paramount Pictures film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck-includes timeless music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Paul Blake. The production will play from June 9 - August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage and features soul-stirring Porter standards like "Easy to Love," "Just One of Those Things" and "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Guthrie Associate Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany (1776, God of Carnage and A Streetcar Named Desire) will direct.

Journey back to turn-of-the-century America, where Scott Joplin's ragtime music fills the air with an infectious beat. Ragtime: the Musical, weaves a spellbinding story of three families whose lives collide against the backdrop of New York in 'the American Century'-a white family living the privileged life in New Rochelle, a disillusioned Jewish immigrant bent on achieving success, and a handsome young black piano man courting the woman he loves.