Christopher Dimond News

The American Theatre Wing today announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Jonathan Larson Grants. The grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers, help to continue Tony Award-winning composer Jonathan Larson's dream of infusing musical theatre with a contemporary, joyful, urban vitality.

PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW (PYMK) Cabaret Series, will present version 3.0 in its popular evening of songs dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the work of new composing artists and the work that has been influential in shaping them. Featured in PYMK version 3.0 will be the works of Jeff Blumenkrantz (recipient of the 2012 Fred Ebb Award); Barry Anderson & Mark Petty ("The Songwriter's Union"); and Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond ("Dani Girl"), along with the works that inspired them. Performances of PYMK version 3.0 will be tonight, July 30 at 7:00pm and Thursday, August 9 at 9:00pm at the Triad Theatre (158 W. 72nd Street) in Manhattan.

Cutting-Edge Composers presented the next generation of musical theatre songwriters last night, July 23 at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). The event was directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins and Musically Directed by Virginia Hart Pike. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and we bring you photos from the star-studded concert below!

After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF tonight, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins, and musically directed by Virginia Hart Pike.

PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW (PYMK) Cabaret Series, will present version 3.0 in its popular evening of songs dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the work of new composing artists and the work that has been influential in shaping them. Featured in PYMK version 3.0 will be the works of Jeff Blumenkrantz (recipient of the 2012 Fred Ebb Award); Barry Anderson & Mark Petty ("The Songwriter's Union"); and Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond ("Dani Girl"), along with the works that inspired them. Performances of PYMK version 3.0 will be Monday, July 30 at 7:00pm and Thursday, August 9 at 9:00pm at the Triad Theatre (158 W. 72nd Street) in Manhattan.

Samuel French Inc. Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival announces the 40 semi-finalists for its 37th annual season. Chosen from over nine hundred submissions by playwriting workshops, university theatre programs, and professional companies both in the U.S. and abroad, these 40 plays will be presented October 23rd-27th with finals on Sunday October 28th at the Beckett Theatre, Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street). Out of these plays, six finalists will be chosen by the Samuel French, Inc. editorial staff to receive publication and licensing contracts.

The Human Race Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals, has announced the three-play line-up for its 2012 Festival of New Musicals.

After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF on Monday, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal), co-produced by Jillian Robbins, and musically directed by Virginia Hart Pike.

After sold-out shows at the Canal Room and the Laurie Beechman, Cutting-Edge Composers brings its latest concert to NYMF on Monday, July 23rd at 7 and 9:30 pm at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 w. 46th Street). Up-and-coming musical theatre writers are teamed with Broadway's hottest performers at the concert directed and produced by Laura Pietropinto (Next to Normal) and co-produced by Jillian Robbins.

The Flea Theater presents an encore production of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles' plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney. Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar (a 2012 Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director -- in his professional directing debut in NYC), the production stars 38 members of The Bats. Performances run now through July 1 at The Flea (41 White Street between Church and Broadway in Tribeca). Check out trailers for all seven of the plays in the videos below!

In Piper Plays: Smart Plays for Young Actors Playwriting Festival and Compeition, Piper Theatre and Piper Plays will present 9 new one-act plays that explore the world of children. The festival, Smart Plays for Young Actors, is the culmination of a nationwide playwriting contest and runs today, June 15 and June 16 and 17, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the BAX Brooklyn Arts Exchange (421 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY). The plays presented have been chosen from over 100 entrants from throughout the United States and Canada. All of the presented plays will be either New York or world premieres.

The Flea Theater presents an encore production of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles' plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney. Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar (a 2012 Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director -- in his professional directing debut in NYC), the production stars 38 members of The Bats. Performances run today, June 6 - July 1 at The Flea (41 White Street between Church and Broadway in Tribeca).

In Piper Plays: Smart Plays for Young Actors Playwriting Festival and Compeition, Piper Theatre and Piper Plays will present 9 new one-act plays that explore the world of children. The festival, Smart Plays for Young Actors, is the culmination of a nationwide playwriting contest and runs June 15, 16 and 17, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the BAX Brooklyn Arts Exchange (421 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY). The plays presented have been chosen from over 100 entrants from throughout the United States and Canada. All of the presented plays will be either New York or world premieres.

The Flea Theater presents an encore production of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles' plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney. Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar (a 2012 Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director -- in his professional directing debut in NYC), the production stars 38 members of The Bats. Performances run June 6 - July 1 at The Flea (41 White Street between Church and Broadway in Tribeca).

Due to popular demand, The Flea Theater will bring back THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES this summer. This theatrical adaptation of Sophocles' seven surviving plays (Oedipus, In Trachis, Philoktetes, In Colonus, Ajax, Elektra and Antigone) will return for a limited engagement June 6 through July 1.

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP), in partnership with UCF, has announced its 10th Birthday Season. The REP is Orlando's only professional theatre for families and young audiences and has performed shows such as PINKALICIOUS: The Musical, Lyle the Crocodile, and A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas.

Kelsey Ervi, who directed Greyman Theatre Company's critically-acclaimed Dani Girl at WaterTower Theatre's 2011 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, is having her first play produced as playwright.

The Flea Theater today announced a second extension of the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles' plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats.

Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) and Show One Productions are thrilled to announce that Dora Award winner Jeff Madden will be joining the cast as Rafe in the upcoming Toronto production of Dani Girl, by Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman. A touching, humorous and inspiring tale, this dark, original musical comedy follows a young girl's battle with cancer. Dani Girl runs until March 4, 2012 at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.

Kelsey Ervi, who directed Greyman Theatre Company's critically-acclaimed Dani Girl at WaterTower Theatre's 2011 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, is having her first play produced as playwright.