Christopher Mueller News

BroadwayWorld has a first look at PASSION at Signature Theatre in DC, starring Natascia Diaz (West Side Story),  Claybourne Elder (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Broadway's Sunday in the Park with George) and Steffanie Leigh (Broadway's War Paint, Gigi, Mary Poppins). Check out Claybourne Elder and Steffanie Leigh singing 'Happiness' below!

Today's subject, John Leslie Wolfe, has been living his theater life to the fullest for many years now. His credits include Broadway, national tours, television, and film. Local theatergoers might remember him from his performances at Signature Theatre in Titanic, The Threepenny Opera, and West Side Story or in 1776 or Ragtime at Ford's Theatre. Currently, John is back at Signature Theatre in rehearsal for the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical Passion directed by Signature Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner. Performances begin on August 14th in Signature's MAX Theatre space. The production runs through September 23rd.

Natascia Diaz (Signature's Crazy for You, City Center Encores! Grand Hotel), Claybourne Elder (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Broadway's Sunday in the Park with George) and Steffanie Leigh (Broadway's War Paint, Gigi, Mary Poppins) star in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Passion.

Natascia Diaz (Signature's Crazy for You, City Center Encores! Grand Hotel), Claybourne Elder (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Broadway's Sunday in the Park with George) and Steffanie Leigh (Broadway's War Paint, Gigi, Mary Poppins) are set to star in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Passion.

Nowadays, when you go a musical on Broadway or elsewhere, chances are the orchestra isn't in full view. Gone are the days when you were able to look in the orchestra pit and see the musicians. For all you know, they could be playing in a totally different room.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. Two and a half weeks of live music and performances by Signature favorites and DC area stars. The cabaret series runs July 19 through August 4, with a different performance every night.

Last week, I introduced you to ten performers in Signature Theatre's current production of Kander and Ebb's final, complete collaboration, The Scottsboro Boys, which runs through July 1st. This included eight of the nine gentlemen who play the African American men who were falsely accused of raping two Caucasian women, as well as two others who play the minstrel characters known as Mr. Bones and Mr. Tambo.

La Ti Do Productions celebrates Asian American Heritage Month with the city's first all Asian American cabaret to support The National Asian Artists Project, and is pleased to announce the featured artists and partner organizations.

While the musical itself may not be my personal cup of tea as a whole, some catchy music (performed by a killer all-female band and two endearing actors) and the sweet, throwback story make it worthy of some positive attention.

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland announce the full lineup for Signature Theatre's 2018/19 season.

LIGHT YEARS, a world premiere musical at Signature Theatre, is a moving performance with a beautiful score and an introduction to touching and endearing characters. LIGHT YEARS is a deeply personal story of son and father attempting to understand each other. The relationship is firmly grounded in love and respect. Yet the two have profoundly different ideas about pursuing artistic passion versus creating a stable and consistent life. LIGHT YEARS is a production of great heart and promise that deserves to continue to evolve. It is exciting to be privy to new work in creation.

Signature Theatre is proud to present the world premiere production of Light Years. Directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer(Broadway's Follies, Gigi, Million Dollar Quartet), this new musical features music, lyrics and book by Robbie Schaefer of the band Eddie from Ohio. Robbie journeys from his childhood in India to the joys and struggles of growing up, pursuing his passion and raising a family. Entwined throughout is his cherished relationship with his father-and his father's haunted past. Light Years runs now thru March 4 in Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre.

Signature Theatre is excited to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of 4,380 Nights by DC playwright Annalisa Dias. The production will be directed by Kathleen Akerley (Artistic Director of Longacre Lea) and will feature Ahmad Kamal (Woolly Mammoth's KISS) as Malik Essaid/El Hadj El Kaim, Michael John Casey (Shakespeare Theatre's Othello, Folger Theatre's Henry V) as Bud Abramson/Man, Rex Daugherty (Signature'sShakespeare's R&J) as Luke/Colonel Pelissier, and Lynette Rathnam (Ford Theatre's Death of a Salesman) as Woman (complete cast and creative team bios are below). 4,380 Nights will run from January 16 through February 18 in Signature Theatre's ARK Theatre. 4,380 Nights is Signature's submission to the 2018 Women's Voices Theater Festival.

Acclaimed folk-rock band Eddie from Ohio's Robbie Schaefer will host an album launch and signing party in Signature's Mead Lobby on Monday, December 11 at 7PM for the new album, Sounds Like Home - Songs from The Musical Light Years.

AcclaimedWashington actor Craig Wallace returns to Ford's Theatre to perform the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for the company's holiday production of 'A Christmas Carol.' Performances of the classic Charles Dickensplay began November 16 and continue for a six-week engagement through December 31, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Signature Theatre presents The Gershwins' & Ken Ludwig's musical comedy Crazy For You. This new production is directed by Signature Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's West Side Story, La Cage Aux Folles) with choreography by Tony Award nominee Denis Jones (Broadway's Holiday Inn, Honeymoon in Vegas). Crazy for You runs now through January 14, 2018 in Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Today's subject Evan Casey is currently living his theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre, his DC theatrical home base in An Act of God. The production runs through November 26.

Beginning November 16, acclaimed actor Craig Wallace returns to Ford's Theatre to play Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol a production heralded as a rich visual and vocal treat (TheaterMania) and infectiously jolly (Washington Post). Performances continue through December 31, 2017.

Director Eric Schaeffer has found the intimacy, charm and humor that was sorely lacking in the 2009 Broadway revival, restoring Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical to its full glory.

Signature Theatre presents A Little Night Music directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Gigi). A Little Night Music will run from August 15 - October 8 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!