Christopher Smith News

Broadway and film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young are set to star in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Robert Petkoff (Fiddler on the Roof, Ragtime), Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Today we are talking again to one of Broadway's recent rising stars all about his sensational sophomore solo album, STILL DREAMING OF PARADISE, as well as his role in this weekend's invitation-only reading of the new musical AMAZING GRACE - 2011-2012 season standout and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Tony Award nominee Josh Young. Espousing on the many elements that converged to make his solo album a reality, Young outlines his process with his close collaborators by discussing the imperative inspirations, subsequent arrangement experimentation, actual studio recording, scientific song selection process, major project goals and a lot more, as well as shares memories of what many of the album's tracks mean to him on a personal level and what we can expect from albums from him in the future, near and far. Plus, Young reveals his affection for his first major New York post-SUPERSTAR production, AMAZING GRACE, as he shares his enthusiasm for the daring subject, rich source material - no less than the life of controversial historical figure John Newton - and the purportedly thrilling new score composed for it and the unique and compelling tale behind it as the new musical takes this next step in its developmental process in the Lincoln Center-set industry presentation. Additionally, Young touches upon his favorite memories from the Tony Awards and participating in the Transport Group's recent concert production of BABY - and much, much more!

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Broadway and film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young are set to star in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host the NAMT Songwriters Showcase as part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today updated casting for the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals and for the Songwriters Showcase that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host as part of the Festival on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host the NAMT Songwriters Showcase as part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Media Theatre's Teen Ensemble will perform JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR July 13 to August 5 in a contemporary style production. Featuring a live rock band with music direction by the theatre's resident music director Tom Fosnocht, the show brings Webber's stage musical to a new generation and is directed by Jesse Cline.

AMAZING GRACE is getting a run at Goodspeed Musicals' developmental Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT with an eye toward hitting Broadway. This might seem like a lofty goal given the large scale of the production in a struggling economy that has producers holding on tightly to their investment dollars (even smaller musicals can cost tens of millions of dollars to produce in New York). And the material is religious to boot (religious-themed shows have a hard time getting favorable reviews on the Great White Way.) Given the nothing-short-of-miraculous journey of the musical, so far, however, all things may be possible.

Goodspeed Musicals takes to the high seas with the new musical Amazing Grace. This tale about a slave trader who sees the light and dedicates himself to ending slavery will run from tonight, May 17 through June 10, 2012 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed's home for developing new works.

Representing Los Angeles and Center Theatre Group, Tyler Edwards, a senior at the Orange County High School of the Arts, placed third at the National Finals of the fourth annual August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) on Monday, May 7, 2012, at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre in New York City.

Goodspeed Musicals takes to the high seas with the new musical Amazing Grace. This tale about a slave trader who sees the light and dedicates himself to ending slavery will run from May 17 through June 10, 2012 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed's home for developing new works. Amazing Grace is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Fifteen local high school students from 10 different schools competed in the August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) regional finals at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, Monday night, March 26, 2012. The top three student performers received scholarships and the opportunity to compete again in New York City.

Fifteen students from Henry J. Kaiser High School, Walnut High School, Fullerton Union High School, Los Angeles County High School for the Performing Arts, Notre Dame Academy and other high schools across southern California performed monologues from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson's 10-play “Century Cycle' on Monday, March 26 at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum's August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals.

Center Theatre Group, host of the August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) in Southern California, has announced that 15 finalists have been selected to compete in the AWMC regional finals to be held at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum on March 26, 2012.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2012, single tickets may be purchased by visiting the Box Office open seven days a week at 6 Main Street, East Haddam, Conn.; by calling 860.873.8668; or on-line at goodspeed.org. Special ticket packages for only $120 for all three shows are still available. Contact the Box Office for details. Ticket cost may vary by performance; please call for current pricing. All prices are subject to change.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2012, single tickets may be purchased by visiting the Box Office open seven days a week at 6 Main Street, East Haddam, Conn.; by calling 860.873.8668; or on-line at goodspeed.org. Special ticket packages for only $120 for all three shows are still available. Contact the Box Office for details. Ticket cost may vary by performance; please call for current pricing. All prices are subject to change.

Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals announced that the inspiring new musicalAmazing Grace, based on the life of John Newton, the former slave trader who wrote the world's most recognized hymn, will kick-off Goodspeed Musical's Norma Terris Theatre Season May 17 through June 10.

Center Theatre Group, host of the August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) in Southern California, has announced that 15 finalists have been selected to compete in the AWMC regional finals to be held at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum on March 26, 2012.