Chuck Cooper News

The producers of Finian's Rainbow have announced that casting is complete for the production, which will begin previews at Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, beginning Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, with an opening set for Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) seeks submissions for the 9th Annual TRU VOICES New Musicals Reading Series (deadline: August 22, 2009). TheTRU VOICES New Musicals Reading Series is a unique series created to support producers who have an interest in developing new musicals. Shows selected will receive staged readings to be presented on consecutive Monday evenings in December 2009 at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC.

Cheyenne Jackson will reprise his New York City Center Encores! role of Woody in the upcoming Broadway production of Finian's Rainbow.

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, today announced that Signature Theatre is expanding its American Musical Voices Project (AMVP) for a fourth year with the commission and production of a new musical by Adam Guettel for its 2011-2012 season. Also announced as part of The Next Generation segment of the AMVP were two additional musical commissions awarded to Peter Foley and Marisa Michelson as well as honoree grants given to Chris Miller and Scott Davenport Richards for the development of future musical ideas. Signature, with the support of The Shen Family Foundation, has awarded $595,000 to artists in honors and commissions in the past three years. The American Musical Voices Project is the largest single musical theater commissioning and producing initiative at any non-profit theater in America.

Producers David Richenthal and Jack Viertel have announced that the critically-acclaimed New York City Center Encores! production of Finian?s Rainbow, will transfer to Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, beginning Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, with an opening set for Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm.

The Fire Dept Artistic Directors Erica Gould and Audrey Rosenberg presented The Minotaur, the first installment of the company's 2009 Salon Series, the cast for the performance included Mario Cantone, Jill Clayburgh, Phoebe Neidhardt, Ethan Peck, Campbell Scott, and Jeremy Webb. The Minotaur, written by Anna Ziegler; directed by Erica Gould; and produced by Audrey Rosenberg, took place Friday, March 27 at 7:30pm at the historic Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South at 20th Street.

The Fire Dept Artistic Directors Erica Gould and Audrey Rosenberg have announced that the return of the company's Salon Series-staged readings of new plays, presented in non-proscenium environments that encourage an intimacy between audience and performer, followed by a discussion with the artists and noted guest speakers whose life experiences speak to the issues raised by the material-will begin with The Minotaur by Anna Ziegler (BFF), directed by Erica Gould (Neil LaBute's autobahn and Stand Up), and starring Mario Cantone (Sex and the City), Jill Clayburgh (Dirty Sexy Money, An Unmarried Woman), Campbell Scott (Dying Young, Singles, Longtime Companion), and Jeremy Webb (The Glorious Ones, Kander & Ebb's The Visit) on Friday, March 27 at 7 pm at the historic Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South at 20th Street. The event will be produced by Audrey Rosenberg (Infamous with Sandra Bullock, upcoming documentary about Barack Obama).

The Fire Dept Artistic Directors Erica Gould and Audrey Rosenberg have announced that the cast for The Minotaur, the first installment of the company's 2009 Salon Series, will be Mario Cantone, Jill Clayburgh, Phoebe Neidhardt, Ethan Peck, Campbell Scott, and Jeremy Webb.

APRIL AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM Join them every Friday and Saturday from 11PM-2AM for our nightly piano lounge. No cover, no minimum! 4/1 7PM Barbara Brussell 'Brilliance from on High...BORN IN THE BRONX' Accompanied by musical director Tex Arnold, this marks their first time venturing a new show together.

The Fire Dept Artistic Directors Erica Gould and Audrey Rosenberg have announced that the return of the company's Salon Series-staged readings of new plays, presented in non-proscenium environments that encourage an intimacy between audience and performer, followed by a discussion with the artists and noted guest speakers whose life experiences speak to the issues raised by the material-will begin with The Minotaur by Anna Ziegler (BFF), directed by Erica Gould (Neil LaBute's autobahn and Stand Up), and starring Mario Cantone (Sex and the City), Jill Clayburgh (Dirty Sexy Money, An Unmarried Woman), Campbell Scott (Dying Young, Singles, Longtime Companion), and Jeremy Webb (The Glorious Ones, Kander & Ebb's The Visit) on Friday, March 27 at 7 pm at the historic Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South at 20th Street. The event will be produced by Audrey Rosenberg (Infamous with Sandra Bullock, upcoming documentary about Barack Obama).

Told through 24 songs and actual first-hand accounts, the new musical revue----Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? Songs and Stories from The Great Depression will open Sunday, March 8th (3PM) at Off-Broadway's Triad Theatre (158 West 72nd Street ~ between Broadway & Columbus Avenue). Conceived and staged by Bill Daugherty, this musical time capsule is produced by Thoroughbred Records and Max Weintraub. Preview performances begin March 6th (7PM) & March 7th (3PM) This engagement will run through June 14th.

Told through 24 songs and actual first-hand accounts, the new musical revue----'Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?? Songs and Stories from The Great Depression will open Sunday, March 8th (3PM) at Off-Broadway?s Triad Theatre (158 West 72nd Street ~ between Broadway & Columbus Avenue). Conceived and staged by Bill Daugherty, this musical time capsule is produced by Thoroughbred Records and Max Weintraub. Preview performances begin March 6th (7PM) & March 7th (3PM) This engagement will run through June 14th.

Van Hill Entertainment is proud to announce that the Off-Broadway premiere of ROOMS a rock romance, starring Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger, will begin performances on Friday February 27th at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for Monday March 16th (7 PM). ROOMS a rock romance has music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman (Bright Lights Big City) and book by Goodman and Miriam Gordon, and will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Golda's Balcony, Bat Boy: The Musical, tick, tick... BOOM!, Jane Eyre).

Told through 24 songs and actual first-hand accounts, the new musical revue----Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? Songs and Stories from The Great Depression will open Sunday, March 8th (3PM) at Off-Broadway's Triad Theatre (158 West 72nd Street ~ between Broadway & Columbus Avenue). Conceived and staged by Bill Daugherty, this musical time capsule is produced by Thoroughbred Records and Max Weintraub. Preview performances begin March 6th (7PM) & March 7th (3PM) This engagement will run through June 14th.

Syracuse Stage's production of Putting It Together has announced casting including Lillias White, Chuck Cooper, Tyler Hanes, Andre Ward, and Stephanie Youell. Book, Lyrics and Music by Stephen Sondheim, Conceived by Stephen Sondheim and Julia McKenzie, Directed and Choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Musical Direction by Dianne Adams McDowell.

Van Hill Entertainment is proud to announce that the Off-Broadway premiere of ROOMS a rock romance, starring Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger, will begin performances on Friday February 27th at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for Monday March 16th (7 PM). ROOMS a rock romance has music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman (Bright Lights Big City) and book by Goodman and Miriam Gordon, and will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Golda's Balcony, Bat Boy: The Musical, tick, tick... BOOM!, Jane Eyre).

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns in January for its eleventh season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 17 nights of pop, folk, cabaret, R&B, country, rock, show tunes, bluegrass and multimedia, the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic contemporary songwriting. The 2009 season - January 14 through March 6 - will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song, including top vocalist Kurt Elling and country's winning Patty Loveless. It will feature the rare opportunity to hear Paulo Szot, star of Broadway's South Pacific, and film and stage star Alan Cumming, in intimate concert settings.

Syracuse Stage's production of Putting It Together has announced casting including Lillias White, Chuck Cooper, Tyler Hanes, Andre Ward, and Stephanie Youell. Book, Lyrics and Music by Stephen Sondheim, Conceived by Stephen Sondheim and Julia McKenzie, Directed and Choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Musical Direction by Dianne Adams McDowell.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) seeks submissions for the 11th Annual TRU VOICES New Plays Reading Series (deadline December 29, 2008). The TRU VOICES New Plays Reading Series is a unique series geared towards producers who have an interest in developing new plays. Shows selected will receive staged readings to be presented in the spring of 2009. Each reading will be followed by a 'Dollars and Sense' panel discussion with prominent New York producers, general managers and artistic directors focusing on potential venues, marketing and budgeting of the work. The series was created to help develop new plays and to help producers develop the skills needed to produce new works.

Signature Theatre Company continues its celebration of the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) with special presentations of three more plays from the historic NEC repertoire. Curated by NEC Founder Douglas Turner Ward, Signature Associate Artist Ruben Santiago-Hudson and the Signature Theatre Company staff, these plays will be read on stage at the Peter Norton Space (555 West 42nd Street) on select evenings throughout the season. These classic works give greater insight into the history of this vital and groundbreaking company.