David Austin News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Big Fish' bring us a taste of the heartland, 'Beaches' hopes to follow 'Amazing Grace' on the journey from here to New York, and Gorilla Tango and MCL Chicago open new improv-based musicals. Plus the return of 'WOZ,' Stephen Sondheim honored by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, and Tommy Tune to be feted by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project! Plus Waa-Mu honors Bernie.

New York Cabaret Community Honors Actor/Director/Photographer RUSS WEATHERFORD With All-Star Show at Metropolitan Room.

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) have announced the cast for the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Previewing June 24, opening on July 2nd and running through August 16, 2015, the original musical is written by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, with music by David Austin and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart. The production is directed by Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet).

According to the Chicago Tribune, Drury Lane Theatre's Broadway-bound production of BEACHES has just rounded out its powerhouse creative team for its summer run in the Windy City.

The Groovy Projects (www.thegroovyprojects.com) celebrates their second annual Groovy Project's 'FUNdraiser' Benefit Monday March 30, 2015 beginning at 6:00pm at Therapy Lounge and Bar (348 West 52nd St, NY, NY 10019). Hosted by Nate Lombardi (Founder, The Groovy Projects), the benefit features a buffet of hors d'oeuvres, special drinks and pricing, live musical performances, merriment, and a call to supporting arts education for students through the work of The Groovy Projects.

?Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Theatre, announces today that the Broadway-bound production, BEACHES will replace DEATHTRAP from June 24 through August 16 during the 2015-2016 season. Presenting the first new work on the Drury Lane stage in 21 years, BEACHES signifies the theater's renewed dedication to develop new works.

Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Theatre, announces today that the Broadway-bound production, BEACHES will replace DEATHTRAP from June 24 through August 16 during the 2015-2016 season. Presenting the first new work on the Drury Lane stage in 21 years, BEACHES signifies the theater's renewed dedication to develop new works.

A developmental reading of The Geranium on the Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On, a musical adaptation based on the best-selling book by Albert Cullum, featuring a book and lyrics by Michael Lluberes and music by Jared M. Dembowski, is set for today, October 20th at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center in New York City.

A developmental reading of The Geranium on the Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On, a musical adaptation based on the best-selling book by Albert Cullum, featuring a book and lyrics by Michael Lluberes and music by Jared M. Dembowski, is set for October 20th at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center in New York City.

David Austin's original new musical, Finishing Arthur Danby, will receive an NYC industry reading Sunday August 3. This is the latest effort from the rising star and composer of the new musical Beaches, which received its world premier in DC earlier this year.

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer once again demonstrates his success with new musicals.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, opening tonight, March 4, 2014, and playing through March 30. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

BEACHESThis spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women starsMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress(Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below to watch Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi sing 'What I Should Have Told Her' over footage from rehearsal!

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women starsMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress(Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will starMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress(Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'The View From Up Here', featuring Umphress!

Due to popular demand Virginia's Signature Theatre announces that the world premiere musical Beaches is now extended through March 30, 2014. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will starMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'A Bunch of Kids', featuring Davi!

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'Extraordinary', featuring Umphress and Davi!

Virginia's Signature Theatre just announced the full cast of this spring's world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, has announced plans to augment its diverse programming with a varied new series of in-house productions including a new interview series, a new musicals-in-concert series (following-up on the success of the club's wildly successful High Fidelity in Concertevent), and a program for new composers. The venue will continue to present its popular Sondheim Unplugged series featuring some of Broadway's brightest stars sharing performances and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from their favorite Sondheim musicals.