David Austin News

'Blacker' by Russ Weatherford will be at Urban Stages for an exclusive engagement from Wednesday, August 26th through Thursday September 3rd.

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) present the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. The show began previews June 24 and runs through August 16, 2015. The original musical is written by Iris Rainer Dart andThom 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). Show star Shoshana Bean is back at it with another entry in her backstage vlog, this time performing the show's anthem, 'Wind Beneath My Wings.'

Russ Weatherford's “Blacker,” a new play exploring Oscar Wilde's little-known brush with the Dreyfus Affair, begins an exclusive two-week engagement on Wednesday August 26 at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street.  Directed by David Austin, and produced by Sandi Durell, the premiere of “Blacker” plays through Thursday September 3.  The official opening is also on Wednesday August 26 at 8pm.  For tickets call SmartTix.com at 212/868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com

Show star Shoshana Bean is back at it with another entry in her backstage vlog, this time featuring Kamilah Marshall and Melanie Nyema performing 'Quittin' Time.' Check it out below!

Below,  the two leading ladies bring us a performance straight from Bean's dressing room. Watch as they perform Bashor's big song from THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY- 'Another Life.'

Barbara Hershey spoke to EW about her thoughts on a Broadway musical production of her 1988 tear-jerker/comedy BEACHES

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Beaches,' 'Kinky Boots' and 'Gotta Dance' show how a pre-Broadway tryout is done, while 'Fancy Nancy,' 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Pinocchio' go for a younger demographic. Meanwhile, Ravinia, Grant Park and Three Oaks (MI) do summer concerts, and The Music Theatre Company announces its own surprise demise.

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) present the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. The show began previews June 24 and runs 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). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars in action below!

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) present the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. The show began previews June 24 and opens tonight, July 2nd, 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). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars in action below!

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) present the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. The show began previews June 24 and opens tonight, July 2nd, 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).

The original creator talks BEACHES!

BEACHES THE MUSICAL is ready to take the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago by storm before it eyes a Broadway run. Performances at the Drury Lane Theatre will begin on June 24, 2015 and will run until August 16th. Beaches the Musical is based on the novel with the same name by Iris Rainer Dart. The novel has been transformed already into a 1988 film starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. 

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Tonys and the Jeffs bring honor and fun, and 'On Your Feet' and 'Beaches' aim for the future. Bette will be in town, Spike Lee films, 'Les Mis' and 'All Shook Up' play our southern environs, and 'The Secret Garden' and 'The Pied Piper' bring children's classics to life. Next week: Regional Summer Theaters!

NABE, the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs, now celebrating 35 years of helping publishers market and promote their books, has just announced the winners of the Spring 2015 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. These awards have been given for more than 29 years and honor some of the finest independently-published and small press books in a wide variety of different fields including Children's Interest, Fiction, Novel, Memoir, Self-Help, Health, How-To, Inspirational, and more. This Spring's Winners include 'The Trillion Dollar Sure Thing' by David Austin Mallach, 'The Improbable Journey' by Gerry Metz, '10 On Set Secrets: Springtime: More Bunny For Your Money' by Stacy Nelson, 'Las Vegas Insider's Guide' by Titus Nelson, 'Molly's Moon' by Ron Parham, '12 Qualities of Highly Successful People' by Sati Achath, 'In Love Forever: 7 Secrets to a Juicy, Joyous Relationship' by Cary & Wendy Valentine, 'The Girl With Ten Names' by Choua Lee and Mary Albanese and 'If You Were Me and Lived in Scotland' by Carole P. Roman. For the complete list of winners, please visit http://www.bookmarketingprofits.com/PinnacleAwardsSpring2015.html

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.