David H. Bell News

DOLLY PARTON'S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL recently opened at Emerson Colonial Theater. Check out clips from the production, as well as Dolly Parton's speech from opening night!

DOLLY PARTON'S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL is based on the novel 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, adapted for the stage by David H. Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan. It features a book by David H. Bell and music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. The production is directed by Curt Wollan with choreography by John Deitrich.

DOLLY PARTON'S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL delivers on the simplicity of its message of faith, family, and love, especially during the holiday season, and is a reflection of the heritage and values of its namesake. On opening night, the acclaimed country singer-songwriter surprised and delighted the audience by making an appearance onstage before the show, but the main event couldn't compete with Dolly's star wattage.

The world premiere, fully-staged production features Peter Colburn in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, along with a company that includes Jonathan Acorn, Josh Bryan, Billy Butler, Brian Hull, Julia Getz, Ray O'Hare, Brittney Santoro, Ian Shain, Tader Shipley, Sachie Capitani and Malachi Smith. The orchestra is comprised of musical director, orchestrator and arranger Tim Hayden with Mark Barnett, Luke Easterling, Lindsey Miller, Caitlin Nicol Thomas and Ted Thomas.

The co-chairs of Northwestern University's 89th annual Waa-Mu Show announced the title and theme for its upcoming production. 'State of the Art,' a tale of street artists and city elites clashing over free expression, will run May 1 to 10, 2020 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., on the Evanston campus.

The co-chairs of Northwestern University's 89th annual Waa-Mu Show have announced the title and theme for its upcoming production. a?oeState of the Art,a?? a tale of street artists and city elites clashing over free expression, will run May 1 to 10, 2020 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., on the Evanston campus.

Pittsburgh CLO is announced casting for the 28th annual production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL, December 6-22 at the Byham Theater. This year's production will feature lavish costumes, thrilling effects and a talented ensemble of both new and returning performers. Broadway star Mark Jacoby returns to Pittsburgh CLO to lead the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office.

Red Tail Productions and Paul T. Couch announced casting today for the premier of Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol (www.smokymountainchristmascarol.com), an all-new musical featuring new music by Dolly Parton and book by David H. Bell, produced by Red Tail Entertainment and Couch and directed by Curt Wollan. The strictly limited engagement will be held at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre from December 3 a?" 29, 2019.

Gilbert and Sullivan are brought into the jazz age in this charming, if uneven, production of Hot Mikado by 42nd Street Moon at the Gateway Theatre. 

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University has announced the 2019-2020 workshop series of projects by award-winning music theater creators, which are directed by regional theater directors and performed by students in the AMTP program.

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) is pleased to announce the full cast and creative team for the first production of Moon's 2019-2020 season: the intoxicating jazz riff on Gilbert and Sullivan, HOT MIKADO. HOT MIKADO features a book and lyrics adapted by David H. Bell, music adapted and arranged by Rob Bowman, and is based on “The Mikado” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. 42nd Street Moon's production of HOT MIKADO runs from September 25 – October 13, 2019 and will perform at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre (215 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111). The press opening will take place on Saturday, September 28 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $31 - $72 and can be purchased through the Box Office at (415) 255-8207 or online at www.42ndstmoon.org.

Red Tail Productions and Paul T. Couch announced today the premiere of Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol (www.smokymountainchristmascarol.com), an all-new musical featuring new music by Dolly Parton and book by David H. Bell, produced by Red Tail Entertainment and Couch and directed by Curt Wollan. The strictly limited engagement will be held at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre from December 3-29, 2019.

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon announces the full cast and creative team for the first production of Moon's 2019-2020 season: the intoxicating jazz riff on Gilbert and Sullivan, HOT MIKADO. HOT MIKADO features a book and lyrics adapted by David H. Bell, music adapted and arranged by Rob Bowman, and is based on a?oeThe Mikadoa?? by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. 42nd Street Moon's production of HOT MIKADO runs from September 25 a?" October 13, 2019 and will perform at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre (215 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111).

Arkansas Repertory Theatre announces its Spring 2020 Season. The new season, which begins in January, marks the first selected under the leadership of Little Rock native Will Trice, the Rep's new executive artistic director.

Make haste to downtown Aurora when Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks brings its summer touring production, The Comedy of Errors, to Thomas J. Weisner RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, for a free performance on Saturday, August 3.

Amy Rubenstein, Artistic Director and Evelyn Jacoby, Managing Director of Windy City Playhouse (3014 W. Irving Park Rd.) announce the promotion of Carl Menninger to Associate Artistic Director and welcome David H. Bell as an Artistic Associate for the Playhouse effective immediately.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Boeing and BMO Harris announced today the annual citywide summer tradition, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and Boeing partner to present the annual citywide summer tradition, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces today its 2019/20 Season-featuring an expansive line-up of plays, musicals, new work, and presentations from around the globe to engage one of the broadest audiences of any theater in America today.

Atlanta's nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre and Jennings Hertz Artistic Director Susan V. Booth are pleased to announce the productions of the Theater's 51st season.  Since opening in 1968 the Alliance has been dedicated to expanding hearts and minds on stage and off with diverse programming for all ages.  The 2019/20 season marks the Alliance's first full season back in its transformed performance space, the newly opened Coca-Cola Stage.