David Hess News

It's not long until the launch of the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, led by Elizabeth Stanley (On the Town, Million Dollar Quartet) as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, South Pacific) as Robert. Joining them are Cullen R. Titmas (The Last Ship, Avenue Q) as Bud,Mary Callanan(Mamma Mia!, Annie) as Marge, David Hess (Sweeney Todd, Annie Get Your Gun) as Charlie, Dave Thomas Brown(The Legend of Georgia McBride, Heathers) as Michael, Caitlin Houlahan (Parade at Lincoln Center) as Carolyn andKatie Klaus (The Bridges of Madison County Original Broadway Cast Member, Bonnie & Clyde) as Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer.

Stage vets Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky lead the national tour of Jason Robert Brown's much-loved, short-lived musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY.  Check out the photo shoot below!

Musical Theatre Factory in association with The Chelsea Symphony presented a gala concert event 'Get Yourself Some New Orchestrations,' the launch of an exciting new series which pairs emergent musical theatre writers with Broadway orchestrators to commission stunning new orchestrations of their shows. 'New Orchestrations,' took place at Merkin Concert Hall (129 W 67th St) on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 8PM. BroadwayWorld has photos from the red carpet below!

It's not long until the launch of the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, led by Elizabeth Stanley (On the Town, Million Dollar Quartet) as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, South Pacific) as Robert. Joining them are Cullen R. Titmas (The Last Ship, Avenue Q) as Bud,Mary Callanan (Mamma Mia!, Annie) as Marge, David Hess (Sweeney Todd, Annie Get Your Gun) as Charlie, Dave Thomas Brown (The Legend of Georgia McBride, Heathers) as Michael, Caitlin Houlahan (Parade at Lincoln Center) as Carolyn and Katie Klaus (The Bridges of Madison County Original Broadway Cast Member, Bonnie & Clyde) as Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer.

The full cast is set for the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, opening at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on December 10, 2015, and playing through January 17, 2016. (Previews on December 8 and 9.)

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: SYLVIA does play bows on Broadway tonight, HAMILTON gets a new king, Megan Hilty leads ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and more!

Full casting has been announced for the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Joining the previous announced Elizabeth Stanley (On the Town, Million Dollar Quartet) as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, South Pacific) as Robert are Cullen R. Titmas (The Last Ship, Avenue Q) as Bud, Mary Callanan (Mamma Mia!, Annie) as Marge,  David Hess (Sweeney Todd, Annie Get Your Gun) as Charlie, Dave Thomas Brown (The Legend of Georgia McBride, Heathers) as Michael, Caitlin Houlahan (Parade at Lincoln Center) as Carolyn  and Katie Klaus (The Bridges of Madison County Original Broadway Cast Member,  Bonnie & Clyde) as Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer. The ensemble comprises Cole Burden (Les Miserables), Caitlyn Caughell (Newsies), Brad Greer (I Am Harvey Milk at Lincoln Center), Lucy Horton (Cats), Amy Linden (Cheer Wars), Trista Moldovan (The Phantom of the Opera), Jessica Sheridan (Sister Act), Matt Stokes (Jesus Christ Superstar), Tom Treadwell (Annie) and Bryan Welnicki (Peter and the Starcatcher). THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY company will soon head into rehearsals in New York in preparation for the tour launch at the Des Moines Civic Center November 28 - December 5.

Based on the 1999 Universal film, this new musical flies, and will surely fly again soon.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association withUniversal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film October Sky and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. The show opened on August 26.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, running through October 11. The show opened on August 26, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, opening tonight, August 26, and running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Picturesfilm OCTOBER SKY and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. BroadwayWorld has a first look at footage from the show below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, opening tonight, August 26, for a run through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, now playing through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film OCTOBER SKY and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at rehearsals below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, currently in previews and opening August 26 for a run through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, previewing tonight,  August 19, opening August 26 and running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics byMichael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film October Sky and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.  Check out a sneak peek at rehearsals below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, previewing tonight, August 19, opening August 26 and running through October 11.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Monday's trifecta of showtune events, including Jackie Burns following Idina, and 'Boy From Oz.' 'Mormon' and 'Dancing' return, and 'Gentleman's Guide' prepares. That 'October Sky' and 'Starcatcher' are set to open, but a lot of shows are closing. Not 'Ring Of Fire!' Concerts are on tap, too, including Seth McFarlane!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's all about musical legends! 'Men Of Soul,' 'All Shook Up,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'Million Dollar Quartet' and 'Bette' show showbiz as it was. Also on our boards: '[title of show],' 'Madame Pompadour' and 'Clue,' plus revisiting 'Eastland' and preparing to see the 'October Sky.'

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, previewing August 19, opening August 26 and running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film October Sky and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.

Chicagoland's longest running musical theatre, The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, kicks off their 40th anniversary 2015 season with one of Broadway's all-time biggest hits, La Cage aux Folles.