David Lindsay-Abaire 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. Guy Adkins remembered, 'Aida,' 'Shrek,' 'Once On This Island,' 'Arizona Lady,' more....

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced that acclaimed stage and screen actor Tate Donovan will return to Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere production of GOOD PEOPLE, the new play by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire to be directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan.

Broadway In Chicago along with producers DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are thrilled to announce SHREK THE MUSICAL will begin the First National Tour in Chicago in five weeks!

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play the Fabulous Fox.

Florida's Theatre Jacksonville has announced its 2010-2011 theatre season.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play the Fabulous Fox.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) are pleased to announce that Academy Award winner Frances McDormand will return to Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere production of GOOD PEOPLE, the new play by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire to be directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan.

BLUEBARN Theatre will complete its 21st season with the 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama RABBIT HOLE, which opens June 10th and runs through July 3rd. BLUEBARN's Artistic Director, Susan Clement-Toberer directs David Lindsay-Abaire's award-winning script. RABBIT HOLE showcases costumes by Jenny Pool, scenic design by Martin Scott Marchitto, lighting design by Carol Wisner, with original music composed by David Murphy. Shows run Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, June 20th and 27th at 6 p.m. There will be a post performance discussion following the show on Sunday June 20th at the KANEKO-UNO Library. Thursday, June 17 will showcase BLUEBARN's Witching Hour in lieu of a RABBIT HOLE performance. Ticket prices are $25 for adults; and $20 for students, TAG members, seniors 65+, and groups of 10 or more.

Miracle Theatre Group and Staged! Portland's Musical Theatre Series present a collaborative production of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions announced today that SHREK THE MUSICAL® will open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in May 2011, with a press night on June 7, 2011. The new stage musical is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book 'Shrek!' and the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation feature film 'Shrek,' the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales.

Juilliard's Drama Division presents a series of fully-staged productions during the 2010-2011 season featuring students in their fourth and final year of acting training at Juilliard.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) announced today that Green Day's American Idiot star John Gallagher, Jr, aka Johnny Gallagher (www.myspace.com/johnnygallagher), will headline a benefit concert on Sunday, July 18 at 8:00pm to support Ars Nova's first ever 54/10 Music Marathon (July 13 - 24), a summer concert series featuring two weeks of dynamic, up-and-coming bands that will surprise, shock and rock you.

After a brief hiatus from any major productions, STAGED! Portland's Musical Theatre Series is back with an ambitious summer line-up. STAGED! is presenting an in-depth look at one of the most dynamic musical theatre composers working today, Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown.

The Ross Valley Players kicks off it's new season with David Mamet's political comedy 'November,' opening on Sept. 17. James Dunn directs this play about U.S. President Charles 'Chucky' Smith nearing the end of his first term and dealing with the unfavorable prospects that he will be elected for a second term.

Pull Together Productions inaugural production, a revival of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire's comedy Wonder of the World, opens June 10. The production is directed by Brian Gillespie, and runs through June 26 at the Shell Theater, located in the Times Square Arts Center, 300 West 43rd Street (at 8th Ave.) 4th floor in NYC. Performances will be held Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, with Sunday evening performances on June 13 and 20 at 7pm. There is an additional performance scheduled for Wednesday, June 16 at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased through SmartTix: www.smarttix.com, (212) 868-4444. For more information, visit www.pulltogetherproductions.org

According to Baz Mabigboye in The Daily Mail, Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden scored in her SHREK audition for the West End production and reportedly 'played a blinder and was brilliant.' No casting has been announced as of yet, however rumors are abuzz that Holden will be the choice lady ogre.

The Manhattan Theatre Club has annoucnes its complete 2010-2011 season including the American Premiere of THE PITMAN PAINTERS, and GOOD PEOPLE.

Last night, Monday June 21, the Kleban Foundation hosted a cocktail reception honoring the winners of the 20th Annual Kleban Awards for the most promising musical theater lyricist and librettist. 2010 Kleban Award winners are Peter Mills (the most promising musical theater lyricist) and Barry Wyner (the most promising musical theater librettist). The event also included performances of the winners' material. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the evening and brings you full coverage of the celebration below.

THE OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE (OPC) is thrilled to announce its 2010 Season - 13th Annual program of playwrights, readings and special performances featuring some of the most talented, established and up-and-coming playwrights writing today.

According to Variety, Peter Mills and Barry Wyner will be awarded the 2010 Kleban Prize in Musical Theater on June 21. Each will receive a prize of $100,000 at the ceremny which will be held at ASCAP.