Des McAnuff News

Today we have a super-special SOUND OFF exclusive taken from the sensational forthcoming sophomore solo album from Broadway notable and 30 ROCK standout Tituss Burgess, "I'll Be Alright".

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Meet the full cast below!

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's fifth annual Playwrights Retreat begins today and runs through October 20. This year eight writers from across the country will be in Stratford for the three-week retreat: Meg Braem (Calgary), Matthew Heiti (Sudbury), Daniel Karasik (Toronto), Kevin Loring (Vancouver), Bryden MacDonald (Halifax), Haley McGee (Toronto), Janet Munsil (Victoria) and Elyne Quan (Toronto).

The producers of JERSEY BOYS just announced that Drew Gehling and Jarrod Spector will be returning to the Broadway company. Spector returns to the role of 'Frankie Valli' on Tuesday, October 2, following the final performance of Tony winner John Lloyd Young on Sunday, September 30. Gehling assumes the role of 'Bob Gaudio' joining Jeremy Kushnier as 'Tommy DeVito' on Tuesday, October 9, following the departure of current stars Quinn VanAntwerp and Andy Karl (respectively) after the Sunday, October 7 performance.

Broadway In Boston has announced that the highly anticipated Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons returns to the Citi Performing Arts Center Emerson Colonial Theatre for a limited five week engagement January 30-March 3, 2012 as part of the Lexus Broadway In Boston Series.

JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical, surpasses Hello, Dolly! with 2,845 performances, becoming the 18th longest-running show in Broadway history, following the performance on Saturday night, September 22.

Venture Theatre presents THE WHO'S TOMMY, with music, lyrics and book by Pete Townshend, and book by Des McAnuff, now running through September 30, 2012.

Deadline reports that Director Jon Favreau's film adaptation of JERSEY BOYS is moving to Warner Bros. as a result of a first look deal with the film's producer Graham King. The project was originally setup through Sony Pictures.

Tickets will go on sale Thursday, September 13 for the Indianapolis return engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story ofFrankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing Old National Center January 9-27, 2013.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, a world-premiere musical featuring a story by The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne and Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar), music and lyrics by The Flaming Lips, and direction by Des McAnuff. The show will run November 6 - December 16, 2012 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

La Jolla Playhouse previously announced its final production of the 2012/2013 season: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, a world-premiere musical written and directed by Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff (Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys), with music and lyrics by The Flaming Lips. According to the Globe and Mail, the musical will be lead by Paul Nolan, who previously played the title role in McAnuff's recent Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. The show will run in November/December 2012 (dates TBA) in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

CANON IN D MINOR has been selected for the Fringe Encores Series following its New York premiere in the New York International Fringe Festival. Out of the 187 productions in this year's festival, CANON IN D MINOR is one of just 19 chosen for the series. The production will run at SoHo Playhouse for an additional five performances beginning Sept 15th.

The producers of FLASHDANCE - THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 smash hit movie that defined a generation, have just announced that the production will arrive on Broadway in August 2013 with a theater, dates and casting to be announced.

Dates have been announced for the Pittsburgh return engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The musical will make its much-anticipated return to the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts tonight, September 4, through Sunday, September 23, 2012.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is extending the run of its critically acclaimed production of Cymbeline, directed by Antoni Cimolino, General Director and Artistic Director designate.

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Meet the full cast below!

The runaway worldwide smash hit musical, JERSEY BOYS, currently playing in major cities worldwide including New York, Las Vegas, London, Auckland, Brisbane and across the USA, makes its South African premiere at the Teatro at Montecasino on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 and will then open at Artscape, Cape Town Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC), a 410-seat professional regional theatre located on the third level of City Center in downtown White Plains; has announced it's 10th Anniversary season consisting of three MAINSTAGE Equity productions and two SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS with all performances held at the White Plains venue.

Casting was previously announced for the Providence engagement of the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) today, August 15 - September 2, 2012. The cast of JERSEY BOYS will be led by Brandon Andrus (Nick Massi), Colby Foytik (Tommy DeVito), Jason Kappus (Bob Gaudio), and Brad Weinstock (Frankie Valli) as The Four Seasons, with Barry Anderson and Thomas Fiscella.

David Goldbloom, Chair of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Board of Governors, has announced that Anita Gaffney has been appointed Executive Director.