Des McAnuff News

The blistering comic drama Skeleton Crew begins performances on October 10 at TheatreSquared, bringing to Northwest Arkansas a new work by one of America's most acclaimed contemporary playwrights. Dominique Morisseau, a Steinberg Playwright Award-winner and two-time NAACP Image Award honoree, is "one of the rising talents in American drama" (NYTimes) and "a rising star" (L.A. Times), described by critics as a modern-day successor to 20th-century giants Arthur Miller, Clifford Odets, and August Wilson. Skeleton Crew is set in Detroit's last exporting auto plant, where sparks fly on the production line-and in the breakroom. As rumors surface about a closing date, new power dynamics emerge. When the line between blue collar and white collar blurs, how far over are they willing to step?  Performances are scheduled October 10-November 4, and tickets are on sale now from $17-$48 at (479) 443-5600 or theatre2.org.

Jersey Boys is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. The production includes Music Supervision, Vocal/Dance Arrangements & Incidental Music by Ron Melrose and Orchestrations by Steve Orich.

THE WHO'S TOMMY is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend and book by Townshend and Des McAnuff, based on The Who's 1969 rock opera Tommy. There are several plot differences between the album, the film, and the stage production, though the general storyline is largely the same. The biggest difference in the story is the new finale, which was rewritten in 1993. Originally, Tommy instructs his followers to become deaf, dumb, and blind themselves in order to achieve enlightenment. In the 1993 rewrite, Tommy instructs them to not emulate him, but to live their own lives. In both versions, the crowd rejects both him and his message. Inspiration for the stage show came from the 1969 concept album, Tommy by The Who. It was the first album ever billed as a rock opera. The album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and, before becoming a stage musical, it was also the basis for an all star recording that paved the way for the 1975 film of the same name. It first premiered on Broadway in 1993. Acclaimed director, Des McAnuff, and Pete Townshend sculpted the concept album into a stage show that won five Tony Awards including Best Original Score.

Tickets are on sale now for the Raleigh engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing Memorial Auditorium at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts  November 13-18.

Big Dipper Productions will present an industry reading of ALL DRESSED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO on Friday, October 12 at Pearl Studios.

Ending the sizzlin' (and a little damp) 2018 season, City Theatre Austin is thrilled to present The Who's Tommy. This five-time Tony Award-winning show is a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event and features an exhilarating score that has made it a smash-hit around the world. The production runs three more weeks at City Theatre, September 13 - 30.

Casting and tour dates have been announced for the 2018-19 touring season of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.  The cast will be led by Jonathan Cable (Nick Massi), Eric Chambliss (Bob Gaudio), Corey Greenan (Tommy DeVito) and Jonny Wexler (Frankie Valli) as The Four Seasons.

The fabulous sounds and styles of the 1960's and 70's comes to life with brilliant recreations of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' music as the four seasons of their rise and demise is recounted from four differing viewpoints

From fairy tales to a rock opera, OU's 2018-19 theatre season offers 'something for everyone'

On Thursday, September 6, (5:30pm EST) BroadwayWorld's Steve Schonberg is getting up close and personal with Jenn Colella and Chilina Kennedy, who will head to Birdland on September 10 to perform a song cycle, Call It Love! Don't forget to tune in to our official Facebook page to submit your questions live or send us questions in advance on Twitter @BroadwayWorld with #AskJennandChilinaBWW.

The Broadway-bound production of the new bio-musical, Ain't Too Proud, recently celebrated its opening night at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre! Check out all the action from inside opening night below!

Ain't Too Proud celebrated opening night at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre on August 24, 2018. Check out photos from the evening below!

The jukebox musical is currently the rage with Tony nominated Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway and On Your Feet! on a sell-out national tour. Des McAnuff directed and conceived Summer and Sergio Trujillo choreographed both shows. The two men join forces once more with the tour of Ain't Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations currently onstage at the Ahmanson Theatre through Septembret 30. Ain't Too Proud will remin

Ain't Too Proud has found its home on Broadway! Producers Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce have announced today that the new musical Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations will bring the incredible true story of the greatest R&B group of all time to Broadway in Spring 2019 at the legendary Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Additional information will be announced shortly.

On Thursday, September 6, (5:30pm EST) BroadwayWorld's Steve Schonberg is getting up close and personal with Jenn Colella and Chilina Kennedy, who will head to Birdland on September 10 to perform a song cycle, Call It Love! Don't forget to tune in to our official Facebook page to submit your questions live or send us questions in advance on Twitter @BroadwayWorld with #AskJennandChilinaBWW.

Preston Max Allen is proud to pay tribute to Musical Theatre Factory with a legacy concert of his Ovation Award Winning musical, WE ARE THE TIGERS this Sunday, August 26 at 7pm at Joe's Pub.

Dates have been announced for the Jacksonville engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing the Times-Union Center on March 25, 2019 for one performance only.

A partir del 28 de Agosto, se suma a la cartelera porteña un nuevo musical dirigido por Diego Ramos. Se trata de 'Tommy' una opera rock de la banda The Who que cuenta con musica y letra de Pete Townshend y libro en colaboracion con Des McAnuff, basado integramente en el disco homonimo de 1969 de la emblematica banda britanica. 

It can be tough out there for a jukebox musical. Many have come, few have stayed. Yet, it seems like Broadway can't get enough of them. Recent hits like JERSEY BOYS and BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL are the picture of what a staged jukebox success looks like. They have paved the great white way in gold for future musicals of the like to flood their way in.  SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL is one of latest in the new class jukebox musical to hit the Broadway stage. The show opened to subpar reviews at the Lunt-Fontanne theater this spring, after a 2017 premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse. Republic Records, with producers Tommy Mottola and The Dodgers, released the original cast recording this past July.

The boys are back and ready to tell the story behind the iconic music of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical, Jersey Boys. Kicking off Walton Arts Center's 2018-19 P&G Broadway series, Jersey Boys will run Oct. 5-7 for a limited five-show engagement.