Diane Paulus News

Combining acrobatics with choreography (by Chet Walker) that recalls Bob Fosse's original work on the show, the current touring company of PIPPIN(book by Roger O. Hirson with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) at the Peabody Opera House provides quite an enjoyable spectacle. There's a circus-like quality (courtesy of Gypsy Singer) to this presentation that's unexpected, and even a bit magical, making it more suitable for the younger set than some versions, even though most of its sexier elements are still firmly intact. It's certainly well worthy of your time and attention.

The Drama League has announced full casting for DirectorFest 2014: The 31st Annual One-Act Festival, an evening of four short plays staged by the Drama League Directors Project Fall Directing Fellows Elena Heyman, Michael Leibenluft, Michael Osinski, and Caitlin Sullivan for a limited 5-performance engagement, tonight, December 13 - 16, 2013 at TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues).

The Drama League's DirectorFest 2014: The 31st Annual One-Act Festival, an evening of four short plays staged by the Drama League Directors Project Fall Directing Fellows Elena Heyman, Michael Leibenluft, Michael Osinski, and Caitlin Sullivan begins its limited 5-performance engagement today, December 13, and continues through December 16, 2013 at TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues).

Earlier today it was announced that The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, will present the world premiere of Waitress- a new musical directed by Diane Paulus and featuring book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. This wasn't the only big news from Nelson though. Nelson, who wrote, directed, and produced Corrina Corrina with Whoopi Golberg, is in the process of writing a musical version for Audra McDonald, with Alan Menken and Brian Yorkey. She is also co-writing Alice By Heart with Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, led by Artistic Director Diane Paulus, just announced the world premiere of Waitress. Opening theA.R.T.'s 2015-16 Season, this new musical will be directed by Diane Paulus and feature book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The production will begin performances at the Loeb Drama Center on Saturday, August 1, 2015. Additional creative team and casting will be announced at a later date.

MSG Entertainment will soon present the New York Spring Spectacular, starring the Rockettes, presented by Chase, at Radio City Music Hall on Monday, November 17, 2014. Debuting in March 2015, the New York Spring Spectacular, created by an unprecedented Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning team for Radio City Music Hall, is inspired by the magic of spring - a time when people fall in love - set against a dazzling musical celebration about the energy, places, people, passion and promise that make this city spectacular. The production is being produced jointly by MSG Entertainmentand Weinstein Live Entertainment. This extraordinary show, which has been boldly re-imagined from the originally conceived Heart and Lights, features one of a kind puppetry, state-of-the-art technology and dynamic dance numbers performed by the legendary Rockettes. This all-new show at Radio City Music Hall takes audiences on a whirlwind adventure across New York City while telling an inspiring and hopeful narrative about three New Yorkers who change each other's lives in unexpectedly wonderful ways. The limited seven-week engagement begins previews Thursday, March 12, 2015, opens on Thursday, March 26 and runs through Sunday, May 3, 2015. For more information visitwww.rockettes.com/spring.

The 20th Anniversary National Tour of 'Broadway's longest running musical revue,' Smokey Joe's Cafe, rocks its way to Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom opening January 2, 2015. This toe-tapping musical features some 38 Billboard hits from the legendary team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. This show, billed as 'the hottest joint in town', is directed by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker and features the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame group, The Coasters. The full Smokey Joe's Cafei cast of fourteen singers and dancers perform to a live on-stage musical ensemble.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, Diane Paulus, Artistic Director, is presenting multiple free events in connection to its world premiere production of Eve Ensler's O.P.C. (Obsessive Political Correctness) at the Loeb Drama Center. The events include Pre-Show Skillshares (workshops by artists, activists, and community members); a meet-and-greet with the artists behind the O.P.C. Lobby Installation; and special talkbacks with policymakers, activists and scholars, including award-winning author Naomi Klein.

MSG Entertainment (MSGE) announced today that Whoopi Goldberg will be lending her extraordinary voice to narrate New York Spring Spectacular as the character of The Statue of Liberty. Whoopi Goldberg is one of only twelve elite artists to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, along with several other accolades in entertainment to her name, and was born and raised in New York City.

MSG Entertainment (MSGE) announced today that Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels will be choreographing the opening number of the NewYork Spring Spectacular, presented by Chase, at Radio City Music Hall, to debut in March.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership ofDiane Paulus, Artistic Director, presents the second production of its 2014/15 Season: the world premiere of Eve Ensler's O.P.C. (Obsessive Political Correctness), directed by Pesha Rudnick, running through January 4, 2015 at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Harvard Square. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

PIPPIN's 1st National Tour arrives at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ.

Members of the Los Angeles theater community are invited to a staged reading of Sing Me Home January 26 at 8 pm (cocktails at 7 pm). This brand new, contemporary musical, with book by Amber Romina Cassell and music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Kristy Hanson features fourteen original songs in the pop-rock genre, with influences ranging from rhythm and blues to country.

Experience the thrilling 2013 Tony Award-winning musical, PIPPIN - described as 'an eye-popping, jaw-dropping, VISUALLY STUNNING extravaganza. THE THRILL OF THE SEASON!' by NY1 - when it makes its Nashville debut at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall for a limited, one-week engagement March 10-15, 2015.

The Drama League has announced full casting for DirectorFest 2014: The 31st Annual One-Act Festival, an evening of four short plays staged by the Drama League Directors Project Fall Directing Fellows Elena Heyman, Michael Leibenluft, Michael Osinski, and Caitlin Sullivan for a limited 5-performance engagement, December 13 - 16, 2013 at TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues).

ABC's 'Good Morning America' hosted a special, behind-the-scenes musical performance from the Broadway-bound musical, Finding Neverland, on THANKSGIVING morning. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at the production's performance, featuring Gary Barlow and Laura Michelle Kelly!

ABC's 'Good Morning America' hosted a special, behind-the-scenes musical performance from the Broadway-bound musical, Finding Neverland, on THANKSGIVING morning. Following their initial apperance, the cast performed 'What You Mean to Me.' Check it out below!

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Diane Paulus, Artistic Director, begins performances of the second production of its 2014/15 Season: the world premiere of Eve Ensler's O.P.C. (Obsessive Political Correctness), directed by Pesha Rudnick, starting on November 28 and running through January 4, 2015 at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Harvard Square. Tickets from $25. Box Office: 617.547.8300 or visit us on line at americanrepertorytheater.org

The companies of Broadway's MATILDA and PIPPIN celebrated the holidays with performances at CBS' annual THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE.

Tony winner Jessie Mueller who is currently lighting up the stage as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL has found her next role says the New York Times. The paper reports that the star will play the lead role in the upcoming musical of WAITRESS, based on the 2007 film of the same name. The show is expected to premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts during its 2015-16 season, followed by Broadway.