Donald Holder News

The Metropolitan Opera's 2013-14 season will feature many of the world's greatest singers, conductors, and theater artists in 26 operas, including six new productions, of a varied repertory that ranges from the Baroque era to the 21st century. Met Music Director James Levine will return to the Met podium for the first time in two years, conducting three operas with which he has long been associated: a new production of Verdi's final masterpiece Falstaff, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, and Berg's Wozzeck. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi will be conducting two operas in the 2013-14 season, Rossini's La Cenerentola and Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2013-14 season will feature many of the world's greatest singers, conductors, and theater artists in 26 operas, including six new productions, of a varied repertory that ranges from the Baroque era to the 21st century. Met Music Director James Levine will return to the Met podium for the first time in two years, conducting three operas with which he has long been associated: a new production of Verdi's final masterpiece Falstaff, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, and Berg's Wozzeck. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi will be conducting two operas in the 2013-14 season, Rossini's La Cenerentola and Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

The Pantages Theatre today reveals its lineup for the 2013-2014 SEASON, a seven-show package. Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON which played a record-breaking 12-week run in the fall of 2012 will return for a limited engagement beginning January 21, 2014.

Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, who stars in the hit FOX television show 'Glee' as ruthless cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, will take on another great tyrannical role as evil orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in the new Broadway production of ANNIE at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets). Lynch, a stage veteran of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City, will be making her Broadway debut. She will play Miss Hannigan for eight weeks only, from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, July 14.

Maggie Siff plays Beatrice and Jonathan Cake Benedick in Theatre for a New Audience's new production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Arin Arbus, opening tonight, February 17, at 3:00pm at The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street.

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from tonight, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The new Broadway production of ANNIE celebrates its 100th performance on Saturday, February 2 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). The cast of the acclaimed production will celebrate the milestone with cupcakes generously provided by Magnolia Bakery.

Disney Theatrical Productions will be hosting open auditions, seeking possible future replacements for the Broadway and Touring companies of The Lion King. Auditions for the adult roles of Simba and Nala will be held in Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Auditions for the roles of Young Simba and Young Nala will take place in New York City at the Apollo Theater.

Maggie Siff plays Beatrice and Jonathan Cake Benedick in Theatre for a New Audience's new production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Arin Arbus, beginning previews Saturday, February 2 at 8:00pm for an opening Sunday, February 17, at 3:00pm at The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street.

Award winning actor and writer Eddie Perfect will return to the stage in the role of Head Sailor Luther Billis replacing Gyton Grantley for the final four performances of South Pacific at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

Though there have been a few modifications to the tour over the last few years (the set design is slightly simpler and some moments have been cut for time) The Lion King is still majestic, astonishing, thrilling, and thoroughly entertaining.

Award winning actor and writer Eddie Perfect will return to the stage in the role of Head Sailor Luther Billis replacing Gyton Grantley for the final four performances of South Pacific at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013. The artwork for the show has just been revealed. Check it out below!

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from Wednesday, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013.

If you have a hankering to see a room full of grown-ups acting like those teenagers watching The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, then get thee to The Metropolitan Room, where Marilyn Maye is doing her traditional job of knocking 'em dead.

San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.