Donovan News

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre is thrilled to announce the extension of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Two-time Obie Award-winning The Builders Association brings their technical wizardry to the NYC premiere of ELEMENTS OF OZ, directed by The Builders Association director Marianne Weems and co-created and written by James Gibbs and Moe Angelos.

On the heels of topping the box office in its opening weekend, the widely acclaimed magical adventure FANTASIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM surpassed half a billion dollars at the global box office on Tuesday, November 29, following its second weekend in release.

Today, Showtime Networks announced that Samsung will now offer the SHOWTIME stand-alone streaming service and its authenticated app SHOWTIME ANYTIME on select 2015 and all 2016 Samsung smart television models.

Having had the privilege to serve as Broadway World's Maine Editor for more than three years now, I can say with pride that the state, though remote as it may seem from the epicenter of the theatre world, Broadway, is blessed to be home to so many thriving theatre companies who produce exciting, vibrant seasons. As I compiled my list for 2016 with many familiar names, I was also struck by the extraordinary consistency of excellence these companies maintain. Here are my personal choices of the best in Maine, grouped by theatre and show.

Totem Pole Playhouse, Pennsylvania's premiere summer theatre, in association with Gettysburg Community Theatre, will premiere its original adaptation of the family holiday classic A Christmas Carol for the 2016 holiday season at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg December 8-18.

This month, Chicago Shakespeare Theater was filled to capacity with students from high schools across the city and the metro area, performing, cheering, dancing and geeking out-over Shakespeare. The Battle of the Bard "Final Bout" marked the culmination of countless hours of rehearsal time, Saturday workshops and preliminary bouts for this region-wide high school Shakespeare slam.

Over 100 military guests and their families attended a special performance of A Christmas Story: The Musical at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, in Lake Forest the evening of Thrusday, November 17.

Elaine Paige remains the leading lady of the West End after 50 years in the business and also hosts a weekly Musicals show on Radio 2.This unique collection of her favourite songs from the musicals celebrates the best and most successful musicals ever made.

Adelaide Festival Centre's GreenRoom membership program celebrating 10 years with a brand new look and feel.

Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes flight this holiday season with Centenary Stage Company's Family Holiday Musical Mary Poppins, November 25 through December 11 at the Lackland Performing Arts Center.  This "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" musical adventure is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, astonishing stagecraft and a live orchestra.  Centenary Stage Company's Family Holiday Musical not only signifies the start of the holiday season for many but celebrates all of Centenary Stage Company's programming by combining local regional talent, CSC staff, Centenary University Theatre Department faculty and students, Young Performers Workshop students and professional guest artists.

Abingdon Theatre Company launches its Ghostlight Reading Series with LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON by Charles Mee on November 28 at 7pm. The reading is free and open to the public at Abingdon Theatre Company's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Leon Ingulsrud is set to direct.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES begins previews Friday, November 11, 2016 and opens Friday, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

Centenary Stage Company's critically acclaimed Young Performers Workshop returns this holiday season with a delightful selection of musical favorites for the annual Winter Festival of Shows.

The Washington Stage Guild starts its 'Pearl Anniversary' season with a remount of one of America's favorite holiday stories in It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. It's Christmas Eve, 1946, and we are the studio audience for a local radio station as its cast of voice actors and one very busy sound effects man broadcast the beloved tale of George Bailey and his encounter with Clarence, his guardian angel. This 'radio play-within-a-play' re-imagines the familiar movie as it would have been heard in homes all over America in the late 40s, when just such a broadcast took place. Playwright

Michael Riedel of The New York Post has reported that Gwyneth Paltrow, media entrepreneur and Oscar-winner for Shakespeare in Love, has set her sights on Broadway and is aiming to bring a musical inspired by the songs of the 80's rock group. The Go Go's to New York in the summer of 2017.

President and Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a very special Lobby Exhibit unveiling, featuring items and from the career of Tippi Hedren (including items worn in the film 'The Birds,' Edith Head's dress form designed to Tippi's exact measurements, her Golden Globe and a personal gift presented by Alfred Hitchcock when he and his wife, Alma, informed her that she had been chosen to portray Melanie Daniels in 'The Birds).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) and Education at Roundabout (Jennifer DiBella, Director of Education) are pleased to announce that Skyline High School in Oakland, CA will present the regional premiere of PROSPECT HIGH: BROOKLYN.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Today, November 11, 2016 and opens Today, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.