Dorothy Loudon News

The phenomenally successful 1977 Broadway musical Annie took America by storm and has been filmed twice. After 33 years, and especially now during our country's long bout of economic recession, its Depression era optimism holds up better than ever, and in MTW's current glowing production everything is in place to savor.

American Lyric Theater is proud to join nearly 100 other opera organizations nationwide to celebrate National Opera Week (October 29 - November 7), organized by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

American Lyric Theater is proud to join nearly 100 other opera organizations nationwide to celebrate National Opera Week (October 29 - November 7), organized by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Actress/singer Andrea McArdle made a big splash on Broadway in 1977 as the very first Annie, and has not stopped working since. She has been seen more recently in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express as well as State Fair, and this summer, essayed for the very first time the role of Miss Hannigan in Annie. She is about to repeat Miss Hannigan for Musical Theatre West's production opening in Long Beach on October 30. In our chat she speaks about Annie, Hannigan and other theatrical delights.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) announces that eight new Resident Artists have been selected for ALT's nationally acclaimed Composer Librettist Development Program (CLDP) in New York City.

TACT/The Actors Company Theatre (Scott Alan Evans, Cynthia Harris and Simon Jones, Co-Artistic Directors) has announced its 2010/2011 Season. The critically-acclaimed company dedicated to presenting neglected or rarely produced plays of literary merit will offer Mainstage productions of The Memorandum by Vaclav Havel, and Three Men on a Horse by George Abbott and John Cecil Holm at The Beckett Theatre (410 West 42nd Street) on Theatre Row.

One of Orange County, California's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present HELLO, DOLLY! from July 9 through August 1 at the gorgeous O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts District of downtown Santa Ana. Starring as the matchmaker Dolly Levi will be Broadway veteran (and Los Angeles-area theater favorite) Ruth Williamson. During a break from show preparations, Williamson paused briefly for a chat with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to discuss her extensive history in the theater and her excitement in taking on the iconic role.

John A. Willis, who as editor of the Theatre World and Screen World annual series for over 45 years was often considered one of the most important theatre and film historians in America, died June 25, 2010, at his home in Manhattan, of complications from lung cancer. He was ninety-three years old. Willis was also the longtime producer of the Theatre World Awards, given to actors for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debut performances. It is one of the oldest awards bestowed on New York stage actors and helped launch the careers of Alan Alda, Bernadette Peters, and John Leguizamo among many others.

I had a most difficult time falling asleep last night. It was one of those nights when something kept going over and over in my mind, preventing sleep from happening. As a creature of the theater, I get most excited by a show that gives me goose bumps and keeps me riveted from beginning to end. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh have teamed to bring us a stage version of MARY POPPINS. Last night, MARY POPPINS opened at the Broward Center. It is a 'Jolly Holiday' for me to tell you, MARY POPPINS is one of the greatest musicals in years.

Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut performances during the 2009-2010 theatrical season were presented by former Theatre World Award winners last night, June 8. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the evening's winners.

The Theatre World Awards presentation were held at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, in an invitation-only ceremony, Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Peter Filichia hosted, Barry Keating directed, and Mary K. Botosan, Kati Meister, and Erin Oestreich were the event's producers. John Willis, a founder of the Theatre World Awards, was in attendance.

The Theatre World Awards presentation were held at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, in an invitation-only ceremony, Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Peter Filichia hosted, Barry Keating directed, and Mary K. Botosan, Kati Meister, and Erin Oestreich were the event's producers. John Willis, a founder of the Theatre World Awards, was in attendance.

Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut performances during the 2009-2010 theatrical season will be presented by former Theatre World Award winners. Past award recipients expected to present (or perform) at this year's ceremony include: Kate Burton (Winners, 1983), Michael Cristofer (The Cherry Orchard, 1977), Viola Davis (Seven Guitars, 1996), Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, 2007), Robert LuPone (A Chorus Line, 1976 Special Award), Alli Mauzey (Cry-Baby, 2008), Michael McKean (Accomplice, 1990), Brian Stokes Mitchell, (Mail, 1988), Alfred Molina (Molly Sweeney, 1996) Loretta Ables Sayre (South Pacific, 2008), John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, 2004), and Vanessa Williams (Kiss of the Spider Woman, 1995). The award-winning composer, arranger, and pianist Alex Rybeck will serve as musical director for the event.

Lionel Larner, Executive Director of The Dorothy Loudon Foundation, has announced that the 2009-2010 recipient of its Dorothy Loudon Starbaby Award for a Broadway or Off-Broadway performance will go to Bobby Steggert for his outstanding performances, as it turns out both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in Ragtime and Yank! The award will be presented at this year's 66th Annual Theatre World Awards (in an invitation-only ceremony) at New World Stages on Tuesday, June 8.

Lionel Larner, Executive Director of The Dorothy Loudon Foundation, has announced that the 2009-2010 recipient of its Dorothy Loudon Starbaby Award for a Broadway or Off-Broadway performance will go to Bobby Steggert for his outstanding performances, as it turns out both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in Ragtime and Yank!

Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut performances during the 2009-2010 theatrical season will be presented by former Theatre World Award winners. Past award recipients expected to present (or perform) at this year's ceremony include: Kate Burton (Winners, 1983), Michael Cristofer (The Cherry Orchard, 1977), Viola Davis (Seven Guitars, 1996), Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, 2007), Robert LuPone (A Chorus Line, 1976 Special Award), Alli Mauzey (Cry-Baby, 2008), Michael McKean (Accomplice, 1990), Brian Stokes Mitchell, (Mail, 1988), Alfred Molina (Molly Sweeney, 1996) Loretta Ables Sayre (South Pacific, 2008), John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, 2004), and Vanessa Williams (Kiss of the Spider Woman, 1995). The award-winning composer, arranger, and pianist Alex Rybeck will serve as musical director for the event.

American Lyric Theater is currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Composer Librettist Development Program. Application Deadline is June 1st.

Lionel Larner, Executive Director of The Dorothy Loudon Foundation, has announced that the 2009-2010 recipient of its Dorothy Loudon Starbaby Award for a Broadway or Off-Broadway performance will go to Bobby Steggert for his outstanding performances, as it turns out both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in Ragtime and Yank!

American Lyric Theater is currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Composer Librettist Development Program. Application Deadline is June 1st.

Lionel Larner, Executive Director of The Dorothy Loudon Foundation, has announced that the 2009-2010 recipient of its Dorothy Loudon Starbaby Award for a Broadway or Off-Broadway performance will go to Bobby Steggert for his outstanding performances, as it turns out both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in Ragtime and Yank! The award will be presented at this year's 66th Annual Theatre World Awards (in an invitation-only ceremony) at New World Stages on Tuesday, June 8.