Ed Chapman News

There's an unmistakeable sound of thunder emanating from the Ogunquit Playhouse these days, commencing with the rhythmic pounding of nearly two dozen pairs of feet, and ending in a crescendo of audience applause. It is not fulsome praise to give DirectorChoreographer Randy Skinner multiple huzzahs and many pats on the back for this fresh and exciting production of 42ND STREET the iconic show-biz musical about a small town girl who pursues her dream and takes Broadway by storm. From the grownups to the kids in the chorus, Tony Award-nominee Skinner seamlessly blends stage veterans and non-Equity performers into one sparkling, magical troupe that really knows how to put on a show.

Opening on July 10th at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is the song and dance spectacular, Grand Hotel. The show runs through July 31 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

The Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical runs live on stage at the Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction, VT November 14 - January 1. For tickets and information, call (802) 296-7000 or visit northernstage.org. Tickets start at $19 for students and $34 for adults. Nearly half of all available tickets for this production are already sold and Northern Stage anticipates many sold out performances. Early ticket purchasing is highly recommended.

Concluding the 60th Anniversary season at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is Beehive - The 60s Musical. The show runs September 21 through October 6 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

Concluding the 60th Anniversary season at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is Beehive - The 60s Musical. The show runs September 21 through October 6 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

Concluding the 60th Anniversary season at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is Beehive - The 60s Musical. The show runs August 1 through August 22 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 210th season with the lush romantic comedy Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN, featuring a score by "America's Songwriter."  Based on the classic film by the same name, the production will be directed by Charles Abbott and choreographed by Michelle Gaudette. Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn begins previews on September 4th, opens on September 12th, and runs through October 21st on the Walnut's Mainstage.

Next up this summer at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. The show runs August 1 through August 22 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

Since ancient times, men have been dressing up as women to perform in a variety of settings. From ancient Japanese theater to Shakespeare's classics, a man in drag was something one just came to expect from the theatre. But in modern times, dressing in drag has taken on a much different meaning. For those who don a wig and strap on a fabulous pair of heels, drag is an escape from reality, a visceral and visual protest performed with a shiny, and often irreverent veneer. But, at its core, drag is about creating an outlet to overcome personal fears, anxieties, and shortcomings, in a larger than life way. These themes, and more, are on display in TheaterWorks newest production of Matthew Lopez' THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE.  

TheaterWorks (Rob Ruggiero, Director/Producing Artistic Director) announced today that THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE by Matthew Lopez will run March 16 through April 22, 2018. THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE is the 3rd show of TheaterWorks 32nd Season.

The Little Mermaid by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, and Doug Wright, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film, runs live on stage at the Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction, VT, November 15 - January 7.

The Little Mermaid by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, and Doug Wright, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film, runs live on stage at the Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction, VT, November 15 - January 7.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 209th season with Broadway's classic musical, perfect for the entire family, ANNIE. Directed by Glenn Casale, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, ANNIE begins previews on November 7th, opens on November 15th and runs through January 7th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

The Little Mermaid by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, and Doug Wright, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film, runs live on stage at the Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction, VT, November 15 - January 7.

The Wick Theatre's production of The Drowsy Chaperone is a pleasant musical theatre romp featuring music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The fantastic nature of the characters coming to life as Man in Chair tells the tale of his most beloved musical is charming, and the standard characters and plot twists of old movie musicals are comically nostalgic.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its 209th Anniversary Season with ANNIE, (November 7 January 7). This Tony Award-winning Best Musical is a perfect family treat for the holiday season.

Okay, let's just get real for a moment: if one approaches this show as an adult and compares it with the canon of theatrical literature, this a production which often falls flat. However, in comparison to average children's entertainment (which is clearly the producers' targeted demographic) it holds up well. Your average elementary aged kid will be thoroughly and utterly charmed. But the parents who brought them? That might be a different story. The performers are all supremely talented, with dozens of Broadway shows to their credit. Even if I felt they might have been instructed to push every moment, they still allow their glorious voices to shine through. While it doesn't run in the same league as the classic Disney films, this production does its job: providing fluffy entertainment for an evening out after school, getting through everything as quickly as possible to make sure the kids get back home in bed to be ready for school tomorrow.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 209th season with the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Directed by, and starring, Frank Ferrante, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this production begins previews on September 5th, opens on September 13th and runs through October 22nd on the Walnut's Mainstage.

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at Barrington Stage Company's production of Company, led by Aaron Tveit as Bobby. Check out the cast in action below!