Edith Wilson News

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of New Jersey in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

The award winning Arvada Center brings Christmas joy with MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET-THE MUSICAL playing now through December 23rd. The musical is based on the story 'Miracle on 34th Street' by Valentine Davies; book, music and lyrics were written and composed by Meredith Willson (The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown). As Miracle on 34th Street unfolds, a wise old white bearded gentlemen claiming to be Kris Kringle shows up in New York City only to discover that the holiday to which he is eternally associated has become tarnished by commercialism and greed. When he gets hired as Santa Claus at Macy's, the jolly old gentleman goes about setting things right - even as events conspire against him. Based on the delightful movie classic that starred Edmund Gwenn as Kringle and a young Natalie Wood, this musical version includes memorable songs such as 'Jolly Old St. Nicholas,' 'The Holly and the Ivy' and more. As we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, we all need a little break to remember that miracles do happen. The Miracle on 34th Street is pure family entertainment - make it part of your holiday celebration.

Empire Brass: The Sound of Christmas will feature Elisabeth von Trapp on Thursday, December 20 at 8 p.m. at the Warner Theatre.

The holiday season is upon us and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season in the theater this December.

In this retelling of Meredith Wilson's 'The Music Man,' with early 20th century Midwest slang and an almost too quick gift-wrapped resolution, director Mark Martino and choreographer Shea Sullivan were able to successfully breathe new life into a script and score that, especially for younger audiences, could so easily remain stale.

Greeting audiences with a familiar New York City backdrop painting framed in a gorgeous white paneling and seasonal decor, the touring production of "Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical" doesn't offer much beyond its original seasons' greetings. Despite a strong, talented cast, the musical only offers a hodge-podge of mostly unmemorable songs that try too hard to recreate composer Meredith Wilson's most famous scores.

Northern California will get a double dose of the celebration this year, as the Gallo Center for the Arts hosts the touring production of a musical based on the classic film "Miracle on 34th Street," which follows a family as its cinical Christmas beliefs are challenged by the appearance of the real Santa Clause. BroadwayWorld sat down with the Broadway-style shows' Kris Kringle, Fred Mackaman, and the production's director, John Tsayfoyannis.

Theatre Harrisburg presents live, on stage at Whitaker Center, the classic all-American musical THE MUSIC MAN. Opening Today, November 2, other performances are scheduled for November 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 & 18.

Theatre Harrisburg presents live, on stage at Whitaker Center, the classic all-American musical THE MUSIC MAN. Opening Friday, November 2, other performances are scheduled for November 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 & 18.

Musical Theater Heritage of Kansas City presents Meredith Wilson's classic THE MUSIC MAN, now playing through August 26 at the Off Center Theatre. BroadwayWorld has the promo video below.

Mother-son pair Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy have more than star power. They embody love and sweetness every moment they stand on stage together. And the special "Till There Was You" duet they sing each night through August 5 at Music Circus - more than enough to leave a few damp eyes in the theater - is only a small portion of the magic these two create next to the beautiful California Musical Theatre summer 2012 cast of "The Music Man."

The 2012 Music Circus season continues with The Music Man, theatre's musical tribute to the optimism, warmth, stubbornness and innocence of small town America, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from tonight, July 31 through August 5. There's trouble in River City when traveling salesman Harold Hill comes to town promising to form a children's marching band to chase away the city's imagined ills. His plan hits home, but his motives are questioned by the spunky librarian Marian.

The 2012 Music Circus season continues with The Music Man, theatre's musical tribute to the optimism, warmth, stubbornness and innocence of small town America, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from July 31 through August 5. There's trouble in River City when traveling salesman Harold Hill comes to town promising to form a children's marching band to chase away the city's imagined ills. His plan hits home, but his motives are questioned by the spunky librarian Marian.

The world premiere of Edith, which chronicles the political actions of first lady Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, opens Berkshire Theatre Group's Fitzpatrick Main Stage on August 4 at 8pm. Previews begin July 31 at 8pm and closing is on August 11.

This is a Music Man not to be missed. It's filled with great music, superb acting, lovely voices, and superb dancing.

Ah, summer! While the weather in Southern California gets warmer, the cooler interiors of local theaters in Orange County will offer their final shows to close out their 2011-2012 season. Read on for a list of our Top 5 Summer Must-See Picks for Costa Mesa & Orange County, plus a few noteworthy shows to check out, too!

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's production of Meredith Wilson's The Music Man, helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, stars Kate Baldwin (Tony Award nominee for Broadway's Finian's Rainbow) as Marian the librarian, joined by Burke Moses (original Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast) as Harold Hill. The Music Man runs through July 22, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's production of Meredith Wilson's The Music Man, helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, stars Kate Baldwin (Tony Award nominee for Broadway's Finian's Rainbow) as Marian the librarian, joined by Burke Moses (original Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast) as Harold Hill. The Music Man runs May 11-July 22, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: GODSPELL sings Schwartz, Paper Mill preps ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, New Dramtists honor Bernadette, and so much more!

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's production of MerEdith Wilson's The Music Man, helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, stars Kate Baldwin (Tony Award nominee for Broadway's Finian's Rainbow) as Marian the librarian, joined by Burke Moses (original Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast) as Harold Hill. The Music Man runs through July 22, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld brings you production shots of Burke Moses and Kate Baldwin in action below!