Eric Schaeffer News

Broadway Classic Extends to February 22, 2009 by Popular Demand

The Awards Gala The 25th Anniversary Helen Hayes Awards will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Warner Theatre and JW Marriott Hotel.

Million Dollar Quartet will host an evening to benefit GRAMMY Foundation programs in the Chicago area with one-night-only extended encore featuring Chicago Blues' legendary harp player and singer Billy Branch on January 29, 2009, at The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-show reception with silent auction items, including tickets to the 2010 GRAMMY Awards; a Memphis vacation for two, including airfare, two nights at the Peabody Hotel, tickets to Sun Studios, Graceland, STAX Museum of American Soul Music, Gibson Guitar Factory tour, and passes to clubs on Beale Street; music memorabilia signed by past GRAMMY winners and unique opportunities with the Million Dollar Quartet cast. Following the performance there will be a reception with the Million Dollar Quartet cast members. This exclusive performance and reception will benefit GRAMMY Foundation? programs in the Chicago area, which foster future generations of music professionals and helps preserve our nation's musical heritage. Organized under the banner of GRAMMY in the Schools?, the Foundation's education programs for young people include GRAMMY Camp?, the GRAMMY? Jazz Ensembles, GRAMMY Career Day, GRAMMY Signature Schools and GRAMMY SoundChecks.

Million Dollar Quartet will host an evening to benefit GRAMMY Foundation programs in the Chicago area with one-night-only extended encore featuring Chicago Blues' legendary harp player and singer Billy Branch on January 29, 2009, at The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a pre-show reception with silent auction items, including tickets to the 2010 GRAMMY Awards; a Memphis vacation for two, including airfare, two nights at the Peabody Hotel, tickets to Sun Studios, Graceland, STAX Museum of American Soul Music, Gibson Guitar Factory tour, and passes to clubs on Beale Street; music memorabilia signed by past GRAMMY winners and unique opportunities with the Million Dollar Quartet cast. Following the performance there will be a reception with the Million Dollar Quartet cast members. This exclusive performance and reception will benefit GRAMMY Foundation? programs in the Chicago area, which foster future generations of music professionals and helps preserve our nation's musical heritage. Organized under the banner of GRAMMY in the Schools?, the Foundation's education programs for young people include GRAMMY Camp?, the GRAMMY? Jazz Ensembles, GRAMMY Career Day, GRAMMY Signature Schools and GRAMMY SoundChecks.

Signature Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, an outrageous satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion in America's celebrity-obsessed culture. Three-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Holly Twyford portrays the brash, fast-talking agent Diane, whose client Mitchell (Matthew Montelongo) has a chance to make it big if he only stays in the closet. When Mitchell starts to fall for a charmingly sweet male escort (Ivan Quintanilla) with a needy girlfriend (Casie Platt), Diane's plans may unravel. But nothing derails this ?ber-agent in her pursuit of power and money as she skillfully and hilariously manipulates all within her reach. Written by Douglas Carter Beane, it's Hollywood at its juiciest. The Little Dog Laughed runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from January 13 to March 8, 2009.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announced that during the run of Mike Daisey's HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA, there will be free industry roundtables following three performances to discuss the many issues raised in the piece. The roundtable discussions following performances on January 9, 12, and 16 will include local theatre administrators, artists, and funders.

Broadway Classic Extends to February 22, 2009 by Popular Demand

Signature Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, an outrageous satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion in America's celebrity-obsessed culture. Three-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Holly Twyford portrays the brash, fast-talking agent Diane, whose client Mitchell (Matthew Montelongo) has a chance to make it big if he only stays in the closet. When Mitchell starts to fall for a charmingly sweet male escort (Ivan Quintanilla) with a needy girlfriend (Casie Platt), Diane's plans may unravel. But nothing derails this ?ber-agent in her pursuit of power and money as she skillfully and hilariously manipulates all within her reach. Written by Douglas Carter Beane, it's Hollywood at its juiciest. The Little Dog Laughed runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from January 13 to March 8, 2009.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announced that during the run of Mike Daisey's HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA, there will be free industry roundtables following three performances to discuss the many issues raised in the piece. The roundtable discussions following performances on January 9, 12, and 16 will include local theatre administrators, artists, and funders.

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

DC's Signature Theatre has announced casting for their production of the Tony Award-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, Douglas Carter Beane's satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion. The Little Dog Laughed is scheduled to play Jan. 13-March 8, 2009.

Signature Theatre invites young professionals to 'Signature Scene,' special Thursday night performances of Les Mis?rables, The Little Dog Laughed, Giant, and See What I Wanna See featuring half-price tickets and festive pre-show receptions. Mix and mingle with other theater-goers at the innovative theater The New York Times calls 'positively swanky' and The Washington Post calls 'a signature space to match its reputation.'

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Signature Theatre invites young professionals to 'Signature Scene,' special Thursday night performances of Les Mis?rables, The Little Dog Laughed, Giant, and See What I Wanna See featuring half-price tickets and festive pre-show receptions. Mix and mingle with other theater-goers at the innovative theater The New York Times calls 'positively swanky' and The Washington Post calls 'a signature space to match its reputation.'

Signature Theatre today announced that Andrew Call will sing the role of the student revolutionary Marius in its upcoming production of Les Misérables. He will replace Doug Kreeger, who will be performing in the new off-Broadway production of Rooms. Call recently performed in Signature's world premiere production of Glory Days, playing the role of the would-be jock Andy. Call has also performed in Cry-Baby and High Fidelity on Broadway, in Altar Boyz off-Broadway, and in national tours of Saturday Night Fever and Altar Boyz.

Million Dollar Quartet, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock 'n' roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, will move to the Apollo Theater at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through October 26, 2008; preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, October 31, 2008. The official Apollo opening is Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

Due to popular demand, the critically hailed MILLION DOLLAR will move to the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago), immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through Oct. 26. Preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, Oct. 31, with the official opening scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

Where Are You Taking Me?: What's Next in Musical Theater is a free, day-long symposium with musical theater practitioners from around the country.

Million Dollar Quartet, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock 'n' roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, will move to the Apollo Theater at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through October 26, 2008; preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, October 31, 2008. The official Apollo opening is Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

On Sunday, October 19, Signature Theatre will audition boys and girls, ages 7 - 12, for two singing roles and one non-singing role in its innovative new production of Les Miserables, which will run December 2 through February 22. Signature is looking for six children (two boys and four girls) all under 50 inches (4' 2''), who will alternate performances in their respective roles.