Eric Schaeffer News

Virginia's Tony-Award winning Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of The Gulf by DC playwright Audrey Cefaly. Directed by Signature's Director of New Works Joe Calarco (Signature Theatre's The Flick, Gypsy), The Gulfcontinues Signature Theatre's commitment to producing regional and local premieres of important new plays. The production stars Maria Rizzo (Signature's Gypsy, West Side Story) and Rachel Zampelli (Signature's The Fix, Dying City), and runs September 13 - November 6 in Signature Theatre's intimate ARK Theatre.

Grab your friends and head out for an evening of humor, heart, and harmony as Chick Flick the Musical comes to The Royal George Theatre Cabaret, 1641 N. Halsted Street in Chicago. This uniquely female-positive new musical begins previews November 1, and opens November 10 for an open run.

Broadway In Chicago and Emerald City Theatre are pleased to announce A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS by Charles M. Schulz returns to the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut) November 11, 2016 through January 8, 2017, after playing to sold-out houses during the 2015 holiday season. Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson and adapted for the stage by Eric Schaefferby special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson,  this newly-staged production of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS will be directed by Ann Filmer.

Are you the next Broadway or pop sensation? The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA is hosting the 'Signature Voice' competition on July 23rd during the theater's annual Open House. Held in Signature's MAX Theatre, the competition will host a panel of three celebrity judges in search of the best undiscovered singers in the DC region.

Signature Theatre has announced the cast of Jelly's Last Jam directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Broadway's After Midnight). The musical about famed and notorious jazz entertainer Jelly Roll Morton by George C. Wolfe, Susan Birkenhead, and Luther Henderson featuring the music of Jelly Roll Morton runs August 2 - September 11 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.

Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer just returned from Seoul, South Korea where he directed a new production of Sweeney Todd at Theater Charlotte.

GLAAD, the world's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, honored Robert De Niro, Mariah Carey, and the best in film, television, and journalism at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria New York on Saturday. Jennifer Lawrence, Aziz Ansari, Connie Britton, Diane Sawyer, Caitlyn Jenner, Tamron Hall, Noah Galvin, Andrew Rannells, Andreja Peji?, and Jason Biggs were among the special guests. Recording artists Alex Newell and Bebe Rexha, as well as the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fun Home performed at the event hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Laverne Cox. The 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo.

Symphony Space will honor philanthropists Ted and Mary Jo Shen at their 2016 Spring Gala on May 9th. Hosted by James Naughton, the evening will feature performances by Victoria Clark, Lilli Cooper, Chuck Cooper, Ricky Ian Gordon, Michael John LaChiusa, Ted Sperling, Katie Thompson and many others. Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director at The Public Theater, will present the award to the Shens.

Signature Theatre has announced the cast of La Cage aux Folles directed and choreographed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner.

Symphony Space, the performing arts center known for its innovative music, film, dance, and literary programs, will honor Ted and Mary Jo Shen at the 2016 Spring Gala at Gotham Hall on Monday, May 9, 2016.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre has announced the two musicals that have been chosen for the SigWorks: Musical Theater Lab, a new developmental workshop for musical theater writers - SKIN & BONES by Ben Clark and Andrew Kramer and U.G.L.Y. by Darius Smith.

On April 4, 2016, Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre honored the Broadway librettist John Weidman(Assassins, Pacific Overtures, Road Show) with the company's seventh Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential musical theater writer and composer, was presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy. The Sondheim Award Gala benefited Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community programs. Check out photos below!

Martin Platt and David Elliott (Perry Street Theatricals) announce a workshop presentation of Georgie: My Adventures with George Rose, directed by Eric Schaeffer and written by and starring Ed Dixon, on April 11, 2016. The presentation will run 90 minutes, with no intermission.

American composer Dana P. Rowe announced today the launch of his new podcast series TAKE IT FROM THE TOP: Life-Lessons from Creative Maestros to Awaken Your Artistic Soul. The first three episodes of TAKE IT FROM THE TOP are available for download on iTunes or at tiftt.com.

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland announce the full lineup for Signature Theatre's 2016/17 season, including the previously announced production of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's FREAKY FRIDAY.

Combined together, the resumes of actress Tracy Lynn Olivera and director/choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge feature just about every great musical from the golden age of Broadway, except one.

Due to popular demand Virginia's Signature Theatre announces that Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Flick is now extended through April 24, 2016. The Flick follows the story of three minimum wage employees at a crumbling Massachusetts movie theatre and was called "the best argument anyone has yet made for the continued necessity, and profound uniqueness, of theater' by New York Magazine. Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, directed by Joe Calarco, runs in Signature Theatre's intimate ARK Theatre, March 1 - April 24.

William Yanesh, a Washington DC-based composer (Adventure Theatre MTC's CAPS FOR SALE), orchestrator (Shakespeare Theatre's MAN OF LA MANCHA) and musical director (Signature's THE LAST FIVE YEARS) will be honored with the Stephen Sondheim Young Artist Citation.

The Garden Theatre, located at 160 West Plant Street in historic Winter Garden, is pleased to announce its 2016-2017 Theatre Season, running from September 2016 - May 2017.  In addition to the six full-length theatrical presentations, the season will be dotted with weekend events such as music and dance concerts, as well as movies and holiday offerings. Subscriptions will go on sale April 1 for current subscribers, April 15 for new subscribers, and May 1 for single tickets at gardentheatre.org or by calling the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736).