Eric Schaeffer News

Written in 1978, Deathtrap still holds the record for longest-running comedy thriller on Broadway. Sidney Bruhl is a playwright desperately in need of a hit. Just in time, a former student sends him the manuscript of his first play, a murder mystery called Deathtrap. Sidney smells a hit, but he's never been that fond of sharing credit. TIME Magazine said, 'If you care to assassinate yourself with laughter, try Deathtrap.'

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer once again demonstrates his success with new musicals.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced its 2014- 2015 theater season today, including the pre-Broadway engagement of Gigi featuring a re-envisioned book by Heidi Thomas with direction by Eric Schaeffer. The Kennedy Center will also produce the world premiere musical Little Dancer with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman; touring productions of Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Once; and back by popular demand following its record-breaking six week engagement in 2013, the multi-Tony Award®-winning musical from the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon, will return for a limited engagement. The season also brings the eighth season of Barbara Cook's Spotlight series, individually showcasing five Broadway performers in a cabaret setting. From March 2 - 24, Iberian Suite: arts remix across continents will bring a multitude of theatrical offerings to the Kennedy Center. As part of the Center's efforts to support the creation of new works, the Kennedy Center will host the 13th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival and the 47th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, opening tonight, March 4, 2014, and playing through March 30. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include a first look at the cast of THE REALISTIC JONESES, a peek backstage with Saturday Intermission Pics, a peek into rehearsals for THE THREEPENNY OPERA, coverage of ALL THE WAY on Broadway, and more!

BEACHESThis spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women starsMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress(Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below to watch Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi sing 'What I Should Have Told Her' over footage from rehearsal!

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women starsMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress(Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will starMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress(Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'The View From Up Here', featuring Umphress!

The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by an electrifying true story, makes its Denver premiere at The Buell Theatre today, February 25 through March 9 only.

For opening night only, Denver's First Lady Mary Louise Lee will join the cast of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on stage for a special encore jam session. The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by an electrifying true story, makes its Denver premiere at The Buell Theatre February 25 through March 9 only.

?The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story, will make its Nashville premiere in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall with a limited, one-week engagement May 6-11.

The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET,inspired by an electrifying true story, makes its Denver premiere at The Buell Theatre February 25 through March 9 only. Tickets are on sale now at Denvercenter.org.

The national tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story of four rock 'n' roll icons: Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, will make its premiere at Omaha's Orpheum Theater tonight, February 18, 2014. The show is part of the Omaha Performing Arts' Broadway Series and will run through Sunday, February 23, 2014.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, February 16, 2014 - Sunday, February 16, 2014.

Due to popular demand Virginia's Signature Theatre announces that the world premiere musical Beaches is now extended through March 30, 2014. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will starMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'A Bunch of Kids', featuring Davi!

Million Dollar Quartet, the longest-running Broadway musical production in Chicago's history, has been extended through August 31, 2014. With over 2,000 performances and 5 smash years in Chicago, the Tony Award-winning rock 'n' roll musical recently set a new record for the longest-running Broadway musical in Chicago. Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 7, 2014, at 10am.

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'Extraordinary', featuring Umphress and Davi!

The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story, makes its South Bend premiere March 14-15, 2014 at The Morris Performing Arts Center as part of the 2013-14 Broadway In South Bend Series.

The 5th Avenue Theatre will present a concert version of Lerner and Loewe's Tony Award-winning musical, GIGI, May 16 through the 18th, 2014. The musical, which has been announced for a Broadway opening in 2015, will be performed in a glamorous concert setting, complete with a revised book.