Eric Schaeffer News

James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened last night, May 9 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. In the video below, Tony nominees Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines, and Danny Burstein chat about the production. Click below to check it out!

James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened last night, May 9 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night festivities below!

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 5/9 with just 25 days to go in voting!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater June 8 to July 1, 2012.

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 5/8 with just 26 days to go in voting!

The first four new production photos have been released, along with photos of the cast members who made the treck west from Broadway!

Redd, who appeared in the Broadway productions of RING OF FIRE and PARADE, will assume the role of Jerry Lee Lewis on Monday, May 14. Bouril, who was a part of the second season of HBO's acclaimed series "Boardwalk Empire," will begin performances as Sam Phillips Wednesday, May 16.

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 5/7 with just 27 days to go in voting!

Signature Theatre closes out its 2011/12 season sporting funky legwarmers and wielding neon glow sticks with the Washington premiere of the musical comedy hit Xanadu. Beginning performances tonight, May 6th, Xanadu will be transforming Signature's MAX Theatre into one big disco-ball heaven - complete with satin shorts and roller skates! Nominated for four Tony Awards® (including "Best Musical"), the musical features a Book by Douglas Carter Beane, with Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Xanadu will play at Signature from tonight, May 6, 2012 through July 1, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.

Kutztown University officials will award an honorary doctorate degree to alumnus and Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer ('84) at a spring 2012 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12 at 2:00pm.

James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, begins previews tonight, May 3 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. Opening is set for May 9.

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the 'Father of Rock 'n' Roll,' who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions of all time.

Earlier this morning, stage and screen stars Kristin Chenoweth & Jim Parsons announced this year's Tony nominees from the New York Public Library. In a season as rich as this past theatrical season though, there are only so many spots for nominees and some very talented shows and performers were not nominated. Below are the eligible performers and shows who were not nominatined in the major categories.

Four students representing the Education Through Music Foundation and the cast of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will be the highlight of the Education Through Music's Annual Gala held tonight, May 1, at the Grand Hyatt (109 East 42nd Street). The four children working with the MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET cast are middle school students at St. Anselm School in the South Bronx, an Education Through Music partner school since 2007.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Easter Bonnet earns big money, FOLLIES preps for LA, six shows open, and so much more!

Nominations for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at a news conference this morning by Drama Desk winners Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James. The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall in Manhattan.

Center Theatre Group will soon present FOLLIES starring Victoria Clark (replacing Bernadette Peters), Jan Maxwell, Danny Burnstein, and Ron Raines. The limited engagement will play May 3 through June 9, 2012. The opening is scheduled for May 9. Check out photo sof the cast in action, as featured on CTG's Facebook page, below.

Surprise guest, lyricist Alain Boublil appears on stage at Baltimore's Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to the delight of an SRO crowd

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner announced today that acclaimed/awarding winning actresses Judy Kuhn and Melissa Errico will star as Fosca and Clara in the company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, to be directed by John Doyle (the Tony Award-winning revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company). PASSION is slated to begin performances in February, 2013. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks and months, as well as full creative team. PASSION opened on Broadway in May of 1994 and received the Tony Award that year for Best Musical.

Yesterday, April 18, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the hit musical now playing at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), celebrated the beginning of its 3rd electrifying year in New York and the 300th performance of the show at New World Stages. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and brings you full photo coverage below!