Eric Schaeffer News

According to Whatsonstage.com, the West End production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will close on January 14, 2012. Since its West End premiere, on 28 February 2011, this 'feel-good crowd-pleaser' (The Times) has been seen by over 100,000 people and grossed in excess of £3 million at the Box Office.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces the national tour of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the Tony Award®-winning new musical inspired by the true story of four rock 'n' roll icons will make its Pittsburgh premiere November 1-6, 2011, at the Benedum Center, as part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Join the party! Tease it up. Throw on your best A-line and go-go boots...or that shagadelic wide tie - and put on your dancin' shoes. On Saturday, November 5th at 8:00pm, Signature Theatre will be transforming their theater into a Hairspray-style dance party with ‘The Big Hair Ball.'

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the hit musical now playing at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), announced today that Eric Stang will assume the role of Jerry Lee Lewis starting Monday, October 17.

Million Dollar Quartet's Victoria Matlock ('Dyanne') will be interviewed on WAMC radio's 'The Roundtable' tomorrow, Tuesday, October 4th at 11:10AM.

The Broadway cast of FOLLIES will be heading to the recording studio this week, and PS Classics is set to release the new cast recording for the revival on November 29. To pre-order the double-disc album online at $14.95, visit www.psclassics.com.

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

The Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed revival of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece FOLLIES joined the million dollar club, grossing $1,122,778 million in the week ending September 25th. This is also the highest weekly gross for any Broadway musical production featuring both music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The production, which opened to rave reviews on September 12, 2011, is currently playing a limited engagement through January 22, 2012 at the Marquis Theatre.

The new musical A Letter to Harvey Milk, based on the short story by Lesléa Newman will enjoy an invite-only staged reading in New York on Monday, September 26 & Tuesday, September 27, 2011.

Performances began on Sunday, August 7th for James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES, directed by Eric Schaeffer, with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by James Moore.

Two Word Premiere Musicals in Rotating Repertory

The new musical A Letter to Harvey Milk, based on the short story by Lesléa Newman will enjoy an invite-only staged reading in New York on Monday, September 26 & Tuesday, September 27, 2011.

While the 182 previews, numerous postponements and drastic changes in the creative team experienced by the current tenant of the Foxwoods Theatre might serve as some indication that musical theatre ain't easy, the real proof of the art form's difficulty can now be observed in its rapturously imperfect glory at the Marquis.

The Marcus Center as part of the Time Warner Cable Broadway at the Marcus Center Series and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee announces tickets for the national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story, will go on sale Sunday, September 18 at Noon.

If you're looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world, look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre announced today new discounted single ticket rates for students, effective immediately.

The new production of FOLLIES opened on Broadway on Monday night, September 12, 2011 to multiple rave reviews. Before the show, we were there for long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe, which is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, FOLLIES cast member Jennifer Foote received the Gypsy Robe and BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration.

Performances began on Sunday, August 7th for James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES, directed by Eric Schaeffer, with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by James Moore. With a 28-piece orchestra, FOLLIES features a cast of 41 and stars two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters as Sally Durant Plummer, four-time Tony Award nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, two-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, three-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion. Broadway Beat was on hand for the entire celebratory evening and brings you interviews with the cast and creative team below! Be sure to check back next week for the next installment of Backstage with Richard Ridge featuring a candid in-depth talk with the legendary Elaine Paige!

The Marcus Center as part of the Time Warner Cable Broadway at the Marcus Center Series and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee announces tickets for the national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story, will go on sale Sunday, September 18 at Noon.

Performances began on Sunday, August 7th for James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES, directed by Eric Schaeffer, with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by James Moore. With a 28-piece orchestra, FOLLIES features a cast of 41 and stars two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters as Sally Durant Plummer, four-time Tony Award nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, two-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, three-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the entire celebratory evening and brings you photo coverage of the after party below!