Fifth Avenue Theatre News

The Armonk Players Present PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Music by Arthur Sullivan, Libretto by W. S. Gilbert, directed by George Puello, musical Direction by Howard Kilik

The Armonk Players Present PIRATES OF PENZANCE Music by Arthur Sullivan, Libretto by W. S. Gilbert, Directed by George Puello, Musical Direction by Howard Kilik

Based on the classic 1985 cult film by Lloyd Kaufman, The Toxic Avenger premiered this past fall at The George Street Playhouse, where the show became the biggest grossing musical in the theatre's 34 year history.

The Toxic Avenger, based on the cult-film favorite by Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Studios, is fast-tracking the production of its highly anticipated cast recording to be available in time for the show's opening night in New York City (Monday, April 6th). Therefore, the cast took a break from rehearsal to hit the Avatar recording studios and laid down final tracks of the David Bryan/Joe DiPietro score. BroadwayWorld.com sent in our cameras to grab all the 'Toxie' fun!

Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz and Aaron Tveit announced at last night's MISCAST benefit that they indeed will be playing the leading roles in the upcoming Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Tveit will portray young con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. while Butz will play FBI agent Carl Hanratty, his tireless pursuer.

Tony Nominee Kerry Butler has been cast in the the upcoming musical adaptation of 'Catch Me if You Can,' by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the team behind 'Hairspray.'

The Toxic Avenger will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages. Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th. BWW TV's STAGE TUBE brings you the AMC feature on The Toxic Avenger's World Premiere at the George Street Playhouse to get you ready as 'Toxie' prepares to invade New York City!

Jean Cheever and Tom Polum, producers of The Toxic Avenger, announced today that casting is complete for the upcoming new musical about New Jersey's first superhero. Joining the previously announced Nancy Opel are Sara Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green and Matt Saldivar. Ms. Opel, Mr. Cordero and Mr. Green all starred in the George Street Playhouse production of the show, while Ms. Chase appeared in the initial workshop production. Tony Award-winner John Rando directs. Featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and music by David Bryan (Bon Jovi), The Toxic Avenger will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.

La Jolla Playhouse productions heading for national exposure fared well as the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, presented the annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence, honoring the best local stage work of 2008. Noel, the 93-year-old founding director of the Old Globe Theatre, was in attendance for his namesake awards, which were presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, in La Jolla, attended by some 350 theater industry members and supporters. Moises Kaufman's '33 Variations,' about to open on Broadway with Jane Fonda in the lead role, was honored for David Lander's lighting and Derek McLane's set. The Playhouse's premiere of Joe DiPietro and David Bryan's 'Memphis' (now in production at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre) was honored as outstanding new musical and for Chad Kimball's lead performance. A fresh staging of 'Xanadu,' which Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley first directed on Broadway, was named outstanding resident musical, and Bill T. Jones won for his choreography in the Playhouse's hip-hop musical 'The Seven.' Old Globe productions garnered four mentions, including Steven Drukman's boxing-themed drama about Joe Louis, 'In This Corner,' which was named outstanding new play. 'Dancing in the Dark,' a debut musical with Broadway aspirations (based on the classic film 'The Band Wagon'), won for Patrick Page's featured performance and Larry Hochman's orchestrations. A revival of 'The Women,' directed by Old Globe resident artistic director Darko Tresnjak, was honored for Anna Oliver's costumes. And the national touring production of 'Spring Awakening,' produced by Broadway/San Diego, a Nederlander Organization, won for best touring show.

Tony Award-nominee Nancy Opel will be reunited with her Tony Award-winning Urinetown director, John Rando, when she stars in the new musical, The Toxic Avenger. The casting was announced today by the show's producers, Jean Cheever and Tom Polum. Ms. Opel, who created her role in the show's world premiere at George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick, New Jersey), plays the mayor of a mythical small New Jersey town (not dissimilar to a real-life former mayor of a small Alaska town).

Triple Showcase at the West Bank Cafe to Feature Michael Wolff Trio, Creole Jazz Serenaders with Don Vappie, and the Red Clay Ramblers January 10th and 11th. Events are Open to the Public, and Part of APAP Conference as well. Three incredible bands will deliver two nights of top-notch music, with January 10th and 11th showcases at the West Bank Caf? in NYC:

Variety has an informative little interview that sheds new light on the upcoming musical adaptation of 'Catch Me if You Can,' by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the team behind 'Hairspray.'

South Coast Repertory starts off the New Year with the World Premiere of You, Nero, a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed. Commissioned by SCR, You, Nero imagines a meeting during the declining years of the Roman Empire between Scribonius, a put-upon playwright, and Emperor Nero, the all-powerful, narcissistic arbiter of art. The Roman romp stars Danny Scheie as Nero and John Vickery as Scribonius. Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and directed by Sharon Ott,You, Nero will run from Jan. 4 through Jan. 25, 2009 on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Low-priced previews are available from Jan. 4 through Jan. 8. Opening night is Jan. 9. Press night is Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:45 p.m. Tickets to You, Nero may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

Soon there'll be another 'Jersey Boy' in town! The Toxic Avenger, a new musical by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) & David Bryan (Bon Jovi), with direction by John Rand0 (Urinetown), will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), it was announced today by the show's producers Jean Cheever and Tom Polum. Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.

South Coast Repertory starts off the New Year with the World Premiere of You, Nero, a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed. Commissioned by SCR, You, Nero imagines a meeting during the declining years of the Roman Empire between Scribonius, a put-upon playwright, and Emperor Nero, the all-powerful, narcissistic arbiter of art. The Roman romp stars Danny Scheie as Nero and John Vickery as Scribonius. Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and directed by Sharon Ott,You, Nero will run from Jan. 4 through Jan. 25, 2009 on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Low-priced previews are available from Jan. 4 through Jan. 8. Opening night is Jan. 9. Press night is Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:45 p.m. Tickets to You, Nero may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

Triple Showcase at the West Bank Cafe to Feature Michael Wolff Trio, Creole Jazz Serenaders with Don Vappie, and the Red Clay Ramblers January 10th and 11th. Events are Open to the Public, and Part of APAP Conference as well. Three incredible bands will deliver two nights of top-notch music, with January 10th and 11th showcases at the West Bank Caf? in NYC:

Screen and stage actor GLEN BOLES will offer a talk back on Weds. Oct. 1 following the final performance of THE ROAD TO RUIN at The 45th Street Theater.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of THE ROAD TO RUIN.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of THE ROAD TO RUIN. This new musical comedy is based on the 1928 silent movie of the same name, a cult favorite on par with Reefer Madness and Cocaine Fiends. With book, music and lyrics by William Zeffiro, the production is directed by Mary Catherine Burke with choreography by Sea Sullivan and music direction by David Cladwell. Performances begin September 18 at The 45th Street Theater.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of THE ROAD TO RUIN.