Fifth Avenue Theatre News

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.

The Cathedral of St. John The Divine in support of Gay Pride 2008 presents 'Matthew Passion' A New Play (with music) by Phil Hall on Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00 pm at The St. James Chapel.

The Cathedral of St. John The Divine in support of Gay Pride 2009 presents 'Matthew Passion' A New Play (with music) by Phil Hall on Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00 pm at The St. James Chapel.

The Broadway smash hit Jersey Boys, winner of four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical, ended 2007 by setting new house records all over the country last week.

Matthew Passion, a new play (with music) by Phil Hall that began previews Thursday, March 29th Off Broadway at American Theatre of Actors' Chernuchin Theatre, will open Monday, April 2, 2007 at 8PM.

Matthew Passion, a new play (with music) by Phil Hall, begins previews this Thursday, March 29th Off Broadway at American Theatre of Actors' Chernuchin Theatre at 314 West 54th Street

Stephen Schwartz will perform some of his songs and discuss the relevance of Pippin at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle on April 9th

America's foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, is proud to announce that acclaimed Broadway and television star Hal Linden will star in the gala 125th anniversary production of 'The Pirates of Penzance' (January 7th-23rd) on the great stage of New York's historic City Center (West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues). Under the artistic and music direction of Albert Bergeret, the company and its 25-piece orchestra, has presented over 2,000 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England. Its productions feature contemporary energy while retaining a traditional respect for each of the G & S masterpieces. The New York Gilbert &Sullivan Players is considered by many to be the nation's 'leading custodian of the G & S classics.'