Frances Limoncelli News

Lifeline Theatre will welcome WildClaw Theatre Artistic Director Aly Renee Amidei to its artistic ensemble.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Patti LuPone, composer tributes, new musicals in Chicago and New York, 'Beauty And The Beast' and 'The Jungle Book,' yet another 'Reefer Madness' and more....

The process of bringing Arnie the Doughnut to life for NYMF has been far more than the last 30 days. As of this moment, it's been 96 days since I was hired to direct this zany love bomb of a show, and each and every one has been a joy.

Chicago writing team George Howe and Frances Limoncelli announce that their family musical, Arnie the Doughnut, has been selected out of hundreds of applicants nationwide to be one of ten musicals by new voices to be presented this month in the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF).

Yesterday morning, July 3rd, New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presented a special preview of the 2012 featuring musical selections from: Rio, Stand Tall, Himself & Nora, Trouble, Stealing Time, Arnie the Doughnut, Foreverman, A Letter to Harvey Milk and The Groove Factory.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the full slate of 34 musical productions and special events for its ninth annual festival. This year's Festival will begin July 9th and continue through July 29th. An additional slate of free events, including 12 staged readings and several educational panel discussions, will be announced shortly.

Chicago writing team George Howe and Frances Limoncelli announce that their family musical, Arnie the Doughnut, has been selected out of hundreds of applicants nationwide to be one of ten musicals by new voices to be presented this July in the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF).

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) today announced the selections for the 2012 Next Link Project, NYMF's primary writer service program. The Next Link Project empowers emerging musical theatre writing teams as both artists and entrepreneurs by providing the training and relationships needed to help them move their musicals from readings to fully-realized productions and to advance their careers by maximizing the exposure they receive in the Festival. Ten of the Festival's full production slots are reserved for participants in The Next Link Project.

Taproot Theatre Company is excited to announce the lineup for its 36th season, a year packed with comedy, classics and romance. The season features two regional premieres, a comedic road trip with the family, and a musical full of nostalgia and harmony. Taproot Theatre's Company's 2012 Season runs from January through October. The resubscription period is currently underway, with subscriptions opening to the general public on October 3.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Alex Kyger as the company's first Development Manager, starting December 12, 2011.

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company may be located in Vermont, but its heart and soul are in the New York theater community.

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company may be located in Vermont, but its heart and soul are in the New York theater community.

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company in Vermont has received national coverage recently, both of its devastating flood damage from Tropical Storm Irene, and of the inspiring community efforts to help with the clean up.

Taproot Theatre Company is excited to announce the lineup for its 36th season, a year packed with comedy, classics and romance. The season features two regional premieres, a comedic road trip with the family, and a musical full of nostalgia and harmony. Taproot Theatre's Company's 2012 Season runs from January through October. The resubscription period is currently underway, with subscriptions opening to the general public on October 3.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents a world premiere musical adaptation of Arnie The Doughnut, based on the popular children's book by Laurie Keller. The production is adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Frances Limoncelli, with music and lyrics by George Howe, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric. Arnie, a lovable chocolate-covered doughnut with sprinkles, is the happiest pastry in the bakery when he's finally selected to be taken home by a new owner. But when mild-mannered Mr. Bing tries to eat the unsuspecting Arnie, both are in for the surprise of their lives. Embark upon a hilarious quest to redefine human/doughnut relations with a pair of true originals, in this world premiere musical adaptation by the creators of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. This production is appropriate for children ages five and up, and runs approximately one hour with no intermission. The book and cast recording CDs will be on sale in the lobby.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents a world premiere musical adaptation of Arnie The Doughnut, based on the popular children's book by Laurie Keller

Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 2010-2011, 28th anniversary season of presenting Big Stories, Up Close. In its award-winning and audience-acclaimed style, Lifeline's 2010-2011 season will feature six popular books onstage, all productions adapted by Lifeline ensemble members. The season will feature sprawling, legendary stories as well as stirring, contemporary titles, as Lifeline retains its reputation for fresh, imaginative interpretations of well-loved classics and embraces the challenge and excitement of modern, thought-provoking works.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents a world premiere musical adaptation of Arnie The Doughnut, based on the popular children's book by Laurie Keller. The production is adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Frances Limoncelli, with music and lyrics by George Howe, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric. Arnie, a lovable chocolate-covered doughnut with sprinkles, is the happiest pastry in the bakery when he's finally selected to be taken home by a new owner. But when mild-mannered Mr. Bing tries to eat the unsuspecting Arnie, both are in for the surprise of their lives. Embark upon a hilarious quest to redefine human/doughnut relations with a pair of true originals, in this world premiere musical adaptation by the creators of Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. This production is appropriate for children ages five and up, and runs approximately one hour with no intermission. The book and cast recording CDs will be on sale in the lobby.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'White Noise,' 'Company,' two more Sondheim productions, two shows on Glenwood Avenue, Theatre On The Lake's season, the Alice Ripley Cover Contest and more!

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist. The Moonstone, an Indian diamond steeped in a history of violence and mysticism, is stolen from Rachel Verinder's bedroom, and no one in her household is above suspicion. Join an unforgettable collection of liars, lovers, addicts and outcasts as they struggle to uncover the truth and reclaim the stone before its curse destroys them all. This thrilling mystery, regarded as the first detective novel in the English language, is re-imagined for the Lifeline stage by the award-winning adaptor and director of The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere. The Moonstone closes March 27, 2011 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below).