Frank Rizzo News

In the last few decades, theater has become much bigger business than it used to be. However, in that same period of time, the coverage of it in mainstream media outlets has dwindled. Many of us may not remember a time that off-Broadway openings were covered on Entertainment Tonight, but it happened. In recent years, even in America's theater epicenter, theater is losing ground in major publications. Neither The New York Post or The New York Daily News has a critic on staff any longer. It is hard to even tally the amount of veteran theater writers from around the country that have lost their jobs in the last decade.

MTC presents a powerful new production of Saint Joan, which opens on Broadway tonight at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) presents the New York premiere of Miss You Like Hell. With book and lyrics by Quiara Alegria Hudes, music and lyrics by Erin McKeown, and choreography by Danny Mefford, the new musical is directed by Public Theater Resident Director and Founder of Public Works Lear deBessonet. Part of The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work at 425 Lafayette Street and the 50th Anniversary of HAIR, the musical will now run an additional week through Sunday, May 13.

In The Body of the World opened last night, February 6, at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Luna Stage has announced SoloFest 2017, opening December 8th and continuing through December 17th.

Luna Stage has announced SoloFest 2017, opening December 8th and continuing through December 17th.

The reviews are in for The Honeymooners, based on the CBS television series, with book by Dusty Kay and Bill Nuss, music by Stephen Weiner, and lyrics by Peter Mills.

Happy Tonys season BroadwayWorld! Is your CD collection and iPod Tonys ready? The big show-the 71th annual Tony Awards-is just over 24 hours away! Naturally, New York City and theatre fans across the world are excitedly buzzing about this year's ceremonies, which will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 8/7c on CBS. As always, this Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).

BUILDING THE WALL, the new play by Pulitzer and Tony winner Robert Schenkkan (All The Way, Hacksaw Ridge - Academy Award nominee The Kentucky Cycle), opened in its New York premiere on May 21st at New World Stages for a limited engagement through July 9, 2017. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The brand new musical Bandstand, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) with music by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, opens tonight at The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway musical RAGTIME, the dazzling new musical ANASTASIA transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920's, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family.

The Mischief Theatre production of The Play That Goes Wrong, the Olivier Award winning West End comedy, which officially began performances Thursday, March 9, opens on Broadway today, April 2, at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

The Barn Players are pleased to present the Kansas City community theater premiere of "High Fidelity," based on the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby. With a rockin' score by by Tom Kitt, memorable lyrics by Amanda Green, and an ironic, comic book by David Lindsay-Abaire, this is a musical experience not to be missed. The Barn's production is directed by Tiffany Garrison-Schweigert, with musical direction by Delano Mendoza.

The Barn Players are pleased to present the Kansas City community theater premiere of "High Fidelity," based on the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby. With a rockin' score by by Tom Kitt, memorable lyrics by Amanda Green, and an ironic, comic book by David Lindsay-Abaire, this is a musical experience not to be missed. The Barn's production is directed by Tiffany Garrison-Schweigert, with musical direction by Delano Mendoza.

The 12th Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals, produced by Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre, kicks off its much-anticipated three-day festival of brand-new works today, January 13, 2017 at The Goodspeed with a staged reading of the intriguing new musical Picnic at Hanging Rock by Daniel Zaitchik based on the cherished novel by Joan Lindsay.

To celebrate Yale Rep's 50th anniversary season, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts just unveiled a photo exhibition titled 'Yale Rep at 50: Daring Artists, Bold Choices'.

IN TRANSIT, Broadway's first a cappella musical officially opened tonight, Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 6:30pm at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street).

The 12th Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals, produced by Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre, kicks off its much-anticipated three-day festival of brand-new works on Friday, January 13, 2017 at The Goodspeed with a staged reading of the intriguing new musical Picnic at Hanging Rock by Daniel Zaitchik based on the cherished novel by Joan Lindsay.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces a one-week-only extension of Rizzo by Bruce Graham through Sunday, October 23.  Currently running at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets) and directed by Joe Canuso in a re-mounting of Theatre Exile's sold-out production last fall, the ensemble cast features Scott Greer as Frank Rizzo with Damon Bonetti, Paul L. Nolan, Robert DaPonte, William Rahill, Amanda Schoonover, and Steven Wright.  The extra week includes performances on Tuesday at 6:30 PM,Wednesday at 7:00 PM, Thursday through Today at 8:00 PM and matinees today at 2:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM. 

Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical opens officially tonight at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street). BroadwayWorld will have all the reviews as they roll in. Let's see what the critics had to say: