Gaby Alter News

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced on June 28 the nine musicals selected to be part of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Second Stage Theatre will present the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, featuring Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really). Scroll down for photos from the first preview on June 20!

Kathy Evans, Founder and Executive Director, announced the nine musicals and eighteen writers selected for the third summer of the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. For nine consecutive weeks beginning today, June 23rd, each writing team will have an individual weeklong residency in Rhinebeck, New York to write their musical. All costs are fully funded by donors including The ASCAP Foundation, The Dramatists Guild Fund, and The Noel Coward Foundation. Writers include Tony-winners and nominees Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), and Heidi Rodewald and Stew (Passing Strange), and multi-award winners Adam Gwon, Laura Harrington, Joe Iconis, Kait Kerrigan, and Brian Lowdermilk.

Second Stage Theatre presents the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU. The company will feature Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really).

Each week, Broadway cast members and audiences alike gather to mix and mingle at 54 Below, Broadway's most intimate haunt, located in the heart of the theatre district. At this week's Backstage was The Skivvies (Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley), Gaby Alter (composer of new Off-BroadwayNobody Loves You), Rory O'Malley (Book of Mormon, Nobody Loves You), Bob Stillman (Grey Gardens, Dirty Blonde, Kiss of the Spider Woman), Jane Blass (Annie), Michael Winther (Mamma Mia, 33 Variations), The Stone Brothers and Cathy Grier aka NYC subway girl. Check out highlights below!

Second Stage Theatre will present the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, featuring Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really). Check out a just-released promo for the show below!

The New York Times Arts Blog reports that Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase will star in the Second Stage Theater's upcoming production of the new musical LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. The actors recently received Tony nominations for their co-starring roles in Broadway's 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood.'

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosheris the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more:

For those craving a show after the show, stop by 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. Loosen your tie and enjoy as Broadway's nightclub expands its late night series. Joining Tuesday nights' popular Backstage with Susie Mosher are three new late night events featuring bright and upcoming New York talent:

Kathy Evans, Founder and Executive Director, announced the nine musicals and eighteen writers selected for the third summer of the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. For nine consecutive weeks beginning June 23rd, each writing team will have an individual weeklong residency in Rhinebeck, New York to write their musical. All costs are fully funded by donors including The ASCAP Foundation, The Dramatists Guild Fund, and The Noel Coward Foundation. Writers include Tony-winners and nominees Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), and Heidi Rodewald and Stew (Passing Strange), and multi-award winners Adam Gwon, Laura Harrington, Joe Iconis, Kait Kerrigan, and Brian Lowdermilk.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced that the new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, with book and direction by James Lapine and music and lyrics by William Finn, will kick off the theatre's 35th anniversary season this fall. James Lapine and William Finn return to Second Stage Theatre where they most recently collaborated on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Previews for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE begin October 15, 2013 with an official opening in mid- November. Casting, full creative team, and opening night date will be announced at a later date.

Second Stage Theatre has just announced the casting for its upcoming production of the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU. The company will feature HEATH CALVERT (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), BRYAN FENKART (Memphis), ROE HARTRAMPF (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), AUTUMN HURLBERT(Legally Blonde), LESLIE KRITZER (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), LAUREN MOLINA (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), RORY O'MALLEY (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and ALEQUE REID (Really Really).

Due to extremely high ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's production of Jason Robert Brown's musical, The Last Five Years, has been extended for one additional week through Sunday, April 28. The highly anticipated revival began preview performances on March 7 and officially opens tonight, April 2.

Due to extremely high ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's production of JASON ROBERT BROWN's musical, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, has been extended a second time for an additional two weeks through Sunday, May 12. The highly anticipated revival will officially open on April 2.

Due to extremely high ticket demand, Second Stage Theatre's upcoming production of Jason Robert Brown's musical, The Last Five Years, has been extended for one additional week through Sunday, April 28. The highly anticipated revival will begin preview performances on March 7 and will officially open on April 2.

The Old Globe received 10 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Awards honoring excellence in 2012 San Diego County theater, the most wins of any theater company, at a ceremony held at the Museum of Modern Art San Diego on Feb. 4. The world premiere of Allegiance - A New American Musical garnered three awards, for Outstanding New Musical, Orchestrations and Featured Performance in a Musical for Michael K. Lee. The Scottsboro Boys also earned three awards, including Outstanding Resident Musical as well as Direction of a Musical and Choreography for Susan Stroman. Jonathan Caren's The Recommendation was named Outstanding New Play. The Globe's productions of Nobody Loves You, Inherit the Wind and As You Like It each received one award.

A modern interpretation of a classic text swept its nominated categories to receive five Craig Noel Awards tonight. Moxie Theatre parlayed three strong 2012 productions to take home the Braunagel Award for outstanding contribution to the San Diego arts scene by a small-budget theatre.