Gary Griffin News

The Muny just celebrated the opening night performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Supported by a sensational company of Muny and Broadway stars, Jeffrey Schecter (Pseudolus), gave an awe-inspiring performance after stepping into the lead role just 3 days before opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is the third production of The Muny's 99th season, playing now through July 11. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below!

Check out highlights from our Twitter takeover last week with John Tartaglia, who's currently gearing up to open A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at The Muny!

 The Muny announced today Jeffrey Schecter will star as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the third production of its 99th season, which plays July 5-11. Schecter replaces Peter Scolari, who struggled with allergies during rehearsals that resulted in extreme vocal stress and a severe sinus infection.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac.  Parade now runs through July 15, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

The highly anticipated engagement in Toronto of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit musical BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL begins performances today - June 27 and plays through September 3, 2017 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.  Media night is Wednesday July 5, 2017.

The new Stan Zimmerman and Christian McLaughlin play, Knife to the Heart: The Circumcision Comedy, held a starry private reading on May 8, 2017, at Chicago's The Second City, the iconic institution home to some of the world's greatest comedy, produced by Steve Abrams, Tony D'Angelo, Stefani Nicole von Huben, Kim Stafford and Tommy Lipnick. Readings for potential investors and invited industry members are in preparation for a slated Chicago run in Spring 2018 at the Broadway Playhouse (exact dates to be announced), and mark the launch of new Chicago-based commercial producing team TADA Theatricals, led by Chicago theatre veterans Steve Abrams and Tony D'Angelo. TADA Theatricals will bring vibrant new work to audiences in Chicago and beyond, with a commitment to creating job opportunities for Chicago's world-class arsenal of theatrical talent.

Victory Gardens Theater begins its 43rd season with Fun Home, with music written by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics written by Lisa Kron and directed by Gary Griffin.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.

PARADE is now in a blistering and beautifully minimalist production from director Gary Griffin. Though it is based off the real-life 1913 trial of Jewish pencil factory worker Leo Frank and was written by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry in 1998, this musical feels entirely of this moment. Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the musical follows Leo as he is imprisoned and put on trial after being falsely accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, a pre-teen girl found dead in the basement of the pencil factory. Georgia governor Hugh Dorsey wants to rapidly resolve the case and pins the blame on Leo-and coerces factory janitor Jim Conley to serve as an eye witness. The residents of Atlanta buy into Dorsey's false narrative, as they're distrustful of Frank and also want to see Mary's death avenged.  

This stirring, Tony Award-winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against seemingly insurmountable odds, telling the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jewish man falsely accused of murder in 1913 Atlanta.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Peter Scolari will join The Muny's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Pseudolus. Forum is the the third production of its 99th season, which plays July 5-11.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince. 

The Muny announced today its full cast and design teams for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the third production of its 99th season, which plays July 5-11. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is proudly sponsored by Clarkson Eyecare.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces nine productions of the 2017/18 Season-which will engage audiences with timeless stories in transformational settings. The season also marks the introduction of the Theater's new and innovative third performance venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Additional productions are to be announced this summer.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Diane Quinn, will present Arrabal, with a book written by John Weidman, music by Gustavo Santaolalla / Bajofondo, choreographed by Julio Zurita, and directed and co-choreographed by Sergio Trujillo.

Even after his supposed "death" at Reichenbach Falls, the great detective kept his hold on the world through the frauds, fakes and charlatans claiming to be him, forcing the loyal Dr. Watson to find the truth in Arizona Theatre Company's world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher's Holmes and Watson.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac. 

Jennifer Diamond made her Joe's Pub solo debut on March 27th to a packed house. After selling out at FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, with her debut act, IT MY FIRST TIME: PLEASE BE GENTLE, she's brought it to the LES's music hot-spot with IT'S MY FIRST TIME: DOWNTOWN EDITION. Both were directed by longtime pal Richard Jay-Alexander.

Jennifer Diamond is set to make her Joe's Pub solo debut on March 27th, at 9:30 P.M. After selling out at FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, with her debut act, IT MY FIRST TIME: PLEASE BE GENTLE, she's bringing it to the LES's music hot-spot with IT'S MY FIRST TIME: DOWNTOWN EDITION. Both were directed by longtime pal Richard Jay-Alexander. They first worked together on LES MISERABLES and a number of benefits, and Jay-Alexander found her uniquely talented and versatile enough to put a special spin on a debut act for her, visiting her arrival into the business, her story as an up-and-coming actress and all the good and bad (and bad) that goes with it. New material has been added and, of course, new stories continue in the saga of "Girl comes to New York to Take Broadway By Storm."