George Wendt News

If annoying holiday films, dreaded family gatherings and over-played Christmas songs don't get you in the holiday spirit, The Second City certainly will when they bring their Dysfunctional Holiday Revue performance and additional New Year's Eve show to Pheasant Run Resort, presented by Noble Fool Theatricals (soon to be Fox Valley Repertory in 2011).

Perhaps the Broadway musical would enjoy a complete and total renaissance of quality if only Thomas Meehan would agree to co-author the book of every new show that hits town.  The writer whose main stem debut was the perfectly crafted Annie has gone on to spend the bulk of his career co-authoring with the likes of Mel Brooks, Mark O'Donnell and Lee Adams.  And while I'm certainly not dismissing the contributions of his collaborators, the Thomas Meehan name in a Playbill seems to guarantee that no matter how the dialogue and the score turn out, the elements will be housed in a sturdy structure that firmly establishes its story arc, gives us reasons to care about the characters and steadily glides along to a satisfying conclusion.

With the anticipation of the holiday season steadily approaching, ABC Family launches the thirteenth year of its must see '25 Days of Christmas' event featuring over 200 hours of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family from December 1-25 - the biggest cable programming event of the year. Viewers will celebrate the season with an all-new original movie, specials and, of course, the return of Christmas favorites during primetime as well as a full week of all day holiday programming from Saturday, December 18 - Saturday, December 25.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) hosted its 19th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 22, 2010, honoring Tony Award-winning librettist Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray, Elf). The evening was directed by Tony-winning director/lyricist/librettist Richard Maltby and the award was presented by Alice Hammerstein Mathias, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein II.

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features announced today that the new Broadway musical ELF set a new box office record at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 W 45th Street) for the week ending November 28, 2010.

Tis the season to find your 'inner elf' and BroadwayWorld is going to help! Continuing our special series 'Elf Shorts' we bring you backstage with Matthew Gumley (Michael in the show) and Matthew Schechter (Michael Standby). Matthew^2 bring will take you on a trip backstage during previews of the show featuring a trip to the wig room dressing rooms and interviews with some of the stars including Amy Spanger, Mark Jacoby, Beth Leavel and more. Click below to watch this first of several backstage features brought to you by this dynamic duo!

On Sunday, November 14, Elf opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the traditional Gypsy Robe ceremony and brings you photo coverage below.

ELF opened on Sunday, November 14th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). The production will play a limited engagement for the holiday season through Sunday, January 2nd. BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture all of the opening night fun!

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). ELF is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python's Spamalot). ELF opened on Sunday, November 14th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). The production will play a limited engagement for the holiday season through Sunday, January 2nd. BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture all of the opening night fun!

ELF opened on Sunday, November 14th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Buddy is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and his step-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF!

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). ELF is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python's Spamalot). The official production shots have been released and appear below!

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the star-studded roster of performers for its 19th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre. The award will be presented to Tony Award-winning librettist Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray, Elf) on Monday, November 22, 2010. As previously announced, the evening is directed by Tony-winning director/lyricist/librettist Richard Maltby and the award will be presented by Alice Hammerstein Mathias, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein II.

If annoying holiday films, dreaded family gatherings and over-played Christmas songs don't get you in the holiday spirit, The Second City certainly will when they bring their Dysfunctional Holiday Revue performance and additional New Year's Eve show to Pheasant Run Resort, presented by Noble Fool Theatricals (soon to be Fox Valley Repertory in 2011).

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). ELF is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python's Spamalot). The official production shots have been released and appear below!

Tis the season to find your 'inner elf' and BroadwayWorld is going to help! For the next few weeks, we're presenting a special series featuring the cast and creative in a close up look at putting this 'magical' show together called 'Elf Shorts.' The first feature highlights the book writers, Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin along with Tony Nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin who wrote the music and lyrics. Click to learn more about taking this hilarious movie from the big screen to the Broadway stage!

This September, The Second City, Chicago's legendary comedy theatre, will return to Denver with a new show celebrating the company's 50th anniversary. A well-known launching pad for some of today's most dynamic comedic talent, The Second City will present A Mile High Celebration: The Second City's 50th Anniversary September 14 through October 10, 2010 at the Garner Galleria Theatre.

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features present ELF, based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit. ELF will feature songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). ELF will be directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python's Spamalot).

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Celebrity Autobiography made its UK debut at the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 5 - 30 with a cast featuring Michael Urie, Caroline Rhea, Jennifer Coolidge, Mike McShane, James Lance, Phill Jupitus, Rufus Hound and George Wendt. Today, Whatsonstage.com reports that Michael Urie will transfer with the show for its London debut at the Leicester Square Theatre on October 4, 2010. The show will play through October 9, 2010 at the theater and then run continuously every Monday through January 10, 2011.

On Saturday, September 25th at 12:30pm the new Broadway musical ELF celebrated the opening of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office. ELF star Sebastian Arcelus (Buddy) presided over the festivities. As an extra special treat, direct from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, a giant elf balloon took a detour from its usual parade route to fly above the Al Hirschfeld Theatre for this very special occasion. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Get in the holiday spirit early! On Saturday, September 25th at 12:30pm the new Broadway musical ELF will celebrate the opening of the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office (302 West 45th St) and you won't want to miss it. ELF star Sebastian Arcelus (Buddy) will be presiding over the festivities.