Gina Vernaci News

Read the full list of 2024 Drama League Nominations! Nominations include Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along and more.

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for The Wiz, set to open on Broadway on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in a limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre (210 West 46th Street). Check out all new character posters, featuring a first look at the cast, in the photos here! 

What did our critic think of THE WIZ (THE TOURING COMPANY) at Connor Palace?

The all-new production of the Tony Award-winning hit musical The Wiz will open on Broadway on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in a limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre.  Preview performances will begin on March 29. Check out an all new first look photo, as well as a video of the cast performing with the orchestra for the first time!

Entertainment company DECO Entertainment, founded by Lascelles Stephens and Deborah Cox, will join the co-producing team of the all-new production of The Wiz. Learn more about the musical here!

Emmy Award®-winning music director and Grammy Award®-winning writer, Adam Blackstone, has joined the creative team as Dance Music Arranger for the revival of The Wiz.

Academy Award®, Grammy Award® and Emmy Award®-winning artist, actor, author and activist Common and hip-hop pioneer, actor, philanthropist, and business mogul MC Lyte will join the co-producing team of the all-new production of The Wiz. Learn more about The Wiz and how to get tickets here!

The Broadway League congratulates the honorees of the League Awards, which were announced today during the 33rd annual Spring Road Conference, celebrating industry professionals whose outstanding achievements contribute to the success of Broadway on the Road. Since 1992, the League Awards recognize those who have displayed exemplary service to the Touring Broadway industry and are regarded as innovators in their profession.

The Broadway League has announced the recipients of the 2023 Broadway League Leadership Awards. See the list of recipients!

Playhouse Square has unveiled plans to build upon its dramatic neighborhood transformation. Designed to bring the grandeur and beauty of its 100-year-old, fully-restored theaters outdoors, this next phase features dazzling new theater marquees, signage for the performing arts center's resident companies and technology upgrades for elements installed during the original phase of the transformation.

Royal Albert Hall Chief Executive Craig Hassall has been named Playhouse Square's new president and chief executive officer, replacing retiring CEO Gina Vernaci.

Royal Albert Hall CEO Craig Hassall will step down at the start of the 2023 season, having accepted a position as President and Chief Executive of Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Playhouse Square announced that Royal Albert Hall Chief Executive Craig Hassall has been named its new president and chief executive officer, replacing retiring CEO Gina Vernaci.

Playhouse Square Board of Trustees Chair Amy Brady honored noted lyricist Sir Tim Rice with the organization’s highest award, the Playhouse Square Star Award for Achievement in the Performing Arts, at its annual Chairman’s Dinner on May 4.

Playhouse Square has revealed the shows Cleveland audiences will enjoy as part of the 2022-2023 KeyBank Broadway Series: LES MISÉRABLES (October 2022), CATS (November 2022), BEETLEJUICE (January 2023), HADESTOWN (January- February 2023), TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL (April-May 2023, and more.

Cameron Mackintosh announced today that his acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISERABLES, will relaunch its record-breaking tour of North America in October 2022.

Sara Bareilles' hit musical Waitress returns to Playhouse Square this May for a limited 5-week engagement at the intimate 550-seat Hanna Theatre. Playhouse Square launched the first national Waitress tour at the Connor Palace in 2017.

University of Illinois Springfield announces Choir of Man as part of the show's third U.S. tour. The performance is on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the UIS Performing Arts Center.

Playhouse Square announced today that Gina Vernaci plans to step down as president and CEO in February 2023 after a 39-year career with the organization.

Playhouse Square will be joining performing arts venues in the Northeast Ohio region and around the country to implement a safer return to full-capacity live indoor performances this fall by requiring all audience members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or if they cannot be vaccinated to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, building another layer of protection onto the mask requirement introduced in late July.