Goodspeed Opera House News

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 203rd season with an all-new production of Broadway's BUDDY: THE Buddy Holly STORY. Directed and choreographed by Casey Hushion, the show began previews on May 15th and opens on May 23rd, running through July 15th on the WST Mainstage. Christopher Sutton (Buddy), says this is the first time in the history of the Walnut Street Theatre that the same actor has played the same role twice. Sutton plays opposite his wife Lyn Philistine as Maria Elena. See photos of the couple and the rest of the cast on stage below!

Goodspeed Musicals takes to the high seas with the new musical Amazing Grace. This tale about a slave trader who sees the light and dedicates himself to ending slavery will run from tonight, May 17 through June 10, 2012 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed's home for developing new works.

Producers Scott Landis and Philip Morgaman have announced that EVER AFTER, a new musical based on the 20th Century Fox Film, will open on Broadway in the 2013-2014 season following a pre-Broadway engagement to be announced. The production will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall. EVER AFTER features music by Zina Goldrich and book & lyrics by Marcy Heisler, who recently won the 2012 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre for most promising musical theatre lyricist. The music director is Mary-Mitchell Campbell.

The evening is directed by Joe Langworth and musical direction by Greg Jarrett, the show will run for one night only, June 18, at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Tony nominee Louise Pitre (MAMMA MIA) brings to life a legendary stage persona in an engaging and well staged production of the Jerry Herman musical MAME to open the Goodspeed Opera House's 2012-2013 season.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is now accepting applications for its 2012 National Critics Institute (NCI) to be held July 2-16, 2012. Applicants may submit through Friday, June 15, 2012.

The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will conclude its 16th season with SHENANDOAH, a production commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. The opening performance will take place on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. A second, and final, performance will occur on Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 203rd season with an all-new production of Broadway's sensational BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. Directed and choreographed by Casey Hushion, the rock n' roll explosion begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd and runs through July 15th on the WST Mainstage.

Goodspeed Musicals' bold and brassy musical comedy MAME runs now through July 1 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., with an official press opening of tonight, May 9, 2012. See photos from the production, featuring Louise Pitre, in dress rehearsal below!

Goodspeed Musicals will 'coax the blues right out ‘a the horn' with its much-anticipated new production of MAME. The bold and brassy musical comedy will runs now through July 1 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. [Official Press Opening is tonight, May 9, 2012.] Check out a sneak peek into the April 28 dress rehearsal for MAME. Watch the video below!

Peter Dinklage (GAME OF THRONES) emceed a sold-out benefit for The Play Company on Monday, April 30 at the American Airlines Theatre in Manhattan. Among those who attended CABARET GOURMET 2012 were Dinklage's wife Erica Schmidt, who directed Play Co's Obie Award-winning production of Jonas Khemiri's play INVASION!, along with producer Ruth Hendel (FELA!), The Play Company's Founding Producer Kate Loewald and Executive Producer Lauren Weigel. Lauren Worsham (CANDIDE, WHERE'S CHARLEY?) performed. See photos of Dinklage, Schmidt, Lauren Worsham, Ruth Hendel and Andrew Gerle at the event below!

Goodspeed Musicals' bold and brassy musical comedy MAME runs now through July 7 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., with an official press opening of May 9, 2012. BroadwayWorld brings you full performance highlights below!

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts presents the world premiere of Life Of The Party, a light opera for dark times. Following the huge success of last year's production of Kismet, director Paul Lincoln and the LaGuardia High School Opera Workshop tackle this completely original work, written and composed by Tony Award nominees Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde, Bat Boy) and Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde, Pirates!). The show plays a strictly limited run, with its last performance today, May 6th at 2:00pm.

Signature Theatre closes out its 2011/12 season sporting funky legwarmers and wielding neon glow sticks with the Washington premiere of the musical comedy hit Xanadu. Beginning performances tonight, May 6th, Xanadu will be transforming Signature's MAX Theatre into one big disco-ball heaven - complete with satin shorts and roller skates! Nominated for four Tony Awards® (including "Best Musical"), the musical features a Book by Douglas Carter Beane, with Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Xanadu will play at Signature from tonight, May 6, 2012 through July 1, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation presents Musical Theatre Guild's SHENANDOAH in the Janet & Ray Scherr Forum Theatre at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, 2012. The opening performance will take place on the week prior (Monday, June 11, 2012) at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Goodspeed Musicals' bold and brassy musical comedy MAME runs now through July 7 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., with an official press opening of May 9, 2012. The first clip of this exciting production has been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at Pitre in 'Bosom Buddies' below!

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts presents the world premiere of Life Of The Party, a light opera for dark times. Following the huge success of last year's production of Kismet, director Paul Lincoln and the LaGuardia High School Opera Workshop tackle this completely original work, written and composed by Tony Award nominees Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde, Bat Boy) and Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde, Pirates!). The show plays a strictly limited run, with performances tonight, May 3rd, May 4th and 5th at 7:30pm and May 6th at 2:00pm.

On Thursday, May 3, 2012 Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's romantic musical comedy The Fantasticks will celebrate its 52nd anniversary. The Fantasticks currently stars triple platinum recording artist Aaron Carter as Matt. Television and stage star John Davidson will join the cast as Henry on June 1.

Goodspeed Musicals announced today that Mame will now to play to enthusiastic audiences for 8 additional performances through July 7, 2012.

We'll be talking to nominees all day for their reactions!