Hal Luftig News

This one day seminar focuses on prodviding a practical approach to developing new work through readings, workshops and showcases.

LIKE, OMIGOD! Broadway's biggest pink hit LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is totally coming to the Civic Center! In its first national tour, LEGALLY BLONDE is coming to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines Feb. 24 to March 1, 2009 as part of the Willis Broadway Series. ELLE'S LOUNGE Enjoy an exclusive VIP experience with the Elle's Lounge package. It includes: premium seating, autographed program, Legally Blonde merchandise, and an exclusive post-performance Q&A with cast members. The cost is $125 per ticket. Quantities are limited.

LIKE, OMIGOD! Broadway's biggest pink hit LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is totally coming to the Civic Center! In its first national tour, LEGALLY BLONDE is coming to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines Feb. 24 to March 1, 2009 as part of the Willis Broadway Series. ELLE'S LOUNGE Enjoy an exclusive VIP experience with the Elle's Lounge package. It includes: premium seating, autographed program, Legally Blonde merchandise, and an exclusive post-performance Q&A with cast members. The cost is $125 per ticket. Quantities are limited.

West Side Story returns to Broadway as it begins preview performances tonight, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway beginning performances Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Variety's Gordon Cox has written a special Friday story about how the current United States economy is affecting upcoming Broadway productions as they begin to pay (even closer) attention to their weekly running costs.

This one day seminar focuses on prodviding a practical approach to developing new work through readings, workshops and showcases.

THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OF LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL will play eight performances at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando March 10 - 15, 2009. Tickets range from $38.00 to $67.00 and go on sale Friday, January 23 at 10:00a.m. at the SunTrust Broadway Across America - Orlando Box Office, Amway Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. Online purchases can be made at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. To charge-by-phone call 1-800-982-2787.Group orders for 20 or more may be placed by calling (407) 423-9999 x17 or (800) 950-4647.

Tickets are on-sale now and may be purchased at the Orpheum Box Office from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, David-Kidd Booksellers, and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge by phone (901) 525-3000 or go online at www.orpheum-memphis.com. Tickets range from $15-$80. Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take 'no' for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more 'serious,' Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

Theatre Under The Stars announced today that LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL begins performances at The Hobby Center for Performing Arts in downtown Houston, February 10 - 22, 2009!

West Side Story comes to glorious life on the stage of the Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences thrilled to Cody Green's dynamic performance as 'Riff' in the production. Before Cody left Washington for New York, he spoke to DCTheatreScene.com. Cody Green was chosen as the winner in last years finale episode of BRAVO's 'Step It Up & Dance,' winning the $100,000 grand prize. The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey, Canada beat out 11 other contestants as they competed in weekly dance challenges from some of the top performers and choreographers in the industry including: Tina Landon, Jordi Caballero, Lee Martino and Jason Alexander.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. for the official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung on January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. Master Photographer Walter McBride was in Washington, D.C. to cover the Presidential Inaugural Celebration, while there he swung by the West Side Story 'load out' to give you an example of what it takes to 'take the show on the road' to Broadway! The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences and critics alike embraced Karen Olivo's stunning portrayal of Anita. Before Karen Olivo left Washington for New York, she spoke to DCTheatreScene.com, click here to read the interview. Karen Olivo's many credits include In The Heights, Rent, Brooklyn, Hair- 40th Anniversary Concert (director Diane Paulus), Miracle Brothers (director Tina Landau). 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Conviction.' Film: Adrift in Manhattan, Sibling, Late In The Game, Two Lovers. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography is being reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung 'Tonight' (forgive us-but too easy) January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

BroadwayWorld.com has confirmed the news that Laura Bell Bundy will be briefly returning to the role of Elle Woods, taking over the part on tour, temporarily replacing Becky Gulsvig who has broken a toe. Bundy is currently flying to Washington, DC, the tour's current stop through tomorrow and will begin performances on January 13, 2009 in East Lansing, Michigan, the tour's next stop. The length of her stay has not yet been revealed.

Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS starring John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson and Katie Holmes will end its limited engagement as scheduled on Sunday January 11. Directed by Simon McBurney, the hit production recouped its capitalization in December, and was named to numerous Top Ten lists for 2008.

Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS starring John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson and Katie Holmes will end its limited engagement as scheduled on Sunday January 11. Directed by Simon McBurney, the hit production recouped its capitalization in December, and was named to numerous Top Ten lists for 2008.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. last night for its official out of town opening night. West Side Story will play a limited engagement at the National through January 17th, 2009. BroadwayWorld made sure to capture the opening night curtain call for this iconic classic!

The Washington Post has a wonderful article on the Spanish language additions to the iconic Broadway bound West Side Story. The Bilingual staging is getting much acclaim as it woos Washington D.C. audiences with the rich melodies of Leonard Bernstein.