Hugh Wheeler News

The New York Philharmonic has announced several additions to the cast of its staged production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, March 5-8, 2014: Jeff Blumenkrantz will portray The Beadle; Tony Award winner Christian Borle, Pirelli (marking his Philharmonic debut); Kyle Brenn, Tobias Ragg (debut); Jay Armstrong Johnson, Anthony Hope (debut); Erin Mackey, Johanna (debut); and Olivier Award winner Philip Quast, Judge Turpin (debut and New York stage debut). As previously announced, Sweeney Todd will star bass-baritone Bryn Terfel in the title role and Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lovett in her Philharmonic debut, New York stage debut, and first time performing the role. Music Director Alan Gilbert will conduct, Lonny Price will direct, and Lonny Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

From Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World, Candide's journey of discovery is anything but dull. Through anguish, happiness, loss and love this is a whirlwind adventure that seeks to prove 'life is happiness indeed'. Leonard Bernstein's joyous musical comedy features a now-classic Overture, 'Make Our Garden Grow' and 'Glitter and Be Gay'.

Performer and monologist Ben Rimalower pays tribute to legendary leading lady Patti LuPone in his hit solo show PATTI ISSUES and a new clip of the autobiographical evening currently on world tour is now available to view.

Today in 1976, Pacific Overtures opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 193 performances. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a libretto by John Weidman, and additional material by Hugh Wheeler, the musical is set in 1853 Japan and follows the difficult Westernization of Japan, through the lives of two friends caught in the change. The original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures in 1976 was presented in Kabuki style, with men playing women's parts and set changes made in full view of the audience by people dressed in black. A Broadway revival ran at Studio 54 from December 2, 2004 to January 30, 2005, directed by Amon Miyamoto and starring B.D. Wong as the Narrator and several members of the original cast.

As they continue their 47th Season, the Gallery Players' first production of the New Year will be Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's elegantly sophisticated romantic comedy A Little Night Music. Based on the Ingmar Bergman film "Smiles on a Summer Night," the five-time Tony winning musical features an elaborate score of waltzes, including the Grammy-winning "Send in the Clowns." Night Music features the most iconic traits of Sondheim's repertoire, boasting a complex score riddled with hilarious wit. A delicate dream of a musical, the sentimental comedy follows a trio of mismatched lovers as they twist, turn, and tumble toward their true love. While the material is sure to impress, make no mistake that the lavish costumes and luxurious set will invite Gallery's audiences for a taste of "The Glamorous Life."

Peer behind the scenes of the creation of the legendary original Broadway cast recording of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's romantic musical A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC in 1973 with a vivid series of new photographs just released.

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire are excited to announce the 2014 spring schedule of events and the 2014 summer season musical. Tickets are available for purchase to members and pass holders on Friday, December 13 and to the general public on Monday, December 16.

A Little Night Music/book by Hugh Wheeler/music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim/directed by Jonathan Fox/Ensemble Theatre Company (etc) at the New Vic, Santa Barbara/through December 22 only

Today in 2009, A Little Night Music opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it ran for 425 performances. A Little Night Music is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Since its original 1973 Broadway production, the musical has enjoyed professional productions in the West End, by opera companies, in a 2009 Broadway revival, and elsewhere, and it is a popular choice for regional groups. It was adapted for film in 1977, with Harold Prince directing and Elizabeth Taylor, Len Cariou, Lesley-Anne Down and Diana Rigg starring.

Theatrica Ltd and the Landor Theatre are delighted to announce the UK Premiere of Broadway musical Meet Me In St. Louis which will play at the Landor Theatre from tonight 11 December (press night Monday 16 December at 7.30pm).

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) presents the 2013 holiday show Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play, set in a similar fashion as last year's Bucks County holiday show It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, both adapted by Joe Landry. Check out a first look at the show below!

This year the holiday show at Bucks County Playhouse is MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS: A RADIO PLAY. They are keeping with the tradition of performing a holiday themed radio play where the audience plays the part of a live studio audience of the radio show. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS: A RADIO PLAY is based on the 1944 movie-musical of the same name that starred Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien. We had a chance to speak with one of the actors in the show at Bucks County Playhouse, Garth Kravits, about the musical, growing up in a theatre family and the importance of the arts to the community.

After enormous success during their 46th Season, the Gallery Players has renewed their GalleryTalks. GalleryTalks is a series of post-show conversations that offer an enlightening and entertaining look into aspects of each production in The Gallery Players season lineup. The series is moderated by GalleryTalks Producer Barrie Gelles-scholar, theatre director, and alumnus of the Gallery Players., having produced the Black Box New Play Festival for three consecutive years.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) presents the 2013 holiday show Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play, set in a similar fashion as last year's Bucks County holiday show It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, both adapted by Joe Landry. Scroll down for shots of the cast riding into New Hope, PA in a victorian trolly!

Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara announces its 2013-14 Season in its new home, the New Vic, beginning with the hit Broadway musical A Little Night Music, inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film 'Smiles of a Summer Night. Directed by Ensemble Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, A Little Night Music features one of Stephen Sondheim's best-known songs, 'Send in the Clowns.' A star-studded cast featuring Piper Laurie, Stephanie Zimbalist and Patrick Cassidy will christen the stage at the New Vic.

BroadHollow Theatre Company's latest musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, indeed has a talented cast. However, it seems that when I saw it at Studio Theatre, any magic that was there had vanished.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) presents the 2013 holiday show Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play, set in a similar fashion as last year's Bucks County holiday show It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, both adapted by Joe Landry.

Performing a rich selection of Broadway songs from her extensive songbook, including standards, Rodgers & Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim to name a few, Broadway's brightest star, Bernadette Peters will dazzle audiences this coming April , bringing her concert to Australia in a glamorous and magical evening of song with an orchestra as only Bernadette Peters can do. Throughout her illustrious career, the Tony Award winning actress has amazed critics and audiences with her performances on stage and television, in concert and on recordings.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) presents the 2013 holiday show Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play, set in a similar fashion as last year's Bucks County holiday show It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, both adapted by Joe Landry. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

The Crown Center has released their calendar events from December 2013 to December 2014.