J. Anthony Crane News

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature FIDDLER, LES MIS, and LOVE NEVER DIES.

Soaring vocals, stunning costumes, weepy theatre goers: these are all things you expect at a production of LES MISERABLES. But a pace that leaves you reeling and energized? I didn't realize that was possible. The pacing, oh the pacing! This touring production of Cameron Mackintosh's production of Boublil and Sch nberg's LES MISERABLES, directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, is fresh, immediate, and wildly entertaining.

'Do you hear the people sing?' You will if you attend the 25th Anniversary edition of the 'Les Miserables' now on stage at the Kansas City Music Hall through Sunday, December 9. This is an absolutely credible recreation of the show that first hit London's West End theater district way back in 1985 and journeyed across the pond two years later. It has been running pretty much at full steam ever since.

It's wonderful to have this iconic musical based on the French revolution return to Arkansas, especially to Little Rock. The city's name is derived from La Petite Roche (the 'little rock' in French), a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River that was used as a navigational landmark for early river travelers. It seems fitting that this landmark musical grace the newly refurbished Robinson Performance Hall with it's own redesigned production.

As difficult as it is to fathom, some 27 years ago my first review of Les Miserables the internationally renowned musical based upon the iconic 1861 Victor Hugo novel about a reformed bread thief who is pursued over the decades by a relentless lawman in post-Revolutionary France was published, yet one thought remains consistent and steadfast. If faced with someone who claims to dislike musical theater, take them to see Les Mis (as the theatrical juggernaut is known throughout the world thanks to countless revivals, regional production, televised spectacles and one Oscar-winning film) for its epic storytelling, emotionally driven character studies and a lush and memorable score that is sure to win over the most hardened opponents of the art form.

This new touring production of the 2014 Broadway revival is a stunning, cinematic reinvention of the classic, filled with gorgeous visuals and breathtaking vocals.

Opening night theatre goers celebrated with the Elizabeth Stanley Darnell Abraham, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, David Harris, J. Anthony Crane, Zurin Villanueva, Cast, Creative, Lynn Ahrens, and the staff of Barrington Stage Co. last night and Broadwayworld was there for the festivities.  

Union Street in Pittsfield MA had all the excitement of a Broadway Opening as the Tony Award Winning Ragtime opened on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage of Barrington Stage Co. and Broadway and lyricist Lynn Ahrens were there.  

Just last night, Manhattan Theatre Club presented its annual Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 East 42nd Street) honoring Matthew C. Blank, Chairman of Showtime Networks Inc. This year's Gala was hosted by Emmy and Tony Award winner Mandy Patinkin and featured performances by many of the most acclaimed musicals on Broadway including Bandstand; A Bronx Tale; Come From Away; Dear Evan Hansen; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812; Sunset Boulevard; and a sneak peek of Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming production of Prince of Broadway.

Lillian Hellman's 1941 play WATCH ON THE RHINE isn't often produced, but it's certainly a relevant one in today's troubling times. As directed in the round by Jackie Maxwell at Arena Stage, it's probably one of the best examples of a scintillating, well-written script being brought to the stage by a uniformly excellent cast. The end result is a must-see production for the serious theatergoer.

The world premiere of award-winning playwright Alex Moggridge's unique & compelling new play with music Simon Dawes Becomes a Planet is currently getting a limited engagement at the Access Theater (380 Broadway, 4th Fl.) through Saturday, October 8. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Center Theatre Group presents Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning play DISGRACED, beginning previews today, June 8, opening June 19, and continuing through July 17, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum. Directed by Kimberly Senior, the cast features J Anthony Crane, Behzad Dabu, Hari Dhillon, Karen Pittman and Emily Swallow.

Center Theatre Group has announced casting for Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning play DISGRACED, which begins previews June 8, opens June 19 and continues through July 17, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum. Directed by Kimberly Senior, the cast features J Anthony Crane, Behzad Dabu, Hari Dhillon, Karen Pittman and Emily Swallow.

THE MUSIC MAN involves Harold Hill, a con man swindling good, kind-hearted people by promising to provide services he can't provide and that never materialize. It's true, the cherished musical is as American as apple pie.

Dallas Theater Center presents Neil Simon's classic American comedy, The Odd Couple, directed by DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty. When two men with struggling relationships, neat and particular Felix Ungar and disheveled and rough-edged Oscar Madison, decide to live together, the results are funny and poignant. The Odd Couple opens with previews tonight, March 15 and runs through Sunday, April 14 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Dallas Theater Center announced today the upcoming production of Neil Simon's classic American comedy, The Odd Couple, directed by DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty. When two men with struggling relationships, neat and particular Felix Ungar and disheveled and rough-edged Oscar Madison, decide to live together, the results are funny and poignant. The Odd Couple opens with previews on Friday, March 15 and runs through Sunday, April 14 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

THE LION KING definitely roared into Houston.

The Houston return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hobby Center for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

The Greenville premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, June 14 at 7:30pm at the Peace Center for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, July 8. In Greenville, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, Sunday evenings at 6:30pm, Saturday matinees at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 1:00pm. There will be a 7:30pm performance on Monday, July 2 and a 2:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, July 5. There will not be a performance on Wednesday, July 4.