JR Bruno News

Let's see what the Denver critics had to say...

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver today, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver tomorrow, August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. In the video below, Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker Chat with In Focus' Eden Lane about creating their first Broadway musical, and launching the tour. Gavin Creel talks about his first visit to Denver, a new appreceation of touring, and reveals his thoughts about taking on a role orginated by a close friend.

It's 1962 Baltimore, where racial tension and segregation provide a backdrop for teen angst and lots of catchy tunes by Marc Shaiman (lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman) performed to stage-defying choreography by JR Bruno who manages to get some 15 ensemble members bopping around at times without crashing into each other on the small stage.

Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner will star as Elder Cunningham in the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, launching in Denver from August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Gertner will join previously announced Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi.

Ivoryton is the new home for Hairspray -- the 'soultastic, hair hoppin', dance-til-you-drop musical! It's 1962 and big girl Tracy Turnblad has only one desire - to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star, but she must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network - all without denting her 'do!'

TADA! YOUTH THEATER presents, in conjunction with the now-playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU, IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event today, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte and featuring a special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE (http://bwaypride.org). The event is free, and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform. Reservations can be made at www.tadatheater.com.

TADA! Youth Theater presents, (in conjunction with the now playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU), IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte, featuring an special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE (http://bwaypride.org/). The event is free and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform. Reservations can be made at www.tadatheater.com.

TADA! YOUTH THEATER will present, in conjunction with the now playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU, IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte, featuring an special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE. The event is free and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform.

TADA! YOUTH THEATER presents, in conjunction with the now-playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU, IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte and featuring a special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE (http://bwaypride.org). The event is free, and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform. Reservations can be made at www.tadatheater.com.

On Monday, July 25, 2011, ASTEP, a nonprofit organization that uses the arts as a tool to foster creativity, teach life skills, and awaken young people's imaginations around the world, presents a one-night benefit concert reading of NAUGHTY/NICE, a new wickedly funny musical featuring grown-up Broadway performers singing misfits kids' letters to Santa Claus.

On Monday, July 25, 2011, ASTEP, a nonprofit organization that uses the arts as a tool to foster creativity, teach life skills, and awaken young people's imaginations around the world, presents a one-night benefit concert reading of NAUGHTY/NICE, a new wickedly funny musical featuring grown-up Broadway performers singing misfits kids' letters to Santa Claus.

On Monday, July 25, 2011, ASTEP, a nonprofit organization that uses the arts as a tool to foster creativity, teach life skills, and awaken young people's imaginations around the world, presents a one-night benefit concert reading of NAUGHTY/NICE, a new wickedly funny musical featuring grown-up Broadway performers singing misfits kids' letters to Santa Claus.

?[title of show]? has always been the most intimate of stage experiences. Not only are we taking an inspiring musical journey that happens to be pretty much true, but all previous incarnations of ?[show]? also had the advantage of having the show creators playing themselves in their roles?one character even sings ?I Am Playing Me? early in the show. The original cast became Broadway celebrities through their juggernaut promotion of [show], which includes a still-going popular series of Youtube videos. So the notion of creating the show without the original cast is, at best, tricky and, at worst, suicidal. And yet the first regional production of ?[title of show]? opened last night at Playhouse Square?s 14th Street Theater and did just that.

It might have closed on Broadway earlier this season, but this weekend [title of show] returns triumphantly to life with the first regional version of the production at Playhouse Square's 14th Street Theater in Cleveland.

PlayhouseSquare and the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music (B-W) are partnering to present the first regional premiere of [title of show], May 1-3 at the 14th Street Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. The show will feature current students in the Baldwin-Wallace Music Theatre Program under the direction of nationally acclaimed director Victoria Bussert, head of the music theatre program at B-W. This will be the second year that the multi-tiered collaboration between PlayhouseSquare and the Baldwin-Wallace Music Theatre Program as well as the Arts Management Program will occur.