James A. Rocco News

James A. Rocco, VP of Programming and Producing Artistic Director of The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, is travelling west this weekend to share Broadway Music & Memories with his longtime friends and colleagues, Carol Swarbrick and Linda Dowdell at The Key City Public Theatre in Port Townsend, WA.

'Broadway Songbook: The First 100 Years of Broadway' runs tonight, August 7, through the 10th at The Ordway in St. Paul.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts unveiled its 2014-2015 Season this evening during a standing-room-only celebration that included live pop-up performances, spectacular costumes and festive refreshments, underscoring that the Ordway provides a unique experience with every show. The Ordway celebrates the performing arts with a rich variety of offerings that includes Broadway shows, world music and dance concerts, family events and a special St. Patrick's Day performance in the new Ordway Concert Hall.

James Rocco's BROADWAY SONGBOOK series at The Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn., is a treasure for anyone who has an iPod full of showtunes (me: guilty!) and should earn continuing education credits for audience members who gain a wealth of knowledge in theatre history over the course of the show.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts' Broadway Songbook series returns June 13-15 with a tribute to Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who co-wrote some of the most beloved and successful Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows in the mid-20th century. Seating for Broadway Songbook: Comden and Green is on the Ordway's Music Theater Stage, providing a unique backstage experience.

The Ordway will present TU Dance in performance for one night only, tonight, May 10, 2014, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the celebrated St. Paul-based company founded by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands. This special performance includes Hikari, an Ordway-commissioned world premiere by choreographer Uri Sands in collaboration with master wood block print artist Hiroki Morinoue.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts' Broadway Songbook series returns June 13-15 with a tribute to Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who co-wrote some of the most beloved and successful Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows in the mid-20th century. Seating for Broadway Songbook: Comden and Green is on the Ordway's Music Theater Stage, providing a unique backstage experience.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will feature many exciting events as part of its April-June calendar.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that Bring It On: The Musical will perform on the Saint Paul stage May 13-18, 2014.

The Ordway will present TU Dance in performance for one night only, May 10, 2014, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the celebrated St. Paul-based company founded by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands. This special performance includes Hikari, an Ordway-commissioned world premiere by choreographer Uri Sands in collaboration with master wood block print artist Hiroki Morinoue.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will perform today, March 25-30, 2014 at the Ordway.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts unveiled its 2014-2015 Season this evening during a standing-room-only celebration that included live pop-up performances, spectacular costumes and festive refreshments, underscoring that the Ordway provides a unique experience with every show. The Ordway celebrates the performing arts with a rich variety of offerings that includes Broadway shows, world music and dance concerts, family events and a special St. Patrick's Day performance in the new Ordway Concert Hall.

Based on DuBose Heyward's novel 'Porgy' and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, the Broadway revival of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is a stunning and stirring new staging with a magnificent 23-piece orchestra, including such legendary songs as 'Summertime,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' and 'I Got Plenty of Nothing.'

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will feature many exciting events as part of its April-June calendar.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts opens its 2013-2014 Broadway Songbook series with 'Musicals of the 1950s' tonight, Oct. 17, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows Oct. 19 and 20 at 2:00 p.m.

Catch an intimate performance of the Ordway's well-recieved BROADWAY SONGBOOK series while sitting on the stage with the performers.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts opens its 2013-2014 Broadway Songbook series with 'Musicals of the 1950s' on Oct. 17, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows Oct. 19 and 20 at 2:00 p.m.

James Rocco (Vice President Programming and Producing Artistic Director of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts) is being recognized for his 25 Years of Dedication to the theatre at 3:30 p.m. on September 24, 2013 at the Times Square Visitor Center. The Broadway League and Coalition of Broadway Unions will be inducting James as well as Rob Ashford, Karen Azenberg, Jeff Calhoun, Sheldon Epps, Joey McKneely, Gregory Mosher and Susan Stroman into BROADWAY SALUTES.