James Lapine News

HBO has announced a series of documentaries for this fall including SIX BY SONDHEIM, an intimate look at the prolific career of the renowned Broadway lyricist and composer.

Earlier this week, the adorable orphans of ANNIE celebrated the show's partnership with Make Meaning, by decorating cakes courtesy of Make Meaning and raffling off two pairs of tickets to the show. BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion and you can check out photo coverage below!

Tonight, BroadwayWorld has just learned and is thrilled to confirm casting for the major roles in the forthcoming Disney feature film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's adored and adorable fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS.

Deadline.com reports that Tony nominee Tammy Blanchard is in talks to join Rob Marshall's movie adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical INTO THE WOODS for Disney. She would play the role of 'Florinda', one of Cinderella's stepsisters, alongside Lucy Punch as the other sister, and Christine Baranski as the evil stepmother.

'Sunday in the Park with George,' a Pulitzer Prize winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, begins performances today, July 24, 2013 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County, Wisconsin's theatrical icon. 'Sunday in the Park with George' has a three week run with performances Tuesday through Sunday through August 11, 2013.

According to Deadline, 2013 Tony nominee Billy Magnussen is in talks to play Rapunzel's Prince in Rob Marshall's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical INTO THE WOODS. Magnussen would replace Jake Gyllenhaal, who recently dropped out to focus on his upcoming indie flick NIGHTCRAWLER.

Marty Thomas presents DIVA is a weekly show at Industry Bar in midtown Manhattan. Featuring a cast of Alexa Green (Wicked, Company), Kelly King (Babyface, Michael Bolton) and Marissa Rosen (My Big Gay Italian Wedding), it is hosted and produced by Marty Thomas (Xanadu, The Secret Garden and Wicked). DIVA celebrates fabulous female vocalists paying tribute to some of histories most over the top icons! The cast performs a brand new show every week with exciting new guests rotating. Monday, July 22, the divas are joined for by Broadway star N'KENGE!

"Sunday in the Park with George," a Pulitzer Prize winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, begins performances July 24, 2013 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County, Wisconsin's theatrical icon. "Sunday in the Park with George"" has a three week run with performances Tuesday through Sunday through August 11, 2013.

According to Variety, Rose Byrne is in talks to join Sony's upcoming film remake of ANNIE as Daddy Warbucks' assistant, Grace. Byrne would join previously announced Quvenzhane Wallis, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. Will Gluck directs.

Tony Award-winner Faith Prince will return to Broadway as evil orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in the new Broadway production of ANNIE at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets). She will begin performances tonight, July 19. Emmy Award-winning 'Glee' star Jane Lynch will play her final performance as Miss Hannigan on Sunday, July 14.

The MacDowell Colony will award composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim with its 54th Edward MacDowell Medal on Sunday, August 11. The MacDowell Colony, the nation's first artist residency program, has awarded the medal annually since 1960 to an individual artist who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her field. This year marks the first time a luminary has been chosen from the realm of musical theatre and Sondheim's generous offering of his talents to the stage made him a clear choice.

This three-year-old has the wig, the freckles, and the moxie to pull off playing everyone's favorite red-headed orphan - someone get her to the stage! Check out her performance of 'Maybe' from ANNIE at the link below!

Classic Stage Company has announced that Deb Radloff, who appeared in the company's recent production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, is this year's recipient of the Rosemarie Tichler Fund grant. The Fund was established in 2010 with the mission to assist young actors who have appeared at CSC and who have recently made the transition from their training into the profession. The $3000 grant can be used by the young artist to continue training or to offset loans they may have incurred while studying their craft. With the grant, CSC hopes to make a difference in the lives of young actors at the start of their careers as well as to heighten awareness in the community to the specific needs of actors. The recipient was selected by a panel of judges which included Rosemarie Tichler, CSC Artistic Director Brian Kulick and CSC Casting Director James Calleri.

After more than 35,000 submissions, PEDIGREE was awarded the coveted Silver Lion in branded entertainment at the 2013 Cannes Festival for Creativity for the documentary, 'ANNIE'S Search for Sandy.' The 2013 Cannes Lions received submissions from creative agencies and advertisers representing more than 90 countries around the world. 'ANNIE'S Search for Sandy,'hosted by Al Roker, was produced by Al Roker Entertainment and ANNIE The Musical LLC and was sponsored by PEDIGREE Food for Dogs.

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will end its triumphant two-year run this Sunday, July 7th at the Elektra Theatre. The show's producer, Theater Mogul, is currently negotiating licensing deals for future SILENCE! productions to open during the 2013-14 season in major markets across the country and around the world.

'ANNIE: It's the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage,' a Primetime PBS special premiereD nationally on PBS last week. Annie: It's the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage, follows the creation of a single production number in the current Broadway revival of the classic musical: the tuneful and rhythmic 'It's the Hard-Knock Life.' From the earliest discussions among the production team, through the casting process, into choreography and vocal rehearsals, onto the stage, and finally, into performance, the film traces the young cast's journey to Opening Night. Miss the documantary? Watch it all by clicking below!

The Madison Recreation Department and Playwrights Theatre present INTO THE WOODS JUNIOR music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, originally directed on Broadway by JaImes Lapine, original Broadway production produced by Heidi Landesman, M. Anthony Fisher, Rocco Landesman, Frederick H. Mayerson, Rick Steiner, Jujamcyn Theaters, originally produced by the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has found its LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Nine-year old HANNAH ROSE NORDBERG will play Olive Hoover, who aspires to the coveted title of 'Little Miss Sunshine,' in this new musical comedy from Tony Award winners JAMES LAPINE (book/direction) and WILLIAM FINN (music and lyrics).

Today we are talking to a passionate and prolific performer who has appeared in a number of impressive properties over the course of his career thus far - Milky White in the most recent Broadway revival of INTO THE WOODS to his starring roles in MEMPHIS and beyond - the charming Chad Kimball.

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will end its triumphant two-year run next Sunday, July 7th at the Elektra Theatre. The production will have played a total of 529 performances and eight previews. The show's producer, Theater Mogul, is currently negotiating licensing deals for future SILENCE! productions to open during the 2013-14 season in major markets across the country and around the world.