James Lapine News

Australia's preeminent musical theatre and opera star Anthony Warlow will make his Broadway debut as billionaire Daddy Warbucks in the new production of ANNIE, the Tony Award-winning classic musical. ANNIE opens November 8 at the Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street). Previews begin October 3. Warlow stars opposite two-time Tony Award-winner Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan and 11-year-old Lilla Crawford (Billy Elliot) as Annie.

In addition to the previously announced new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical PASSION with Judy Kuhn and Melissa Errico, directed by John Doyle, CSC's 2012/2013 Season will feature Anton Chekhov's IVANOV, with Ethan Hawke, directed Austin Pendleton, and Bertolt Brecht's THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, featuring a new score by acclaimed singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik and directed by Brian Kulick.

The Public Theater announced today that Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare has been cast as The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS, directed by Timothy Sheader with co-direction by Liam Steel. INTO THE WOODS will be O'Hare's Shakespeare in the Park debut. Previews begin on Monday, July 23 at the Delacorte Theater and continue for five weeks through Saturday, August 25, with an official press opening on Thursday, August 9.

Beginning tomorrow, June 1st, Shuler Hensley will star as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Off-Broadway's SILENCE! The Musical through June 24th, filling in for the vacationing David Garrison. Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! is the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Christopher Gattelli, and is currently playing to sold out crowds at The 9th Space Theatre at Performance Space 122, 150 First Avenue (at 9th St.)

Michael Perlman, whose critically acclaimed NYFringe solo show, Flying on the Wing, was named Outstanding Solo Show of 2006, debuts his new ensemble play, From White Plains, produced by Fault Line Theatre at the CSV Cultural Center from tonight, May 31st through June 10th. Perlman's solo show powerfully and imaginatively dealt with the playwright's personal struggles dealing with Stickler's Syndrome and coming to terms with his sexuality.

Summer is just around the corner and Theater Works has some exciting theater camps for kids 3 - 18. Theater Works' first camp is the exciting tale of THE GOATS GRUFF with over 40 speaking roles available. This camp kicks off the summer series with 3 weeks of fun, acting, encouragement and a FULLY-COSTUMED AND STAGED PRODUCTION with your child performing on stage. This play has plenty of roles to keep every actor (boys and girls) engaged and active and will provide a fun filled time for performers and audiences alike. Theater Works camps are open to all ages, budgets and schedules. Registration is now open and discounts are offered for siblings or multiple camps.

Just because it's summer doesn't mean there aren't great shows to catch in Cleveland!

According to a report by MSN Music News, Jay-Z will head musical direction for the soundtrack of the new Annie film starring Willow Smith.

According to a report by Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch, Amy Adams, soon to be playing The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, 'would definitely consider,' continuing her role in the production if it moves to Broadway. 'That would be amazing,' she said.

Two-time Tony Award® winner Katie Finneran (Promises, Promises, Noises Off) will star as Miss Hannigan in the new production of ANNIE, the Tony Award-winning classic musical. ANNIE opens November 8 at the Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street). Previews begin October 3.

After a shocking announcement on international television, 30 year old Ethan Rice finds himself finally having to confront who he was and what he did as a teenager.

Brent Barrett, SILENCE! The Musical's original Hannibal Lecter, returned to check out the show this past Saturday, May 19th and reunited with his old friends afterward. See below for a photo of Barrett and the cast!

Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons has announced participating artists for its annual Spring Gala on Monday evening, June 11 at the event space 583 Park Avenue.

The world premiere of the beautifully crafted musical "Los Otros" begins previews tonight, May 23 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, "Los Otros" opens on June 3, 2012; performances continue through July 1. Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk has been cast to play the role of Woman and Julio Monge will play the role of Man.

Shuler Hensley, SILENCE! The Musical's newest Hannibal Lecter, took his first look at the show this past Saturday evening, May 19th and he visited his new friends afterward. Hensley is set to star in Off-Broadway's smash hit for four weeks only June 1st through the 24th. See the photos below!

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning classic musical, will play the legendary Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street) on Broadway. ANNIE will begin previews Wednesday, October 3 and will open Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Commemorating the life and works of Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, PlayhouseSquare and Great Lakes Theater present the musical SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, May 16 - July 8 at the Hanna Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. Check out these photos of the cast in action, including Marie-France Arcilla, Justin Keyes, Pamela Myers, Destan Owens, James Penca, Ciara Renee, Brian Sutherland and Emily Walton.

Stage and screen stars Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain will take on the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin in playwright John Pielmeier's world premiere of The Exorcist at the Geffen Playhouse. Helmed by acclaimed director John Doyle, who won a Tony Award for his striking reimagining of Sweeney Todd, this stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty's famous 1971 novel transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful.

The world premiere of the beautifully crafted musical "Los Otros" begins previews Wednesday, May 23 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. With book and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and music by Michael John LaChiusa, "Los Otros" opens on June 3, 2012; performances continue through July 1. Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk has been cast to play the role of Woman and Julio Monge will play the role of Man.

The tale of Little Orphan Annie will come to life at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale, CA for 30 performances, tonight, May 17 through June 30, 2012. Concurrent with Annie celebrating its 35th anniversary this year as America's most beloved musical, the Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT) also celebrates its 65 th year as the oldest, continuously operating theatre in the United States.