James Lapine News

Stephanie J. Block, Broadway star of '9 to 5: The Musical,' 'Wicked,' 'The Pirate Queen,' and 'The Boy From Oz,' will star opposite Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company, in 'They're Playing Our Song,' the opening production of the company's 2010-2011 season, playing September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

New Village Arts, Carlsbad's award-winning, professional theatre is very proud to announce its Tenth Season. This will be NVA's biggest season ever, with eight full productions, NVA's first musical and two local premieres. Over the past nine seasons, NVA has established itself as one of the most important mid-sized theatres in San Diego, producing over 40 highly acclaimed productions, including a world-premiere holiday show, multiple regional and local premieres, unforgettable American and world classics, the intense work of Sam Shepard and the popular FREE Shakespeare in the Park. New Village Arts honors that history in Season 10 and introduces some exciting new traditions for North County, by selecting shows that honor the history of the company, recognize the amazing current growth and give an intriguing glimpse into the future. All of the plays take us on an adventure - into growing up, learning about love and loss and celebrating the power of the human soul.

Raymond J. Lee (Mamma Mia!) has joined the cast of the benefit concert performance of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS on October 11 at the Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center (55 Lexington Ave.) in Manhattan.

The OBIE Award-winning National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) - now in its 21st season - presents the Off-Broadway, World-Premiere of Jordan Harrison's play FUTURA, with previews beginning October 23, prior to an official opening of October 26 at the TBG Theater (312 West 36th Street - between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.

Lucid by Proxy's 10th Anniversary production is a collaboration between the critically acclaimed company and Calvin Remsberg, renowned actor, singer, director and vocal coach.

The OBIE Award-winning National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) - now in its 21st season - presents the Off-Broadway, World-Premiere of Jordan Harrison's play FUTURA, with previews beginning October 23, prior to an official opening of October 26 at the TBG Theater (312 West 36th Street - between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.

Today we are talking to one of the biggest stars on Broadway and the recipient of a Best Actress Tony Award for her unforgettable performance in the original Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's PASSION, the star of numerous Broadway musicals and ENCORES! productions such as WONDERFUL TOWN, FOLLIES, and, most recently, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE - and also the voice of the newest villain in a Disney animated feature film, as we saw earlier today in the special still image from TANGLED - the urbane, elegant and endlessly talented stage and screen star Donna Murphy! The BWW World Premiere Exclusive reveal of Ms. Murphy's character Mother Gothel was not the only treat in store for this exciting day in Disney - and BroadwayWorld - history!

Two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa will perform her latest one-woman show, 'Classically Speaking,' at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd St.) with two-time Tony winner Michael Starobin on piano, two nights only.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced it will present its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES Monday, November 1.

All Asian American stars of Broadway and Off-Broadway To perform Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS One night only October 11 in Manhattan

To help celebrate its 10th Anniversary, New Village Arts Theatre is producing its first musical. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS is one of the most cherished musicals of our generation, and the production will be led by one of the hottest directors in San Diego, James Vasquez.

Abingdon Theatre Company -- which has produced more than 60 new American plays in its 17-year history, including THE ENGLISH CHANNEL by Robert Brustein - is set to honor Mr. Brustein, the acclaimed playwright, producer and educator, during ABINGDON PLAYS TO WIN, its annual fundraising gala on Monday, October 18 at 7pm at Bridgewaters (11 Fulton Street, near South Street Seaport) in downtown Manhattan.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa will perform her latest one-woman show, 'Classically Speaking,' at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd St.) with two-time Tony winner Michael Starobin on piano, two nights only.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa will perform her latest one-woman show, 'Classically Speaking,' at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd St.) with two-time Tony winner Michael Starobin on piano, two nights only.

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has announced the complete cast for its production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS. Helen Dallimore (Cinderella), Beverly Rudd (Little Red Riding Hood), Simon Thomas (Rapunzel's Prince), and Michael Xavier (Wolf and Cinderella's Prince) will be joining the previously announced cast members. These include Hannah Waddingham (The Witch), Jenna Russell (Baker's Wife), Marc Antolin (Swing), Valda Aviks (Granny), Billy Boyle (Mysterious Man), Gaye Brown (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sophie Caton (Swing), Alice Fearn (Rapunzel), Mark Goldthorp (Steward), Amy Griffiths (Lucinda), Mark Hadfield (Baker), Amy Ellen Richardson (Florinda), Ben Stott (Jack), and Gemma Wardle (Cinderella's Mother).

Ganymede Arts is pleased to announce that this fall it will present the complete Falsettos masterpiece consisting of both March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. The two acts of the Tony Award winning Falsettos, written by William Finn and James Lapine, were written nearly a decade apart and will be directed by Ganymede Art's artistic director Jeffrey Johnson. Christopher Wingert will musically direct the show.

Ganymede arts is pleased to announce that this fall it will present the complete Falsettos masterpiece consisting of both March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa will perform her latest one-woman show, 'Classically Speaking,' at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd St.) with two-time Tony winner Michael Starobin on piano, two nights only.

PS_Classics_SONDHEIM_ON_SONDHEIM_20010101 As BroadwayWorld previously reported, PS Classics, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, recorded the original Broadway cast album of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM on June 6th and 7th. The production, presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), began performances at Studio 54 on March 19th, opened officially on April 22nd and will close on June 27th. Today, it has been announced that the album will be available beginning August 31, 2010 in both online and retail outlets. The track list has now been unveiled on Amazon.com.

Today we are taking a listen to the Original Broadway Cast Recording of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM starring Barbra Cook, Tom Wopat, Vanessa Williams, Leslie Kritzer, Euan Morton and Norm Lewis and also taking a critical look back at his incredible, incomparable career. While the show onstage at Studio 54 as directed by James Lapine failed to catch fire or leave a big impression on critics or audiences, PS Classics went to the trouble to record a cast album preserving most of the show as it was seen so they deserve praise if only for that. There are some obscurities here - some college ditties, cut COMPANY finales, an abandoned GYPSY number - plus brand new, candid interviews with Sondheim himself as well as a shiny new Sondheim patter song written expressly for this revue titled 'God'. Never a more applicable song title could have come from Sondheim's pen when discussing - and poking fun at - his own career as the Brains Behind Broadway. Let's see how Sondheim in general, as well as this show, stack up on (the) record!