James Lapine News

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.

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.

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!

British stage vet Rhydian Roberts has revealed on BBC Radio that SONDHEIM ON SONDEHIM, which concluded its limited engagement on Broadway on June 27, 2010, will be playing the West End beginning in October. While visiting Richard Bacon's program last week to promote the new stage production of WAR OF THE WORLDS in which he will be appearing, Roberts explained: 'I'm due to go into a Sondheim show in the West End in October...SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. It's coming over from Broadway so I'll be going in there for a short stint.' Click here to hear the clip (begin at the 59min mark)! This news is allegedly confirmed by Maria Friedman, according to the official Stephen Sondheim Society website.

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.

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.

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, producer Arielle Tepper Madover has acquired the production rights for the beloved Tony Award-winning musical ANNIE and will produce an all-new production of it for Broadway in 2012.

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.

In celebration of Sondheim's eightieth birthday, the Open Air Theatre season closes with INTO THE WOODS, co-directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel. Perfectly placed within the Open Air Theatre amphitheatre, the musical gives the stories of The Brothers Grimm a dark and humorous twist. The production officially opened and the reviews are in! BroadwayWorld brings you a sampling below.

The multi-award winning and Tony nominated actor and singer, Euan Morton, returns to perform for one night only to Maine State Music Theatre audiences on Monday, August 16th, 2010. The concert will begin at 7:30PM at the Pickard Theatre located on the Bowdoin Campus college campus. Tickets range from $17-$30 and are available by calling (207) 725-8769, online at www.msmt.org, or in person at the box office in the Pickard Theater.

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.

North Coast Repertory Theatre is proud to present The San Diego Premiere of a two-time Tony Award winning musical. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, directed by Rick Simas.

The cast of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS includes: Helen Dallimore(Cinderella), Beverly Rudd (Little Red Riding Hood), Simon Thomas (Rapunzel's Prince), Michael Xavier (Wolf and Cinderella's Prince) 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), andGemma Wardle (Cinderella's Mother).

The stage has been constructed for INTO THE WOODS At Regent's open air theater.

PS Classics will ship online orders of the original cast recording of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM beginning on August 10, while the album will not be generally released until August 31.

The multi-award winning and Tony nominated actor and singer, Euan Morton, returns to perform for one night only to Maine State Music Theatre audiences on Monday, August 16th, 2010. The concert will begin at 7:30PM at the Pickard Theatre located on the Bowdoin Campus college campus. Tickets range from $17-$30 and are available by calling (207) 725-8769, online at www.msmt.org, or in person at the box office in the Pickard Theater.

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).

Rehearsals for INTO THE WOODS at Regents Park Open Air Theatre have begun and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the stars in action below from the show's sitzprobe!

North Coast Repertory Theatre is proud to present The San Diego Premiere of a two-time Tony Award winning musical. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, directed by Rick Simas

The Daily Mail has confirmed that the Donmar Warehouse's production of PASSION will star Elena Roger, David Thaxton, and Scarlett Strallen. Except for Roger and Strallen, the cast will consist only of men.