James Scheider News

 Thanks to a group of dedicated Broadway fans and members of the Broadway Community, fans have a new place to hang out and shop but you have to go underground for it.

Today, Stephanie Lynne Mason who recently starred in the critically acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish directed by Joel Grey announced her new cooking show, “Food is a Love Language - Cookin’ with Steph”.

Milwaukee Rep presents a revival production of Chasin' Dem Blues! This revival of a Rep premiere (previously titled Grafton City Blues) explores the inspiring story of Grafton, Wisconsin's Paramount Records.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is pleased to announce the cast and creative teams for the 2019/20 Season Winter shows including The Legend of Georgia McBride in the Quadracci Powerhouse and Chasin' Dem Blues in the Stackner Cabaret.

Izen and Koepfinger's 'Eve of Beltane' tells the oh so familiar tale of forbidden love and examines the very fabric of its nature. Beyond time, beyond space, we find that divine love can penetrate all boundaries - race, nation, and class. This timeless drama features the music and lyrics of Joe Izen with Henry Aronson as Musical Director. Cailin Heffernan will direct. Production Stage Management is by Byron C. Saunders.

There is a lot to like packed into this production directed by Randal Myler. The action is well paced and well-staged. The use of turntables, tiering, and scrims are particularly effective elements of the scenic design by Tim Mackabee. The choreography by Brian Reeder, and costumes designed by Leon Dobkowski present a feast for the eyes. The entire 19-members of the cast deliver in acting, singing, and dancing. It would be an oversight not to call out the performance of Richard Crandle. His portrayal of Little Richard is brassy, sassy, and all kinds of Woooooooo. The audience is noticeably energized when Crandle is on stage and few wish he would 'shet-up' as if that were even remotely possible.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield

The Berkshire Theatre Group cast of Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story had their first read through earlier this week in New York City! Rock and Roll Man is being presented by Berkshire Theatre Group, in association with five-time Tony Award-Winning Caiola Productions (Once on this Island, Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, All The Way, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf). Rock and Roll Man has a book by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola, with original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper.

On December 4, 1956, at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, a great moment in rock 'n' roll history occurred, almost by chance. Record producer Sam Phillips, sometimes referred to as the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," brought together the past, present, and future artists of his recording company for an impromptu jam session which was photographed and recorded for posterity. Nile Scott Hawver (Carl Perkins), Scheider (Jerry Lee Lewis), Austin Wayne Price (Johnny Cash), and Luke Linsteadt (Elvis Presley) act out their characters with just enough imitation to evoke the originals, while never sliding into caricature.

Greater Boston Stage Company proudly presents the beloved rock 'n' roll musical Million Dollar Quartet. Million Dollar Quartet brings to life the famed 1956 on-the-fly recording session at Sun Records that brought together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one of the greatest jam sessions ever. Featuring a score of hits that includes 'Blue Suede Shoes,' 'Great Balls of Fire,' 'Walk the Line,' 'Hound Dog,' and more, Million Dollar Quartet will have audiences dancing in their seats. Directed by Associate Artistic Director Ilyse Robbins, performances run April 25 - May 19, 2019. The Press Opening is Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3:00pm.

Composer Dan Furman has reworked his first musical, Impossible But True, and is preparing to present it starting in April - first in Brooklyn then across the river in Manhattan.

A bevy of New York talent and Broadway producers mingled with guests in New Hope, PA, during the cast party held at Hotel du Village following the opening night performance of 'Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story', a Caiola Production, making its world premiere at Bucks County Playhouse through October 1, 2017. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

'Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story' is making its world premiere at Bucks County Playhouse through October 1, 2017. The high energy musical drama stars Tony-nominee Alan Campbell ('Sunset Blvd.') as Alan Freed and multiple-Emmy nominee George Wendt (Norm from 'Cheers') as J. Edgar Hoover. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

On September 6, members of the cast of 'Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story' held a special preview for the press at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Theater professionals from across Michigan will gather Aug. 28 when The 2017 Wilde Awards are presented at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield.

When ROCK OF AGES (the stage musical…not the dreadful movie) debuted on Broadway in 2014, they were 'Living on a Prayer' that they'd find enough middle-aged former frat guys and metal heads willing to rock out on The Great White Way, but after 2,328 New York performances of people saying 'I Wanna Rock' at the box office, it was clear that they'd gotten 'High Enough' to be a bonafide Broadway hit. [If this is too many 80's puns for you, then ROCK OF AGES probably isn't up your alley, dude.] Now appearing in regional theaters across the country, the musical is nice break from safer titles like JOSEPH, GUYS AND DOLLS or THE MUSIC MAN, which have overly peppered each season at [fill in the blank theatre company]. And although those more familiar shows might find greater success in the Fort Worth dome, this exceptional approach by Casa Manana is a great effort that should be applauded and rewarded by people wanting to see something other than SOUND OF MUSIC.

Casa Mañana Theatre wraps up its 2016-17 Broadway season with  the Tony Award-nominated Broadway Musical Rock of Ages, June 3-11, 2017. Tickets are on sale now.

Mitchell Walker and AKA Studio Productions (The Dodgers, Photo Op) produce a reading of 'Mill Fire' by Sally Nemeth on May 1st, 2017 at Alchemical Theatre Laboratory, NYC. 

Playwright, songwriter and director Randy Sharp (Last Man Club, Edgar Oliver'sEast 10th Street and In the Park)and songwriter, guitarist and longtime Blondie member Paul Carbonara (Blondie) have teamed up again to create Evening - 1910, a new musical about an immigrant to 1910 New York and a Bowery theater facing eviction as the dawn of cinema becomes day. Axis Company, of which Sharp is the founding Artistic Director, will present the world premiere of the work April 28 - May 28.

The National Tour of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, which is entering its fourth smash year on the road and will play over 60 cities in the next year, bringing the Broadway musical inspired by the electrifying true story of four rock 'n' roll icons to many new locations across the country. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will make a stop at the Fabulous Fox Theatre this weekend, February 27 - March 1.