Jana Shea News

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2019 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by the current stars of Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan, at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online here at BroadwayWorld.

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2019 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by the current stars of Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan, at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online here at BroadwayWorld.

On the night of its official opening, What the Constitution Means to Me has announced an extension of six additional weeks on Broadway. Initially announced for a 12-week engagement through June 9, 2019, What the Constitution Means to Me will now play through July 21, 2019 at the Helen Hayes Theater (240 W 44th Street, New York, NY). What the Constitution Means to Me officially opened tonight, March 31, 2019, after beginning performances on March 14.

Broadway producers and entrepreneurs Mike Karns and Greg Nobile have acquired the website DidHeLikeIt.com from producer Ken Davenport in a deal that closed in early October 2018.

On Friday, March 16 The League of Professional Theatre Women (Kelli Lynn Harrison & Lisa Rothe, Co-Presidents) presented the 2018 Theatre Women Awards at The TimesCenter, hosted by Florencia Lozano. The League of Professional Theatre Women's annual Theatre Women Awards are the only awards dedicated to honoring the theatrical work of women and their contributions to the field, across all disciplines. Actress Phylicia Rashadwas the recipient of the LPTW's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award; playwright Rohina Malik received the Lee Reynolds Award; director Emily Joy Weiner the Josephine Abady Award; Colt Coeur artistic director Adrienne Campbell-Holt the LPTW Lucille Lortel Award; drama critic Linda Winer received the LPTW Special Award; and sound designer Cricket S. Myers the Ruth Morley Award.

Choreographer Jonathan Cerullo returns to the New York Musical Festival (NYMF) with the new musical, Lisa and Leonardo. His mentor, acclaimed choreographer Patricia Birch, first introduced him to the festival in its inaugural season. Cerullo had been assisting Birch for thirteen years, and moved into the role of executive producer with her NYMF production of Orphan Train. Subsequently, he went on to stage two other musicals at the festival and also became an evaluator reading new scripts.

Eden Espinosa, star of Broadway's Wicked, Rent, and Brooklyn, will headline EDEN ESPINOSA AND FRIENDS, a concert to benefit Legacy Theatre on Thursday, July 16th at 7:00pm. The concert will take place at the Owenego Inn & Beach Club, located at 40 Linden Avenue in Branford, Connecticut. Following the smash success of last year's sold-out WITNESS UGANDA: IN CONCERT, Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer Matt Gould will host the performance, featuring a cast of Broadway stars. Admission is a 'pay what you can' contribution to the Legacy Theatre. Tickets may be reserved at www.buildinglegacytheatre.com.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents a developmental reading of Windywoo and Her Naughty Naughty Pets, a new musical based on the popular Naughty Naughty Pets franchise, featured on Cartoon Network and Disney's Hyperion Books for Children. The developmental readings will take place July 11 at 1pm and July 13 at 4pm and 7pm at the Studio Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street).

Broadway Gives Back and Seaview Productions will present the "Second Annual Broadway Charity Songs" benefit concert. "Broadway Charity Songs" has paired a group of award-winning musical theatre composers with a group outstanding charities and tasked them with composing an original song inspired by the work of that charity. The result is a group of songs gifted to the charities - with the hope that the songs "go viral" -- increasing awareness for these outstanding organizations.

LYSISTRATA JONES had its New York premiere in a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production at The Gym at Judson. It transferred to Broadway and opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on December 14, 2011. Living in Houston, this show was not even a blip on my radar. Having been a longtime reader of BroadwayWorld, the name was familiar, but I didn't know anything about the show. With the June 14, 2013 announcement that a film adaptation is in the works, I felt compelled to track down a copy of the Original Cast Album and give the quirky comedy at least a few listens.

Broadway Records (www.BroadwayRecords.com) has just released the original cast recording of the Broadway musical, LYSISTRATA JONES, featuring music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn and book by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.

Last night, April 9, the company of LYSISTRATA JONES - including Jason Tam, Josh Segarra, Libby Servais, Liz Mikel, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, LaQuet Shamell and more - reunited at Joe's Pub for a special concert to celebrate their newly-released cast album (Broadway Records). BroadwayWorld was on hand and has exclusive footage of the emotional reunion show. Click below for the complete performance highlights!

On May 15, Broadway Records released the original cast recording of the Broadway musical, LYSISTRATA JONES, featuring music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn and book by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane. To celebrate the album release, last night, April 9, the company reunited at Joe's Pub for a special concert. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you a sneak peek of the fun below! Stay tuned for complete concert highlights coming soon!

On May 15, Broadway Records released the original cast recording of the Broadway musical, LYSISTRATA JONES, featuring music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn and book by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane. To celebrate the album release, last night, April 9, the company reunited at Joe's Pub for a special concert. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos from the event below, featuring Jason Tam, Josh Segarra, Libby Servais, Liz Mikel, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, LaQuet Shamell and more!

Broadway Records (www.BroadwayRecords.com) will release the original cast recording of the Broadway musical, LYSISTRATA JONES, featuring music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn and book by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.