Jeanine Tesori News

Get ready for a fairy tale with a twist as Shrek The Musical comes to the Steena Murray Mainstage at Chandler Center for the Arts, for a three-performance run.

Co-chaired by Duvi Stahler and Rachel Sussman, the host committee includes Tovah Feldshuh, Caissie Levy, Bess Kalb, Judy Kuhn, Joshua Malina, Cristin Milioti, Andrew Rannells, Jeanine Tesori, and Zachary Noah Piser, among others.

Luna Composition Lab has released a new short film titled 'Hannah Wolkowitz: An Ocean Escapade', marking the 10th anniversary of LunaLab. The film features 2023-24 Luna Lab Fellow Hannah Wolkowitz and her journey composing for the Kronos Quartet.

The Educational Theatre Association have announced an expanded slate of student performance opportunities for ITF 2026, reinforcing the festival's growing role as a national celebration of what is happening in school theatre programs.

Makai Music has announced the launch of WIP², a new development program for musical theatre writers in NYC and online, starting April 2026. Applications are now open until March 2, 2026.

KIMBERLY AKIMBO will make its Buffalo and Rochester debuts this March. Performances at Shea's Buffalo Theatre run March 17-22 and at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre March 24-29. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. 

February is going to be an exciting month for Des Moines Performing Arts, as not one, but two Tony Award winners for best musical make their debut on the Civic Center stage. They are opening the month with a week-long run of the 2023 winner for Best Musical, 'Kimberly Akimbo.' If the lead-up activities, like turning their stage into a 90's dance club and a roller skating night, are any indication of how great this show is, then Des Moines Audiences are in for a treat.

Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen will receive its first London staging since its 1998 premiere in a new production. Opening at Hampstead Theatre in March. The cast will feature Alex Kingston and Richard Schiff.

What did our critic think of AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER at Emerson Colonial Theatre?

The Muny has selected the seven teams of directors, choreographers, music directors and lead designers whose creative visions will shape the Tony Award-winning theatre’s 2026 season in Forest Park.

A bold statement of opera industry solidarity with the Washington National Opera was issued following the news of the company's decision to leave Kennedy Center. A group of more than 60 opera industry leaders, including John Adams, Kevin Puts, Kelli O'Hara, Joyce DiDonato, John Corigliano, Isabel Leonard, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Jeanine Tesori and more, signed an open letter pledging support to the company.

Get a first look at the Canadian premiere of Kimberly Akimbo, which stars Louise Pitre in the title role at Toronto's CAA Theatre through February 8, 2026. 

“Kimberly Akimbo” is a tiny, idiosyncratic musical with a cast of only nine actors that somehow manages to share the full Broadway experience with its opening night audience at Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 

Sunday night was the Toronto opening of the Canadian premiere of KIMBERLY AKIMBO – the 2023 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. Directed by Robert McQueen, this quirky musical boasts a fabulous cast and is chock full of heart. With an incredibly strong (and Tony Award Winning) book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, this musical weaves together comedy and drama in the same way that real life does. Offering performances that are both funny and heartbreaking, KIMBERLY AKIMBO is a very special show that is not to be missed.

Sharon Playhouse will present a diverse lineup for its 2026 season, including both mainstage and YouthStage productions, showcasing community talent and creativity.

Luna Composition Lab will celebrate its 10th anniversary by commissioning nearly 75 new works for 50 alumni, to be performed by top ensembles in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.

SHREK THE MUSICAL opens on January at the Shea’s Smith Theatre. Based on the DreamWorks animated film, this laugh-out-loud, heartwarming musical brings a fairy tale favorite to vibrant life on stage for audiences of all ages. Check out photos here!

The English National Opera will present a new production of RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY, featuring Andre de Ridder and Danielle de Niese. Learn more here!

KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of five 2023 Tony Awards, including BEST MUSICAL and the most critically acclaimed musical of its season, will make its East Lansing premiere in Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall from March 10-15, 2026.

2025 was a stellar year from theatre, but now the New Year has rolled in, we can put away the festive decorations, throw out the last bit of leftover turkey and look forward to an even better twelve months of theatrical goodies.