Jerry Bock News

The New York Times reports that songwriter George David Weiss died in his home in Oldwick, New Jersey this past Monday. Weiss was 89 years old and, according to his wife Claire, died of natural causes.

The award winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) will honor Tony Award winning librettist Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray, Elf) with the 19th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 22, 2010.

Some of Broadway's best and brightest talents will perform in a one-night-only salute to theater and film composer Stephen Schwartz at Westport Country Playhouse's 2010 Annual Gala on Monday, September 13.

Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for 'I Do! I Do!,' the charming and touching musical about marriage, three extra performances have been added, Thursday through Saturday, September 2 - 4, evenings at 8 p.m.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma lead the staff, board and artists in celebration as the theatre closes its 2009/10 Season and enters the arresting 2010/11 Season. Significant achievements were met both artistically and fiscally, including increasing national recognition for the theatre and its productions.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, has announced that its production of the New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III, will extend one week through Saturday, August 14 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street.

Reprise Theatre Company presents two one-night only special events: An Evening with Sutton Foster for one performance only on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 8:00 pm, and Betty Buckley in Concert with Seth Rudetsky on Monday, February 21,2011 at 8:00pm. Both events will be presented at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. An Evening with Sutton Foster Betty Buckley in Concert with Seth Rudetsky are the latest in Reprise Theatre Company's tradition of presenting Broadway stars in concert, which have included Patti LuPone, Carol Burnett, Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center will present the first-ever 'LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse,' for members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities and allies, on Thursday, August 12.

The Writers' Theatre of Glencoe, Illinois has announced casting for its upcoming production of SHE LOVES ME. The production will feature Kevin Gudahl (Ladislay Sipos), Ross Lehman (Mr. Maraczek), Heidi Kettenring (Ilona Ritter), Rod Thomas (Georg Nowack), Jessie Mueller (Amalia Balash), Bernard Balbot (Arpad), James Rank (Stephen Kodaly), Stephanie Herman, Nicky Schuenke, Bethany Thomas, Andrew Goetten, and Jeremy Rill.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, has announced that Nicholas Belton will join its acclaimed New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III, for its extension, beginning Wednesday, August 11 through Saturday, August 14 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street. Mr. Belton will take over the roles played by Bryce Ryness.

In conjunction with Westport Country Playhouse's upcoming production of 'I Do! I Do!,' the joyful and touching musical about marriage, the theater is hosting 'The Perfect Proposal Contest.' Participants are requested to write, in 300 words or less, how they were asked, or asked someone else, to say, 'I Do!' Photos are welcomed, but not required. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, August 10, noon.

Writers' Theatre opens its 2010-2011 Season with She Loves Me, by Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick. The production, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam with musical direction by Ben Johnson, runs September 14 - November 21, 2010, at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

Critically acclaimed novelist Francine Prose, writer of the recently published Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife, will present an author talk and book signing, on Sunday, September 19, 3 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse. Prose will speak about her book, followed by an interview with David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, and a Q&A with the audience.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, has announced that its production of the New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III, will extend one week through Saturday, August 14 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street.

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center will present the first-ever 'LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse,' for members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender communities and allies, on Thursday, August 12.

In conjunction with Westport Country Playhouse's upcoming production of 'I Do! I Do!,' the joyful and touching musical about marriage, the theater is hosting 'The Perfect Proposal Contest.' Participants are requested to write, in 300 words or less, how they were asked, or asked someone else, to say, 'I Do!' Photos are welcomed, but not required. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, August 10, noon.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, will present the New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III (two-time Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director for TG's The Audience and The Boys in the Band), beginning Saturday, July 17, and opening Sunday, July 25, at 7pm at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Shrek,' 'Rock Of Ages,' Ravinia Festival, 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' 'She Loves Me,' more....

Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, will star in 'They're Playing Our Song,' September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, to open the company's 2010-2011 season. Single tickets are available for 'They're Playing Our Song' at www.reprise.org or through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, will present the New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III (two-time Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director for TG's The Audience and The Boys in the Band), beginning Saturday, July 17, and opening Sunday, July 25, at 7pm at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street.