Jill Shackner News

Playwrights Horizons will present IOWA, the world premiere of a new musical play written by Susan SmithBlackburn Prize finalist Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear, Somewhere Fun), music by Todd Almond (Stage Kiss at PH, Kansas City Choir Boy, The Tempest, On the Levee) and lyrics by Mr. Almond and Ms. Schwartz. Directed by two-time Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll (Red Dog Howls, Middletown, What Once We Felt; next season's just-announced Antlia Pneumatica by Anne Washburn at PH), the musical play will be the fifth production of the theater company's 2014/2015 Season.

Playwrights Horizons has announced casting for IOWA, the world premiere of a new musical play written by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear, Somewhere Fun), music by Todd Almond (Stage Kiss at PH, Kansas City Choir Boy, The Tempest, On the Levee) and lyrics by Mr. Almond and Ms. Schwartz. Directed by two-time Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll (Red Dog Howls, Middletown, What Once We Felt; next season's just-announced Antlia Pneumatica by Anne Washburn at PH), the musical play will be the fifth production of the theater company's 2014/2015 Season.

Hereafter Musical, a thought provoking new musical by Vinnie Favale and Frankie Keane about the age old human desire to communicate with our loved ones who have passed, told from the perspectives of both the living and the departed, is slated for an open-ended run, Off-Broadway, at the Snapple Theater Center (1627 Broadway) with previews beginning on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Co-Author's Favale and Keane draw from their own personal losses in the inspiring look at the beyond, which will have its official opening today, October 25, 2014 at 4:45PM.

Hereafter Musical, a thought provoking new musical by Vinnie Favale and Frankie Keane about the age old human desire to communicate with our loved ones who have passed, told from the perspectives of both the living and the departed, is slated for an open-ended run, Off-Broadway, at the Snapple Theater Center (1627 Broadway) with previews beginning on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Co-Author's Favale and Keane draw from their own personal losses in the inspiring look at the beyond, which will have its official opening on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 4:45PM.

Jana Robbins and Better World Productions present staged readings of ROBIN HOOD - The Final Adventure (Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Peter Sipos, Lyrics by Martin Charnin) today, May 3rd and Monday, May 6th in New York City. The industry-only staged readings are open by invitation only. ROBIN HOOD - The Final Adventure is an exciting new musical filled with drama, intrigue, suspense and a whole lot of laughter.

Jana Robbins and Better World Productions present staged readings of ROBIN HOOD - The Final Adventure (Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Peter Sipos, Lyrics by Martin Charnin) on Friday, May 3rd and Monday, May 6th in New York City. The industry-only staged readings are open by invitation only. ROBIN HOOD - The Final Adventure is an exciting new musical filled with drama, intrigue, suspense and a whole lot of laughter.

The York Theatre Company, in association with Robert D. Wachs, presents the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Get a first look at the cast onstage below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), will mount a lab workshop of the new disco "revue-sical," Last Dance featuring the music of legendary pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Last Dance will play 5 performances tonight, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), present the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical).

Today we are focusing a super-special spotlight on one of the Fall's most intriguing musical entries trying out in New York, the York Theatre Company's lab mounting of the new Paul Jabara jukebox musical LAST DANCE, by talking to the show's lead, recognizable TV and film star Rob Morrow, and the show's lead producer, noted comedic shepherd and filmmaker Robert D. Wachs, whom filled me in on all aspects of the show in a comprehensive chat late last week just prior to this week's start of rehearsals. In this all-encompassing conversation, Morrow, Wachs and I discuss the genesis of the new disco-themed musical celebrating the life and career of Jabara, the accomplished Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Broadway shows (RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM… AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT), movie songs ("Last Dance" from THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY; the titular "The Main Event") and numerous pop/rock/disco hits, such as "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's epic disco duet "Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)" and his many solo hits, as well as the finer points of the story, concept, casting and the ultimate goals of the new Philip William McKinley-directed production, which features a book by Shaun McKenna. Additionally, Morrow and Wachs each generously share showbiz tales from their storied careers involving such big names as Eddie Murphy, Michael Bennett, Jonathan Larson, Tony Scott and many more and both copiously convey their infectious enthusiasm for the forthcoming fully-produced lab presentation of the new musical that will play for five performances beginning September 20 as they prepare for its first viewing before a paying audience. All of that and much, much more awaits!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), presents the developmental lab production of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Under the direction of Philip Wm. McKinley (SPIDERMAN Turn Off the Dark, The Boy from Oz), and with choreography by Carol Schuberg (Meet Me in St. Louis) and musical direction by Wendy Cavett (Mamma Mia!), the five-member cast also features Katrina Lenk (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark), Anastacia McClesky (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) EmmyAward nominee Rob Morrow ("Northern Exposure," "Numb3rs"), Jack Noseworthy (Jerome Robbins' Broadway) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables). Last Dance will play 5 performances only, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first rehearsal below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs has announced final casting with the addition of Katrina Lenk (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark) and Anastacia McClesky (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) to the cast of the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical).

Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) and Trista Dollison (The Lion King) will head the cast of the NYMF production of STAND TALL at the 45th St. Theatre Mainstage from tonight, July 19th-July 29th.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), will mount a lab workshop of the new disco "revue-sical," Last Dance featuring the music of legendary pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Last Dance will play 5 performances, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Yesterday morning, July 3rd, New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presented a special preview of the 2012 featuring musical selections from: Rio, Stand Tall, Himself & Nora, Trouble, Stealing Time, Arnie the Doughnut, Foreverman, A Letter to Harvey Milk and The Groove Factory. The event, hosted by GODSPELL's Corbin Bleu, featured Leslie Kritzer, Matt Bogart, Natalie Toro, Jeremy Kushnier, Tom Deckman, Adam Monley, Danny Quadrino, Jennifer Wren, J. Manuel Santos and more. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos of the performances below!

Yesterday morning, July 3rd, New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presented a special preview of the 2012 featuring musical selections from: Rio, Stand Tall, Himself & Nora, Trouble, Stealing Time, Arnie the Doughnut, Foreverman, A Letter to Harvey Milk and The Groove Factory.

Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) and Trista Dollison (The Lion King) will head the cast of the NYMF production of STAND TALL at the 45th St. Theatre Mainstage from July 19th-29th.

A CHARITY CASE starring Two-Time Tony Nominee Alison Fraser, Alysia Reiner (Sideways) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables) opened last week, November 2nd at The Clurman Theatre. This new play about adoption is written and directed by Australian playwright Wendy Beckett. A CHARITY CASE will play through November 20th. Below, Broadway Beat chats with the company and takes you inside opening night.

A CHARITY CASE starring Two-Time Tony Nominee Alison Fraser, Alysia Reiner (Sideways) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables) opened last week, November 2nd at The Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street- between 9th and 10th Avenues). This new play about adoption is written and directed by Australian playwright Wendy Beckett. A CHARITY CASE will play through November 20th. Check out photos of Shirley Knight, who just visited the show, below!