Jim Hogan News

Arden Theatre Company in Old City, Philadelphia opens their 2019-20 season with the winner of the 1998 Tony Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations, RAGTIME.

Ben Clark is still a largely unknown composer, unless you've heard his unforgettable music. A new voice in American musical theatre, for the past decade Clark has contributed music and lyrics for three musicals: The Circus in Winter, Skin and Bones, and the very recent Bruno and the Gospel of Infinity. Composing on guitar, drawing influence from artists like Jeff Buckley, Dave Matthews, and Martin Sexton, Clark's writing style is a story-driven blend of folk, Americana, and rock. A new voice with traditional roots needs a venue to match, and there is no better place to make his New York City debut than The Green Room 42.

There is magic afoot at MSMT's Pickard Theater - and miracles! Not supernatural ones, but rather those that happen when a fresh new work of musical theatre dazzles the public with its excitement and beauty. And that is exactly what Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark's TREASURE ISLAND A MUSICAL ADVENTURE does as its charts an epic and extraordinary course that gives MSMT audiences a production that is grand, genuinely thrilling, and emotionally satisfying in a timeless way. Robert Louis Stevenson's novel has been adapted for stage and screen numerous times, but none has been as compelling, as simultaneously classic and contemporary as this new musical version, which had its world premiere at the Fulton Theatre in 2018. This East Coast premiere of TREASURE ISLAND offers audiences an opulent production, a brilliant team of creatives, cast, and crew, who pour all their energies into crafting an adventure for the ages. Known for bringing 'Broadway to Brunswick,' with TREASURE ISLAND MSMT has produced a show that is worthy to inhabit any Broadway stage and to find a lasting place in the American musical repertoire.

So what does a theatre company do to keep its momentum and even up the ante after a 60th anniversary season that broke all records? Why not hire three choreographers, fourteen virtuoso singer-dancers, and an eleven-piece big band orchestra, to mount the largest dance show in its history that celebrates the music of one of America's immortal musical geniuses, Duke Ellington? That is precisely what Maine State Music Theatre has done in its 2019 season opener with its sensational all-singing, all-dancing, visually opulent extravaganza, SOPHISTICATED LADIES, that is currently blowing the roof off the Pickard with its high-octane visceral energy, heady joy, and pure lyrical magic.

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre, in association with Maine State Music Theatre is proud to present the dance and music-filled Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, May 2 through May 25, with Previews April 30 and May 1. Three acclaimed choreographers, Broadway's Mark Stuart, Broadway's Kenny Ingram and Lancaster's own Marc Robin, have joined to make this one memorable celebration! 

Casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for its highly anticipated return to Dallas, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals and Broadway Across America at The Music Hall at Fair Park December 19 through January 6.

Maiesha McQueen RETURNS in the role of Becky in the national tour of Waitress - the Broadway musical from Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles inspired by Adrienne Shelly's 2007 motion picture.

The diner will be 'Opening Up' with Steven Good in the role of 'Dr. Pomatter' on October 26th when the tour is in San Francisco, CA at The Golden Gate Theatre. Waitress is the hit Broadway musical from Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles inspired by Adrienne Shelly's 2007 motion picture.

The Las Vegas engagement of Waitress will be 'Opening Up' with Jessie Shelton and Matt DeAngelis in the roles of Dawn and Earl when the tour opens in Las Vegas on Tuesday, October 9th at The Smith Center. Waitress is the hit Broadway musical from Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles inspired by Adrienne Shelly's 2007 motion picture.

Christine Dwyer will put on the apron and bake across the country as she steps into the role of Jenna in the national tour of Waitress - the Broadway musical from Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles inspired by Adrienne Shelly's 2007 motion picture.

This coming Monday, May 21st, the hit acoustic concert series BROADWAY AT W launches in the nation's capital at W WASHINGTON D.C. Overlooking the White House and the National Mall, this marks the fifth location of BROADWAY AT W after previous launches in W New York- Times Square, W Hollywood, W Chicago-City Center, and W Leicester Square (London).

Due to the success of WAITRESS' "Cast Album Karaoke" on Broadway, following the Friday, April 6 evening performance at the Music Hall at Fair Park, audience members will have a chance to sing on the Music Hall stage. Now's the chance to live your Broadway dream! Interested audience members will be chosen at random for the chance to sing one minute of any song in the show accompanied by the musical director following that evening's performance.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature The Lion King, Finding Neverland, The Crucible, and more!

Even without big-name stars, 'Waitress' proves itself to be the right show at the right time.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming Washington, D.C. premiere of the irresistible Broadway musical hit WAITRESS, which comes to the National Theatre for a 3-week limited engagement from May 15 thru June 3, 2018.

Sugar. Butter. Flour. Welcome to the kitchen where Jenna (Desi Oakle) is baking up a fresh pie. She works tirelessly every day baking new pies and serving at Joe's Diner, only to have her abusive husband Earl (Nick Bailey) take her sweet earnings at the end of every shift. This all changes when Jenna discovers she is pregnant with Earl's baby.

Nearly three years after it premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, and while still enjoying a successful run on Broadway, the national tour of WAITRESS is serving customers at the Boston Opera House as part of the Lexus Broadway In Boston 2017-2018 season. The Diane Paulus-driven and directed production is adapted from the 2007 motion picture of the same name written by Adrienne Shelly, with book by Jessie Nelson, and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The Broadway designers are on board to bring the same creative elements to the tour, and a handful of the cast has also performed with the show on the Great White Way.

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at WAITRESS on Tour! Check out photos of the cast in action below!

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at WAITRESS on Tour! Check out the cast in action in the video below!

The National Tour of WAITRESS premieres in Cleveland, OH at the Connor Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square tonight, October 17th, 2017.