Jimmy Smagula News

Perched above the stage in their private bleacher section, just beyond an outfield fence graffitied with the musical's title, conductor Rob Berman and his 25 piece Encores! Summer Stars orchestra might be mistaken for the conservatory cousins of Brooklyn's legendary Dodger Sym-Phony. But instead of serenading umpires from the Ebbet's Field grandstands with double forte arrangements of 'Three Blind Mice,' the musicians of director John Rando's cracker-jack production of Damn Yankees - a 1955 musical that opened in the early weeks of the baseball season that saw Brooklyn beat the Yankees for the borough's only World Series championship - treats 21st Century audiences to that thrilling sound of a Broadway Golden Age orchestra. The detailed movements and textures contained within Don Walker's orchestrations, whether giving comic accents to the pepper-upper 'Heart,' setting a satirical mood for the pseudo-vamp 'Whatever Lola Wants' or lifting a slow ballad like 'A Man Doesn't Know' with phrases that search the mind of the singing character, help bring majestic touches of artistry to this rousing vaudeville disguised as a book musical.

It has been announced that MTC's production of TO BE OR NOT TO BE will play its final performance on November 16th, 2008. November 16th, 2008 is the end of Manhattan Theater Club's subscription run. They had previously been offering tickets through November 23rd, 2008, but will now be canceling that week of performances. Patrons who have purchased tickets for performances through November 23rd, 2008 should return to their point of purchase for a refund.

The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director;Barry Grove, Executive Producer) world premiere production of Nick Whitby's 'To Be or Not To Be' officially opened on Broadway on Tuesday October 14th. BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to capture the cast as they arrived at Planet Hollywood to celebrate after the curtain came down!

The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) world premiere production of Nick Whitby's 'To Be or Not To Be' officially opened on Broadway last night, Tuesday October 14th. BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to capture the star-studded red carpet arrivals.

The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer)world premiere production of Nick Whitby's 'To Be or Not To Be' opens on Broadway tonight, Tuesday October 14th.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will celebrate opening night for their upcoming world premiere production of Nick Whitby's TO BE OR NOT TO BE. The play, based on the 1942 motion picture To Be or Not To Be, is directed by three-time Tony Awardâ nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python's Spamalot).

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce guests and dates for After Words, the popular discussion series at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The series begins its third season on Saturday, September 20 following the matinee performance of TO BE OR NOT TO BE with J. Hoberman, film critic for The Village Voice, and Foster Hirsch, professor of film at Brooklyn College. The discussion will be moderated by Lisa McNulty, MTC's Associate Director of Artistic Operations.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer)postponed the first preview of Nick Whitby's TO BE OR NOT TO BE. First preview now tonight, 9/13

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) has postponed the first preview and opening night of Nick Whitby's TO BE OR NOT TO BE.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) is pleased to announce full casting for their upcoming world premiere production of Nick Whitby's 'To Be or Not To Be.' The play, based on the 1942 motion picture of the same name will be directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw ('The Drowsy Chaperone,' 'Monty Python's Spamalot').

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has issued a mayoral proclamation declaring today, September 4, 2008 to be 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Day.'

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) has postponed the first preview of Nick Whitby's TO BE OR NOT TO BE.

David Rasche has joined the cast of MTC's TO BE OR NOT TO BE in the role of 'Josef.'

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) presents the world premiere Broadway production of Nick Whitby's TO BE OR NOT TO BE. The play, based on the 1942 motion picture To Be or Not To Be, will be directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python's Spamalot).

Tickets for the Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) upcoming world premiere Broadway production of Nick Whitby's TO BE OR NOT TO BE are now on sale.

In addition to Craig Bierko (The Music Man, The Long Kiss Goodnight) and Jan Maxwell (Coram Boy, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), the production will feature...

On July 10th, 2008 the musical Damn Yankees opened at New York City Center as part of the Encores! Summer Series and BWW was there. The show runs through July 27th!

Sean Hayes, Jane Krakowski, Cheyenne Jackson, and Randy Graff star in Damn Yankees, running July 5 - 27, 2008 at New York City Center (55th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues).

On Sunday June 29th Broadway performers joined Robert Creighton and Friends for the 4th Annual Canadian Day Party at Latitude

On Tuesday June 24th, BroadwayWorld.com cameras got the opportunity to visit the rehearsal of Encores! presentation of Damn Yankees, one of this summer's most highly anticipated production.