Joan Hess News

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 West Side Story, Mamma Mia!, Something Rotten, and More!

The Gateway's latest offering is an absolutely thrilling production of the worldwide blockbuster hit Mamma Mia!. Running through August 5th at the Patchogue Theatre For The Performing Arts, this incarnation is excellently directed by Larry Raben. Indeed, this uplifting show, set to the fun music of ABBA, will leave you smiling and humming the score for days.

The Painted Queen, the final book in the Amelia Peabody series, has just been released by William Morrow. Though I cannot remember the precise year I discovered the series by Elizabeth Peters, I do recall my response: Gimme! One after the other, I devoured each installment. I couldn't get enough of the supremely feisty heroine whose ability to attract murder and mayhem was matched only be her keen intelligence and rapier wit. And her archeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson? Bluster and brawn and a brain coveted by his peers, this was a man up to the challenge.

Save the date for the biggest, most famous pop musical of all time that will take you on a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!

The Gateway will take Long Island by storm at The Patchogue Theatre with the international smash hit Mamma Mia!, and will dazzle the audience from July 19th through August 5th.  Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' Mamma Mia!, is based on the songs of ABBA and has broken box office records worldwide having been seen by more than 60 million people.  With non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers, the show features hit songs that include "Super Trouper," "Dancing Queen," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Take a Chance on Me," "Thank You for the Music," "Money, Money, Money," "The Winner Takes It All," and "SOS."

Some People Hear Thunder is a powerful musical love story-an uplifting tale of a young reporter, his true love in America, and Armenians fighting for dignity and survival in the face of brutality.

Music Director Thierry Fischer and President & CEO Paul Meecham today announced the Utah Symphony's 2017-18 season, which includes a Saint-Saens symphony cycle recorded live for the Hyperion label, marking the first recording of the composer's complete symphonies by an American orchestra.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents song-and-dance standards from the golden age of Hollywood musicals in a Valentine's-weekend pops program, February 10-12 in Red Bank, Newark and New Brunswick. Broadway veterans Joan Hess and Kirby Ward join the Orchestra and guest conductor Gemma New, performing classics inspired by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly and Eleanor Powell.

? Theatre Aspen announced casting for the organization's upcoming season of summer shows, which includes MAMMA MIA!, Buyer & Cellar and Dear Edwina.

The first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY opens at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre tonight, December 10, 2015, and plays through January 17, 2016. 

The full cast is set for the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, opening at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on December 10, 2015, and playing through January 17, 2016. (Previews on December 8 and 9.)

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, running through October 11. The show opened on August 26, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, opening tonight, August 26, and running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Picturesfilm OCTOBER SKY and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. BroadwayWorld has a first look at footage from the show below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, opening tonight, August 26, for a run through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, now playing through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film OCTOBER SKY and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at rehearsals below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, currently in previews and opening August 26 for a run through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, previewing tonight,  August 19, opening August 26 and running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics byMichael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film October Sky and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.  Check out a sneak peek at rehearsals below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, previewing tonight, August 19, opening August 26 and running through October 11.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the World Premiere of the new musical OCTOBER SKY, previewing August 19, opening August 26 and running through October 11. Written by Aaron Thielen, with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, OCTOBER SKY is directed by Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell. Music Direction is by Ryan T. Nelson. Presented in association with Universal Stage Productions (Billy Elliott, Wicked, Bring It On), and from the writing team that brought audiences HERO (Jeff Award, Best New Work, 2012), OCTOBER SKY is based on the beloved Universal Pictures film October Sky and the bestselling novel Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.

Theatre Aspen announced casting for the organization's upcoming slate of repertory shows, which includes CABARET, Peter and the Starcatcher, Junie B Jones the Musical and Other Desert Cities.