Joanna Murray-Smith News

Melbourne audiences can now start the New Year in song and shimmering style, with the announcement that single tickets for MTC's glamorous new musical Ladies in Black go on sale today.

Broadway In Chicago and producers Starvox Entertainment and June Entertainment have announced the full cast for SHERLOCK HOLMES.  JAMES MASLOW, the actor and singer perhaps best known for playing the role of James Diamond in Nickelodeon's 'Big Time Rush' and a member of the band with the same name, will star as the legendary Dr. John Watson, along with RENNE OLSTEAD, best known for her role as Lauren Miller in the TV sitcom 'Still Standing,' and as Madison Cooperstein in 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager,' as the well-to-do-American, Lady Irene St. John, opposite DAVID ARQUETTE in the title role as SHERLOCK HOLMES.  The two actors will make their stage debuts in this new and original adaptation inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tales by playwright Greg Kramer and directed by Andrew Shaver scheduled to play Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 W Randolph) November 24 - 29, 2015.

Following recent celebrated performances in The Present and Children of the Sun, Jacqueline McKenzie is back at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) for the whimsical, magical tale of time and transformation, Orlando, Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel. The wild ride spanning more than 300 years also features John Gaden, Matthew Backer, Luisa Hastings Edge, Garth Holcombe, and Anthony Taufa, directed by STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes, at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, from 9 November to 19 December 2015.

Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Brett Sheehy AO today revealed MTC's 2016 Season - a year of remarkable theatre, entertainment and activity at Victoria's home of live storytelling.

Theatrical agent Sarah Jane Leigh has died at 53, BroadwayWorld confirmed this afternoon. In honor of her memory, American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter, Doug Wright, has paid tribute to Leigh with a heartfelt obituary, which you can read in full below.

2015 HELPMANN AWARDS ***THIS ARTICLE WILL BE UPDATED LIVE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY 2015***

The Opera Conference is delighted to announce that production is underway in Melbourne on The Divorce. The program is a unique multi-platform project that re-invents opera for television, film and online audiences across the country. Originally commissioned by The Opera Conference, this playful new approach to a traditional art form is a collaboration between The Opera Conference, ABC TV Arts and Princess Pictures and brings together exceptional creative talent from multiple genres. The original score is by internationally acclaimed composer Elena Kats-Chernin and the libretto by award-winning playwright Joanna Murray-Smith.

Geffen Playhouse has exciting news to announce. The critically acclaimed and popular production Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon and directed by Matt Shakman extends by one week through July 26.

Tonight, the countdown to the 2015 HELPMANN AWARDS began with the announcement of the 2015 HELPMANN AWARDS Nominees.

Harper Clements looks back over her forty years, working in the White House.

Melbourne Theatre Company, in collaboration with Kay + McLean Productions, presents the theatrical spectacular North by Northwest. Adapted by Carolyn Burns and directed by MTC luminary Simon Phillips, this stunning stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's infamous spy thriller stars Matt Day as man-on-the-run, Roger O. Thornhill, and Amber McMahon as the cool blonde, Eve Kendall. This world premiere production opens on Thursday 4 June at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announces directors, creative teams, and initial casting for 2015/16, a season featuring a Tony Award-winning musical, a play by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Milwaukee playwright Ayad Akthar, and three world premieres.

Five names the magic number. For the past 50 years, Milwaukee Rep has supported the Artistic Intern Program, a rarity throughout the country. In another 5th anniversary worth celebrating, The Rep Artistic Intern Ensemble presented a cohesive, fascinating evening in homage to the theater during their Short Play Festival held in the Stiemke Studio this April. Actors stood in the tiered stands amid the audience and asked: "Think of all the characters you love."

Joanna Murray-Smith's Switzerland -- already extended one week -- will extend yet another eight performances by popular demand with a final closing date of April 26, 2015. A world premiere with the Sydney Theatre Company, Switzerland is a Los Angeles Times Arts Editors' "Essential Arts and Culture" Pick and features Laura Linney (Broadway World said she is "pure gold") and Seth Numrich (called "outstanding" by the Los Angeles Times).

Switzerland/written by Joanna Murray-Smith/directed by Mark Brokaw/Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse/co-world premiere with the Sydney Theatre Company/through April 19

Laura Linney (The Big C, The Savages) and Seth Numrich (AMC's TURN, Broadway: War Horse) will perform in the Geffen Playhouse production of Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith (The Female of the Species, The Gift). This co-world premiere with Sydney Theatre Company will be directed by Mark Brokaw (Broadway: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, The Lyons) in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse now through April 19, 2015. Opening night is tonight, March 13.

Laura Linney (The Big C, The Savages) and Seth Numrich (AMC's TURN, Broadway: War Horse) will perform in the Geffen Playhouse production of Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith (The Female of the Species, The Gift). This co-world premiere with Sydney Theatre Company will be directed by Mark Brokaw (Broadway: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, The Lyons) in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse from tonight, March 6 to April 19, 2015. Opening night is Friday, March 13.

Artistic Director Mark Clements announced Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2015/16 Season last night to an enthusiastic group of Rep Subscribers and Donors.

Artistic Director Mark Clements announced Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2015/16 Season this evening to an enthusiastic group of Rep Subscribers and Donors.

Laura Linney (The Big C, The Savages) and Seth Numrich (AMC's TURN, Broadway: War Horse) will perform in the Geffen Playhouse production of Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith (The Female of the Species, The Gift). This co-world premiere with Sydney Theatre Company will be directed by Mark Brokaw (Broadway: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, The Lyons) in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse from March 6 to April 19, 2015. Opening night is Friday, March 13.