Joe Mantello News

Today we are kicking off the 2012 InDepth InterView Tony Awards Series with the director/choreographer of the hottest hit of the 2011-2012 theatrical season, NEWSIES, that was recently awarded with a boatload of Tony Award nominations, in addition to a short-running show that has a very vocal group of advocates and supporters that also received a handful of Tony noms, BONNIE & CLYDE - the passionate and visionary Jeff Calhoun. Discussing all aspects of his mega-hit with Disney's NEWSIES and his success d'estime with Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE, as well as all about his years spent developing both, Calhoun illustrates his process and sheds some light on many aspects of the creation of the wildly different vehicles, as well as his opinions on the theatrical environment of today. Additionally, Calhoun outlines his experiences working with NEWIES and BONNIE & CLYDE breakout stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes - both Tony nominees - as well as his many years spent as an associate choreographer for legendary Tony-winning master director Tommy Tune creating many remarkable musicals such as GRAND HOTEL and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. Plus, Calhoun conveys his infectious enthusiasm for his craft and discusses what drives him to create while also sharing his humbled appreciation for the recognition of both his new musicals this season by the Tony Award committee and reflecting on his vast multitude of experiences in the theatre so far in his career - everything from starring in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and MY ONE & ONLY on Broadway to choreographing THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and BUSKER ALLEY with Tommy Tune and transitioning into directing/choreographing with the hit revivals of GREASE, BIG RIVER, PIPPIN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Graciele Daniele), BELLS ARE RINGING, as well as GREY GARDENS and the rest. All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best!

On Twitter Watch, Pasek and Paul wrote 'Dogfight rehearsal with @lindsaymendez and @pduchan in a deep discussion!"

The Sacramento engagement of WICKED begins performances tonight, May 23 and runs through June 17 at Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street. The Sacramento engagement of WICKED features Nicole Parker as Elphaba, Alli Mauzey as Glinda, Liz McCartney as Madame Morrible, PJ Benjamin as The Wizard and Justin Brill as Boq.

Second Stage Theatre has announced the casting for its upcoming world premiere musical, DOGFIGHT.

WICKED goes on sale to the public today, May 19 at 7 a.m.; tickets will be exclusively available at the box office from 7 to 10 a.m. on-site at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts at 361 Symphony Park Avenue in Las Vegas. Beginning at 10 a.m., any remaining tickets will be available for purchase online at www.TheSmithCenter.com or by phone at 702-749-2000. There is an 8-ticket limit per patron.

The company of the first North American tour of WICKED welcomes PJ Benjamin as The Wizard on Tuesday, May 8 and Nicole Parker as Elphaba on Friday, May 18 in Denver, CO.

The Sacramento engagement of WICKED begins performances May 23 and runs through June 17 at Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street. The Sacramento engagement of WICKED features Nicole Parker as Elphaba, Alli Mauzey as Glinda, Liz McCartney as Madame Morrible, PJ Benjamin as The Wizard and Justin Brill as Boq.

WICKED will go on sale to the public on Saturday, May 19 at 7 a.m.; tickets will be exclusively available at the box office from 7 to 10 a.m. on-site at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts at 361 Symphony Park Avenue in Las Vegas. Beginning at 10 a.m., any remaining tickets will be available for purchase online at www.TheSmithCenter.com or by phone at 702-749-2000. There is an 8-ticket limit per patron.

Yesterday, May 16, Lincoln Center unveiled its brand new space, The Claire Tow Theatre. This latest theatrical venue on the complex will be the new home to LCT's programming initiative LCT3. It is now also the centerpiece of a $42 million, 23,000 square foot structure on the roof of the Vivian Beaumont Theater which also includes rehearsal and office space. It is the first live performance theater to open at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in over 40 years.

Following an acclaimed season which included the world premiere of Paul Weitz's Lonely, I'm Not and a critically lauded second staging of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winner, How I Learned To Drive, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has just announced two of the four mainstage productions in the company's upcoming 34th season. For subscription or ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com. All productions are staged at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre, 305 West 43rd Street (just west of Eighth Avenue).

Playhouse on the Square announces its 2012-2013 season of plays and musicals. Reservations and ticket information can be found at http://www.playhouseonthesquare.org/boxoffice/ or by calling (901) 726-4656. The Box Office is located inside Playhouse on the Square at 66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that it will extend the run of its critically acclaimed production of Amy Herzog's 4000 MILES, directed by Daniel Aukin, for a second time, through Sunday, July 1 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street). The original run of the production was extended through Sunday, June 17 after 4000 MILES opened to critical acclaim in early April.

WICKED, the most anticipated musical production of the 2012-2013 season will go on sale to the public on Saturday, May 19 at 7 a.m.; tickets will be exclusively available at the box office from 7 to 10 a.m. on-site at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts at 361 Symphony Park Avenue in Las Vegas. Beginning at 10 a.m., any remaining tickets will be available for purchase online at www.TheSmithCenter.com or by phone at 702-749-2000. There is an 8-ticket limit per patron.

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2009, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, returns to Salt Lake City's Capitol Theatre July 18-August 26. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale today, Friday, May 11 at 10am. Part of Zions Bank Broadway Across America - Utah.

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Jon Robin Baitz, nominee for Best Play for writing Other Desert Cities.

LCT3 will open its 2012-2013 season with DISGRACED, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Kimberly Senior beginning Monday, October 15 through Sunday, November 18 at LCT3's new home at Lincoln Center Theater, the Claire Tow Theater (150 West 65 Street). Opening night is Monday, October 22. LCT3 is producing this New York premiere of DISGRACED by arrangement with the Araca Group.

Thomas Sadoski returns to the role of Tripp Wyeth in Jon Robin Baitz's critically acclaimed new play OTHER DESERT CITIES, directed by Joe Mantello, beginning tonight, May 8 at 7 pm at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45 Street), joining co-stars Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach, Judith Light, and Elizabeth Marvel.

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 5/5

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED welcomes Christine Dwyer as Elphaba and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Fiyero today, May 2 in Durham, NC.

We'll be talking to nominees all day for their reactions!