John August News

The Keegan Theatre announces its 2016-2017, 20th anniversary season.

Mitchell Greco, Artistic Associate and director and choreographer of past Stages productions Xanadu, The Honky Tonk Angels, Girls Night and Life Could Be a Dream, leads a cast of 12 for the finale of Stages' 2015 - 2016 Season, Big Fish.

Cincinnati Music Theatre (CMT) proudly presents Fred Tacon and Pamela Kay Day in the regional premiere of a new Broadway musical, BIG FISH, May 6-14, 2016 at the Aronoff Center's intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater.

Theatrical Outfit continues its vision of creating compassion - one story at a time - by starting the conversations that matter. From Tony-winning musical, to enlightening one-man show, to a family-friendly alternative to the usual holiday fare, to a zany trip into the self-help cosmos, to a musical tribute to an icon, to a world premiere magical puppet extravaganza with music by our industry's hottest songwriter, to four unexpected play readings, our 2016-2017 Season of Hope truly offers something for everyone!

On opening night, March 5th, of Artes de la Rosa's production of BIG FISH: THE MUSICAL 12 CHAIRS version, the production team, cast, and crew helped former Artes de la Rosa actor, Jonathan Flippo propose to his girlfriend, Erin Hardy who is also an Artes alum. Utilizing the 13-member cast of BIG FISH as back up, Jonathan, last seen in Man of La Mancha, sang 'Come What May' from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Scroll down for photos and video of the big proposal!

Artes de la Rosa is proud to announce BIG FISH: The Musical 12 Chairs Version will receive its first North Texas staging this March. The cast features 12 Artes de la Rosa stage debuts for this new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture directed by Tim Burton. Artistic Director Adam Adolfo directs the production. He reunites with Award Winning Musical Director Kristin Spires, who previously collaborated on the North Texas premiere of In the Heights, as well as productions of Into the Woods and Man of La Mancha. Serving as Choreographer is Austin Ray Beck whose work was last seen at the Rose Marine Theatre, Artes de la Rosa's home, in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. The production team also includes Kyle Harris as Lighting Designer, Mark Howard as Sound Designer, and Costume Design by Bentleigh Nesbit and Rodney Hudson. 

Drama Desk nominated musical Big Fish, now playing its Long Island premier through January 31st at SoLuna Studio, is a delight to see. It is family friendly, has a great cast, and you don't have to pay Broadway prices to see it. Based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and the 2003 film, Andrew Lippa's score and John August's book is a roller coaster of emotions.

Artes de la Rosa is proud to announce principle casting for the Artes de la Rosa production of BIG FISH: 12 Chairs Version receiving its first North Texas staging this March.

Screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) has been named the recipient of the Writers Guild of America, West's 2016 Valentine Davies Award

SoLuna Studio will produce the musical BIG FISH as a part their professional mainstage season, with performances running January 8th-31st.  In this touching story centered on the relationship between a father and son, Edward and Will Bloom, the characters will be played by actual father and son, James and Andrew Murano.

From 1992 to 1996, David Lee White was a local actor and director in the Pittsburgh theatre scene and was part of the University of Pittsburgh's MFA program. On Friday, January 15th at 8:00 PM, White will proudly return to Pittsburgh to perform his one-person show Panther Hollow at the Arcade Comedy Theater at 811 Liberty Avenue. Tickets can be purchased online at arcadecomedytheater.com/events/ or by calling (412) 339-0608

For the last few years the uber talented Lythgoe family have been entertaining us at Christmastime, first at the El Portal in NoHo and now at the Pasadena Playhouse with a British style panto. A panto is an interactive entertainment that starts with a very contemporary retelling of a fairy tale such as Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, or in this case Peter Pan and turns it into a fun imaginative show with music that will appeal to both children and their parents. There's usually an actor in drag - none here, and a villain (John O'Hurley as Captain Hook) ... and audience are encouraged to root for the heroes and HISS loudly at the villains. O'Hurley merely needs to turn on that magnificent voice to seize control of the audience, after which kids and adults boo and boo some more. It's all in amusement, of course, and this year's Peter Pan and Tinker Bell A Pirate's Christmas is all good fun with an excellent cast, some fine pop singing and fast-paced dancing... and, first and foremost, a pleasant script by Kris Lythgoe. I feel that some elements of the traditional Peter Pan telling should have been left in tact. For whatever reason, Lythgoe made some less appealing changes.

United Solo Festival, the world's largest solo theatre festival, will present David Lee White's Panther Hollow on Wednesday, November 11th at 3:30pm in the Studio Theatre on Theatre Row ( 410 W. 42nd Street, NYC). Tickets may be purchased on line at http://unitedsolo.org/us/pantherhollow-2015; or by calling 800-447-7400.

Barter Theatre unveils the 2016 production schedule with a behind-the-scenes preview of what the next season has in store. Producing Artistic Director Richard Rose announces an exciting season filled with comedy, drama and many world-famous shows patrons will recognize from their silver-screen adaptations.

On Your Way Productions is pleased to present a first look at the Off-Broadway premiere of Margaret Dulaney's THE HUMMINGBIRD'S TOUR, directed by John Augustine. The limited engagement is currently in previews and continues through Sunday, November 22th, 2015. Official opening night is Monday, October 26th at 7:00 pm. THE HUMMINGBIRD'S TOUR performs at the Theatre at St. Clement's (423 W. 46th Street, New York, NY 10036). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Hale Centre Theatre's memorable production of BIG FISH, directed by the extraordinary John Sweeney, features fantastic performances, a unique set design, and heartwarming family relationships.

Seven stars of HBO's hit series, The Sopranos, will join with legends of rock to present a fundraising evening of theater and music in honor of actor and firefighter Jack Ferry, a beloved member of the Renegade company, who died recently at age 45. All proceeds from the event will go to the John Augustus Ferry College Fund, named for his young son. The event takes place at The Cutting Room, 44 E 32nd St, on Monday, November 2nd at 7pm.

Based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel and Tim Burton's 2003 film of the same name, Big Fish, with a few minor changes in plot, becomes quite an imaginative musical...with Andrew Lippa, composer of some of the best songs written for a Broadway show in a long time. So, it is hard to imagine why its Broadway run ended after a mere three months. Now in its south coast California debut, Big Fish comes to Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista with a divine cast directed stylishly by Steven Glaudini and choreographed vibrantly by Karl Warden with sets and costumes from the original New York production. It's a real charmer and another big hit for Moonlight's winning season.

Award-winning Broadway composer Andrew Lippa, who was the 2010-2011 Composer in Residence at Texas State, will return to Texas State to perform a concert of music from his shows along side students from the musical theater program and Broadway veteran Kaitlin Hopkins (Bat Boy, Bare) at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Texas State University on October 17th at 7:30pm. There will also be a silent auction in the lobby of signed Film, TV and Theatre Memorabilia including scripts, photos and posters. All proceeds from the concert will go to scholarships for students in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Tickets are available at www.txstatepresents.com.

Firefighter, family man and stage and screen actor John 'Jack' Ferry has passed away.