John Doyle News

On Friday, October 9, noted orchestrator and conductor Fred Barton will bring the music of Broadway and the American Songbook to the Schimmel Center at Pace University, in American Showstoppers: An Evening of Johnny Mercer. In his seventh concert at Pace, Fred Barton now brings the power of Mercer's music and lyrics front and center, with a 14-piece orchestra and a cast of 16 Broadway singers and dancers, with direction and choreography by Scott Thompson. The cast is headlined by Damon Kirsch, Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams, two time Tony nominee Vivian Reed, Nick Spangler, Tony Nominee Lauren Worsham, and Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba. The cast also features Jesse Luttrell, Sean McGibbon and Molly Pope.

Now that Labor Day is over, Broadway is officially gearing up for its upcoming Fall season, which is set to include a slew of Broadway debuts, starry revivals, and exciting new projects. In anticipation of the incoming theatre slate, the New York Times invited some special Broadway guests to perform at their 2015 Fall Preview, hosted at 54 Below.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Tony nominee Elizabeth A. Davis and actor Gary Farmer will lead the cast of Goodspeed's INDIAN JOE. Based on a true story, INDIAN JOE, a new musical about discovering the true meaning of family, will inspire Connecticut audiences this fall. An acoustic powerhouse cast of actor-musicians will weave a tuneful tale that beats with pure American heart and soul. Don't miss INDIAN JOE, October 22 through November 15 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn.

A memorial tribute will be held for Roger Rees, the legendary Tony Award-winning actor, and Tony Award nominated director, on Monday, September 21 at 1:00 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 W 42nd Street, NYC), it was announced today.  Doors will open at 12:30 PM, with general admission seating available to the public.  

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) - the world's number one live-theatre company with over 40 venues - has signed a deal to acquire ACE Theatrical Group (ACE), a company which specialises in the operation, design, development and construction of world class, live performance venues throughout North America. This brings the total number of ATG venues to 45 in the UK, Australia and North America, including the two biggest theatrical markets - Broadway and London's West End.

The Play Company (PlayCo), led by Founding Producer Kate Loewald and Executive Producer Lauren Weigel celebrates its 15th Anniversary season with programming that exemplifies its unique commitment to premiering plays from around the world, including the U.S., to advance a dynamic, international experience of contemporary theater as part of the American repertoire.

Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo perform the title song from the upcoming Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE.

Lincoln Center Theater presents Patti LuPone, Dale Soules, Michael Urie, Jordan Dean, Lance Coadie Williams, and Zoe Winters in Shows For Days, a new play by Douglas Carter Beane, directed by Jerry Zaks. The production opened, June 29 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street), and it closes tonight, August 23.

The all-male string quartet Well-Strung has been receiving rave reviews all over the world - from the House of Blues in New Orleans to the Leicester Square Theatre in London - and now they return to Feinstein's at the Nikko on Sunday, October 4 at 7 p.m. for one performance only to celebrate the release of their new CD, 'POPssical' (available October 2015).

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces artist additions for the 2015/16 season, with select cast and creative team members announced for Destiny of Desire, Oliver!, Sweat and All the Way as part of the theater's 66th season.

Broadway husband and wife Will Swenson and Audra McDonald recently filmed themselves singing a seemingly random duet- the theme song from the hit '70s show LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY. Check out the fun a capella performance, made for Broadway Sleepout, below!

THE COLOR PURPLE, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, will begin preview performances on Tuesday, November 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th street) and will officially open on Thursday, December 10. Check out photos of the marquee below!

Symphony Space will usher in a new series of works for its 2015-16 season, thanks to new artistic director Andrew Byrne.

Additional principal casting for this fall's highly anticipated production of THE COLOR PURPLE, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, has been confirmed.

Today in 2008, A Catered Affair closed at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it ran for 116 performances. A Catered Affair is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by John Bucchino. It is based on both the 1956 film The Catered Affair written by Gore Vidal and the original 1955 teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky, set in 1953 in the Bronx. John Doyle directed the production, which starred Fierstein, Faith Prince and Tom Wopat.

Chita Rivera's GREAT PERFORMANCES special, subtitled 'A LOT OF LIVIN' TO DO', will air as part of PBS's Fall Arts Festival 2015.

THE VISIT makes a big impression on record!

THE VISIT cast album, available now, is a joint release of two labels: Broadway Records and Yellow Sound Label, and is co-executive produced by Hunter Arnold, Carl Daikelerand Sandi Moran. Just last week, July 9, the company reunited at Barnes and Noble (150 East 86th Street) for a CD signing and performance. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special performance below!

Broadway Records releases THE VISIT Original Broadway Cast Recording digitally and in stores, including most major retailers, such as iTunes and Amazon, today, July 10.

THE VISIT cast album, out tomorrow, is a joint release of two labels: Broadway Records and Yellow Sound Label, and is co-executive produced by Hunter Arnold, Carl Daikelerand Sandi Moran. Tonight, July 9 (7PM), the company will reunite at Barnes and Noble (150 East 86th Street) for a CD signing and performance.