John Kander News

The Old Globe presents the West Coast Premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical about an infamous chapter in American history. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys features music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, libretto by David Thompson, musical direction by Eric Ebbenga and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The Scottsboro Boys will run April 29 - June 10 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run April 29 - May 4.

Last seen professionally in London over 15 years ago, All Star Productions presents FLORA THE RED MENACE, from May 15th - June 1st.

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) Today's column features the marvelous Marilyn Maye and her new show 'The Happiest Sound In Town' at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.

The original cast of Off-Broadway's FREUD'S LAST SESSION, is returning to the New York production on Wednesday, May 2nd at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Original cast members Mark H. Dold and Martin Rayner, as C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud respectively, will be ending their run in the Chicago production of Mark St. Germain's hit play on April 29th.

The producers of FREUD'S LAST SESSION, the smash hit at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), have announced an extension through July 15th in Chicago.

The Arvada Center has announced its seven-play season that includes four diverse musicals, three comedies, a continued collaboration with one of Colorado's critically acclaimed theater companies and a regional premiere.

Today we are continuing BroadwayWorld's exclusive multi-part InDepth InterView series focusing on the New York Pops 29th Birthday Gala concert celebrating the music and musicals of Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, JOURNEY ON, that will take place at Carnegie Hall on April 30 at 7 PM, by talking to the musical half of the Tony Award-winning songwriting team, Stephen Flaherty.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer will host a special audience Q&A at FREUD'S LAST SESSION immediately after the performance this Thursday, April 26th, along with the playwright and cast.

Life is imitating art for leading man Raza Jaffrey, as CHICAGO producer, Barry Weissler spotted him in the new Steven Spielberg TV series Smash, and immediately offered him the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of the musical. He will star in CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from 16 May to 14 July, playing the role between present Billy, David Bedella, who leaves the cast on 12 May, and Olympian Robin Cousins, who joins on 17 July.

Today we are kicking off BroadwayWorld's exclusive multi-part InDepth InterView series focusing on the New York Pops 29th Birthday Gala concert celebrating the music and musicals of Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, JOURNEY ON, that will take place at Carnegie Hall on April 30 at 7 PM by taking to the lyricist half of the lauded Tony Award-winning songwriting team herself, the thoughtful and candid Lynn Ahrens. In a wide-ranging conversation covering many of her theatrical collaborations with Stephen Flaherty from their first musical, LUCKY STIFF, in the 1980s, to their Tony-winning success with RAGTIME in the 1990s, to their astounding slate of shows since - SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL, DESSA ROSE and THE GLORIOUS ONES included - all the way up to 2012 and their new musical in pre-production in Germany, ROCKY, based on the iconic 1975 Oscar-winning Sylvester Stallone-starring boxing film. Ahrens also shares firsthand news on the new Ahrens & Flaherty musical based on the art and life of Degas and the upcoming feature film version of LUCKY STIFF, directed by Christopher Ashley, as well as reflects on her work for the stage, page and screen outside of her work with Flaherty - songs for SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK and songs for the hit indie musical film CAMP among them. Plus, Ahrens shares her enthusiasm for her many collaborators and the performers famous for interpreting her work as well as relates her excitement for the star-studded JOURNEY ON concert spectacular at Carnegie Hall. All of that and much, much more!

On April 13th, SILENCE! The Musical received the 2012 Telly Award for Use of Humor in a Television Commercial. The hit Off-Broadway show's new commercial won the prestigious honor at the 33rd Annual Telly Awards over nearly 11,000 entries from around the world. 'The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,' said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. SILENCE! The Musical's TV commercial illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.' See the award-winning commercial below!

The Town Hall's (123 West 43rd Street) critically acclaimed Broadway by the Year's® 12th Season continues with The Broadway Musicals of 1975 on Monday, May 14th at 8PM. 1975 was a year that brought us famous shows by musical theater icons including Marvin Hamlisch, (A Chorus Line), John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago), and Richard O'Brien (The Rocky Horror Show), among others. Produced by The Town Hall, The Broadway Musicals of 1975 is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION by Mark St. Germain, now in its second successful year in New York, and currently running at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago) will host a birthday celebration in honor of the anniversary of Sigmund Freud's 156th birthday on Sunday, May 6. Following both performances that day, audiences will have the opportunity to meet and greet with the cast members and snack on cupcakes. One lucky audience member will be selected to receive a "Freudian Slip" by Cosabella, courtesy of Chicago's G Boutique.

Tacoma Musical Playhouse has announced the 19th season of musical theater in Tacoma. The 2012-2013 season will include six Broadway-style musicals on the TMP Mainstage and three family-friendly productions from the Tacoma Children's Musical Theater.

Olympics Gold Medallist Robin Cousins will star on the West End stage as Billy Flynn in the musical CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from 17 July, 10 days ahead of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. He will be in the show until 8 September, the day before the final day of the Paralympics.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor esteemed stage actress Patti LuPone with the company's third Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit on April 16, 2012 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC. Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer said, 'I am thrilled that Patti LuPone will be this year's recipient of the Stephen Sondheim Award. With her wonderful performances in Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Company, Passion, and more - she has had an amazing connection to Steve's words and music. It's wonderful to add her name to the distinguished honorees Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters. We look forward to saluting Patti and her extraordinary talents in April.'

According to an audition listing, Walter Bobbie is set to direct Vineyard Theatre's Developmental Lab Production of THE LANDING (previously titled 'Andra') -- a collection of three related one-act musicals written by the celebrated composer John Kander and his new collaborator, Greg Pierce - THE LANDING will be presented May 15-June 3 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.).

Take a trip back to the 1970's with two vintage commericals from musical theatre favorites SWEENEY TODD and CHICAGO! Check out the original TV spots below!

Signature Theatre closes out its 2011/12 season sporting funky legwarmers and wielding neon glow sticks with the Washington premiere of the musical comedy hit Xanadu. Beginning performances on May 6th, Xanadu will be transforming Signature's MAX Theatre into one big disco-ball heaven - complete with satin shorts and roller skates! Nominated for four Tony Awards® (including "Best Musical"), the musical features a Book by Douglas Carter Beane, with Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Xanadu will play at Signature from May 6, 2012 through July 1, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback series in May with Chicago academics, atheists and psychologists to discuss Love, Sex, the Meaning of Life and the Existence of God at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. A current sold-out sensation Off-Broadway and winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, the Midwest Premiere of FREUD'S LAST SESSION has received rave reviews and a Jeff Recommendation.