John Kander News

Northern Stage, the pioneering New England theater company, announces its new production of Chicago. The company obtained special permission from the show's creators to produce an intimate ensemble-based version of the hit musical, directed by Northern Stage Producing Director Catherine Doherty and award-winning New York director-choreographer Connor Gallagher, who also developed original choreography for the show.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will close its 2011-12 season with the Bay Area premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical based on a tragic chapter in American history. Nominated for twelve 2011 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys features music and lyrics by the legendary Broadway songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), book by David Thompson (Steel Pier, Chicago), musical direction by Eric Ebbenga, and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Contact). Jeff Whiting will serve as associate director and choreographer. Tony and Emmy Award winner Hal Linden (Barney Miller, The Rothschilds on Broadway) joins the stellar cast as The Interlocutor. The Scottsboro Boys performs a limited run June 21-July 15, 2012, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, June 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets (starting at $20) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

Due to critical praise and popular demand, Vineyard Theatre has announced a final extension - now through April 28 - for the new musical NOW. HERE. THIS., which opened to rave reviews and sold out houses at The Vineyard on March 28. This will be the second and final extension for the show, which must close on April 28 due to season and artist schedules.

SILENCE! The Musical, currently nominated for two Lucille Lortel Awards including Best Musical, will celebrate its 200th performance this Friday, April 6th at The 9th Space Theatre at Performance Space 122, 150 First Avenue (at 9th St.)

New Dramatists, Tony Honor recipient and playwright development workshop, today announced that two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters will be honored with their 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at its 63rd Annual Spring Luncheon tribute, to be held Thursday, May 24th at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The Tennessee Reperatory Theatre Announces its 2012-2013 Season Lineup, including CLYBOURNE PARK, DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, CABARET, TIME STANDS STILL, and A CHRISTMAS STORY. Subscriptions start at $100. Subscription information is available at www.tennesseerep.org. Subscriptions available by internet and phone order beginning April 2, 2012.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature Love, Sex, the Meaning of Life and the Existence of God, a special talkback discussion with Dr. Timothy Larsen, McManis Professor of Christian Thought at Wheaton College, and Dr. Christopher Nissen, Professor of Italian and advisor to the Atheists, Agnostics, and Free Thinkers group at Northern Illinois University, on Sunday, April 1 following the 1 p.m. performance at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport) in Chicago.

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for the West Coast Premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical about an infamous chapter in American history.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's PIPE DREAM will be recorded live at New York City Center's Encores! series this week, and released this Summer on Ghostlight Records. Produced by Rodgers & Hammerstein: AnImagem Company, this preservation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1955 Broadway musical rarity marks the first time an Encores! musical has been recorded live.

Allegro Stage Company will present CABARET, Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb from March 29th-April 14th.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater June 8 to July 1, 2012.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater June 8 to July 1, 2012. The musical revue will star Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott. Originally produced at Signature Theatre in Virginia and co-conceived by David Loud and Eric Schaeffer, the production features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and will be directed by Eric Schaeffer. Jon Kalbfleisch will conduct the 22-piece Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Press opening night is Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

SILENCE! The Musical, today put a new block of seats on sale through September 2nd at Performance Space 122.

The Tennessee Reperatory Theatre Announces its 2012-2013 Season Lineup, including CLYBOURNE PARK, DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, CABARET, TIME STANDS STILL, and A CHRISTMAS STORY. Subscriptions start at $100. Subscription information is available at www.tennesseerep.org. Subscriptions available by internet and phone order beginning April 2, 2012.

NOW. HERE. THIS. which is currently receiving its world-premiere production at Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street), will extend by one-week - now through April 22 - due to popular demand and strong ticket sales, it has been announced by Artistic Director Douglas Aibel, and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

New York's hit play FREUD'S LAST SESSION is set to open tonight, March 26th at Chicago's Mercury Theatre for a limited engagement through June 3rd.

Signature Theatre will present the world premiere of Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo.

CHITA RIVERA March 20-24 & 27-31 Two Time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will perform songs from her legendary Broadway career with an intimate evening of music in Chita Rivera: My Broadway. Accompanied by her longtime musical trio, led by musical director Michael Croiter, Ms. Rivera will perform selections from her most celebrated musicals, including numbers from West Side Story ("America"), Sweet Charity ("Where Am I Going?" and "Big Spender"), Chicago ("All That Jazz" and "Nowadays"), Kiss of the Spider Woman, Bye, Bye, Birdie and The Rink, and featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Charles Strouse, Stephen Sondheim and Cy Coleman among others.