John Lee News

The new Broadway production of The Royal Family began previews Tuesday, September 15 and is set to open Thursday, October 8 at MTC?s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Robert Ginty, experimental theater director, producer, scenarist, film director and stage and screen star died yesterday of cancer in Los Angeles. He was 60 years old.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Jacksonville will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances only on November 17 - 22, 2009 at the Times Union Center's Moran Theater.

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce guests and dates for the upcoming sessions of After Words, the popular discussion panels held after selected Saturday matinees at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce guests and dates for the upcoming sessions of After Words, the popular discussion panels held after selected Saturday matinees at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

The producers of The Color Purple are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Atlanta engagement. Theater of the Stars will host the first North American Touring production of The Color Purple for two weeks, September 15-27. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) are pleased to announce additional casting for Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming Broadway production of THE ROYAL FAMILY by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber featuring direction by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Mauritius, Doubt).

The razzle-dazzle musical visits Philadelphia from September 15-20, 2009 starring JERRY SPRINGER, direct from London.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Atlanta engagement. Theater of the Stars will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for two weeks, September 15-27. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.

The producers of The Color Purple are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Atlanta engagement. Theater of the Stars will host the first North American Touring production of The Color Purple for two weeks, September 15-27. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Chicago Engagement. Returning to its debut home of Chicago, THE COLOR PURPLE will make its home at The Arie Crown Theater for two weeks, September 2 -13, 2009. Tickets

Producers David Richenthal, Jack Viertel, and Alan D. Marks have announced that the box office opens today for the Broadway production of the critically-acclaimed New York City Center Encores! production of Finian's Rainbow, which transfers to Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, beginning Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, with an opening set for Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm.

On Monday, September 7, Broadway's Tony Award-winning, razzle-dazzle hit musical CHICAGO will kick-off the fall season by welcoming back four spectacular audience favorites: Bonnie Langford as Roxie Hart, Deidre Goodwin as Velma Kelly, Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn and Kecia Lewis-Evans as Matron 'Mama' Morton.

Due to scheduling requirements in future markets, THE COLOR PURPLE is reducing the Chicago return engagement by eight performances. Theater-goers will be able to see American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino reprise her starring role of Celie at The Arie Crown Theater for one week only, September 2 - 6, 2009.

Anything can happen when Teatro ZinZanni opens its magical spiegeltent at Pier 29 on the Embarcadero to a troupe of wild gypsies! Music, comedy and romance abound when Under the Gypsy Moon opens on September 3, featuring fiery blues legend Duffy Bishop as Zara, Queen of the Gypsies, and the one-and-only character actor Geoff Hoyle as the Chef.

Due to scheduling requirements in future markets, THE COLOR PURPLE is reducing the Chicago return engagement by eight performances. Theater-goers will be able to see American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino reprise her starring role of Celie at The Arie Crown Theater for one week only, September 2 - 6, 2009.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Chicago Engagement. Returning to its debut home of Chicago, THE COLOR PURPLE will make its home at The Arie Crown Theater for two weeks, September 2 -13, 2009. Tickets

The Nederlander Theatre box office opens today, August 31 at 10:00 AM for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, the first Broadway revivals of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. The box office will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Nederlander Theatre is located at 208 West 41st Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.

The Nederlander Theatre box office opens Monday, August 31 at 10:00 AM for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, the first Broadway revivals of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. The box office will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Nederlander Theatre is located at 208 West 41st Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.

American Idol sensation Fantasia Barrino is featured in a new Chicago Sun-Times article. The star of THE COLOR PURPLE national tour made her Broadway debut with the role.