John Lee News

Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road, Rte. 28 in Cotuit presents the James Montgomery Band with special guest J. Geils as part of their 2009 Summer Music Series on Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m.

The Tony Award®-winning Old Globe presents the world premier of Cornelia, by Mark Victor Olsen (Big Love), directed by Ethan McSweeny (In This Corner), to run in the Old Globe Theatre May 16 - June 21 (press opening: Thursday, May 21 at 8pm).

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, have announced casting for the first North American Touring production's two-week Boston engagement.

The Providence Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce that there will be 'talkbacks' following the Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28 performances of THE COLOR PURPLE. Attendees are welcome to join cast members for a complimentary post-performance talkback to get special insights on the show.

Designed to provide theatergoers with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of CHICAGO, the latest 'Talkback Tuesdays' celebrated 'Cinco de Mayo' with a talkback featuring Broadway's newest Matron 'Mama' Morton, Latina superstar Sofia Vergara! The sizzling Ms.Vergara made her Broadway debut on Monday, April 27th, 2009.

Broadway/L.A. today announces the lineup for its 2010 Season, with all productions scheduled to play at its flagship venue, Hollywood's historic Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood).

The Tony Award®-winning Old Globe presents the world premier of Cornelia, by Mark Victor Olsen (Big Love), directed by Ethan McSweeny (In This Corner), to run in the Old Globe Theatre May 16 ? June 21 (press opening: Thursday, May 21 at 8pm). Melinda Page Hamilton, who will play ?Cornelia,? was in the Globe?s critically acclaimed productions of Bell, Book and Candle and All My Sons. Robert Foxworth is a television veteran but is perhaps best known for his role as ?Bernard Chenowith? on HBO?s Six Feet Under. Tickets are available by calling (619) 23-GLOBE, online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, or by visiting the Globe Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

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 Canadian Stage Company wraps its 2008.2009 season with Doubt, a parable, the award-winning play that's taken North America by storm. The production stars Canadian theatre icons Seana McKenna (Canadian Stage's The Clean House, Wit) and David Storch (Canadian Stage's Frost/Nixon and director of Palace of the End), and is helmed by renowned director Marti Maraden (Canadian Stage's Trying). The production runs from through May 30, 2009 (media night: May 7) at the Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front Street East. For tickets and information, contact 416-368-3110 or canstage.com.

David Hyde Pierce, who is currently appearing in Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway production of ACCENT ON YOUTH at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street), will be a featured guest on WOR Radio's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6 from 11:00AM - 11:30AM. WOR is found at 710am.

ACCENT ON YOUTH's David Hyde Pierce and director Daniel Sullivan, were featured in the Arts & Leisure section of yesterday's New York Times. To read the full story, written by Matthew Gurewitsch, click here. In addition, Pierce is featured on the New York Times website. To hear the 'Audio Slideshow' produced by Erik Piepenburg, click here.

The Kennedy Center today announced a one week and final extension for the touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE. The musical will now run in the Opera House June 30 through August 9, 2009. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, Fantasia Barrino reprises her critically acclaimed role as Celie in the Kennedy Center performances of THE COLOR PURPLE.

The Manhattan Theatre Clubproduction of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrated Opening Night yesterday evening Wednesday, April 29th. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for the swanky curtain call and after party celebration.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrated Opening Night yesterday evening Wednesday, April 29th. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there for the celebrity filled arrivals.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced additional casting today for the Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Herb Foster will play Valentine; Kevin Kelly will play Sea Captain; Tony nominee Stark Sands will play Sebastian; Baylen Thomas will play Curio; Jon Patrick Walker will play Fabian; and Tony Award winner Julie White will play Maria. TWELFTH NIGHT will feature original music by symphonic folk-rock band Hem.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH running at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) celebrates Opening Night this evening Wednesday, April 29th.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) is proud to present Samson Raphaelson's ACCENT ON YOUTH to be directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (Rabbit Hole, Sight Unseen, Proof). BroadwayWorld.com brings you these video highlights from the production which features Lisa Banes (High Society, Arcadia), Rosie Benton(Saturn Returns, Les Liaisons Dangereuses), David Furr (Cymbeline, Evening), Mary Catherine Garrison (Top Girls, Rabbit Hole), Byron Jennings (Is He Dead?, Sight Unseen), Tony nominee Charles Kimbrough and Tony and Emmy winner David Hyde Pierce.

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

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 Kansas City will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances, April 28-May 3, 2009. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Music Hall Box Office and at participating Ticketmaster outlets (800-982-2787) or online at ticketmaster.com.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.