John Lithgow News

The Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed that MATILDA, A MUSICAL will begin performances this November at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The show will run from November 9th through January 2011 under the direction of Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus, with book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director) is pleased to announce that 'Cheers' and 'Frasier' stars Kelsey Grammer (La Cage aux Folles) and Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family) will reunite to announce the nominations for The 76th Annual Drama League Awards.

On May 22, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, John Lithgow returns to Cleveland for a special one day only performance to benefit Great Lakes Theater Festival (GLTF) - the classic theater company that his father, Arthur Lithgow, helped to found nearly fifty years ago.

The Geffen Playhouse's Backstage at the Geffen annual fundraiser, which recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising funds for the Geffen Playhouse's education programs, will honor Tony and Emmy Award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth and Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Barry Meyer.

International City Theatre will close out the first production of its 25th, Silver Jubilee Season, the Los Angeles premiere of a new musical about Silver Screen legend Ginger Rogers entitled BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS on March 21st.

The singing, dancing, rocking movie musical Footloose will end its run at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre stage on March 21st! Based on a true story, it's about a big-city kid who shakes things up when he moves to a small town.

As previously reported, Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna have decided to collaborate on their upcoming show efforts and will jointly star in All About Me. The New York Times has reported today that All About Me shall run at the Golden Theater. Previews will begin on February 19 with an official opening night of March 18.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo, L.A.

Great Lakes Theater Festival (GLTF) acting company alumnus - two-time Tony award-winner, four-time Emmy award-winner and recent Golden Globe award recipient - John Lithgow will return to Cleveland for a one-performance-only event, entitled STORIES BY HEART on Sunday, May 23, 2010 (2:00 p.m.) at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. All proceeds from the performance will benefit Great Lakes Theater Festival

Based on the beloved book by Dodie Smith and led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks (A BRONX TALE, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, GUYS AND DOLLS), acclaimed bookwriter/co-lyricist B.T. McNicholl (BILLY ELLIOT, SPAMALOT, THE IT GIRL), and Dennis DeYoung, co-founder of the legendary rock band Styx, The 101 Dalmatians Musical promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world where the audience sees life from a dog's point of view. This stage musical transports audiences to a topsy-turvy, exciting, and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance, and spectacle in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.

The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director) has announced that Vanessa Williams (Sondheim on Sondheim) and her 'Ugly Betty' co-star Michael Urie (The Temperamentals) will serve as co-hosts for The 76th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.

THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL, which will perform in Indianapolis from March 9 through March 14, features a surprise grand finale showcasing the tremendous talents of the professional and rescued Dalmatians that will leave audiences cheering. The dogs were all trained by one of the world's foremost animal trainers, Joel Slaven, who has worked extensively with Jack Hanna on such featured films as 'Ace Ventura Pet Detective' and 'That Darn Cat.'

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) celebrated the construction of the theatre's future home, The Signature Center, at its 2010 annual gala on Monday, March 1 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street). Guest of honor was Frank Gehry, architect of the Signature Center. The evening alsod include the presentation of Signature's Playwrights' Award to actress Hallie Foote, daughter of the late playwright Horton Foote, who is currently starring at Signature in her father's critically acclaimed world premiere trilogy, The Orphans' Home Cycle.

Based on the beloved book by Dodie Smith and led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks (A Bronx Tale, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Guys and Dolls), acclaimed bookwriter/co-lyricist B.T. McNicholl (Billy Elliot, Spamalot, The IT Girl), and Dennis DeYoung, co-founder of the legendary rock band Styx, The 101 Dalmatians Musical promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world where the audience sees life from a dog's point of view.

We all love the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Because, really, what's not to love? The seasoned, elegant, upscale, and rather dashing con man Lawrence Jameson (played flawlessly by the sleek and sophisticated Michael Caine) takes a crude, grubby, aspiring con artist Freddie Benson under his wing (Steve Martin in one of his most brilliant and memorable roles). When the master and the protégé become competitors for the heart (and the fortune) of a naive ingénue, hilarity ensues. Unscrupulous leading characters, sexcapades, a hint of romance, a beautiful French Riviera setting, and lots of lying, cheating, dirty rotten deeds. Again, what's not to love about this story? But does the adaptation of the film work as a stage musical? Well...yes and no.

Signature Theatre Company will celebrate the construction of the theatre's future home, The Signature Center, at its 2010 annual gala on Monday, March 1 at Espace. Guest of honor will be Frank Gehry, architect of the Signature Center. The evening will also include the presentation of Signature's Playwrights' Award to actress Hallie Foote, daughter of the late playwright Horton Foote, who is currently starring at Signature in her father's critically acclaimed world premiere trilogy, The Orphans' Home Cycle.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo, L.A.

Signature Theatre Company will celebrate the construction of the theatre's future home, The Signature Center, at its 2010 annual gala on Monday, March 1 at Espace. Guest of honor will be Frank Gehry, architect of the Signature Center. The evening will also include the presentation of Signature's Playwrights' Award to actress Hallie Foote, daughter of the late playwright Horton Foote, who is currently starring at Signature in her father's critically acclaimed world premiere trilogy, The Orphans' Home Cycle.

International City Theatre opens its 25th, Silver Jubilee Season with the Los Angeles premiere of a new musical about Silver Screen legend Ginger Rogers.

The Alpine Theatre Project has announced its summer season, which will feature Barrymore, Hair and Hammerstein's A Grand Night For Singing.