John McMartin News

James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES closes tonight, June 9, at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre after a critically acclaimed run. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, the show has been through quite the journey, beginning at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center in May 2011, then making its transfer to Broadway's Marquis Theatre, where it opened in September of 2011 and ran through January 22, 2012, and finally traveling to L.A. for its May 9, 2012, opening. As a farewell to Follies, BroadwayWorld brings takes you through this journey with photos, video and highlights from all three productions below.

Today in 2005, the second Broadway revival of Sweet Charity opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, where it ran for 279 performances. Sweet Charity is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. It was directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse starring his wife and muse Gwen Verdon alongside John McMartin. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1966, where it was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, and also ran in the West End as well as having revivals and international productions. THe 2005 revival starred Christina Applegate in he title role.

James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, begins previews tonight, May 3 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. Opening is set for May 9.

Today in 2002, the first Broadway revival of Into the Woods opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it ran for 279 performances. Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Into the Woods won several Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason), in a year dominated by The Phantom of the Opera. The main characters are taken from the stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, tied together by a more original story involving a baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, most likely taken from the original story of Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm.

New York's City Center can be a dark and unwelcoming place on a Friday afternoon. The recently restored interior is obscured by shadows and the only light comes from the merciless worklights over the stage which only partially illuminate the two performers beneath them. Yet, even through these shadows, the admirable skills of two Broadway veterans are evident as they recreate their roles in WEST SIDE STORY. Both actors appeared in this musical classic over forty years ago at Lincoln Center.

Center Theatre Group will soon present FOLLIES starring Victoria Clark (replacing Bernadette Peters), Jan Maxwell, Danny Burnstein, and Ron Raines. The limited engagement will play May 3 through June 9, 2012. The opening is scheduled for May 9. Check out photo sof the cast in action, as featured on CTG's Facebook page, below.

Center Theatre Group has posted costume renderings from the upcoming production of FOLLIES on their Pinterest page. The production will star Victoria Clark (replacing Bernadette Peters), Jan Maxwell, Danny Burnstein, and Ron Raines.

On Monday, March 12th, 2012 Roundabout celebrated Rob Marshall with the 2012 Spring Gala: From Screen to Stage. Rob Marshall began his career with Roundabout working on celebrated musicals such as She Loves Me, Company, Little Me and the Tony Award®-winning Cabaret. When Hollywood beckoned, he directed and choreographed the biggest film musical in years, the Academy Award® winning Chicago, the summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and the star studded NINE among others. BroadwayWorld was inside the event to chat with the star-studded guests. Click below for the action!

Yesterday, March 21st, Roundabout Theatre Company celebrated the 400th performance of their hit revival of ANYTHING GOES, now starring Stephanie J. Block and Joel Grey (through April 29th). BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the onstage and offstage celebrations. Here's to the next 400!

Paradise Theatre presents SWEET CHARITY through March 18, 2012. Book by Neil Simon; Music by Cy Coleman; Lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Plaiano. Produced for the Broadway Stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris. Conceived, Staged and Choreographed by Bob Fosse. Directed by JEFF RICHARDS. Musical Direction by VICKI KNICKERBOCKER. Choreography by VICKI RICHARDS.

Roundabout Theatre Company announced tonight that Stephanie J. Block will return as "Reno Sweeney" to the 2011 Tony® Award winning musical comedy Anything Goes on March 15, 2012, replacing Sutton Foster in the iconic role.

Last night, March 12th, 2012 Roundabout celebrated Rob Marshall, with the 2012 Spring Gala: From Screen to Stage. Rob Marshall began his career with Roundabout working on celebrated musicals such as She Loves Me, Company, Little Me and the Tony Award®-winning Cabaret. When Hollywood beckoned, he directed and choreographed the biggest film musical in years, the Academy Award® winning Chicago, the summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and the star studded NINE among others. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities and brings you full photo coverage below!

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents its annual 2012 Spring Gala honoring Academy Award, Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Rob Marshall.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents its annual 2012 Spring Gala honoring Academy Award, Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Rob Marshall.

BroadwayWorld has just confirmed that Colin Donnell, who plays the role of 'Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, is currently out of the show to film a pilot. Bill English is filling in until he returns on April 3rd.

Paradise Theatre presents SWEET CHARITY March 2-18, 2012. Book by Neil Simon; Music by Cy Coleman; Lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Plaiano. Produced for the Broadway Stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris. Conceived, Staged and Choreographed by Bob Fosse. Directed by JEFF RICHARDS. Musical Direction by VICKI KNICKERBOCKER. Choreography by VICKI RICHARDS.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents its annual 2012 Spring Gala honoring Academy Award, Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Rob Marshall.

Roundabout Theatre Company announced tonight that Stephanie J. Block will return as "Reno Sweeney" to the 2011 Tony® Award winning musical comedy Anything Goes on March 15, 2012, replacing Sutton Foster in the iconic role.

Coming to the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre direct from Broadway for six weeks only, the Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's "Follies," has now completed casting. "Follies" stars four-time Tony Award nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, two-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, three-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion. Maxwell, Burstein, Raines and Paige are all returning to the roles they originated on Broadway.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Anything Goes will perform on NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" between 12:35AM-1:35AM tomorrow night. Tune in to see Sutton Foster and company members from Anything Goes perform the tap dancing finale of Act 1!