John Rando News

The Daily Mail reports that Richard Fleeshman, who just participated in a workshop production of the new BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM musical and last starred in the West End's GHOST, will soon be starring in a slightly more 'low-brow' role. He will play 'Bobby Strong' in the London debut of URINETOWN at the St. James Theatre, beginning February 22, 2014.

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will host a developmental production of a new one-woman show,Skinny Bitch: NOT A Stand-Up Comedy Show, starring self-titled equal opportunity offender, Lisa Lampanelli. The production, which is written by Ms. Lampanelli and 700 Sundays writer Alan Zweibel, will be helmed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando. The production will play the Kimmel Center's Innovation Studio for FIVE nights: October 10 - 12 at 8 p.m. and October 13 at 3 p.m.; with new dates October 25-26 at 8 p.m., October 26-27 at 3 p.m. now available for ticket purchase.

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will host a developmental production of a new one-woman show, Skinny Bitch: NOT A Stand-Up Comedy Show, starring self-titled equal opportunity offender, Lisa Lampanelli. The production, which is written by Ms. Lampanelli and 700 Sundays writer Alan Zweibel, is a departure from her signature 'insult comedy,' and will be helmed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando. The production will play the Kimmel Center's Innovation Studio for four nights only: tonight, October 10 - 12 at 8 p.m. and October 13 at 3 p.m.

Nathan Lane, Harold Prince, Angela Lansbury, Laura Osnes, Harriet Harris, Kate Burton, Kristine Nielsen, Alfred Uhry will salute actress Dana Ivey and arts patron Barbara Fleischman at The Acting Company's Gala on Monday, October 21 at Capitale. Ms. Ivey will receive the John Houseman Award recognizing her profound commitment to the development of American actors and a national audience for the theater. Ms. Fleischman will be presented the Warburg Humanitarian Award for her outstanding philanthropic endeavor and support of the arts. Harriet Harris (Cinderella) and Barclay Collins are Gala Chairs, Nathan Lane (The Nance) and Hal Prince (21 Tony Award winner) will present the awards; Stephen DeRosa (Boardwalk Empire) will host, Laura Osnes (Cinderella) will perform. Tributes will be offered by a host of celebrities. Three hundred guests complete an industry-filled audience of producers, directors, entertainers and other notables including TheHonorable Thomas Kean, record producer Clive Davis, playwrights Alfred Uhry and Elizabeth Egloff, actresses Angela Lansbury (upcoming in London's Blithe Spirit), Debra Monk (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Kate Burton (Scandal), Kristine Nielsen(Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) and Patricia Conolly, directors Nicholas Martin (Vanya and Sonia and Masha an Spike),Jack O'Brien (Macbeth), Mark Lamos (Harbor) and Walter Bobbie (Venus in Fur) and producers Jack Viertel, James Houghtonand Edgar Lansbury.

George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick opens its 40th Anniversary Season with 'Gettin' the Band Back Together,' a rock musical sure to delight metropolitan area audiences.

International smash hit gothic horror musical TANZ DER VAMPIRE is set for its premiere in Paris, France a year from now, according to a new blog post by bookwriter and lyricist Michael Kunze.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, will present its annual Monday Night Open Rehearsal Series, this year featuring Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. On three Monday evenings - October 21 & 28 and November 4 - different actors and directors will explore the text of Julius Caesar, giving theater-goers the opportunity to become part of the discovery process, and experience different acting approaches and directorial interpretations of one of Shakespeare's boldest tragedies. Here is the line-up for this year's Open Rehearsal series:

9 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick has been rockin' every night since September 24 with music and laughter and we've got a first look at photos.

Tony Yazbeck will join the previously announced Christian Borle in Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center Encores! series, running for seven performances, February 5 - 9, 2014. Joshua Bergasse will choreograph the production, along with the previously announced Director John Rando and Music Director Rob Berman.

John Rando (Urinetown, A Christmas Story, Lincoln Centers's Carousel, All in the Timing) will direct Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for The Acting Company," announced its producer, Margot Harley. Tom Stoppard's TONY-winning play will run off-Broadway in rotating repertory with Hamlet, directed by Ian Belknap, beginning in January 2014. Prior to New York, Hamlet will play a fall tour of western states beginning at Cal State-Northridge. A national tour of both plays, including an extended stay at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, begins in February. This is the 41st season and tour for The Acting Company, the sixth tour in association with the Guthrie.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, presents Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet and Julian Cihi as Romeo, directed by Tea Alagic, and beginning previews today, September 28 at 3 pm, one day later than originally scheduled. The official press opening is set for Wednesday, October 16.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts campus is waking to the sweet sounds of a robust Fall harvest of programming with a dynamic line-up of arts offering something for everyone.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet and Julian Cihi as Romeo, directed by Tea Alagi?, will now begin previews Saturday, September 28 at 3 pm, one day later than originally scheduled. The shift is due to a scenic element modification that will require additional technical rehearsal later this week. The official press opening remains Wednesday, October 16.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts campus is waking to the sweet sounds of a robust Fall harvest of programming with a dynamic line-up of arts offering something for everyone.

Today we are following up with a previous participant in this column who first made a name for himself on a national level with his appearances on long-running reality competition sensation AMERICAN IDOL before performing to much acclaim on Broadway, Off-Broadway and on tour in a number of varied and impressive roles - Broadway's favorite rocker himself, Constantine Maroulis. Offering up the full 411 on his new gig at The Canal Room, BACK TO THE EIGHTIES SHOW WITH JESSIE'S GIRL as well as reflecting on the music, media and iconography of the era itself, Maroulis paints a vivid picture of why he is the reigning king of rock on the Great White Way and sheds some light on what we can expect from this exciting new series of raucous Saturday night shows. Also, Maroulis discusses his yearlong journey with JEKYLL & HYDE on tour and on Broadway and comments on the road versus the Street, as well as expresses his enthusiasm for a number of prior well-remembered stage appearances, as well - his Tony-nominated turn in ROCK OF AGES, in addition to THE WEDDING SINGER, JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and beyond. Plus, Maroulis shares an update on his starring role in the ever-developing THE TOXIC AVENGER and also provides some insight into a few roles he is considering taking on in the future, near and far. All of that and much, much more in this brand new conversation with an old favorite.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet and Julian Cihi as Romeo, directed by Tea Alagi? will extend for one additional week through Sunday, November 10. Previews begin Friday, September 27 prior to an official press opening Wednesday, October 16. The cast also features McKinley Belcher III (Benvolio), Daniel Davis (Friar Laurence), Stan Demidoff (Paris/Sampson), Harry Ford (Gregory, Friar John, Watchman), David Garrison(Capulet), T. R. Knight (Mercutio), Anthony Michael Martinez (Prince), Kathryn Meisle (Lady Capulet), Dion Mucciacito (Tybalt), John Rothman(Montague/Apothecary) and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Nurse). Set design is by Marsha Ginsberg; costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Jason Lyons, and original music and sound by Ryan Rumery.

Guthrie Theater presents 12 mainstage shows in its 2013-2014 season. The theater's 51st season includes first-time Guthrie Productions of playwrights Beth Henley and Nina Raine, classics on the Wurtele Thrust Stage directed by Dowling and Marion McClinton, WorldStage Series presentations of returning companies Kneehigh Theatre and Out of Joint, as well as a summertime slate of a beloved musical and a Christopher Durang comedy that is currently a Broadway hit.

9 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick will be rockin' every night beginning September 24 with music and laughter. George Street Playhouse and Artistic Director David Saint have announced casting for the opening production for the venerable theatre's fortieth season. Gettin' The Band Back Together (formerly titled Garage Band) is a rockin' valentine to the Garden State, and will be directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando - who also helmed The Toxic Avenger in New Brunswick (and New York) a few seasons back. Gettin' The Band Back Together will rock the house beginning Tuesday, September 24 and continue through Sunday, October 27. Opening night is set for Friday, October 4. Gettin' The Band Back Together is performed by special arrangement with Davenport Theatrical Enterprises, Inc. and Roy Putrino.

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Artistic Director) will present their Tenth Anniversary Season at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theater, including Off Broadway revivals of modern classics by the iconoclastic Joe Orton and Charles Ludlam - writing in the tradition of Marlowe and Aristophanes - alongside Revelation Readings of Jacobean gems such as 'Tis Pity She's a Whore and The Roaring Girl, and of rarities like the American Premiere of Nabokov's Tragedy of Mr. Morn, Brecht & Weill's musical Happy End, and Thornton Wilder's Alcestiad, offering something for every lover of classic theater to relish.

The Velocity of Autumn, a new two-character play from Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble, opens at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith and by special arrangement with HOP Theatricals, LLC.