John Rando News

Sharon Michaels in association with the Macha Theatre presents SIDETRACKED, a world premiere whodunit set in the Golden Age of Hollywood, directed by Ray A. Rochelle.

On Friday, I had the enviable privilege of talking to ROCK OF AGES Tony Award nominee and AMERICAN IDOL star Constantine Maroulis all about the new musical he is starring in at the Alley Theater in Houston as it eyes Broadway, THE TOXIC AVENGER. In addition to discussing all aspects of the science fiction-themed musical spoof and its creators, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro - of MEMPHIS fame - Maroulis and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and his essaying of roles in RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE WEDDING SINGER and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and ROCK OF AGES, as well as what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Additionally, he shares his reflections on appearing on AMERICAN IDOL Season 4 and being mentored by fellow InDepth InterView participant Simon Cowell, as well as the immense impact that that entertainment entity, along with GLEE, has had on a whole new generation of theatregoers in the 21st century. Plus, Constantine clues us in to the exciting expansions that have been made to ROCK OF AGES for the forthcoming feature film version that he makes an appearance in, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman, and also shares his experiences recording the ASTEP benefit album A NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, his new role as a dad and much, much more!

Texas' Alley Theatre is currently presenting a revised version of production of The Toxic Avenger starring Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis, and featuring several new songs and revised book by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Memphis, Bon Jovi founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. John Rando (Tony Winner for Urinetown) returns to the Alley to reinvent his hilarious 2009 Off-Broadway staging of The Toxic Avenger, and according to an interview with chron.com, he's hoping to squeeze the new version of the show into the 2012 Broadway season before the dealine for this year's Tony Awards.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the "hysterically funny" (New York Post) new musical The Toxic Avenger.

The Alley Theater's production of The Toxic Avenger, starring American Idol and Rock of Ages alum Constantine Maroulis alongside Nancy Opel, begins previews this Friday, January 13, in anticipation of a January 20 opening night.

Signature Theatre will present the world premiere of Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo.

The Alley Theater's production of The Toxic Avenger, starring American Idol and Rock of Ages alum Constantine Maroulis alongside Nancy Opel, begins previews on January 13, in anticipation of a January 20 opening night. With books & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music & lyrics by David Bryan, based on the film The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, and directed by John Rando, the production will run through Sunday, February 12, 2012. Click below to get the behind-the-scenes scoop from the shows creators and get a sneak peek of rehearsal footage!

The Alley Theater's production of The Toxic Avenger, starring American Idol and Rock of Ages alum Constantine Maroulis and Nancy Opel, begins previews on January 13, in anticipation of a January 20 opening night. With books & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music & lyrics by David Bryan, based on the film The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, and directed by John Rando, the production will run through Sunday, February 12, 2012. Rehearsal shots have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. Check out the Mosh Pit 'Top Ten Hot Topics' for the last half of 2011!

On Wednesday, December 14, A Christmas Story, The Musical! celebrated its opening night at Chicago's legendary Chicago Theatre.America's #1 Christmas movie comes to life on stage as hilarious holiday musical featuring a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown, The Wedding Singer) will direct the production with Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, Follies, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) choreographing.

On Wednesday, December 14, A Christmas Story, The Musical! celebrated its opening night at Chicago's legendary Chicago Theatre with producer Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the original 1983 film, there to cheer the company on. Check out photos from opening night below!

The Drama League has announced complete details for DirectorFest 2011, the 28th annual presentation of one-act plays staged by the Fall Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project (Roger Danforth, Artistic Director; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director).

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the "hysterically funny" (New York Post) new musical The Toxic Avenger.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announced the cast and creative team for their production of The Toxic Avenger. In a new production, which features several new songs and revised book by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Memphis, Bon Jovi founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and Joe DiPietro, Tony-nominated Constantine Maroulis takes center stage as the righteous superhero in the title role. John Rando (Tony Winner for Urinetown) returns to the Alley to reinvent his hilarious 2009 Off-Broadway staging of The Toxic Avenger following his smashing Alley productions of The Man Who Came to Dinner, Mrs. Mannerly and Be My Baby.

Today, in a piece for the New York Times, producer Jerry Goehring said that the show has received 'a lot of interest' to play Broadway next year, citing what he described as 'active discussions' to place A CHRISTMAS STORY in a Broadway house.

The Araca Group has announced the return of AracaWorks, a week-long series of play readings celebrating new work for the theatre.

Want to see tour highlights from A CHRISTMAS STORY, The Musical? Click below for the show's official montage!

The Drama League has announced complete details for DirectorFest 2011, the 28th annual presentation of one-act plays staged by the Fall Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project (Roger Danforth, Artistic Director; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director).

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is best known for al fresco performances of Shakespeare and the classics under the summer sky. But this fall, the stars will come out for Theatricum in November - that is, the Hollywood stars. A Sunday afternoon benefit for the theater company, one of Los Angeles' oldest and most respected, is set to take place on November 20 @ 3:30 pm at Topanga's historic Mountain Mermaid.

Straight from a Saturday matinee and evening performance of the Broadway revival of Godspell, in which she sings the popular 'Turn Back, O Man,' songstress Morgan James will make her debut at the newly renovated Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street) with her 7-piece rock n' soul band on Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 p.m.