John Rando News

After his early triumph in some truly troubled musicals - among them the most notorious of twenty-first century cult Broadway musicals, the infamous DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES - this dashing and terrifically talented Broadway leading man went on to star in the most successful production to date of Stephen Schwartz's delicate Gallic musical THE BAKER'S WIFE - causing even the WICKED composer himself to be taken aback by the sheer power of this tenor's voice - and is now singing the most talked about song of the New York Musical Theater Festival - from the new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR - the captivatingly charming and charismatic Max Von Essen. In this thorough discussion we go into his experiences working with Jim Steinman, Roman Polanski, Michael Crawford, John Rando, Mandy Gonzalez and the rest of the cast and creative team of DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and how that flash of brilliance of a Broadway debut prepared him for the plight of the working actor making his way on Broadway today. We also discuss the details of his new NYMF musical and singing his star-making solo and adding another notable entry to his pristine performance record. Additionally, we talk about playing Enjorlas in the LES MISERABLES revival co-starring Lea Michele and Daphne Rubin Vega as well as his upcoming appearances and events - such as BROADWAY UNPLUGGED - plus how he keeps his voice in shape to traverse the treacherous vocal territory required of the tenor rock ballads he excels at enacting in song - and thoroughly slaughtering.(He'd be the last to admit he has cords of steel, but he does.) He may be known for 'For Sarah', but this interview is all Max.

Philadelphia Theatre Company kicks off its 35th Anniversary Season with PTC@PLAY, a new play festival running October 5-21 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). The Festival, with staged readings of works by established playwrights as well as new voices, features Casa Cushman, by Leigh Fondakowski in conjunction with the Tectonic Theater Project, Strongman's Ghost by Jeffrey Hatcher, What We're Up Against by Theresa Rebeck, How To Write A New Book For The Bible by Bill Cain and Milk Like Sugar by Kirsten Greenidge. All readings are free with curtain time at 7:00 PM.

Theatricum Botanicum artistic director Ellen Geer has announced a delightfully eclectic season of plays, music, poetry and comedy improv for Summer 2010.

Theatricum Botanicum artistic director Ellen Geer has announced a delightfully eclectic season of plays, music, poetry and comedy improv for Summer 2010.

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, today announced the company's 2010-2011 season of four musicals and three plays, with the innovative company producing three world premieres and one regional premiere.

Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre today announced the full casting for A Fox on the Fairway, the world premiere comedy by DC playwright and Broadway favorite Ken Ludwig (Crazy for You and Lend Me a Tenor), running October 12 through November 14, 2010. Headlining the production are Broadway's Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown, Side Show, and The Pirate Queen), and local favorites and Helen Hayes Award winners Holly Twyford (Signature's The Little Dog Laughed and Twentieth Century, and Studio Theatre's The Shape of Things) and Andrew Long (Signature's I Am My Own Wife and My Fair Lady, and Studio Theatre's Frozen).

The Toxic Avenger - named '2009 Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical' by the Outer Critics Circle and '2009 Theater Fans' Choice Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical' by Broadwayworld.com - will mark its Asian premiere on Saturday, August 14th at the KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in southern Seoul. (Information about the show can be found at http://toxichero.tistory.com and via twitter at http://twitter.com/toxichero_twt).

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, has announced that its production of the New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III, will extend one week through Saturday, August 14 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street.

Nicholas Martin, artistic director of Williamstown Theatre Festival, will direct W. Somerset Maugham's scintillating comedy of manners, 'The Circle,' June 7 - June 25, 2011, at Westport Country, announced Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.

The Toxic Avenger - named '2009 Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical' by the Outer Critics Circle and '2009 Theater Fans' Choice Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical' by Broadwayworld.com - will mark its Asian premiere on Saturday, August 14th at the KT&G Sangsang Art Hall in southern Seoul. (Information about the show can be found at http://toxichero.tistory.com and via twitter at http://twitter.com/toxichero_twt).

Philadelphia Theatre Company kicks off its 35th Anniversary Season with PTC@PLAY, a new play festival running October 5-21 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). The Festival, with staged readings of works by established playwrights as well as new voices, features Casa Cushman, by Leigh Fondakowski in conjunction with the Tectonic Theater Project, Strongman's Ghost by Jeffrey Hatcher, What We're Up Against by Theresa Rebeck, How To Write A New Book For The Bible by Bill Cain and Milk Like Sugar by Kirsten Greenidge. All readings are free with curtain time at 7:00 PM.

The Williamstown Theater Festival has announced details of its Fridays @ 3 readings series. The Fridays @ 3 series showcases the work of emerging playwrights and runs Friday afternoons at 3:00 during the summer. Admission is $5.

For the sixth year in a row, the Wagner College Theater has been ranked by the Princeton Review among the top collegiate stage programs in the nation. The ranking appeared in the Princeton Review's 2011 'Best 373 Colleges' guide, which was released Aug. 3.

Celebrating 80 Years with a Variety of Outstanding Plays and Playwrights: Westport Country Playhouse Announces 2011 Season

This summer, FOGLIGHT will present the World Premiere of NOTICE ME, the new play by acclaimed playwright Blair Singer (Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas, Meg's New Friend, Placement, TV's 'Weeds' 'Monk' & 'Book of Daniel') Off-Broadway July 19th through August 1st.

This summer, FOGLIGHT will present the World Premiere of NOTICE ME, the new play by acclaimed playwright Blair Singer (Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas, Meg's New Friend, Placement, TV's 'Weeds' 'Monk' & 'Book of Daniel') Off-Broadway July 19th through August 1st.

Tony Award Winner Mary Louise Wilson is set to star alongside Jayne Atkinson, Richard Easton and Michael Gill in THE GUARDSMAN from July 13th through the 31st. The Berkshire Theatre Festival production will be directed by John Rando.

The Williamstown Theater Festival has announced details of its Fridays @ 3 readings series. The Fridays @ 3 series showcases the work of emerging playwrights and runs Friday afternoons at 3:00 during the summer. Admission is $5.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, has announced that its production of the New York premiere of See Rock City & Other Destinations, music by Brad Alexander; book and lyrics by Adam Mathias; directed by Artistic Director Jack Cummings III, will extend one week through Saturday, August 14 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street.