John Simpkins News

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced on June 28 the nine musicals selected to be part of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice Bemand Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, is pleased to announce the theater's 2013 Season Opener, the Tony Award-Winning Musical Monty Python's SPAMALOT, with performances now through July 7. Scroll down for new shots of the cast in action!

Three world premieres, seven productions in all, are scheduled for the 10th season at the Douglas. The works range from a new rock musical to a sweeping new drama to a masterful interpretation of the works of Beckett, plus the bonus option of The Second City's one-of-a-kind Christmas show. In addition, three Los Angeles solo artists will be presented in the popular DouglasPlus program, and will represent CTG in the Radar L.A. festival.

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice Bemand Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, is pleased to announce the theater's 2013 Season Opener, the Tony Award-Winning Musical Monty Python's SPAMALOT, with performances June 26 through July 7. Check out a first look below!

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice Bemand Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, is pleased to announce the theater's 2013 Season Opener, the Tony Award-Winning MusicAl Monty Python's SPAMALOT, with performances today, June 26 through July 7.

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice Bemand Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, is pleased to announce the theater's 2013 Season Opener, the Tony Award-Winning Musical Monty Python's SPAMALOT, with performances June 26 through July 7.

Ars Nova announces the lineup for its 6th Annual ANT Fest. This year's festival of All New Talent runs from today, June 3 - 29, featuring fresh new work from some of New York's most exciting emerging artists. From trapeze thrillers to hip-hop basketball musicals, 2013's ANT Fest heats up Ars Nova this summer with four weeks of comedy, music, theater and a fusion of all three you won't see anywhere else.

TriArts Sharon Playhouse (Sharon, CT), under the leadership of Alice Bemand Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, is pleased to announce the 2013 Season. The area premiere of Spamalot runs June 26 - July 7 and will be directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner (Broadway's The Book of Mormon and Spamalot). Music Direction is by Eric Kang (TriArts' The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas).

NYU Steinhardt's Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions will present a workshop production of the new musical 'All The Kids Are Doing It,' a contemporary pop-rock musical that explores the reality of young adults today who exploit themselves and others in order to achieve personal gain.

Krysta Rodriguez performed 'I Wish You A Merry Christmas' on December 15 as part of The 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular at 54 Below. Click below to watch her sing!

Former NEWSIES star Jeremy Jordan sang 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' at the 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular at 54 Below last week. Click below to watch his performance!

Michael Cerveris, Krysta Rodriguez, Taylor Trensch, Julia Mattison, A. J. Shively, Ashley Sweetman, Mike Pettry, Kristen da Costa, Ross Wolkenbrod, Kimberly Kaye, and Jordan Stanley were part of The 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular, along with Susan Blackwell, Annie Golden, Jeremy Jordan, and more. The show was presented December 14 and 15 at 54 Below. Watch selections from the concerts below!

Michael Cerveris, Krysta Rodriguez, Taylor Trensch, Julia Mattison, A. J. Shively, Ashley Sweetman, Mike Pettry, Kristen da Costa, Ross Wolkenbrod, Kimberly Kaye, and Jordan Stanley will be part of The 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular.

Michael Cerveris, Krysta Rodriguez, Taylor Trensch, Julia Mattison, A. J. Shively, Ashley Sweetman, Mike Pettry, Kristen da Costa, Ross Wolkenbrod, Kimberly Kaye, and Jordan Stanley will be part of The 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular. These new cast members join Susan Blackwell, Annie Golden, Jeremy Jordan, and more in the show, which will be presented December 14-15, at 54 Below.

Susan Blackwell, Annie Golden, Jeremy Jordan, and more will be part of The 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular, presented December 14-15, at 54 Below.

Originally written in 2003 and given a New York workshop reading in 2005, the Joe Iconis musical, The Black Suits, is concluding a mid-summer run at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA. Could the next stop for this energetic Rock and Roll musical about a Long Island garage band be Off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld.com columnist Stephen Hanks interviewed Iconis to gauge the potential.

Barrington Stage Company presents a workshop production of the new musical The Black Suits with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Iconis and Robert Emmett Maddock. The Black Suits is part of Barrington Stage's Musical Theatre Lab. Directed by John Simpkins, with musical direction by James Sampliner, The Black Suits runs now through September 2 at BSC's St. Germain Stage. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the show below!

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, presents a workshop production of the new musical The Black Suits with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Iconis and Robert Emmett Maddock. The Black Suits is part of Barrington Stage's Musical Theatre Lab, William Finn, Artistic Producer. Directed by John Simpkins, choreographed by Jennifer Werner, with musical direction by James Sampliner, The Black Suits is currently running through September 2 at BSC's St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, presents a workshop production of the new musical The Black Suits with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Iconis and Robert Emmett Maddock. The Black Suits is part of Barrington Stage's Musical Theatre Lab, William Finn, Artistic Producer. Directed by John Simpkins, with musical direction by James Sampliner, The Black Suits will run August 16 through September 2 at BSC's St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2), located on the upper level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below.

The Litchfield hills are alive as TriArts Sharon Playhouse continues its 2012 season with the heartwarming family classic, The Sound of Music. Directed and choreographed by Gary John La Rosa, with music direction by Artistic Director Michael Berkeley, The Sound of Music opens tonight, August 9 and runs through August 26, 2012. Tickets ($16-$47) are available by calling 860.364.SHOW (7469) or at www.triarts.net.