John Wilkes Booth News

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: LES MISERABLES premieres in London, ASSASSINS Cast reunites, NEWSIES goes to Disney World, and so much more!

Set during one of the most tumultuous periods in our country's history, Paula Vogel weaves several intimate stories of soldiers, escaped slaves, would-be kidnappers and the country's first couple into a comforting evening of holiday storytelling, A Civil War Christmas.  Director Tina Landau, music director Andrew Resnick and a talented ensemble of eleven tread through episodes of tragedy, racism, frivolity and hopefulness in a display that hints at, while not exactly drawing parallels to, a traditional nativity pageant.

Just last night the Benefit Concert Reading of ASSASSINS took place at Studio 54, on the same Broadway stage that Assassins thrilled audiences in 2004. The evening featured musical direction by Paul Gemignani and reunited the stars of the 2004 Tony Award winning production, including: Becky Ann Baker (Sara Jane Moore), James Barbour (Leon Czolgosz), Mario Cantone (Samuel Byck), Michael Cerveris (John Wilkes Booth), Alexander Gemignani (John Hinckley), Neil Patrick Harris (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald), Marc Kudisch (Proprietor), Jeffrey Kuhn (Giuseppe Zangara) and Denis O'Hare (Charles Guiteau). The role of Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme originally played by Mary Catherine Garrison, was played by Annaleigh Ashford.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has announced that renowned opera star and Indianapolis native Angela Brown will co-host this year's annual holiday production of Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration with noted Broadway actor Ben Crawford, who starred on the Great White Way in Shrek the Musical. Brown will become the first host of Yuletide Celebration who was born and raised in this city.

The final 30 orchestra tickets for Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) benefit performance of ASSASSINS are now on sale.

On March 7, 2013, the Ephrata Performing Arts Center will open its 2013 season with its most ambitious undertaking ever, the area premiere of the epic theatrical diptych, Angels in America.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that Ryan Silverman has been cast as Giorgio, joining acclaimed/awarding winning actresses Judy Kuhn (as Fosca) and Melissa Errico (as Clara), in the company's upcoming new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical Passion, to be directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nominees, three shows that are closing, 'The Burnt Part Boys' debuts, a second 'Fifty Shades' parody musical, 'Miami Nice,' Lyric Opera's 'Oklahoma!' and more....

Oh those wonderful Philly actors! Some come and go but they all call Philadelphia home. Let's zero in on one of Philly's brightest stars- Jeff Coon.

As many gear up for Halloween, Music Box Musicals' inaugural production is striking a different nerve-a political nerve. With a wonderful production of John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim's thought-provoking musical ASSASSINS, Music Box Musicals invites audiences to listen. Not only to the tales they present on stage, but in our lives outside of the theatre as well.

Billy Pacholski presents 'Assassins,' music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, at the Viaduct Theatre in Chicago, 3111 N. Western Ave. tonight, Oct. 10 - Nov. 10. "Assassins," directed by Pacholski, with music direction by Robert Ollis, begins previews tonight, Oct. 10; press opening is Oct. 12; the show runs through Nov. 10. For more information visit http://www.assassins-chicago.com.

Billy Pacholski will present 'Assassins,' music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, at the Viaduct Theatre in Chicago, 3111 N. Western Ave. tonight, Oct. 10 - Nov. 10. "Assassins," directed by Pacholski, with music direction by Robert Ollis, begins previews tonight, Oct. 10; press opening is Oct. 12; the show runs through Nov. 10. For more information visit Assassins-Chicago.com.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Those dueling 'Assassins,' Broadway In Chicago's spring series, 'I Love Lucy' opens, a pre-Broadway tryout poll to take, two events at Northlight, plus Feinstein, Peters, McDonald and more!

ASSASSINS or as I like to call it, 'Killers in Purgatory' is a controversial show, especially given the unfortunate events that occurred in Colorado at the beginning of the summer that are still haunting so many of us today.

National Geographic Channel President Howard T. Owens announced today that actor, producer, writer and director Tom Hanks is joining the two-hour television event KILLING LINCOLN from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott's Scott Free Productions.

Following its past sold-out Christmas musicals (Sunday in the Park with George, Little Shop of Horrors, La Cage aux Folles, A Little Night Music, Sweet Charity and Pippin), Menier Chocolate Factory announces the casting for its hugely anticipated revival of the Sondheim / Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along as its Christmas 2012 show.

"Let me prove worthy of you love. Tell me how I can earn your love, set me free. How can I turn your love to me?" These are some of the most haunting lyrics in Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, now in production in the Quadracci Powerhouse at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. These lyrics are sung by John Hinckley, Jr. with Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme in their duet of "Unworthy of Your Love".

The groundbreaking musical "Assassins" by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman brings the Sierra Stages 2012 season to a close with a bang! The five-time Tony award-winning musical will play from October 25 through November 17 at the intimate Off Center Stage (behind The Center for the Arts) in Grass Valley. The show features 16 amazing Nevada County actors, accompanied by an amazing four-person band, and is directed by Susan Mason, with musical direction by Ken Getz.

Assassins will be directed at The Milwaukee Rep by Artistic Director Mark Clements. This will be the third musical he has directed since he began his tenure at The Rep following last season's hit Next to Normal and Cabaret from his first season. With the selection of Assassins for the 2012/13 Season, Milwaukee Repertory Theater shows its commitment to continuing to produce full-scale musicals as part of its repertoire. Clements has assembled a top-notch cast for this production featuring many performers with extensive Broadway credits. Assassins runs in the Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, September 4 - October 7, and opens on Friday, September 7.

Assassins will be directed at The Milwaukee Rep by Artistic Director Mark Clements. This will be the third musical he has directed since he began his tenure at The Rep following last season's hit Next to Normal and Cabaret from his first season. With the selection of Assassins for the 2012/13 Season, Milwaukee Repertory Theater shows its commitment to continuing to produce full-scale musicals as part of its repertoire. Clements has assembled a top-notch cast for this production featuring many performers with extensive Broadway credits. Assassins runs in the Quadracci Powerhouse from September 4 - October 7, and opens on Friday, September 7.