Jonathan Larson News

George Street Playhouse and Artistic Director David Saint have announced that a new musical, Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, will close their current season, bowing April 22 and running through May 17, 2015.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 46 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus later this month to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 25 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

American Theater Group, New Jersey's newest professional theater company in residence at Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (360 Hamilton Street, Rahway), will present Jonathan Larson's rock musical tick, tick... BOOM!. The production will run January 28 through February 8 (Opening Night: Saturday, January 31 at 8PM). Directed by Igor Goldin, with music direction by Vince Di Mura, the cast will feature Nicholas Park, Shannon O'Boyle, and Michael Luwoye. Before he wrote the Broadway blockbuster RENT, Jonathan Larson had another story to tell...his own.

Covedale Center 'Marquee Series' and Warsaw Federal Incline Theater 'District Series' present varied and exciting shows for spring 2015.

RENT has made its Cuban premiere! Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment announced in 2014 it would bring Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize winning musical to Havana. Directed by Andy Senor, Jr., who starred in RENT on Broadway, the show officialyl opened on Christmas Eve at Bertolt Brecht Theater for an expected three month run. Scroll down for a first look at the cast!

Award-winning US composer Ryan Scott Oliver will be hosting a one-off concert showcasing his music and lyrics at the St James Studio in March. Oliver's shows include Jasper in Deadland, We Foxes, Mrs Sharp, 35MM: A Musical Exhibition and many more.

The award-winning CAP21 Theatre Company has announced casting for the first production of a new musical, THE ARTIST & THE SCIENTIST, with book and lyrics by Jenny Stafford, music by Brandon Anderson, and story by Jenny Stafford and Brandon Anderson. THE ARTIST & THE SCIENTIST is a love story that takes place in the moment between the Scientist's proposal and the Artist's answer. It explores the creative and scientific forces that make us who we are; and the people who challenge us to open ourselves to something more. THE ARTIST & THE SCIENTIST will play a limited run from February 4 -28, 2015 at the CAP21 Theatre, 18 West 18th Street, 5th Floor, New York. www.cap21.org

Vineyard Theatre presents the world premiere of the musical BROOKLYNITE, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, SPRING AWAKENING) and beginning performances January 30th, with an opening night set for Wednesday February 25th. This limited engagement continues through Sunday March 22nd. The company met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld brings you full photo coverage from the festivities below!

Vineyard Theatre presents the world premiere of the musical BROOKLYNITE, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, SPRING AWAKENING) and beginning performances Friday January 29th, with an opening night set for Wednesday February 25th. This limited engagement continues through Sunday March 22nd. The company met the press earlier today and BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

STING*chronicity offers an unexpected combination of monologues with a stunning variety of musical arrangements of the music of brilliant contemporary songwriter, Sting. The show is "set" in Madison Square Garden on the occasion of the final reunion concert of the iconic band, The Police, which was headed by Sting. STING*chronicity surveys the diverse audience, and their very varied interpretations of his music as the words of his songs are filtered by their unique lives and experiences. "A concert always brings people together who couldn't be further apart."

Happy Birthday, Taye Diggs! In 1996, Diggs originated the role of the landlord Benny in Jonathan Larson's Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent. After Rent he appeared as Mr. Black in Andrew Lippa's off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. Diggs also played The Bandleader in the 2002 film version of the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago and filled in as Billy Flynn on Broadway.

New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts and Encore Youth Theater Project presents Rent by Jonathan Larson. January 9 & 10th at 8 pm, and January 11 at 3 pm. At Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College 449 Franklin St. Bloomfield NJ 07003. Tickets are available at www.Brownpapertickets.com(event/885196)$18

According to UK's The Telegraph, the first Broadway musical to play in Cuba in 50 years will open this Christmas Eve, December 24th.

The award-winning CAP21 Theatre Company will open its 2015 season with the first production of a new musical, THE ARTIST & THE SCIENTIST, with book and lyrics by Jenny Stafford, music by Brandon Anderson, and story by Jenny Stafford and Brandon Anderson. It is a love story exploring the conflicting ways in which we each see the world and the fears we have of losing ourselves in other people. THE ARTIST & THE SCIENTIST will play a limited run from February 4 -28, 2015 at the CAP21 Theatre, 18 West 18th Street, 5th Floor, New York.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, January 9 - 24, 2015. The play was workshopped in Pioneer Theatre Company's new play reading series, Play-by-Play, last season. The play-a finalist in the 2014 National Playwrights Conference-coincides with the 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

ASCAP is now seeking new musicals for the annual ASCAP/DreamWorks Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles. Serving once more as artistic director for the workshop is Academy and Grammy Award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, whose credits include hit Broadway shows Wicked, Godspell and Pippin, the Walt Disney films Enchanted, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the DreamWorks film The Prince of Egypt.

The American Theatre Wing and The Village Voice have announced the judges for the 60th Annual OBIE Awards. Longtime OBIE Administration Committee chairman Michael Feingold will be joined by playwright Adam Bock, orchestrator Bruce Coughlin, director Lear deBessonet, scenic designer Mimi Lien, critic David Rooney, Village Voice critic Tom Sellar, and director Liesl Tommy, to form the OBIE Awards judging panel.

In January, New Conservatory Theatre Center presents the West Coast Premiere of the sharp and timely new comedy, Harbor by Chad Beguelin, directed by NCTC Founder & Artistic Director Ed Decker. Kevin's seemingly perfect world hits troubled waters in this 'wickedly funny' play (Variety) when his ne'er-do-well sister, Donna and her teenage daughter show up unexpectedly at the Sag Harbor home he shares with his husband, Ted. This sharp and timely comedy sails through the riptides of family and the unpredictability of the lives we lead.

The American Theatre Wing is pleased to announce that its annual Gala, to be held on Monday, September 28, 2015 at The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), will honor legendary actor James Earl Jones. Mr. Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner, two-time Obie Award winner and alumnus of the American Theatre Wing Professional School. CeCe Black, Anki Leeds, and Marva Smalls will serve as Gala Chairs.

A wide array of the finest musical theatre talent will join acclaimed composer-lyricist Daniel Mate for three goodbye concerts at Don't Tell Mama this week, as he bids New York a fond farewell before relocating to the West Coast after ten years in NYC. Each concert will feature a diverse and unique set of Mate originals and cover tunes along with a different group of special musical guests. Max Friedman produces.