Jonathan Larson News

Vital Theatre Company has announced the world premiere of Fancy Nancy The Musical, opening September 29th, 2012 at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre at 2162 Broadway. With a book by Susan DiLallo, music by Danny Abosch, and direction and choreography by Sam Viverito, Fancy Nancy The Musical is based on the bestselling children's book series by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. This magnifique musical-that's fancy for great show-begins performances on September 29th, 2012 with a "pink carpet" press opening.

Ars Nova presents the world premiere of Ars Nova 2011 Composer-in-Residence Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, this production will play a limited Off-Broadway engagement, beginning previews this coming Monday, October 1 and running through November 10. Official Opening Night is set for Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00 PM. Get a first look at the cast below!

Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing, has announced that the Wing's 2012 Gala, held Monday, September 24 at The Plaza Hotel, was the most successful in the organization's history, raising just shy of $600,000.

Late-night songfest Backstage @ 54 Below is back TONIGHT, September 25th with fearlessly funny host SUSIE MOSHER and Musical Director extraordinaire BRAD SIMMONS.

The New York Film Academy's Musical Theatre and Film Conservatory has announced new awards and screenings of two original movie musical short films.

Bay Area Cabaret, the local non-profit organization devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, has announced its lineup for the 2012-2013 season. Opening the season Sunday, October 28, 2012 is Motown legend and founding member of "Supremes," Mary Wilson, followed Sunday, November 11, 2012 by 9-time Tony Award winning singer/dancer/director/choreographer Tommy Tune, and December 9, 2012 by television, film, and Broadway star Peter Gallagher. The series continues in 2013 with "Broadway's golden couple," Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley on February 17, 2013, "Britain's first lady of musical theatre" Elaine Paige on March 1, 2013, and a performance by singer/actress Nellie McKay featuring San Francisco's Grammy-winning a capella male chorus Chanticleer on March 23, 2013. Rounding out the season is a tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch, with special guests to be announced, on June 2, 2013, which would have been the legendary composer's 69th birthday, with special guests to be announced.

The Mirvish Second Stage Series will bring four exciting plays to Toronto audiences over the next year, and will be offered in a unique subscription series all its own. The inaugural season will feature three Canadian productions and a critically acclaimed one-man show fresh off The New York Musical Theatre Workshop and Edinburgh Fringe.

The American Theatre Wing previously announced that its annual Gala, to be held tonight, September 24 at 6:30 PM at The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), will honor the Redgrave family's six generations of outstanding work and invaluable contributions to the theatrical community. Vanessa Redgrave, along with other family members, will be in attendance to share in the celebration.

Drew Lachey was such a fan favorite on Dancing with the Stars that they brought him back to co-host for awhile. Now he's returning once more as a Dancing All-Star.

Larson Jewelers has expanded the number of ring styles with carbon fiber inlays, in both their tungsten carbide rings line and their ceramic rings line, made exclusively be Thorsten Rings, a company that specializes in alternative metals jewelry. Carbon fiber ring styles have come to be extremely popular in recent years. When these styles first hit the bridal market, only black and white carbon fiber styles were available. Today, there are many varieties of colors to choose from.

Mondays in October, Broadway actress Lindsay Mendez (Dogfight, Godspell) and award-winning composer-lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver (35mm, Darling) will team-up for "ACTOR THERAPY," a series of master classes for performers looking to improve their auditions, build a better book, and expand their understanding of what it means to be an actor and song interpreter in New York today.

Seanachaí Theatre Company has announced its 2012-13 Season 'Rag-Tags and Wayward Souls', feautring the World Premiere of IN PIGEON HOUSE by Honor Molloy, October 17 - November 18, 2012, and the U.S. Premiere of LAY ME DOWN SOFTLY by Billy Roche, March 27 - April 28, 2013.

Tonight, September 14, 2012, Broadway's celebrated revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO will welcome back Amy Spanger in the starring role of merry murderess Roxie Hart.

Bay Area Cabaret kicks off its 2012-2013 season with Motown legend Mary Wilson, back for her first show in the historic Venetian room since performing there with the "Supremes" more than two decades ago.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) have just announced full casting for the upcoming world premiere of MURDER BALLAD, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman. MURDER BALLAD is the inaugural production of MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street). MURDER BALLAD will play a limited four-week engagement with previews beginning Tuesday, October 30 and opening Thursday, November 15.

The off-Broadway production of Rent closed last night, September 9, at New World Stages. The production played 32 previews and 450 performances. Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at the theater on August 11, 2011. Check out photos from the final curatin call below!

Rocket Science, the new musical based on the HBO film of the same name, will enjoy a fresh look at its musical selections in concert at the upcoming NYTB in the D-Lounge, New York Theatre Barn's popular platform for up-and-coming new writers and musical projects, on Monday, September 10 at 7:30pm in the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre.

The off-Broadway production of Rent will close after the performance today, September 9, at New World Stages. The production will have played 32 previews and 450 performances. Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at the theater on August 11, 2011. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you on a multimedia flashback through the show's return to New York!

Adapted from Rapp's New York Times best-selling memoir, Without You tells the story of the early days of what became the Broadway phenomenon Rent, from the perspective of this original cast member, complete with songs from the show as well as fresh music coolly performed by a five-piece rock band.

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents and marketing firms, will hold another in its series of seminars focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway today, September 9th.