Jonathan Larson News

Acclaimed director David Glenn Armstrong will be helming two back-to-back readings featuring award-winning Broadway actors in the New York Musical Theatre Festival Developmental Reading Series presented upstairs at the 45thStreet Theatre this month, July 2012.

Rent, presented by CenterStage, runs July 12 - 29 at the Jewish Community Center. Information about performance times and ticket prices: (502) 459-0660 or go online at www.jewishlouisville.org.

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the award-winning Broadway musical, 'Rent,' July 13-Aug. 5. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St.

This week's topics:How often do you go to the theatre, One song/one scene characters, RENT and the AIDS movement, MATILDA songs, How important is merchandise, Plays It'd Be Great to See Revived, Reappearance on Broadway

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the Top Ten Hot Topix for the first half of 2012! Is your favorite production on the list?

The producers of the off-Broadway production of Rent have announced that the musical will close after the performance on Sunday, September 9. The production will have played 32 previews and 450 performances.

July in Des Moines is gearing up to be one of the hottest in several years, so what better way to beat the heat than to catch a show.

Cape May Stage, South Jersey's premiere Equity theatre, is thrilled to launch another stellar season of their Second Stage Broadway Series with acclaimed star of stage and screen, Anthony Rapp in Anthony Rapp LIVE. On Monday, July 2nd at 8:00 p.m., Rapp brings his singular brand of cabaret to the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in beautiful downtown Cape May.

Pioneer Theatre Company announced today that Karen Azenberg has been appointed Artistic Director of the theatre, effective July 1, 2012.

American Theater Company (ATC) has announced new performance dates for its production of Jonathan Larson's RENT, directed by David Cromer. The production is now extended through July 1, 2012 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL. Tickets for the two-week extension are now on sale through the box office, www.atcweb.org and 773.409.4125.

Broad Brook Opera House Players will present THE POOR MAN'S CABARET, July 13th and 14th at 8pm July 15th at 2pm.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the eight musicals selected to be part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Broadway Star, Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia! and the upcoming Broadway show, Rebecca), brings her talents to the intimate stage (78 seats) at CAP21 where she is performing in their benefit series, Concerts for CAP21.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) announced that Manhattan Theatre Club will launch The Studio at Stage II where bold, new work meets bold, new audiences at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street). The Studio at Stage II will launch this fall with the world premiere production of MURDER BALLAD, a new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, and the American premiere of MTC's commission CHOIR BOY, a play with music by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its Fifth Anniversary Season at the historic Theatre By The Sea, has announced the inaugural season for their new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick.

The cast and creative team of Rent will be featured on an episode of MTV's hit show, MADE, airing today, June 25th at 4 PM.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presents "Here Goes Nothing," an evening of songs by Drama Desk-nominated lyricist Jack Lechner, tonight, June 25 at 7pm. Guest performers will include Jill Abramovitz, Desmond Dutcher, Jeannine Frumess, Jose Llana, Lucas Steele, and Karen Ziemba. The music director will be Boko Suzuki.

Idina Menzel marked her Columbus debut last night, with the Columbus Symphony's Picnic with the Pop's series at the new Bicentennial Pavilion. Opening to a crowd of over 7,000 people on a perfect summer night.

Vital Theatre Company, the award-winning theatre company and producer of the long running family show PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL, and HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality children's entertainment, have announced ANGELINA BALLERINA™ THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music by Ben Morss and directed and choreographed by Sam Viverito, is based on the famous dancing mouseling and her friends created by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig, will have performances at The Riverside Theatre.

The cast and creative team of Rent will be featured on an upcoming episode of MTV's hit show, MADE, airing this Monday, June 25th at 4 PM.