Jonathan Larson News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jersey Boys,' three musicals that start with 'Pi,' Cromer's 'Rent' leads a Larson fest, JRB in Indiana, 'Street Scene' and much more....

Theatre Sheridan today announced the extension of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical RENT for one week even before it opens! RENT was presented last December to sold out houses at Sheridan College's Oakville campus, and is being transferring to Toronto's Panasonic Theatre where it opens May 16 (preview May 15). With the extension, it will now run through to June 3 (instead of May 27). Tickets are on sale through mirvish.com or TicketKing at 416.872.1212.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Jonathan Larson's tick, tick…BOOM!, directed by Adam Pelty with music direction by Diana Lawrence, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., April 28 - June 10.

American Theater Company (ATC), together with About Face Theatre, presents a co-production of Jonathan Larson's Rent, directed by David Cromer. Rent will run April 27, 2012 - June 17, 2012 at ATC, 1909 W. Byron. The press openings are Sunday, May 6, 2012 and Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7 pm.

Ars Nova today announced Spring Into The Nova, a benefit to support emerging artists. The concert features the music of composers Tom Kitt (Pulitzer Prize-winner, Next to Normal), Dave Malloy (Obie Award-winner, Three Pianos), and The Spring Standards (SXSW 2012), as well as Ars Nova?s 2012 Composer-in-Residence Shaina Taub.

The Flea will present the World Premiere of three new plays with its NEW PLAY FESTIVAL: The Electric Lighthouse by Ed Hime, The Wundelsteipen (And Other Difficult Roles for Young People) by Nick Jones and A Letter from Omdurman by Jeffrey M. Jones. The Festival's cast will be comprised of The Bats, the resident acting company of The Flea. Previews begin April 20th at The Flea Theater.

Esta tarde termina la temporada en Madrid de 'Follies' y 'Tick Tick...BOOM!'. El musical de Stephen Sondheim clausura así esta primera etapa en el Teatro Español mientras que el espectáculo de Jonathan Larson producido por Tela-Katola se despide hoy por segunda vez de la capital en el Teatro Arlequín.

Laughter and tears, gossip and home-grown advice are as prevalent as hair rollers in Truvy's Beauty Salon, the setting of the heartwarming comedy-drama Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, playing at Bristol Riverside Theatre through April 8. Susan D. Atkinson directs an ensemble cast of BRT favorites including Jennie Eisenhower, Diane Findlay,Laura C. Giknis, Barbara McCulloh, Susan Moses, and Jo Twiss.

Alaska Theatre of Youth and Theatre Artists United present the pop cultural phenomenon, rock-opera, RENT, at the Sydney Laurence Theatre. The production is scheduled to run March 30 and 31, April 1, and April 4-7.

The Daily Mail UK reports that Julian Ovenden will star in a musical version of the film Finding Neverland, which starred Johhny Depp and Kate Winslet and followed the the story of J.M. Barrie's inspiration for his famous children's book, Peter Pan.

Building on the success of the first Professional Series in its new, state-of-the-art facility, StarStruck Theatre announces its upcoming Student Series production of RENT: School Edition. Music Theatre International (MTI) granted StarStruck the privilege of producing the World Premiere of RENT: School Edition in 2007, and now the musical that changed Broadway is coming back to the Treasure Coast. It will play StarStruck Theatre April 20-29.

Neil Patrick Harris will return as the host of the 66th Annual Tony Awards Telecast, which broadcasts on June 10. Harris tweeted the news yesterday following the Broadway League and American Theater Wing announcement in the New York Times.

The John W. Engeman Theater presents four time Tony Award Winning Musical, 42nd STREET, beginning with previews on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 8:00 p.m., an official opening on Saturday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. and running through June 17, 2012. Tickets are on sale for $60 and may be purchased by calling (631) 261-2900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com, or at the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, producer Ken Davenport (Godspell) will present a private industry reading of the new musical SOMEWHERE IN TIME, based on the 1980 Universal Motion Picture of the same name by Richard Matheson.

Alaska Theatre of Youth and Theatre Artists United present the pop cultural phenomenon, rock-opera, RENT, at the Sydney Laurence Theatre. The production is scheduled to run March 30 and 31, April 1, and April 4-7.

Tony-nominated actor Brian Lane Green (Starmites) joins the lineup of Broadway talent performing in the March 30th concert with John Bucchino. In addition to Lane is Broadway funnyman Todd Buonopane (…Spelling Bee) and renowned singer/songwriter Lindy Robbins.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the premiere of BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy conceived by Matthew Loren Cohen and directed by Amanda Blake Davis, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Bristol Riverside Theatre concludes its 25th Anniversary Season with the Broadway mega-hit Rent by Jonathan Larsonplaying at Bristol Riverside Theatre on May 8-June 3. Directed by Jose Zayas, the cast features Julian Alvarez, Mark Willis Borum, Tracie Franklin, James LaRosa, Meera Mohan, Brendan Norton, Tyrone Roberson, Jamila Sabares-Klemm, Tara Tagliaferro, Brit West, and Nadine Zahr with local actors Michael Hogan, Joseph Michael O'Brien, and Carl Nathaniel Smith.

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, producer Ken Davenport (Godspell) will present a private industry reading of the new musical SOMEWHERE IN TIME, based on the 1980 Universal Motion Picture of the same name by Richard Matheson.

Vital Theatre Company, the award-winning theatre company and producer of the long running family show PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL, and HIT Entertainment today announced ANGELINA BALLERINA™ THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music by Ben Morss and directed and choreographed by Sam Viverito, based on the famous dancing mouseling and her friends created by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig, will have performances at Florence Gould Hall, for three shows only.