Joseph Maher News

According to various sources, casting director Mark B Simon, known for his work on the original productions of Parade, The Last 5 Years, and many more, has passed away.

Leopoldstadt marks the 19th production of a Tom Stoppard play to open on Broadway since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead opened 55 years ago. Stoppard has won four Best Play Tony Awards, more than any other playwright in history. What are the 18 other productions of Tom Stoppard plays to open on Broadway? Let's take a look back!

Today we are taking you deep into the BroadwayWorld archives with this candid shot of Maureen Stapleton, Christopher Plummer and Glynis Johns as they promote Little Gloria... Happy at Last at the Plaza Hotel on September 11, 1982 in New York City.

"What the Butler Saw," a shameless comedy by Joe Orton, offering a little blackmail and a lot of sexual innuendo, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, August 23 - September 10. 

"What the Butler Saw," a shameless comedy by Joe Orton, offering a little blackmail and a lot of sexual innuendo, will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse, August 23 - September 10. 

I stepped into the West of Lenin Studio, glancing around the room to try and find a place to sit. Unfortunately, all of the cardboard boxes were taken, but I did snag an antique chair not unlike the one my mom brought up from our old basement anytime we had more than ten dinner guests. I was one of fifteen audience members, some of whom were seated on the floor, sipping wine out of opaque cups; others glancing around, trying to, like me, figure out how this production would unfold in such a tiny room. The two loud men outside the doors who I thought were being rude, clunking about doing something laborious and inconsiderate, where in fact the two main characters of 'For Christmas,' trying to get a couch up the stairs and into, what I soon realized was Jesus Christ's studio apartment. The show simply began.

Westport Country Playhouse will reunite audience favorites---playwright Alan Ayckbourn and director John Tillinger---and an ensemble of popular actors from prior Ayckbourn works at the Playhouse---in the comedy, 'Bedroom Farce,' playing tonight, August 25, through September 13. 'Bedroom Farce' received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play, during its 1979 Broadway run.

Westport Country Playhouse will reunite audience favorites---playwright Alan Ayckbourn and director John Tillinger---and an ensemble of popular actors from prior Ayckbourn works at the Playhouse---in the comedy, 'Bedroom Farce,' playing August 25 through September 13. 'Bedroom Farce' received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play, during its 1979 Broadway run.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage Alan Ayckbourn's romantic comedy, 'Things We Do for Love,' today, August 19 through Sunday, September 7, directed by Tony Award nominee John Tillinger, a veteran director of many Ayckbourn plays on Broadway and at the Playhouse.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage Alan Ayckbourn's romantic comedy, "Things We Do for Love," Tuesday, August 19 through Sunday, September 7, directed by Tony Award nominee John Tillinger, a veteran director of many Ayckbourn plays on Broadway and at the Playhouse.

Veteran Broadway director and Tony Award nominee John Tillinger will return to Westport Country Playhouse to direct another of Alan Ayckbourn's comedies, 'Things We Do for Love,' August 19 - September 6. Tillinger has directed other Ayckbourn plays for Westport, including 'Relatively Speaking,' 'Time of My Life,' and 'How the Other Half Loves.' He also directed the theater's productions of A. R. Gurney's 'Sylvia' and 'Children,' as well as a Script in Hand playreading of Gurney's 'The Golden Age.'

Deadline.com reports that Alec Baldwin will join forces once again with 'To Rome With Love' director Woody Allen in the upcoming film MAN THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE. Baldwin will join his 'Rock of Ages' co-star Russell Brand in the film from New Line.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Damian Arnold, has announced casting for the Broadway premiere of Marc Camoletti's classic farce Don't Dress For Dinner, starring Ben Daniels as "Robert," Melora Hardin as "Jacqueline," Adam James as "Bernard" and Jennifer Tilly as "Suzanne" with Spencer Kayden as "Suzette." Don't Dress For Dinner is adapted by Robin Hawdon and directed by John Tillinger.

The New Yorker today features an article that highlights the favorite albums of Broadway veteran Alec Baldwin, which feature the musical of musical theatre legend Stephen Sondheim. Baldwin writes: 'Stephen Sondheim is responsible for many of the greatest musicals of the past half century; this odd, ultimately haunting collection of set pieces is my favorite. Take your pick between the original recording, with the great Victor Garber and Jonathan Hadary, or the 2006 revival with Michael Cerveris and Denis O'Hare. (Honorable mention: the original cast recording of "Les Miserables," with the remarkable Colm Wilkinson.)'

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Alec Baldwin has announced that he will not run for New York City mayor in 2013. He commented: 'Here's the Thing, I've lost my appetite. And for better or for worse, he expounded on the decision in very interesting terms while discussing the potential candidates for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's post.'

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Damian Arnold, is pleased to announce the Broadway premiere of Marc Camoletti's classic farce Don't Dress For Dinner, adapted by Robin Hawdon, directed by John Tillinger. The cast will be announced soon. Don't Dress For Dinner will begin previews on March 30 and open officially on April 26, 2012 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This will be a limited engagement through June 17, 2012.

As a special 80th anniversary event for Westport Country Playhouse, noted actors Kathleen McNenny, Frances Sternhagen and Richard Thomas will star in a Script in Hand reading of A. R. Gurney's delightfully witty game of cat and mouse, "The Golden Age," on Monday, June 20, 7 p.m. Director is John Tillinger.