Kellen Blair News

THE NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL has announced the performers for their special opening night launch event "MEETING OUR HEROES: A Tribute to the Composers Who Inspire Us" at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe (407 West 42nd Street) on Monday, July 7 at 7:00 PM. Jeremiah Ginn (Murder for Two), Janet Krupin (If/Then, Bring It On: The Musical), Charlotte Maltby (Les Miserables at the Muny) and Bryce Ryness (Fly By Night, First Date, Hair), will help four emerging songwriters celebrate four of musical theater's most celebrated composers. An intimate, history-making night of songs and stories, this one-night-only concert opens NYMF with music from established and new writers alike and honors the individuals who have made an indelible mark on the musical theater community.

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today its selections for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Beautiful Poison, Cubamor, Great Wall, How To Break, Mary Marie, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes, String and Stu For Silverton make up the eight new musicals that will be presented at the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Off-Broadway hit Murder for Two is the eighth and final play to be announced in the 2014-2015 Geffen Playhouse season. The new musical will run from May 27 through July 7, 2015 in the Geffen Playhouse's intimate Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. Murder for Two, in which everyone is a suspect, is a hilarious musical murder mystery with a twist: one actor investigates the crime, the other plays all of the suspects - and they both play the piano! This 90-minute whodunit is a zany blend of classic musical comedy and madcap mystery, a highly theatrical duet loaded with killer laughs.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival will launch this season with a special opening night event "MEETING OUR HEROES: A Tribute to the Composers Who Inspire Us" at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe (407 West 42nd Street) on Monday, July 7 at 7:00 PM. Four of musical theater's most celebrated composers will appear to be honored by four emerging songwriters for an intimate, history-making night of songs and stories, as they pay tribute to the writers who inspire us. Featuring a cast of Broadway friends, this one-night-only concert opens NYMF with music from established and new writers alike and honors the individuals who have made an indelible mark on the musical theater community.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announced today the fifth show of its 2014-2015 season will be the Tony-nominated drama Mothers and Sons byTerrence McNally. Mothers and Sons, which will run February 6-March 8, 2015, rounds out an exciting 40th Anniversary Season of superb contemporary theatre that also includes Lisa D'Amour's disturbing yet bracingly funny drama Detroit, the Tony Award nominated Outside Mullingar by Oscar-winning writer John Patrick Shanley, brownsville song (b-side for tray), the runaway hit of this year's Humana Festival of New American Plays, by rising playwrightKimber Lee, and Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's musical whodunit Murder for Two, nominated for this year's Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Awards.

Just last night, Drama Desk and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti ('The Sound of Music Live!', Gypsy, Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) hosted the 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street). Big winners for the night included Audra McDonald, Bryan Cranston, Jessie Mueller, and Neil Patrick Harris and Jefferson Mays- who tied for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.

Drama Desk and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti ('The Sound of Music Live!', Gypsy, Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) will host the 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards tonight, June 1, 2014 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld will be updating you with winners throughout the night. Check back later for the full list!

BroadwayWorld has just learned that off-Broadway's Murder for Two will offically close on Sunday, June 29 at New World Stages. The show was previously scheduled to conclude its killer year-long run in New York on July 6, 2014. Ticket-holders for any performance from June 30-July 6 should contact their point of purchase to reschedule, or to request a refund.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces four of its five plays for next year's 40th Anniversary season including Lisa D'Amour's disturbing yet bracingly funny drama Detroit, the Tony Award nominated Outside Mullingar by Pulitzer, Oscar and Tony Award-winning writer John Patrick Shanley, the runaway hit of this year's Humana Festival of New American Plays, brownsville song (b-side for tray) by rising playwright Kimber Lee, and Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's musical whodunit Murder for Two, nominated for this year's Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Awards. A final mainstage production will be announced shortly.

Second Stage Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala celebration just honored Carole Rothman, Artistic Director of Second StageTheatre, for her 35 years of supporting new works and artistic development in New York City theatre. This year's rock n' roll themed gala was attended by over 250 Second Stage Alumni who have worked at Second Stage Theatre during the past 35 years, from Brooke Adams and Polly Draper who appeared in the very first season, to cast members from the currently running The Substance of Fire and the upcoming American Hero which will make its New York premiere this summer at Second Stage Uptown. Special guests participating in the evening's festivities include Lynn Nottage, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Goldwyn, and more. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special evening below!

THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE invites you to enjoy music, memories, midnight, mystery & murder in its 2014-2015 season of shows! The season starts out rockin' with BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY; followed by Linda Purl starring in Joan Didion's play about the triumph of the human spirit in THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING; then the holiday season will ring in the musical STRIKING TWELVE; followed by the songs of one the greatest musical writers of all time - HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN; plus enjoy the smash-hit, Off-Broadway musical whodunit MURDER FOR TWO; and a 'To Be Announced' production; add in two bonus options for our audiences and subscribers including the MAGIC OF MOTOWN and Emmy Award-winner Ed Asner starring as FDR for a year of engaging music, memories and more!

MURDER FOR TWO celebrated their 200th performance on Monday night, April 28. Below, Check out a photo of the company and another of Brett Ryback and Jeff Blumenkrantz cutting the cake!

Eligibility and award category designations for the productions under consideration this season were determined by the Drama Desk board of directors with recommendations from the nominating committee. Because of the abundance of great work throughout the season, the Board also authorized the increase in the number of nominees allowed in select categories.

Award-winning composer and lyricist Joe Iconis will take the stage on Monday, May 5, 2014 at New World Stages as part of MURDER FOR TWO's newly launched concert series Murderous Musical Mondays. The unplugged concert, which will feature both new songs and fan favorites, will take place immediately following the 7pm performance of MURDER FOR TWO at New World Stages (Stage 5 - 340 West 50th Street) on Monday, May 5th, 2014. Admittance to the concert is free to all those with tickets to the May 5th performance of MURDER FOR TWO. Tickets are available now on Telecharge.com.

The cast and creative team of the hit Off-Broadway musical Murder for Two are teaming up with some of New York's brightest up and coming composers and BroadwayWorld.com every Monday night for their spring concert series, Murderous Musical Mondays. Composers Brett Ryback and Alexander Sage Oyen contine the series on Monday, April 7, 2014, immediately following the 7pm performance of Murder for Two at New World Stages (Stage 5 - 340 West 50th Street).

BroadwayWorld.com is excited to present a new, three part series showing off some of the exciting characters from Murder For Two, which is currently running at New World Stages. Below, meet Dahlia, played by Jeff Blumenkrantz!

BroadwayWorld.com is excited to present a new, three part series showing off some of the exciting characters from Murder For Two, which is currently running at New World Stages. Below, meet Dr. Griff, played by Jeff Blumenkrantz!

Looks like the writers of MURDER FOR TWO have another hit on their hands, and this one should be a real knockout. Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair give you a sample of their new show, Rocky, in honor of its Broadway opening tonight. You know, 'cause they wrote it. Watch below!

Producers Jayson Raitt, Barbara Whitman, Steven Chaikelson and Second Stage Theatre announced today that Murder For Two original cast member Jeff Blumenkrantz will be returning to the hit musical comedy, reprising his role of 'The Suspects' beginning Monday, March 17, 2014. Blumenkrantz, fresh from the critically acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd at New York Philharmonic, is taking over for composer Joe Kinosian, who joined the cast on Monday, January 20, 2014. Blumenkrantz reunites with current star Brett Ryback in the original musical featuring book and music by Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and direction by Scott Schwartz. The New York production of Murder For Two began performances at New World Stages on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, officially opened on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 and recently extended to July 6, 2014.

BroadwayWorld.com is excited to present a new, three part series showing off some of the exciting characters from Murder For Two, which is cuurently running at New World Stages. Below, meet Officer Marcus, played by Brett Ryback!