Kevin Massey News

Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of Bonnie & Clyde opened on November 19. Jay Handelman reports in today's Herald-Tribune that the show is heading next to Broadway in August of 2011. The article reports that: 'We're planning to go to Broadway in August. We're going to Broadway, absolutely,' said Jerry Frankel, a veteran Broadway producer who is partnered with Jeffrey Richards. They are represented on Broadway by 'Bloody Blood Andrew Jackson,' 'The Merchant of Venice' with Al Pacino and 'A Life in the Theatre.'

Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of Bonnie & Clyde opened on November 19. The opening night festivities included vintage cars on the patio courtesy of Vintage Motors of Sarasota.

Asolo Repertory Theatre recently announced the complete cast of its upcoming production of Bonnie & Clyde a thrilling new musical with book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang); music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel); lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance); Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel; and direction and musical staging by Tony Award- winner Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). The production runs from November 16 - December 19, 2010 on the Asolo Rep mainstage-The Mertz Theatre. The press opening is November 19, at 8 p.m. Last week, BroadwayWorld presented the show's first official behind-the-scenes videos of the production, hosted by Asolo Rep's David J. Valdez! Today, we bring you the latest from Sarasota, a look at the show's road to Asolo and a peak into the cast costume fitting!

Last week, Asolo Repertory Theatre announced the complete cast of its upcoming production of Bonnie & Clyde a thrilling new musical with book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang); music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel); lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance); Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel; and direction and musical staging by Tony Award- winner Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). The production runs from November 16 - December 19, 2010 on the Asolo Rep mainstage-The Mertz Theatre. The press opening is November 19, at 8 p.m. We're very excited to present the show's first official behind-the-scenes videos of the production, hosted by Asolo Rep's David J. Valdez!

Last week, Asolo Repertory Theatre announced the complete cast of its upcoming production of Bonnie & Clyde a thrilling new musical with book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang); music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel); lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance); Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel; and direction and musical staging by Tony Award- winner Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). The production runs from November 16 - December 19, 2010 on the Asolo Rep mainstage-The Mertz Theatre. The press opening is November 19, at 8 p.m. We're very excited to present the show's first official promo photos of the two stars!

Asolo Repertory Theatre announced the complete cast of its upcoming production of Bonnie & Clyde a thrilling new musical with book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang); music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel); lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance); Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel; and direction and musical staging by Tony Award- winner Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). The production runs from November 16 - December 19, 2010 on the Asolo Rep mainstage-The Mertz Theatre. The press opening is November 19, at 8 p.m.

I remember seeing FOOTLOOSE in a theatre back in 1984, and I think I actually enjoyed it. I even have a cassette of the soundtrack somewhere, although I don't remember ever purchasing it. Still, it's the type of movie that can be easily tweaked for translation to the stage since the songs are already in place (for the most part), and the plot blends dance with romance. It is an undeniably infectious combination, especially for those of us who grew up with this music, for better or worse.

Last week, Melissa Gilbert and the cast of the acclaimed National Tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL performed at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Melissa Gilbert and the cast of the acclaimed National Tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL will perform at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from June 1-6, 2010.

Next week, Melissa Gilbert and the cast of the acclaimed National Tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL will be performing at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (June 1-6, 2010).

Next week, Melissa Gilbert and the cast of the acclaimed National Tour of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL will be performing at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (June 1-6, 2010).

For better or for worse, Little House on the Prairie has joined the ever growing, eclectic club of main stream stories transformed into musicals. Surprisingly, this quaint account of a family struggling to settle the prairie actually has potential and could be successful in the live, musical theatre format. However, multiple production problems prevent this national tour from realizing that goal.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, the new musical based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved series of classic American books, is now enjoying a celebrated 26-city tour throughout the U.S. and Canada. Last week, during its two-week engagement at the California Musical Theatre in Sacramento, the cast got a special visit from some of Melissa Gilbert's co-stars from the original 'Little House' TV series.

If you have fond memories of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House books or the popular 1970's TV series, steer clear of the Canon Theatre because your expectations sure to be foiled. The same applies if you are a musical theatre fan out to see this new musical adapted from the novels. Despite a few fine performances the show as a whole just does not work. * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

Directed by Francesca Zambello (Disney's The Little Mermaid), LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL is currently playing Denver, Colorado.

'Little House on the Prairie - The Musical', based on the 'Little House' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and starring Melissa Gilbert as 'Ma', opened quietly at the Buell Theater on Tuesday night. Oh yes, there were commercials and talk of the show. But the show itself is a very low key affair. And that's not a bad thing. There are no chandeliers, bubbles or 'flying green witches' and that is what may upset some theatergoers. What theatergoers will like is that Melissa Gilbert, the original Laura Ingalls from the 70's TV series, plays 'Ma' in this musical production.

Even if you've never watched the popular TV show that ran from the mid-1970's to the early 1980's, or read Laura Ingalls Wilder's popular children's novel, you'll still find plenty to enjoy watching LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - THE MUSICAL. This is a sweet and charming show that illustrates the true pioneer spirit of the settlers who forged new lives for themselves in the western frontier.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, arrived on November 10th at the Tulsa PAC in Tulsa, Ok. Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing ‘Laura' in the hugely successful NBC television series 'Little House on the Prairie' during the 1970's, now continues her legacy ‘on the prairie' by taking on the role of Ma. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will also star Steve Blanchard as Pa and Kara Lindsay as Laura. Tickets for the Tulsa engagement of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will go on sale on Monday, October 5th.

Even the presence of Melissa Gilbert - who so memorably played 'Half-Pint' in the Little House TV series of the 1970s and '80s and now is cast as Caroline Ingalls - can't save this musical from mediocrity. Try as they might, Gilbert and her castmates unfortunately just can't get past Sheinkin's overly earnest and plodding book, Portman's completely unmemorable score or Di Novelli's clumsily crafted lyrics. Sheinkin's book does offer some glimmer of hope: There are some lovely moments to be found in the script, but they are too few and far between. Portman's score fares worse, since there is not one melody that can be recalled and all the musical numbers sound alike. Di Novelli's lyrics are even worse. When 'I'm sick with wind sickness' is the only lyric you can remember, you know the show's in trouble. And, clearly, the material is not served well by director Francesca Zambello's seemingly uninspired staging (save for some creatively conceived horse-racing sequences).

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, the eagerly anticipated new stage production of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL -- with Melissa Gilbert as 'Ma' -- kicks off a two-year, 26-city national tour at The Ordway Center in St. Paul.