Kirsten Guenther News

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) has announced the line-up of new musicals for their 28th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 2016 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

This July, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

?FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents The Cable Car Nymphomaniac In Concert, a new San Francisco musical.

Prospect Theater Company  in partnership with The Good to Go Festival, led by Producing Artistic Director Judy Zocchi, continues its 2015/16 IGNITE Series at The TimesCenter (242 W 41st Street), Friday, March 4 at 8pm, with the Good to Go Songwriter's Showcase. This concert evening will celebrate new works-in-process created or co-created by women writers from around the country.

BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at opening night on the red carpet below!

BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).  BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek at rehearsals and more below!

Matt Magnusson stars as 'Scorpio' opposite Alison Luff in BREAKING THROUGH, beginning previews tonight, October 27, at The Pasadena Playhouse.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Matt Magnusson will be taking over the role of 'Scorpio' opposite Alison Luff in BREAKING THROUGH at The Pasadena Playhouse this fall. Magnusson replaces Constantine Maroulis, who has left the company due to personal matters.

The Pasadena Playhouse presents BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015. Below, Alison Luff talks about her role, the show and more during the photo shoot for BREAKING THROUGH!

InProximity Theatre Company will present the NYC premiere of PROMISING, written by Michelle Elliott and directed by Terry Berliner. PROMISING begins performances on Saturday, November 14 for a limited engagement through Saturday, December 5. Opening Night is Wednesday, November 18 at 8 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday at 7 PM; Wednesday - Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM &  8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM. Please note, there are added Wednesday matinee performances on November 25 and December 2 at 2 PM; there is no performance on Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26). Performances are at the Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row (410 W 42nd Street, between 9th and Dyer). Tickets are $25 and are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200 or online via telecharge.com.

Below, Constantine Maroulis talks about how much he wants audiences to see this show, and more!

The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) announced today full casting for BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).

Transport Group, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and OBIE Award-winning theatre company, by special arrangement with Tony Award winning producer Larry Hirschhorn, will give a private developmental lab presentation of Benny & Joon, a new musical. Based on the 1993 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture starring Aidan Quinn, Johnny Depp, and Mary Stuart Masterson, written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil, Benny & Joon features a book by Kirsten Guenther (Breaking Through), music by Nolan Gasser (chief musicologist of pandora.com), and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein (Little Women). Under the direction of Transport Group Artistic Director and five-time Drama Desk nominee Jack Cummings III, the cast features Andrew Samonsky as 'Benny' (Queen of the Mist), Hannah Elless as 'Joon' (Bright Star),Colin Hanlon (Submissions Only), Mamie Parris (See Rock City & Other Destinations), Zak Resnick (Piece of My Heart), Tally Sessions (House of Blue Leaves), Natalie Toro (A Tale of Two Cities), and Jason SweetTooth Williams (Things to Ruin). John DiPinto will music direct.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) announced today that, Alison Luff (Broadway: Matilda the Musical, Scandalous, GHOST the Musical, Mamma Mia!), and Constantine Maroulis (Broadway: Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde, The Wedding Singer, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), will lead the cast of BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).

The Pasadena Playhouse announced their 2015-2016 Season today, which includes the award-winning REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefina Lopez; the World Premiere of the new musical BREAKING THROUGH with a book by Kirsten Guenther and Music and Lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz; the return of Panto at The Playhouse with Lythgoe Family Productions' PETER PAN AND TINKERBELL A PIRATE CHRISTMAS, Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan's FLY produced in association with Crossroads Theatre Company; the West Coast Premiere of Harvey Fierstein's CASA VALENTINA; and an Artistic Director's Choice to be announced at a later date.

The new musical BREAKING THROUGH with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, will have an industry presentation today, November 5 at Carroll Studios in New York.

The new musical BREAKING THROUGH with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz, will have an industry presentation on Wednesday, November 5 at Carroll Studios in New York.

Kathy Evans, Founding Executive Director, announced the nine musicals and twenty-six writers selected for the 2014 Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, its fourth year of providing working retreats for musical theatre writers. For nine consecutive weeks beginning June 29th, each writing team will have an individual weeklong residency in Rhinebeck, New York to write their musical. They are provided with a private home, transportation, food, and a stipend. All costs are fully funded by donors including The ASCAP Foundation, The Dramatists Guild Fund, and The Noel Coward Foundation. Writers participating this year include Broadway's Mindi Dickstein (Little Women), this year's Kleban Prize winner Nathan Tysen (Burnt Part Boys), and Peter Mills, past winner of the Kleban, Fred Ebb Award, and Richard Rodgers prize. The musicals' subjects cover 19th century nautical mysteries, 20th century fairy tales, a 1970's gay bar, and modern-day meth addicts. Every score is original and styles include 16th century Renaissance, big band, folk, rock, and electronic music.

On the evening of March 10, 2014, Lark Play Development Center held a benefit entitled 'A Transformative Moment, A Celebration with Songs and Scenes Honoring Edward Albee'. The benefit celebrated Lark's 20th anniversary, Edward Albee's inspiring work and the power of playwriting. Scroll down for photos!