Lehman Engel News

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano, announced the final week of the World Premiere engagement of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). This limited run will continue through April 6th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. The Final Post-Show Talk will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd with Special Guest Karen Mason (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray), moderated by Peter Filichia.

The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE has selected two original book musicals to be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 3-15. Afterland, with music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and book and lyrics by Kathryn Hathaway, will be directed by Mark Brokaw; and Clouds are Pillows for the Moon, with music by Tidtaya Sinutoke and book and lyrics by Ty Defoe, will be directed by Leigh Silverman. The Institute culminates with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as a part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, on June 14 and 15.

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of VIOLET, starring Sutton Foster, Colin Donnell, Alexander Gemignani and Joshua Henry, begins previews tomorrow, March 28, 2014. VIOLET officially opens on April 20, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Scroll down to learn more about the full company and check out a sneak peek performance and interviews with the cast!

Florida Grand Opera (FGO) announces its 74th continuous season of producing opera featuring four mainstage productions for its 2014-2015 Season, which will include Giacomo Puccini'sMadame Butterfly, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Così fan tutte, Georges Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (Les pêcheurs de perles), and Gian Carlo Menotti'sThe Consul.

Librettist and lyricist Brian Crawley talked with Education Dramaturg Ted Sod about his experience in developing Violet.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents Alabama Story, the third installment of PTC's new play reading series, called Play-By-Play. Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones runs April 4 and 5, 2014. PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg directs the production.

On March 31st, Andre is presenting a concert of his original work at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, downstairs at the West Bank Cafe.

Blake Hackler, assistant professor of theatre at SMU Meadows School of the Arts, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholars Grant to conduct teaching and research in Bulgaria. Hackler will be in residence at New Bulgarian University in the capital city of Sofia from January through June, 2015, where he will teach and direct theatre, focusing on physical acting techniques. He will also observe and work with the Sfumato Theatre Laboratory, an internationally recognized theatre based in Sofia that produces highly physical interpretations of classic plays.

The award-winning Vital Theatre Company's World Premiere of PEACE, LOVE, AND CUPCAKES THE MUSICAL with Book, Music and Lyrics by Rick Hip-Flores, directed by Jennifer Curfman and based on the popular chapter book, PEACE, LOVE, AND CUPCAKES: THE CUPCAKE CLUB written by Sheryl Berk and her 11-year-old daughter Carrie Berk. continues through April 26th, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Arts For All has announced this year's annual benefit concert at Joe's Pub on April 28th, hosted by Aaron Lazar, star of Sting's upcoming, new musical, The Last Ship, and directed by Alexander Gemignani, currently appearing in Violet on Broadway. The evening will feature performances by other Broadway performers, donating their time and talents to raise money and awareness for Arts For All's free arts programming with in-need children in all five boroughs of New York City. Tickets are available now through Joe's Pub.

Last month, Cutting Edge Composers held their concert at 54 Below, and one of the highlights of the evening included 'The Last Loser in the Universe' by Drew Gasparini being sung by the incredibly talented Ben Platt, who is currently starring in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. Check out Platt's performance below!

After a sold-out run at NYC's Duplex Cabaret Theatre in 2013, the hit show Gay Camp will play a weekly run beginning tonight, February 28, 2014.

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir begins an Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) tonight, February 28th, with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty.

Geva Theatre Center' 41st Season continues with the world premiere of Informed Consent by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Directed by Sean Daniels, this heartwarming, honest and compelling tale, ripped from the headlines and inspired by a true story, begins performances on March 18 and runs in the Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage through April 13.

General Mischief Dance Theatre presents its spring performance, Rascals with Altitude. Performances will take place from April 25 - May 4 at The Connelly Theatre, 220 East 4th Street, NYC. Tickets are $20 in advance for general admission ($25 at the door, $15 for students and seniors, $10 to children ten and under) and are available through Artful.ly or by calling (212) 714-4694. Performances: Friday, April 25 at 8pm; Saturday, April 26 at 8pm; Sunday, April 27 at 5pm; Friday, May 2 at 8pm; Saturday, May 3 at 3pm and 8pm; Sunday, May 4 at 3pm. Appropriate for ages 4 and up.

Off-Broadway's tastiest new musical The Chocolate Show! opens tonight, Valentine's Day, February 14 at 7pm at the 47th Street Theatre, 304 West 47th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Audiences at the opening night performance will each receive the world's most expensive chocolate truffle by chocolatier Fritz Knipschildt. The Chocolate Show! is written by Alan Golub (book, music and lyrics) & Laura Goldfader (book and music), with direction by Dan Foster, choreography by Grady McLeod Bowman and under the music direction of Jeffrey Klitz.

THE LAST SHIP - the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy winner Sting, and book by Tony winner John Logan and Puliter Prize-winner Brian Yorkey - will begin previews on Broadway at the Neil Simon on September 30 prior to opening night on October 26, according to producers Jeffrey Seller and Kathryn Schenker. The Last Ship is directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello and has choreography by Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Steven Hoggett.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

After a sold-out run at NYC's Duplex Cabaret Theatre in 2013, the hit show Gay Camp will play a weekly run beginning February 28, 2014.