Lia Vollack News

Inspired by the life and art of Michael Jackson, learn more about the cast bringing this new musical to the stage!

Second Stage Theater's 2021 Fall Gala honored Producer DEBRA MARTIN CHASE and Playwright Lynn Nottage at a one-night-only celebration on Monday, November 15, 2021 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. Ms. Chase and Ms. Nottage are both members of Second Stage Theater's Board of Directors.

Second Stage Theater’s 2021 Fall Gala will honor Producer DEBRA MARTIN CHASE and Playwright LYNN NOTTAGE at a one-night-only celebration on Monday, November 15, 2021 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. Ms. Chase and Ms. Nottage are both members of Second Stage Theater’s Board of Directors.

The Theatre Leadership Project (TTLP) has been approved by New York State as a qualifying diversity and arts job training program for the state’s $100 million New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit

As BroadwayWorld reported in March, Melvin Van Peebles' musical 'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death' has been planning for a Broadway next year. The production will proceed, despite the recent death of the playwright, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 89. The show will now be dedicated to Peebles.

The Prince Fellowship, in association with Columbia University School of the Arts, announced that Osh Ghanimah has received The Prince Fellowship and Lawryn LaCroix has received the Prince/TTLP Fellowship, formerly known as The T. Fellowship. The late Broadway producer and director Harold Prince created the program to usher in the next generation of creative producers.

MJ Director and Tony Award-winning Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon is introducing a unique part of his creative team – Rich + Tone Talauega, who will focus particularly on Michael Jackson movement.

TTLP’s Company Management Program will offer fellowships featuring supplemental opportunities for continued learning and mentorship to up to five employed BIPOC company managers and assistant company managers already working on Broadway shows as New York’s hard-hit theatrical industry reawakens.

Last year, Sound designer Twi McCallum wrote a 'letter to the industry', expressing the 'grief from a designer's perspective of how we are often not included in this 'diversity' platform, as it is often limited to Black actors, writers, directors, and producers.' Today Twi has released an article to mark the first anniversary of that open letter. 

A group of theatre producers have joined forces to launch The Theatre Leadership Project, an ambitious nonprofit aimed at providing resources to programs that seek to diversify commercial theatre leadership.

Melvin Van Peebles' musical 'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death' is set to be revived on Broadway next year.

Juliana Canfield, Kathryn Hahn, Emily Kinney, Sahr Ngaujah, and Joel Perez join the cast of the previously announced Act Out: Vote2020, a very special event to get out the vote.

Tony Award-nominated playwright, actress, and activist Danai Gurira, two-time Tony Award-winning director Stephen Daldry, and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage will present a very special event to get out the vote – Act Out: Vote2020, a series of short, all new monologues and songs that will make up an hour-long video encouraging audiences to vote in the upcoming elections.

Lia Vollack Productions and The Michael Jackson Estate announced today that, due to the Broadway shutdown, dates have been rescheduled for the upcoming World Premiere of MJ the new musical on Broadway.

Lia Vollack Productions has announced the hiring of Travis LeMont Ballenger, who will serve as Producer. Most recently, Mr. Ballenger held the position of Associate Artistic Director at The Globe Theater in San Diego, California.

The Old Globe's Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein today announced the appointment of Freedome Bradley-Ballentine as Associate Artistic Director. In addition to his expanded role in the Globe's Artistic Department, Bradley-Ballentine will continue overseeing the Globe's nationally recognized arts engagement programs.

Lia Vollack Productions and The Michael Jackson Estate announced today that, due to the Broadway shutdown, dates have been rescheduled for the upcoming World Premiere of MJ the new musical on Broadway.

Just last night, Off-Broadway's The New Group honored its Board President Abby Merrill and Erica Schmidt and Peter Dinklage (Cyrano) at the its Annual Gala, this year celebrating the company's 25th Anniversary.

Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company honored ​​​​​​​ Alan Cumming with The Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre, and Michael Kors & Lance Le Pere with The Ovation Award for Excellence in Philanthropy. This year's gala 'The Life of the Party' featured a unique concert from Tony, Grammy & Emmy Award winner Cyndi Lauper, created exclusively for the special occasion.

The new musical Almost Famous has posted an audition notice announcing a run at a Broadway theatre next fall! According to the listing, previews are set for October 2020 and the production will open in November 2020.