Lynn Ahrens News

Broadway luminaries and local talent will join forces for a Gala concert production of the quintessential American musical, RAGTIME, a sweeping musical portrait of early-twentieth-century America that tells the story of three families in pursuit of the American Dream.

Cynthia Erivo talks about playing Harriet Tubman and what she learned about her in preparing for the role.

Yellow Sound Label has announced the release of Mark William: Come Croon With Me, the debut recording of Mark William. Featuring the songs in his critically acclaimed nightclub act, Come Croon With Me, it is now available for pre-order and will be released on CD, digital download, and all streaming platforms on November 22.

Pride Films and Plays will stage the first Chicago production in more than a decade of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, the heartwarming musical created by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Terrence McNally, the team that wrote RAGTIME and ANASTASIA. A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE is based on a 1994 film starring Albert Finney and features a gorgeous Irish-influenced score.

Broadway In Boston announced today that tickets for Boston engagement of the critically-acclaimed Broadway production of ANASTASIA will go on sale Monday, October 21. ANASTASIA will play the Citizens Bank Opera House for a limited engagement July 7 a?' 19, 2020 as part of the 2019/2020 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Once On This Island, The Light in the Piazza, Sweeney Todd and more!

Just last night, Primary Stages held its 35th Anniversary Gala, honor ingPulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck (Downstairs, Bernhardt/Hamlet), and Tony Award-winning producers from the Primary Stages family Jamie deRoy (The Ferryman, Little Women), Dasha Epstein (Ain't Misbehavin', Exits and Entrances), Susan Rose (The Band's Visit, Sabina), and Cheryl Wiesenfeld (Ain't Too Proud, In the Continuum). 

Visually stunning. Inventively staged. Compellingly acted. Beautifully told. Utterly delightful. Heartrendingly poignant. What more can be said about Once On This Island, the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty musical which launched its national tour in Nashville last night with a remarkable opening performance before a capacity crowd in Andrew Jackson Hall? The critical raves, audience adulation and awards for the recent Broadway revival of the Caribbean-influenced musical were enough to attract ticket-buyers, to be certain, but the sheer artistry of the production and its amazingly talented cast will be more than enough to propel the company forward on their cross-country tour where, we suspect, the accolades will continue to be bestowed upon the heartfelt and authentic story.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly kicks off its highly anticipated 2019-20 season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This Tony Award-winning musical sensation will be directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes (Broadway: Bright Star, It Shoulda Been You, First Date, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella). Rhodes returns to Asolo Rep where he previously directed and choreographed the theatre's record-breaking smash hit production of Evita in 2017 and Guys and Dolls in 2016. 

For audience members who saw Once On This Island during its recent Tony Award-winning revival on Broadway, actress Tamyra Gray has some pointers in regard to the show's national tour, which launches tonight at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center: a?oeThere's a new set-up,a?? she explains. a?oeSince we are no longer in the round, our set has been restructured and it's really, really cool: It's like you've walked into this village and you're watching events unfold.a??

Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen Jason Alexander to host The Dramatists Guild Foundation's 2019 DGF Gala on Monday, November 4 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. 2019 DGF Gala to include inaugural presentations of Alan Jay Lerner Awards to pay tribute to the Foundation's founder, Alan Jay Lerner, and be given to individuals with outstanding legacies of supporting writers across the country.

The newly formed J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company launches its inaugural 2020 season with three musical gems: Seesaw (February 13-23, 2020), No Strings (February 27 a?' March 8, 2020) and A Class Act (March 12-22, 2020) at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd street).

Ragtime a?" with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens a?" is a sweeping epic musical about the birth of America that weaves together real celebrities and historical events with a timeless tale of three families in pursuit of the American Dream.

Casting has been announced for the national tour of ANASTASIA, coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts November 5 a?" 17, 2019 in Segerstrom Hall. Rising theater star Jake Levy makes his national tour debut in the principal role of Dmitry.

BrightSide Theatre, Naperville's only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district, opens their 9th Season a?" Guilty Pleasures a?"with this family friendly holiday musical - A Christmas Carol the Musical. Performing at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth Street in Naperville November 29 a?" December 15. Tickets are on sale now at www.brightsidetheatre.com, or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497). The press performance is Friday, November 29 at 8pm.

Hollywood Pantages Theatre presents the Los Angeles premiere of Anastasia from October 8 to October 27. The tour of the critically acclaimed Broadway production began performances in October 2018 at Proctors in Schenectady, NY before journeying to over 30 cities in its first year.

Hollywood Pantages Theatre presents the Los Angeles premiere of ANASTASIA from October 8 to October 27. The tour of the critically acclaimed Broadway production began performances in October 2018 at Proctors in Schenectady, NY before journeying to over 30 cities in its first year.

Based on the 1997 animated film 'Anastasia', Anastasia the New Broadway Musical, bowing on broadway in 2017, is an entertaining whirlwind of sight and sound. It will make you laugh and cry. You will undoubtedly leave the theatre with a lasting impression of grande theatricality and how it weaves its magic into our humdrum lives. Plus, it is based on fact. Currently onstage at the Hollywood Pantages until October 27 only, this Anastasia has the makings of a great big hit.

Last night, The Dramatists Guild Foundation celebrated Oliver Houser and Riti Sachdeva, both alumni of the DGF Fellows program, at a salon hosted by Joan and George Hornig. Houser performed songs from his body of work and Sachdeva was presented with the Thom Thomas Award in front of attendees including Stephen Schwartz.

 Music Theater Works has announced its 2020 schedule under incoming Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan. The season opens with the ABBA musical MAMMA MIA! (June 6-14), followed by RAGTIME (August 22-30), RICHARD RODGERS' GREATEST HITS with Hammerstein, Hart and others (October 2-11), and BILLY ELLIOT (December 26-January 3).