Lynn Ahrens News

The 9th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony, which honours the accomplishments of women working in the American theatre, just took place last night, May 21st, 2018, at the Minetta Lane Theatre.

The producers of Broadway's Once On This Island announced today that Merle Dandridge will return to the Tony Nominated production for a limited time from June 18 - August 19. Current cast member Tamyra Gray will return as Papa Ge on August 20.

Broadway Kids Jam has released their latest jam, 'Waiting For Life' From Once On This Island. This jam features Mckayla Twiggs (Anastasia, Les Miserables, Once), Joshua Turchin (The Pill, TrevorLIVE LA, A Christmas Story the Musical), Hudson Loverro (A Bronx Tale, Ragtime/Ellis Island), Molly Richardson (Matilda), Madeleine Pace (Once), and little 'jammers' Shaina Turchin, Lyla Twiggs, and Chloe Loverro.

Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced four new mainstage productions for 2018-2019.

Asolo Rep continues its 2017-18 season with the celebrated American musical RAGTIME. Directed by Peter Rothstein, founding artistic director of Theater Latte Da in Minneapolis, RAGTIME features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, who all garnered Tony Awards for the production. The original Broadway production was directed by Frank Galati, who received a Tony nomination for his work and is an Associate Artist at Asolo Rep. A collaboration with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, RAGTIME is currently on stage through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos of the new production below!

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) announced the 2018 Drama League Awards Winners on Friday afternoon for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award.

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2018 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by Tony® Award winners Harriet Harris, Julie White and Tony® Award nominee Christopher Sieber at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online right here at BroadwayWorld.com.

New York-based actress Leslie Becker takes on American capitalism as Emma Goldman in the acclaimed musical, RAGTIME. The show is the final offering of the 2017-18 Asolo Repertory Theatre season and is currently running through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

World-renowned piano virtuoso Mona Golabek returns to Hartford Stage for a limited engagement of her inspirational show, The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Back by popular demand, The Pianist of Willesden Lane will run Thursday, July 12, through Sunday, July 22, for 13 performances only. Tickets will be available for sale on Saturday, May 19.

Broadway In Chicago and the producers of ANASTASIA are delighted to announce that ANASTASIA, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical inspired by beloved films, will make its Chicago debut at Broadway In Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) for a limited two-week engagementMarch 26 through April 7, 2019. ANASTASIA will be part of Broadway In Chicago's upcoming season. Subscriptions will go on sale in the fall of 2018.

Urban Stages' Board of Directors and founding artistic director Frances Hill celebrated 'The Magic of Theater by presenting the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary actor Jim Date at their Gala Benefit. The event was held at the Boathouse in Central Park at 6:30PM on May 14, 2018. The award was presented by stage and screen star Simon Jones (Farinelli and the King, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy).

Lo scorso Primo Maggio Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) e Katharine McPhee (Waitress) hanno annunciato le nominations dei Tony Awards 2018 che, anche quest'anno, si terranno al Radio City Music Hall di New York il 10 Giugno. I premi saranno presentati da Josh Groban (The Great Comet) e Sara Bareilles (Waitress, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert) entrambi nominati nelle scorse edizioni e che per la prima volta saliranno sul palco come presentatori.

RAGTIME is such an underrated piece of art. Although written in 1996 and staged for Broadway in 1998, it is almost prophetic in its reflection of the social unrest, racism and immigration sanctions prevalent in our world today. Based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, RAGTIME is as relevant today as it was when first conceived. Its timelessness is a credit to its brilliant and perceptive writing, albeit a sad commentary of our present society which has not learned from its past and has not progressed much in civility or compassion.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drop everything, walk out your door and do something completely new? That is what Diana, the central character in Neil Bartram and Brian Hill's new musical YOU ARE HERE does on the eve of the moon landing - she walks out of her comfortable suburban, Chicago life and learns how the unexpected can lead to a life changing experience. I had the chance to sit down with the duo behind the show, book writer Brian Hill and composer and lyricist, Neil Bartram who shared a little about their creative process, Diana's journey in the show, and how they work effectively together to bring a musical like YOU ARE HERE to life.

Asolo Rep continues its 2017-18 season with the celebrated American musical RAGTIME. Check out video of the cast in action below! Directed by Peter Rothstein, founding artistic director of Theater Latte Da in Minneapolis, RAGTIME features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, who all garnered Tony Awards for the production. The original Broadway production was directed by Frank Galati, who received a Tony nomination for his work and is an Associate Artist at Asolo Rep. A collaboration with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, RAGTIME is currently on stage through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Asolo Rep continues its 2017-18 season with the celebrated American musical RAGTIME. Directed by Peter Rothstein, founding artistic director of Theater Latte Da in Minneapolis, RAGTIME features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, who all garnered Tony Awards for the production. The original Broadway production was directed by Frank Galati, who received a Tony nomination for his work and is an Associate Artist at Asolo Rep. A collaboration with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, RAGTIME is currently on stage through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos of the new production below!

SCP's Young People's Theatre will take the stage at the newly renovated Corner Playhouse as the Dr. Seuss characters you know and love in Seussical Jr. This fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, transports audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus. The Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers. Watch as Horton faces ridicule and danger! Will the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community help him to emerge triumphant? Come see the show and find out!

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) today announced the cast for its season finale, Ragtime, directed by CCCT Artistic Director Marilyn Langbehn, with music direction by Tania Johnson and choreography by Allison Paraiso. Ragtime, with a Tony award-winning book and score by Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, plays CCCT's Main Stage beginning June 15 through July 22. For tickets and information visit the theatre's website at www.ccct.org or call 510.524.9012.

The producers of Broadway's Once On This Island announced today that Lea Salonga will play her final performance in the show on June 24. Current cast member Darlesia Cearcy will take over the role of Erzulie on June 25.

For many of us of a certain age, SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK, was the cornerstone to everything we kids learned about Civics, Mathematics, Parts of Speech, and so much more. It was one of those moments that made our Saturday Mornings literally sing. After learning about nouns, various multiplication tables, and of course, how a bill turns into law, I felt like I had tapped into a new world of learning.