Lynn Ahrens News

There's a new Broadway star on the rise. Just yesterday, The Color Purple's Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo was joined by some of her Broadway friends as Sardi's unveiled her caricature, which joins the historic collection on the restaurant's walls, honoring Broadway's finest for over 85 years.

QNEK Productions, award-winning international theatre company in residence at the historic Haskell Opera House, continues their 24th season with the perfect show for the entire family, SEUSSICAL.

The 66th Music Circus season continues with the delightful and enduring musical Seussical. Explore the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as you've never seen it before. Travel back to your childhood to the land of the Whos and the Jungle of Nool, and rediscover the delightfully zany characters imagined by one of the most beloved storytellers of all time. Created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island), this is one visit to the doctor that neither kids nor parents will mind, an enchanting musical where anything's possible.

Columbus Children's Theatre (CCT) will present Once On This Island JR. July 27 - August 7, 2016 at Park Street Theatre located at 512 Park Street. The 2016 Summer Youth Performance Conservatory is comprised of actors ages 10-15. This production is directed by Ryan Scarlata. Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Based on My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy.

Eight outstanding educators from schools and performing arts centers around the country will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 7th Annual FREDDIE G FELLOWSHIP July 13th - 16th.  The event has once again been underwritten by Myrna and Freddie ("G") Gershon, Chairman and CEO of leading theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI).  The four days of classes and activities honor instructors and teachers who are working to make a difference for their students and communities through the process of staging musical theatre productions in their schools and educational theatre groups.  In addition to the New York experience, each of the teachers' schools receives $5,000 from Freddie and Myrna to enhance their arts program.

The Washington Pavilion is excited to welcome the Boston Pops, the most recorded and arguably the most beloved orchestra in the country, to the Mary W. Sommervold Hall at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2017.  Affectionately known as "America's Orchestra", the Boston Pops has chosen Sioux Falls as one if its destinations during its limited Midwest tour. Ticket on-sale dates and pricing will be announced sometime in the near future.

The Tony-winning British star celebrates her first stateside 4th of July with a joyous rendition of America's anthem.

The 66th Music Circus season continues with the delightful and enduring musical Seussical. Explore the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as you've never seen it before. Travel back to your childhood to the land of the Whos and the Jungle of Nool, and rediscover the delightfully zany characters imagined by one of the most beloved storytellers of all time. Created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island), this is one visit to the doctor that neither kids nor parents will mind, an enchanting musical where anything's possible.

A Facebook user captures a moment when those protesting for justice demand to be heard.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, THE BOOK OF MORMON, Disney's NEWSIES and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! will make 1776 half-price tickets available through the League of Chicago Theatres' Hot Tix program Tuesday, June 28 beginning at 12 PM through Sunday, July 10. 

Producers Stage Entertainment USA, Bill Taylor (Sister Act, Rocky) and Tom Kirdahy Productions (It's Only A Play, The Visit) announce today the new musical, Anastasia, will open on Broadway on April 24, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). The company will be led by Christy Altomare, Derek Klena, John Bolton and Caroline O'Connor in the roles they originated at Hartford Stage. Additional casting will be announced soon.

Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo stopped by last night's DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH on Comedy Central to talk about starring in the highly emotional revival of Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE.

The Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT) will bookend its 2016-2017 season with two original musicals inspired by popular children's books.

Awarding-winning Gallery Players continues its history of 'bringing Broadway to Brooklyn' as they celebrate a landmark with the announcement of their 50th Season.  

BAD HABIT PRODUCTIONS, INC. (BHP) is pleased to commence its anniversary Season 10: No Life Aside from Art, with the witty, heartwarming musical A Man of No Importance, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, and book by Terrence McNally, directed by Boston area director Daniel Morris, with musical direction by Meghan MacFadden. A Man of No Importance will be presented on the Wimberly Stage at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts in the South End August 6-28, 2016.

Celebrated playwright and teacher Paula Vogel spent 2 days at the Playwrights' Center in this week as part of the Dramatists Guild Fund's Traveling Masters Program. Vogel's visit concluded with a public conversation on Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m. at the Playwrights' Center, 2301 E. Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. Check out photos below!

The Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime will receive a one-night site-specific developmental concert on Ellis Island on August 8, 2016. An all-star cast of Broadway and Off-Broadway veterans including Olivier winner Laura Michelle Kelly, Tony and Grammy nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Emmy winner Michael Park, Robert Petkoff, Shaina Taub, and five-time Emmy nominee Georgia Engel will perform a selection of songs from the American musical with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Sammi Cannold will direct the concert in anticipation of a full production in 2017.

MEN ON BOATS, the critically-acclaimed comedy which premiered at Clubbed Thumb's 2015 Summerworks Festival, announced today casting for its return this summer in a co-production by Clubbed Thumb and Playwrights Horizons.

?Tony Award-winner LILLIAS WHITE (Dreamgirls, Barnum, Chicago, The Life and Fela!) is set to return to The Triad (158 W. 72nd St.) on the Upper West Side for three special performances of "The Birthday Show" - celebrating White's 65th Birthday on Friday, July 22nd at 9PM, Saturday, July 23rd at 11PM and Sunday, July 24th at 7PM. Lillias White is also featured in 'The Get Down', the new Netflix series, executive produced by the legendary Baz Luhrmann (scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix on August 12th, 2016).

Este concierto participativo ofrece a mas de 200 personas aficionadas a la musica la oportunidad de participar, junto con solistas y la emblematica orquesta, en un emotivo recorrido por la historia del teatro musical, desde sus origenes hasta hoy, a partir de fragmentos de algunos de los musicales mas emblematicos: Chicago, Hello Dolly!, Hairspray, Cats o los Miserables.