Lynn Ahrens News

The Firehouse Theatre Project and Richmond CenterStage present the Civil War-Era musical Dessa Rose May 2 - June 3, 2012. Dessa Rose will be performed at the Firehouse Theatre and comes during Virginia's commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War and Emancipation.

Amas Musical Theatre's Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) will present the musical "Seussical", book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, from Friday, May 3rd through Sunday May 13th the LABA Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14thStreet (between 1st and 2nd Avenues).

On Monday, April 30, The New York Pops marks its 29th birthday with a grand gala evening titled 'Journey On' honoring Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated songwriting team of such renowned Broadway musicals as Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance, The Glorious Ones and the feature film Anastasia.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER opened last night, April 15th and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the star filled red carpet on their way in to see the show. Get out your 'Stache' and scroll on down!

Paper Mill Playhouse has just announced that American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado has been cast as Ti Moune in the Millburn, New Jersey, theater's production of Once On This Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty). More than 20 years after its premiere, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird) and choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance). Once On This Island begins performances on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Complete casting will be announced at a later date. Once On This Island is proudly sponsored by Bank of America.

The Shaw Festival embarks on the first season of its next 50 years by proudly initiating a provocative conversation through the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime. Based on E.L. Doctorow's novel of the same name, Ragtime is directed by Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell and brought to life by The Shaw's renowned acting Ensemble. This powerful and complex story of a young America on the cusp of defining itself and the hopes and dreams of its citizens continues to gain resonance today. Surpassing all expectations, early tickets sales to the Shaw Festival's production of Ragtime are nearly 20% above projected totals, while early April and May ticket purchases for special matinees are already 80% sold out. Yesterday's preview performance of Ragtime received a standing ovation.

Casting is now complete for the European premiere of Lynn Ahrens' and Stephen Flaherty's multiple Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway musical, The Glorious Ones, which will play at the Landor Theatre, London, from Tuesday March 6 to Saturday April 7.

After winning major critical acclaim with a revival of Lynn Ahrens' and Stephen Flaherty's Broadway musical, Ragtime - winning 3 Off West End Theatre?Awards and nominated Best?Musical Revival in the Whatsonstage Awards - the Landor Theatre is to present the European premiere of the composing duo's multiple Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway musical, The Glorious Ones.

Theatre IV announces the return of Seussical the musical, to the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, running Friday, April 27 through Sunday, May 20, 2012. Based on the work of Dr. Seuss with music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, this production offers a new generation of kids the timeless story of friendship and community. Director, Chase Kniffen, calls Seussical, "the perfect family musical that will both touch and entertain all ages, from four to four hundred." Seussical is one of several Theatre IV offerings in the Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts initiative.

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is proud to present SEUSSICAL through April 1st with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM. Music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, book by Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens, and based on the works of Dr. Seuss. SEUSSICAL is directed by TGS founder and executive Director Steve Fredericks with choreography by Jillian Petrie and musical direction by Laura Petrie.

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the Winter-Spring, 2012 Season of Children's Programming.

Theatre Lawrence has announces its upcoming 2012-2013 season. The season includes 9 TO 5, the SOUND OF MUSIC, and more. Tickets will go on sale in May.

From today, rehearsals are underway for the 2012 season at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, which includes productions of RAGTIME and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.

The DOMA Theatre Company has announced its first-ever season - a line up of six Broadway-style musicals sure to 'disturb and delightz': The Who's Tommy (March 23-April 15); Songs For A New World (May 11-June 3); Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical (July 6-29); Xanadu (Aug. 17-Sept. 9); Once On This Island (Sept. 21-Oct. 14), and a surprise, Tony Award-winning musical to be revealed at a later date (Nov. 2-Dec. 9).

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the Winter-Spring, 2012 Season of Children's Programming.

On Monday, April 30, The New York Pops marks its 29th birthday with a grand gala evening titled 'Journey On' honoring Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated songwriting team of such renowned Broadway musicals as Ragtime, Once On This Island, Seussical, My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance, The Glorious Ones and the feature film Anastasia.

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is proud to present SEUSSICAL through April 1st with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM.

The Growing Stage's current production of the popular musical SEUSSICAL is a family affair for the Graham family, with mom Maggie Graham starring in the role of Mayzie La Bird, dad Steve Graham as The Cat in the Hat, and kids Amelia and Ethan featured as citizens of Whoville.

On Friday March 9 and Sunday March 11, debonair Broadway tenor Brian Stokes Mitchell graced the stage of the Broad in Santa Monica for an intimate concert of standard tunes and Broadway favorites. Called by some critics the last Broadway leading man, Mitchell, or Stokes, as he prefers to be called, is handsome and possesses an astoundingly rich vocal instrument, but it is his warm, up-close charismatic approach to the material that is most winning. He makes you feel like you are at home with him, his wife and eight year-old son, as he shares some of his favorite tunes and embarrassing moments onstage. There's the time when he was performing Kiss Me Kate on Broadway and forgot the lyrics to 'Where Is the Life That Late I Led'. He looked down into the orchestra pit for assistance from musical director Paul Gemignani, who looked back at him and shrugged. Stokes proceeded in our presence to essay the number reading the lyrics from a tiny notebook which he pulled from the breast pocket of his suit jacket. It is this type of small human touch that characterizes the man and makes him vulnerable and totally likeable.

Cabaret with a View returns to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Monday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. with singer/songwriter Paul Oakley Stovall and Brad Simmons in "The Next Best Thing to Love." Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, the series offers audiences a chance to sit on the stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to experience music in an intimate setting and a climate controlled environment. The evening will include both pop favorites as well as a sampling of Stovall's original music.