Maria Wirries News

Penn State Centre Stage presents the premiere production of the musical Love in Hate Nation, February 13-24, in the Playhouse Theatre, University Park. With Music, lyrics, and book by Joe Iconis, Love in Hate Nation was commissioned by Penn State Musical Theatre as part of their New Works Initiative.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota recently announced the winners of the 2017 National Piano Competition. The competition rotates each year between, piano, voice and string instruments and is open to talented young musicians who are residents of the United States. The finals were held April 29 at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center in Sarasota. A total of $21,600 was awarded to eight contestants. Scroll down for photos!

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents soprano Maria Wirries and seven outstanding young performers from Penn State University's Musical Theatre program in "Hot 'n' Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration," Sunday, May 14, 3:00 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. In celebration of the genius of Cole Porter, these eight outstanding young artists will take audiences on a spirited journey through the best of the renowned American songwriter's works. Tickets are $45 and are available at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-306-1202 (M-F, 10-4). Student tickets, for $10, are available at the door. 

Producers Ken Davenport and Hunter Arnold have announced that Once On This Island, the Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, is returning to Broadway this fall.

Just last month, a music workshop was held in NYC. '[It] was absolutely thrilling.' Flaherty told BroadwayWorld. 'In collaboration with director Michael Arden, vocal designer Ann Marie Milazzo and orchestrator Michael Starobin, we explored many exciting new musical concepts for the piece. Lynn [Ahrens] and I look forward to taking these ideas further with our new collaborators in the New Year.'

Penn State School of Theatre presented the musical Be More Chill, with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz. Be More Chill was first produced at Two River Theatre in New Jersey, where it was given its world premiere. Penn State's production is the first since that premiere - and ran October 4-15, 2016 in the Playhouse Theatre. Scroll down for photos from the production!

Penn State Centre Stage presents the musical Be More Chill to kick off its 2016-2017 season.

Penn State Centre Stage presents the musical Be More Chill to kick off its 2016-2017 season.