Mark Waldrop News

HOT 'N COLE at Westport County Playhouse directed by James Naughton playing through June 28th

On June 8th, 2008 Paper Mill Playhouse opened its mainstage production of Little Shop of Horrors, a musical written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The musical is based on Roger Corman's 1960 sci-fi comedy and includes several show-stopping numbers including 'Skid Row (Downtown),' 'Somewhere That's Green,' and 'Suddenly Seymour,' as well as the title song. Little Shop of Horrors will run at the Millburn theatre from June 4 through July 6, 2008.

When Jared Gertner played The Lion in his high-school's 1996 production of 'The Wiz,' he won a Rising Star Award from Paper Mill Playhouse. Twelve years later, Jared returns to Millburn to finally step into the leading-man's shoes as the lovable geek Seymour in 'Little Shop of Horrors.' Just goes to show, ya never know!

Westport Country Playhouse announces its summer roster of shows, featuring Tony Award winner James Naughton directing a Cole Porter musical revue; 'Saturday Night Live's' Rachel Dratch appearing in David Wiltse's 'tour de farce' office comedy; and Playhouse favorite Mark Shanahan ('Sedition,' 'David Copperfield,' 'Journey's End') performing in a thriller.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) announces its mainstage production of Little Shop of Horrors, a musical written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. It's a musical comedy to die for - literally! The musical is based on Roger Corman's 1960 sci-fi comedy and includes several show-stopping numbers including 'Skid Row (Downtown),' 'Somewhere That's Green,' and 'Suddenly Seymour,' as well as the title song. Little Shop of Horrors will run at the Millburn theatre from June 4 through July 6, 2008.

Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) will stage a masterful blend of comedy and drama, 'The Pavilion,' by Craig Wright, award-winning playwright and Emmy-nominated writer/producer of television's 'Lost,' 'Six Feet Under' and 'Dirty Sexy Money.' Directed by Chad Rabinovitz, Playhouse artistic associate, the production will run from May 13 through May 31.

Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) announces that two-time Tony Award-winner, film star and Weston resident James Naughton will direct the lively song and dance revue, Hot 'n Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration!, playing June 10 - 28.

Journalist and playwright Deborah Grace Winer was recently named Series Artistic Director of the 92nd Street Y's legendary American Songbook series Lyrics & Lyricists (beginning with the 2009 season). This month, she comes to the 92nd Street Y as host and artistic director of L&L's I've Got Your Number: Romance, the Rat Pack and Carolyn Leigh, which runs March 29-31. Winer's Carolyn Leigh tribute features vocalists Debby Boone, Loston Harris, James Naughton, and Karen Ziemba. John Oddo is music director, and Mark Waldrop is stage director.

Before heading to Broadway, Mark Nadler will bring his one-man comedy-in-music adventure, Russian on the Side, to the Royal George Theatre Mainstage, 1641 North Halsted Street in Chicago, for a limited eight-week engagement, April 30 - June 15, 2008. (Previews begin April 22). The official press opening is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) will stage the delicious comedy Time of My Life by Alan Ayckbourn, reuniting author, director and cast members from one of last season's biggest hits, Relatively Speaking.

Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys) held his first solo concert on February 23 at The Allen Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center as part of the American Songbook Series.

Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) has made some revisions in the previously announced 2008 season of productions. Distinguished actor and director Paul Newman will direct the Playhouse's fall production, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck; Timothy Busfield, Emmy Award-winning actor from 'The West Wing,' 'Studio 60' and 'thirtysomething,' will star in the dark comedy Vigil, launching its tri-state area premiere on February 26; and Time of My Life, a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn, reuniting author, director and cast members from one of last season's biggest hits, is newly slated for April production.

Brent Barrett, Diana Canova, Tyne Daly, and David Garrison are all set as guest artists for 'Life Is a Cabaret: A Tribute to Fred Ebb,' to be presented as part of the 92nd Street Y's Lyrics and Lyricists series running February 23-25. Rob Fisher will be the guest artistic and musical director for the evening, which will salute Ebb, the lyricist of such shows as Cabaret, Chicago, Zorba!, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn, NJ) officially opened its mainstage production of Meet Me in St. Louis on November 11 at 7:30PM.

Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods beginning October 19.

The 92nd St Y hosted a private preview screening on Wednesday, May 23 of the soon-to-seen NJN/PBS documentary - Words and Music by Jerry Herman, a film by Amber Edwards.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) has announced the next seminar in their ongoing series, 'Cabaret as Theatre/Theatre as Cabaret.'

Abingdon Theatre Company will present Up Close & Personal on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, June Havoc Theatre

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The world premiere of John Epperson's (aka Lypsinka) My Deah has extended its run by two weeks