Matthew Gardiner News

The cabaret act turned full-production evening is well executed, but the script and songs are thin and in the Covid era the premise seems like a historical artifact.

No Place to Go, written by Ethan Lipton with music composed by Ethan Lipton, Eben Levy, Ian M. Riggs, and Vito Dieterle is now playing at Signature Theatre through October 16, 2022. Get a first look at photos here!

Signature Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the musical No Place to Go, written by Ethan Lipton with music composed by Ethan Lipton, Eben Levy, Ian M. Riggs, and Vito Dieterle. No Place to Go is directed by Signature's Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's She Loves Me, RENT) and will star Bobby Smith (Signature's She Loves Me, Grand Hotel).

Signature Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the musical The Color Purple. The cast features Nova Y. Payton (Signature’s After Midnight, Dreamgirls) starring as Celie. Performances run August 16 – October 9, 2022.

When a phenomenal talent like Stevie Wonder comes along, everyone takes notice ---for Wonder is a genius. Genius musicianship was on display as jazzy, hip, and relevant renditions of Stevie Wonder’s music were showcased in Hotter than July by Signature Theatre’s Cabaret series. It was an evening to remember.

What did our critic think? This past weekend Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap teamed up for the second annual edition of Broadway in The Park which like last year featured some of Signature Theatre’s best performers, two Broadway headliners and a 25, yes, 25-piece orchestra. The result was a truly lovely evening of showtunes from multiple decades.

Signature Theatre is accepting submissions for original and unpublished full-length plays (no musicals) from now through August 15, 2022. Playwrights must currently reside in Virginia, Maryland or DC. Only one submission per playwright.

Signature Theatre has announced the cast for the concert presentation of We Shall Someday, a timely new musical written by Harrison David Rivers and Ted Shen. The concert presentation will take place June 30 – July 2, 2022.

Signature Theatre has announced its 33rd season today, which highlights the organization’s long-time relationship with the legendary Stephen Sondheim. Signature has produced 31 Sondheim productions in its 32 season history – more than any other theater in North America.

This summer, Signature Theatre will feature an array of concert and cabaret performances to kick off the 2022/23 season, ranging from a special presentation at Wolf Trap, to a new musical to the return of Signature’s popular cabaret series. 

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show is Riverdance, as you've never seen it before comes to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark for five extraordinary performances, Friday, March 10, at 8 PM Saturday, March 11, at 3 PM and 8 PM and Sunday, March 12 at 2 PM and 7 PM.

Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announced today the cast for the second annual musical theater collaboration, Broadway In The Park (Friday, June 24 at 8PM). The show will star Tony Award-winners Kelli O’Hara and Adrienne Warren and will feature an ensemble of local talent.

The North American Tour of Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show will make its stop in Wilmington at The Playhouse on Rodney Square on April 22-24.

The newly renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show for three performances on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 8pm; Wednesday, April 20 at 8pm; and Thursday, April 21 at 8pm.

Signature Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere production of The Upstairs Department, a play by Chelsea Marcantel (Airness, Everything is Wonderful), which will play in Signature's ARK Theatre for live performances from April 26 – June 12, 2022.

The production, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (RENT, A Chorus Line) features Ali Ewoldt (Broadway's Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera) as Amalia Balash, and Deven Kolluri (Geva Theatre's A Christmas Carol, Bay Street Theater's Camelot) as Georg Nowack.

The announcement of the Tony Awards and the return of the BC/EFA Red Bucket campaign brought a huge sense of normalcy back to the theatre industry last week - unfortunately this week, we were also reminded how far the industry has to go in establishing the new normal with the release of Actors Equity Association’s latest Diversity and Inclusion report.

Signature will welcome Ethan Heard as Signature’s Associate Artistic Director and Anika Chapin as Director of Artistic Development.

A creamy confection drenched with a masterful book by Joe Masteroff, the classic rom com of musicals She Loves Me moves with amorous and sparkling abandon at the acclaimed Signature Theatre. A large ensemble cast delivers the goods in this superb intermingling of old-world charm and contemporary relevance. The race for romance is on and this production feels like a breezy interlude from the cares of the world thanks to the meticulous synchronization of every element of this classic musical. Under the Direction of Matthew Gardiner, professional polish and pizazz permeates every facet of this production.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Signature Theatre's production of She Loves Me by Joe Masteroff (book), Jerry Bock (music), and Sheldon Harnick(lyrics), based on a play by Miklos Laszlo.