Matthew Johnson News

Pantochino Productions Inc, Connecticut's brand new, non-profit, ridiculously entertaining theatre company presents 'Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical' for a limited engagement of eight performances. The production will close on October 30 at Arts Hall on Audubon Street in New Haven.

Pantochino Productions Inc, Connecticut's brand new, non-profit theatre company has opened 'Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical' at Arts Hall on Audubon Street in New Haven, Connecticut. The new musical plays through October 30th.

Pantochino Productions Inc, Connecticut's brand new, non-profit, ridiculously entertaining theatre company opens 'Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical' for a limited engagement of eight performances, October 21 - 30 at Arts Hall on Audubon Street in New Haven.

Pantochino Productions Inc, Connecticut's brand new, non-profit, ridiculously entertaining theatre company opens 'Cinderella Skeleton, the Musical' for a limited engagement of eight performances, October 21 - 30 at Arts Hall on Audubon Street in New Haven.

MCC THEATER today announced that John Behlmann (The 39 Steps), MCC Theater founding member Patrick Breen (The Normal Heart), Gideon Glick (Spring Awakening), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Catch Me If You Can), Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley (Next To Normal), and Daniel Stewart Sherman (Desire Under the Elms) will star in the world premiere production of Wild Animals You Should Know, by Thomas Higgins. The production will be directed by Trip Cullman (A Small Fire, Bachelorette). Tickets go on-sale October 3, 2011. Performances begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on November 3, 2011 and continue through December 11, 2011. An official opening is set for Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

There have been several musical plays based on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. The first and biggest hit was Lionel Bart's Oliver, which went on to a major film in 1968 and a multitude of Oscars. There has been a gay version as well, also titled Twist, that was nominated for Critics' prizes in New York, and now there's the interracially cast adaptation Twist in its West Coast premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse. From top to bottom the show is slick and a triumph for director/choreographer Debbie Allen. The cast is fine-tuned, and much of the music quite memorably singable. Its only flaw, for purists like me, is in the book, which does not include the charming Fagin, whose deliciously mischievous manipulation of everybody in Oliver Twist is a major highlight.

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced that full casting is complete for the west coast premiere of the new musical TWIST - An American Musical by William F. Brown and Tina Tippit (book), Tena Clark (lyrics and music) and Gary Prim (music). Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen directs a cast of 31 performers led by Tamyra Gray ('American Idol,' Rent and Bombay Dreams) and Cleavant Derricks (Tony Award-winner, Dreamgirls). The five-week limited engagement performs June 14 - July 17, 2011 with the official press opening on June 26, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced that full casting is complete for the west coast premiere of the new musical TWIST - An American Musical by William F. Brown and Tina Tippit (book), Tena Clark (lyrics and music) and Gary Prim (music). Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen directs a cast of 31 performers led by Tamyra Gray ('American Idol,' Rent and Bombay Dreams) and Cleavant Derricks (Tony Award-winner, Dreamgirls). The five-week limited engagement performs June 14 - July 17, 2011 with the official press opening on June 26, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

Reworking a classic story is not a new concept in the theatre world. Just ask the creators of Wicked or West Side Story. Taking something that audiences are already familiar with and turning it on its ear can be quite a task and is not without its challenges. First, there are the constant comparisons to the source material (or previous adaptations). Next, there is the daunting task to "reinvent" the plot and bring audiences on a fresh and new journey. But with the Alliance Theatre's premiere of Twist - an American Musical (a modern, American take on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist) they beat the odds and have created a magical tapestry of music, story and life that, even with a classic tale at its heart, feels like a something completely new.

On September 1, 2010 The Alliance Theatre opened Twist for its Atlanta debut. Inspired by Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, and in the rich musical tradition of Jelly's Last Jam, this heart-warming musical brings award-winning director/choreographer Debbie Allen (Fame) back to the Alliance, following her hugely successful Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (winner of the 2010 Olivier Award for Best Revival). The production runs through October 3, 2010. Check out the newly-released production photos below!

ShenanArts is ecstatic to announce the first production in our new performance venue! We are honored to present the non-equity, Virginia-State premier of the recent Broadway smash-hit musical, HAIRSPRAY!

ShenanArts is ecstatic to announce the first production in our new performance venue! We are honored to present the non-equity, Virginia-State premier of the recent Broadway smash-hit musical, HAIRSPRAY!

ShenanArts is ecstatic to announce the first production in our new performance venue! We are honored to present the non-equity, Virginia-State premier of the recent Broadway smash-hit musical, HAIRSPRAY!

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce its production of PERFECT WEDDING, a bedroom farce written by ROBIN HAWDON and directed by TERESA K. POND. The production previews on Wednesday, July 8th at 7 p.m. and opens on Sunday, July 12th at 7 p.m.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce its production of PERFECT WEDDING, a bedroom farce written by ROBIN HAWDON and directed by TERESA K. POND. The production previews on Wednesday, July 8th at 7 p.m. and opens on Sunday, July 12th at 7 p.m. Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays at 7 p.m., through Sunday, August 2nd.

Follow Vital Theatre Company on Twitter and get a free pair of tickets to Perfect Wedding good for performances on July 8th, 9th 10th and 11th at 7 pm. On Monday morning, July 6th Vital Theatre will tweet the code and followers will have all day to reserve their complimentary tickets (or until allotted tickets are gone).

Follow Vital Theatre Company on Twitter and get a free pair of tickets to Perfect Wedding good for performances on July 8th, 9th 10th and 11th at 7 pm. On Monday morning, July 6th Vital Theatre will tweet the code and followers will have all day to reserve their complimentary tickets (or until allotted tickets are gone).

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce its production of PERFECT WEDDING, a bedroom farce written by ROBIN HAWDON and directed by TERESA K. POND. The production previews on Wednesday, July 8th at 7 p.m. and opens on Sunday, July 12th at 7 p.m. Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays at 7 p.m., through Sunday, August 2nd.