Matthew Sklar News

The Growing Stage a?" The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is proud to present its 2019 - 2020 Main Stage Season:

Half Time's André De Shields, Donna McKechnie, Lillias White, Haven Burton, Matthew Sklar, Bob Martin, Nancy Ticotin, producer Dori Berinstein and co-producer Kimberlee Garris had a lovely reunion at Theatre Circle in celebration of the release of their Original Cast Recording, and to sign CDs for fans on August 14, 2019.

For the first time ever in its 55-year history, the musically complete cast recording of a?oeFiddler on the Roofa?? will be released, including 11 songs in English that were cut from the original Broadway production in 1964.

Based loosely on a true story, Half Time tells a classic fish-out-of-water story: a group of senior citizen dancers who audition to be halftime dancers, only to panic when they learn they have to dance hip-hop. The musical, which includes some of the last songs written by theatre legend Marvin Hamlisch, is certainly charming, but it never quite transcends the cheesiness of its material.

Today's top stories: Six is headed to Broadway!

The Dramatists Guild of America presented their annual awards on Monday, July 29, 2019, at The American Airlines Theatre Penthouse Lobby in New York. Hosting the annual event was DG Council member and co-chair of their Awards Committee, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sony Masterworks Broadway will release HALF TIME (ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING), with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and additional music by Marvin Hamlisch and Ester Dean tomorrow, August 2.  Produced by Scott M. Riesett (Ain't Too Proud, The Prom) and Matthew Sklar, the album features music from the Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin-written musical, which made its 2018 debut at Paper Mill Playhouse and tells the uplifting true story of ten New Jersey seniors with extraordinary dreams. 

Sunday belonged to us because Jerusha Cavazos took over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story for a look behind the scenes at The Prom! So in case you missed it (or just want to relive all of the fun and excitement), we compiled clips for you to enjoy! Check out all the footage!

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) has announced the hit, holiday show Elf The Musical is now available for licensing in the U.S. and Canada for 2019 and 2020. Due to contractual obligations, after 2020, the show will go back into the MTI vault.

It's time to dance because The Prom's Jerusha Cavazos is taking over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story tomorrow, July 14th! Be sure to tune in as Jerusha takes you behind the scenes at the Longacre Theatre for a day at the Drama Desk Award-winning musical! Life's no dress rehearsal, so you're not gonna want to miss this!

Sony Masterworks Broadway will release HALF TIME (ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING) on August 2nd, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and additional music by Marvin Hamlisch and Ester Dean.

Eight outstanding educators from schools and performing arts centers around the U.S. will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 10th Annual FREDDIE G FELLOWSHIP July 10th - 13th.  The event is underwritten by Freddie ('G') Gershon, Co-Chairman of the global theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI), his wife Myrna and MTI. The four days of classes and activities honor instructors and teachers who are working to make a difference for their students and communities through the process of staging musical theatre productions in their schools and educational theatre groups. In addition to the all-expense paid visit to New York, each of the teachers' schools receives $5,000 from Freddie and Myrna. The teachers are empowered to identify and select how their respective school's theatre program can best utilize the funds.

However, director Mattsson, who helmed the Morgan's sold-out hit production of Mary Poppins last season, certainly should have known about the theater's sound system problems and addressed them in advance of the opening. For as entertaining as this big rock musical should have been, unfortunately it suffers from the worst of all problems in staging such a musical extravaganza - a sound system which cannot handle the volume needed to successfully present such an undertaking. Consequently, even the music track was played too softly to achieve the necessary effect, with the singers often barely audible over it. Perhaps the biggest saving grace in the production is the entertaining choreography which fills the stage with clever, comical, and attention-grabbing costumes and wigs which honor the 'big' outrageous mid-80s fashion trends.

The Wedding Singer, the Broadway musical based on the hit Adam Sandler film, will be presented at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, opening tonight and running through August 3 as the final production of the 2018-19 Mainstage season. The musical is based on the New Line Cinema film written by Tim Herlihy. with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. directed by Kristie Mattsson, produced by Spencer Johnson, choreographed by Niko Montelibano, music direction by Daniel Koh, and stage managed by Ashley DeFrancesco.

Michael Genet will assume the role of Mr. Hawkins in Broadway's Drama Desk Award-winning Best Musical THE PROM.

Updated May 2024: Finding your best audition song is crucial - especially as a young performer. Check out some great audition song options for kids of all ages and find out how to pick the perfect audition song if you're a kid or teenager for school shows, professional productions and more. !

Ryan Murphy will direct and produce a feature adaptation of the Tony-nominated musical The Prom  for Netflix, and he has announced the cast for the film, according to Deadline. The Prom will star Meryl Streep, James Corden, and Ariana Grande, with Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key and Andrew Rannells in key roles. 

It's time to dance because BroadwayWorld is giving you a chance to win tickets to the Tony-nominated musical The Prom! The winner will receive two tickets to a performance of their choosing*. The contest will run now through July 14th, at 11:59 PM EST. Life's no dress rehearsal, so be sure to enter for your chance to win TODAY!

BroadwayWorld has learned that The Prom will have its last dance on Broadway August 11th. Upon its final performance, THE PROM will have played 23 preview and 310 regular performances.

Broadway's award-winning musical THE PROM will launch a National Tour in Providence, Rhode Island at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in February 2021.