Melissa Van Der News

Deaf West/Broadway Spring Awakening and Big River stars, Amelia Hensley, Alexandria Wailes & Melissa van der Schyff, reunited last week  for this groundbreaking original musical centering on a Deaf heroine, directed by Drama Desk nominee Kim Weild (Fetes De La Nuit, Soot and Spit) with Artistic Sign Language by Alexandria Wailes (Children Of A Lesser God, currently on Broadway).

Deaf West/Broadway Spring Awakening and Big River stars, AMELIA HENSLEY, ALEXANDRIA WAILES & MELISSA VAN DER SCHYFF, reunite for this groundbreaking original musical centering on a Deaf heroine, to be directed by Drama Desk nominee KIM WEILD (Fetes De La Nuit, Soot and Spit) with Artistic Sign Language by ALEXANDRIA WAILES (Children Of A Lesser God, currently on Broadway).

A private industry reading has been announced for the new musical, LAST DAYS OF SUMMER based on the Steve Kluger, international best-selling novel of the same name.

Cathy Dresden, Manhattan's big hearted songbird (as played by Joe Hartman) will take the stage at Don't Tell Mama, October 16th at 7PM in her performance Cathy Dresden: An Old Fashioned Girl , a musical trip back to the 1950s. The concert is directed by Daniel Adams, and features Michael Hicks on piano, accordion, and additional vocals.

On September 6, members of the cast of 'Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story' held a special preview for the press at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Tony Award Nominee Daniel Jenkins (Oslo, Kid Victory, Big River, Mary Poppins) and Drama Desk Nominee Melissa van der Schyff (Big River, Bonnie & Clyde) are teaming up to perform at Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) in a creatively refreshing concert, 'BORROWED CASH: BUSTED! The Reunion Tour' on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22 at 8:00 PM. The concert - performed completely in alter ego, blending comedy and documentary film within a live rock and blues concert setting - is directed by Gina Rattan (Matilda, Cinderella) with Jesse Weiner serving as music director and arranger. 

Nick Blaemire (just off of Tick,Tick,...Boom! off-Broadway) is joining Daniel Jenkins (Oslo, Kid Victory, Big River, Mary Poppins) and Drama Desk Nominee Melissa van der Schyff (Big River, Bonnie & Clyde) in the cast of 'BORROWED CASH: BUSTED! The Reunion Tour' for their second show at Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) on January 22 at 8:00 PM.

'Theatre for the deaf? On Broadway?' It's a question that many theatre fans have asked since July 7, when official word came that Deaf West Theatre's production of Spring Awakening would land on Broadway this fall. The upcoming production, which will run September 8 through January 9 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, will sound the same to fans of the 2006 Tony-winning musical, but it will be performed simultaneously in American Sign Language by a cast of 27. Wait...what? That's right- this production, which marks the first Broadway revival of the show since it closed in 2009, comes complete with ASL, and though the concept seems revolutionary, this is far from the first time that it has been done (and has worked). Let's review:

In honor of Throwback Thursday, BroadwayWorld is celebrating the past with a new series that will take you back in time with some of our favorite vintage video features. That's right- we are opening up the BroadwayWorld Vaults to reminisce on shows are long gone from the Broadway-scene, but have left an indelible mark on the world of theatre as a whole. Today, we bring you a vintage video from 2011. Relive the magic of BONNIE & CLYDE below!

This just in! Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine will star in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON this March. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Melissa van der Schyff in "The Summer In Winter;' The Songs of Yandura & Melocik; Midnight at 9:30 Featuring Joanna Gleason, Aaron David Gleason, and More; Tovah Feldshuh: Aging Is Optional; and The Skivvies.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for February 16 - February 22, including the Billy Childs Jazz Quartet, Barbara Carroll, Jazz Party with Natalie Douglas, and more. Details below!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its February 2015 schedule, featuring John Pizzarelli Quartet, Marilyn Maye, Sarah Gazarek, Billy Childs Jazz Quartet, The 5th Annual Broadway Belts for PFF, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Details below!

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Melissa Van Der Schyff (Bonnie and Clyde) Claybourne Elder (Bonnie and Clyde, Venice), Catherine Porter (Next to Normal, The Music of Andrew Loydd Webber, The Brian May band, Sunset Boulevard) Allie Schultz (Grease, You're the One that I Want) and Ryan Duncan (Alter Boyz, Shrek) in "SINGLE" on Thursday 5th June 2014. 7pm.

A staged reading of Still Single will take place at the Roy Arias Theatre, Stage 2. April 7th.

The Provincetown Theatre in Provincetown, Massachusetts will host a week long workshop and subsequent reading of the new musical "Sybil" starring Liz Callaway (Baby, Miss Saigon) and Melissa van der Schyff (Broadway's Bonnie & Clyde and Big River).

A NIGHT WITH Janis Joplin began previews on September 20 and opened last night, October 10 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 W. 45th Street). BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet to chat wit hthe evning's big guests, including Claybourne Elder, Melissa van der Schyff, Linda Ramone and more, and you can check out what they had to say below!

Five world premiere plays and three new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences received Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee and are among the 166 nominations in 36 categories announced for Chicago Equity theatrical productions opened between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular 'Backstage' with Susie Mosher is 15:54, and more:

For those craving a show after the show, stop by 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. Loosen your tie and enjoy as Broadway's superclub expands its late night series. Joining Tuesday nights' popular Backstage with Susie Mosher are late night events featuring bright and upcoming New York talent: