Michael Bennett News

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo announced today that Bronx Bombers, a new American play written and directed by Eric Simonson, will begin performances on Broadway starting January 10, 2014 at Circle in the Square Theater (235 West 50th Street). The official opening is February 6, 2014. Tickets are now on sale at the box office and Telecharge.com.

A Chorus Line garnered almost every award imaginable, including nine Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and the Pulitzer Prize. It was one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history (nearly 15 years). Set during an audition for a Broadway show, young performers share their deepest hopes, fears and dreams as they compete for the chance of a lifetime. A Chorus Line, featuring one of the most brilliant scores ever written for the stage, is an enthralling and emotional metaphor for what drives each of us to pursue our dreams.

Stories on Stage presents 'Because I Said So...' Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. at The Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. in Boulder, Co 80302. Tickets are available at http://thedairy.org/ or by calling 303-444-7328. On Sunday, October 20 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. the performance moves to Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204. Tickets are available online at www.storiesonstage.org or by calling 303-494-0523. Single tickets are $28 Adult/ $15 Student; tickets for groups of 10 or more are $23 per person and LoDough (scholarship) tickets are also available.

Donna McKechnie, beloved Tony-winning original 'Cassie' joins in a celebration of the upcoming fortieth anniversary of the creation ofA Chorus Line at the annual Fire Island Pines Literary and Theater Weekend, a hugely popular event held annually at The Madison Fire Island Pines.

Today we are talking to a recognizable and well-known character actor who has appeared in a number of notable stage and screen properties over the course of his fifty-year career, Shakespeare to COCO to CITY OF ANGELS to STAR TREK and galaxies far, far beyond - Rene Auberjonois. Detailing the finer points of his participation in a number of wildly different stage properties - from his Broadway debut in Lee J. Cobb's Lincoln Center KING LEAR through to COCO opposite Katharine Hepburn, a starring role in CITY OF ANGELS, as well as the infamous DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and Larry Gelbart's SLY FOX this century, and many more - Auberjonois paints a vivid picture of the working actor throughout the decades. Additionally, Auberjonois also outlines his favorite moments in participating in a number of Robert Altman's most memorable movies - MASH and MCCABE & MRS. MILLER among them - and shares stories from the sets of many of his best-known and best-remembered film appearances - THE EYES OF LAURA MARS and many more included. Plus, Auberjonois also comments on some of his favorite TV parts to date, including his enduring STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE legacy and his most recent projects such as the animated series POUND PUPPIES and ARCHER. Most importantly, Auberjonois offers insight into his indelible participation in the enduring Disney animated family favorite THE LITTLE MERMAID, including how the recent 3D re-release and this week's special features-packed Blu-ray has introduced his famous voice and theatricality to a whole new generation. All of that, thoughts on Broadway now versus the Golden Age, his continued patronage in supporting renown charity Doctors Without Borders, working on Stephen Schwartz's GEPPETTO for Disney and much, much more awaits in this uniquely compelling career-spanning conversation with a stage and screen stalwart.

Donna McKechnie, beloved Tony-winning original 'Cassie' joins in a celebration of the upcoming fortieth anniversary of the creation ofA Chorus Line at the annual Fire Island Pines Literary and Theater Weekend, a hugely popular event held annually at The Madison Fire Island Pines.

Playwright Steve Silver and director Laurie Rae Waugh remind us of the dangers that once lurked beyond Eighth Avenue in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen in The Watch Tower, Silver's drama about racial tensions and organized crime. Seen through the eyes of Eileen, a resident since childhood, The Watch Tower opens in 1979 at a "sit-down" between the Irish and Italian mobs and moves briskly to St. Patrick's Day 1986 when Eileen must decide between family loyalty and her own survival. Love may conquer all - including Eileen herself.

An evening with Tony Award-Winner McKechnie performs SAME PLACE, ANOTHER TIME

The West End's A Chorus Line will close at the London Palladium today, 31 August 2013. It will then begin a European tour before returning to the UK for a tour 'beginning in autumn 2014'.

The recent revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway mega-hit A CHORUS LINE in the West End closed short of its anticipated limited run earlier this month, yet the production lives on via the stories of its cast members in a fascinating and very meta new documentary on the production and its players, OFF THE LINE.

On Saturday, August 31st, the London revival of A Chorus Line will close. Castmember Harry Francis, who plays 'Mark' in the production, recently interviewed the entire cast about growing up, getting their first job and their future as a dancer- mirroring the main plot of the musical. He writes:

When Everything Was Possible-A Concert (with Comments) debuted at New York City Center. Broadway stars Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory delivered a memorable evening of story and song. On September 7, 2013, they bring their extraordinary production to RiverCenter for one night only!

Director Stephen Nachamie has taken great care to give Olney audiences as authentic an experience of the original show as possible and packed the cast with genuine Broadway gypsies. The results are joyful, invigorating and touching, right down to the mis-steps and mistakes (carefully choreographed, mind you) that add the all-important element of spontaneity, the illusion that you're watching a crew of dancers desperate for work, willing to do anything to land the gig.

Today we are talking to the daughter of one of the most iconic performers in entertainment history, Judy Garland, who has made a name for herself in show business over the course of an impressive fifty-year career comprising starring roles...

Director Lawrence Thelen proves himself up to the challenge, however, with the casting of terrific nonEquity actress Sheniqua Denise Trotman from Huntsville, AL. Her 'I'm Not Going' puts focus on the emotional pain felt by the character and is a powerhouse exploration of the lyrics. In between all that belting. Kudos.

Sally-Jane Heit will return for her 4th Annual Benefit Performance at the Guthrie Center on August 17 at 7:00pm. This year she'll bring something entirely new to the stage, or entirely old depending how you look at it; Vaudeville - A Valentine to an Old Theatre Art Form. Sally-Jane fell in love with vaudeville when, as a young child her mother would bring her to vaudeville performances performed between the movies at theatres in New York. By the time she embarked on her long career in theatre, television, and movies, vaudeville was dead. She says, 'Before it was eaten alive by television, Vaudeville was the place anyone with a dream could test their wings.'

Today we have a special Flash Friday focused on one of Broadway's most iconic and best loved musicals of all time, group therapy-themed A CHORUS LINE.

American Dance Theatre Productions will present ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER from Tuesday, July 30 through Sunday, August 4, at the June Havoc Theatre at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival. A jazzy, contemporary update of the classic film about a murdered gangster brought back to life by the devil, who is anxious to besmirch the reputation of an incorruptible New York judge, ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER has Music by WARREN HILL, Lyrics by O'MARA LEARY & JAMES BEAUMONT & Book by JAMES BEAUMONT. This AEA Approved Showcase Production will be directed by JOE MARUZZO.

Late in A Chorus Line, the brassy Sheila states, 'God, when it's over do I need a drink!' I hear ya, girl. Judging by the guy to my left who spent the show playing on his phone, the woman to my right who was more interested in her bracelet and the musician in the pit who I saw reading a book, I'm guessing the bar will be crowded.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents A Chorus Line, running tonight, July 16 - 21 at Miller Outdoor Theatre. A Chorus Line is 'one singular sensation' that garnered virtually every award imaginable, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize. The groundbreaking musical, set during an audition for an upcoming Broadway show, shines a light on the hopes, fears and dreams of performers vying for a chance to do what they all know they were born to do. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!