Michael Cumpsty News

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, will present a new production of Bertolt Brecht's THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE featuring Christopher Lloyd (Azdak), directed by Brian Kulick (who directed Brecht's Galileo last season), and featuring new music by Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE will begin performances Friday, May 3 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 9. The official opening is Thursday, May 30. Tickets are now on sale.

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of March 18!

Tracie Bennett stars in END OF THE RAINBOW by Peter Quilter, directed by Terry Johnson at CTG's Ahmanson Theatre in LA. The show just opened last night, March 20, also featuring Michael Cumpsty, Erik Heger and Miles Anderson. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

For diehard fans of Judy Garland, for those who adored every song she sang and every word she uttered, Peter Quilter's account of Judy's final comeback in the UK at Talk of the Town in December, 1968, called End of the Rainbow must be seen. Yes, it's darkly frank showing literally the decay of the alcoholic/drug addicted superstar whose great pain and loneliness drove her over the edge, but it retains a delicious sense of humor, Judy Garland's unique sense of humor whereby she could put herself down and everyone in the room around her, get big laughs and get away with the deprecation...and still be adulated and adored by all. Garland was iconic who delivered every performance from the bottom of her soul, and in End of the Rainbow Tracie Bennett's mesmerizing electricity dominates her portrayal, giving us the essence of the woman on and off the stage. It's uncannily brilliant!

'End of the Rainbow' opens tonight, March 20 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Peter Quilter's acclaimed new play with music continues through April 21, 2013.

'End of the Rainbow' opens Wednesday, March 20 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Peter Quilter's acclaimed new play with music continues through April 21, 2013.

'End of the Rainbow' opens March 20 and performances run through April 21, 2013. 'End of the Rainbow', written by Peter Quilter and directed by Terry Johnson, features Tracie Bennett reprising her Tony Award-nominated performance as Judy Garland, Michael Cumpsty (also Tony Award-nominated for his role), Erik Heger and Miles Anderson. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the production below.

'End of the Rainbow' opens March 20 and performances run through April 21, 2013. 'End of the Rainbow', written by Peter Quilter and directed by Terry Johnson, features Tracie Bennett reprising her Tony Award-nominated performance as Judy Garland, Michael Cumpsty (also Tony Award-nominated for his role), Erik Heger and Miles Anderson. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that PS Classics, home to a dozen Sondheim cast albums, will record and release the cast recording of its critically-acclaimed new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, directed by John Doyle.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that their critically-acclaimed new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company), will extend once again by popular demand for four additional performances through Friday, April 19 at CSC (136 East 13th Street). PASSION stars Melissa Errico (Clara), Judy Kuhn (Fosca) and Ryan Silverman (Giorgio). The production also features Stephen Bogardus (Colonel Ricci), Jeffry Denman (Lieutenant Barri), Jason Michael Evans (Private Augenti), Ken Krugman (Lieutenant Torasso), Orville Mendoza (Sergeant Lombardi), Tom Nelis (Doctor Tambourri), Will Reynolds (Major Rizzoli/Ludovic), John Antony (understudy) and Amy Justman (understudy). CSC also announced that twenty $10 tickets for each of the final four performances - Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm, Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm, Thursday, April 18 at 8pm and Friday, April 19 at 8pm - generously underwritten by TheaterMania.com and Aaron Lieber/Bruce Horten. These special $10 tickets will go on sale to the public Tuesday, Apri1 2 at 12pm, available in person at the CSC Box Office only.

'End of the Rainbow,' begins previews tonight, March 12 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center. Opening night is March 20 and performances run through April 21, 2013.

'End of the Rainbow' begins previews March 12 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center. Opening night is March 20 and performances run through April 21, 2013. 'End of the Rainbow', written by Peter Quilter and directed by Terry Johnson, features Tracie Bennett reprising her Tony Award-nominated performance as Judy Garland, Michael Cumpsty (also Tony Award-nominated for his role), Erik Heger and Miles Anderson. A commercial for the show has just been released - watch it below!

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that they will kick off their 2013/2014 season with a new production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet next fall starring rising actress Elizabeth Olsen. Additional casting and creative team will be announced in the coming weeks.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that their critically-acclaimed new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company), will extend by popular demand through Sunday, April 14 at CSC (136 East 13th Street). PASSION stars Melissa Errico (Clara), Judy Kuhn (Fosca) and Ryan Silverman (Giorgio). The production also features Stephen Bogardus (Colonel Ricci), Jeffry Denman (Lieutenant Barri), Jason Michael Evans (Private Augenti), Ken Krugman (Lieutenant Torasso), Orville Mendoza (Sergeant Lombardi), Tom Nelis (Doctor Tambourri), Will Reynolds (Major Rizzoli/Ludovic), John Antony (understudy) and Amy Justman (understudy).

Ryan Silverman as Giorgio, joins acclaimed, award-winning actresses Judy Kuhn (as Fosca) and Melissa Errico (as Clara), in Classic Stage Company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company). Passion opened at CSC (136 East 13th Street) on Thursday, February 28. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night celebrations and brings you photos below!

Ryan Silverman as Giorgio, joins acclaimed, award-winning actresses Judy Kuhn (as Fosca) and Melissa Errico (as Clara), in Classic Stage Company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical, directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company). Passion will open at CSC (136 East 13th Street) tonight, February 28.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming engagement of 'End of the Rainbow,' which begins previews March 12 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center. Opening night is March 20 and performances run through April 21, 2013.

Ryan Silverman as Giorgio, joins acclaimed, award-winning actresses Judy Kuhn (as Fosca) and Melissa Errico (as Clara), in Classic Stage Company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical, directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company). Passion is currently in previews at CSC (136 East 13th Street), with an official press opening scheduled for Thursday, February 28. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Classic Stage Company welcomes Ryan Silverman to the cast of PASSION as Giorgio, joining acclaimed/awarding winning actresses Judy Kuhn (as Fosca) and Melissa Errico (as Clara), in the company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical, directed by John Doyle (director of the acclaimed Broadway revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company).

Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, previously announced updated information about its 2013 season. August Wilson's Two Trains Running and Noel Coward's Present Laughter will switch positions in the previously announced lineup; there are no other changes to the run dates, including opening nights.