Michael Donovan News

Full casting has been announced for the New England premiere of DISASTER! THE MUSICAL; the 1970's disaster-movie musical written by Sirius/XM On Broadway host, Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick (Glee, Ellen, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). One of the first mountings of this production since the show's 2016 Broadway run, Cast Aside Productions will be bringing DISASTER! to the Mainstage at Portland Stage Company, July 13-16.

Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! Created and directed by RAndy Johnson, who wrote and directed the hit Broadway musical A Night With Janis Joplin, with book by Cheryl West (Play On!). Click below for a sneak preview at the talented ensemble!

Full casting has been announced for the New England premiere of DISASTER! THE MUSICAL; the 1970's disaster-movie musical written by Sirius/XM On Broadway host, Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick (Glee, Ellen, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). One of the first mountings of this production since the show's 2016 Broadway run, Cast Aside Productions will be bringing DISASTER! to the Mainstage at Portland Stage Company, July 13-16.

A panel of nationally recognized judges-including casting director Michael Donovan, producer, director and choreographer Andy Ferrara, and actress Wendy Rosoff-announced the 2017 winners of The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors held last night at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts.

Meg just left a man. Lenny never had a man. Babe just shot a man. Luke Yankee directs a revival of Crimes of the Heart, the Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award-winning comic drama by Beth Henley, for a June 9 opening at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on June 7 and June 8.

HIT SONG! Announces completion of casting and preparation for start of rehearsals, and Industry Presentations on June 10 and 11 in Los Angeles, CA.

The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors announced today the 2017 nominees who will compete in front of a panel of nationally recognized judges on Monday, May 22, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts. 

What does it mean to be human? How far will we go to live forever? The Los Angeles premiere of Uncanny Valley, a new play about artificial intelligence written by Thomas Gibbons, directed by caryn desai [sic], and starring Susan Denaker and Jacob Sidney, opens April 21 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on April 19 and April 20.

 KADM Productions has announced the West Coast premiere of Allen Wilder 2.0, written and directed by Matt Morillo, at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood for four weeks only beginning April 28. The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Farida Amer, Eileen Grubba and Tom Pilutik. There will be one preview performance on Friday, April 28 and opening is set for Saturday, April 29 at 8pm. The limited engagement will run through May 21 only.

What does it mean to be human? How far will we go to live forever? The Los Angeles premiere of Uncanny Valley, a new play about artificial intelligence written by Thomas Gibbons, directed by caryn desai [sic], and starring Susan Denaker and Jacob Sidney, opens April 21 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on April 19 and April 20.

What better way to start the new year than with a goofy, charming musical escape? Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history, opens February 17 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 15 and 16.

The Pasadena Playhouse presents their first development production, under the theater's new play development program PlayWorks, Dotson Rader's GOD LOOKED AWAY starring Academy Award- and two-time Tony Award-winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman) as 'Tennessee Williams' and co-starring two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Light (Transparent) as Williams' close friend 'Estelle' and Miles Gaston Villanueva (CBS's The Young and the Restless) as 'Baby.'

The Pasadena Playhouse presents its first developmental production, under the theater's new play development program PlayWorks: Dotson Rader's GOD LOOKED AWAY starring Academy Award- and two-time Tony Award-winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman) as 'Tennessee Williams' and co-starring two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Light (Transparent) as Williams' close friend 'Estelle' and Miles Gaston Villanueva (CBS's The Young and the Restless) as 'Baby.'

What better way to start the new year than with a goofy, charming musical escape? Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history, opens February 17 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 15 and 16.

There was a buzz of excitement in theatres across the country on Wednesday, January 4, as Broadway World Regional Managing Editor Christina Mancuso announced each region's winners in the 2016 Broadway World Audience Choice Awards. Here in Maine within seconds of the postings, congratulations and comments poured in on social media and websites. Hoping to get a measure of the reaction, we contacted all the winners and took a sampling of responses to share with everyone.

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 75 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2016 Maine winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that their first development production, under the theater's new play development program PlayWorks, will be Dotson Rader's GOD LOOKED AWAY starring Academy Award- and two-time Tony Award-winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman) as 'Tennessee Williams' and co-starring two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Light (Transparent) as Williams' close friend 'Estelle' and Miles Gaston Villanueva (CBS's The Young and the Restless) as 'Baby.'

Having had the privilege to serve as Broadway World's Maine Editor for more than three years now, I can say with pride that the state, though remote as it may seem from the epicenter of the theatre world, Broadway, is blessed to be home to so many thriving theatre companies who produce exciting, vibrant seasons. As I compiled my list for 2016 with many familiar names, I was also struck by the extraordinary consistency of excellence these companies maintain. Here are my personal choices of the best in Maine, grouped by theatre and show.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES begins previews Friday, November 11, 2016 and opens Friday, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Today, November 11, 2016 and opens Today, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.