Michael Hammond News

Tickets are now available for The Un-Common Theatre Company's Fall Production of 'Seussical' being presented at the Orpheum Theatre, Foxboro on November 21-23, 2014! Tickets may be purchased by calling (800) 838-3006 or online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/878351.

It's 1962. A white man has been murdered on a hot August night in a small town in the deep South, and the local police arrest a black stranger named Virgil Tibbs. L.A.

Next up on its Main Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents the Bard's epic pageant play Henry VIII. Centered around the tug-of-wars between church and state and husband and wife, the play culminates in the birth of England's future Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare's great patron and Henry's fierce and very female heir. Performances begin October 15 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue in Madison. Tickets start at $25 for preview performances and $32 for regular performances. Student rush tickets for all performances are $15, available a half-hour before curtain for with a valid student ID. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets, call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Boston Playwrights' Theatre (BPT) today announces the three new plays that will comprise its 33rd season. The line-up includes Reconsidering Hanna(h) by Deirdre Girard, Chosen Child by Monica Bauer and Uncle Jack by Michael Hammond.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our very own Tony Award Viewing Party (you're invited), new takes on 'Hair' and 'Myths And Hymns,' tryouts of 'Amazing Grace' and 'On Your Feet!,' that reading of 'Bedknobs And Broomsticks,' Chicago originals 'Mister Kelly' and 'Caged Dames,' more film news, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and more!

Three Cat Productions announces the extension of the world premiere of 'Hang Your Hat at Mister Kelly's' book by Jarrin Davis, original music and arrangements by Gary Gimmestad, original lyrics by Rob Dorn, directed by Artistic Director Jason Paul Smith. The productions opened on April 25, 2014 and will be extended through May 24, 2014. Cast members include Jason Michael Hammond, Nicole Haskins, Todd Neal, Paul Pasulka, Sara Reinecke, and Demetrous White, Jr. Performances are held at the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Coach House Theater at 6205 N. Sheridan Road (Edgewater by Granville el stop on Red Line).

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, starring Denzel Washington and directed by Tony Award nominee Kenny Leon, opened last night, April 3 at 6:45pm at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street); the same theatre where the original production of A Raisin in the Sun opened 55 years ago. A Raisin in the Sun is a limited engagement running through June 15. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the after party below!

Despite its location far, far north, and its relatively sparse population compared to cultural capitals, Maine boasts a rich regional theatre climate. There are quite a few thriving, adventurous, permanent professional companies, as well as an excellent contingent of community theatres. This year offered a wealth of exciting choices. Here is my personal list for 2013, grouped by theatre company and show:

Don't miss The Un-Common Theatre Company's Fall Family Production of "The Wizard of Oz" being presented at the Orpheum Theatre in Foxboro on Friday, November 22nd at 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 and 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 24th at 2:00 pm. Pre-Sale Tickets are $22 for Adults and $17 for Students, Seniors and all Balcony Tickets and may be purchased by calling (800) 838-3006 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/469926. Tickets purchased at the door are $25 for Adults and $20 for Students, Seniors and all Balcony Tickets. For Un-Common Members, group sales or handicapped seating please email uncommontheatre@verizon.net.

Tickets are now available for The Un-Common Theatre Company's Fall Family Production of The Wizard of Oz being presented at the Orpheum Theatre, Foxboro on November 22-24, 2013! Tickets may be purchased by calling (800) 838-3006 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/469926.

LUCKY GUY, starring two-time Academy Award-winner and Tony Award nominee Tom Hanks in the world premiere production of Nora Ephron's final work, has broken the record three times as the highest grossing play in Broadway history. The show was nominated for six 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Play, with Courtney B. Vance winning for Best Featured Actor in a Play, and Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer winning for Best Lighting Design of a Play. Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner George C. Wolfe, LUCKY GUY opened April 1, 2013 at the Broadhurst Theatre, and closes today, July 3, 2013. BroadwayWorld takes you back to LUCKY GUY's beginnings on Broadway below!

LUCKY GUY, starring two-time Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks, is now in its final performances on Broadway. The production, the final work by three-time Academy Award-nominee Nora Ephron and directed by two-time Tony Award-winner George C. Wolfe, was extended by popular demand through Wednesday, July 3 when it ends its record-breaking limited engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street).

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, two-time Academy Award winner and 2013 Tony nominee Tom Hanks may be taking Nora Ephron's Lucky Guy to London. The actor is in talks for a West End opening in 2014, and he elaborated during an interview on tonight's Tonys red carpet, saying there are still 'no definite plans to take Lucky Guy to London', but that 'the idea's in our hearts if not in our pocketbooks - yet.'

LUCKY GUY Tony nominees, Courtney B. Vance and George C. Wolfe will appear on WNYC's "The Leonard Lopate Show" on Friday, June 6 at 1:00PM. Locally, the program airs on WNYC 93.9FM, AM820 and on www.wnyc.org. Elsewhere, check local listings.

LUCKY GUY Tony nominee Tom Hanks joined Tom Brokaw, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Mike Barnicle on "Morning Joe" this morning to discuss the play. Check out Hanks' full 25-minute interview below!

LUCKY GUY Tony nominees Tom Hanks, Courtney B. Vance, director George C. Wolfe were joined by Nora Ephron's son, Jacob Bernstein for a panel on 'Charlie Rose' recently. Click HERE to watch the segment.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for His Girl Friday, adapted by John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation, House of Blue Leaves) from the Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play The Front Page and the Columbia Pictures film His Girl Friday. Directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley (Glengarry Glen Ross, Memphis), the production will kick off the 2013/2014 season, running May 28 - June 30 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Dramatists Play Service will publish and license the acting edition of Nora Ephron's LUCKY GUY, which has been nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Play. Founded in 1936 by the Dramatists Guild of America and the Society for Authors' Representatives, Dramatists Play Service publishes and licenses productions of plays in the United States, Canada and throughout the world. The company has published 18 of the last 25 Tony Award-winners for Best Play, including M. Butterfly, The Heidi Chronicles, The Grapes of Wrath, Dancing at Lughnasa, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Art, Side Man, Proof, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia, Take Me Out, I Am My Own Wife, Doubt, August: Osage County, God of Carnage, Red and Clybourne Park.

Two-time Academy Award winner and 2013 Tony nominee Tom Hanks may be taking Nora Ephron's LUCKY GUY to London, The Daily Mail reports today. The actor is in talks for a West End opening in 2014, though it's reportedly far from a done deal.

On last night's LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, Tony nominee Tom Hanks stopped by and told host Letterman how he got juiced up to perform on Broadway's 'Lucky Guy' with a cold. Check out clips from the appearance below!