Michael Jenkins News

Having received critical and popular acclaim last season, Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster musical 'Hard Times' will return to Off Broadway at thethe cell, A Twenty First Century Salon (Founding Artistic Director, Nancy Manocherian), (338 West 23rd Street), opening Monday, January 13th (7PM) --- to commemorate the 150 anniversary of Mr. Foster's death. Directed by Kira Simring, choreographed by Joe Barros and produced by the cell, Hard Times will start preview performances on Thursday, January 9th (8PM).

Earlier this week, the cast of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL went to the 'Good Morning America' studios where they taped a special medley featuring 'It All Comes Down To Christmas' and 'Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana.' Airing this Friday, December 20, the performance features Erin Dilly, Jake Lucas, Noah Baird and David Scott Purdy as The Parker Family with kids ensemble Charlie Babbo, Hannah Bautista, Beada Briglia, Judae'a Brown, Michael Crispi, Alexa Niziak, Luke Spring and Nicky Torchia. Check out a sneak peek below!

Having received critical and popular acclaim last season, Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster musical 'Hard Times' will return to Off Broadway at the the cell, A Twenty First Century Salon (Founding Artistic Director, Nancy Manocherian), (338 West 23rd Street), opening Monday, January 13th (7PM) --- to commemorate the 150 anniversary of Mr. Foster's death. Directed by Kira Simring, choreographed by Joe Barros and produced by the cell, Hard Times will start preview performances on Thursday, January 9th (8PM).

Fresh from Broadway, PCPA will be one of the first regional theatres in the nation to produce Mary Poppins, the magical high-flying family-musical that is perfect for this holiday season. It plays tonight, November 7 - December 22, 2013 in the newly renovated Marian Theatre.

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical have announced the full cast for the production when it arrives at The Theater at Madison Square Garden for its December 11 - 29, 2013 engagement. Reprising their roles will be Dan Lauria (Lombardi, 'The Wonder Years,' 'Sullivan and Son') as Jean Shepherd, John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Gossip Girl') as the Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother and Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields. Eli Tokash (Mary Poppins) will play Ralphie at certain perforances, Noah Baird as little brother Randy, and Jake Lucas (Newsies, Far From Heaven), donning the famous spectacles will take on the lead role of Ralphie.

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Dallas, which concluded on Sunday, October 20 at The Music Hall at Fair Park. The triumphant three-week return grossed over $4.9 million at the box office and entertained more than 79,000 patrons during 24 performances. The award-winning musical returned to Dallas following a six-week sold-out premiere in 2002 and a successful five-week return in 2007 at The Music Hall.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) just featured Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Stephanie Umoh(Ragtime), Jim Stanek (Freud's Last Session) and Host Edward Hibbert as The Drowsy Chaperone's 'Man in Chair', Wicked composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber (Shrek the Musical), Telly Leung (TV's 'Glee'), Ciara Renee (Big Fish) and Sarah Stiles (Into the Woods) in SHOW OFF!, in a benefit concert celebrating 25 years of NAMT's Annual Festival of New Musicals last night, October 20 at 7pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

Fresh from Broadway, PCPA will be one of the first regional theatres in the nation to produce Mary Poppins, the magical high-flying family-musical that is perfect for this holiday season. It plays November 7 - December 22, 2013 in the newly renovated Marian Theatre.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that it will honor its Founders and Presidents, past and present, at SHOW OFF!, a benefit concert celebrating 25 years of NAMT's Annual Festival of New Musicals on Sunday, October 20 at 7pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square).

Clybourne Park, a new play by Bruce Norris that defies definition, is sure to instigate much debate on social issues - past and present. It plays in the Severson Theatre tonight, September 12 - 29.

One of our brightest and beloved stars in the dance community, Buster Cooper is turning 90 years young in August. To celebrate Mr. Cooper's 90 years of star quality, Michael Jenkins and the Musical Hall at Fair Park and Dance Council of North Texas are hosting a birthday celebration today, August 31st.

Clybourne Park, a new play by Bruce Norris that defies definition, is sure to instigate much debate on social issues - past and present. It plays in the Severson Theatre September 12 - 29.

One of our brightest and beloved stars in the dance community, Buster Cooper is turning 90 years young in August. To celebrate Mr. Cooper's 90 years of star quality, Michael Jenkins and the Musical Hall at Fair Park and Dance Council of North Texas are hosting a birthday celebration on Saturday, August 31st.

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical have announced that original cast members will return to star in the production when it arrives at The Theater at Madison Square Garden for its December 11 – 29, 2013 engagement. Reprising their roles will be Dan Lauria(Lombardi, “The Wonder Years,” “Sullivan and Son”) as Jean Shepherd, John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, “Boardwalk Empire,” “Gossip Girl') as the Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields, and talented newcomer to the production Jake Lucas (Newsies, Far From Heaven), donning the famous spectacles as he takes on the lead role of Ralphie.

Poet Owen Michael Jenkins wants the world to experience the beauty of love, hope, faith and inspiration through his collection of captivating poems that reflects life in one way or another. He uncovers this gift through his new publication, From the Heart the Mouth Speaks.

Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is the fresh Broadway hit and irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend. It was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, winning three, including Best New Musical for 2005. During its initial run, it was seen by more than two million people. Check out a first look at PCPA's production below!

Fiddler on the Roof, a gem from Broadway's Golden Age of musicals, moves to Solvang to launch PCPA's summer season. It plays from tonight, June 13 through July 6, performances are at 8pm. Fiddler is a celebration of life and its challenges. Trying to balance life - like a fiddler on a roof - Tevye attempts to hold onto his traditions despite sweeping social change that is upsetting his family values while threatening his town's very existence.

The producers of A Christmas Story, The Musical, have announced that the three-time Tony nominated production will return for the holiday season with engagements at the The Bushnell in Hartford, CT (November 12-17) and The Wang Theatre in Boston, MA (November 20 - December 8) before returning to New Yorkat The Theater at Madison Square Garden (December 11 – 29). Tickets are now on sale for the New York engagement. Single tickets for the general public go on sale for the Boston engagement June 16, and for the Hartford engagement on September 9.

Most people expected after last night's Tony Awards that A CHRISTMAS STORY would be headed back to Broadway, but it turns out that they had a slightly different plan in mind.

Company members from A Christmas Story, The Musical will reunite for their appearance on the Tony Awards telecast on CBS. The cast will travel from various corners of the country and the world including Dan Lauria from Los Angeles, Johnny Rabe from Chicago, Caroline O'Connor from Australia, and Broadway's favorite four-foot tap dancing whiz kid, Luke Spring, from Ashburn, Virginia.