Michael John LaChiusa News

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, will present a staged reading of The Suicide: A Musical Comedy, Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27 at 7pm at the St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. Tickets are $15 (reserved seating).

Today we are talking to a Tony Award-winning star known for her many impressive appearances on Broadway in JELLY'S LAST JAM, PLAY ON!, THE WILD PARTY and her tremendous title turn in the towering CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - the one and only Tonya Pinkins. Opening up about her career and many of her most memorable roles, Pinkins lets us in to her world and shares experiences of working with some of the most noted names in theatre - George C. Wolfe, Harold Prince, August Wilson, Stephen Sondheim, Lloyd Richards, Daniel Sullivan, David Esbjornson and many more among them - on everything from MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, her Broadway debut, to her many musical roles to August Wilson's THE PIANO LESSON and RADIO GOLF all the way to last season's Shakespeare In The Park double-header of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR and MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Most importantly, Pinkins fills us in on all the details about her upcoming Ethel Waters tribute at 54 Below and what we can expect from one of musical theatre's most dynamic divas taking on the song catalog of an entertainment pioneer in this New York premiere of the in-development new musical solo spotlight showcase. Additionally, Pinkins shares some candid reminiscences about some of her most fondly remembered film and television roles - such as ABOVE THE RIM, BEAT STREET, ROMANCE & CIGARETTES, ENCHANTED and others - as well as offers her thoughts on the ever-changing world of soaps, having appeared in major roles on both AS THE WORLD TURNS and ALL MY CHILDREN. All of that, comments on her two upcoming feature films - HOME and NEWLYWEEDS - and much, much more!

Feinstein's at Loews Regency continues its Summer 2012 season with the return of MAC and Bistro award winner Raissa Katona Bennett in a special week-long engagement through August 25. The show will celebrate the release of her new CD, Another Kind Of Light from LML Music, produced by Rob Abel. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from her first concert below!

Dallas Theater Center kicks of its 2012-2013 season with the outrageous new comedy The Second City Does Dallas written specifically for Dallas by members of The Second City and directed by Matt Hovde. The worlds of Chicago and Dallas collide on DTC's stage in a satirical take on all that makes Dallas great (and not so great). It's a fully produced sketch comedy experience in a theatrical, no-holds-barred look at Big D. The Second City Does Dallas runs at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre Wednesday, August 29 - Sunday, September 30.

Circle Theatre presents Marvin's Room, directed by Mary Redmon. Marvin's Room, the touching drama of family and faith by Scott McPherson, will be presented in Circle's intimate studio space, tonight, August 22 through September 30, 2012.

In the tradition of Circle's mega-hit Escanaba in da Moonlight, Circle invites you to meet the Turpin family as they come together to plan a funeral with hilarious results in Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, directed by Kevin Wiczer.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Summer 2012 season with the return of MAC and Bistro award winner Raissa Katona Bennett in a special week-long engagement from tonight, August 21 to August 25. The show will celebrate the release of her new CD, Another Kind Of Light from LML Music, produced by Rob Abel.

Dearly Departed by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones will play Circle Theatre in Oak Park, directed by Kevin Wiczer. In the tradition of Circle's mega-hit Escanaba in da Moonlight, Circle invites you to meet the Turpin family as they come together to plan a funeral with hilarious results in Dearly Departed, with previews Sept 15 & 18 at 8 p.m. and opening night set for Sept 19 at 8 p.m., running through October 28, 2012.

This fall, Andrew Samonsky returns to Broadway in the new musical SCANDALOUS: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that single tickets are now on sale for the fall 2012 season which will begin in October with WILD WITH HAPPY by Colman Domingo. This fall will also mark the rededication of The Public's historic downtown home at Astor Place following the completion of a $40 million revitalization project. Single tickets are available by calling (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office at 425 Lafayette Street.

Rarely do theatre fans get to hear from an insider on the inner-workings of a Broadway orchestra. In the piece below, GHOST's assistant conductor Deborah Abramson does just that- explaining what it's like to experience the show from her point of view.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Summer 2012 season with the return of MAC and Bistro award winner Raissa Katona Bennett in a special week-long engagement from August 21 to August 25. The show will celebrate the release of her new CD, Another Kind Of Light from LML Music, produced by Rob Abel.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the three Chicago companies selected for the fourth annual Garage Rep: Bailiwick Chicago, Buzz22 Chicago and Theatre Seven of Chicago. These innovative storefront companies present three productions in rotating repertory for a ten-week run February 14 - April 21, 2013in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St).

Bit of a Stretch Theatre Co. is continuing their tradition of bringing complex and thrilling theatre to Houston audiences with Michael John LaChiusa's operetta-like musical FIRST LADY SUITE. Just a couple years out of high school, the young administrative and creative team behind Bit of a Stretch Theatre Co.'s productions is simply inspiring, producing a series of fantastic theatrical events. These talented young artists find and direct casts and crews that convey the intricate works they choose so well that the audience can't help but be blown away, and they make it look so easy on top of it all.

Public Theater reecntly announced the line-up for its 2012-2013 Season, beginning in the fall with an October rededication of The Public's historic downtown building. The season continues the theater's nearly 60 year tradition of developing new theatrical voices and presenting Shakespeare to the entire New York community. In the video below, Artistic Director Oskar Eustis continues his discussion about what's to come this season! Scroll down to watch.

Concerts for City Greens, the free outdoor concert series that brings the sounds of music to the heart of Midtown, dedicates the third concert of this year's summer series to the music of rock 'n roll legend Neil Sedaka.

Hollywood…ROCKIN' WITH THE AGES & THE PINK LADY present the World Premiere production of THE BEAT GOES ON! A Musical Celebration of the Young at Heart, featuring musical direction by David O, and written, choreographed and directed by Ovation Award-winner Cate Caplin. THE BEAT GOES ON! Will begin previews on Thursday, October 4 and will have two Opening nights on Friday, October 12th and Saturday, October 13th and will continue through Sunday, November 11th at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage, 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood.

hile many of us realize the great responsibility our Presidents assumed when they were inaugurated, few consider how their wives were affected. In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below, which opens tonight, July 26, and runs through August 5.

In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. "Weird, Funny, and Wigged out," according to the NY Times, the piece meditates on finding one's identity and how we all must struggle to find our own way while in the shadow of another.

Circle Theatre presents Marvin's Room, directed by Mary Redmon. Marvin's Room, the touching drama of family and faith by Scott McPherson, will be presented in Circle's intimate studio space, August 22 through September 30, 2012.