Michael John LaChiusa News

On April 12, 2010, the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor beloved stage, screen, and television actress Angela Lansbury with the company's first Stephen Sondheim Award. (The celebration was originally scheduled to take place on April 26, 2010). The award, established last year in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy. The 2010 Sondheim Award Gala is chaired by C. Daniel and Juliann Clemente; Honorary Hosts include actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bernadette Peters, philanthropists Helen Henderson and Ted and Mary Jo Shen, and Congressman James Moran and LuAnn Bennett. The Sondheim Award Gala will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community outreach programs.

The 2010 Festival of New American Musicals, a three month musical theatre festival, will be held May 16 through August 21 2010, throughout Southern California. Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein, and Linda Shusett are the Executive Producers of the annual festival, now in its third year.

The National Alliance for Musical Theater has announced eight projects that will receive funding from the organization's National Fund for New Musicals, according to Variety.

Rehearsals begin today, Monday, April 5 for the World Premiere production of PARADISE FOUND, a new musical under the combined direction of Theater legend and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince (the original productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Company, Follies, Evita) and 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy For You, Show Boat, The Producers, Contact). This is their first collaboration since the landmark, Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat. Following the New York rehearsal period, the production will open at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory with performances running May 19 through June 26.

Signature Theatre, the current recipient of the Tony Award® for Regional Theatre, presents the world premiere musical Sycamore Trees by Ricky Ian Gordon, composer of the acclaimed opera The Grapes of Wrath and the OBIE Award-winning Orpheus and Euridice, as well as the musicals My Life with Albertine and Dream True.

Judith Blazer and Heidi Blickenstaff are set to star in the previously announced INNER VOICES: SOLO MUSICALS at 59E59 Theaters from April 2nd through the 24th.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. National tour news, 'Ragtime,' Theater for Young Audiences, 'Hello Again,' 'Cabaret,' June Havoc and Ricky Martin, more.....

Miracle Theatre Group and Staged! Portland's Musical Theatre Series present a collaborative production of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD

NOT THE SAME: the music & lyrics of Bobby Cronin is a one-night only all new concert of ASCAP winning composer/writer Bobby Cronin's music. On Sunday March 28th at the Metropolitan Room, NOT THE SAME will feature many Broadway performers new to Bobby's music and audience, as well as many new songs written for Bobby's numerous projects in the works; THE BEATEN PATH, TIL DEATH DO US PART, CATY BRIDGEWATER, The Untitled Project, and (UN)LUCKY IN LOVE. The night will feature Cronin on the piano heading a four piece band for a night of rockin' uptempos, passionate ballads, comedic tunes, and honest anthems.

Transport Group's production of Mart Crowley's The Boys in the Band, directed by artistic director Jack Cummings III, will play its final performance on Sunday, March 28. The Boys in the Band plays in a site-specific production at 37 West 26 Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, Penthouse.

An American architect gets a mysterious assignment from a Middle Eastern dignitary in the latest play from Howard Korder, which will run through March 28 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

Jason Danieley and the Frontier Heroes will perform a benefit concert for the Actors Fund on May 10 at 8:30 PM at Feinstein's at the Regency (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, has announced that its production of Mart Crowley's The Boys in the Band, directed by artistic director Jack Cummings III, will close Sunday, March 28 following the 7pm performance at 37 West 26 Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, Penthouse.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present Terrence McNally's Nights at the Opera - an event showcasing three of the playwright's works including Master Class, The Lisbon Traviata, and Golden Age concurrently in Kennedy Center theaters from March 20 - April 18, 2010. Directors include Walter Bobbie for Master Class and Christopher Ashley for The Lisbon Traviata.

A BRAZILIAN 'THE WILD PARTY' IS IN THE WORKS WITH ORIGINAL BOOK AND SCORE.

Stephen Sondheim turns 80 on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 and he will celebrate this landmark event with Roundabout Theatre Company at a special performance of Sondheim on Sondheim and star-studded tribute at Roundabout's 2010 Spring Gala: Sondheim 80.

NOT THE SAME: the music & lyrics of Bobby Cronin is a one-night only all new concert of ASCAP winning composer/writer Bobby Cronin's music. On Sunday March 28th at the Metropolitan Room, NOT THE SAME will feature many Broadway performers new to Bobby's music and audience, as well as many new songs written for Bobby's numerous projects in the works; THE BEATEN PATH, TIL DEATH DO US PART, CATY BRIDGEWATER, The Untitled Project, and (UN)LUCKY IN LOVE. The night will feature Cronin on the piano heading a four piece band for a night of rockin' uptempos, passionate ballads, comedic tunes, and honest anthems.

Marcia Milgrom Dodge, whose critically acclaimed production of 'Ragtime' transferred from the Kennedy Center to Broadway last fall and is nominated for six Helen Hayes Awards, will direct and choreograph the Reprise Theatre Company production of the 1962 Pulitzer Prize winner 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present Terrence McNally's Nights at the Opera - an event showcasing three of the playwright's works including Master Class, The Lisbon Traviata, and Golden Age concurrently in Kennedy Center theaters from March 20 - April 18, 2010. Directors include Walter Bobbie for Master Class and Christopher Ashley for The Lisbon Traviata.