Michael John LaChiusa News

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, presents the world premiere production of the musical Giant by composer Michael John LaChiusa and playwright Sybille Pearson.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce the publication of 'The BMI Workshop Songbook,' a piano/vocal folio featuring 20 new, never-before released songs written by members and alumni of the Tony-honored BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, including Robert Lopez (Avenue Q), Maury Yeston (Nine), Tom Kitt (Next To Normal), Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Giant), and many more. The songs were chosen for their appeal and usefulness for singers searching for fresh audition, cabaret, and concert material. In addition, Broadway's best and brightest performers, including Christine Ebersole, Neil Patrick Harris and Cheyenne Jackson, can be heard singing each featured title in the songbook on 'The BMI Workshop Songbook Podcast' at www.bmi.com/podcasts/songbook. The songbook is priced at $19.99, and can be purchased at the aforementioned website and Colony Music Center (1619 Broadway NYC).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that Divorce! The Musical will have an open-ended run at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production, now in its fourth smash month, features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists). Multi award-winning director Rick Sparks (They Shoot Horses, Don?t They?) directs and musical stage this comedy about one couple?s hellish journey to un-tie the knot. Divorce! The Musical also features musical direction and arrangements by Ovation Award-winner David O (Ubu Roi and Jason Robert Brown?s 13).

BroadwayWorld has gotten the news that Rialto favorite Barrett Foa has been cast in the pilot of 'NCIS: Legend,' playing Tech Operator, Eric Beal. The two-part pilot for the new series will air as two episodes of the hit CBS show, 'NCIS: Navy Criminal Investigative Service.'

When Your Good to Mamma is a new benefit concert with some of Broadway's best performing songs that even those not familiar with Broadway will love. This concert will honor the unique relationships between LGBT people and their mother's. This new benefit concert is sure to become a staple in the community.

The stage will brighten with Philadelphia Theatre Company's mainstage season finale Grey Gardens, book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie, on May 22 - June 28 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). Directed by Lisa Peterson, the ensemble cast features Todd Almond, Cole Burden, Kim Carson, Maggie Fitzgerald, Joy Franz, James Ijames, John Jellison, Anastasia Korbal, and Hollis Resnik.

Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, will present Mary Testa and Emily Skinner in special one-night-only events, at 220 East 4 Street, between Avenues A & B. On Sunday, April 5 at 7pm two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa will perform her new one-woman show, Sleepless Variations, which tells a tale of one woman's sleepless night of fears, fantasies, and dreams, expressed through a cycle of songs by composers as varied as Jimi Hendrix, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Bj?rk.

Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced details for a second round of major items for their special online Auction in connection with its annual Spring Gala Benefit. Bidding for the auction, which already features an exceptionally eclectic array of items and unique opportunities, is currently underway at www.playwrightshorizons.cmarket.com.

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended again by popular demand through May 17, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

Signature Theatre presents the Washington area premiere of the innovative musical See What I Wanna See, a fascinating exploration of three stories of lust, greed, murder, faith, and redemption. Written by Michael John LaChiusa, considered one of today's most intelligent and innovative musical theater composers, See What I Wanna See has been hailed for its cool, jazz-infused score and smart book and called 'a little powerhouse of a show whose sheer intensity will knock you flat - and make you think' (The Wall Street Journal). The show was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine and nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical. See What I Wanna See runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from April 7 through May 31. Signature will also produce the world premiere of LaChiusa's Giant in the MAX Theatre April 28 through May 31.

Transport Group's BEING AUDREY Opens 4/5

Tonight, Thursday, April 2nd BRANDON CUTRELL & COHORTS welcomes Bradley O'Bryan Hawks, Rachel James, Rachel Potter, Erik Sisco & Jason Zammit with a special guest appearance by Katie Thompson. BRANDON CUTRELL & COHORTS: A Cabaret Showcase Tonight, April 2nd 9:30pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

Long considered the essential magazine for professional not-for-profit theatre, AMERICAN THEATRE (AT), published monthly by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), has been providing theatre professionals, students, advocates and audiences a comprehensive journal for nearly 25 years.

JESSICA MOLASKEY, the Broadway musical actress, jazz singing sensation, recording artist and radio personality, will perform an exclusive week-long engagement at the legendary jazz club Birdland (315 West 44th Street in Manhattan) from March 31 to April 4. She will be joined by the John Pizzarelli Quartet featuring John Pizzarelli on guitar, Larry Fuller on piano and Martin Pizzarelli on bass, Aaron Weinstein on violin and Tony Tedesco on drums. The show will feature selections from her critically acclaimed albums that she hasn't performed live, in addition to the possibility of special surprise guests. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. There is a $30 general admission cover charge and $40 premium seats, both with a $10 table minimum. For reservations and further information, please call (212) 581-3080 or visit www.birdlandjazz.com.

The music of Bobby Cronin will be showcased on Monday, March 30 at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. The event which starts at 6pm will be hosted by Erica Ruff and John Zindarsic.

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, today announced casting for the world premiere production of the musical Giant by composer Michael John LaChiusa and playwright Sybille Pearson.

The production has delayed its first preview originally planned for tonight, Friday 27th, the show will now begin on Saturday, March 28th to allow the company an extra amount of rehearsal time, stated a Transport Group spokesperson.

Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, will present the world premiere of Being Audrey, music and lyrics by Ellen Weiss; book by James Hindman; additional book and lyrics by Cheryl Stern; developed with Jack Cummings III and Adam R. Perlman; musical direction, arrangements, and orchestrations by Lanny Meyers; musical staging and choreography by Scott Rink; and directed by Jack Cummings III, beginning Friday, March 27, at 8:00pm at 220 East 4 Street, between Avenues A and B. The opening is set for Sunday, April 5, at 3pm.

Long considered the essential magazine for professional not-for-profit theatre, AMERICAN THEATRE magazine (AT), published ten times annually by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), has been providing theatre professionals, students, advocates and audiences a comprehensive journal since April, 1984. At a time when coverage of the arts may be at an all-time low, the substantive and continuing contributions of AMERICAN THEATRE put it in a class of its own.

On Monday night, March 23rd, the Broadway at Birdland series presented Broadway star Kate Shindle and musical icon John McDaniel, who joined together for the first time on stage in CLASSIC, a celebration of some of the greatest music of our time. The show explored contemporary songs which are destined to become a significant part of the future musical landscape. From Harold Arlen to Stephen Sondheim, Ray Charles to Michael John LaChiusa.