Michael John LaChiusa News

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 first New York revival of Michael John LaChiusa's musical See What I Wanna See is being presented this weekend on February 27th and 28th. The original production premiered at the Public Theatre in the fall of 2005, and this limited engagement is being presented by 5th Floor Productions. See What I Wanna See is based on a collection of short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, with original music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa. Spanning from feudal Japan to present day New York City, the contemporary musical examines the nature of truth in a post 9/11 world through the eyes of several distinct and unique characters.

Emmy-nominated Paul Anthony Stewart stars as Raskolnikov in a gripping 90-minute adaptation of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment at The Cleveland Play House. In addition to numerous New York and regional theatre roles, Stewart, who was nominated for his recurring role on 'Guiding Light,' recently appeared on Broadway in the revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and Cyrano - The Musical. Performed with only three actors, the adaptation of Crime and Punishment by Marilyn Campbell and Cut Columbus is being helmed by the acclaimed director of the 2005 Play House production of I Am My Own Wife, Anders Cato. Crime and Punishment begins in the Drury Theatre at The Cleveland Play House on Friday, February 27 and runs through Sunday, March 22, 2009. Tickets are on sale now at The Cleveland Play House box office by calling 216.795.7000 ext 4 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Crime and Punishment is presented in promotional partnership with National City and Baker & Hostetler.

The first New York revival of Michael John LaChiusa's musical See What I Wanna See is being presented this weekend on February 27th and 28th. The original production premiered at the Public Theatre in the fall of 2005, and this limited engagement is being presented by 5th Floor Productions. See What I Wanna See is based on a collection of short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, with original music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa. Spanning from feudal Japan to present day New York City, the contemporary musical examines the nature of truth in a post 9/11 world through the eyes of several distinct and unique characters.

The fifth year of the acclaimed series, ?Monday Nights, New Voices,' will continue on February 23rd, with Broadway star, Orfeh, who was recently Tony Nominated as Paulette in the Broadway Musical, Legally Blonde.

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.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook ends its 11th season with a special concert by Stew and Heidi Rodewald in the newly revitalized Alice Tully Hall on March 6th at 8:00pm.

17TH ANNUAL NATIONWIDE BLANK THEATRE COMPANY YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS The Blank Theatre Company's Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival is now seeking submissions from playwrights 19 years of age and younger through March 16, 2009. Winning plays will be presented by professional actors and directors in June of 2009 in Hollywood, CA.

The Blank Theatre Company's Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival is now seeking submissions from playwrights 19 years of age and younger through March 16, 2009. Winning plays will be presented by professional actors and directors in June of 2009 in Hollywood, CA. Now in its seventeenth year, The Blank Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Festival is a nationwide competition that produces the work of eight to twelve teenage playwrights each year. The Festival has produced 184 plays by playwrights 19 and younger since 1993 from over 25 states.

Eight new productions, four of which are company premieres, will highlight the Metropolitan Opera's 2009-10 season. General Manager Peter Gelb and Music Director James Levine jointly announced plans that include: the Met premieres of Rossini's Armida, Verdi's Attila, Jan?ček's From the House of the Dead, and Shostakovich's The Nose; new productions of Bizet's Carmen, Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Thomas's Hamlet, and Puccini's Tosca; and 18 revivals from the company's repertory. The season is the first to be entirely planned under Gelb's leadership, in collaboration with Levine (the past three seasons were planned before Gelb became General Manager in 2006-07 but included some productions, repertoire, and casting changes made by Gelb).

The fifth year of the acclaimed series, ?Monday Nights, New Voices,' will continue on February 23rd, with Broadway star, Orfeh, who was recently Tony Nominated as Paulette in the Broadway Musical, Legally Blonde.

Tomorrow, Friday, February 6th THE AFTER PARTY is thrilled to welcome Time Out New York's Top 10 Pick of 2008 CASHINO starring Hairpsrpay's SUSIE MOSHER and recording artist JOHN BOSWELL Also featuring Singer/Songwriter KATIE THOMPSON and Wicked's JULIE REIBER with WILLIAM WADE at the piano!

Emmy-nominated Paul Anthony Stewart stars as Raskolnikov in a gripping 90-minute adaptation of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment at The Cleveland Play House. In addition to numerous New York and regional theatre roles, Stewart, who was nominated for his recurring role on 'Guiding Light,' recently appeared on Broadway in the revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and Cyrano - The Musical. Performed with only three actors, the adaptation of Crime and Punishment by Marilyn Campbell and Cut Columbus is being helmed by the acclaimed director of the 2005 Play House production of I Am My Own Wife, Anders Cato. Crime and Punishment begins in the Drury Theatre at The Cleveland Play House on Friday, February 27 and runs through Sunday, March 22, 2009. Tickets are on sale now at The Cleveland Play House box office by calling 216.795.7000 ext 4 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Crime and Punishment is presented in promotional partnership with National City and Baker & Hostetler.

Tomorrow, Friday, February 6th THE AFTER PARTY is thrilled to welcome Time Out New York's Top 10 Pick of 2008 CASHINO starring Hairpsrpay's SUSIE MOSHER and recording artist JOHN BOSWELL Also featuring Singer/Songwriter KATIE THOMPSON and Wicked's JULIE REIBER with WILLIAM WADE at the piano!

Week three of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a soulful tribute to black music, a bluegrass legend, a genre-busting singer and the concert debut of a gifted actor, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. On February 4th Soul Deep, an ensemble of some of the top black singers from Broadway and beyond will perform music - black music - that is the basis for most of the popular music heard today. The next night, bluegrass reigns with The Del McCoury Band (top right), who started out in the 1960s and remain so on top of their game that their latest CD is nominated for a 2009 Grammy. A new voice on the scene, and one that is electrifying all within range, is Lizz Wright (bottom left), who performs two shows on February 6th. She will perform songs from The Orchard, her third CD, as well as other pieces that shine with her expressive treatment. Next up on February 7th is the concert debut of the always surprising actor Alan Cumming (bottom right). Equally at ease in film and on the stage, this classically-trained star has never sung a concert before, and he has selected Dolly Parton and Cindi Lauper tunes, among others, to celebrate this new dimension in his career. American Songbook is presented in the spectacular Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall. The Allen Room possesses one of New York's greatest settings - a stunning vista of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline provides an evocative backdrop for the performers.

Week four of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a hot new composer, Broadway's most popular ing?nue, a Disney film and Broadway composer in a rare concert appearance, and a celebration of the music of Richard Rodgers by an acclaimed guitarist/vocalist. On February 18th, young composer Nico Muhly, who wrote the haunting score to the Oscar-nominated film 'The Reader', will collaborate with Thomas Bartlett, alternative folk/country artist Sam Amidon, and designer/illustrator Maira Kalman.

The first New York revival of Michael John LaChiusa's musical See What I Wanna See will be presented next month on February 27th and 28th. The original production premiered at the Public Theatre in the fall of 2005, and this limited engagement is being presented by 5th Floor Productions.

Week three of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a soulful tribute to black music, a bluegrass legend, a genre-busting singer and the concert debut of a gifted actor, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. On February 4th Soul Deep, an ensemble of some of the top black singers from Broadway and beyond will perform music - black music - that is the basis for most of the popular music heard today. The next night, bluegrass reigns with The Del McCoury Band (top right), who started out in the 1960s and remain so on top of their game that their latest CD is nominated for a 2009 Grammy. A new voice on the scene, and one that is electrifying all within range, is Lizz Wright (bottom left), who performs two shows on February 6th. She will perform songs from The Orchard, her third CD, as well as other pieces that shine with her expressive treatment. Next up on February 7th is the concert debut of the always surprising actor Alan Cumming (bottom right). Equally at ease in film and on the stage, this classically-trained star has never sung a concert before, and he has selected Dolly Parton and Cindi Lauper tunes, among others, to celebrate this new dimension in his career. American Songbook is presented in the spectacular Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall. The Allen Room possesses one of New York's greatest settings - a stunning vista of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline provides an evocative backdrop for the performers.

BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop Thrives in Adverse Environment as promising playwrights sharpen their skills with expert tutoring and peer feedback. The Great White Way has encountered some challenges recently with celebrated shows closing and theatres running half-empty. Despite these trends, a well-respected workshop fully sponsored by Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) continues to nurture musical theatre scribes and showcase their works to the public.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns in January for its eleventh season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 17 nights of pop, folk, cabaret, R&B, country, rock, show tunes, bluegrass and multimedia, the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic contemporary songwriting. The 2009 season - January 14 through March 6 - will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song, including top vocalist Kurt Elling and country's winning Patty Loveless. It will feature the rare opportunity to hear Paulo Szot, star of Broadway's South Pacific, and film and stage star Alan Cumming, in intimate concert settings.