Michael Lang News

It's not unusual for movies to be adapted for the stage these days, in fact, it's become rather commonplace. But typically, musicals written for the screen that flop (even though they might have a rather substantial cult following), are usually avoided for obvious reasons. Although, that didn't stop the producers of XANADU from plowing forward, go figure. The Disney film NEWSIES actually seems likes a logical choice to revamp and produce on the stage, and it wound up winning Tony Awards for best score and choreography back in 2012, and becoming quite the hit. So why am I so surprised? I guess because the current touring production, while occasionally dazzling, comes off slightly uninspired and flat. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really fine performances, an eye catching scenic design, cool effects, and energetic choreography that certainly lives up to expectations. And, like the film, an awful lot of people, both young and old, are guaranteed to truly love this show, as evidenced by the very enthusiastic response from the audience at the performance I attended.

Only three decks of European hand-painted playing cards are known to have survived from the late Middle Ages-two made in Germany and one in the Burgundian Netherlands, all dating from the early to late 15th century. The only complete set of these luxury cards-The Cloisters Playing Cards, from the southern Netherlands-and representative examples from the other two decks will be featured in the exhibition The World in Play: Luxury Cards, 1430-1540, opening today, January 20, at The Cloisters.

The Old Globe presents the Third Annual New Voices Festival, featuring readings of new American plays by professional playwrights this weekend, January 15 - 17, 2016.

The Musicabana Foundation announces international superstars Major Lazer – the collaborative project of Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire – will perform in Havana on Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES begins performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts tonight, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.

When I was a child, I was a paper boy. I schlepped a stack of 100 papers all around the little town 5 miles from my home; I earned a little bit of money and I still have that savings stash today. It wasn't as if I really needed the money, it was more a lesson about the need to be useful in society. But in New York City, 1899, things were a lot different. At that time, youths sold newspapers in order to survive. This was how orphans and children of unemployed fathers were able to buy food for the day. Many of these kids lived on the streets. Disney's musical NEWSIES tells the plight of these youths. The plot is both a love story and a lesson in capitalism gone sour, bolstered by magnificent dancing and Disney-quality songs. NEWSIES is inspired by the real-life 'Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. The show won Best Choreography and Best Original Score at the 2012 Tony Awards. Ending this weekend at the Fisher Theatre, NEWSIES is as perfect as a musical can get.

The Old Globe today announced it will present the Third Annual New Voices Festival, a weekend of readings of new American plays by professional playwrights, January 15 - 17, 2016.

Casting has been announced for the Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House tonight, December 15 for a limited engagement through December 27.

Today, Participant Media announced that Pivot has acquired television rights to air two documentaries focusing on the refugee crisis that has resulted from the civil war in Syria.

Casting has been announced for the St. Louis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES.   The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday, January 19 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 31. 

There was a moment tonight in the Orpheum's presentation of NEWSIES that I envisioned the entire production as an animated feature -- and why not? There was the infectious music of Alan Menken, who long ago set the 'gold standard' for the resurgence of Disney animation beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID; there was, too, the 'underdog' hero ('Jack Kelley,' played with panache and charisma by Joey Barreiro), who serves as a point of inspiration for a horde of ragtag 'newsies'; and instead of an 'Ariel' or 'Belle,' there was 'Katherine,' the spirited young 'girl reporter,' who, with her independence and ingenuity, could fall right in line with the other young heroines of Disney films.

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House on December 15 for a limited engagement through December 27. 

Casting has been announced for the Memphis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES.   The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Orpheum Theatre on Tuesday, December 8th for a limited engagement through Sunday, December 13th. 

The Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney's NEWSIES -- the Tony Award-winning production -- begins performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts tonight, November 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 29, 2015.

With the impressive resumes and awards the REUNION team of writers and director/choreographer possesses, one would expect a first-rate show with dazzling choreography, wonderful songs and an involving plot. The world premiere of REUNION greatly benefits from the sensational, though sadly underused, vocal talents of their twelve-member cast. 

This melodic, memorable and quirky pop score provides biting social commentary along with a little romance and an outrageously good time for all. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll cringe.

Casting has been announced for the Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, November 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 29, 2015.

Disney Theatrical Productions welcomes six new principal cast members to the North American tour of Disney's NEWSIES: Joey Barreiro as 'Jack Kelly,' Morgan Keene as 'Katherine,' Aisha de Haas as 'Medda Larkin,' Stephen Michael Langton as 'Davey' and John Michael Pitera and Ethan Steiner alternating the role of 'Les.' These new cast members, aside from Pitera, will begin performances at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford tonight, October 13.

This melodic, memorable and quirky pop score provides biting social commentary along with a little romance and an outrageously good time for all. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll cringe.