Michael Mayer News

La MaMa concluded its 50th anniversary season with a successful benefit evening highlighted by entertainment and tributes-the La MaMa 50 Big Bash-on Sunday, June 24 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU in Manhattan. The evening was emceed by the inimitable Tony nominee and longtime La MaMa artist Andre DeShields, who joined other performers, including Gavin Creel, Bill Irwin, David Shiner, Adrian Bailey, Everett Quinton, Lady J and Culture Hub, in entertaining the audience of 600-plus with music and dance that celebrated La MaMa's first 50 years, including an excerpt from its recent hit production of Scott Wittman's JUKEBOX JACKIE featuring Cole Escola and Bridget Everett. The evening was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, who appeared as an actor at La MaMa during the early days of his career. Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, also La MaMa artists, served as the anniversary celebrations' co-chairs. See below for pictures of the BIG BASH's speakers and performers!

Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT returns to the Bay Area beginning June 12. A limited number of $25 orchestra pit rush seats will be available for all performances.

Vassar & New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater announces casting updates for the season, including Griffin Dunne (After Hours, An American Werewolf in London) and Samantha Mathis (33 Variations, Pump Up the Volume) who join the cast of Fires Are Confusing by Eva Anderson, Will Berson, and Zach Helm, created by Teatro de Facto. Ilana Levine (Jake's Women, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Last Night of Ballyhoo) joins Dominic Fumusa, Greg Kinnear, and Jennifer Westfeldt in the cast of the second Mainstage production of The Power of Duff by Stephen Belber, directed by Peter DuBois (7/18-29).

The Orpheum Theatre is set to welcome the AMERICAN IDIOT national tour this summer, the punk rock adaptation of Green Day's conceptual album of the same name from July 1 through the 8th. For more information on the national tour of AMERICAN IDIOT, visit www.americanidiotthemusical.com. Tickets are available at www.san-francisco-theater.com.

On Monday, June 25th, The Trevor Project honored Academy Award® winner, Susan Sarandon with the Trevor Hero Award, presented by Stanley Tucci. President of MTV, Stephen Friedman also was hand to accept the Trevor 2020 Award for MTV at "Trevor Live" in New York. This high-profile annual event benefits the life-saving, life-affirming work of The Trevor Project, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults. The show was directed by Tony Award® winner, Michael Mayer. On hand to celebrate were Stanley Tucci, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack, Anthony Rapp, Thomas Roberts, and many more. BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet to speak to the stars about this important initiative and shares their insights below.

On Monday, June 25th, The Trevor Project will honor Academy Award® winner, Susan Sarandon with the Trevor Hero Award, presented by Stanley Tucci. President of MTV, Stephen Friedman will also be on hand to accept the Trevor 2020 Award for MTV at "Trevor Live" in New York, (Pier 60, Chelsea Piers). This high-profile annual event benefits the life-saving, life-affirming work of The Trevor Project, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults. The show will be directed by Tony Award® winner, Michael Mayer. Trevor Live is presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo and features fun., Stanley Tucci, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack, Anthony Rapp, Thomas Roberts, and many more.

Tonight, June 25th, The Trevor Project will honor Academy Award winner, Susan Sarandon with the Trevor Hero Award, presented by Stanley Tucci. President of MTV, Stephen Friedman will also be on hand to accept the Trevor 2020 Award for MTV at "Trevor Live" in New York, (Pier 60, Chelsea Piers). This high-profile annual event benefits the life-saving, life-affirming work of The Trevor Project, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults. The show will be directed by Tony Award® winner, Michael Mayer. Trevor Live is presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo and features fun., Stanley Tucci, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack, Anthony Rapp, Thomas Roberts, and many more.

Surfside Players has announced open auditions for the first show of our 2012-2013 season, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, directed by Rod Savickis.

On June 22 and 23, Broadway favorite Sherie Rene Scott will boldly step off the Broadway stage and into your heart for a rare, intimate appearance at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. This brand new show of eclectic music and musings will feature songs by David Byrne, Harold Arlen, Toots and the Maytals, Jason Robert Brown and Yusef (the guy formerly known as Cat Stevens).

On Monday, June 25th, The Trevor Project will honor Academy Award® winner, Susan Sarandon with the Trevor Hero Award, presented by Stanley Tucci. President of MTV, Stephen Friedman will also be on hand to accept the Trevor 2020 Award for MTV at "Trevor Live" in New York, (Pier 60, Chelsea Piers). This high-profile annual event benefits the life-saving, life-affirming work of The Trevor Project, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults. The show will be directed by Tony Award® winner, Michael Mayer. Trevor Live is presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo and features fun., Stanley Tucci, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack, Anthony Rapp, Thomas Roberts, and many more.

On Monday, June 25, 2012, the band fun. will be the headlining musical act at "Trevor Live" presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo at Chelsea Piers (Pier 60) in New York.

Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT returns to the Bay Area beginning tonight, June 12. A limited number of $25 orchestra pit rush seats will be available for all performances.

While watching the super-charged, though slightly frustrating Tony-nominated alt-rock musical AMERICAN IDIOT--whose national touring company recently spent a brief week at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, CA--one can't help but feel genuinely entertained by the spectacle of it all, yet many (myself among them) may find themselves wondering: well, we know we're watching something awesome... but WTF is actually happening? More rock concert than your typical Broadway musical, AMERICAN IDIOT succeeds not as a complete musical stage play but rather as a visually-enhanced showcase for its rousing Green Day score and the staggeringly talented cast tasked to perform it.

Rarely am I this surprised by a show, especially one I've already heard. But last night I had to completely change my tune over Green Day's "American Idiot", currently playing at the Paramount Theatre. Filled with stunning performances, inventive staging and poetic songs the show went from one I was mildly curious about to breathtaking evening.

AMERICAN IDIOT will make its Seattle premiere tonight, June 5 at Seattle's Paramount Theatre as part of the KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount series.

Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong made a surprise visit last night to the first national tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT. Check out a snapshot below!