Michael R. Jackson News

Each person/duo will be awarded a $20,000 unrestricted grant in addition to a $2,500 Saw Island Foundation Recording Grant to support the production of new demo recordings that better represent the artist’s vision.

The American Theatre Wing has revealed the recipients of the 2025 Jonathan Larson Grant, the annual prize awarded to exceptional emerging musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists, or writing teams.

Despite sub-zero temperatures, a nearly full house of theater lovers braved the cold to come together for a warm celebration at Green Room 42 in Manhattan, on Sunday, February 8.

Helen J Shen, star of Broadway's Maybe Happy Ending, has been cast in the new TV pilot Eternally Yours for CBS. The performer will appear as a series regular in the new vampire comedy, which is from Ghosts creators Joe Port and Joe Wiseman. 

Theater Resources Unlimited has announced updated casting and honorees for its upcoming TRU Love Benefit. The annual fundraiser will celebrate leaders in theater production, digital access, and humanitarian advocacy.

Theater Resources Unlimited will present its 2026 TRU Love Benefit honoring leaders and artists from the theater community. The event will feature performances by Broadway veterans and emerging artists, along with awards recognizing artistic and humanitarian contributions.

Join GRAMMY-winning baritone Will Liverman, soprano Kiera Duffy, and pianist Judith Lynn Stillman for 'Portraits in Song,' a free recital at Rhode Island College on March 1.

Don’t miss Michael R. Jackson’s Operatic Debut! Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) makes his operatic debut with Opera Philadelphia this February at the Academy of Music, bringing his “provocative mix of high-mindedness and low satire” (The New York Times) to a new scale.

Dunaway Gardens in Newnan, GA, will present its first-ever Playwright Lab in 2026, aiming to support new theatrical works and emerging playwrights.

The ASCAP Foundation has recognized musical theater writing duo Will Aronson and Hue Park, creators of the Tony Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) will present the 2026 TRU Love Benefit, honoring respected members of the theater community. Producers Bonnie Comley & Stewart Lane will be given the TRU Spirit of Theater Award.

Prairie Park, a new mockumentary play by T.J. Pieffer, will be presented in  an invitation-only industry reading on Friday, January 9, 2026, produced by Pipe Dream in  association with Davenport Theatrical Enterprises. 

In a world where AI increasingly tries to consume and simulate real human experiences, theatre sometimes feels like one of the last gasps of being in a room together. When we watch a show with others, respiration synchronizes, empathy increases, and information retention improves. It’s one of my favourite feelings.

Works & Process will present Opera Philadelphia for a preview performance of Complications in Sue by Michael R. Jackson. This preview of Complications in Sue shows how one librettist, one actor, four singers, and ten composers joined forces.

Marjorie Prime celebrated its opening night on Broadway at the Hayes Theater. Check out photos from inside the after party festivities here and check out more from the red carpet. 

 Asbury Park Theater Company has announced their full lineup of 7 productions for the 2026 season. Under the Producing Artistic Direction of Anthony D’Amato, the company will present the New Jersey premiere of TEETH the musical.

Opera Philadelphia will unveil COMPLICATIONS IN SUE, a new opera by Pulitzer and Tony winner Michael R. Jackson, at the Academy of Music in February 2026. Inspired by an idea from Justin Vivian Bond and scored by ten composers.

Award-winning composer, lyricist and librettist Anna K. Jacobs (Teeth, POP!) will offer a Master Class on Monday, December 15th at 6:30pm as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights.

The Fred Ebb Foundation presented the 21st annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Sophie Boyce and Veronica Mansour. Go inside the event in new photos.

Throughout spring 2026, Works & Process will present a full slate of dynamic programs at Guggenheim New York, along with a special Martha Graham Dance Company performance at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice on May 8, coinciding with the opening of the Venice Biennale.