Michael Ross News

Two of Toronto's most exciting indie theatre companies, UNIT 102 ACTORS COMPANY (named 2015's Best Small Theatre Company by NOW Magazine) and LEROY STREET THEATRE (The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?; Much Ado About Nothing) are joining forces to open a brand new theatre space in the heart of Parkdale.

Samuel French has assembled a distinguished judging panel including playwrights Jiehae Park, James Hindman, Lauren Yee and Rachel Bonds; Artistic Directors Andrew Leynse (Primary Stages), Jonathan Silverstein (Keen Company), Susan Westfall (City Theatre, Miami), Emily Morse (New Dramatists) and Ciera Iverson (National Alliance of Musical Theatres); and industry professionals John Clinton Eisner (The Lark), Michael Walkup (Page 73), Abigail Katz (Atlantic Theater Company).

Makes magic happen after bursting bubbles.

The Board of Directors of Baltimore Center Stage and Kwame Kwei-Armah jointly announced today that Kwei-Armah will leave his position as artistic director at the end of his contract on June 30, 2018.

Samuel French's Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, the nation's premier short play competition, announces this year's top 30 playwrights. Additionally, ticket sales open today for its 42nd Festival.

The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company and Dancap Productions present THE JAZZ SINGER, a new musical adaption of Samson Raphaelson's classic story of a son's struggle between his passion for a Broadway career, and his father's plans to have him follow in his footsteps as a cantor. The production will run May 23 - June 18, 2017 at Greenwin Theatre, Toronto Centre for the Arts.

The 62nd Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Michael Urie, were held at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street) tonight, June 4th.

THE JAZZ SINGER opened this week, presented by the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company as a toe-tapping new musical rendition of the story made famous by the film of the same name. While the film shocked the world with its inventive introduction of synced recorded sound, the musical, written by Michael Ross Albert and directed and choreographed by Timothy French, fails to take any risks.

At a press conference held May 30 in the lobby of the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 235 nominations for the 38th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.

Miami Music Festival (MMF) is proud to announce the second season of their prestigious Miami Wagner Institute, welcoming Grammy Award-winning soprano Christine Brewer and returning bass-baritone Alan Held to MMF's team of internationally acclaimed faculty, to teach and perform with eight rising dramatic stars.

Miami Music Festival (MFF), an intensive training program for the next generation of classical musicians to work with mentors and gain performing experience, announces the lineup for the 2017 season from June 6 through July 30, 2017 at various venues in Miami. In its fourth season, MMF will host young artists from around the world selected from top conservatories and universities. MMF receives nearly 1,500 international applicants each season with only a small portion selected for participation through a rigorous audition process.

Baltimore Center Stage has announced Randi Benesch will join its leadership team as the theater's new Director of Advancement.

The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company and Dancap Productions present THE JAZZ SINGER, a new musical adaption of Samson Raphaelson's classic story of a son's struggle between his passion for a Broadway career, and his father's plans to have him follow in his footsteps as a cantor. The production will run May 23 - June 18, 2017 at Greenwin Theatre, Toronto Centre for the Arts.

Earlier this morning, Laura Benanti (She Loves Me, Gypsy) and Javier Muñoz (Hamilton, In the Heights) announced the nominations for the 62nd Annual Drama Desk Awards.

Big Noise Theatre Company, a division of Winnetka Theatre, opens the Spring show Big Fish, the Musical. Join us for an opening night reception this Friday, April 21st beginning at 7pm. Light refreshments will be provided while you mingle, and you'll have a chance to take pictures in front of our amazing, show-inspired backdrop in the lobby. It's a romantic adventure you don't want to miss!

Baltimore Center Stage has announced its 2017/18 Mainstage Season, which includes productions that focus on faith, love, family, the state of the nation, revolution, and a to-be-announced world premiere play with music.

Big Noise Theatre Company, a division of Winnetka Theatre, announces the Spring show of their 2017 season, Big Fish, the Musical. Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Tim Burton film, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest, and then some! Edward's incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him - most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father's epic tales. Overflowing with humor and heart, Big Fish is an extraordinary recent Broadway musical that's richer, funnier, and BIGGER than life itself!

 The 2017 Online Auction for Baltimore Center Stage will be open for bidding March 26 through April 2. Items can be previewed March 24-25.

Lucky Penny Productions is pleased to announce the 'Audience Choice Awards' for its '8 X 10 Kids Rule' short play festival.  Lucky Penny judges picked 8 ten-minute plays out of over 150 submitted from around the country and produced them live on stage.  Audience members then voted on their favorites at the end of each show.  This year's theme was 'Kids' and each script had to have at least one youngster featured in the cast.  At the end of each play's eleven performances, the audience votes were counted. The top vote getter received a $100 honorarium.  Here are the top three audience favorites in order of most votes received:

Baltimore Center Stage will present, in association with Congo Square Theatre Company, Twisted Melodies.