Michael Schweikardt News

A revised version of RAGS is currently on stage at Goodspeed Theatre through December 10. Fresh from Ellis Island, a young mother and her son search for a new life and a sense of home as the 20th century beckons. The streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side may not be paved with gold, but they echo with the music of opportunity, optimism and hope. A ravishing score by the songwriters of Wicked and Annie colors a sweeping saga of America's immigrant past.

Over the last few centuries, people from all over the world have dreamed of a better life and sought out opportunities to live that life to the fullest. For many, a dream of a better life in America caused them to give up everything familiar, leave friends, family and their way of life to try and make it in this land of freedom. Whether refugees from violence and war or immigrants looking for greater opportunities, for so long, people have looked to America as a beacon of hope and a place to make a new beginning. And just like those immigrants who came here with a second chance to live their lives to the fullest, RAGS, the musical that played only four performances on Broadway when it premiered in 1986, has been given a second chance to share the story of the immigrant experience in a new and exciting way on the Goodspeed Opera House stage. And boy what a second chance! Goodspeed's RAGS is a brilliant, heartwarming and powerful tale that everyone should have the chance to experience.

The Human Race Theatre Company (HRTC) proudly launches its 2017-2018 Eichelberger Loft Season with the American Premiere production of Legendale. Created by Andrea Daly (music and story) and Jeff Bienstock (words and story), this new musical follows a 30-year-old IT manager named Andy, whose favorite way to escape his miserable job and humdrum life is the online game Legendale. He dreams of victory in its new tournament and winning the grand prize to become "the Lord of Legendale," but is stuck competing as a lowly milkmaid. When things in the online world suddenly take a strange turn, Andy and his avatar must both discover their inner warrior. A blend of romance, adventure and virtual reality with a pop-infused score, it's an inspiring tale like no other that's sure to delight.

Join Rebecca and David Hershkowitz as they journey to a 'brand new world' in Goodspeed's reinvented Rags. Original creators Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz have teamed up with David Thompson, who has adapted Joseph Stein's book, to rework this timely and inspiring piece.

NEWSIES lyricist Jack Feldman visited The Muny's production of the hit musical on Wednesday and took a moment to snap a photo with the cast - check it out below!

Watch the company of NEWSIES at The Muny get serious in 'The World Will Know' below!

The original film version of NEWSIES wasn't exactly a blockbuster when it was released in 1992, but it developed a substantial cult following, especially as kids and adults alike discovered its many charms on cable and DVD. Actually, the fact that it wasn't a huge hit initially is why it seems like such a great, and logical, choice to rework for Broadway, where its transformation resulted in Tony Awards for best score (music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman) and choreography back in 2012. Perhaps this is proof that the material might have been better served as a stage production from the start. As The MUNY's current, and final, presentation of the season it packs an entertaining wallop that brings the season to a close on a delightfully high note. Audiences certainly will find plenty to enjoy, and I cannot recommend this show highly enough!

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive sneak peek behind the scenes of last night's performance of NEWSIES at The Muny - check out photos below!

Based on Disney's 1992 cult classic film, Newsies tells the rousing tale of the great Newsboy Strike of 1899. Jack Kelly, a charismatic and resilient newspaper boy, leads a bunch of New York City rag-tag orphans in a clash against the mighty publishing titan, Joseph Pulitzer. With a score by Alan Menken, and hits that include 'Santa Fe,' 'Seize the Day,' and 'King of New York,' this Muny premiere promises to make headlines.

BroadwayWorld is excited to announce that The Muny's production of NEWSIES takes over our Twitter and Instagram today! Spencer Davis Milford will take over our Twitter and Tessa Grady will take over our Instagram.

Based on Disney's 1992 cult classic film, Newsies tells the rousing tale of the great Newsboy Strike of 1899. Jack Kelly, a charismatic and resilient newspaper boy, leads a bunch of New York City rag-tag orphans in a clash against the mighty publishing titan, Joseph Pulitzer. With a score by Alan Menken, and hits that include 'Santa Fe,' 'Seize the Day,' and 'King of New York,' this Muny premiere promises to make headlines. Watch Jay Armstrong Johnson (as Jack Kelly) perform a passionate rendition of 'Santa Fe' below!

Based on Disney's 1992 cult classic film, Newsies tells the rousing tale of the great Newsboy Strike of 1899. Jack Kelly, a charismatic and resilient newspaper boy, leads a bunch of New York City rag-tag orphans in a clash against the mighty publishing titan, Joseph Pulitzer. With a score by Alan Menken, and hits that include 'Santa Fe,' 'Seize the Day,' and 'King of New York,' this Muny premiere promises to make headlines.

Based on Disney's 1992 cult classic film, Newsies tells the rousing tale of the great Newsboy Strike of 1899. Jack Kelly, a charismatic and resilient newspaper boy, leads a bunch of New York City rag-tag orphans in a clash against the mighty publishing titan, Joe Pulitzer. With a score by Alan Menken, and hits that include 'Santa Fe,' 'Seize the Day,' and 'King of New York,' this Muny premiere promises to make headlines.

Based on Disney's 1992 cult classic film, Newsies tells the rousing tale of the great Newsboy Strike of 1899. Jack Kelly, a charismatic and resilient newspaper boy, leads a bunch of New York City rag-tag orphans in a clash against the mighty publishing titan, Joe Pulitzer. With a score by Alan Menken, and hits that include 'Santa Fe,' 'Seize the Day,' and 'King of New York,' this Muny premiere promises to make headlines.

BroadwayWorld is excited to announce that Damon J. Gillespie from The Muny's production of NEWSIES takes over our Instagram today! Follow BroadwayWorld on Instagram!

Based on Disney's 1992 cult classic film, Newsies tells the rousing tale of the great Newsboy Strike of 1899. Jack Kelly, a charismatic and resilient newspaper boy, leads a bunch of New York City rag-tag orphans in a clash against the mighty publishing titan, Joe Pulitzer. With a score by Alan Menken, and hits that include 'Santa Fe,' 'Seize the Day,' and 'King of New York,' this Muny premiere promises to make headlines.

BroadwayWorld is excited to announce that The Muny's production of NEWSIES takes over our Twitter and Instagram today! Spencer Davis Milford will take over our Twitter and Tessa Grady will take over our Instagram.

What do you get when you take one part book launch/cooking demonstration, add a heaping helping of auto-biographical comedy, mix in a portion of supernatural Jewish mother guilt and a strong dose of irreverence? In TheaterWorks' world premiere production of Jacques Lamarre's RAGING SKILLET, this recipe adds up to an evening of pure entertainment - one where audiences get their fill of stories, laughs, and if they are lucky, a taste of some of Chef Rossi's signature "anti-catering" dishes.   

OPERA NORTH SUMMERFEST 2017 announces casting and creative teams for Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate, one of three mainstage productions that run July 29 - August 13 at the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

TheaterWorks announced final casting today for RAGING SKILLET by Jacques Lamarre the 5th show of TheaterWorks 31st Season.