Michele Lynch News

Starlight Theatre will present Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA, winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Score and Best Book, August 3-12 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway.

Starlight Theatre will present Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA, winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Score and Best Book, August 3-12 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. BroadwayWorld has a teaser of the show below.

Starlight Theatre will present Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA, winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Score and Best Book, August 3-12 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway.

A spectacular new production of the American musical SHOW BOAT to dock at Lyric Opera of Chicago Feb. 12 - Mar. 17 starring Ashley Brown, Nathan Gunn, Alyson Cambridge, Morris Robinson, Angela Renée Simpson, Ross Lehman, Cindy Gold, Ericka Mac, Bernie Yvon John DeMain, conductor and Francesca Zambello, stage director.

JOYFUL NOISE is coming to theaters on Friday, January 13th from Warner Brothers Pictures. The comedy is written and directed by Todd Graff and stars Jeremy Jordan, Kris Kristofferson, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance, Dolly Parton, Jesse L. Martin, Judd Lormand and Chloe Bailey. In the video below hear from choreographer Michele Lynch as featured by DanceOn!

EMPIRE, a new musical about the men and women who defied the odds and built the tallest skyscraper in the world, is currently undergoing a five-week developmental workshop and will receive industry presentations on October 27 and 28.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. 'Smash,' new CD releases, 'Follies,' 'Trogg!,' 'Earthqueef,' 'Show Boat' at Lyric Opera, Alan Cumming, more....

The Forestburgh Theatre Arts Center at the Forestburgh Playhouse announced today that it will open its Main Stage 2011 season with the original musical IDAHO!, winner of the Best of Fest Audience Prize at the New York Musical Theater Festival in 2008. Starring Austin Miller ('Grease: You're The One That I Want'), Jessica Hershberg (Little House on the Prairie), and Paul Vogt (Broadway's Hairspray, 'MadTV'), the original musical, with a book and lyrics by Buddy Sheffield and music by Sheffield and Keith Thompson will run at the Forestburgh Playhouse from June 1st through 12th. IDAHO! will be directed by Matt Lenz (Associate Director of Broadway's Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can).

Every Tony Needs a Tina! BestofOffBroadway.com announced the first annual Tina Award nominations today, honoring the top Off-Broadway productions of the 2010-2011 season.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Les Miserables,' 'Memphis,' 'Showboat' at Lyric Opera of Chicago, a double dose of 'Glee,' Darren Criss's 'Starship, 'Meet John Doe,' more....

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces Director Ciarán O'Reilly (Irish Repertory Theatre's THE EMPEROR JONES) and Choreographer Byron Easley (urbanStages' LANGSTON IN HARLEM) as winners of the Joe A. Callaway Award for the 2009-2010 Theatre Season, presented in a ceremony on Monday, November 15 in Manhattan.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces nine finalists for the Joe A. Callaway Awards, to be presented in a private ceremony on Monday, November 15.

Castro's invading, integration is the new frontier and you have to be much larger than a size 6 to be considered plus-size.  Welcome to the '60s and welcome to Paper Mill's big, bubbly and thoroughly loveable production of Hairspray.

Paper Mill Playhouse is presenting Hairspray, directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Michele Lynch, at the Millburn theatre from September 22 through October 24, 2010. On September 26, the company celebrated the show's official opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you after-party coverage below!

Michael Frayn's 1975 comedy, Alphabetical Order, is the type of play that, either as a compliment or as a dismissal, American audiences are likely to label as 'very British.'  Its humor is subtle, its themes are sub-textual and the characters all talk in these funny accents.  But even those who appreciate the delicacy of that type of play may find this early work by the versatile writer who went on to pen the riotous Noises Off and the heady Copenhagen a little padded and lacking in both humor and bite.  Still, director Carl Forsman and the Keen Theatre Company serve up a lively production that boasts its charms, particularly in the performances of the engaging ensemble.

Paper Mill Playhouse is presenting Hairspray, directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Michele Lynch, at the Millburn theatre from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Yesterday, September 26, the company celebrated the show's official opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt, Managing Director) is proud to announce a free, community event celebrating the opening of Hairspray at the Millburn Theater. Hairspray's Blowout Bash will take place on Main Street and Taylor Park in Downtown Millburn on Sunday, September 19th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Hairspray's Blowout Bash will feature: rides, games, live entertainment, contests, give-a-ways, food, a special appearance from members of the Hairspray cast and more. Hairspray's Blowout Bash is a rain or shine event.

Paper Mill Playhouse will present Hairspray, directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Michele Lynch, at the Millburn theatre from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Yesterday, September 15, the company met the press and BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage below!

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt, Managing Director) is proud to announce a free, community event celebrating the opening of Hairspray at the Millburn Theater. Hairspray's Blowout Bash will take place on Main Street and Taylor Park in Downtown Millburn on Sunday, September 19th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Hairspray's Blowout Bash will feature: rides, games, live entertainment, contests, give-a-ways, food, a special appearance from members of the Hairspray cast and more. Hairspray's Blowout Bash is a rain or shine event. Below you will find the time-line for the event that includes four, themed contests including; Jersey's Big Hair Contest, a 60's Dance-Off, Hula Hoop Contest and a 60's Costume Contest. Children and adults are encouraged to participate. WPLJ-95.5FM, New Jersey and New York's hit music station, will host each contest. HAIRSPRAY BLOWOUT BASH Sunday, September 19, 2010 EVENT TIME-LINE 1:00pm Event Begins 1:15pm-1:30pm Big Hair Contest / Give-a-ways 1:30pm-2:15pm The Party Dolls Perform 2:15pm-2:40pm 60's Dance Off / Give-a-ways 3:00pm-3:45pm The Party Dolls Perform 3:45pm-4:00pm Hula Hoop Contest / Give-a-ways 4:00pm-4:15pm Hairspray Cast Performance 4:15pm-5:00pm The Party Dolls Perform 5:00pm-5:30pm DJ/ 60's Costume Contest Awards Paper Mill Playhouse has been creating unique, free, community events for the past several years to celebrate the opening of each season. Last year, The Little House on the Prairie Harvest Festival attracted more than 2,000 area residents. 'Paper Mill Playhouse's season opening event is becoming a tradition for many area residents,' says Shayne Miller Director of Press and Public Relations for the Millburn Theater. 'This free event is Paper Mill Playhouse's way of thanking the community that supports our theater. Each year the event grows as we add new elements, entertainment and lots of fun for the kids.' Hairspray's Blowout Bash will feature The Fantastic Party Dolls Show and Dance Band. The Party Dolls started out in 1985 as a '60's Girl Group and Motown Review' The show has gone from Nantucket to Maui and played in 18 states and two foreign countries. The repertoire has expanded to cover '70's Disco Divas' and 'Ladies of the 80's'. From Motown to Madonna they are 'A tribute to girl groups and women in rock'. Some highlights and notable engagements include: George W. Bush Inaugural, PNC Arts Center; Trump Marina, Hard Rock (NYC, AC, Philly); Museum of Natural History; Yale University; Palm Beach; Southampton, Bermuda, Bahamas. The Party Dolls have appeared on the bill with such Rock and Roll Hall of Famers as; The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Connie Francis, Ben E. King and Dick Clark. They appeared on the nationally syndicated 'Joe Franklin Show' and will be making an appearance on 'The View'. There are plenty of FREE activities for the kids too. The event will feature rides including; Turbo Tubs, a trackless train with rides around Taylor Park, a 'candy house' themed moonwalker, a 24 foot inflatable slide, inflatable twister, vintage carnival games, spin art and more. There will be free cotton candy for the kids sponsored by Downtown Millburn (while supplies last). Other food items will be available for purchase on the day of the event. WPLJ-95.5FM, New Jersey and New York's hit music station, will DJ the event. Paper Mill Playhouse and WPLJ-95.5FM will be hosting contests throughout the day including: Jersey's Biggest Hair Contest, 60's Costume Contest, Hula Hoop Contest, 60's Dance Off, 60's trivia and more. So dust off the Jackie Kennedy wear and pull out the hairspray and show your 1960's spirit. Contests are open to children and adults. Hairspray's Blowout Bash will take place on Main Street and Taylor Park in Downtown Millburn on Sunday, September 19th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Hairspray's Blowout Bash will feature: rides, games, entertainment, contests, give-a-ways, food, a special appearance from members of the Hairspray cast and more. Hairspray's Blowout Bash is a rain or shine event. MORE ON HAIRSPRAY Paper Mill Playhouse recently announced casting for Hairspray. Directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Michele Lynch, Hairspray will run at the Millburn theatre from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Family Week is September 22 through September 26 and during this period children's tickets are half off the regular price (certain restrictions apply). Hairspray is proudly sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of Paper Mill Playhouse. Hairspray will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:00PM, Thursdays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM, Fridays at 7:00PM, Saturdays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM and Sundays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM. (Extended week has an alternate schedule. Check Paper Mill Playhouse's website for more information on the extension.) Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $25 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at Paper Mill Playhouse's brand new website: www.papermill.org. Paper Mill Playhouse gift cards, available in any denomination, can be purchased at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount or more on tickets and should call 973-379-3636, extension 2438.

To promote the upcoming opening of their newest production, Hairspray, Paper Mill Playhouse recently orgnized a flash mob at Jersey Gardens Mall. Check out the video below of hundred joining in for 'You Can't Stop the Beat.'