Nell Benjamin News

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces single tickets on sale July 31, 2018 for the full 2018/19 season.

Dave, new musical, is now on stage at Arena Stage. By three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray, The Producers), two-time Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde) and Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, IfThen), Dave is inspired by the Academy Award-nominated American political comedy film. The world-premiere engagement is produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, The Donners' Company and Larger Than Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Tina Landau, and with choreography by Tony Award nominee Sam Pinkleton and music direction by Rob Berman, Dave runs July 13-August 19, 2018 in the Kreeger Theater.

The Plastics reign yet again! The award-winning hit new Broadway musical comedy Mean Girls, produced by Lorne Michaels, Stuart Thompson, Sonia Friedman, and Paramount Pictures, has broken the August Wilson Theatre box office record for the fifth time, grossing $1,595,340.30 over eight performances for the week ending July 29, 2018.

'Dave' is a really fun show with a strong cast. It's just the right kind of show we need in DC right now. While questions might emerge as to whether it can play elsewhere, I would suggest that no matter where you live, you may be eager to immerse yourself in a world of political optimism for a few hours.

From a Tony and Pulitzer Prize award-winning creative team comes the world-premiere musical comedy DAVE, adapted from the Oscar-nominated film. DAVE tells the story ofhigh school teacher (and presidential lookalike) DAVE Kovic, who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the Commander-in-Chief. When the President falls ill under less than 'presidential' circumstances, DAVE is thrust into the Oval Office to avoid a national scandal, and must find a way to gain the trust and love of the American people...and the First Lady. Subscription packages, including DAVE, are currently available. Single tickets for DAVE go on sale March 28, 2018. Patrons may call the Arena Stage Sales Office at 202-488-3300or visit arenastage.org. DAVE runs July 13-August 19, 2018. For complete 2018/19 Season details, visit: arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/index-18-19.shtml.

Arena Stage presents the world premiere of the new musical Dave. By three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray, The Producers), two-time Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde) and Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then), Dave is inspired by the Academy Award-nominated American political comedy film. The show celebrated its opening night this week, check out the stars celebrating below!

Arena Stage presents the new musical Dave, get a first look below!

Today's subject Rob Berman is currently living his Theatre Life as the Musical Director for the world premiere of Dave at Arena Stage. The production, based on the 1993 film and directed by Tina Landau, runs through August 19th in Arena Stage's Kreeger Theatre space.

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 34th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, kicks off the summer with 'Legally Blonde,' the effervescent and wildly upbeat musical based on the popular 2001 film comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, July 5 and 12. There is no show on Friday, July 13.

LEGALLY BLONDE, the 2007 feel good musical is strutting its stuff on the open air stage of the Pinewood Bowl in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

The first five preview performances of the world-premiere musical Dave have been cancelled due to actor illness; preview performances will now begin on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Today, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE (EST) (William Carden, Artistic Director, Sarah McLellan, Executive Director) is proud to announce its 50th Anniversary season. The season will commence in October 2018 with the world premiere of TRAVISVILLE a new play by William Jackson Harper ("The Good Place") and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III (The Hip-Hop Project). This marks the playwriting debut of Harper, who has been developing the piece with EST over the past 8 years.

Eight outstanding educators from schools and performing arts centers around the U.S. will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 9th Annual FREDDIE G FELLOWSHIP July 11th - 14th. The event has once again been underwritten by Myrna and Freddie ("G") Gershon, Co-Chairman of the global theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI). The four days of classes and activities honor instructors and teachers who are working to make a difference for their students and communities through the process of staging musical theatre productions in their schools and educational theatre groups. In addition to the all-expense paid visit to New York, each of the teachers' schools receives $5,000 from Freddie and Myrna. The teachers are empowered to identify and select how their respective school's theatre program can best utilize the funds.

Nearly 30 students from seven different middle and high schools, plus two dogs, are having the time of their lives putting on this feel-good show.

New Village Arts Theatre is excited to announce its upcoming production of LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, with book by Heather Hatch, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, directed by NVA's Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner, with music direction by Tony Houck and choreography by Kyle Hawk.

The award-winning hit new Broadway musical Mean Girls has broken the August Wilson Theatre box office record for the third consecutive week, and fourth time overall. The musical grossed $1,592,304.50 for the week ending July 1, 2018.

The Blank Theatre in Hollywood is now accepting script submissions through July 30 for its 2018-2019 Living Room Series, which will begin in September.

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 34th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, kicks off the summer with 'Legally Blonde,' the effervescent and wildly upbeat musical based on the popular 2001 film comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars Today through Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, July 5 and 12. There is no show today, July 13.