Nell Benjamin News

Today's top stories: Six is headed to Broadway!

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sony Masterworks Broadway will release HALF TIME (ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING), with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and additional music by Marvin Hamlisch and Ester Dean tomorrow, August 2.  Produced by Scott M. Riesett (Ain't Too Proud, The Prom) and Matthew Sklar, the album features music from the Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin-written musical, which made its 2018 debut at Paper Mill Playhouse and tells the uplifting true story of ten New Jersey seniors with extraordinary dreams. 

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Goodspeed Musicals's Because of Winn Dixie. This touching tale based on the award-winning novel by Kate DiCamillo will run through September 5 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. Check out the new photos below!

Mean Girls has announced the actresses who will launch the First National Tour as 'The Plastics'.

Oh my God you guys! Elle Woods is holding court at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon and the jury finds her absolutely adorable! Star Kirby Lunn leads an excellent acting troop with stellar voices in the stage adaptation of the hit movie 'Legally Blonde' now playing through August 25.

Oak Cliff's award-winning multicultural and multidiscipline center for the arts, Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC), announces the 2019/2020 theatre series season. Under the direction of Founder and Executive Artistic Director Teresa Coleman Wash, the 26th season celebrates color, culture, and creativity embodying the diverse community of voices that are found in North Texas.

Broadway is coming to the big screen! Thirteen movie musicals are currently in development and are set to delight audiences in the coming months and years, from long-awaited movie adaptations to remakes and sequels of fan favorites. With such a variety to look forward to, we're getting you prepared by giving you a peek at each of the movies officially announced to receive the silver screen treatment! Take a peek at all the excitement, and be sure to check back in as even more are announced!

SHOWS: Sunday, July 21, 2 PM & 7 PM, Lancaster Festival Shows, Thursday, August 1, 7 PM, Friday, August 2, 7 PM, Saturday, August 3, 7 PM, Sunday, August 4, 2 PM. The box office opens one hours before show. ONLINE TICKET SALES: https://commerce.cashnet.com/oul-theatre 'A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, “LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical,” follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances - this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!' Book by Heather Hach, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. 'LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical' is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Not since Annie has a stray dog inspired such joyful noise! In a Southern town filled with lost souls, a new leash on life is just around the corner when a preacher and his daughter take in a mutt named Winn Dixie. The beloved, award-winning novel about a quirky community learning to get along now sings for the first time in this uplifting new musical.

There's an old saying from W.C. Fields that says 'Never work with animals or children'. This quote is often assumed to mean that a performer should avoid this, as children and animals can be quite unpredictable and/or unreliable. But based on what I saw on stage during Goodspeed Musicals' latest production of the new musical BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, I think W.C. Fields may have issued this warning because said animals and children just might steal the show right out from under you. In its second production of the season, Goodspeed has opted to mount a relatively new work and introduce audiences to the heartwarming story of two 'Strays', a girl and her dog, on the very same stage where another girl and her dog (ANNIE) premiered 43 years ago. The result? A touching musical that delivers an important message delivered by a strong cast led (yes, led) by an extremely loveable (and talented) canine.

Because of Winn Dixie is now open at Goodspeed Musicals ! What did the critics have to say? Read all the reviews!

The Blank Theatre in Hollywood will be accepting script submissions from July 25 through August 13 for its 2019-2020 Living Room Series, which begins its 29th season in September.

Prologue Theatre's 'The Explorers Club' is both immensely funny and immensely profound. The careful attention to detail and context pays off greatly, and the result is a wonderful experience for the audience.

The Argyle Theatre continues its 2nd season with the award-winning musical Legally Blonde with music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe, book by Heather Hach, based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. Performances began on July 11, 2019 for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, August 25, 2019 at The Argyle Theatre (34 West Main Street, Babylon, Long Island). Opening Night is Saturday evening, July 13, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Legally Blonde is presented through Music Theatre International.

Long Island's newest year-round professional theatrical venue, The Argyle Theatre (Mark and Dylan Perlman, Managing Partners; Evan Pappas, Artistic Director), continues its 2nd season with the award-winning musical Legally Blonde with music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe, book by Heather Hach, based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. Now in performance for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, August 25, 2019 at The Argyle Theatre(34 West Main Street, Babylon, Long Island). Opening Night is Saturday evening, July 13, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Legally Blonde is presented through Music Theatre International.

Hennepin Theatre welcomes the First National Tour of MEAN GIRLS-the record-breaking new musical comedy produced by Lorne Michaels, Stuart Thompson, Sonia Friedman, and Paramount Pictures based on the hit film-will be coming to historic Orpheum Theatre Tuesday, Oct. 1 to Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 as part of the 2018-2020 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin series. 

The Argyle Theatre continues its 2nd season with the award-winning musical Legally Blonde with music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe, book by Heather Hach, based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name.

Sony Masterworks Broadway will release HALF TIME (ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING) on August 2nd, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and additional music by Marvin Hamlisch and Ester Dean.

Eight outstanding educators from schools and performing arts centers around the U.S. will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 10th Annual FREDDIE G FELLOWSHIP July 10th - 13th.  The event is underwritten by Freddie ('G') Gershon, Co-Chairman of the global theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI), his wife Myrna and 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.

This cast has found where they belong! Mean Girls is well into their second year on Broadway and we're taking a look at the current class at North Shore High School. This cast has found where they belong! Mean Girls is well into their second year on Broadway and we're taking a look at the current class at North Shore High School.