Oscar Hammerstein II News

Executive Director Walter Stearns announced today that he will launch a subscription series at the Mercury Theater including four full productions, which will transform the Mercury into the largest producer of musicals in the city of Chicago; employing almost one hundred theater professionals. Plans are to produce Rogers and Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING which features songs such as 'Oh What a Beautiful Mornin', 'Some Enchanted Evening' and 'If I Loved You' in January. In March, the Mercury will stage a revival of BARNUM, the Cy Coleman circus musical centered around legendary showman P.T. Barnum, complete with professional circus performers. August brings the regional premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE, the Broadway hit based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel and subsequent Steven Spielberg film. The season concludes with the return voyage of the popular holiday musical,THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. Single tickets are available for $29 and up, and 3 show subscription packages start as low as $80. Season packages and A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING tickets go on-sale November 16th.

DRG Records announces the release of the cast recording of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: ALIVE AND KICKING, The UN-Original Cast Album, produced by Hugh Fordin, andavailable on iTunes and in stores on November 27, 2012. The recording will be available for download for $9.99 on iTunes; individual tracks will be available for $.99 each. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: ALIVE AND KICKING, The UN-Original Cast Album, is also available for pre-order on amazon.com for $14.99.

New York City Center celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its Tony Award-winning Encores! series on November 12 with a Gala Benefit starring Raul Esparza and Kelli O'Hara, and featuring performers who have starred in Encores!productions over the past two decades. The evening raised $1.6 million to help fund City Center's artistic and education programs. Check out photos from the event below!

With rave reviews for Puccini's La boheme and Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers to its credit, Houston Grand Opera's season is up and running. Starting in January, the company offers productions of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Kern and Hammerstein's classic American musical Show Boat, which bring with them the company debuts of conductor Trevor Pinnock, bass Morris Robinson, baritone Adrian Erod, Broadway legend Tommy Tune, and more. They will be followed in March by HGO's original and highly acclaimed production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna / To Cross the Face of the Moon, a mariachi opera by Jose "Pepe" Martinez and Leonard Foglia. Tickets are on sale now and moving quickly for this winter repertory period, which accounts for 14 of the season's 44 performances, a 38 percent increase from an average of 32 performances in recent seasons. This increase, as well as HGO's 34 percent growth in subscription sales and more than $112 million fundraising effort over the last five years, clearly identifies HGO as today's most successful American opera company.

The new production of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S Cinderella will now open on Broadway on Sunday, February 24, 2013, with previews set to begin January 24. Originally scheduled to preview January 21 and open on February 21, the new preview/opening date results from a production schedule that was delayed as a result of Hurricane Sandy. RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S Cinderellawill perform at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd St.). The marquee just went up at the Broadway Theatre and you can check it out below!

New York City Center will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its Tony Award-winning Encores! series tonight, November 12 with a Gala Benefit starring Raul Esparza and Kelli O'Hara, and featuring performers who have starred in Encores! productions over the past two decades.

The Gardenia will present Broadway, television and film actress and singer, Neile Adams in "Wasn't It Good! Wasn't It Fine!," a musical celebration of her memories and the stages of her life. The 60-minute show will be presented at The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Boulevard (East of La Brea Avenue), West Hollywood, Calif., on Fridays and Saturdays, tonight, November 9 and November 10, 16 and 17, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.

Perseverance Theatre continues its 2012-2013 season with the Tony Award winning musical hit OKLAHOMA! with Music by Richard Rodgers, Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs with original dances by Agnes de Mille. Perseverance Theatre's production is produced in collaboration with Juneau Dance Unlimited. Directed by Shona Strauser, Musical Direction by Sally Smith, Choreography by Ricci Adan. OKLAHOMA! opens tonight, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through December 9 on the Perseverance Mainstage in Douglas.

The new production of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA will now open on Broadway on Sunday, February 24, 2013, with previews set to begin January 24. Originally scheduled to preview January 21 and open on February 21, the new preview/opening date results from a production schedule that was delayed as a result of Hurricane Sandy. RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA will perform at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd St.)

Columbia Stages presents JOAN OF ARC: VOICES IN THE FIRE, the 2012/13 MFA Actors' Thesis Production conceived and directed by Kristin Linklater and Rebecca Wright. JOAN OF ARC: VOICES IN THE FIRE will open at The Riverside Theatre tonight, November 8, 2012 and run through November 17.

Columbia Stages presents JOAN OF ARC: VOICES IN THE FIRE, the 2012/13 MFA Actors' Thesis Production conceived and directed by Kristin Linklater and Rebecca Wright. JOAN OF ARC: VOICES IN THE FIRE will open at The Riverside Theatre this Thursday, November 8, 2012 and run through November 17. Scroll down for photos of the cast in rehearsal!

BroadwayWorld.com, the premier theater news website in the United States, in the United Kingdom, and in more than 20 other countries, has expanded, updated, and is now ready for this year's BWW Awards that are conducted simultaneously across all local and international markets, including the Philippines.

Olney Theatre Center, the award-winning, year-round arts and entertainment destination, announces the opening of their upcoming production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical Cinderella. Cinderella runs on Olney Theatre Center's Mainstage from November 14 to December 30, 2012 with memorable songs such as "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," and "Ten Minutes Ago".

On December 14 and 15, 2012 at 8:00pm, The New York Pops will present an evening full of holiday cheer at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with Pink Martini: Joy to the World. Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke will lead the orchestra in a seasonal celebration featuring guest artists Pink Martini as they perform festive favorites from their album Joy to World.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents Mostly Rodgers & Hammerstein (with a little Hart and a little Sondheim) The Songs of Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Lorenz Hart & Stephen Sondheim. Hosted by Bruce Kimmel, the concert is set for tonight, November 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm.

Columbia Stages presents JOAN OF ARC: VOICES IN THE FIRE, the 2012/13 MFA Actors' Thesis Production conceived and directed by Kristin Linklater and Rebecca Wright. JOAN OF ARC: VOICES IN THE FIRE will open at The Riverside Theatre on Thursday, November 8, 2012 and run through November 17.

Perseverance Theatre continues its 2012-2013 season with the Tony Award winning musical hit OKLAHOMA! with Music by Richard Rodgers, Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs with original dances by Agnes de Mille. Perseverance Theatre's production is produced in collaboration with Juneau Dance Unlimited. Directed by Shona Strauser, Musical Direction by Sally Smith, Choreography by Ricci Adan. OKLAHOMA! opens Friday November 9 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through December 9 on the Perseverance Mainstage in Douglas.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's general director Anthony Freud announced today the principal casting and production team for the company premiere and new production of Oklahoma! to be presented in May.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has today confirmed their complete 2013 season. Pride and Prejudice will follow the previously announced production of To Kill a Mockingbird, whilst The Winter's Tale re-imagined for everyone aged six and over will be staged prior to The Sound of Music to complete the Open Air Theatre's 2013 summer season.

Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays tonight, October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.