Paolo Montalban News

The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to announce that it has received three Independent Reviewers of New England Award (IRNE) nominations in the large theatre category for its 2016 production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame including Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design, and Best Actor in a Musical. The IRNE Awards honor the best of the previous year's actors, directors, choreographers, designers and companies across the full spectrum of large, mid-size and fringe theater companies in Boston and New England.

Special invitational presentations of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF PRINCE JEN, a new musical based on the novel by Lloyd Alexander, are set for today (Monday) and tomorrow at MTC Studio 1 (311 West 41 Street).

Special invitational presentations of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF PRINCE JEN, a new musical based on the novel by Lloyd Alexander, are set for November 14th and 15th at MTC Studio 1 (311 West 41 Street). Music for THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF PRINCE JEN is by Daniel Green, with book & lyrics by Lezlie Wade. The presentations will be directed by Brian Hill.

Emily Goglia (TV's 'Grease Live!', Rent at La Mirada) will join nine other performers to help songwriter/pianist Brandon Sturiale celebrate the release of his album So Much More at the Beechman Theatre on Sunday night, Oct. 23rd at 7:30pm.

Wes Hart (West Side Story, Jersey Boys nat'l tour), Robby Haltiwanger (Ghost nat'l tour), and Marquis Johnson (Beauty and The Beast nat'l tour) will join previously announced singers Lored Allred ('The Voice'), Jessica Crouch (We Will Rock You nat'l tour), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Dionne Figgins (Motown), Desi Oakley (Les Miserables, Wicked), Sharone Sayegh (Mamma Mia!), and Ari Wilford (Once) in a celebration of songwriter/pianist Brandon Sturiale's new album So Much More.

Songwriter/pianist Brandon Sturiale will be joined onstage by Lored Allred ('The Voice'), Jessica Crouch (We Will Rock You nat'l tour), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Dionne Figgins (Motown), Desi Oakley (LES MISERABLES, Wicked), Sharone Sayegh (Mamma Mia!), Ari Wilford (Once), and more names soon to be announced, as he celebrates the release of his new album So Much More: The Songs of Brandon Sturiale.

Dallas Theater Center announced today complete details for the world premiere musical, Bella: An American Tall Tale with book, lyrics and music by Kirsten Childs (FLY). Directed by Robert O'Hara, Bella: An American Tall Tale will begin with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Thursday, Sept. 22 and will run through Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre.

The Ogunquit Playhouse in southern Maine has been setting the bar higher and higher with each new production under Bradford T. Kenney, artistic director. What used to be a quintessential ocean-side summer stock house now operates from May through November, often mounting New England, and occasionally national, regional premieres. Its current musical, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, is the company's most ambitious venture yet. Adapted from the 1996 Disney animated film which was based on the classic Victor Hugo novel "Notre Dame de Paris," the Ogunquit production boasts a towering vaulted set design, a 21-member cast of Broadway veterans, and a tremendous 32-member choir. This HUNCHBACK delivers soaring vocals as big as its epic themes.

With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by James Lapine, the stage version of Disney's 1996 animated musical THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, based onVictor Hugo's 1831 novel, premiered in Berlin. The 1999 production, performed in German, enjoyed a three-year run.

The Ogunquit Playhouse presents the New England premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, on stage now to August 6, making The Playhouse one of the first regional theaters in the U.S. to stage this new musical. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

Ogunquit Playhouse's third season offering is an epic production of the Alan Menken-Stephen Schwartz- Peter Parnell musical version of Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This is only the third regional production of this adaptation of Hugo's 19th century novel set in 15th century Paris and represents another major step in the development process which will likely eventually bring this show to Broadway.

The Ogunquit Playhouse presents the New England premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, on stage now to August 6, making The Playhouse one of the first regional theaters in the U.S. to stage this new musical. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Ogunquit Playhouse will present the New England premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, on stage from tonight, July 13, to August 6, making The Playhouse one of the first regional theaters in the U.S. to stage this new musical.

Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken's stage version of the 1996 Disney animated musical is expected to be generally available for regional productions next year.

The Ogunquit Playhouse will present the New England premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, on stage from July 13 to August 6, making the Playhouse one of the first regional theaters in the U.S. to stage this new musical.

Could the recently reworked version of Meredith Willson musical THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN soon land on Broadway?

Under the direction of Lee Blakeley at Lyric Opera (who originally staged this production for Paris's Theatre du Chatelet in 2014), Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical THE KING AND I is heightened to the lavish and beautiful spectacle it deserves. This story of British school teacher Anna Leonowens who arrives in Siam to instruct the many children of the King has moments of sweeping grandiosity but also many of emotional intimacy-the Lyric's production makes the full emotional arc a delight to watch. Visually, the creative team captures every inch of the musical's opulence. Sue Blane's costume designs are breathtakingly elaborate and incorporate an inspiring display of color; Anna's magnificent hoop skirts are definitely a highlight. Jean-March Puissant's set design also captures the grandiosity of a royal palace with many intricate details, while also giving the performers the space they need to execute Peggy Hickey's choreography, and Rick Fisher's lighting adds to the decadent atmosphere.

Today's big news: Broadway's best gather for tonight's 2016 New York Pops Gala, this year's August Wilson Monologue Competition is this evening, and the cast of WAITRESS hits the recording studio, so stay tuned for coverage!

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway starsKate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Lyric Opera's The King and I runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30), with 25 performances at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $29 and are available at lyricopera.org/king or at 312-827-5600. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

Audio of a performance of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 'The King and I', starring Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban, will be broadcast on WFMT on Sunday 1 May, 7:00pm (CDT). Listen online here: http://www.wfmt.com/listen/