Paul Gordon News

Members of the public are invited to attend free readings of two new plays-in-development at Rubicon Theatre Company on June 8, 9 and 15 as part of Rubicon's continuing Plays-in-Progress series. A new psychological thriller, Edgar Allen Poe's Flawless Murder by Gary W. Marion will be read Saturday, June 8 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m., co-produced with Michael Jackowitz and Witz-End Productions. Mary Marie, a new family musical with book by Chana Wise and music by composer Carl Johnson will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m. (in association with the Academy of New Musical Theatre in North Hollywood).

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, has announced the appointment of Leslie Martinson, previously Casting Director/Associate Artist and director of many hit TheatreWorks productions, to the position of Associate Artistic Director. Martinson has served as a director and administrator at TheatreWorks since 1984

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, announces Jodye Friedman's appointment as TheatreWorks' new Director of Advancement. Having previously served as Director of Advancement for Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco, Ms. Friedman has over 20 years of development and strategic fundraising experience, with positions in the arts and culture communities at One World Theatre in Austin, Texas and the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.

When you're a cabaret reviewer on the evening show prowl between Monday night and Saturday evening (although not every night, thank goodness), you'd like to think that the God of Cabaret would make Sunday a day of rest. No such luck, since the weekend allows clubs to book shows as early as brunch time. I learned this again early this month when I felt compelled to attend three shows starring charming female singers-Corinna Sowers-Adler at Stage 72 (the Triad), Eva Kantor at the Laurie Beechman, and Lianne Marie Dobbs at the Metropolitan Room. I didn't break my personal Sunday record of four shows in one day set in late January (yes, I should be committed), but there was a two-hour break in this mix so it still turned out to be an 8-hour cabaret extravaganza. (Thank you, oh God of Cabaret, for press comps!) While it would have been sweet for the musical marathon to have been a clean sweep of excellent shows, as Meat Loaf might croon, 'Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad.'

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series have announced the next three offerings: Analog & Vinyl, License to Marry and MR. Confidential.

Paul Gordon has a distinctive style that has made musicals like "Emma," "Daddy Long Legs," and "Jane Eyre" successful in their smaller regional and short Broadway runs. The composer-lyricist refuses to follow the typical Broadway musical formula and instead uses his music to tell the story. But that style has also made Gordon's shows an acquired taste. Gordon's latest musical, a new take on Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," continues in this line, providing memorable tunes repeated throughout, but never quite gaining its full momentum and suffering from a relaxed, unfinished feeling.

TheatreWorks presents BEING EARNEST, the 'Wilde' new musical from Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist Paul Gordon (TheatreWorks' hits Emma, Daddy Long Legs, and Broadway's Jane Eyre) and Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer Jay Gruska. A hit at TheatreWorks' 2012 New Works Festival, this lively and lyrical adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest resets Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece in 1965 London's swingin' Carnaby Street. BEING EARNEST, helmed by TheatreWorks Artistic Director Robert Kelley, plays at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts April 3 - 28, 2013 (press opening April 6). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents BEING EARNEST, the 'Wilde' new musical from Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist Paul Gordon (TheatreWorks' hits Emma, Daddy Long Legs, and Broadway's Jane Eyre) and Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer Jay Gruska. A hit at TheatreWorks' 2012 New Works Festival, this lively and lyrical adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest resets Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece in 1965 London's swingin' Carnaby Street. BEING EARNEST, helmed by TheatreWorks Artistic Director Robert Kelley, plays at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts tonight, April 3 - 28, 2013 (press opening April 6). Scroll down for a look at the cast!

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents BEING EARNEST, the 'Wilde' new musical from Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist Paul Gordon (TheatreWorks' hits Emma, Daddy Long Legs, and Broadway's Jane Eyre) and Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer Jay Gruska. A hit at TheatreWorks' 2012 New Works Festival, this lively and lyrical adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest resets Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece in 1965 London's swingin' Carnaby Street. BEING EARNEST, helmed by TheatreWorks Artistic Director Robert Kelley, plays at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts April 3 - 28, 2013 (press opening April 6). Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

An audience of theatre enthusiasts waited in anticipation at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts last night, when Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Managing Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, unveiled the thrilling line-up for its 2013-2014 season. Opening with a groundbreaking World Premiere developed at last season's New Works Festival, the line-up will also give Bay Area audiences their first look at a Broadway hit by playwright Jon Robin Baitz (The Substance of Fire, A Fair Country, Three Hotels); an Off-Broadway smash by Kenneth Lin (Fallow, Po Boy Tango); and a historical drama from Lauren Gunderson (Exit, Pursued by a Bear). Also announced is an enchanting musical journey told through little-known Stephen Sondheim gems.

Libra Theater Company presents Songs You Should Know, A Concert of New Music from Great Writers, including new and rarely performed songs. Hosted by John Early, the concert is set for tonight, February 11th, 2013 at 9:30 pm (Doors open at 9:00 pm) at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street.

BroadwayWorld.com noticed something today as we scoured Facebook and it's something that we really liked, so we wanted to share it with you because it's not so often that you find such generosity for actors. This weekend, all roads lead to St. Louis as actors are headed there from all over the country to audition for the Muny's summer production of LES MISERABLES directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and with music direction by Kevin Stites.

Libra Theater Company presents Songs You Should Know, A Concert of New Music from Great Writers, including new and rarely performed songs. Hosted by John Early, the concert is set for Monday, February 11th, 2013 at 9:30 pm (Doors open at 9:00 pm) at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street.

Libra Theater Company will present a second installment of Songs You Should Know, a concert of new and rarely performed songs by some of today's most exciting music theater writers.

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

San Jose Rep welcomes a cast of undeniable talent to the stage for the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal, directed by David Ira Goldstein and co-produced with the Arizona Theatre Company.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents World Premiere BEING EARNEST, a new musical take on Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece from Paul Gordon (TheatreWorks' hits Emma, Daddy Long Legs, and Broadway's Jane Eyre) and Grammy and Emmy-nominated songwriter Jay Gruska. Set in 1964 London, this lively and lyrical adaptation moves The Importance of Being Earnest to a bachelor flat near Carnaby Street, where the exuberance of mod fashion, music, and morality inspires a quartet of lovers and incurs the wrath of Lady Bracknell, the cantankerous keeper of tradition's flame.

Anneliese Van Der Pol will star in the title role in Jane Austen's EMMA at the Arizona Theatre Company. Performances begin tonight, December 31 and run through January 20, 2013.

Anneliese van der Pol will star in the title role in Jane Austen's EMMA at the Arizona Theatre Company. Performances begin December 31 and run through January 20, 2013.

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.