Peter Melnick News

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2009-2010 season with August Wilson's masterpiece and first Broadway success Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on May 21-June 13.

Andy Sandberg (Hair), in association with CATCO (Columbus, OH), will present a New York staged reading of the new musical The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), in anticipation of the world premiere in Ohio this fall.

Bill Russell directs Nick Cearley in 'still bill - lyrics and poems by Bill Russell' at the Canal Room, June 9th with special guests Alice Ripley and Lauren Molina.

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2009-2010 season with August Wilson's masterpiece and first Broadway success Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on May 21-June 13.

Rehearsals begin today, Monday, April 5 for the World Premiere production of PARADISE FOUND, a new musical under the combined direction of Theater legend and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince (the original productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Company, Follies, Evita) and 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy For You, Show Boat, The Producers, Contact). This is their first collaboration since the landmark, Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat. Following the New York rehearsal period, the production will open at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory with performances running May 19 through June 26.

For their inaugural season as a combined theatre organization, CATCO and The Phoenix Theatre for Children, in association with Andy Sandberg, will produce a world premiere musical, The Last Smoker in America, Sept. 29-Oct. 24, 2010, providing central Ohio theatre patrons the unique opportunity to be among the first to see this production before it heads to New York.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck. 'Red Hot Patriot' runs through April 18, 2010.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel.  Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck. 'Red Hot Patriot' runs March 19 - April 18, 2010.

As previously reported, Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna have decided to collaborate on their upcoming show efforts and will jointly star in All About Me. The New York Times has reported today that All About Me shall run at the Golden Theater. Previews will begin on February 19 with an official opening night of March 18.

The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age. Final performance is slated for February 14.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of RED HOT PATRIOT: THE KICK-ASS WIT OF MOLLY IVINS by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck. Red Hot Patriot runs March 19 - April 18, 2010.

Back by popular demand, Philadelphia Theatre Company will present Chicago's legendary comedy theatre THE SECOND CITY from July 13 - 25 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Dame Edna Everage and Michael Feinstein have welcomed Gregory Butler, Jodi Capeless, and Jon-Paul Mateo to their upcoming extravagant Broadway musical entertainment ALL ABOUT ME, directed by three time Tony Award-nominee Casey Nicholaw.

The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age on January 22 - February 14.

The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age on January 22 - February 14.

Rosemary Prinz, a veteran of Broadway and the CBS daytime drama As the World Turns, leads the cast in The Cleveland Play House production of Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play, Lost in Yonkers is a touching and hilarious coming of age story and a very eccentric family.

The passionate world of opera comes to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's world premiere of Terrence McNally's Golden Age on January 22 - February 14.

Rosemary Prinz, a veteran of Broadway and the CBS daytime drama As the World Turns, leads the cast in The Cleveland Play House production of Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play, Lost in Yonkers is a touching and hilarious coming of age story and a very eccentric family.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces that two-time Tony Award-nominee and film actress Kathleen Turner will star in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel.  Directed by award-winning director David Esbjornson, this one-woman play based on the writings of the late political journalist Molly Ivins will take the slot previously slated for Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck. 'Red Hot Patriot' runs March 19 - April 18, 2010.

The romance of Florence comes to life on stage as Philadelphia Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 season with the hit Broadway musical The Light in the Piazza with book by Craig Lucas and music and lyrics by Adam Guettel on November 13 - December 6. Directed by Joe Calarco, the ensemble cast features Whitney Bashor, Sherri Edelen, Joe Guzman, Ken Krugman, Kyra Miller, Fran Prisco, Matthew Scott, and Maureen Torsney-Weir.