Phil Santora News

Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon is one of those rare musical theater creators who, like Lin-Manuel Miranda, can write the whole show a?" book, music and lyrics. Gordon's latest work is the musical a?oePride and Prejudicea?? soon to start its world premiere run at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. He has formed a close relationship with the company over the years, including hit productions of his shows a?oeJane Eyre,a?? a?oeEmma,a?? a?oeBeing Earnest,a?? and a?oeDaddy Long Legs.a?? Interestingly, Gordon initially found success as a composer of pop music writing for, and collaborating with, numerous recording artists, including Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Alanis Morissette, Smokey Robinson and Dionne Warwick. An abiding love for musical theater led to a fortuitous meeting with esteemed director John Caird that opened up a whole new career for Gordon. BroadwayWorld caught up with him while he was still in the thick of the rehearsal process for his new show, which can be a very stressful time. In conversation, Gordon appeared surprisingly calm as he chatted about the development of a?oePride and Prejudicea?? and his plans to build new audiences for musical theater.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, recipient of the 2019 Tony Award for Regional Theatre, has announced the appointment of Tim Bond as its new Artistic Director. Bond will join the company officially in March 2020, stepping in as Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley winds down his 50th and final season at the helm of the theatre he created, ending one of the longest tenures in American theatre. Kelley previously announced his retirement at the conclusion of the company's current season in June 2020. Said Bond upon accepting the appointment, a?oeI am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue Robert Kelley's great work, and to lead this spirited company into its next exciting phase.a??

Stars of stage and screen, playwrights, composers, and supporters of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley came together Saturday, November 2, 2019 to celebrate the acclaimed regional theatre at And the Tony Award Goes To…Celebrating TheatreWorks at 50, a once-in-a-lifetime event honoring the company's half-century and its 2019 Regional Theatre Tony® Award. Some 480 guests attended this extraordinary event which raised nearly $800,000 for TheatreWorks marking it the most attended and most successful fundraiser in the company's history. Guests appropriately gathered in the heart of Silicon Valley at Mountain View's Computer History Museum for cocktails, dinner, and a lively auction, then proceeded to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, where a stellar array of TheatreWorks alumni returned to pay tribute to its history through words and music.

Stars of stage and screen, playwrights, composers, and supporters of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley came together Saturday, November 2, 2019 to celebrate the acclaimed regional theatre at And the Tony Award Goes To...Celebrating TheatreWorks at 50, a once-in-a-lifetime event honoring the company's half-century and its 2019 Regional Theatre Tony® Award.

BWW's Linda Hodges talks with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's founding artistic director Robert Kelley about winning the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award!

Last night, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley received the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award at the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, hosted by James Corden and featuring a galaxy of stage and screen stars, including Tina Fey, Laura Linney, Bryan Cranston, Adam Driver, Audra McDonald and hundreds of other famed performers, directors, playwrights and designers. Broadway star Danny Burstein (also a TheatreWorks alumnus) welcomed to the stage TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley, Executive Director Phil Santora, and TheatreWorks's Trustee Chair Judy Heyboer, where they accepted the nation's highest recognition for a regional theatre.

Last night, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley received the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award at the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, hosted by James Corden and featuring a galaxy of stage and screen stars, including Tina Fey, Laura Linney, Bryan Cranston, Adam Driver, Audra McDonald and hundreds of other famed performers, directors, playwrights and designers. Broadway star Danny Burstein (also a TheatreWorks alumnus) welcomed to the stage TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley, Executive Director Phil Santora, and TheatreWorks's Trustee Chair Judy Heyboer, where they accepted the nation's highest recognition for a regional theatre.

The big day is finally here! The stars are shining on the Tony Awards red carpet, and BroadwayWorld's got a first look - check out the first batch of arrivals below, including Camille A. Brown, Robert Horn, and more!

Tony season has arrived! The nominations for the biggest Broadway awards ceremony were announced earlier this week on Tuesday, April 30. Leading the pack was Hadestown with 14 nominations. Check out the full list here!

The Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced that based on the recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will be the recipient of the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The honor is accompanied by a grant of $25,000, made possible by City National Bank's generous support of the Creative Arts Awards.

This April, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley invites guests to crack open The Legendary Vault, a secret place where magical treasures are stored and thrilling moments of theatre live on, at its annual spring party. Established in Palo Alto in 1970, TheatreWorks has grown over the past 49 years into one of the largest theatre companies in the Bay Area, and one of the nation's leading producers of new works. At this enchanted event, guests will sample delectable food and drink, shop for rare items and experiences, bid on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and enjoy roof-raising musical performances. Proceeds from the one-night-only experience will benefit TheatreWorks's continued mission to bring the arts to Bay Area audiences. For tickets ($185-$350 for individuals and $3,000 to $5,000 for VIP lounges) and more information the public may visit https://theatreworks.org/special-events/spring-party/ or call (650) 463-7112.

Theatre enthusiasts packed the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts last night to hear Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Executive Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reveal the lineup for the company's 50th season, which launches this summer. Kelley's 50th and final season as Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley includes triumphant returns of TheatreWorks favorites, bold premieres developed at the company's annual New Works Festival, and celebrated works from the nation's leading playwrights.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre announces the line-up of directors for their 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The Festival events will kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30!, a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley kicked off its 2018/19 season with Hold These Truths by Jeanne Sakata, an inspiring true story following Gordon Hirabayashi, a Japanese-American student who fought internment to a relocation camp during World War II. This Northern California premiere celebrates the human spirit as it chronicles Hirabayashi's journey from college in Seattle all the way to the Supreme Court, and eventually to a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Directed by Lisa Rothe, with Joel de la Fuente starring as Hirabayashi, Hold These Truths shares the story of a young man who passionately defends his Constitutional rights against an unexpected adversary: his own country. After a gala opening on July 15, the show continues through August 5, 2018 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce the line-up of new musicals for their 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The Festival events will kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30!, a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

This May, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is signaling all superheroes and rallying supervillains to take a one-night trip to Gothamopolis in TheatreWorks' annual spring party, One SUPER Party. For this lighthearted event, TheatreWorks' rehearsal space will transform into the city every comic book needs, Gothamopolis, offering the finest treats of the city, an opportunity to bid for treasures at the unequaled boutiques, and grab once-in-a-lifetime adventures at the auction house.

Theatre enthusiasts packed the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts tonight to hear Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Executive Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reveal the lineup for the company's 49th season, which launches this summer. Among the exhilarating works announced were: the World Premiere of a new piece by Hershey Felder on Claude Debussy, an acclaimed Tony-winning musical, a thrilling political prizefight, and an array of Regional Premieres that include a hit comedy that sends up suburban values, a gospel/rhythm & blues musical developed at TheatreWorks, a heart-stirring musical for the holidays, a comic drama about one of the key historical events in the last century, a searing look at an unsung American hero, plus the return of the grown-up holiday hit The Santaland Diaries. For more information or to purchase subscriptions ($143 - $583) the public can call 650-463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org. Subscriptions are on sale now; single tickets will go on sale in spring 2018. Special pricing is available for seniors (65+), educators, and patrons 35 and under.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its mission of developing new works in the Bay Area with the World Premiere of The Prince of Egypt, a soaring celebration of the human spirit and one of the greatest stories ever told: the saga of Moses, his Pharaoh brother Ramses, and the indomitable people who changed them both forever. The production runs now through November 5, 2017 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its mission of developing new works in the Bay Area with the World Premiere of The Prince of Egypt, a soaring celebration of the human spirit and one of the greatest stories ever told: the saga of Moses, his Pharaoh brother Ramses, and the indomitable people who changed them both forever.

Ending one of the longest tenures in American theatre, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announced today that Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley will retire at the conclusion of the company's 50th season, 2019/2020.