Playbill News

Director Shawn Mortensen believes there is a reason why the line at Disneyland's Peter Pan attraction is typically an hour or more long.

Media personality and technology maven Shefik (http:shefik.info) has once again been named an official judge for the 4th Annual Shorty Social Good Awards (https:shortyawards.comsocialgood), where he will serve alongside a panel of esteemed judges. This is the second consecutive year that Shefik has been named a judge for the competition. Previous winners include Focus Features, IBM Originals, MTV, National Geographic Partners, Mattel, and MGM Resorts.

On this day in 2013, the hit play Buyer And Cellar opened at the Barrow Street Theatre, starring television and film star, Michael Urie!

The tragicomedy Imminently Yours buoys some historically heavy subject matter with a contemporary lift, giving voice to the experience of multiple generations of African-Americans who thrive in a contradictory space where secrecy and support are both critical to survival.

Just shy of a century after her sold out Broadway run was branded an 'obscene, indecent, immoral and impure drama' by a New York grand jury, Mae West's Sex gets a rousing production at the Shaw Festival. Directed by Peter Hinton-Davis, this powerful melodrama begins in Montreal's red light district of the 1920s, then shifts locations to Trinidad and New York City. Overflowing with trademark Mae West one-liners, and with its frank sexuality heightened by Hinton-Davis's gender-bent casting, Sex begins previews at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre on June 21st.

Inspired by Common's 1994 'I Used to Love H.E.R.', director and playwright Goldie E. Patrick has brought together a dynamic cast of five to tell the story of the role of women in Hip Hop. What unfolds is a love letter to HER and to all women who have shaped and influenced Hip Hop.

BroadwayWorld is bringing you the inside scoop on this year's Jimmy Awards with student blogger Samuel Aubuchon- a nominee from Kansas City Starlight Theatre's Blue Star Awards. Earlier this year, he won the title of Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Terry Connor in Blue Springs High School's Side Show. Read Samuel's first entry below!

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, which makes its triumphant return to the Short North Stage's Garden Theatre (1187 N. High Street in downtown Columbus) this June, is a musical that thrives in its awkward pauses. It is one-part comedy, two parts heartbreaking exposition of a soul-bearing torment, blended together with a pulsating rock soundtrack.

Newly anointed Tony winner Andre De Shields capped off the theater award season by receiving the 2019 Richard Seff Award at Equity's Eastern Regional Board meeting on June 11th at Equity's office in New York.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, is proud to announce it has received a $20,000 award from The Shubert Foundation. The Shubert Foundation has awarded a record total of $30 million to 533 not-for-profit performing arts organizations across the United States since its inception. This marks the 38th consecutive year that the Foundation has increased its giving, including an additional $5,000 to Peninsula Players.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Victoria Beaudoin and Joe Cook, rising stars of theatre and television, team up for their Feinstein's/54 Below debut in The New York State of Mind Chronicles.

Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) will open the final production in the theatre company's 30th season, Disney's Freaky Friday, The Musical, on Friday, June 14, at The Herberger Theater Center. The show will run through June 30. Tickets are available for purchase at www.vyt.com or by calling (602) 252-8497.

After taking London's West End by storm, comedy thriller The Ladykillers makes its North American premiere under the direction of Artistic Director Tim Carroll. The Shaw Festival's production of Graham Linehan's stage adaptation - based on one of the best-loved British films of all time - begins previews tomorrow at the Festival Theatre.

On last night's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Nathan Lane stopped by to do a dramatic reading of  the more mundane parts of the Playbill for his show 'Gary: A Sequel To Titus Andronicus.'

Dying City explores the human fallout of global events, including the Iraq War and the terrorist attacks of 9/11, through the interwoven stories of three unforgettable characters in this 2008 Pulitzer finalist. Let's see what the critics had to say.

The nonprofit East Lynne Theater Company cannot survive and thrive without the active participation of the Board of Trustees, Volunteers, and Partnerships with Businesses and other Nonprofits. The award-winning Equity professional company honors and respects such involvement.

A stunning, visionary, and thought-provoking production of Jason Robert Brown's Drama Desk Award-winning musical, The Last 5 Years, is now delighting audiences at Syracuse Stage. The production is directed by none other than Jason Alexander, who is, of course, best known for his role in the television series Seinfeld. Alexander's vision results in a production that is refreshing, captivating, and brilliant. This production stands out from others because Alexander cast four actors rather than the traditional two. There is also the incomparable score by the brilliant Jason Robert Brown that is a delight to the ears.

BroadwayWorld has teamed up with renowned caricature artist Ken Fallin, a life-long theater enthusiast, who has drawn many Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Below, check out his latest illustration, featuring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.

Now entering its 28th year, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP), a program described by Playbill as "The world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students" announces additional award-winning, highly-accomplished visiting faculty for the 2019 summer intensive.