Playbill News

We're taking another deep dive into contractual language today, but with a really fun twist. We talk a lot about the creation process of new musicals, but what is it that allows ensemblists to create all those characters? Do they like doing it? How are they paid for the work they do? Is there some sort of blanket catchall term that allows this to happen?

Summertime is here, what with Memorial Day and all that it encompasses, and we can think of no better seasonal activity than taking in some local theater. No matter where you are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee theater companies are ready and willing to help transport you to a different world, another time and place where your life can be is transformed magically on a stage very near you!

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Show Biz After Hours With Frank DiLella with Andrew Rannells, James Lecesne, and Rachel Bay Jones; Tom Wopat at The Metropolitan Room; Kurt Weill on Broadway with Mary Testa and Friends; Victoria Cook at 54 Below; Women in the World of Sondheim: Katie Welsh and Emily Whitaker.

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 of the cast of PARAMOUR, including: Ruby Lewis, Andrew & Kevin Atherton, Ryan Vona, and Jeremy Kushnier?.

After any given performance of Bright Star, we typically have between 20-40 people waiting at the stage door for autographs. It's interesting to observe how differently the people in our cast (and casts everywhere) deal with greeting fans at the stage door. Over the years, I've isolated a few categories:

? Everyman Theatre is pleased to announce Noah Himmelstein as its first Associate Artistic Director. In this newly created position, Mr. Himmelstein will work closely with the creative team, shaping programming and expanding the organization's artistic reach in the region. Mr. Himmelstein's new role will officially begin on September 1, 2016.

Summertime is here, what with Memorial Day and all that it encompasses, and we can think of no better seasonal activity than taking in some local theater. No matter where you are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee theater companies are ready and willing to help transport you to a different world, another time and place where your life can be is transformed magically on a stage very near you!

Why do we believe what we believe? Can our beliefs change? What happens when those we love don't believe the same things we believe? How important is it to find a group of people that believe in the same things you do? These are just a few of the questions raised by Walking Shadow Theatre Company's excellent production of the thought-provoking play THE CHRISTIANS. In just 90 minutes or so, we witness the pastor of a hugely successful church lose everything because he preaches what he believes, which contradicts the teachings of the church, causing everyone in his life to reexamine their beliefs as well. And it just might have this same effect on the audience.

The Portland Area Musical Theatre Awards have announced this year's nominations! See the full list below. The ceremony will take place June 6 at 7pm at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts in the Winningstad Theatre.

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 of the 2015-16 Broadway season. Can you name all of the stars?

Tonight, Cirque du Soleil Theatrical celebrates the opening of Cirque du Soleil - PARAMOUR, the organization's first show created specifically for Broadway at Lyric Theatre.

?The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's 2016 season is underway, and includes ticket offers that are both flexible and affordable.

'Spring is here! Why doesn't my heart go dancing?' - or at least to the theater to be transported to a different world, another time and place where life is transformed and magic happens before your very eyes...

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 of Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in A Musical Tony nominees: Jessie Mueller (Waitress), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Phillipa Soo (Hamilton), Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), and Carmen Cusack (Bright Star).

21st century Renaissance man Mason Bates continues his series of high-powered classical/electronica hybrid music events

iTheatrics, the Junior Theater Group and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) will collaborate on the first-ever Junior Theater Festival West (JTF West), February 10-12, 2017 in Sacramento, CA (#JTFWest), it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group and Julie Theobald, EdTA Executive Director.  

Susan Hendrix is working hard to become self-reliant, having lost her sight fairly recently in a car wreck.  It's no easy task--but things are about to get a whole lot harder, as her apartment is invaded by some ruthless thieves, in Jeffrey Hatcher's adaptation of the Frederick Knott thriller Wait Until Dark, beginning its 5-week run at Stage West on Thursday, May 26. 

iTheatrics, the Junior Theater Group and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) will collaborate on the first-ever Junior Theater Festival West (JTF West), February 10-12, 2017 in Sacramento, CA (#JTFWest), it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group and Julie Theobald, EdTA Executive Director.  

Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.

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 of  Gabriel Byrne, Michael Shannon, Jessica Lange, and John Gallagher Jr.? in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT.