Playbill News

Broadway producer Thomas Schumacher, a Tony Award-winner for The Lion King, will give young people a rare backstage pass to the theater with the publication of his first book, 'How Does The Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater,' to be released mid-November 2007 by Disney Publishing Worldwide.

I sat with Brian Stokes Mitchell on the lobby steps of Carnegie Hall, where one week from tonight, he will make his solo debut on the world's most famous stage with a 42-piece orchestra. Here's what he had to say...

The New York Musical Theater Festival presents Platforms, a new dance piece starring Deborah Yates and Ted Levy at The Theater at St. Clement's (423 W. 46th St btw 8th & 9th) on Thursday, October 4 at 9PM and Saturday, October 6 at 1PM. Tickets are $20 and available at www.nymf.org or 212-352-3101.

NEW THIS WEEK! Discounts! Audition Notices! TWO BEST BETS! News of the Baltimore Playwrights Group, RepStage, and Batboy in DC! PLUS FREE events at Spotlighters and CENTERSTAGE!

Tony Award ® Winner and Broadway legend, Betty Buckley, has become the first female artist signed to Playbill Records, a join-venture partnership with SONY BMG Masterworks Broadway. Buckley's first CD as a newly signed artist to Playbill is entitled Betty Buckley 1967 and will be released on October 16th, 2007.

In a stroke of good-timing for Broadway fans, Reba McEntire, who's new 'Reba Duets' album just hit #1 on the Billboard Charts, will be joining Brian Stokes Mitchell for his debut concert at Carnegie Hall on October 15. Click in for the scoop on what audiences can expect from this almost-sold out event!

The Boy in the Bathroom, a new musical with book & lyrics and directed by Michael Lluberes, music and additional lyrics by Joe Maloney, has added another NYMF performance to this fantastic musical's run. The remaining performances are Wednesday the September 26 at 4:30 PM; Friday September 28 at 4:30PM (ADDED SHOW); and Saturday September 29 at 8PM.

NYMF presents 'Like Love' opening tonight at TBG Theatre

Back Home: The War Brides Musical, part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), has sold out two of their seven shows. Performances will be at The Sage Theater (711 Seventh Avenue), and will begin on Monday, September 24, continuing through Sunday, September 30.

Should theatre patrons be told about a Broadway National Tour that features a non-equity cast?

The Actors Fund announced today that Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will take to the stage at Carnegie Hall for the very first time as a solo artist on October 15th, 2007.

Original Rent cast member Anthony Rapp and co-star Broadway actress Merle Dandridge, will sign autographs for fans today, Thursday August 30 at 3PM the world-famous wax museum Madame Tussauds (234 West 42nd Street).

Producers Greg Schaffert and Bud Martin hope to bring this swashbuckling new musical by George Stiles, Paul Leigh and Peter Raby to the Great White Way in the near future. Is the latest adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic tale of friendship, lust, heroism and intrigue, currently receiving its New England premiere at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts, truly one for all?

A newly revised production of the acclaimed musical 'Girl Gang' at The Atlantic Stage 2 begins previews September 22, opening September 24.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in association with Montsgo Project and Geranium Theatre will present The Boy in the Bathroom, a new musical with book and lyrics and directed by Michael Lluberes, music and additional lyrics by Joe Maloney

With Shakespeare firmly established as the centrepiece of the 2008 playbill, the Stratford Festival of Canada now announces two musicals and a Shaw classic.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Kritzerland, Inc. will present the New York premiere of The Brain from Planet X, a 1950's sci-fi spoof about alien invasion with book by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel and music, lyrics and direction by Kimmel.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Courthouse Repertory will present the world premiere of Love Sucks

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and From the Top Productions will present the New York premiere of Austentatious, featuring Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Broadway: Avenue Q, Off-Broadway: I Love You Because) in a musical comedy about a community theatre troupe staging a new production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and Bridge Club Productions will present The Angle of the Sun, a new musical by Rachel Lampert (book and lyrics) and Larry Pressgrove (music)