Polly Baker News

The Ogunquit Playhouse, America's Foremost Summer Theatre, kicks off its 82nd season with Grease, the musical that Ogunquit audiences rated as the No. 1 show they wanted to see in 2014. It's the beloved rock n' roll celebration of teen angst, fast cars and first loves all set in the fabulous fifties. This all-new production is on stage May 21 to June 21 and features the irresistible songs from the Tony Award nominated Broadway show and hit movie, including 'You're The One That I Want,' 'Grease Is The Word,' 'Summer Nights,' 'Hopelessly Devoted To You,' 'Greased Lightnin' and many more.

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for Broadway. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.

Fresh from her triumph with last season's hit musical, Fiddler on the Roof, acclaimed director and choreographer Donna Feore returns for her 20th Festival season with an exciting new production of Crazy for You specially conceived for the Festival Theatre's thrust stage. The new Gershwin musical begins previews tonight, April 21, marking the first performance of the 2014 season.

Fresh from her triumph with last season's hit musical, Fiddler on the Roof, acclaimed director and choreographer Donna Feore returns for her 20th Festival season with an exciting new production of Crazy for You specially conceived for the Festival Theatre's thrust stage. The new Gershwin musical begins previews on Monday, April 21, marking the first performance of the 2014 season.

Crazy For You/book by Ken Ludwig/music & lyrics by George & Ira Gershwin/directed by Neil Dale/choreographed by Dustin Ceithamer/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through April 27

Olivier award-winning actor Ruthie Henshall is to join the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play Billy's dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson. Henshall's first performance will be 12 May 2014, nine years to the day sinceBilly Elliot the Musical officially opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre. The internationally celebrated show which has now been seen by over 9.5 million people worldwide is currently booking to 16 May 2015and features music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall. Stephen Daldry directs with choreography by Peter Darling.

After watching Crazy for You in New York City in 1992, Claudia Raia dreamed of one day producing this musical in Brazil. Two decades later, she finally makes her wish come true with an outstanding show at the Teatro Bradesco, São Paulo, directed by José Possi Neto, original choreography by Susan Stroman, and starring Jarbas Homem de Mello, who has been increasingly recognized as one of the most complete performers of musical theater in Brazil.

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra with Carl Topilow pays tribute to the musical genius of Marvin Hamlisch in a special concert at 8:00 p.m. tonight, February 21st in Severance Hall. The concert will feature three of the performers who worked with Hamlisch and knew him well. Broadway legends Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, along with POPS conductor Topilow, will share behind-the-scenes experiences and personal conversations they had with Marvin.

Chilina Kennedy has had to withdraw from the 2014 season for the happiest of reasons: she and her partner, Jacob James, are expecting a baby. She was to play Polly Baker in Crazy for You and Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, but she is now unable to undertake two such physically challenging roles. Ms Kennedy remains a valued member of the Festival family, and plans are underway to include her new concert as part of the 2014 Forum.

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra with Carl Topilow pays tribute to the musical genius of Marvin Hamlisch in a special concert at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21st in Severance Hall. The concert will feature three of the performers who worked with Hamlisch and knew him well. Broadway legends Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, along with POPS conductor Topilow, will share behind-the-scenes experiences and personal conversations they had with Marvin.

Classic Stage Company presents A MAN'S A MAN, directed by Brian Kulick and featuring a new score and new songs by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik. This production continues CSC's exploration of the works of Bertolt Brecht, which began in 2011 with the sold-out production of Galileo and was followed by last season's The Caucasian Chalk Circle (on which Kulick and Sheik also collaborated). The cast features Justin VivIan Bond(Widow Begbick) are Jason Babinsky (Polly Baker), Gibson Frazier (Galy Gay), Martin Moran (Uriah Shelley), Steven Skybell (Jesse Mahoney), Stephen Spinella (Bloody Five), Ching Valdes-Aran (Mr. Wang) and Allan K. Washington (Ensemble). The official opening night is Thursday, January 30. A MAN'S A MAN will play a limited engagement through February 16. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

This evening's performance of Classic Stage Company's production of Bertolt Brecht's A MAN'S A MAN has been cancelled due to an injury last night to cast member Bill Buell (Jeraiah Jip). Buell sustained a fractured ankle while off-stage early in the first act due to a mechanical malfunction involving a ballast weight for a garage door which is part of the show's set design. As there is no understudy for the role, the remainder of last evening's performance had to be cancelled as well as tonight's performance while a replacement actor is found. CSC hopes to resume performances tomorrow.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, has announced complete casting today for its upcoming new production of Bertolt Brecht's A MAN'S A MAN, which begins performances Friday, January 10 at CSC (136 East 13thStreet). A MAN'S A MAN will be directed by Brian Kulick and features a new score and new songs by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik. This production continues CSC's exploration of the works of Bertolt Brecht, which began in 2011 with the sold-out production of Galileoand was followed by last season's The Caucasian Chalk Circle (on which Kulick and Sheik also collaborated). Joining previously announcedJustin Vivian Bond (Widow Begbick) are Jason Babinsky (Polly Baker), Bill Buell (Jeraiah Jip), Gibson Frazier (Galy Gay), Martin Moran (Uriah Shelley), Steven Skybell (Jesse Mahoney), Stephen Spinella (Bloody Five), Ching Valdes-Aran (Mr. Wang) and Allan K. Washington (Ensemble). The official opening night is Thursday, January 30. A MAN'S A MAN will play a limited engagement through February 16.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, currently running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as 'Dolly Levi.' She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. BraodwayWorld has photos from opening night below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, currently running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as 'Dolly Levi.' She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. Ziemba also received Tony Award nominations for her roles in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains and the Drama Desk Award for And the World Goes 'Round, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Awards for both Never Gonna Dance and Curtains. She has starred in productions at The New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall for PBS' Great Performances, and NY City Center Encores. Other Broadway roles include 'Diana Morales' in A Chorus Line, 'Peggy Sawyer' in the original production of 42nd Street, 'Polly Baker' in Crazy for You, and 'Roxie Hart' in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, previewing October 17, opening tonight, October 24 at 8 p.m., and running through January 5, 2014.

Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, and the legendary Louise Gold headline a cast of West End leading ladies at the St. James Theatre, tonight September 7th 2013.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, previewing October 17, opening October 24 at 8 p.m., and running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as "Dolly Levi." She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. Ziemba also received Tony Award nominations for her roles in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains and the Drama Desk Award for And the World Goes 'Round, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Awards for both Never Gonna Dance and Curtains. She has starred in productions at The New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall for PBS' Great Performances, and NY City Center Encores. Other Broadway roles include "Diana Morales" in A Chorus Line, "Peggy Sawyer" in the original production of 42nd Street, "Polly Baker" in Crazy for You, and "Roxie Hart" in Chicago.

Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, and the legendary Louise Gold headline a cast of West End leading ladies at the St. James Theatre, Saturday September 7th 2013.

Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre's production of Crazy for You is a phenomenal evening of entertainment filled with fantastic tap-dancing and great Gershwin standards. The 1992 musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin and an updated book by Ken Ludwig was a perfect evening of entertainment in the incredibly talented hands (and tap dancing feet) of the Shenandoah Summer Music Theater company.