Rachel Sheinkin News

If you have fond memories of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House books or the popular 1970's TV series, steer clear of the Canon Theatre because your expectations sure to be foiled. The same applies if you are a musical theatre fan out to see this new musical adapted from the novels. Despite a few fine performances the show as a whole just does not work. * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

Talk about quirkiness and how it can be used to its best advantage in a musical! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is terribly funny in a rather intelligent and offbeat manner with prize worthy characterizations of lively eclectic people. It may be a tad too long like the actual spelling out of words (that are not to be believed!)opening segment - loved the audience involvement, though! Nevertheless, the unpredictability in denouement is another plus.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of MR. & MRS. FITCH, a new comedy from Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Xanadu) starring Tony Award winners John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle.

Red Branch Theatre Company is pleased to announce upcoming auditions for their 2010 season. In residence at The Drama Learning Center, Red Branch Theatre Company strives to bring quality theatre to the Baltimore/Washington area, through main stage productions and children's theatre.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are t-h-r-i-l-l-e-d to present the third production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, the Tony Award-winning musical THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, choreography by DJ Gray, musical direction by David O and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Snap-Two Productions, Inc. will present the World Premiere of Signs of Life a new musical, with book by Peter Ullian, lyrics by Len Schiff, music by Joel Derfner, music direction by Michael Pettry, and directed by Jeremy Dobrish.

THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin will play on March 4, 5, and 6 and 7:30 pm and on March 7 and 2:00 pm.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are t-h-r-i-l-l-e-d to present the third production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, the Tony Award-winning musical THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, choreography by DJ Gray, musical direction by David O and directed by Jeff Maynard.

The competition continues another week in Sarasota due to popular demand! After a successful ten week run, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Music and lyrics by William Finn; Book by Rachel Sheinkin; Conceived by Rebecca Feldman; Additional material by Jay Reiss) will extend for an eleventh week at Florida Studio Theatre's Keating Theatre, January 26 to January 29, 2010.

The Olde Towne Dinner Theatre has announced its lineup of productions for the 2010-2011 season.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE has remained one of the most beloved celebrations of pioneer life since the appearance of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic books 70 years ago. Now the inspirational stories take on a new frontier in an uplifting new musical. Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura in the much-loved television series, continues her legacy, starring as 'Ma'. Families will continue to fall in love with these life-affirming stories of struggle and triumph and the celebration of the pioneer spirit - a spirit that still resonates within each of us today.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of MR. & MRS. FITCH, a new comedy from Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Xanadu) starring Tony Award winners John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle.

Second Stage Theatre has announced that Tony Award winners John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle will star as MR. & MRS. FITCH in the world premiere comedy from Douglas Carter Beane. The production marks Mr. Beane's return to Second Stage Theatre where his critically acclaimed, Tony-nominated play The Little Dog Laughed premiered in 2005. MR. & MRS. FITCH will be directed by Scott Ellis, who also staged the world premiere and Broadway transfer of The Little Dog Laughed. Previews begin at Second Stage Theatre on January 26, 2010; opening night is scheduled for Thursday, February 22.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of MR. & MRS. FITCH, a new comedy from Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Xanadu) starring Tony Award winners John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Snap-Two Productions, Inc. will present the World Premiere of Signs of Life a new musical, with book by Peter Ullian, lyrics by Len Schiff, music by Joel Derfner, music direction by Michael Pettry, and directed by Jeremy Dobrish.

Little House on the Prairie, The Musical, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, will take the stage March 23 - 28, 2010 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

The competition will continue well into the New Year at Florida Studio Theatre due to popular demand!

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of MR. & MRS. FITCH, a new comedy from Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Xanadu) starring Tony Award winners John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle.