Rhett Guter News

When looking for memorable images from America in the late 50's/early 60's, you are bound to find some old standards. Mom in the kitchen baking, Dad returning home from a long day at the office, children playing with their Slinky/Mr. Potato Head while drinking Tang, or the iconic footage of man walking on the moon for the first time. These images immediately place you firmly in an era where tradition crashed headlong into a world of new sights and sounds. And it is these images that brilliantly set the stage (and the mood) during the overture for Goodspeed Musicals' new production of the classic Adams/Strouse/Stewart musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE; and they signal the nostalgic, yet amazingly fresh romp the audience will experience for the next two hours.

Everyone will love this fun-filled musical, running now through September 4 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. The Official Press Opening will be tonight, July 13, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This weekend's big news: It's the 4th of July this holiday weekend, and HAMILTON's Christopher Jackson is among the lineup for PBS's A CAPITOL FOURTH, plus WAITRESS composer Sara Bareilles will perform on NBC's 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS!

Everyone will love this fun-filled musical, running now through September 4 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. The Official Press Opening will be July 13, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson. Ms. Thompson's new take on this youthful classic includes two new songs, 'BYE BYE BIRDIE' from the 1963 film and 'A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore' from the 1995 television presentation along with crisp new dance arrangements by accomplished composer of Broadway, film and television David Krane. Go inside Friday's night's first performance cast party - scroll down for photos!

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson.

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson. Ms. Thompson's new take on this youthful classic includes two new songs, 'BYE BYE BIRDIE' from the 1963 film and 'A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore' from the 1995 television presentation along with crisp new dance arrangements by accomplished composer of Broadway, film and television David Krane.  Check out a sneak peek below!

Griffin Theatre Company concludes its 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, with book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde, Heathers: The Musical), direction by Scott Weinstein, music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster and choreography by Rhett Guter. BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL will play June 4 - July 24, 2016 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.griffintheatre.com. The press opening is Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 3 pm.

The exuberant cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE will 'spread sunshine all over the place' in this summertime sensation directed by Jenn Thompson.

HAZELDrury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy HAZEL, A MUSICAL MAID IN AMERICA, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post cartoon by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. HAZEL features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. HAZEL opened this week and runs through May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre. BroadwayWorld has highlights from the show in the video below!

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post cartoon by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel through May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. BroadwayWorld was on hand for opening night - check out more photos below!

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post cartoon by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel through May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. BroadwayWorld was on hand for opening night - check out photos below!

Drury Lane Theatre kicks off the 2016 - 2017 Season with the world-premiere production of HAZEL, a musical maid in America.

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post comic strip by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel runs March 31 - May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Wednesday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m. Check out a first look below!

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post comic strip by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel runs March 31 - May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Wednesday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m.  Check out a look at the first day of rehearsal below!

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post comic strip by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel runs March 31 - May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Wednesday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m.

 Griffin Theatre Company has announced casting for the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, with book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde, Heathers: The Musical), direction by Scott Weinstein, music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster and choreography by Rhett Guter. 

Drury Lane Theatre kicks off the 2016 - 2017 Season with the world-premiere production of HAZEL, a musical maid in America. 

Drury Lane Theatre kicks off the 2016 - 2017 Season with the world-premiere production of HAZEL, a musical maid in America. BroadwayWorld is excited to confirm the full cast for the production!

On January 21, guests gathered at Drury Lane Theatre for the Opening Night of their newest production, Bye Bye Birdie, directed and choreographed by Tammy Mader. With a cast led by Michelle Aravena as Rosie, Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, and Jason Michael Evans as Conrad Birdie, audiences were treated to a throwback of the classic 1950's musical, brought to life again by this energetic and lively ensemble of 31. Check out photos from opening night, below!