Richard Maltby News

Exceptional cast and direction close North Shore Music Theatre's 2013 season with a stunning production of 'Miss Saigon.'

Broadway has a lot to be thankful for this year, with 41 productions having opened in 2013 and two more to go before the end of the season. Below, we bring you a classic Thanksgiving table tradition--Broadway style. In the special feature below, BroadwayWorld brings you entries from over 60 of Broadway's brightest stars, who have shared what they are most thankful for this year. Find out why Broadway's elite will be counting their blessings this holiday season below! Find out why Broadway's elite will be counting their blessings this holiday season below!

Producer Daryl Roth, in association with Harbor Entertainment, present a limited 5-week engagement concert presentation of the new show Stars of David, based on the highly acclaimed book, Stars of David by Abigail Pogrebin, running through December 15, 2013 at the DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street, at Union Square). Featuring songs by some of the top composers and lyricist of the theater, Stars of Davidwas conceived by Aaron Harnick and Abigail Pogrebin and is directed by Gordon Greenberg. BroadwayWorld was there for last night's opening and you can check out photo coverage below!

Cortland Repertory Theatre, one of New York State's longest running professional summer theatres, is announcing their 43rd annual season for the summer of 2014. Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson says that variety is the key element that he and the CRT Board of Directors Play Review Committee look for in putting an exciting season together. "The committee and I read a lot of different plays, and look for how best to piece an exciting season together." Other items such as the number of actors in the casts, expense of costumes and sets, and the estimated popularity of the shows also play a part. "Additionally, because we hire actors and technicians from around the country, we need to provide housing for them, so that also becomes a major factor in deciding if and when to do a show." Thompson says.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, based upon the Paramount Pictures film, featuring music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by David Ives & Paul Blake, and directed and choreographed by Randy Skinner with musical direction by Andrew Smithson. The show runs tonight, November 7, 2013 - January 12, 2014.

Back in The Day, musical theatre producers would hone their Broadway-hopeful plays in "tryout towns" like New Haven, Philadelphia and Baltimore before staging the full production for the scrutiny of New York audiences and critics.

Love, loss and the ultimate sacrifice...be a part of Paramount Theatre's remarkable, emotionally charged staging of Miss Saigon, one of the most epic productions of modern musical theater. Directed by Paramount Theatre Artistic Director Jim Corti, Miss Saigon is the second installment in the Paramount's 'Better than Broadway' 2013-14 Broadway series. Performances are now thorugh November 24, 2013 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, Ill. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

Riverside Theatre's 2013-2014 Season will again be another ambitious one in celebration od the theatre's 40th Anniversary. On the Stark Stage four great musicals will be presented to delight our audiences. On the Waxlax Stage an uproarious comedy and musical revue are scheduled. Riverside's new season will build on the great success of last season, which brought a record number of patrons and lifted subscriptions to new heights.

Beginning Thursday October 31, Sierra Stages presents CLOSER THAN EVER, a musical revue, as the final production of its fifth season. When it debuted in 1990, CLOSER THAN EVER was hailed by The New York Times as having 'one of the half-dozen finest American theatre scores of the last decade." The show will play through November 24, 2013 at the Off Center Stage (behind The Center for the Arts) in Grass Valley.

With her most recent show at Stage 72, 'Let Me Sing and I'm Happy,' the New York cabaret community should realize that talented singer Corinna Sowers-Adler has indeed “catapulted” herself into the elite group of young performers and landed very comfortably in the mix.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, based upon the Paramount Pictures film, featuring music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by David Ives & Paul Blake, and directed and choreographed by Randy Skinner with musical direction by Andrew Smithson. The show runs November 7, 2013 - January 12, 2014.

The Asia Pacific Tour of DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? revealed today on its Facebook page that Boublil and Schonberg have penned a new tune for Miss Saigon called 'Leave Him?' DO YOU HEAR will debut the song during its season at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in November 2013, and one wonders if the tune would be used in the upcoming revival in the West End.

On a recent appearance on the UK's The Jonathan Ross Show', Tom Hanks re-enacts a classic moment from his 1988 classic 'Big' along with some help from actress and co-guest Sandra Bullock. Check it out below!

Producer Daryl Roth, in association with Harbor Entertainment, has announced plans for a limited 5-week engagement concert presentation of the new show Stars of David, based on the highly acclaimed book, Stars of David by Abigail Pogrebin, from November 13 - December 15, 2013 at the DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street, at Union Square). Featuring songs by some of the top composers and lyricist of the theater, Stars of David was conceived by Aaron Harnickand Abigail Pogrebin and is directed by Gordon Greenberg. All tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at www.telecharge.com, or by calling 212-239-6200, or in-person at the DR2 Theatre box office (103 East 15th Street, Union Square). For more information, please visit www.StarsOfDavidSongs.com.

To complete its fifth season, Sierra Stages presents CLOSER THAN EVER, a unique musical revue that celebrates life, love and everything in between. When it debuted in 1990, CLOSER THAN EVER was hailed by The New York Times as having'one of the half-dozen finest American theatre scores of the last decade." The show plays from October 31 through November 24, 2013 at the Off Center Stage (behind The Center for the Arts) in Grass Valley. Check out a first look below!

Smash creator, Theresa Rebeck opens up about her career and the release of her fourth volume of collected plays with a book signing to follow. The event is set for Monday, October 21st at 5pm at The Drama Book Shop.

It's no surprise that Bruce Kimmel's monthly Kritzerland series (this is show #38) has gained such a loyal following at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. For true musical lovers it is the rare opportunity to hear beautiful, funny and surprisingly touching songs from musicals you may never get to see.

A spokesperson for Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Boublil and Schonberg's legendary musical 'Miss Saigon,' said today, 'The casting is not yet completed for 'Miss Saigon' and will not be until later in the year as the Director, Laurence Connor, is currently directing 'Les Miserables' in Toronto. No decision has yet been taken about who will play Gigi.'

The original cast of the York Theatre Company 2012 revival production of the classic Off-Broadway hit musical Closer Than Ever just renuited for the official New York release of the new cast recording on the Jay Record Label. The cast, joined by music director Andrew Gerle and David Shire, performed selections from the 2-CD recording at Barnes & Noble, and BroadwayWorld was there for the special event. Check out photos from the concert below!

Joanna Gleason is perhaps most well known for her Tony Award winning portrayal of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved Into The Woods. Good news! Ms. Gleason will be back on stage later this month in her NYC cabaret debut at 54 Below. Though busy preparing for the show, she took the time to chat with me about her upcoming cabaret performance, other future projects, and her surprise dancing abilities.