Richard Rodgers News

The new Broadway production of Shakespeare's timeless love story ROMEO AND JULIET starring international film star Orlando Bloom, making his Broadway debut opposite two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad is currently in previews. The play's opening night is set for tomorrow, September 19, 2013 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

The Welsh-born singer Donna Lewis is one of those rare artists whose immense success on the pop radio charts disguises an exceptional and serious musicianship and breadth of repertoire. Her new project, Brand New Day, makes clear the range of her artistry, and may surprise listeners who know her only for her hit "I Love You Always Forever." She performs the new work, joined by celebrated jazz musicians David King (drums), Reid Anderson (bass) and Aaron Parks (piano), September 25 at the legendary Cafe Carlyle.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting has announced that it is the recipient of a prestigious 21st Century Community Learning Center grant through the U.S. Department of Education, which will allow the studio to create an acting school experience in seven low-income Bronx middle schools. The program will be implemented for three years, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. Over 900 students will participate in 24 weeks of coursework, which will include ensemble, voice and speech, movement and improvisation lessons.

Producers Howard & Janet Kagan have confirmed that the complete cast from the hit downtown production of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, will join the show for its Times Square transfer, beginning next Tuesday, September 24th. THE GREAT COMET which concluded a hit summer engagement downtown on September 2nd, will take up residence in the Theater District, on West 45th Street between Times Square and 8thAvenue, for a 14-week limited run. Since its first production at Ars Nova in the fall of 2012, the show has become a sensation, meriting expansion this summer to a 199 seat pop-up supper club built specifically for the production in the Meatpacking District. After playing to packed houses since May, producers Howard & Janet Kagan will bring Dave Malloy's acclaimed electopop opera and its opulent custom venue - Kazino - to the heart of the theater district.

A re-conceived version of the Rodgers & Hart 1940 classic Pal Joey is now running at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. After an enthusiastically received concert reading at Pasadena's prestigious Boston Court Theatre last year, Director Peter Schneider was encouraged by the esteemed Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization to move forward with a fully realized production. Check out some highlights of the production below!

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Ragtime, the sweeping musical which will kick off The Rep's 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season in the Quadracci Powerhouse theater.

Minnesota Opera announces its commission of The Shining, a new opera by composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell, based on the 1977 best-selling novel by Stephen King. Minnesota Opera will give The Shining its world premiere in May 2016 at Ordway in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

This remarkable milestone-performance achievement has only occurred twice before in Broadway theatre history -- by Cats (which closed in its 18th year after 7,485 performances) and The Phantom of the Opera (now in its 26th year).

The award-winning Vital Theatre Company just announced FANCY NANCY THE MUSICAL, book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music and lyrics by Danny Abosch, and Direction/Choreography by Sam Viverito, based on the book series by Jane O'Conner and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, returns to the McGinn/Cazale Theatre tonight, September 14th.

Having Previously Paid Tribute to Paul Simon, Cole Porter and Bobby Short to Acclaim, Singer Traces Arc of His Own Singular Life with Mix of Interpretations and Originals

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 9/13/2013.

75 - year old singer Tonia Tecce has made her long-delayed New York City cabaret debut last night at The Metropolitan Room. Previously, Tecce has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Academy of Music, and sung with Peter Nero and many orchestras . Her show, A Cockeyed Optimist, Why We Believe, The Songs of Richard Rodgers, was written and directed by Michael Bush.

Broadway In Chicago and Producers Steven Van Zandtand Maureen Van Zandt, Marc Brickman, and BASE ENTERTAINMENT, have announced that following a critically acclaimed, sold-out Broadway engagement, ONCE UPON A DREAM STARRING THE RASCALS will debut in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 West Randolph) from Nov. 5 - 10, 2013 for five performances only.

Amphibian Stage Productions opens the first offering in its new Amphibian Cabaret Series, Nobody's Hart: Diana Sheehan Sings the Lyrics of Lorenz Hart, this week at the company's home on South Main Street. Created and performed by Diana Sheehan, with musical direction, arrangements, and piano by James McQuillen, cello by Sarah Choi, and music by Richard Rodgers, this cabaret performance will run tonight, September 12 through Sunday, September 15.

The Actors Fund have been hosting special performances that have been 'thrilling audiences for more than 80 years with an electric energy unlike any other night of theatre'. According to The Fund, what makes a special performance so special is that the Broadway companies happily give their time, talent, and an extra performance to benefit The Actors Fund.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 205th season with the groundbreaking 21st century musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this exhilarating musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home, opens tonight, September 11th, and runs through October 20th on the WST Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A re-conceived version of the Rodgers & Hart 1940 classic Pal Joey is now running at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. After an enthusiastically received concert reading at Pasadena's prestigious Boston Court Theatre last year, Director Peter Schneider was encouraged by the esteemed Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization to move forward with a fully realized production. Check out a first look at the production shots below!

Three-time Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker recently joined the cast of Broadway's CINDERELLA as the Fairy Godmother, Marie, on September 6. Luker will continue in the role through through January 19, 2014, while original cast member Victoria Clark departs the production temporarily for a new project. Check out a first look at Luker as the Fairy Godmother below!