Richard Rodgers News

Additional casting has been announced for the upcoming Broadway production of ROMEO AND JULIET, starring international film star Orlando Bloom and two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad as Shakespeare's titular star-crossed lovers, and directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux.

Actor A. J. Shively stars in the new Off-Broaddway musical UNLOCK'D and talks about the show, his career and the people whe's worked with.

Today in 1976, the second Broadway revival of Pal Joey opened at the Circle in the SquareTheatre, where it ran for 73 performances. Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008-09 Broadway run, and a 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. The 1976 cast featured: Christopher Chadman (Joey), Harold Gary (Mike), Terri Treas (Kid), Janie Sell (Gladys), and Gail Benedict (Gail).

Today in 1986, Arsenic and Old Lace opened at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rogers Theatre) where it ran for 221 performances. Arsenic and Old Lace is a play by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, written in 1939. It has become best known through the film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra. The play is a farcical black comedy revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family and local police in Brooklyn, NY, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves.

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) (Producing Artistic Director, Ty Jones), presents the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Artistic Associate Justin Emeka this summer in Harlem's Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. Performances of the free play, which runs July 13-30 (on Tuesdays through Sunday) at 7:30 pm, are made possible by the Ford Foundation. Click below to watch a behind-the-scenes, director's journal of the production in rehearsals!

The King and I/music by Richard Rodgers;/book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II/based on Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon/directed by Neil Dale/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre/through August 4

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) (Producing Artistic Director, Ty Jones), presents the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Artistic Associate Justin Emeka this summer in Harlem's Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. Performances of the free play, which runs July 13-30 (on Tuesdays through Sunday) at 7:30 pm, are made possible by the Ford Foundation.

The Melbourne Cabaret Festival has launched a professional development program alongside its diverse performance program.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents The Sound of Music, with Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Directed and Choreographed by Jonathan Stahl with Musical Direction by Leo Carusone, the production runs now through August 11, 2013. BroadwayWorld has new photos of the cast onstage below!

Midwest New Musicals presents NORTH SHORE B & B (BOATS AND BEACHES), the 2013 Mini-Musicals Project on Sunday, July 21, 3:00 PM at Light Opera Works Second Stage at McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $10 at the Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

The Glimmerglass Festival, Central New York's opera and musical theater company, has announced its 2014 season.

David Abeles (Once, Original Cast Member) will take over the role of 'Pierre' in the hit downtown production ofNATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 beginning Tuesday, July 9th. Dave Malloy, the show's creator, will play his final performance as 'Pierre' Friday, June 21st, as he leaves to work on several new projects including commissions from LCT3, San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, and the Youth Musical Theater Company in Berkeley, as well as upcoming shows at the Incubator Arts Project and The Bushwick Starr. From June 22nd through July 7th, the role of 'Pierre' will be played by Luke Holloway.

Today in 1978, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas opened at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre), where it ran for 1584 performances. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. The original Broadway production was directed by Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune and choreographed by Tune and Thommie Walsh.

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 has announced its new rush ticketing policy, available for select performances, beginning immediately. Beginning this week, there will be $49 tickets available for Wednesday matinees, Saturday early evening performances, and Sunday matinees. Rush tickets can be purchased at the box office of Kazino (West 13th Street and Washington Street) beginning 2 hours prior to the posted curtain time, as well as online at www.thegreatcometof1812.com beginning the day of the performance at 10am by using the code RUSH at check-out. Food and drink is not included with the purchase of a rush ticket.

Prospect Theater Company will offer a $20 ticket lottery for their upcoming Off-Broadway production of UNLOCK'D. Performances began June 16, 2013 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project. Producers have also announced that a post-performance talkback with Carner and Gregor will be held following tonight's June 19 performance.

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company will produce five works, including a special, student-devised production, a rock musical and a famous Irish play, in the 2013-2014 season. The season begins Oct. 18 and runs through April 19, 2014.