Rob Berman News

Here is the scenario. Imagine going to a community theatre in Arlington, VA to see a show that requires a good size choir and a fourteen-piece orchestra. I imagine some of you might think that the company was crazy. I'm here to tell you that, in the case of The Arlington Players' 68th season opener The Hunchback of Notre Dame, you would be totally wrong. Never assume anything until you witness it. The production indeed features a twenty-member choir and it utilizes Michael Starobin's full orchestration but besides that, the production overall is as good as I've seen from some professional theatre companies. Yes, you read that right folks.

Wonderful cast directed by Tina Landau is a nice diversion from presidential politics.

92Y announces Lyrics & Lyricists 2019, the 49th season of the country's preeminent American Songbook series. L&L producer Ted Chapin brings a variety of artists from theater and beyond-including Santino Fontana, Mo Rocca, Rob Berman and Chase Brock-to present original revues featuring award-winning Broadway and cabaret performers.

Dave, new musical, is now on stage at Arena Stage. By three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray, The Producers), two-time Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde) and Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, IfThen), Dave is inspired by the Academy Award-nominated American political comedy film. The world-premiere engagement is produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, The Donners' Company and Larger Than Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Tina Landau, and with choreography by Tony Award nominee Sam Pinkleton and music direction by Rob Berman, Dave runs July 13-August 19, 2018 in the Kreeger Theater.

'Dave' is a really fun show with a strong cast. It's just the right kind of show we need in DC right now. While questions might emerge as to whether it can play elsewhere, I would suggest that no matter where you live, you may be eager to immerse yourself in a world of political optimism for a few hours.

From a Tony and Pulitzer Prize award-winning creative team comes the world-premiere musical comedy DAVE, adapted from the Oscar-nominated film. DAVE tells the story ofhigh school teacher (and presidential lookalike) DAVE Kovic, who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the Commander-in-Chief. When the President falls ill under less than 'presidential' circumstances, DAVE is thrust into the Oval Office to avoid a national scandal, and must find a way to gain the trust and love of the American people...and the First Lady. Subscription packages, including DAVE, are currently available. Single tickets for DAVE go on sale March 28, 2018. Patrons may call the Arena Stage Sales Office at 202-488-3300or visit arenastage.org. DAVE runs July 13-August 19, 2018. For complete 2018/19 Season details, visit: arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/index-18-19.shtml.

Arena Stage presents the world premiere of the new musical Dave. By three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray, The Producers), two-time Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde) and Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then), Dave is inspired by the Academy Award-nominated American political comedy film. The show celebrated its opening night this week, check out the stars celebrating below!

The world's leading theatrical publishing and licensing company, Samuel French, announced today that The Secret Garden (writing team Lucy Simon & Marsha Norman), Doug Wright, and Antoinette Nwandu will be honored at the third annual Samuel French Awards.

Arena Stage presents the new musical Dave, get a first look below!

Today's subject Rob Berman is currently living his Theatre Life as the Musical Director for the world premiere of Dave at Arena Stage. The production, based on the 1993 film and directed by Tina Landau, runs through August 19th in Arena Stage's Kreeger Theatre space.

The first five preview performances of the world-premiere musical Dave have been cancelled due to actor illness; preview performances will now begin on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

Arena Stage is preparing for the world premiere of a new musical Dave. Check out photos of the cast and creative in rehearsal below! 

BroadwayWorld has learned Douglas Sills will play Chief of Staff Bob Alexander in the new musical DAVE, premiering at Arena Stage this summer!

New York City Center is sure to be a singular sensation this fall!

Ghostlight Records has announced it will record the New York City Center production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical Brigadoon, for a new cast recording to be released this fall. Brigadoon has book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Starring Kelli O'Hara, Patrick Wilson and Stephanie J. Block, the show features The Encores! Orchestra, led by Music Director Rob Berman. The cast headed into the recording studio this week. Check out some shots below of the making of the Brigadoon cast recording!

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced it will record the New York City Center (Arlene Shuler, New York City Center President & CEO) production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical Brigadoon, for a new cast recording to be released this fall. Brigadoon has book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Starring Kelli O'Hara, Patrick Wilson and Stephanie J. Block, the show features The Encores! Orchestra, led by Music Director Rob Berman. The Annual Gala Production was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with Jack Viertel serving as artistic advisor. The album is being produced by Kurt Deutsch, Lawrence Manchester, Rob Berman and Emily Altman.

This past Sunday night, Me and My Girl played its final performance at Encores. BroadwayWorld was in attendance at the closing night party, and you can check out photos from the evening below!

Encores! presents Me and My Girl as the final production of the Encores! at 25 season at New York City Center, beginning tonight! Check out producer Jack Viertel discussing the origin of the show's infamous dance, the Lambeth Walk below!

Playgoers in the know will arrive at any production of the 1937 West End smash ME AND MY GIRL already humming a bit of its legendary Act I closer 'The Lambeth Walk,' looking forward to a rousing showstopper where composer Noel Gay's peppy earworm is matched with co-bookwriter/lyricists L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber's jaunty lyric celebrating that part of London where 'everything's bright and breezy' and you can 'do as you darn well please-y.'

Encores! presents Me and My Girl as the final production of the Encores! at 25 season at New York City Center, which began last night! Let's find out what the critics had to say...