Robert Elhai News

The Jungle Theater opens its 2018-19 Season with its first-ever commission: The world premiere of Kate Hamill's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The production coincides with the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women, 'the groundbreaking novel that changed everything' (Little Women 150). Jungle Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen directs this beloved classic saturated with a contemporary air, running September 15-October 21 at the Lyn-Lake neighborhood theater, located at 2951 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. 

The History Theatre is having fun this month, with a world premiere by the popular writing duo known as 'Hatchling': Jeffrey Hatcher (book) and Chan Poling (music and lyrics). LORD GORDON GORDON is a romp of a musical in the tradition of con man stories like THE MUSIC MAN. It's based on little known true events in Minnesota and New York in the 1870s-events that eventually led to the fleecing of a bunch of investors (including the wealthy robber baron Jay Gould) and a Minnesota militia marching on Canada.

In 1994, the Disney animated feature The Lion King made history as the highest grossing film of the year. Three years later on November 13, 1997, the awe-inspiring stage adaptation directed and costumed by Julie Taymor opened on Broadway. It received six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. With songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, the vibrant score is by Hans Zimmer, who recruited South African composer Lebo M. to create the textural Zulu influence. Twenty-five years later, its legacy continues to reverberate around the world. In a Japanese translation of this mega hit, Shiki Theater Haru in Minato remounted the first international production of The Lion King on December 20th, 1998. This year it celebrates its 20th anniversary in Japan at the Natsu Theater in Shinagawa.

Fortune's Fool Theatre will produce the world premiere of a new musical, The Lady with a Lap Dog, book and lyrics by Daniel Pinkerton and music by Robert Elhai, adapted from the story by Anton Chekhov. It will be performed at the Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis for 8 performances only from September 15-24. The production will star the outstanding singing actors Andrea Leap as Anna, Joel Liestman as Dmitri, and Laurel Armstrong as the four other characters. It will be directed by Nicole Wilder and music directed by Jill Dawe. 

The Minnesota Orchestra today announced that conductor Sarah Hicks will lead the Minnesota Orchestra's "Live at Orchestra Hall" concert series through the 2020-21 season, and that Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts will continue as director of the Orchestra's Composer Institute through the 2019-20 season.

In the newest work by the creators of the smash hit Glensheen, Chan Poling's rocking rhythms, Jeffrey Hatcher's wicked wit and Bill Corbett's zany imagination come together to create a headlong ride filled with silliness, surprises and good feeling fun. A NIGHT IN OLYMPUS, a fresh musical comedy and tale of transformation, opens tonight, May 7 at 8 p.m. at the Illusion Theater, located on the eighth floor of The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave. in downtown Minneapolis.

In the newest work by the creators of the smash hit Glensheen, Chan Poling's rocking rhythms, Jeffrey Hatcher's wicked wit and Bill Corbett's zany imagination come together to create a headlong ride filled with silliness, surprises and good feeling fun. A NIGHT IN OLYMPUS, a fresh musical comedy and tale of transformation, opens Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. at the Illusion Theater, located on the eighth floor of The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave. in downtown Minneapolis.

The new triple threat may just be actor - singer- playwright. Bradley Greenwald is well known for acting and singing on stage, and now may be just as well known for his writing abilities.

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is supposed to succeed his father Mufasa, as King of Pride Rock. But when Simba's Uncle Scar kills Mufasa, Simba runs away from home after being tricked into thinking that he was responsible. As he comes of age, Simba learns some valuable perspective to go back and take his rightful place as King.

The Kleban Foundation recently announced the winners of its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist -- Stacey Luftig -- and its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist -- Daniel Goldstein. Since its inception, Kleban Prize winners have been selected by judging panels comprised of the theatre's most respected artists and administrators. The judges making the final determination this year were two-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey, Michael Price (Former Executive Director, Goodspeed Musicals), and Andrew Zerman (Casting Director and Vocal Coach).

The Kleban Foundation recently announced the winners of its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist -- Stacey Luftig -- and its 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist -- Daniel Goldstein. The 2016 prizes will be presented today, February 8, 2016, in a private ceremony (by invitation only) hosted by ASCAP and BMI at ASCAP.

2015 was my 5th full year as a Twin Cities Theater Blogger, and I saw a record high 200+ shows. When I look at those numbers, or at my busy schedule, I sometimes think, why do I do this? Why do I devote all of my free time to this part-time job for which I don't get paid? And then I see a show that reminds me why I do this. That reminds me why I started going to theater, why I started writing about theater, why I think theater (and specifically music-theater) is the most beautiful and powerful art form we have. LULLABY is one such show. This new original play-with-music is everything I want music-theater to be: funny, smart, relevant, relatable, moving, poignant, with awesome songs and a brilliant cast and creative team pouring their heart and souls into the work. This is the first of 20 new works of 'theater musically' that Theater Latte Da has committed to developing by 2020 in a project they're calling 'Next 20/20.*' It's an exciting thing to create the future of music-theater, and LULLABY has set the bar high for this project.

The Kleban Foundation is pleased to announce that the 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has been awarded to Stacey Luftig and the 26th annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist has been awarded to Daniel Goldstein.

The Fred Ebb Foundation in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company presents the eleventh annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Stacey Luftig and Phillip Palmer. The award, named in honor of the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb, will be presented by Karen Ziemba tonight, November 30th from 6-8pm at a by-invitation-only ceremony in the Penthouse Lounge of The American Airlines Theater.

The Fred Ebb Foundation in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company will present the eleventh annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Stacey Luftig and Phillip Palmer.  The award, named in honor of the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb, will be presented by Karen Ziemba on Monday, November 30th from 6-8pm at a by-invitation-only ceremony in the Penthouse Lounge of The American Airlines Theater.

Featuring a wonderful combination of dazzling and unique artistry, Elton John and Tim Rice's strong score, and many strong performances, even those who have been there done that and seen The Lion King before can likely still find something to appreciate in the current national tour.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces nine awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its sixth year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $35,500 to nine organizations across the country.

Theater Latte Da previously announced that a season of four adventures in musical storytelling and the continuation of a major new work development program will comprise its 16th Season. Slated for production are Steerage Song at The Lab Theater (today, September 25 - October 20, 2013), All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre (December 19-22, 2013), Cabaret at the Pantages Theatre (January 15 - February 9, 2014), and Our Town at The Lab Theater (March 12 - April 6, 2014). In spring 2014, the company will bring back NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, their program to develop new works for the musical theater canon.

Theater Latte Da announced yesterday that a season of four adventures in musical storytelling and the continuation of a major new work development program will comprise its 16th Season. Slated for production are Steerage Song at The Lab Theater (September 25 - October 20, 2013), All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre (December 19-22, 2013), Cabaret at the Pantages Theatre (January 15 - February 9, 2014), and Our Town at The Lab Theater (March 12 - April 6, 2014). In spring 2014, the company will bring back NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, their program to develop new works for the musical theater canon.

Theater Latte Da announced today the cast for C., book and lyrics by Bradley Greenwald, music by Robert Elhai. This musical adaptation of the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand is being developed as part of NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, a major new work program to develop new musical theater in the Twin Cities.