Ron Johnson News

The return engagement of the award-winning production Fela! is set to close after 32 performances at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre tonight, August 4.

When the original Broadway production of Fela! closed in January of 2011, Zuccotti Park was little more than a block-long plaza where Wall Streeters would enjoy a bit of lunchtime sun.  For now, at least, the park has pretty much returned to that status, aside from the tourists taking photos of themselves at the spot now famous for birthing the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain present the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and National Theatre of Great Britain production of Fela!, which just opened last night, July 12, for a limited run of 32 performances only at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big openeing night, and we bring you photos from the first curtain call below!

Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain present the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and National Theatre of Great Britain production of Fela!, which just opened last night, July 12, for a limited run of 32 performances only at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big openeing night, and we bring you photos from the star-studded arrivals below!

In anticipation of three-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone's return to the screen with the ferocious thriller Savages, the original motion picture soundtrack was released this week via iTunes. In stores as of July 3rd, the album features an eclectic group of musicians including legends such as Bob Dylan, Peter Tosh and Massive Attack, alongside the critically acclaimed Cut Copy and Yuna. Adam Peters, a former member of the groundbreaking band Echo and the Bunnymen, provides the unique dramatic score.

ANNA KARENINA is coming to theaters on November 9, 2012. The drama, written by Tom Stoddard and directed by Joe Wright, stars Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Emily Watson, Olivia Williams and Ruth Wilson.

The Broadway run of Fela! this summer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre begins previews for its limited four-week run on Monday, July 9, with an official opening set for July 12, and will play through Saturday, August 4, 2012. The marquee is up! See below for a first look.

Tickets for the Broadway run of Fela! this summer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre will go on sale to the general public on Saturday June 16 via telecharge.com and phone (212) 239-6200.

Now that the 2012 awards season has come to a close, BroadwayWorld is looking ahead to an exciting season coming up. This summer/fall Broadway will welcome a plethora of productions - from star-studded revivals to exciting new musicals. Below, we bring you the line-up of officially announced upcoming shows (still subject to change). Don't forget to stay tuned for more even more opening announcements expected soon!

Producers Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain today announced the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning production of Fela!, currently on a multi-city world tour, for a limited run of 32 performances ONLY at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) from July 9 - August 4. Exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, this provocative hybrid of dance, theatre, music, biography and a party like no-other is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. The world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, again perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage. Recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards (Best Choreography, Best Costumes, Best Sound Design), Fela!, featuring the music and lyrics by Fela Kuti, was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel, features additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, and additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean. The musical is inspired by the authorized biography Fela: This Bitch of a Life by Carlos Moore. The press opening for this engagement is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 7 PM.

Silk Road Rising is set to present three staged readings of Danny Bernardo's new play MAHAL, directed by Greg Kolack. MAHAL opens at Pierce Hall in the Historic Chicago Temple Building tonight, June 8th at 8pm, and continues performances on Saturday, June 9th at 8pm, and Sunday, June 10th at 2pm.

The 2012-2013 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. The new season, the 46th season at the Music Center of Los Angeles, will include Jeff Goldblum in the West Coast premiere of the smart, sexy, new Broadway comedy "Seminar," Rachel York in the beloved 1930s musical romp - Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," the American premiere and pre-Broadway presentation of the dramatic musical "Backbeat" which features classic rock 'n' roll in its story of the birth of the Beatles, Tracie Bennett starring as the iconic Judy Garland in the West Coast premiere of the acclaimed play with music - "End of the Rainbow," and the daring new musical that explores a shocking event in American history - Kander and Ebb's "The Scottsboro Boys." In addition, the exuberant musical "Fela!" will return for a limited engagement as a bonus option to the season subscription.

Silk Road Rising is set to present three staged readings of Danny Bernardo's new play MAHAL, directed by Greg Kolack. MAHAL opens at Pierce Hall in the Historic Chicago Temple Building on Friday, June 8th at 8pm, and continues performances on Saturday, June 9th at 8pm, and Sunday, June 10th at 2pm.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents a newly commissioned work for Minneapolis-based dance theater company Ballet of the Dolls, choreographed by the esteemed Myron Johnson, artistic director of the company. This new work titled "Faith: A Dance for Life" will be showcased in a one-time-only public performance tonight, May 4 at 7:30 p.m., the last performance in the Ordway's 2011-2012 Target Dance Series.

Recien salimos de la rueda de prensa que ha servido de presentacion de Ain't Misbehavin' en el Teatre Victoria de la ciudad condal. El acto ha comenzado con un espectacular pase de graficos realizado en el interior de la sala. Sobre el escenario nos esperaba Mel Howard, productor del espectaculo y cuatro de los cinco actores que forman el elenco, asi como la orquesta al completo, dirigida por, el tambien pianista del montaje, Kenney Green.

Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony have teamed up to present the world premiere of Rise of the Numberless, written by The New Colony's Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, Patriac Coakley and Evan Linder with original music by Chris Gingrich and Julie B. Nichols and lyrics by Chris Gingrich and Andrew Hobgood, who also serves as the director. The production runs now through May 26, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee. See photos from the production below!

Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony have teamed up to present the world premiere of Rise of the Numberless, written by The New Colony's Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, Patriac Coakley and Evan Linder with original music by Chris Gingrich and Julie B. Nichols and lyrics by Chris Gingrich and Andrew Hobgood, who also serves as the director. The production will run April 6 - May 26, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee. Press Opening is Tuesday, April 24 2012 at 7:30 PM.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will present a newly commissioned work for Minneapolis-based dance theater company Ballet of the Dolls, choreographed by the esteemed Myron Johnson, artistic director of the company. This new work titled "Faith: A Dance for Life" will be showcased in a one-time-only public performance on May 4 at 7:30 p.m., the last performance in the Ordway's 2011-2012 Target Dance Series.

SAVAGES will be released in theaters on July 6th 2012 from Universal Pictures. The drama/thriller is directed by Oliver Stone who also co-wrote the script with Don Winslow and Shane Salerno. The cast includes Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch and Demian Bichir.

Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony have teamed up to present the world premiere of Rise of the Numberless, written by The New Colony's Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, Patriac Coakley and Evan Linder with original music by Chris Gingrich and Julie B. Nichols and lyrics by Chris Gingrich and Andrew Hobgood, who also serves as the director. The production will run April 6 - May 26, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee. Press Opening is Tuesday, April 24 2012 at 7:30 PM.