Signature Theatre News

Denver Center for the Performing Arts Broadway/Cabaret said goodbye to Wesley Taylor, Broadway star and fan favorite in the NBC TV show 'Smash,' as God in AN ACT OF GOD on January 22. Steven J. Burge assumes the role starting tonight, January 24.

Folger Theatre continues its celebrated 25th anniversary season with As You Like It, one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, this classic tale filled with love, laughter, and mistaken identity features original songs composed by Heather Christian and dances by Alexandra Beller. As You Like It is on stage from January 24 through March 5, 2017.

What is newsworthy? What lives have value? Does ambition compromise morals? MacArthur Foundation Fellow Branden Jacobs-Jenkins explores these questions and more in Gloria. Directed by Evan Cabnet, Gloria made its Off-Broadway debut in 2015 at the Vineyard Theater. The complete cast and creative team reunite for the Chicago premiere at the Goodman.

On a rainy January 19, at 5:30 p.m. on the steps in front of Actors Theatre of Louisville, members of the Louisville theatre community took part in launching a nation-wide initiative entitled The Ghost Light Project. Besides Actors Theatre, there were representatives from other local companies such as Kentucky Shakespeare, Looking for Lilith, The Liminal Playhouse, Theatre [502], the University of Louisville's African American Theatre Program, among others.

The Washington Stage Guild continues its 30th anniversary season with a pearl of a romantic comedy, Arlene Hutton's charming LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC. On the train carrying F. Scott Fitzgerald's and Nathaniel West's coffins across the country, a young couple, each returning home from unexpected disappointment, begins a journey to life together that takes several detours, in this WWII-era story of thwarted dreams that lead to unexpected opportunities. 

HB Studio, one of New York's most esteemed institutions for theater training and practice, will present an exclusive HB alumni benefit reading of A Life In The Theatre by DAVID MAMET, featuring the extraordinary talents of Austin Pendleton and Christopher Abbott.

Get rare insights into the artistic process, hear directly from the people responsible for producing Asolo Repertory Theatre's THE GREAT SOCIETY and THE ORIGINALIST, and engage in stimulating discussion inspired by the plays' themes and issues.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of IMOGEN SAYS NOTHING by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by Laurie Woolery, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), January 20-February 11. Opening Night is Thursday, January 26.

Set in a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts, home to one of the last 35 millimeter film projectors in the state, The Flick follows the hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking stories of Sam, Avery and Rose, three mismatched employees. As they sweep up popcorn, bitch about their bosses, and critique the films that play at their ill-attended cineplex, the trio's own funny and fraught dramas play out in the empty aisles. But unlike the films that flicker from the projection booth, these dramas have real-world consequences.

Nick Blaemire (just off of Tick,Tick,...Boom! off-Broadway) is joining Daniel Jenkins (Oslo, Kid Victory, Big River, Mary Poppins) and Drama Desk Nominee Melissa van der Schyff (Big River, Bonnie & Clyde) in the cast of 'BORROWED CASH: BUSTED! The Reunion Tour' for their second show at Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) on January 22 at 8:00 PM.

Are you ready for a new and improved version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA? I love the original, which I first saw in California, when Robert Guillaume (star of Benson) played the role. Of course, I saw it in London's West End and on Broadway, but it's really fun to see the new version right here in Detroit. I know it's hard to believe that PHANTOM could ever be improved upon, but they've worked some magic. The chandelier is more spooky, the catacombs look more like a person actually lives there, the costumes are different, especially the stairway costume in part two - but in this version there is no grand staircase. This phantom uses a lot of pyrotechnics to accompany his magic. You will like the way they descend into the Phantom's lair; that bridge scene what shifted like a teeter totter has been replaced by really cool steps that protrude from dungeon walls. And the best part is at the very end, when the phantom vanishes; it's in a very different way, and I have no idea how he pulled it off.

Westport Country Playhouse continues its commitment to developing new plays and musicals with its New Works Initiative set for January and February.

Musical Theatre Factory, under the direction of Artistic Director, Shakina Nayfack, has announced that it will present Discount Ghost Stories' WELL WORN WORDS, a new rock musical with book, music and additional lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen and book, archival research, and adapted text by Jessica Kahkoska, direction by Austin Regan and musical direction by Luke McGinnis, January 23 at 7pm at the Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street.

Page 73 Productions (Page 73) has named John J. Caswell Jr. the 2017 P73 Playwriting Fellow. Selected from over 400 applicants, Caswell will receive a $10,000 award and additional $10,000 budgeted for developing several new plays over the course of the year.

ABBA musical hits the right notes and audiences continue to love it!!!!

This weekend's big news: The American Pops celebrates '75 YEARS OF STREISAND' with a slew of stars in D.C. and 'WRITERS RESIST: #LouderTogether' takes place on the steps of the New York Public Library this Sunday!

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 75 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2016 Wichita winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

Signature Theatre presents Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), now playing thru January 29.

The Wick Theatre will present the timeless and groundbreaking 1957 Broadway smash, West Side Story. This season's most requested production has already been extended and will run January 12 - February 26, 2017. The gala opening night is set for Today, January 14.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the world premiere production of Roe written by Lisa Loomer and directed by Bill Rauch. Roe is a co-production with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Arena Stage.