Stephen Brotebeck News

The concert version of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s bittersweet musical at San Diego State University offered a sharp, soulful rewind through friendship, ambition, and the cost of success.

As this year draws to a close and the new theatrical experiences of 2025 are just about to begin, I am looking back at the shows of 2024 that have continued to capture my imagination.

Midnight at the Never Get is an intimate show that offers a wonderful musical experience and an entertaining and emotional look at how love, social justice, ambition, and some torch songs can create a life—but can they create a happily ever after?

Diversionary Theatre has announced the West Coast premiere of Midnight at The Never Get, with book, lyrics, and music by Mark Sonnenblick, conceived by Sam Bolen, Max Friedman, & Mark Sonnenblick, and directed by Stephen Brotebeck.

Following a run at Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, the award-winning musical TL;DR: THELMA LOUISE; DYKE REMIX will release an Original Cast Recording. Learn more about the show and see how to stream!

 Diversionary Theatre has announced the West Coast premiere of Midnight at The Never Get, with book, lyrics, and music by Mark Sonnenblick, conceived by Sam Bolen, Max Friedman, & Mark Sonnenblick, and directed by Stephen Brotebeck. 

Out of a record 308 submissions, the San Diego State University New Musical Initiative has chosen Tomorrow, the Island Dies as this year's selection. Writer Ryan Scott Oliver will join with director Stephen Brotebeck, music director Robert Meffe and the SDSU MFA Musical Theatre cohort for a two-year development process culminating in a full production in the spring of 2026.

 Starting June 15, 2024, Diversionary Theatre has announced the selection of  Sherri Eden Barber as the new Artistic Director. Barber will fill the position left open by the departure of Matt M. Morrow in June of 2023.

Diversionary Theatre has announced its 39th (2024-2025) season, which will feature a line up of premieres that will continue to honor the theatre's legacy of bringing LGBTQIA+ audiences new and exciting stories for, by, and about the community.

In a Sunshine State, the newest production in SDSU’s New Musical Initiative will have its world premiere at the Main Stage Theatre at San Diego State University. 

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Diversionary Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its production of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Lisa Berger.  The Glass Menagerie will run November 30 through December 23 on Diversionary Theatre's mainstage at their home in University Heights.

Diversionary Theatre announces the cast and creative team for its production of Dragon Mama by Sara Porkalob, directed by Andrew Russell.  Dragon Mama will run September 14 through October 8 on Diversionary Theatre’s mainstage at their home in University Heights.  

Diversionary Theatre has announced that Stephen Brotebeck will be serving as Interim Artistic Director while a national search is conducted for Diversionary’s next Artistic Director after former Executive Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow took on a new role of Artistic Director of Walnut Creek’s Center Rep. 

Diversionary Theatre has announced a one-week extension due to popular demand of its San Diego premiere of Head Over Heels, a musical based upon “The Arcadia” by Sir Philip Sidney, with songs by the iconic 80’s all-girl rock band, The Go-Go’s.

HEAD OVER HEELS now playing at Diversionary Theatre is a zippy, pop culture, pop song, technicolor crowd pleaser celebrating the music of the Go-Go’s.  HEAD OVER HEELS is playing through June 18th.