Stephen Flaherty News

Off-Broadway's sellout sensation SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will celebrate its 500th performance at the 2 PM matinee today, May 18th at the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square.

Today we are talking to a five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer celebrated for her stupendous work on CRAZY FOR YOU, THE PRODUCERS, CONTACT, THE FROGS, THOU SHALT NOT, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and many more - the master musicals director Susan Stroman. In discussing a vast array of topics, Stroman and I touch upon many of her past projects as well as look ahead to her current and future endeavors - that is: the forthcoming Broadway bow of the new musical BIG FISH, starring Norbert Leo Butz, as well as the world premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty's LITTLE DANCER next year. Most importantly, Stroman shines a light on her enduring artistic partnership with Mel Brooks in bringing to life the screen-to-stage musical adaptations of both THE PRODUCERS and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, with BLAZING SADDLES on the way - their rich collaboration also being highlighted in this week's AMERICAN MASTERS tribute to Mel Brooks on PBS. Additionally, Stroman reflects on some of her lesser-known entities and casts a light on some of her foremost influences as well as candidly discusses her specialty work for a bevy of major stars - such as at SONDHEIM: A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL in 1992 - and the finer points of working with Stephen Sondheim and Nathan Lane on Sondheim's most recent original Broadway musical, THE FROGS. Plus, Stroman shares first details of her upcoming collaboration with comedy master Woody Allen on the musical stage adaptation of Allen's Academy Award-winning BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and also offers the 411 on the upcoming Los Angeles and West End productions of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - including the real-life role the musical has played in the pardoning of the originally accused nine just last month. Stroman also comments on her work with Hal Prince on the career revue PRINCE OF BROADWAY, opening in Japan in 2015, and also touches upon her ongoing desire to pursue a film adaptation of her multi-Tony Award-winning and genre-redefining 2000 Best Musical, CONTACT. All of that and much, much awaits in this wide-ranging conversation!

Off-Broadway's SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will celebrate its 500th performance at the 2 PM matinee this Saturday, May 18th at the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square. Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! THE MUSICAL is the unauthorized parody of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli.

Janet Miller is about to launch her new theatre company, aptly named the Good People Theater Company, with A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE at this year's Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Two years ago, in my generally favorable review of Pamela Lewis' quirky, if flawed, cabaret show Dog Walking Diva, I went a little bit out on the limb with . . . “She has the potential to be a major cabaret star.” Well, as Lewis (who given her bubbly and bold personality performs under the totally appropriate moniker of “Champagne Pam”) remarked often in her newest show, during which she assessed whether she had yet achieved a list of life goals, that particular observation would have to get a “check.” Because with Daddy's Little Girl, Champagne Pam--who proudly admitted to having reached the Big 4-0--is all grown up as a cabaret performer and should be a member of that rarified group who even a reviewer on a press comp should pay to see and hear.

KAT is nothing if not ambitious.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), present a one-night only benefit concert celebrating up and coming musical theatre writers, with the NEO 9 on Monday, May 20, 2013 at The York Theatre (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a champagne and dessert reception to toast the evening.

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts presents 'Lucky Stiff' on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18. Performances areon Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2pm at Theatre Artists Workshop, 5 Gregory Blvd. in Norwalk, CT.

Kevin Spirtas and Tyler Maynard are joining the cast of Off-Broadway's smash hit Silence! The Musical at today's matinee, May 4th at the Elektra Theatre. Spirtas is set to play Dr. Hannibal Lecter's nemesis Dr. Chilton, and Maynard will assume the role of the hapless Sgt. Pembry.

Today, a newly formed Board of Directors joined with Producing Artistic Director Janet Miller to announce the launch of a non-profit theater venture-the Good People Theater Company (GPTC)-and its opening show, LA's first fully staged production of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.

Kevin Spirtas and Tyler Maynard are joining the cast of Off-Broadway's smash hit SILENCE! The Musical this Saturday, May 4th at the Elektra Theatre. Spirtas is set to play Dr. Hannibal Lecter's nemesis Dr. Chilton, and Maynard will assume the role of the hapless Sgt. Pembry.

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway, New York, NY). ROCKYreceived its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where it earned unanimous critical raves and continues to play to packed houses.

TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, announces that The How and the Why by Sarah Treem (Netflix's House of Cards, HBO's In Treatment), directed by Keira Fromm and starring Janet Ulrich Brooks and Elizabeth Ledo, will be the third production of its 2013-14 season.

Beginning this Saturday, May 4th, Sarah O'Gleby will be the new Dream Clarice in Off-Broadway's smash hit SILENCE! The Musical at the Elektra Theatre.

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre. ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

The paper reports that 'the Broadway version is expected to cost about $15 million, according to Bill Taylor of Stage Entertainment USA, which is producing 'Rocky' on Broadway with Mr. Stallone.' and that 'The Broadway production is expected to be fairly similar to the one in Hamburg, Mr. Taylor said, including the finale - Rocky's climatic fight against Apollo in a regulation-size boxing ring - and the use of music from the movies, like Bill Conti's theme music and 'Eye of the Tiger.'

The Des Moines Community Playhouse Kate Goldman Children's Theatre presents the musical 'Seussical TYA,' today, Apr. 26-May 19. Tickets may be purchased at online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at the Playhouse ticket office. 'Seussical TYA' is sponsored by ITAGroup.

SEUSSICAL JR. by Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, directed by Andy Baldwin with musical direction by Lynn Ambrose and choreographed by Stephanie Butler, will be presented by KD Studio and Imagination Players, April 25-28, 2013.