Stephen Schwartz News

Broadway and Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Jed Bernstein will be recognized at The Media Theatre Gala on Saturday February 23 for his contribution to the American theatre. He will receive the 2013 Achievement in The Theatre Award during the evening's pre-show ceremony, which will culminate with a performance by Broadway star Justin Guarini.

Shelly Goldstein will bring 'One Fine Day: The Groovy Girls of the 60s' to Catalina's Jazz Club in Los Angeles, February 19, 2013.

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED, which is returning to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre with performances from February 20-March 10. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum; thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.

Dutch star musical theatre star Willemijn Verkaik joined the cast of Broadway's Wicked last night as 'Elphaba' at the Gershwin Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for her first curtain call and you can check out full photo coverage below!

Lea Salogna, Ramin Karimloo, Yu Shirota and Sierra Boggess will lead 4 Stars: One World of Broadway Musicals in Tokyo and Osaka this June. Daniel Kutner will direct and Jason Robert Brown will be the musical director and supervisor. The scenic design will be by Yukio Horio, lighting design by Toshiyuki Kasahara, costume design by Nobuko Miyamoto and sound design by Koichi Yamamoto.

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) will continue its 34th Season in the Gothic setting of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles (540 South Commonwealth Avenue) on March 16th and 17th with its performance of "Awakenings," featuring special guests Vox Femina Los Angeles (VOX) and the new youth chorus, Outside Voices.

BroadwayWorld.com has just learned the sad news that Kevin Gray, who most recently was seen in New York at the 25th Anniversary Gala for The Phantom of the Opera, passed away suddenly of a heart attack last night at the young age of 55. Gray leaves behind his wife, Dodie Pettit, who he met while starring in Broadway's Phantom.

The American Repertory Theater's third annual Valentine's Gala will be held at The Hotel Revere, 200 Stuart Street, Boston. Under the leadership of Dina Selkoe ofKarmaloop, 2013 Gala Chair, the A.R. T. is planning an evening of spectacle and up-close theater magic as part of the Gala tonight, February 11, 2013.

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF Stephen Schwartz, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place today, February 10.

Who crafts the 'smoke and mirrors' of a Broadway show? The special effects team is an integral part of the Land of Oz, helping Wicked cast its spell on audiences at every performance. Discover how the special effects of Wicked were originally conceived and produced in the behind-the-scenes video below, featuring interviews with Chic Silber and more!

WICKED, the record-breaking West End musical now in its 7th smash hit year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, today announced the opening of its 15th new booking period, on Monday 11 February 2013, with tickets going on sale until Saturday 26 April 2014.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the Midwinter Round-Up! We've got 'Peter Pan,' the Marriott's Lloyd Webber revue, the Mercury's R&H revue, Porchlight's 'Lady Day,' the Writers' 'Sweet Charity,' Heidi Kettenring in concert, 'Sunset Boulevard' and more!

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2010, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, May 8 - June 2. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m.

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place on February 10. Tickets are $50 a person (food included), and may be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com. Doors open at noon for a lunch/brunch buffet, and the show begins at one. All proceeds benefit Musical Theatre Programs at Culver City/Valley Glen campuses. The event will be hosted by True Blood's Carolyn Hennesy. To learn more about Summit View School please visit: www.summitviewschool.org.

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2010, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to Milwaukee's Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on June 12 - July 7. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 am; tickets will be exclusively available at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee. Beginning on Sunday, March 10 at 10:00 am, any remaining tickets will be available for purchase by phone at 414-273-7206, online at Ticketmaster.com/wicked or MarcusCenter.org and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Producers Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan have announced casting for Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN, directed by Diane Paulus. PIPPIN will begin preview performances on Broadway Saturday, March 23, 2013 and officially open Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre. Tickets are available through www.telecharge.com/pippin, by calling 212-239-6200, and in person beginning Saturday, March 2nd at the Music Box Theatre box office (239 West 45th Street).

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The Stephen Schwartz Album tonight, February 4, 2013, at 8:00 pm. Kritzerland is performing today this month to allow you and The Federal to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday.

Tony Winner, Disney Legend Lea Salonga ('Miss Saigon,' 'Les Miserables') opened this year's Lincoln Center presents 'American Songbook' concert series, a 15-year-old annual tribute to great American songwriters, past and present, to sold-out crowd at The Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center last night. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive highlights from the concert below!

Tony Winner, Disney Legend Lea Salonga ('Miss Saigon,' 'Les Miserables') opened this year's Lincoln Center presents 'American Songbook' concert series, a 15-year-old annual tribute to great American songwriters, past and present, to sold-out crowd at The Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center last night.