Susan Stroman News

 Disaster and School of Rock's choreographer Joann Hunter. Joann was born in Japan, raised in Rhode Island and has two shows opening on Broadway this season. She has worked with the icon Jerome Robbins, her Idol Susan Stroman, the legend Andrew Lloyd Webber, and now is paving the way to become a theatre titan herself.

Vineyard Theatre, in association with La Jolla Playhouse and Yale Repertory Theatre, will present the New York premiere of INDECENT, a new play with music, written by Paula Vogel, created by Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman, and directed by Rebecca Taichman, at The Vineyard (108 East 15th Street) with previews beginning April 27 and opening night set for May 17. INDECENT features music composed by Lisa Gutkin (KLEZMATICS) and Aaron Halva (RED NOSES) and choreography by David Dorfman (GREEN VIOLIN). 

NEW DRAMATISTS,Tony® Honor recipient and the nation's premier playwright development laboratory, will honor six-time Tony Award winning actress, Audra McDonald with their 2016 Distinguished Achievement Award at its 67th Annual Spring Luncheon tribute. The event will be held Thursday, May 12 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The American Academy of Arts and Letters announces that librettist/lyricist Michael Korie will receive the Marc Blitzstein Award for Musical Theater of $10,000. Established in 1965 by friends of the late Academician Marc Blitzstein in his memory, the award is given to a composer, lyricist, or librettist to encourage the creation of works of merit for musical theater and opera. The jurors were John Harbison (chairman), J. D. McClatchy, Shulamit Ran, Augusta Read Thomas, and Yehudi Wyner.

Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th Street) announced today that its production of DOT by Colman Domingo will extend its limited engagement through Thursday, March 24. Five performances are being added to the previously announced run, along with a special private student matinee performance as part of The Vineyard's education program. Directed by Susan Stroman, DOT opened Tuesday, February 23 with Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declaring it a Critics' Pick and calling it "Uproariously funny! Deeply moving!" and adding, "The cast is terrific."

Award-­winning comic sensation THE PRODUCERS takes the stage at the Morrison Center this week, March 1-3, at 7:30pm as part of the Fred Meyer Broadway In Boise series.

Off-Broadway's acclaimed Classic Stage Company today announced plans for its 2016-17 season, led by incoming Artistic Director John Doyle and Managing Director Jeff Griffin. Doyle, a Tony Award winner for Sweeney Todd and the director of Broadway's highly-praised new production of The Color Purple, assumes the artistic leadership of CSC beginning in July, succeeding Brian Kulick, who has led the company since 2003. For CSC, Doyle has directed Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Passion and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Allegro, and later this season will direct Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt.

The world premiere of THE WILDNESS: SKY-PONY'S ROCK FAIRY TALE, with text by Obie Award winner Kyle Jarrow and Lauren Worsham and songs by Kyle Jarrow, opens tonight, February 29, 2016. Presented by Ars Nova in collaboration with The Play Company, a limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through March 19.

Veteran director Andy Sandberg's newest project is the play STRAIGHT, which he is bringing to life Off-Broadway. Straight tells the story of Ben, a 26 year old investment banker, and his relationships with his longtime girlfriend Emily and a new young guy named Chris. The new play is turning heads Off-Broadway and is proving to be quite the conversation starter.

Marjorie Johnson leads a solid cast in a play about dealing with a mother's dementia.

The Paramount Theatre, the suburban Chicago musical theater powerhouse, announced today the appointment of Amber Mak in the new position of New Works Development Director. The position is full time, begins immediately and foretells an exciting new era of artistic and economic expansion for the Paramount.

Vineyard Theatre today announced that their 2016 Gala honoring award-winning actress and Vineyard Board President Kathleen Chalfant and New York theatrical press agent Sam Rudy will be hosted by Michael Urie and Ryan Spahn. Scott Schwartz will direct the evening. Paul Masse will be the music director.

DOT by Colman Domingo - currently starring as Strand on AMC's FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and also in The Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award winner THE BIRTH OF A NATION by Nate Parker - officially opens tonight, February 23, at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th St.).

DOT by Colman Domingo - currently starring as Strand on AMC's FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and also in The Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award winner THE BIRTH OF A NATION by Nate Parker - just opened at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th St.). The play is directed by multiple Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, who returns to The Vineyard for the first time since she directed the theater's acclaimed world premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Check out photos from the opening night after party below!

DOT by Colman Domingo - currently starring as Strand on AMC's FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and also in The Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award winner THE BIRTH OF A NATION by Nate Parker - just opened at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th St.). The play is directed by multiple Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, who returns to The Vineyard for the first time since she directed the theater's acclaimed world premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Check out photos from the opening night curtain call below!

Following its annual season guessing game, Paper Mill Playhouse announced today the lineup for its 2016-2017 season, featuring four musicals, one play and a highly anticipated US premiere. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973-315-3717 or by visiting the theater's website at www.PaperMill.org.

Today in 1992, Crazy for You opened at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 1622 performances. Crazy for You is a musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as 'The New Gershwin Musical Comedy', it is largely based on the songwriting team's 1930 musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well. Crazy for You won the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical. The Broadway production was directed by Mike Ockrent and choreographed by Susan Stroman.The cast included Jodi Benson as Polly, Harry Groener as Bobby Child, Bruce Adler as Bela Zangler, John Hillner as Lank Hawkins, Michele Pawk as Irene Roth, Jane Connell as Mother, and Beth Leavel as Tess.

Preview performances of DOT by Colman Domingo - currently starring as Strand on AMC's FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and also in The Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award winner THE BIRTH OF A NATION by Nate Parker - continue at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th St.). Directed by multiple Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, who returns to The Vineyard for the first time since she directed the theater's acclaimed world premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, DOT opens February 23. For tickets and more information, please call the box office at (212) 353-0303 or visit www.vineyardtheatre.org.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. The Producers.Hairspray. Nine. Contact. Revivals of Chicago and Guys and Dolls. In addition to being big Broadway hits, those musicals have something else in common: their costume designer, the brilliant William Ivey Long. On Tuesday, March 1, Long will speak with Sheryl Flatow about the craft of costume design and discuss his illustrious career as part of Palm Beach Dramaworks' popular series,Dramalogue - Talking Theatre! William Ivey Long: Creating Character Through Costumes will be presented twice, at 2pm and 7pm, at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. 

?Broadway In Chicago has announced that individual tickets for the Chicago premiere of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath (Beautiful) for the 1994 film, will go on sale on Friday, February 19.  The staged production of this worldwide smash-hit film will play the newly named The PrivateBank Theatre (18 W. Monroe) April 19 through May 1, 2016.