Susan Stroman News

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the metro areas only local, professional musical theatre company, is excited to announce the return of hometown actress Meg Gillentine in Mel Brooks' hysterical Tony Award-winning THE PRODUCERS, playing August 9th through the 25th at the Cobb Civic Center's Anderson Theatre (548 S. Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). Tickets and information available at www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com or 404-377-9948.

New York's Broadway musical theatre training institute - The Open Jar Institute - is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary of providing high school and college students the opportunity to work one-on-one with Broadway's best professionals during a special master class with Susan Stroman on August 2nd at The Pearl Theatre (555. W. 42nd Street) at 2:30pm.

North Haven Arts and Enrichment will present the world premiere of RED EYE OF LOVE, a new musical comedy. The book and lyrics are by Arnold Weinstein and John Wulp. The music is by Sam Davis.

Classic Stage Company has announced that Deb Radloff, who appeared in the company's recent production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, is this year's recipient of the Rosemarie Tichler Fund grant. The Fund was established in 2010 with the mission to assist young actors who have appeared at CSC and who have recently made the transition from their training into the profession. The $3000 grant can be used by the young artist to continue training or to offset loans they may have incurred while studying their craft. With the grant, CSC hopes to make a difference in the lives of young actors at the start of their careers as well as to heighten awareness in the community to the specific needs of actors. The recipient was selected by a panel of judges which included Rosemarie Tichler, CSC Artistic Director Brian Kulick and CSC Casting Director James Calleri.

Carner and Gregor have announced the winners of the BARELY LEGAL SHOWTUNE EXTRAVAGANZA V casting contest. Eight winners were selected from over 100 submissions received from college students around the country. Winners were selected by a four-person judging panel comprised of Casting Directors Michael Cassara and Jason Najjoum, Concert Director Marlo Hunter, and Concert Producer Alina Gutierrez. Carner and Gregor were not involved in the judging process. After four sold-out editions, Carner & Gregor's BARELY LEGAL SHOWTUNE EXTRAVAGANZA is back for its fifth year. The concert will take place Monday, August 5th at (le) Poisson Rouge. Showtime is 8PM. Doors open at 7PM.

Ashlee Simpson has been announced to play Roxie Hart in the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, the musical which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history. The production will also star previously announced Samantha Barks as Velma, Drew Careyas Amos, Lucy Lawless as Mama Morton, and Stephen Moyer as Billy.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please take out your iPads. You don't have one? Borrow one. Quickly, please. Now, welcome to the screen world of DOT DOT DOT, a dance in the form of an app starring Tom Gold, who appears, multiplies and disappears with the tap of your finger. In other words, Tom, as choreographer and dancer, is at your command.

David MacGillivray, DOM AP, (www.davidmacg.com), spent more than 20 years as a ballet dancer and Broadway performer. He appeared with the National Ballet of Canada and in the original production of Susan Stroman's Contact, performing with the musical throughout its entire three year run.

Last night I had the privilege of taking a look back on an incredibly impressive recent string of major musicals starring the phenomenally talented Brandon Victor Dixon with the leading man himself, ranging from his work last year Off-Broadway in RENT as well as the Williamstown Theatre Festival mounting of FAR FROM HEAVEN, both directed by Michael Greif, through to his acclaimed performance in Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS through to his new role portraying music titan Berry Gordy himself in the audience hit of the 2012-2013 season, MOTOWN. In addition to eloquently expounding on his various starring roles in those four major musicals and reflecting upon his time spent in each production, Dixon also opens up about his passion for performance in general and the importance of collaboration in the creation of any musical from the ground-up. Dixon also comments upon his experiences originating a role in Oprah Winfrey's recent stage venture THE COLOR PURPLE as well as recounts his association with COTTON CLUB PARADE - set to premiere on Broadway under a new title later this year - as well as the various incarnations of his stage piece based on the life and career of Ray Charles. Most importantly, besides all about MOTOWN and his work with Gordy and the cast on the hit show, Dixon also previews what we can expect from the cast of the show on tonight's A CAPITOL FOURTH PBS concert extravaganza, featuring Dixon alongside MOTOWN standout Saycon Sengbloh. All of that, first news on Dixon's upcoming self-penned solo album project, memories of working on THE GOOD WIFE, thoughts on GLEE and the modern performing arts revolution and much, much more!

God's Country, an original musical by Erik Johnke (Book and Lyrics) and Elaine Chelton (Music) set in 19th Century New York City, will be presented at the 10th Annual New York Music Theatre Festival (NYMF) for five performances starting on Thursday, July 18, at 9:00 PM, at The Pershing Square Signature Center Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street. The musical is directed by Craig J. George and choreographed by Thomas-Sabella Mills. The Music Director is Bryan L. Wade.

Transylvania mania is about to take over the Ogunquit Playhouse when Mel Brooks' hysterical musical comedy Young Frankenstein hits the stage July 10 through July 27. The Ogunquit Playhouse is recreating the Broadway musical, complete with Tony-nominated sets by Robin Wagner and the original Broadway costumes by multi-Tony Award winner, William Ivey Long. Eye-popping special effects and show stopping musical numbers, including 'Puttin' on the Ritz' complete with tap dancing monsters, round out this monstrously fun show.

Not many performers get to serve as the dance captain of a classic musical and perform one of the principal roles in the show. But Polly Baird did just that. The strawberry blonde has played Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera and is now serving as the dance captain in the Broadway production. Ms. Baird was kind enough to answer some questions about Phantom, being a dance captain, and why people love to watch dancing.

Sundance Institute and the LUMA Foundation today announced that the two organizations will collaborate to host the Sundance Institute | LUMA Foundation Theatre Directors Retreat at Domaine de l'Armelliere, July 29 - August 9, in Arles, France. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, Producing Director Christopher Hibma and Program Associate Anne Kauffman, the Retreat will be the first theatre director-centered residency at the Institute.

The latest show to grace the stage at Bucks County Playhouse is THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND. This show is a celebration of the songs of John Kander and Frank Ebb. Kander and Ebb are a highly successful songwriting team. They are best known for their massive hit musicals, CABARET and CHICAGO, as well as the song "New York, New York." This tribute show showcases the songs of Kander and Ebb, and results in an pleasurable evening of entertainment.

Producers Letty Aronson and Julian Schlossberg have announced initial casting, preview and opening dates for the world premiere production of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, the new Broadway musical adaptation of Woody Allen's and Douglas McGrath's screenplay of the 1994 film.

The New York Philharmonic will present A Dancer's Dream: Two Works by Stravinsky, a multidisciplinary, theatrical reimagining of the ballets The Fairy's Kiss and Petrushka, created by Giants Are Small. Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet principal dancer, will star in the production, which will be conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, directed and designed by Doug Fitch, choreographed by Karole Armitage, and produced by Edouard Getaz - tonight, June 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m.

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 TOP TEN HOT TOPIX in the Mosh Pit for January through June, 2013! And our 203rd weekly column. Check out what YOU've been talking about!

Andy Blankenbuehler spoke exclusively to BWW about the new PBS documentary - ANNIE: It's the Hard-Knock Life, From Script to Stage, which follows the cast and creative team of the 2012 Broadway revival as they prepared for the production of the iconic musical number 'It's the Hard-Knock Life.'

Tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical Big Fish at Ticketmaster.com (866-870-2717). Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and will open Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Tickets for Big Fish range from $49 - $142. The marquee just went up at the Neil Simon and you can check it out below!

The Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, the musical which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history, will star Samantha Barks as Velma, Drew Carey as Amos, Lucy Lawless as Mama Morton, and Stephen Moyer as Billy.