Susan Stroman News

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced it will produce the world premiere original musical production of Little Dancer featuring book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Lynn Ahrens, music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty, and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The musical will begin performances in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in October 2014. Casting and additional details about Little Dancer will be announced at a later date.

Brooke Shields has been announced as the director of the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history. Rob Fisher has also been announced as the conductor of the production. Shields starred in CHICAGO both on Broadway and in London's West End and this marks her directing debut. Fisher's association with the show began with the 1996 Broadway revival and he continues to be supervising music director of CHICAGO productions around the globe.

Northern NJ is full of so much talent and many Broadway performers cross the river to make New Jersey their home. It is great to speak to performers about that first big break and their career to hear all the different stories of how people 'get to NYC'. Broadway World spoke to one of those performers, Ann Van Cleave, as she and her husband prepared for an upcoming concert in NYC.

I'm sad to report that I may have missed several moments of The Producers, currently playing at San Antonio's Woodlawn Theatre. The downside of having to wipe tears of laughter out of your eyes is that you miss a few seconds of action. Of course, that's hardly a complaint about this solid, polished, and professional production. Woodlawn Theatre's current production of The Producers illustrates exactly why the show was such a hit when it opened in 2001 and why it continues to please audiences. Despite the occasional offensiveness and cheekiness, the show is an enjoyable laugh riot that you can't help but love.

Jared Zirilli performed John Legend's 'Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)' at Broadway Sessions on January 17th, 2013. Click below to watch him sing!

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 - Thursday, 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.

Jared Zirilli of the recent A FEW GOOD MEN (Alley Theatre-Houston) and the industry reading of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY directed by Susan Stroman, as well as FAT CAMP, the original Broadway cast of LYSISTRATA JONES, BARE, WICKED and TWILIGHT THE MUSICAL, brings you 'Jared's Broadway Boo's' #56 with Adrienne Warren of BRING IT ON, DREAMGIRLS and mor

BIG FISH has its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances today, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, opening Friday, April 19, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Tickets for the Chicago engagement on sale Monday, February 4, 2013.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Picturesfilm written by John August, will have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances today, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, opening Friday, April 19, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Tickets for the Chicago engagement on sale Monday, February 4, 2013.

BroadwayWorld has just confirmed that PRINCE OF BROADWAY, the new musical celebrating legendary Broadway director and producer Harold 'Hal' Prince has now been postponed indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts.

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of March 25

Today in 2000, Contact opened at the Vivien Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 1010 performances.Contact: The Musical is a musical 'dance play' (some deemed it a ballet) that was developed by Susan Stroman and John Weidman, with its 'book' by Weidman and both choreography and direction by Stroman. It consists of three separate one-act dance plays. The show was received with much critical acclaim and won the 2000 Tony Award for Best Musical. A West End production opened at the Queen's Theatre in October 2002, and closed on May 10, 2003.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Catch Me' a 'Big Fish' in the Loop, 'Barnum' and 'Sweet Charity' keep Coleman in the spotlight, 'The Pajama Game' up north, 'Oliver! out west, two from Theo Ubique and more!

Stars of the new Big Fish musical, Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin, as well as director/chorgeographer Susan Stroman, spoke with WGN TV about the premiere in Chicago which is now in tech rehearsals. In this interview, Stroman says working on this show is 'Tiring, exhausting, but fun,' Butz talks about how tech is really Susan's time, and Baldwin discusses the journey of this 'fantastical' show.

Popular recording artist and concert performer Michael Buble has revealed that he would love to croon a tune with comedian and one-time Broadway star Will Ferrell, according to a new interview.

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of March 18!

BIG FISH might not be heading to Broadway until Fall 2013, but the Chicago production is currently gearing up, and you can check out two just-released promo images of the shows stars (Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin) below!

On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, BroadwayWorld's Chicago Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, sat down for exclusive talks with co-star Bobby Steggert, with the writing team of Andrew Lippa (music and lyrics) and John August (book) and with co-star Kate Baldwin in the balcony lobby of Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Here is his report: