Susan Stroman News

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) will present a return engagement of award winning actor John Lithgow in his critically acclaimed one man show John Lithgow: STORIES BY HEART on Sunday and Monday nights at 7pm beginning Sunday, April 12 in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 W. 65 Street).

Paul Szilard Productions, Inc. in association with ATTRACT Productions (Greece) is presenting the Martha Graham Dance Company in a special engagement at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, Tuesday, May 12th - Saturday, May 16th. The acclaimed company will be performing two programs of Grahams' classics and on Thursday, May 14th there will be a special Gala honoring international impresario Paul Szilard (guests & program tba).

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, flies into Pittsburgh's Benedum Center beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2009, for eight performances only! Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features the music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick.

Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo Repertory Theatre's producing artistic director, announced today his selections for the 2009-2010 season of plays, his fourth season with the company. Asolo Rep's 51ST season kicks off in October with CONTACT, an exciting new musical produced by Asolo Rep in collaboration with the Sarasota Ballet. Other titles on the schedule are THE PERFUME SHOP, SEARCHING FOR EDEN: THE DIARIES OF ADAM AND EVE, THE LIFE OF GALILEO, HEARTS, MANAGING MAXINE, DANCING BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS: THE GINGER MUSICAL, and THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

Currently in previews, Lincoln Center Theater production of the new musical HAPPINESS will open at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater on Monday, March 30 at 6:45pm. HAPPINESS, which has a book by John Weidman, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, features Fred Applegate. Sebastian Arcelus, Miguel Cervantes, Hunter Foster, Joanna Gleason, Ken Page, Robert Petkoff, Jenny Powers, Phyllis Somerville and Pearl Sun.

Pittsburgh Public Theater turns up the heat with The World Goes 'Round, a song & dance revue of music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the team who wrote hits such as 'All That Jazz,' 'Cabaret,' and 'New York, New York.' Directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and featuring a cast of five plus six musicians, The World Goes 'Round runs March 5 - April 5, 2009 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Performances begin tonight (Friday, February 27) for the Lincoln Center Theater production of the new musical HAPPINESS at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. HAPPINESS, which has a book by John Weidman, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, features Fred Applegate. Sebastian Arcelus, Miguel Cervantes, Hunter Foster, Joanna Gleason, Ken Page, Robert Petkoff, Jenny Powers, Phyllis Somerville and Pearl Sun. Opening night is scheduled for Monday, March 30.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Fred Applegate. Sebastian Arcelus, Miguel Cervantes, Hunter Foster, Joanna Gleason, Ken Page, Robert Petkoff, Jenny Powers, Phyllis Somerville and Pearl Sun will be featured in its upcoming production of the new musical HAPPINESS.

Pittsburgh Public Theater turns up the heat with The World Goes 'Round, a song & dance revue of music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the team who wrote hits such as 'All That Jazz,' 'Cabaret,' and 'New York, New York.' Directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and featuring a cast of five plus six musicians, The World Goes 'Round runs March 5 - April 5, 2009 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, flies into Orlando's Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre beginning April 14 for eight performances only! Tickets start at $37.00 and go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10:00a.m. at the SunTrust Broadway Across America - Orlando Box Office (301 E. Pine Street), Amway Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. Online purchases can be made at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. To charge-by-phone call 1-800-982-2787. Group orders for 20 or more may be placed by calling (407) 423-9999 x17 or (800) 950-4647.

King's Head Theatre Productions in association with Mary Sullivan, John Kotts, Richard Colton and Boysie Bollinger present: THE MURDER GAME By James Farwell Starring Michael Praed and Josefina Gabrielle Press Night: 17 March at 7.30pm

American Idol runner-up, Justin Guarini, will star in the industry only Equity staged reading of the new musical THE AWAKENING OF ANGEL DeLUNA - with book & lyrics by Judylynn Schmidt, and music & lyrics by Lee Ellis - produced by Kate Griffler on Monday, March 23rd at Theater 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Tracy Bersley directs and Barbara Anselmi acts as music director.

West 43rd Street will become a little pinker, as will the Easter Parade (and all of New York City in general) when the actor Leslie Jordan arrives to bring his acclaimed solo show, My Trip Down The Pink Carpet, to the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street) this Spring. Producer Bruce Robert Harris announced that performances will begin on Wednesday, April 15, with an official opening night set for Monday evening, April 20. David Galligan directs the 6-week limited engagement.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, flies into Pittsburgh's Benedum Center beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2009, for eight performances only! Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features the music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick.

Goodspeed Musicals will proudly honor five time Tony Award-winner, Broadway legend William Ivey Long at a Gala evening on Saturday, May 2, 2009 when he will receive The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of his extraordinary career. Previous award recipients include Julie Andrews, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman, Stephen Schwartz, Tommy Tune, Susan Stroman and Gerald Schoenfeld. Proceeds from the Gala will support Goodspeed Musicals? Education Programs.

Kidz Theater is dedicated to helping young performers to reach their professional performing arts goals by providing free performance opportunities in Manhattan. Their performers have Broadway, Off-Broadway, Film and other professional credits!

Westchester Broadway Theater is Proud To Present Dan Goggin's 'MESHUGGAH-NUNS!' The Ecumenical Nunsense. February 12 - MARCH 21, 2009 Book, Music, Lyrics & Direction by Dan Goggin With the ?Nunsense' shows, the creator, Danny Goggin, has lifted the human spirit as he has made millions laugh. Meshuggah-Nuns, is the fifth variation in the popular 'Nunsense' series. For the last 26 years, the Little Sisters of Hoboken have entertained audiences in theatres around the globe, making 'Nunsense' an international household name. Meshuggah-Nuns, has The Sisters aboard the ship Golden Delicious on a 'Faiths of All Nations' cruise. Due to rough seas, the actors of the onboard musical, Fiddler On The Roof, succumb to sea sickness. Miraculously, the nuns survive the rolling waters unscathed, after Sister Julia put Dramamine in the brownies! The ship's captain, knowing of the Sisters' show-business savvy, urges them to concoct a variety show with Howard, who plays Tevye, the only actor who still has his sea legs. The four singing nuns now become an ecumenical, co-educational quintet. The show has a variety of music, with songs ranging in style from pop to country to gospel blues. Many of the jokes are delivered in the Laugh- In comedy format. There are sing-alongs, and even a puppet named Sister Mary Annette who performs a saucy Mae West number. It promises to be a laugh-filled funfest, with a mix of musical madcap, sprinkled with saintly sight gags and ubiquitous jokes. From the rousing opening number, 'Anchors Aweigh', to the hysterical, 'Say it in Yiddish', and 'Matzo Man,' to the touching, 'A Love Like This', the show will lift your spirits. It is a sweet natured celebration of Catholic and Jewish traditions.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Marsha Stephanie Blake, Chad L. Coleman, Michael Cummings, Aunjanue Ellis, Danai Gurira, Andre Holland, Arliss Howard, Ernie Hudson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Amari Rose Leigh and Roger Robinson will be featured in the cast of its upcoming production of August Wilson's JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, to be directed by Bartlett Sher. The production, which will be presented on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street) while LCT's award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific continues its run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, begins performances Thursday, March 19 at 8pm and opens on Thursday, April 16 at 6:45pm.

The new concert series, entitled 'Love Songs' will premiere on Saturday, January 31st and continue through Saturday, February 28th at Broadway's premiere destination, Sardi's (234 West 44th Street between Broadway & Eighth Avenue).

Paul Szilard Productions, Inc. in association with ATTRACT Productions (Greece) is presenting the Martha Graham Dance Company in a special engagement at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, Tuesday, May 12th-Saturday, May 16th. The acclaimed company will be performing two programs of Grahams' work and on Thursday, May 14th there will be a special Gala honoring Paul Szilard (guests & program tba).