Susan Walker News

Winter usually isn't the busiest time of year for incoming Broadway shows, but that doesn't mean that there is any lack of fresh talent making their debuts! The Broadway Winter has arrived, and while a solid number of new faces are treading the boards, dozens more are on their way in the coming months. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced that Paige Brady, Gabriella Pizzolo, Ripley Sobo, and Ava Ulloa have joined the Broadway company of MATILDA THE MUSICAL and will begin performances in the title role over the course of the next few weeks.

The customers are grown up versions of children from holiday classics. Bringing them together here is the brainchild of Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, who expertly directs a three-actor team: Carroll as the bartender and Harry Bouvy and Christine Pedi, who bring to life male and female characters in shorts by seven different playwrights.

The miracle in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET is the ability of Kris Kringle to infuse the holiday with the true spirit of Christmas in the face of raging commercialism, harried shoppers, and cynical doubters. Adapted from the beloved 1947 film, the play at Stoneham Theatre does not fare as well in its stage bound version, despite the best efforts of all involved.

Just in time to witness the end of Thanksgiving and joyfully move on towards a celebration of the Christmas season, the incredibly talented cast of "Miracle on 34th Street, the Musical" (also known as "Here's Love") brings Meredith Wilson's rarely staged musical to life with its jubilant presence, proclaiming that it is time at last for Santa to make his much anticipated appearance - this time in Bay Ridge.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently launched its first full season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is proud to present the musical adaptation of the popular holiday favorite, Miracle on 34th Street. The New England Premiere, with additional underwriting provided by Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, will run at Ocean State Theatre from December 4 - 29.

Stoneham Theatre is celebrating this Holiday season with a classic, Miracle on 34th Street. Based on the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture and adapted by the Mountain Community Theatre from the novel by Valentine Davies, this live stage adaptation is sure to be a Holiday delight.

DanceWorks, Toronto's longest-running contemporary dance series, proudly presents the world premiere of Akshongay (the Bengali word for 'together') from acclaimed Nova Dance, choreographed and performed by Artistic Director Nova Bhattacharya and long-time collaborator Louis Laberge-Cote. Akshongay has the singular honour of being the 200th DanceWorks Mainstage Series event and runs from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13 at Enwave Theatre, part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps.

DanceWorks, Toronto's longest-running contemporary dance series, proudly presents the world premiere of Akshongay (the Bengali word for 'together') from acclaimed Nova Dance, choreographed and performed by Artistic Director Nova Bhattacharya and long-time collaborator Louis Laberge-Cote. Akshongay has the singular honour of being the 200th DanceWorks Mainstage Series event and runs from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13 at Enwave Theatre, part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps.

The award winning Arvada Center brings Christmas joy with MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET-THE MUSICAL playing now through December 23rd. The musical is based on the story 'Miracle on 34th Street' by Valentine Davies; book, music and lyrics were written and composed by Meredith Willson (The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown). As Miracle on 34th Street unfolds, a wise old white bearded gentlemen claiming to be Kris Kringle shows up in New York City only to discover that the holiday to which he is eternally associated has become tarnished by commercialism and greed. When he gets hired as Santa Claus at Macy's, the jolly old gentleman goes about setting things right - even as events conspire against him. Based on the delightful movie classic that starred Edmund Gwenn as Kringle and a young Natalie Wood, this musical version includes memorable songs such as 'Jolly Old St. Nicholas,' 'The Holly and the Ivy' and more. As we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, we all need a little break to remember that miracles do happen. The Miracle on 34th Street is pure family entertainment - make it part of your holiday celebration.

Miracle On 34th Street, with Music By Doug Smith, Book and Lyrics by Vern Stefanic, is directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, with musical direction by Leo P. Carusone at Westchester Broadway Theatre, running now through December 31, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Every year, Santaland in Macy's at Herald Square in the heart of Manhattan attracts floods of people who are willing to wait an hour (or more) in line for a few brief moments with Santa Claus. People young and old dream of having a moment like little Virginia O'Hanlon or Susan Walker, finding out that possibly Santa does really exist. Not to dissuade and disillusion those believers, David Sedaris' THE SANTALAND DIARIES, adapted for stage by Joe Mantello, reveals the rabblerousing shenanigans that occur behind the scenes in Macy's annual holiday extravaganza.

Just in time for the holidays, Westchester Broadway Theatre (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford, NY 10523) will present Miracle on 34th Street from tonight, November 29 through December 31. Based on a holiday tale written by Valentine Davies and made famous by the movie of the same name, Miracle On 34th Street has music composed by Doug Smith and book and lyrics by Vern Stefanic.

The award winning Arvada Center will open Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical directed by Gavin Mayer tonight, November 27 running through December 23, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. The musical is based on the story "Miracle on 34th Street" by Valentine Davies; book, music and lyrics were written and composed by Meredith Willson (The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown).

The award winning Arvada Center will open Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical directed by Gavin Mayer on November 27 running through December 23, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below.

Just in time for the holidays, Westchester Broadway Theatre (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford, NY 10523) will present Miracle on 34th Street from November 29 through December 31. Based on a holiday tale written by Valentine Davies and made famous by the movie of the same name, Miracle On 34th Street has music composed by Doug Smith and book and lyrics by Vern Stefanic.

The award winning Arvada Center will open Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical directed by Gavin Mayer on November 27 running through December 23, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. The musical is based on the story "Miracle on 34th Street" by Valentine Davies; book, music and lyrics were written and composed by Meredith Willson (The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown). Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Preview performances are November 23 - 25. Moderated talkbacks with the cast are offered on Friday, December 7 after 7:30 p.m. show and Wednesday, December 12 after 1:00 p.m. show. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

The Farmington Players are set to present the classic American drama To Kill a Mockingbird. Set in Alabama during the Great Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows the journey of Scout and Jem Finch, whose father has been appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man framed for a crime he didn't commit.