Ted Shen News

Jacob's Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA co-present inventive, contemporary ensemble Shen Wei Dance Arts on October 26 and 27 at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center for the Performing Arts.

Casting for American Ballet Theatre's 2013 Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham announced the line-up today for The Public's 2013-2014 season, continuing the theater's nearly 60 year tradition of producing Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental works in equal measure while engaging a wide range of audiences and artists at its six downtown theaters at Astor Place, including Joe's Pub, as well as the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The Public's 58th season will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed Under the Radar Festival and the 15th anniversary of the world-renowned Joe's Pub. 'This season - whether classics, new plays, musicals or experimental ensembles - speaks to the way we live now,' said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. 'We will bring you the triumphant return (and climax) of Richard Nelson's Apply Family Plays, the heartbreaking and gorgeous new musical Fun Home, and Tarell Alvin McCraney's thrilling Antony & Cleopatra, in a collaboration between England and America's leading Shakespeare companies. We are deeply proud of the range and depth of the work of these remarkable artists and are delighted to add them to the rich history of The Public Theater.'

The New Voices Collective will present NEW VOICES, NEW BLUE: A Celebration of Songs by Yale Musical Theatre Writers, Past and Present on Monday, April 15, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will explore work by some of Yale's most exciting and famous alumni, as well as current composers in the Shen Musical Theatre writing program at Yale University. An amazing cast of Broadway's finest voices will include Drew Gehling (Jersey Boys, On a Clear Day..., The Minister's Wife), Jenny Powers (Its A Bird...Its a Plane...Its Superman, Donnybrook, Grease, Little Women), Sally Wilfert (Assassins, Make Me A Song, See Rock City), and Michael Winther (Laramie Project Cycle, 33 Variations, Mamma Mia, Songs From An Unmade Bed) and J. Michael Zygo (Once, Rock of Ages), and will also feature emerging talent from Yale's musical theatre performance program.

The final 30 orchestra tickets for Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) benefit performance of ASSASSINS are now on sale.

Reuniting for one night only are the stars of the 2004 Tony Award winning production: Becky Ann Baker (Sara Jane Moore), James Barbour (Leon Czolgosz), Mario Cantone (Samuel Byck), Michael Cerveris (John Wilkes Booth), Mary Catherine Garrison (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Alexander Gemignani (John Hinckley), Neil Patrick Harris (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald), Marc Kudisch (Proprietor), Jeffrey Kuhn (Giuseppe Zangara) and Denis O'Hare (Charles Guiteau).

Sundance Institute today announced the acting company and creative advisors for the eight projects being developed at its 2012 Theatre Lab, July 9-29 at the Sundance Resort. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director, and Associate Director Christopher Hibma, the Lab is the centerpiece of the Theatre Program's year-round work and is designed to support emerging and established artists and to create a place where their original work can be effectively mentored and challenged.

Continuing in its ongoing efforts of supporting new musical theater works, Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, announced today that the Tony Award®-winning theatre is commissioning two new musicals under Signature's American Musical Voices Project (AMVP): The Next Generation. Composers Joshua Rosenblum (Einstein's Dreams, Fermat's Last Tango) and Josh Schmidt (Adding Machine, A Minister's Wife) will be creating new musicals for future seasons at Signature. In December of 2011, Mr. Rosenblum and Mr. Schmidt were awarded "honoree grants" and shared selections from projects in development at a special performance held at Signature Theatre.

SpeakEasy Stage Company of Boston puts its own twisted spin on Douglas Carter Beane musical spoof of disastrous 1980 roller disco film XANADU

The Public Theater's world premiere production of FEBRUARY HOUSE, with music and lyrics by Gabriel Kahane and book by Seth Bockley, opened last night, May 22, at The Martinson Theater. Directed by Davis McCallum, FEBRUARY HOUSE runs through Sunday, June 10. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night with Alan Alda, Mo Rocca, Kristen Sieh, Stephanie Hayes, A.J. Shively, Kacie Sheik, Stanley Bahorek Oskar Eustis and more. Check out the photos below!

On April 16, 2012, Signature Theatre will honor the celebrated Tony Award-winning actress Patti LuPone with the company's third Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy.

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

New York City Center will reopen following a historic renovation and modernization with a star-studded gala on October 25.

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

Jack Viertel, Artistic Director of New York City Center's Encores! series, today announced the final two directors for the 2012 Encores! season.

The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre announced today new discounted single ticket rates for students, effective immediately.

New York City Center will reopen following a historic renovation and modernization with a star-studded gala on October 25. The event will kick off a celebratory season of new and expanded programming, festivals, exhibits, a special commission, and performances by world-class dance and theater companies. The renovation, designed by Ennead Architects, LLP (formerly Polshek Partnership), has transformed the landmark building into a contemporary cultural center complete with modern amenities and enhanced historic details, from the mezzanine lobby's painted ceiling and murals to the auditorium's arabesque dome. City Center is located on 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

On April 11, 2011, Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre honored esteemed stage and screen actress Bernadette Peters with the company's second Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, was presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy. The 2011 Sondheim Award Gala was chaired by Ted and Mary Jo Shen; Honorary Hosts include Stephen Sondheim, Helen Henderson, His Excellency Gary Doer and Ms. Ginny Devine, The Honorable James Moran, His Excellency Giulio Terzi and Ms. Antonella Cinque, and The Honorable Jim Webb and Mrs. Webb. The Sondheim Award Gala helped to benefit Signature Theatre's numerous artistic, education, and community programs. Last year's recipient was stage, screen, and television icon Angela Lansbury. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you official photo coverage of the event. Click here for BroadwayWorld's own recap of the event.

Arlington VA's Signature Theatre has announced that their 2011-2012 season will feature the world premiere of 5 new works that include two new musicals that will run in repertory as part of the American Musical Voices Project Repertory Series. The season will also feature some old favorites such as HAIRSPRAY and XANADU and the Washington area premiere of GOD OF CARNAGE.

Two stars of the stage - Kelli O'Hara and Nathan Gunn -will join the New York Philharmonic for an evening of songs and duets from the Golden Age of Broadway, conducted by Tony Award winner Ted Sperling, Monday, March 21, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. Ms. O'Hara, fresh off her highly successful run as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theater, returns to the New York Philharmonic following two previous appearances, including her acclaimed starring role as Eliza Doolittle in the Orchestra's 2007 production of My Fair Lady. Baritone Nathan Gunn returns after winning hearts as the swashbuckling Sir Lancelot in the Philharmonic's 2008 Camelot production and his featured role in last season's SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert! The two stage luminaries will perform selections from classic Broadway musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, and Stephen Sondheim, ranging from Carousel to Follies.