The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts News

The anticipated Broadway arrival of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts new production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel and featuring direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, revealed its poster art. The dynamic work is designed by acclaimed Italian illustrator Lorenzo Petrantoni.

Legendary Broadway star, actress/singer Betty Buckley will continue her successful Song Interpretation Workshop hosted by Imagination Celebration in September and October 2009. The Fort Worth native will assist aspiring young artists and experienced performers and educators in the craft of singing, acting and storytelling.

Tickets will go on sale this Saturday, August 15 for the anticipated Broadway arrival of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts new production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel and featuring direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Tickets for Goodman Theatre's production of Animal Crackers go on sale today, August 14. They may be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org. Beginning August 17, tickets may be purchased by phone at 312.443.3800.

Tickets will go on sale this Saturday, August 15 for the anticipated Broadway arrival of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts new production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel and featuring direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is the 2009 Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award Winner. The award will be presented in Washington, D.C. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference, on August 15, 2009.

Goodman Theatre is proud to announce the complete creative team for the 2009/2010 season opening musical Animal Crackers, written by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, with music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Director Henry Wishcamper taps Tony Award-nominee John Carrafa (Sex and the City; Broadway's Urinetown, Into the Woods) to choreograph the cast of nine, including the four roles originated by the Marx Brothers, joined by Chicago favorites, Clowning Director Paul Kalina (500 Clown's Elephant Deal and Macbeth) and Music Director Doug Peck (Court Theatre's Carousel; Caroline, or Change).

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recent all-new critically acclaimed production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel featuring direction and choreography by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, will open on Broadway this fall.

Synetic Theater is thrilled to announce its upcoming season- a diverse tapestry of classic tales. This season, Synetic will feature four thrilling main stage productions, treating audiences to its rich synthesis of movement, dance, text, and music; first, with a revival and startling revision of their acclaimed adaptation of Bram Stoker's legendary Dracula, followed by a new installment in their 'Silent Shakespeare' series, Antony and Cleopatra, as part of our contribution to Washington's renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company's leadership repertory-a first-ever collaboration in Synetic history.

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally's RAGTIME, which was a critically acclaimed sell out at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. now looks set to bring it's 'new music' to Broadway. While there is no official word or comment an Equity casting notice has been posted to Backstage for a Broadway/Production contract for RAGTIME. The notice states rehearsal and performance dates are to be announced. Equity principal auditions will be held June 22, 24 and 25 while Equity chorus calls are June 26 for dancers and June 23 for singers.

Bill Cosby, one of the most influential comedians and storytellers of his generation, will give a solo stand-up comedy performance - his only scheduled New York appearance - on Saturday, October 17, 2009, at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. at Avery Fisher Hall.

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Terrence McNally's RAGTIME, which is selling out at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is looking to bring it's 'new music' to Broadway, reports The Washington Post. While there is no official word or comment, sources told the paper that there are reportedly 'serious negotiations for a move to Broadway.'

After working on 'Sole Survivors' for two and a half years, Santa Fe performance artist and author/journalist Michelle Vest will open her heartfelt new play, 'Sole Survivors' in New York (June) and Albuquerque (July).

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced 38 national awardees at the 41st annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-18, 2009. The students from universities and colleges from across the United States secured their places at the national festival and the opportunity to earn awards, scholarships, and fellowships through their success at regional festivals in January and February 2009.

Legendary Broadway star, actress/singer Betty Buckley will continue her successful Song Interpretation and Communication Workshop hosted by Imagination Celebration in May and June 2009. The Fort Worth native will share her singing and acting techniques in her master class designed for both dedicated students and advanced professional performers.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of RAGTIME in the Eisenhower Theater April 18 - May 10, 2009. Based on a 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, the production features book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and will be directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. The musical is part of the Kennedy Center's Broadway: The Third Generation, a series celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers. The official press night will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces four invited productions and the Short Play Festival as part of the 41st annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-18, 2009. Selected participants from eight regional festivals held in January and February at colleges and universities across the country are invited to showcase their talents at the nation's center for the performing arts, to be considered for scholarships and awards and to participate in master classes with some of the best artists in their field.

Joyce Award-recipient Naomi Iizuka brings her tale of family ties, a lingering debt, mystical stories-and magical food-to the Goodman stage in her newest work, Ghostwritten, April 4 - May 3, 2009. Lisa Portes, who has shepherded this play from its first appearance at the 2007 New Stages Series, directs its world-premiere production with a cast of Chicago favorites led by Lisa Tejero (Mirror of the Invisible World and Metamorphoses) and Kim Martin-Cotten (King Lear).

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces four invited productions and the Short Play Festival as part of the 41st annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-18, 2009. Selected participants from eight regional festivals held in January and February at colleges and universities across the country are invited to showcase their talents at the nation's center for the performing arts, to be considered for scholarships and awards and to participate in master classes with some of the best artists in their field.

Joyce Award-recipient Naomi Iizuka brings her tale of family ties, a lingering debt, mystical stories-and magical food-to the Goodman stage in her newest work, Ghostwritten, April 4 - May 3, 2009. Lisa Portes, who has shepherded this play from its first appearance at the 2007 New Stages Series, directs its world-premiere production with a cast of Chicago favorites led by Lisa Tejero (Mirror of the Invisible World and Metamorphoses) and Kim Martin-Cotten (King Lear).