The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' pays a visit, Circle's 'Death Takes A Holiday,' Porchlight's 'Pal Joey,' TMTC's 'Pajama Game,' plus a piano show, two children's shows, Seth Rudetsky and more, including an unbelievable roundup of current shows!
Jana Robbins and Better World Productions present staged readings of ROBIN HOOD - The Final Adventure (Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Peter Sipos, Lyrics by Martin Charnin) on Friday, May 3rd and Monday, May 6th in New York City. The industry-only staged readings are open by invitation only. ROBIN HOOD - The Final Adventure is an exciting new musical filled with drama, intrigue, suspense and a whole lot of laughter.
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.
Coming to the Woodlawn Theatre from April 5-May 5 is The Producers. San Antonio legend Vivienne Elborne directs this uproarious comedy starring Greg Hinojosa (Woodlawn's Artistic Director) as down-and-out producer Max Bialystock, Walter Songer as Max's timid accountant Leo Bloom and Paige Blend as Ulla, the Swedish bombshell that Bialystock and Bloom hire as their receptionist. Most recently, Hinojosa appeared in Neil Simon's romantic comedy 'Chapter 2' produced in Woodlawn Theatre's Black Box and directed by Mrs. Elborne. The 'Bloom' to Hinojosa's 'Bialystock', Walter Songer returns to the Woodlawn stage after being featured as Malcolm McGregor in 'The Full Monty'. And Paige Blend was most recently seen in The Playhouse's world premiere of 'Roads Courageous'.
Winner of 12 Tony Awards (the most in Broadway history), including Best Musical, 'The Producers' is the hysterical, laugh-out-loud comedy by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present the smash-hit Broadway Musical Hairspray, April 25 - May 5, 2013 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the Storrs campus. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu.
Just yesterday, Broadway's Annie, Lilla Crawford, celebrated her 12th birthday at Times Square's new Cake Boss Cafe, inspired by the hit TLC show, 'Cake Boss'. In attendance to celebrate Lilla's birthday were her fellow young Broadway stars Alex Drier (The Assembled Party, Billy Elliot), Lewis Grasso (Newsies, Ragtime), Jack Broderick (Billy Elliot, Matilda), Ava DiMary (Billy Elliot, Matilda), Emma Howard (Matilda), Sadie Sink (ANNIE, Tuck Everlasting), and many more. BroadwayWord brings you full coverage from the celebration below!
Today in 1997, Annie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre), where it ran for 239 performances. Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre). It spawned numerous productions in many countries, as well as national tours, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical's songs 'Tomorrow' and 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' are among its most popular musical numbers.
Just yesterday, Broadway's Annie, Lilla Crawford, celebrated her 12th birthday at Times Square's new Cake Boss Cafe, inspired by the hit TLC show, 'Cake Boss'. In attendance to celebrate Lilla's birthday were her fellow young Broadway stars Alex Drier (The Assembled Party, Billy Elliot), Lewis Grasso (Newsies, Ragtime), Jack Broderick (Billy Elliot, Matilda), Ava DiMary (Billy Elliot, Matilda), Emma Howard (Matilda), Sadie Sink (ANNIE, Tuck Everlasting), and many more. BroadwayWord brings you photos from the celebration below!
The Broadway League has awarded coveted New York Education Grants to the Broadway productions of Annie by Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse and Thomas Meehan, and Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper. Each production receives a $5,000 grant towards its 2013 educational initiatives. The grants aid the growth and development of theatre education in the city as they encourage Broadway productions to create more opportunities for young people and to exchange ideas about education.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, who stars in the hit FOX television show 'Glee' as ruthless cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, will take on another great tyrannical role as evil orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in the new Broadway production of Annie at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets). Lynch, a stage veteran of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City, will be making her Broadway debut. She will play Miss Hannigan for eight weeks only, from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, July 14. In the video below, Lynch chats with Howard Bragman on 'Gwissues' about her upcoming Broadway debut. Jump to the 9 minute mark to hear what she has to say!
Winner of 12 Tony Awards (the most in Broadway history), including Best Musical, 'The Producers' is the hysterical, laugh-out-loud comedy by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.
Justin Timberlake may soon be putting on his suit and tie and heading to a mansion on New York's Fifth Avenue. According to the New York Post, the singer is being considered for the lead role of Daddy Warbucks in Sony Pictures' upcoming film adaptation of ANNIE.
...we know that we are in for a smashing production of 'The Producers'. And the most appreciative audience was simply, WOWED! There were lots of Laughs and lots of Applause, because this production is Terrific! - a HUGE HIT!
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Concerts by Audra McDonald, Sarah Brightman and Chester Gregory, Yeston's 'Death Takes A Holiday' and more from Circle Theatre, all our top current runs, plus the premieres 'Straight Camp,' 'Things Fall Apart' and 'Next Stop!'
Shout! Factory, and its Broadway cast imprint Shout! Broadway, has just announced that it will release and distribute the New Broadway Cast Recording for the critically- acclaimed production of the classic Broadway musical, Annie.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced its 2013-2014 theater season. Reaching hundreds of thousands of audience members annually, the theater season features a new Kennedy Center re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show, in association with La Jolla Playhouse with revisions by Krieger and Russell and direction by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon; touring productions of Sister Act, Elf, Flashdance – The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, and Disney's The Lion King; and an international theater festival highlighting renowned companies from around the world. The season will also bring the seventh season of Barbara Cook's Spotlight series, individually showcasing five Broadway performers in a cabaret setting. Committed to arts education, creation of new works, and community and national involvement, the Center also hosts the 12th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival and the 46th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
Circle Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, directed by Elizabeth Margolius. A romantic love story, written by a trio of musical theatre greats, Death Takes a Holiday will transport audiences to the post-war Italian countryside. The show feaures music & lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan.
The Garden Theatre, located at 160 West Plant Street in historic Winter Garden, announces its 2013-2014 Theatre Season, running from September 2013-May 2014. In addition to the five full-length theatrical presentations and the StarLite Film Festival, the season will be dotted with weekend events such as music and dance concerts, as well as movies and holiday offerings, which will be announced in the next few months. Subscriptions will go on sale April 1 to past passholders, April 15 for new subscribers, and May 1 for single tickets.
SRO Theatre Company in association CATCO is Theatre presents Hairspray, staged February 22 - March 10, 2013, at the Shedd Theatre in the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH.
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