Thompson News

Westport Playhouse has a variety of comedy, music and theater on stage during March. Learn more about the full lineup here!

What did our critic think of WICKED at Straz Center?

What did our critic think of BLUE at Eisenhower Theater?

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

The Inspired Acting Company, Oakland County's newest professional theatre opens its inaugural season with Private Lives by Noël Coward. 

Keep spreading the news! New York, New York is officially in rehearsals and we have new photos of the cast in action!

Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals has announced the music, choreographer and director teams for its 2023 season productions at the Goodspeed Opera House.

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced a final one-week extension for Endgame by Samuel Beckett and directed by Ciarán O’Reilly.

​​​​​​​The UK's leading new musical theatre company for young people 11-21 years old has announced their 2023 season of Easter & Summer performances led by new Chief Executive and Creative Director Emily Gray, who has ensured the voices and ideas of BYMT's Young Company Panel are at the heart of the programme choices. This new season is filled with brand new musicals, returning BYMT favourites, and dance led work.

Due to record-breaking demand at Richmond Theatre and the Harold Pinter Theatre, Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions today announce that Ivo van Hove's English language première of Hanya Yanagihara's critically acclaimed prize-winning novel, A Little Life, will now play a further five weeks only at the Savoy Theatre from 4 July.

DOL PRODUCTIONS and PIVOT PRODUCTIONS have announced the world premiere production of Alexander Kaletski's DARKNESS OF LIGHT: Confessions of a Russian Traveler, directed by Michael Mailer (The Minute You Wake Up Dead with Morgan Freeman, Heart of Champions with Michael Shannon, Blind with Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore) in his legit debut.

James Norton says that playing Jude St Francis in the upcoming production of A Little Life will be 'a physical and emotional drain'.

Twelve-time Tony Award nominated TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL will play eight performances from April 11 to April 16, 2023 at The Bushnell in Hartford. Tickets are on sale now.

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will come to E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on the University of Akron campus Monday, April 10 – Tuesday, April 11 as part of the 2022-23 Broadway in Akron series.

DOL PRODUCTIONS and PIVOT PRODUCTIONS have announced the world premiere production of Alexander Kaletski's DARKNESS OF LIGHT: Confessions of a Russian Traveler, directed by Michael Mailer (The Minute You Wake Up Dead with Morgan Freeman, Heart of Champions with Michael Shannon, Blind with Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore) in his legit debut. DARKNESS OF LIGHT will play a limited engagement at The 36th Street Theatre (312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018). Performances begin Thursday, March 30, and continue through Sunday, April 16. Opening Night is Saturday, April 1 (8 p.m.). Tickets are $25 and available darknessoflight.com.

An extraordinary new dramedy about faith, community, and sex from one of Canada's most exciting emerging writers, Rachel Mutombo, Factory Theatre will present the world premiere of VIERGE. Directed by Natasha Mumba, VIERGE stars Yvonne Addai, JD Leslie, Kudakwashe Rutendo and Shauna Thompson, and onstage from April 8 to April 30, 2023 at Factory Theatre.

Up next for Theatre 40’s current season, Terrence McNally’s It’s Only a Play opening March 23, 2023. Larry Eisenberg directs the cast of Todd Andrew Ball, Peter Bussian, Fox Carney, Joe Clabby, Cheryl David, Mouchette van Helsdingen and Jeffrey Winner. Larry was most gracious in carving out time to give serious thoughts to answering my queries.

Get all the scoop on BOB'S BURGERS, airing on FOX on Sunday, March 12, 2023! Louise brings Tina along on a mission to find the perfect item for her last-ever Show and Tell. Meanwhile, Teddy goes overboard trying to impress a date at the restaurant in the all-new “The Show (And Tell) Must Go On” episode. Watch a video clip now!

Get all the scoop on BOB'S BURGERS, airing on FOX on Sunday, March 12, 2023! Tina cheers Jimmy Junior on at a semi-prestigious dancing seminar while Bob and Linda compete to see who can catch the most homerun balls outside of Wonder Wharf Stadium in the “So You Stink You Can Dance” episode. Watch the video clip now!

What did our critic think of ANNIE at Cadillac Palace? The new national tour of Annie is the current offering at Chicago's Cadillac Palace. Hard to believe Annie has been entertaining audiences since it opened on Broadway in 1977. The book was written by Thomas Meehan with lyrics by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. Director Jenn Thompson's recreation is very similar to the original production and why not? She was the original Pepper in the Broadway run starring Andrea McArdle. Ms. Thompson's history with Annie is very apparent in this production. I had forgotten the emotional aspect of this story. The talented ensemble of young actors portraying the orphans is an absolute joy to watch. Their energy is infectious. This production is the national tour debut for each of these young actors. This is also Ellie Rose Pulsifer's (Annie) national tour debut. She fits the role perfectly. Especially touching was her interaction with Daddy Warbucks (Christopher Swan giving a very in depth portrayal) and his assistant Grace Farrell (Julia Nicole Hunter breathtaking). Then there is Miss Hannigan (Stefanie Londino's commanding portrayal spot on), her conman brother Rooster and his girlfriend Lily St. Regis (wonderful singing, dancing and comedy by Nick Bernardi and Krista Curry) round out the villains in Annie's life. The story is about Annie trying to find her parents who left her at the orphanage as a baby. Daddy Warbucks enlists the help of President Franklin Roosevelt (Mark Woodward in his national tour debut) to find her parents. Annie runs away where she immediately befriends a dog named Sandy. She also has soup with inhabitants of a Hooverville under the 59th Street Bridge. This wonderful ensemble of adults also portray Oliver Warbucks' employees, other citizens of NYC and the cabinet of FDR. Quick costume changes are also involved!