Tom Kitt News

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' will open the company's season of rock theatre in October 2011 with the St. Louis premiere of PASSING STRANGE, the all-black Broadway musical about a young man searching for meaning and authenticity in our contemporary world.

The smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT presents "American Idiot Gives Back", a day of special performances on Thursday, December 16 to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

The Alliance Theatre announces the Tony Award® winning creative team behind its world premiere production of Bring It On: The Musical will appear in a panel discussion on Wednesday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Over the course of our ninety minute conversation earlier this week, Tony-winning Broadway star Alice Ripley was kind enough to open up about her role in the phenomenon of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, which is now kicking off a US Tour beginning in Los Angeles, as well as offer thoughts on many of her significant stage roles that she has taken on over the course of her impressive and varied career. Pete Townshend and THE WHO'S TOMMY to Andrew Lloyd Webber and SUNSET BOULEVARD and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, to Sondheim with COMPANY (as the greatest Amy of all time), and even a turn in ROCKY HORROR; Alice Ripley has seemingly done it all, and her passion, dedication and insight into her craft are amply evident in both her studied performances on stage as well as in discussing the art of acting in musical theatre in conversation and what she has taken as her inspirations to play Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In this portion of her most comprehensive interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present Part I of InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

Alice Ripley, Asa Somers, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey talk about Next to Normal - playing NOW at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, through January 2nd only!

For a decade, Bound for Broadway has been letting audiences know about some of the best new shows currently in development. This 10th Anniversary Celebration at Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall will feature four new musicals and then revisit some of the great shows featured over the past 10 years, including the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner NEXT TO NORMAL, AVENUE Q, MUSICAL OF MUSICALS and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE.

The Alliance Theatre announces the Tony Award® winning creative team behind its world premiere production of Bring It On: The Musical will appear in a panel discussion on Wednesday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Hollywood heavyweight Rob Reiner is eager to turn the Pulitzer and Tony-winning musical, Next to Normal into a movie musical. Says Reiner to The Malibu Times: 'I'd love to do Next to Normal...It's about ordinary people, but set to music. It's funny and dark and uplifting. You know, about real stuff.'

'Indeed it's the time of the year to give back', says Christopher Massimine, WPPAC representative, 'and in the spirit of the festivities we're happy to bring this exciting offer to theatre lovers.'

Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is making its west coast premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.With a thrilling contemporary score, 'Next to Normal' is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical features original Broadway star Alice Ripley, who won the Tony for her performance. Next to Normal also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen(Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry).

'Indeed it's the time of the year to give back', says Christopher Massimine, WPPAC representative, 'and in the spirit of the festivities we're happy to bring this exciting offer to theatre lovers.'

To keep up with the ultra-fast pace of the modern age is difficult for most 'normal' people. Dealing with emotional pain or loss on top of average daily strife can be overwhelming. It may easily destroy a life and those connected to it as well. In the Pulitzer Prize winning Next to Normal, the problem is presented via a wife and mother, who has been diagnosed as bi-polar. Her behavior patterns show extreme mental instability verging on insanity, and the effects on her husband and teen daughter are astronomical. Eventually a heartfelt loss from the past unravels that is at the core of the woman's suffering. Structured in a most unique way, Next to Normal is akin to a rock opera, but it is not completely sung; there is intermittent dialogue. The most emotional moments, though, come through song, so the music and book flow together, and with the three tiered open set and loosely structured staging, it all comes together as an unparalleled musical drama.

The producers of the critically acclaimed AMERICAN IDIOT announced today that Green Day frontman and the musical's composer and co-author Billie Joe Armstrong will return to the role of 'St. Jimmy' for 50 performances beginning on January 1, 2011. Armstrong made a triumphant Broadway debut in a one week engagement last September and played to sold-out houses at the St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street.

Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is making its west coast premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. With a thrilling contemporary score, 'Next to Normal' is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical features original Broadway star Alice Ripley, who won the Tony for her performance. Next to Normal also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen (Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry).

Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is making its west coast premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.With a thrilling contemporary score, 'Next to Normal' is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical features original Broadway star Alice Ripley, who won the Tony for her performance. Next to Normal also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen(Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry).

The startling new musical NEXT TO NORMAL, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will start the Denver Center Attractions 2011 season on an dramatic high note, playing the Ellie Caulkins Opera House January 4-16.

'Indeed it's the time of the year to give back', says Christopher Massimine, WPPAC representative, 'and in the spirit of the festivities we're happy to bring this exciting offer to theatre lovers.'

The national tour of 'Next to Normal' opens at the Ahmanson Theatre on Sunday, November 28, 2010. Previews of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical begin November 23; performances will continue through January 2, 2011.

Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, will be making its west coast premiere at the Ahmanson theatre in Los Angeles.With a thrilling contemporary score, 'Next to Normal' is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical features original Broadway star Alice Ripley, who won the Tony for her performance.

For a decade, Bound for Broadway has been letting audiences know about some of the best new shows currently in development. This 10th Anniversary Celebration at Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall will feature four new musicals and then revisit some of the great shows featured over the past 10 years, including the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner NEXT TO NORMAL, AVENUE Q, MUSICAL OF MUSICALS and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE.