Tom Sawyer News

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Mark Linehan and Jennifer Ellis march in step in a glorious rendering of Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN to close out Reagle Music Theatre's 50th Anniversary Summer Season with a bang. Director/choreographer Susan M. Chebookjian's staging is seamless, with one production number after another showing off the ensemble's terpsichorean talent with challenging dance combinations, and Music Director Dan Rodriguez conducts a 12-piece orchestra that brings out the brio of Willson's score. The 1957 Tony Award-winning Best Musical still has lots of get up and go, with stirring marches and patter songs, romantic ballads, and a town full of characters as American as apple pie.

The Tony Award-winning BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN comes to The Sauk, in Jonesville, for eight performances, August 9-19. Though trying to stay 'respectable,' Huckleberry Finn runs into trouble when his father, Pap, returns to town. Huck is forced to fake his own death to escape and joins up with another on the run - Jim, a slave in the search for freedom. As they head down the river, they get sucked into scams involving two 'aristocrats,' one of which lands Jim in chains once again. Can Huck, with his best friend Tom Sawyer, join together to free him?

The Tony Award-winning BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN comes to The Sauk, in Jonesville, for eight performances, August 9-19. Though trying to stay 'respectable,' Huckleberry Finn runs into trouble when his father, Pap, returns to town. Huck is forced to fake his own death to escape and joins up with another on the run - Jim, a slave in the search for freedom. As they head down the river, they get sucked into scams involving two 'aristocrats,' one of which lands Jim in chains once again. Can Huck, with his best friend Tom Sawyer, join together to free him?

Casting is now complete for the Lyceum premiere of the charming and hilarious comedy Souvenir, playing from August 18 - August 26. Souvenir will be directed by BRUCE LONGWORTH (At the Lyceum: The Immigrant, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Miracle Worker, Arsenic and Old Lace and The Importance of Being Earnest). The production features APRIL WOODALL as Florence Foster Jenkins, and PAUL HELM as her hapless accompanist, Cosme McMoon.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's 50th Anniversary Summer Season closes with The Music Man from August 2-12, 2018. The multiple Tony award-winning musical runs for 8 performances (including 4 matinees) at the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington St., Waltham, MA starring IRNE Award Nominee Mark Linehan as Harold Hill and Elliot Norton Award Winner Jennifer Ellis as Marian Paroo. Produced by Robert J. Eagle; Directed and Choreographed by Susan M. Chebookjian, who will restage the original Broadway and film choreography by Onna White; Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez.

Back to Before: Former Broadway Kids Return to the Stage will be presented at Feinstein's/54 Below on August 18th at 9:30 PM. Second edition by popular demand! Ever wonder what happened to your favorite millennial Broadway child star? They're now old enough to play their "parents"! Come hear these former child actors sing songs from the shows they were in and hear untold stories about what it's like balancing school, homework, and just being a regular kid with regular kid problems. Written and hosted by Laura Heywood (@BroadwayGirlNYC) with musical direction by Drew Wutke.

WRITE OUT LOUD, an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience  - announces the 9th Annual TwainFest to take place on Saturday, August 18th from 11am - 4:30pm in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego. TwainFest is produced by Write Out Loud and sponsored by Fiesta de Reyes in association with Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Extra, extra. Read all about it! Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre has announced its blockbuster schedule for 2018-19. The curtain goes up on Kelsey's 45th season Sept. 6 with the award-winning musical 'Newsies,' followed by other major musicals, dramas, comedies, and shows for the entire family. Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible with free parking next to the theater.

Art imitates Life. Life imitates Art. When two actors with a history are thrown together as romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama, they quickly lose touch with reality as the story onstage follows them offstage. Stage Kiss captures Sarah Ruhl's singular voice with a funny and charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kiss-or when actors share a real one.

Nestled at 405 Main Street in North Little Rock, the Argenta Community Theater deserves its spot amongst the other 'artsy' venues and clubs taking residence in the Argenta district. Though it isn't a very big setting (not as small as a black box theater, but definitely not auditorium size), they impress this writer with their creative use of space. And the talent? It's surprising that these people are not professional actors, though I do take the liberty to prophesize that some of them very well may be in the near future. The Argenta family never disappoints.

The Tabard Theatre today announces full casting for Meet the Teaspoons. From fabulous songs to lovable characters, this brand new play is a fun filled theatrical adventure the whole family can enjoy.

On this day, we're celebrating the birthday of Broadway, film, and television star, Kristen Bell!

It is the biggest night in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The world famous tenor, Tito Morelli, "Il Stupendo," is to perform his greatest roll, Otello. However, at the final dress rehearsal of Otello, Merelli is nowhere to be found. The manager, Henry Saunders, and his assistant Max are in a panic. It appears Merelli's wife has left him a 'Dear John' letter and the distraught singer, accidentally given a double dose of tranquilizers, is thought to be dead.  What follows is a laugh-out-loud chain reaction of mistaken identity, farcical plot twists, double entendres and musical mayhem!

'Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' the Tony Award-winning best musical comes to The Sauk, Hillsdale County's community theatre, with a cast of veterans and newcomers for eight performances, August 9-19.

An energetic cast of nearly 40 performers and a 16-piece orchestra give the incomparable Cole Porter score of ANYTHING GOES its due. Leigh Barrett headlines as Reno Sweeney, and multiple IRNE Award-winners Elaine Grace and Dan Rodriguez direct/choreograph and music direct/conduct, respectively. The fabulous singing and dancing keep this ship afloat for its transatlantic journey.

Director Jane Staab's Beauty & the Beast is a fable for our time, emphasizing the humanity of its enchanted castle's 'objects' (and even its titular beast) through costume and demeanor, while stressing the power of kindness and the promise of change. The themes run throughout this show - from its winning, broad comedy to its vivid, heartfelt moments.

WRITE OUT LOUD, an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience - announces the 9th Annual TwainFest to take place on Saturday, August 18th from 11am - 4:30pm in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego. TwainFest is produced by Write Out Loud and sponsored by Fiesta de Reyes in association with Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

It is the biggest night in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The world famous tenor, Tito Morelli, "Il Stupendo," is to perform his greatest roll, Otello. However, at the final dress rehearsal of Otello, Merelli is nowhere to be found. The manager, Henry Saunders, and his assistant Max are in a panic. It appears Merelli's wife has left him a 'Dear John' letter and the distraught singer, accidentally given a double dose of tranquilizers, is thought to be dead.  What follows is a laugh-out-loud chain reaction of mistaken identity, farcical plot twists, double entendres and musical mayhem!

The Classics Theatre Project's Artistic Director Joey Folsom today announced casting and creative team details for the Company's inaugural production, in a new adaptation by Ben Schroth of Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard. The Cherry Orchard, directed by Joey Folsom, will run June 21 - July 14, 2018 in the Kim Dawson Theatre at the The Trinity River Arts Center.