Tommy Newman News

Nicholas Christopher (Motown, Rent), Gavin Lodge (Annie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Jacey Powers (Falling, Our Town), and Jason Michael Snow (The Book of Mormon, Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man) have joined the cast of the upcoming Band Geeks in Concert at 54 Below on January 18th. They join the previously announced Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella, It Should've Been You), F. Michael Haynie (Wicked, NBC's Peter Pan Live), Lindsay Mendez (Wicked, Dogfight), Ruthie Ann Miles (Here Lies Love, The King and I), Mike Millan (Piece of My Heart), Patti Murin (Lysistrata Jones, Fly by Night), Ben Platt (Book of Mormon, Pitch Perfect), and Daniel Quadrino (Newsies, NBC's Peter Pan Live).

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: The Mamma Mia! Dads in Concert; Kander and Ebb and All That Jazz; Sondheim Originals: Old Friends; Donna Vivino: The Friends and Family Plan; and Band Geeks in Concert.

This January and February 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

On January 18th an all-star cast will bring the musical Band Geeks to life in a concert presentation at 54 Below. The 7pm & 9:30pm shows will feature Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella, It Should've Been You), F. Michael Haynie (Wicked, NBC's Peter Pan Live), Lindsay Mendez (Wicked, Dogfight), Ruthie Ann Miles (Here Lies Love, The King and I), Mike Millan (Piece of My Heart), Patti Murin (Lysistrata Jones, Fly by Night), Ben Platt (Book of Mormon, Pitch Perfect), Daniel Quadrino (Newsies, NBC's Peter Pan Live), and more to be announced soon.

It's a musical theater nerd's paradise and as a nerd one of my favorite times of the year. Village Theatre has once again brought together an incredible weekend of new works for workshop readings and one full production. Five shows put up for one performance as readings with music stands and scripts in hand and then one larger production put up for two weekends. And while the weekend may be over (and only for members anyway) there's still time to see the larger production and I've got some wonderful photos for you all. But let's start with the production you can still see and then we'll move onto the workshops.

The Village Theatre is the birthplace of new works such Next to Normal and Million Dollar Quartet. And now, it has announced its lineup for the 14th Annual Village Originals Festival of New Musicals, which runs today, Aug 8 to 17. They will be showcasing six new musicals which have been under development.

Over one jam packed weekend, today, August 8 -10, six new musicals will be brought to life with help from more than 100 artists and one dozen directors and authors from across the country.

The Village Theatre is the birthplace of new works such Next to Normal and Million Dollar Quartet. And now, it has announced its lineup for the 14th Annual Village Originals Festival of New Musicals, which runs from Aug 8 to 17. They will be showcasing six new musicals which have been under development.

Over one jam packed weekend, August 8 -10, six new musicals will be brought to life with help from more than 100 artists and one dozen directors and authors from across the country.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the national awardees of the 46th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-19, 2014. Dozens of students received scholarships, fellowships, and cash awards in recognition of their outstanding work. From January 7 through March 1, 2014, these student artists from eight regions presented their work and were selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for an expenses-paid trip to participate in National Festival events taking place at the Kennedy Center.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced national awardees of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Individuals from across the United States are recognized for outstanding work from the eight regional festivals that were held January 7 through March 1, 2014. Selected awardees and representatives will be brought to Washington, D.C. for an expense-paid trip to participate in the 46th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-19, 2014.

As a teen in Tulsa, Oklahoma who aspired to be a dramatic actor, Chicago-born Jason Graae was advised to 'Be a Clown' and to 'Make 'em Laugh'. Not everyone can fill the shoes of a clown; those shoes are pretty damn big. But for Graae, whose mind never stops clicking with its razor-sharp wit, fierce timing and shotgun-speed spontaneity, clowning seemed the natural choice, and thank heaven for us, he not only followed through but has turned into one of the most endearing comic performers the world has ever known. On Monday March 10, Graae premiered his brand new cabaret show 49 1/2 Shades of Graae at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to an ecstatic packed house. Introducing his material, he said it was based on the porn novel 50 Shades of Grey, but...'This is gonna be dirtier.' 'Dirty' in Graae terminology means... yes, indeed, some smut thrown in, but with a whole lot of charm, pizazz and miles and miles of genuine humor. There are a few serious scenarios included in the mostly autobiographical show, but every one with heart and banners waving high. And when I mean autobiographical, there are not only career stories but personal anecdotes as well. Expertly staged by Heather Lee and with fab musical direction from John Boswell, the evening was, to quote Graae, in an improv-takeoff of my supposed BWW review, 'the best show I saw in NoHo all day...' and for those lucky enough to get reservations, it will repeat next Sunday March 16.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Theatreworks USA's The Teacher from the Black Lagoon & Other Story Books ('Dogzilla,' 'I Want My Hat Back,' 'Grumpy Bird,' 'Lily's Purple Plastic Purse,' 'Love Splat (Splat the Cat),' and 'The Grasshopper and the Ant') from February 16-23, 2014, at six performance locations throughout the area.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre's (NAMT) 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals takes place tomorrow, Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Below, meet the writers of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals shows!

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced final casting for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced additional casting and creatives for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced initial casting for the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

9 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick will be rockin' every night beginning September 24 with music and laughter. George Street Playhouse and Artistic Director David Saint have announced casting for the opening production for the venerable theatre's fortieth season. Gettin' The Band Back Together (formerly titled Garage Band) is a rockin' valentine to the Garden State, and will be directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando - who also helmed The Toxic Avenger in New Brunswick (and New York) a few seasons back. Gettin' The Band Back Together will rock the house beginning Tuesday, September 24 and continue through Sunday, October 27. Opening night is set for Friday, October 4. Gettin' The Band Back Together is performed by special arrangement with Davenport Theatrical Enterprises, Inc. and Roy Putrino.