Tony Ponturo News

Daryl Waters and David Bryan are this year's recipient of the 2010 Best Orchestrations Award for MEMPHIS.

David Bryan is this year's recipient of the 2010 Best Music Award for MEMPHIS.

Theatre legends Hal Prince and Susan Stroman, in an interview with The Times Online, discuss their opinions and frustrations on the state of the musical and theatre, their pasts and their directorial collaboration on Paradise Found, set to begin previews this week at London's Menier Chocolate Factory.

Last week the New York Post reported that Justin Timberlake was interested in making a movie of MEMPHIS and this week ... it's Oliver Stone. The paper states that Stone is a big fan of the show which he's seen twice already and that he's been taking meetings with David Bryan. A representative for Stone confirms the director is interested in the project, telling the publication, 'He's thinking about it.'

Producers Tony Ponturo and Fran Kirmser today announced additional casting as well as the creative team for LOMBARDI, coming to Broadway's Circle in the Square this fall (previews begin September 23, opening night is October 21). The cast will feature Judith Light as Marie Lombardi, Keith Nobbs as Michael McCormick, Bill Dawes as Paul Hornung, Robert Christopher Riley as Dave Robinson and Chris Sullivan as Jim Taylor.

The New York Post is reporting that while pop star Justin Timberlake was backstage with girlfriend Jessica Biel at MEMPHIS on Broadway last week, that he told the show's composer, Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan that 'he's interested in turning the show into a movie.' Timberlake, aged 29 was born in Memphis, Tennessee where the show takes place.

Nominations for the American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced May 4, 2010 by Broadway Star Lea Michele and Tony Award Nominee Jeff Daniels.

The audience members attending the April 17th 2 PM performance of Memphis were given an extra special treat when Ramon Castro got on stage and proposed to his girlfriend Celeste Sanders. Castro quoted the show asking Sanders if she would be the woman to pick out his clothes for the rest of his life, a line used by Huey Calhoun.

According to the New York Times, the National Football League will co-produce the upcoming musical LOMBARDI, based on the life of Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, which is set to open at the Circle in the Square Theater on Broadway on September 29, 2010.

Hal Prince is currently taking on a new challenge very different from many of the shows he has worked on in the past. In the process of bringing PARADISE found to an eventual home on Broadway, Prince understands he may have to compete against several of his own shows.

MEMPHIS, the musical that is currently BLOWING THE ROOF OFF BROADWAY celebrates its 200th performance on Saturday, April 10th at 8pm at the Shubert Theatre. Cast and crew will celebrate this milestone in true MEMPHIS style with dinner from Carmine's and cake between shows.

MEMPHIS, the musical that is currently BLOWING THE ROOF OFF BROADWAY celebrates its 200th performance on Saturday, April 10th at 8pm at the Shubert Theatre. Cast and crew will celebrate this milestone in true MEMPHIS style with dinner from Carmine's and cake between shows.

Tom Viertel, Chairman of the Board of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, has announced that Stephen Sondheim will present Harold Prince with the organization's Monte Cristo Award at a gala benefit on Monday, April 5, 2010 at Bridgewaters. The Award, given annually in recognition of a distinguished career exemplifying Eugene O'Neill's pioneering spirit and standard of excellence, has previously been presented to Kevin Spacey, Neil Simon, Jason Robards, Jr., Edward Albee, August Wilson, Zoe Caldwell, Brian Dennehy, Karl Malden, Arthur and Barbara Gelb, and Wendy Wasserstein.

Rehearsals begin yesterday, Monday, April 5 for the World Premiere production of PARADISE FOUND, a new musical under the combined direction of Theater legend and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince (the original productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Company, Follies, Evita) and 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy For You, Show Boat, The Producers, Contact). This is their first collaboration since the landmark, Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat. Following the New York rehearsal period, the production will open at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory with performances running May 19 through June 26. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the introductory event!

The original musical MEMPHIS, the show that's currently blowing the roof off Broadway, will celebrate the retail release of their Original Cast Recording with an in-store performance and CD signing at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center (1972 Broadway at 66th Street) at 4pm on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

Rehearsals begin today, Monday, April 5 for the World Premiere production of PARADISE FOUND, a new musical under the combined direction of Theater legend and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince (the original productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Company, Follies, Evita) and 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy For You, Show Boat, The Producers, Contact). This is their first collaboration since the landmark, Tony Award-winning revival of Show Boat. Following the New York rehearsal period, the production will open at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory with performances running May 19 through June 26.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will present its annual Monte Cristo Award to legendary Broadway producer and director Harold Prince, in recognition of his monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community.

The original musical MEMPHIS, the show that's currently blowing the roof off Broadway, will celebrate the retail release of their Original Cast Recording with an in-store performance and CD signing at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center (1972 Broadway at 66th Street) at 4pm on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

The producers of the hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS announced today that the critically acclaimed production will launch a U. S. national tour in Memphis, TN. Performances will begin in October, 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre (203 South Main Street). Additional cities, dates and casting will be announced at a later date.

The thrilling new musical MEMPHIS will fuel the imaginations of thousands of New York and New Jersey students through the new educational program INSPIRE CHANGE. Students from arts-poor schools will experience historical events in a new musical way, through tickets to the Broadway production, an in-school dynamic pre-show workshop led by a MEMPHIS cast member and teaching artists, as well as a post-show discussion with the MEMPHIS actors. Ticket to MEMPHIS, round-trip transportation and the workshop/post-show experience will be provided by the funders of INSPIRE CHANGE. The program is run by educational consultancy group iTheatrics (www.itheatrics.com).