Van Kaplan News

Catching Up with the Jimmy Awards Alumni- Part 2

Before we get to know this year's Jimmy Awards nominees, BroadwayWorld is catching up with some of the program's alumni! Below, get to know just a few, including: Nora Cullinan, Emily Emmett, Arella Flur, Caleb Jingo, Alyssa McDonald, Tony Moreno, Morgan Roberts, Michelle Rubich, Alex Syiek, and Riley Thad Young.

Pittsburgh CLO's 2021 Gene Kelly Award Winners Announced

The event featured performances from the 2021 nominees and students from the participating schools as well as a special message from guest of honor, Patricia Ward Kelly, the wife of the late actor for whom the awards are named.

Pittsburgh CLO's Van Kaplan Will Step Down After 24 Years

Pittsburgh CLO announced today that Van Kaplan, CEO, will be retiring from his position as the head of the 75-year-old arts organization in September 2021. Mr. Kaplan will remain as a consultant helping to oversee new projects and development opportunities.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces SUMMER UNDER THE STARS 75th Anniversary Season At Heinz Field

Pittsburgh CLO today announced it will bring Broadway back to the ‘Burgh this summer at Heinz Field in a first-ever partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Apples And Oranges Arts Announces The Inaugural Class Of THEatre ACCELERATOR: New Reality Edition

Applying the model that accelerates technology start-ups, APPLES AND ORANGES ARTS THEatre ACCELERATOR Program treats storytellers as founders, creating an opportunity to interact with experts in the storytelling, production, financing, distribution and business of show business.

Apples And Oranges Arts' Now Accepting Submissions for THEatre ACCELERATOR: New Reality Edition

Apples and Orange Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to 'taking the starving out of artist,' is currently accepting submissions for THEatre ACCELERATOR: New Reality Edition - an immersive virtual musical theatre development program geared specifically towards developing and distributing musicals in mixed realities.

Pittsburgh CLO's A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL Starring Richard Thomas to Air on WQED

Pittsburgh CLO has announced that the public will be able to enjoy A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL for the 29th consecutive year! Recorded live at Pittsburgh's Byham Theater in 2018, this special production will be broadcast on WQED as a holiday gift to the community, so that families can once again experience this cherished tradition together.

Breaking: AMERICAN BUFFALO Will Now Open in Spring 2021

American Buffalo, written by David Mamet and directed by Neil Pepe, will officially open at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 W 50th Street) on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, exactly one year after its originally scheduled opening date.

Pittsburgh CLO Cancels 2020 Summer Season Announces 75th Anniversary 2021 Season

Pittsburgh CLO Executive Producer & CEO Van Kaplan announced that due to the uncertainties and risks related to the ongoing health crisis, in addition to previously announced postponements of shows at the CLO Cabaret, the organization will not go forward with its 2020 Summer Season of musicals. '

Pittsburgh CLO's Gene Kelly Awards Canceled

The Pittsburgh CLO has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Gene Kelly Awards, which were previously scheduled for May 23, due to the ongoing crisis with COVID-19. This decision was made out of respect for the health and safety of the many students, families, theater professionals and fans who attend and participate in this program each year.

ELF THE MUSICAL JR and More Announced For Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's 101st Season

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati already announced Disney Channel's smash hit movie musical, DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS, is coming to life on stage as the opening title of its 101st season at the Taft Theatre.

Get $10 off AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at Drury Lane Theatre!

Based On The Academy Award Winner For Best Picture, An American In Paris Brings Breathtaking Moments Of Dance And Song To The Stage. Come Away With Jerry Mulligan, An American Gi Doing His Best To Make It As A Painter In The Bustling City Of Paris Following The End Of World War Ii. The Storied Streets Of The City Of Light Become The Dancefloor To A Ravishing And Passionate Voyage Into Art, Friendship, And Love. Set To The Music Of George And Ira Gershwin, This Four-time Tony Award Winner And Grammy Award Nominee Is Sure To Please.

Pittsburgh CLO to Hold Community Kickoff Event in Honor of the 30th Year of the Gene Kelly Awards

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the first ever community kickoff event in honor of the 30th year of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. The Kickoff Event will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University. This one-of-a-kind event will bring together students from 34 area high schools for a day filled with workshops led my industry professionals, motivational speakers, a Q&A with Gene Kelly Awards Alumni and more. The event will enhance our arts community by adding additional resources and educational opportunities both for students and the teachers who lead musical theater efforts in their schools.

Segal Centre Presents The North American Premiere Of MYTHIC

The Segal Centre is proud to continue its mission of developing and premiering new musical theatre works with top Canadian talent with a new pop/rock musical about the Greek goddess Persephone. Directed by Brian Hill and featuring a high-energy score filled with epic anthems by Marcus Stevens and Oran Eldor, the North American premiere of Mythic will be in the Sylvan Adams Theatre from October 27 to November 17, 2019. 

Announcing Pittsburgh CLO's 2020 Summer Season!

Pittsburgh CLO proudly welcomes two Tony Award-winning shows direct from Broadway, starting with THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, the bold, original smash hit The New York Times declares, a?oeBRILLIANT!a?? Second up is the stunning ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, a visionary tale about a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world. Winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND features choreography by Camille A. Brown (Pittsburgh CLO's ONCE) and book/lyrics from Lynn Ahrens and CLO alum, Stephen Flaherty. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a timeless testament to theater's unlimited possibilities.

Photo Coverage: On the Red Carpet at the 2019 Jimmy Awards!

Last night, The Jimmy Awards held their 11th annual ceremony at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre. The top awards went to Ethan Kelso and Ekele Ukegbu, for Best Performance by an Actor, and Actress, respectively. Kelso took home the prize for his performance as Will Bloom in Big Fish at Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts in Logan, Utah, while Ukegbu won for her performances as the title role of Aida at Elmont Memorial Junior-Senior High School in New York City.

JIMMYS BLOG: Samuel Aubuchon- Pure Broadway Glory

Earlier this year, he won the title of Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Terry Connor in Blue Springs High School's Side Show. Read Samuel's second entry below and be sure to check out his first and second too!

JIMMYS BLOG: Samuel Aubuchon- Arriving in NYC!

BroadwayWorld is bringing you the inside scoop on this year's Jimmy Awards with student blogger Samuel Aubuchon- a nominee from Kansas City Starlight Theatre's Blue Star Awards. Earlier this year, he won the title of Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Terry Connor in Blue Springs High School's Side Show. Read Samuel's second entry below and click here if you missed his first!

2019 Gene Kelly Award Winners Announced

A sold-out crowd gathered at the Benedum Center as Pittsburgh CLO and The Michael J. Kara Family honored Allegheny County's finest high school performers at the 29th Annual Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater on Saturday, May 25, 2019.

JUDGE JACKIE: DISORDER IN THE COURT Comes to Adelaide Fringe

Multi-award-winning Davine Productions presents the Australian premiere of hilarious new musical comedy parody, Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court, in the 2019 Adelaide Fringe at The Parks Theatre, Angle Park.