Van Kaplan News

Pittsburgh CLO Academy has announced that its students will perform Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods at the New Hazlett Theater today, November 16 at 2:00 & 7:00pm.

Pittsburgh CLO Academy has announced that its students will perform Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods at the New Hazlett Theater on November 16 at 2:00 & 7:00pm. The cast members are all enrolled in the school's Musical Theater Production class and are being directed by Pittsburgh CLO Academy faculty members Justin Fortunato, Kiesha Lalama, and Bob Neumeyer.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced that the world premiere of Judge Jackie Justice - A New Musical Comedy will debut at the CLO Cabaret Theater on January 30 and will run through April 27. CMU graduates Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond are writing the musical, commissioned for the CLO's Cabaret Theater with dramaturgy by Mary Jane Brennan. The show is conceived and will be directed by Pittsburgh CLO Executive Producer Van Kaplan with choreography by Kiesha Lalama and musical direction by Michael Moricz.

The new musical, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, has targeted Broadway for the spring of 2015 following its world premiere in December, 2014 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. It will be directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, making his Broadway directing debut. Featuring music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Tony and Pulitzer Prize nominee Craig Lucas, the creative team also includes Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (sets and costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Scott Lehrer (sound) with a musical score adapted and supervised by Rob Fisher. Bartlett Sher is creative consultant. Based on the Academy Award winning film inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS brings this classic tale to Broadway for the first time.

Pittsburgh CLO has just announced the 2014 Summer Season, featuring the big, blonde sensation, Legally Blonde the Musical and the National Tour of Evita, fresh off its hit Broadway engagement. This Season will also include beloved musical theater treasure Singin' in the Rain, outrageous comedy masterpiece Spamalot, seven-time Tony Award-winner CATS and the explosive cult film phenomenon turned Broadway powerhouse Footloose, being produced by Pittsburgh CLO for the first time.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that it will honor its Founders and Presidents, past and present, at SHOW OFF!, a benefit concert celebrating 25 years of NAMT's Annual Festival of New Musicals on Sunday, October 20 at 7pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square).

The national tour of the hilarious new show You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, a relationship comedy that People magazine called "LAUGH OUT LOUD!", continues its tour with a premiere in Philadelphia at the New Penn's Landing Playhouse (inside the Independence Seaport Museum) 211 S. Columbus Blvd & Walnut St. With previews beginning September 18, 2013, Opening Night is planned for Wednesday, October 2, 2013 and will run through December 29, 2013.

The national tour of the hilarious new show You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, a comedy that People magazine called 'LAUGH OUT LOUD!', continues its national tour with a premiere in San Diego at downtown's Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, today, July 24-August 18, 2013.

The National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) selected 62 finalists from tens of thousands of students to compete for the coveted Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress, last night at the Minskoff Theatre. Hosted by the Tony Award-nominated stars of Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana, the fifth annual performance showcase featured dynamic ensemble and solo performances exclusively from the musical theater cannon. Sarah Lynn Marion, from Fullerton, CA and Taylor Varga, from Newtown, CT took home the big awards for the evening and you can check out photos from inside the event below!

The national tour of the hilarious new show You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, a comedy that People magazine called 'LAUGH OUT LOUD!', continues its national tour with a premiere in San Diego at downtown's Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, July 24-August 18, 2013.

The Tony-nominated stars of the Broadway musical Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA -- Laura Osnes (Cinderella) and Santino Fontana (the Prince) --will host the 5th Annual National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) on Monday, July 1 at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway. Student winners from 31 regional awards will compete in the national event for the Jimmy Awards, named after Broadway theater owner and producer James M. ("Jimmy") Nederlander.

Pittsburgh CLO presents the Stephen Sondheim celebration, Side By Side By Sondheim, which will run tonight, May 23 through August 18 at the CLO Cabaret.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the cast for the Stephen Sondheim celebration, Side By Side By Sondheim, which will run May 23 through August 18 at the CLO Cabaret.

Pittsburgh CLO presents Pittsburgh Premiere of You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, which will run now through May 5 at the CLO Cabaret. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Denver Center Attractions The Bobby G Awards, a regional high school musical theatre awards program, joins The National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) as a participating program for 2013. Due to this exciting announcement, the deadline for public and private high schools in the seven county Denver metro to apply has been extended to February 8. The first 25 schools that submit verified applications are accepted this year. For more information visit BobbyGAwards.org.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the Pittsburgh CLO premiere of Side by Side by Sondheim at the CLO Cabaret May 23 - August 18. The sophistication, wit, insight, heart and genius of Broadway's most innovative and influential artist is at the center of this tribute to composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim - a perfect introduction to the work of the contemporary master and a must for die-hard fans. Following Side by Side by Sondheim will be the eagerly-anticipated return of Defending the Caveman, back by popular demand after a sell-out run at the Cabaret in 2011.

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble's hit production of Cole Porter's Fifty Million Frenchmen returns to the New York stage this week, for seven performances only: Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. (preview); Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. (opening); Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. (closing). The theatre is at 549 W. 52nd St., 3rd Floor, at 11th Ave., NY, NY 10019, subway C/E 50th St.

Audiences wanted it, now they have it. Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, is bringing back this fall's hit production of Cole Porter's Fifty Million Frenchmen for seven performances only. There is one preview on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. The show officially opens on Saturday, Jan. 19. at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and the closing performance is on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. The theatre is located at 549 W. 52nd Street, 3rd Floor, near 11th Ave., New York, NY 10019, subway C/E 50th St.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the cast for the Pittsburgh Premiere of You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, which will run January 31 through May 5 at the CLO Cabaret. Tickets can now be purchased at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square.

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, will stage a winter theater comedy tradition A Mummers' Play: Prince George and the Dragon. Previews are set for tonight, Dec. 20, 2012; Friday Dec. 21, 2012; and Saturday Dec. 22, 2012 all at 7:30 p.m. There is no performance on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. Opening night is Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 and the closing performance is on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013.