Velvel News

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

First Hand Theatrical, under Kevin Olson's direction, fashioned a jewel in AND THEN WHAT? and this production captivates from the moment the first lines are spoken. AND THEN WHAT? is that rare piece of theater that truly touches every emotion; guaranteed, you won't find a dry eye in the house by the time the curtain falls.

BroadwayWorld Rhode Island recently interviewed the creative team behind AND THEN WHAT? THE CHILDREN OF VELVEL AND SHEINA-GITEL AVERBUKH, a new play by First Hand Theatrical based on Bena Shklyanoy's historical family memoir. Ms. Shklyanoy, Kevin Olson (Artistic Director, First Hand Theatrical), and Katya Ginzburg-Bram (Actor, First Hand Theatrical) shared their insights into the "page-to-stage" process of this fascinating work.

The tumultuous sweep of Pre-Bolshevik and Soviet history is captured in a new, original play which chronicles the true-life stories of Soviet Jewish emigre Bena Shklyanoy's family. From pogroms, through the Bolshevik Revolution, through both World Wars, through Khrushchev's "Thaw" and finally up to the Save Soviet Jewry movement of the 1970s, this new play is drawn from a family and social history researched and written by Ms. Shklyanoy, who emigrated from the Soviet Union to Chicago with her husband and two daughters in 1976.

Mark Robinson has been named Head of Business and Legal Affairs at Kevin Liles' 300 Entertainment, bringing with him over 20 years of industry experience and accolades.

If this Jamie deRoy 25th Anniversary Show was competing against some of those great Ed Sullivan variety episodes it would have been no contest.  First of all, Jamie knows how to give an introduction, is an entertainer herself, and the best in entertainment business sign up to be in a Jamie deRoy & friends show . The Actors Fund presented this 40th annual 30th Jamie Birthday show and it was truly a spectacular event with some of the most talented performers on the stage at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at the john Jay College of Criminal Justice.  The only crime last night was that the event wasn't televised live but I'm sure excerpts will be available on Jamie's cable TV show and through the facilities of The Actors Fund.  

We spoke with Shannon Guggenheim on the return engagement of her unconvential holiday show MeshugaNutcracker. The production just opened in San Francisco and plays through December 14, but you can also catch it in San Jose December 25-28 before it travels to NYC next year. For tickets and information, visit http://themeshuganutcracker.com/.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) announce recent recipients of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Initiative commissions for Manhattan Theatre Club. The commissioned writers are Jeff Augustin (Little Children Dream of God), Courtney Baron (A Very Common Procedure) and Juliana Nash (Murder Ballad), Nell Benjamin (The Explorers Club), Madeline George (The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence), Tom Holloway (And No More Shall We Part), Nathan Jackson (Broke-ology), Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (An Octoroon), Greg Pierce (Slowgirl), and Alexandra Wood (The Initiate).

BroadwayWorld has learned that in December, Kritzerland will release the cast album for THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, which concluded its limited Broadway run in June.

THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE concludes its limited Broadway run today, as originally announced. The show stars two time Tony Award-winner Donna Murphy and is directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.

Roundabout Theatre Company's The People in the Picture star Donna Murphy will take WNBC's "LX-NY" backstage tonight between 5-6PM on channel 4.

The Ladies Who Lunch Theatre (Michael & Barbara Ross) take pride in introducing you to THEY CHANGED BROADWAY, a new musical revue, for three performances only, June 8, 12 & 15, at The Excelsior Dinner Theatre in Manalapan, New Jersey.

A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE cast member Shannon Lewis received the Gypsy Robe and BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration.

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. Below, Broadway Beat brings you opening night party coverage!

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. Here are photos of the red carpet arrivals!

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. Here are photos of the cast celebrating during the opening night curtain call and party!

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. Click below for a performance preview!

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. Production footage has been released and we have a sneak peek!

THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE's Donna Murphy was featured on WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' on Wednesday, April 20th 2011. Listen here. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, directed by Leonard Foglia features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.