Walter Bobbie News

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) will present its thirteenth annual All-City Musical, Footloose to crown the District's 2011-12 series of All-City Arts Programming. The production features the talents of over fifty CMSD students from across the District and will take place on the stage of the Ohio Theatre at PlayhouseSquare, June 1 - 3, 2012. Tony Sias, Director of Arts Education for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, co-directs the production with Kimberly Brown. Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, Footloose was adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The show's music was written by Tom Snow with lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Additional music for Footloose was written by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

Walnut Street Theatre's 2011-2012 Independence Studio on 3 season concludes with A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, the production begins with previews tonight, May 1st, opens May 3rd and continues through June 24th in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) kicks off the 10th anniversary of its Uptown Series with the world premiere of The Bad Guys, written by Alena Smith and directed by Hal Brooks. The Bad Guys will feature Michael Braun (War Horse), Roe Hartrampf (Unnatural Acts), James McMenamin (Suicide, Incorporated), Tobias Segal (The Miracle Worker) and Raviv Ullman (Russian Transport). Previews begin on May 22nd and opening night is Monday, June 4th.

Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford will be participating in When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz May 19 in Palm Springs.

Vineyard Theatre's Developmental Lab Production of THE LANDING (previously titled 'Andra') -- a collection of three related one-act musicals written by the celebrated composer John Kander and his new collaborator, Greg Pierce -- will be presented under the direction of Walter Bobbie, May 15-June 3 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.). The cast just met the press, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos of John Kander, Greg Pierce, Paul Anthony Stewart, David Hyde Pierce, Jake Bennett Siegfried, Julia Murney, David Loud and Walter Bobbie below!

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick, presents Christina Ricci and two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth in the company's upcoming production of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Directed by Tony Speciale, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM began performances Wednesday, March 28 and play a limited engagement through Sunday, May 6. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, will honor Tony Award-winning director and CSC veteran Walter Bobbie at this year's Annual Benefit Gala on Monday, May 21 at Bridgewaters at South Street Seaport.

Life is imitating art for leading man Raza Jaffrey, as CHICAGO producer, Barry Weissler spotted him in the new Steven Spielberg TV series Smash, and immediately offered him the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of the musical. He will star in CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from 16 May to 14 July, playing the role between present Billy, David Bedella, who leaves the cast on 12 May, and Olympian Robin Cousins, who joins on 17 July.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner announced today that acclaimed/awarding winning actresses Judy Kuhn and Melissa Errico will star as Fosca and Clara in the company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, to be directed by John Doyle (the Tony Award-winning revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company). PASSION is slated to begin performances in February, 2013. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks and months, as well as full creative team. PASSION opened on Broadway in May of 1994 and received the Tony Award that year for Best Musical.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, will present its sold-out Open Rehearsal Series with Monday Night ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, featuring a company of seasoned actors and directors as they explore the text over three consecutive Monday nights beginning April 16 with Stephanie Roth Haberle and Sam Tsoutsouvas, directed by Brian Kulick; followed by Laila Robbins as Cleopatra on April 23, directed by Craig Baldwin; and finally on April 30, Kim Cattrall as Cleopatra and Anthony Heald as Antony, directed by Brian Kulick. While all three evenings are sold-out, a waiting list will form each evening at 7 pm in the lobby.

Olympics Gold Medallist Robin Cousins will star on the West End stage as Billy Flynn in the musical CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from 17 July, 10 days ahead of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. He will be in the show until 8 September, the day before the final day of the Paralympics.

According to an audition listing, Walter Bobbie is set to direct Vineyard Theatre's Developmental Lab Production of THE LANDING (previously titled 'Andra') -- a collection of three related one-act musicals written by the celebrated composer John Kander and his new collaborator, Greg Pierce - THE LANDING will be presented May 15-June 3 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.).

Walnut Street Theatre's 2011-2012 Independence Studio on 3 season concludes with A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, the production begins with previews on May 1st, opens May 3rd and continues through June 24th in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3.

According to parezhilton.com, Pamela Anderson is headed to Broadway. The actress is set to star in the hit revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO.

Walnut Street Theatre's 2011-2012 Independence Studio on 3 season concludes with an all-new production, Rodgers and Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, the production begins with previews on May 1st, opens May 3rd and continues through June 24th in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3.

Laura Osnes stars as Suzy in the New York City Center Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream running through April 1. Pipe Dream is directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay, and plays for seven performances at New York City Center, West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The Encores! presentation marks the first time the musical will be seen on the New York stage since the original production closed in June 1956.

MCC Theater presented the company's highly anticipated annual gala, Miscast last night, March 26, at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The starry line up of participants included Jonathan Groff ("Glee," Spring Awakening), Megan Hilty ("Smash," 9 to 5), Tony® Award-winner Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Josh Gad ("Modern Family," The Book of Mormon), Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Jan Maxwell (Follies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol," Rock of Ages), Nicole Parker ("Mad TV," a Miscast favorite returning for her 4th time). Check out photo coverage of the arrivals below!

MCC THEATER presented the company's highly anticipated annual gala, Miscast, last night, March 26 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The starry line up of participants included Jonathan Groff ("Glee," Spring Awakening), Megan Hilty ("Smash," 9 to 5), Tony® Award-winner Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Josh Gad ("Modern Family," The Book of Mormon), Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Jan Maxwell (Follies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol," Rock of Ages), Nicole Parker ("Mad TV," a Miscast favorite returning for her 4th time).

This week - it's all about VENUS IN FUR, the acclaimed new play by David Ives, directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie starring Tony Award nominee Nina Arianda and Emmy Award nominee Hugh Dancy that began performances at its new home at the Lyceum Theatre in February!

After her critically-acclaimed debut as Roxie Hart on Broadway and in London's West End, Christie Brinkley will make her Broadway tour debut this spring as she reprises her killer role in the six-time Tony Award-winning musical smash hit CHICAGO. Also joining the cast is star of 'Seinfeld' and 'Family Feud', John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn. This killer show will play at the San Diego Civic Theatre May 8-13, 2012. Tickets are available now!