Warren Leight News

The producers of LEAP OF FAITH, the new musical based on the motion picture "Leap of Faith," produced by Paramount Pictures Corporation and written by Janus Cercone, are pleased to announce that the Broadway production will begin previews on Tuesday, April 3 and will open in late April (date to be announced) at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street).

On January 6, Michael Riedel reported in the New York Post that LEAP OF FAITH, which had been planning for a Fall 2012 debut on Broadway was hoping to move to the Spring of 2012 instead. Today, Patrick Healy of The New York Times has confirmed that hope, via a newsletter from producer Daryl Roth, in which she notes that there should be news 'shortly' and that 'hopefully' the show will open in the Spring.

Writer and director Jim Findlay examines our relationship to plant life in the black comedy Botanica.

Country singer Miranda Lambert is set to join Broadway veteran Michael McKean on Law & Order: SVU.

The world-premiere of Zayd Dohrn's play OUTSIDE PEOPLE, directed by Evan Cabnet and co-produced by Vineyard Theatre and Naked Angels begins preview performances December 21 prior to an official press opening of January 10 at Vineyard Theatre (108 East. 15th Street).

Three-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick Jr. will have a multi-episode, guest-starring turn on the Wolf Films/NBC drama 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET).

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that both LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and LEAP OF FAITH are considering making Spring bows on Broadway as they evaluate both potential available theatres and 'Best New Musical' competitors. Talking to producers for LEAP OF FAITH, Riedel reports 'When I asked about their plans, they said: " 'Leap of Faith' is planning to open [in] fall 2012. If we were presented with the possibility of a spring opening, we would strongly consider it, but many pieces would have to fall into place to make that happen." But I can tell you from sources inside the "Leap of Faith" revival tent, we're comin', praise Jesus, we're comin'

La Jolla Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for its production of American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose, written by Richard Montoya (Zorro in Hell) for Culture Clash, developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney (The Seven, Adoration of the Old Woman), directed by Jo Bonney. A co-production with Center Theatre Group and originally commissioned and produced by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose will run January 27 - February 26, 2012 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

The world-premiere of Zayd Dohrn's play OUTSIDE PEOPLE, directed by Evan Cabnet and co-produced by Vineyard Theatre and Naked Angels begins preview performances December 21 prior to an official press opening of January 10 at Vineyard Theatre (108 East. 15th Street).

The producers of LEAP OF FAITH, the new musical based on the Paramount Pictures film, have just announced new members of the creative team for the production that will have its Broadway debut in the fall of 2012 at a theatre to be announced. With music by Academy and Grammy Award-winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, LEAP OF FAITH will star 4-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza as conman Jonas Nightingale.

The world-premiere of Zayd Dohrn's play OUTSIDE PEOPLE, directed by Evan Cabnet and co-produced by Vineyard Theatre and Naked Angels begins preview performances December 21 prior to an official press opening of January 10 at Vineyard Theatre (108 East. 15th Street).

Performance dates, casting and design team are set for the world-premiere of Zayd Dohrn's play OUTSIDE PEOPLE, directed by Evan Cabnet and co-produced by Vineyard Theatre and Naked Angels.

MCC Theater has announced the complete cast for the newly reworked and fully re-imagined production of Carrie, the musical. Carrie features music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford (Academy Award winning composer and lyricist for the original film Fame) and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen (who also adapted the 1974 novel by Stephen King for the 1976 Brian DePalma film). Directed by Stafford Arima, performances for Carrie begin January 31, 2012, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC). The official opening night is set for March 1, 2012.

Following critically acclaimed performances of their musical theater piece Persephone and the Ramseur Records release of the album Songs for Persephone, pulling together the music the duo composed for the multimedia work, Mimi Goese & Ben Neill are set to perform at Target Free® Thursdays at Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium on November 17.

Writer and director Jim Findlay examines our complicated relationship to plant life in the creepy, futuristic black comedy Botanica.

Now, the New York Times reports that according to producer Thomas Viertel, the show is indeed now headed to Broadway in the Fall of 2012. No official announcement has yet been made, but Viertel told the paper that 'closed-door developmental readings drew strong feedback' and that 'our creative team has done great work in clarifying the story.'

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, a newly revamped version of Leap of Faith received a table reading last Friday, September 9. The show's composer, Alan Menken, has taken to his Twitter this morning to announce that the show will next have a 29 hour reading prior to a New York production. He tweets: 'LEAP OF FAITH table reading last Friday. Next is a 29 hour reading before New York production. It's SUCH a changed show!' The musical reportedly has Broadway aspirations, possibly for later this season.

Eclipse Theatre today announced the recipient of its Third Annual Corona Award: Erica Daniels, Associate Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Academy and Golden Globe Award winner Melissa Leo and acclaimed film, television and theater star Zachary Quinto will star in a one night only benefit staged reading of celebrated playwright Warren Leight's Tony Award-winning play Side Man.

Today, at an event overflowing with fans of her work, Tony Award-winning playwright, performer, and activist Eve Ensler announced that Berkeley Repertory Theatre will present the world premiere of her new show. On the stage of the Roda Theatre, she revealed that Emotional Creature - which was developed during workshops in Johannesburg and Paris - will debut in Berkeley next June. Known for launching high-profile projects such as American Idiot and Passing Strange, Berkeley Rep is the perfect place to begin this journey.