William Berloni News

I always find it exciting to see a musical I know nothing about and FINDING NEVERLAND fits that bill. I remember watching Jennifer Hudson sing 'Neverland' on the 2014 Tony Awards and recall watching the cast perform on the NBC 'Thanksgiving Day Parade' in November, 2014. The cast included Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer, Laura Michelle Kelly and Carolee Carmello. However, the Tony Awards snubbed the musical with no nominations. After seeing the show this week, I do not understand why. I found the musical absolutely wonderful and worthy of a Tony nomination for Best Musical. FUN HOME won the Tony for Best Musical in 2015 beating out SOMETHING ROTTEN!, THE VISIT, and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. There were no nominations for FINDING NEVERLAND.

The LEXington Theatre Company presents its third summer production, combining "Today's Broadway Stars and Tomorrow's Broadway Hopefuls." Lexington's own Laura Bell Bundy (Tony-Nominee for Legally Blonde), will be on hand to co-direct the show (schedule permitting), alongside The LEX Artistic Director, Lyndy Franklin Smith (A Chorus Line, The Little Mermaid). The production will feature the Tony-nominated original Broadway choreography, by Jerry Mitchell, recreated and adapted by Brooke Engen, (Gypsy, Hairspray) and Tiffany Engen (Legally Blonde).

Leapin' lizards! For the very first time, America's favorite red headed orphan will be gracing the stage at Flat Rock Playhouse in the Broadway hit sensation, Annie. Do not miss what is considered one of the best family musicals ever written, running June 9th through July 2nd on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage located in the Village of Flat Rock.

Leapin' lizards! For the very first time, America's favorite red headed orphan will be gracing the stage at Flat Rock Playhouse in the Broadway hit sensation, Annie. Do not miss what is considered one of the best family musicals ever written, running June 9th through July 2nd on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage located in the Village of Flat Rock.

Leapin' lizards! For the very first time, America's favorite red headed orphan will be gracing the stage at Flat Rock Playhouse in the Broadway hit sensation, Annie. Do not miss what is considered one of the best family musicals ever written, running June 9th through July 2nd on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage located in the Village of Flat Rock.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced complete casting for its upcoming New York premiere production of Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award and Olivier Award winner Bruce Norris' play, A PARALLELOGRAM, directed by current Tony nominee Michael Greif.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) will honor two outstanding stage luminaries at this year's 83RD Annual Drama League Awards, set for Friday afternoon, May 19, 2017 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). 

The four-legged star of one of the most beloved family musicals of all time is the inspiration behind an upcoming pet adoption at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The Tony Award winning production of ANNIE takes the Kravis Center stage Thursday, March 2 at 8 pm. Prior to the one-night-only performance, Palm Beach County Animal Care Control, Big and Little Dog Ranch Rescue and Amber's Animal Outreach will have their own furry "orphans" available for adoption and looking for a better "Tomorrow."

The U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will return to the State Theatre in Easton today, February 24.   Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

Miller Auditorium is proud to announce that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play Today, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Western Michigan University.   Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

Miller Auditorium is proud to announce that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Western Michigan University.   Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

The U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will return to the State Theatre in Easton on Friday, February 24.   Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

Performing Arts Fort Worth is proud to present the U.S. national tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, at Bass Performance Hall January 17-22. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin, this production of ANNIE is a brand-new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.

Broadway dog trainer Bill Berloni isn't just a Tony Honoree - he's also a true animal lover. In the video below, learn more about his history training Broadway's most famous dogs, and how he brought Moose and Reba to the Virginia Repertory Theatre stage in A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL!

The McCallum Theatre is proud to announce that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play three performances - Tuesday, January 10, at 8:00pm and Wednesday, January 11, at 2:00pm and 8:00pm. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original. ANNIE has a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards® for their work.  Choreography is by Liza Gennaro, who has incorporated selections from her father Peter Gennaro's 1977 Tony Award®-winning choreography.  

It's the time of year to reflect on the past and enjoy familiar stories that warm our hearts. In otherwords, 'tis the season for ANNIE. That spunky waif has been part of our American culture for more than 130 years. She was first penned into existence by poet James Whitcomb Riley in 1885. His poem, 'Little Orphant Annie',was inspired by Mary Alice 'Allie' Smith, an orphaned child who came to live in the Riley home.

Katie Davis, a recent graduate from Belmont University's Musical Theatre program, is portraying the featured ensemble member 'Star To Be', a young and optimistic actress who just moved to the dazzling 'NYC'. Davis has been noted as being a 'standout' ensemble member from the Chicago Theatre Review. I was lucky enough to sit down and check in with Katie on how her experience being on the Annie National Tour is going.

The Orpheum Theatre Group has announced that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play December 13-18 at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.

Dan LeFranc's RANCHO VIEJO, now receiving its world premiere in a handsome Playwrights Horizons production featuring a terrific cast, is one of those three-hour long plays that may find you tempted to flip through your program at any time for a clue as to what the heck is going on.

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta is proud to announce that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play five performances March 17 - 19, 2017 at the Fox Theatre as a special addition to the 2016/2017 season. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.