William Finn News

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, has announced the creative team for the company's 20th Anniversary Season opener - Kiss Me, Kate, to be presented today, June 11 through July 12 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street).

"Held Momentarily" is a poignant new musical comedy about making connections, living in the moment, and moving on in life. Conceived by a group of classmates from LaGuardia Arts High School (the "Fame" school), the piece was originally workshopped in January 2014 at The Producers' Club and has just been accepted into the New York International Fringe Festival, to be helmed by director Hunter Bird and produced by Lionel Christian and Marielle Young.

Actor, comedian, and writer Lauren Weedman is heading to town to create a one-woman improvised theater show Well I Think You're Beautiful Philadelphia… based on her experiences in the city. Praised for her "unflinchingly honest comic observation" (Seattle Weekly), Weedman is a series regular on HBO's hit new show Looking, which chronicles the struggles, loves, and lives of three gay men in San Francisco. She has garnered a cult reputation for her quick wit and spitfire jokes through her acting and comedic roles, and this new work marks her Philadelphia debut.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Jeff Awards, Theo Ubique's future plans, Jennifer Hudson performs, 'Damn Yankees' at LOW, 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' 'Coraline,' 'The Last Ship' and the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival debut, 'Spelling Bee' starts, 'Avenue Q' extends and BroadwayWorld Chicago hosts a Tony Party!

Happy Birthday, Mary Testa! Testa is a two-time Tony Award nominee, for performances in revivals of Leonard Bernstein's On the Town (1998) and 42nd Street (2001). She made her debut as Miss Goldberg in William Finn's one-act musical In Trousers (1979), part one of his 'Marvin Trilogy,' winning audiences over with her rendition of 'Set Those Sails' and 'I Am Wearing a Hat,' as well as 'The Rape of Miss Goldberg by Marvin.' She returned to Broadway in July, 2007 in the musical-theater remake of the 1980 film Xanadu for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will continue its 30th anniversary season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, previewing June 19, opening Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m., and running through August 17, 2014. Scott Calcagno (Legally Blonde at The Civic Theatre, Grease at The Long Lake Theatre as well as the annual production of A Christmas Carol at Drury Lane Theatre) will direct.

No rural area has as many summer stages as the Berkshires of Massachusetts whose offerings overflow its borders.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced two productions for its upcoming 36th season: the first New York production in 23 years of Terrence McNally's acclaimed play, LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART, directed by Peter DuBois, and the world premiere of Neil LaBute's dark comedy, THE WAY WE GET BY.

San Francisco Playhouse (Artistic Director Bill English & Producing Director Susi Damilano) concludes its provocative eleventh season with Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book). The production runs June 24th to September 6th, 2014, with an official opening set for June 28.

In this cabaret, Candice van Litsenborgh places centre stage those actors whose work directors love 'so doggone much that (they're) their second choice', singing a selection of 18 songs along the way.

Kathy Evans, Founding Executive Director, announced the nine musicals and twenty-six writers selected for the 2014 Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, its fourth year of providing working retreats for musical theatre writers. For nine consecutive weeks beginning June 29th, each writing team will have an individual weeklong residency in Rhinebeck, New York to write their musical. They are provided with a private home, transportation, food, and a stipend. All costs are fully funded by donors including The ASCAP Foundation, The Dramatists Guild Fund, and The Noel Coward Foundation. Writers participating this year include Broadway's Mindi Dickstein (Little Women), this year's Kleban Prize winner Nathan Tysen (Burnt Part Boys), and Peter Mills, past winner of the Kleban, Fred Ebb Award, and Richard Rodgers prize. The musicals' subjects cover 19th century nautical mysteries, 20th century fairy tales, a 1970's gay bar, and modern-day meth addicts. Every score is original and styles include 16th century Renaissance, big band, folk, rock, and electronic music.

11th Hour Theatre Company announces its 2014-2015 season including a world premiere musical as its main stage production, and four musicals in its Next Step Concert Series.

It's Pride month 2014 and The Brown Paper Box Co. is ready to celebrate! Following their successful run of William Finn's A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co. has announced their next cabaret series: PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret at Mary's Attic in Andersonville. Ticketing information for this evening of Pride-based stories and songs can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, welcomes Emmy Award-winner and Golden Globe nominee Marg Helgenberger in the Berkshire premiere of Sharr White's The Other Place, kicking off BSC's 20th Anniversary Season, from tonight, May 21 through June 14 on the St. Germain Stage, directed by BSC Associate Artist Christopher Innvar.

The Dogs of Desire, Albany Symphony Orchestra's groundbreaking chamber ensemble, will present the world premiere of composer David Mallamud's new work, "Glam Guignonl," with libretto by Rochelle Bright ("Donny Vomit") and Michael Cooper ("Lizardman").

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, has announced initial casting for its 25th Anniversary Season with the musicals LES MISERABLES, Falsettos, and Disney's The Little Mermaidon the Mainstage. Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie and the new musical Nine Wives (by Douglas J. Cohen and Dan Elish) will play Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery. The Youth Theatre will present the Tony-winning Spring Awakening.

Playwrights Horizons is now accepting entries for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for up to two $5 tickets each to the New York premiere of FLY BY NIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL, conceived by Kim Rosenstock (Tigers Be Still); written by Will Connolly (performer, Once), Michael Mitnick (Sex Lives of Our Parents, the upcoming film The Giver) and Ms. Rosenstock; choreographed by Sam Pinkleton (Mr. Burns at PH; Natasha, Pierre…); and directed by Carolyn Cantor (The Great God Pan and After the Revolution at PH, Pumpgirl, Orange Flower Water).

Artists in Partnership (AIP), a non-profit cultural arts organization, will host its 12th Annual Cabaret Festival today, May 15-18 at the Long Beach Public Library, 111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY. All performances are FREE to the public. The festival will be a celebration of the cabaret genre honoring the Great American Songbook with performances by renowned local and New York City-based artists.

Artists in Partnership (AIP), a non-profit cultural arts organization, will host its 12th Annual Cabaret Festival today, May 15-18 at the Long Beach Public Library, 111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY. All performances are FREE to the public. The festival will be a celebration of the cabaret genre honoring the Great American Songbook with performances by renowned local and New York City-based artists.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and Tristan Wilson Managing Director, announces four new Associate Artists, all of whom are working at Barrington Stage in 2014 - casting director Pat McCorkle, lighting designer Scott Pinkney, scenic designer Brian Prather, and press director Charlie Siedenburg.