William Finn News

Grammy Award-nominated musician Nelson Gonzalez has joined the creative team of the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Mr. Gonzalez, who is widely considered the master of the Cuban Tres guitar, will oversee the production's musical elements and will lead a live band during performances.

Charlie Brady (South Pacific, Burnt Part Boys), Danny Gardner (Neuroses, Room 17B), and Phoebe Strole (Glee, Spring Awakening, The Big Meal) join Gregory Jacobs-Roseman with Leslie Kritzer in Hungover for the Holidays at 54 Below.

Two-time Tony Award winner William Finn just hosted 'Songs by Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists you Probably Don't Know but Should.' The concert celebrated the work of young writers mentored by the composer of Falsettos, A New Brain, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, Elegies, and this season's Little Miss Sunshine. Originating at Barrington Stage Company (BSC) and now in its 8th year, the 'Ridiculously Talented' concert series has become a hallmark of BSC's Musical Theatre Lab, where Mr. Finn serves as Artistic Producer.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, December 15, 2013 - Sunday, December 15, 2013.

Currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre closes its production of James Lapineand William Finn's new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE today, Sunday, December 15. The musical has broken box office records for Second Stage Theatre, earning the highest pre-opening advance in the company's 35-year history.

ProArts will present 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' as the second show of their 2013/2014 season. This Tony Award Winning musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin was conceived by Rebecca Feldman. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

Charlie Brady (South Pacific, Burnt Part Boys), Danny Gardner (Neuroses, Room 17B), and Phoebe Strole (Glee, Spring Awakening, The Big Meal) join Gregory Jacobs-Roseman with Leslie Kritzer in Hungover for the Holidays at 54 Below.

Curtain Call Productions will present a special one weekend only performance of Tony-winner William Finn's hilarious The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Flagler Place in Historic Downtown Stuart from January 9th-12th. Spelling Bee chronicles the ups and downs of six adolescent overachievers who are competing for the spelling championship of a lifetime and the not so qualified adults who are struggling to get them through the tournament.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Chip Zien tonight, December 11.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Andre Bishop) has announced that actors Santino Fontana and Tony Shalhoub will both be featured as the legendary writer/director Moss Hart at different stages of his life in its upcoming production of ACT ONE, a play written and directed by James Lapine from the autobiography by Moss Hart. The production, which will also feature a third actor who will play Mr. Hart as a young boy, is scheduled to begin previews Thursday, March 20 and open onThursday, April 17 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Tonight, December 7th Shakina Nayfack will present her debut performance of ONE WOMAN SHOW: A Work in Progress, a solo act tracing thirty-three eccentric years in a male body, featuring new takes on showtune standards and new songs by composers Joe Iconis, Julianne Wick Davis, Sam Salmond, and Nikko Benson.

On Stage at Kingsborough has announced its presentation of Sing For Your Supper, featuring leading Broadway performers, in association with Merkin Concert Hall's Broadway Close-Up Series. Sing For Your Supper will perform in an exclusive Brooklyn engagement tonight, December 7 at 8:00 p.m. at On Stage At Kingsborough.

Tickets are now on sale for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centers around a fictional spelling bee in Putnam Valley Middle School. Quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by equally quirky grown-ups. The 2005 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards, and won two, including Best Book. As with the original Broadway production, this iteration will also involve audience participation. Select audience members will be brought up on stage to round out the cast as spellers each performance.

Ever the lonely Jew on Christmas, composer-lyricist Gregory Jacobs-Roseman brings friends together at 54 Below for this holiday cabaret! With a cast of Broadway and off-Broadway singers, the night will feature world-premiere performances from his new musical Letters To Santa, as well as songs from the musical wedding comedy Save The Date, which won a 2013 New York International Fringe Festival Overall Excellence Award for a Musical, and much more. Come raise a glass of eggnog at this evening of music and holiday merriment!

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run tonight, December 3 through 22, 2013.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Chip Zien on December 5 and 11. Broadway favorite Chip Zien is much beloved on the Great White Way for creating the roles of the Baker in Into the Woods and Mendel in Falsettos. Now, 54 Below proudly presents his swinging cabaret debut! Expect some wild jazz standards as well as tunes that trace his brilliant stage career, including special personal favorites from shows that include Grand Hotel, Merrily, Sweeney Todd, The Big Knife, In Trousers and The Dean Martin Show, among many others. Join Chip and his oversized band for two very special performances only - no more riddles, no more jests!

On December 7th Shakina Nayfack will present her debut performance of ONE WOMAN SHOW: A Work in Progress, a solo act tracing thirty-three eccentric years in a male body, featuring new takes on showtune standards and new songs by composers Joe Iconis, Julianne Wick Davis, Sam Salmond, and Nikko Benson. This funny, scandalous, and moving evening provides a new window into the modern transgender experience, and will also help raise money for Shakina's transition. The benefit show, (also a birthday party), celebrates the launch of Shakina's 'KickStartHer' campaign to raise money for her gender confirmation surgery.

ProArts will present 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' as the second show of their 2013/2014 season. This Tony Award Winning musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin was conceived by Rebecca Feldman. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!