William Finn News

This December, the Los Angeles New Court Theatre brings Stephen Karam's contemporary multi-media comedy Speech & Debate to the stage, directed by Nathan Burkart. In Speech & Debate, three teenage misfits in Salem, Oregon discover they are linked by a sex scandal that's rocked their town. When one of them sets out to expose the truth, secrets become currency, the stakes get higher, and the trio's connection grows deeper in this searching, fiercely funny dark comedy with music. This controversial play covers a range of topics from homosexuality to abortion and most importantly, acceptance. The Director and founder of LANCT, Nathan Burkart says, "when we take hold of the things that make us different, there is a sense of strength and ability to love yourself for being different… this is where the comedy lies."

This December, January and February, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Rob Shapiro's '1 Night Only: A Hanukkah Jamboree' tonight, November 26, 2013.

Spelling Bee México concluye hoy su segunda temporada que fue de 6 funciones, durante dos fines de semana. La cita es a las 6 pm en el Teatro Rafael Solana

William Finn and James Lapine's sluggish new musical only occasionally hints at the brilliance of its creators.

On Stage at Kingsborough is pleased to announce 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 on Saturday, December 7 at 8:00 p.m. at On Stage At Kingsborough.

The Museum of the City of New York just presented legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim with its Louis Auchincloss Prize at a gala dinner that included a musical tribute featuring Tony Award winners and nominees. Cabaret! will took place last night, November 19th; it was a rare opportunity to recognize a living legend, and in an intimate setting. Singing Sondheim favorites were some of musical theater's most talented performers, including Gregg Edelman, Harvey Evans, Judy Kaye, Howard McGillin, Victoria Mallory, and Sarah Stiles under the direction of Michael Montel and music director Larry Yurman. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photo coverage below!

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Daniel Mate and Friends on December 6th, 2013. Join 2013 Kleban Award-winning songwriter Daniel Mate and a group of top-notch singing actors for an evening of eclectic, insightful, and thoroughly contagious theater songs. With astonishing lyrical flair and musical influences ranging from Cole Porter to Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan to Wu- Tang Clan, Funkadelic to Soundgarden, Mate's acclaimed and genre-hopping songs have been heralded by theater veterans and a new generation of audiences alike. This intimate evening will feature performances by Tony Award Nominee Daniel Breaker (Passing Strange, Love's Labour's Lost), Heath Calvert (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Nobody Loves You), Ariana DeBose (Motown, Bring It On), Hannah Elless (Godspell, The Other Josh Cohen), Grace McLean (Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812), Jason 'Sweettooth' Williams (Bloodsong of Love), and Mate himself.

Last night, November 14, Second Stage opened its much-anticipated production of Little Miss Sunshine. This new musical comedy is based on the film of the same name by Michael Arndt. It was adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning team James Lapine, who wrote the book, and William Finn, who wrote the lyrics and music. Little Miss Sunshine's run has now been extended through Dec 15. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was at the after party to chat with the whole gang and you can check out what they had to say on opening night, plus a first look at the production below!

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 December 3 through 22, 2013.

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. "Can you spell irresistible? Spelling Bee is 'A Chorus Line' with pimples" raved the New York Times. "It is that rarity of rarities; a super-smart musical that is also a bona-fide crowd pleaser" cheered the Wall Street Journal. The Associated Press put it simply: "How do you spell h-i-t?"

Last night, November 14, Second Stage opened its much-anticipated production of Little Miss Sunshine. This new musical comedy is based on the film of the same name by Michael Arndt. It was adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning team James Lapine, who wrote the book, and William Finn, who wrote the lyrics and music. Little Miss Sunshine's run has now been extended through Dec 15. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out photos from the star-studded arrivals below!

Last night, November 14, Second Stage opened its much-anticipated production of Little Miss Sunshine. This new musical comedy is based on the film of the same name by Michael Arndt. It was adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning team James Lapine, who wrote the book, and William Finn, who wrote the lyrics and music. Little Miss Sunshine's run has now been extended through Dec 15. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out photos from the after party below!

Tonight, November 14, Second Stage opens its much-anticipated production of Little Miss Sunshine. This new musical comedy is based on the film of the same name by Michael Arndt. It was adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning team James Lapine, who wrote the book, and William Finn, who wrote the lyrics and music. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Tonight, Second Stage opens its anticipated production of Little Miss Sunshine. This new musical comedy is based on the film of the same name by Michael Arndt. It was adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning team James Lapine, who wrote the book, and William Finn, who wrote the lyrics and music. Little Miss Sunshine's run has now been extended through Dec 15.

Today, Little Miss Sunshine's Rory O'Malley speaks exclusively with BroadwayWorld about James Lapine's 'No Hugging' rule, the pros of being a pessimist and why Book of Mormon was the greatest time of his ife.

Now in its 16th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook will continue to expand its scope celebrating the best in American singing and songwriting. New this year, the opening night concert will befree, in the David Rubenstein Atrium, on Wednesday, January 22, 2014. 'Live From Lincoln Center,' the Emmy Award-winning program broadcast nationally on PBS stations, will shoot four of the first week's American Songbook concerts in The Allen Room: by James Naughton, Lawrence Brownlee, Jason Isbell, and Patina Miller. These performances will be broadcast nationally beginning in Spring 2014. In addition, American Songbook concerts taking place in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center will be live-streamed via http://watch.lincolncenter.org.

Playwrights Horizons has announced initial casting for the New York premiere production of STAGE KISS, a new play marking the eagerly-awaited return of two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl(Dead Man's Cell Phone at PH; The Clean House, In the Next Room...) to the theater company. Directed by Rebecca Taichman (Milk Like Sugar at PH; the current Marie Antoinette, Orlando, The Scene, Luck of the Irish), the production will begin previews Friday evening, February 7 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Sunday, March 2 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, March 23 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Rob Shapiro's '1 Night Only: A Hanukkah Jamboree' on November 26, 2013. It's time for another Jewish holiday! Back after a sold out performance at Ars Nova's ANT Fest, Rob Shapiro and friends present 1 Night Only: A Hanukkah Jamboree. Join musical Maccabees Mara Jill Herman, Drew Hirshfield, Melanie Hopkins, Ally Bonino and Sam Heldt to witness the great trials endured by Mattathias and his sons, the miracle of oil and the ancient art of driedel spinning! Tell your bubbe you will celebrate the Festival of Lights at 54 Below with prizes, menorahs, and shiksas, oh my! Directed by Leah Bonvissuto, the show will also feature special guests Rachel Sklar, Daniel Mate, and Alexis Field.

Currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theatre will extend its production of James Lapine and William Finn's new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, by one week, now playing through 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.