William Finn News

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee coses February 13th. '...Spelling Bee,' with Music by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin won two Tony Awards and was a long-running hit on Broadway. The story follows six young people in the throes of puberty, (plus volunteer audience members) as they try to spell their way toward first prize and a chance to compete in the finals in Washington D.C. You'll fall in love with these quirky, charming outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time! So get out your dictionaries, and get ready for an evening filled with jubilant music, humor and heart!

You've seen her on Broadway. You've seen her light up the screen as Kristen Bell's costar in the largely unseen art film 'When In Rome.' You've seen her passed out in various gutters throughout New York City. Now, Natalie Joy Johnson conquers the filthiest gutter of them all - Joe's Pub. Under the micro-managing direction of has-beenthat-never-was, John Hill (her co-star in 'bare: a pop opera written in lowercase letters') Ms. Johnson is on a mission to corrupt you, touch you 'down there', melt your heart, and pretty much f**k you up.

Philadelphia Theatre Company's production of RACE, directed by Scott Zigler will close on February13 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

After months of refurbishing, and thousands of dollars spent in upgrades, YADA (The Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) owners Lani Shipman and Kimberly Harrigan proudly announce the grand opening of L.A.'s newest 99-seat Equity waiver house; the THIRD STREET THEATRE at 8115 W. Third Street in West Hollywood!

The team behind the 2006 independent hit film 'Little Miss Sunshine' haven't made a movie in the time since - but, as the Los Angeles Times reports, a new film is in the works. The film, which will be lead by 'Little Miss Sunshine' directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris and producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, will be titled 'He Loves Me' and will feature Paul Dano as a young writer.

Join celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy as she marks the culmination of the 20th Anniversary Season of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends, with a very special evening on Sunday, April 17th (8:30PM) at the legendary cabaret hot-spot Feinstein's at Loews Regency (540 Park Avenue @ 61st Street).

Stage Left Theatre announces its upcoming production of An Enemy of the People, by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Arthur Miller.

Liz Callaway and I chatted about her career, Chicago, da Bears, barking technology, & a love for all things Stephen Sondheim and William Finn.

AN EVENING WITH ALISON FRASER will be presented Friday, February 18, 2011 at 8 PM in Natick, MA at TCAN.

Opening musical: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", Music & Lyrics by: William Finn and Book by: Rachel Sheinkin

The first video has turned up from the world premiere of Little Miss Sunshine at the La Jolla Playhouse. The musical features Tony Award-winning creative team of composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright/director James Lapine.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Tracy Aron, announces additional casting for the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICUTRE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.

You've seen her on Broadway. You've seen her light up the screen as Kristen Bell's costar in the largely unseen art film 'When In Rome.' You've seen her passed out in various gutters throughout New York City. Now, Natalie Joy Johnson conquers the filthiest gutter of them all - Joe's Pub. Under the micro-managing direction of has-beenthat-never-was, John Hill (her co-star in 'bare: a pop opera written in lowercase letters') Ms. Johnson is on a mission to corrupt you, touch you 'down there', melt your heart, and pretty much f**k you up.

Crown Center Schedule of Events February - December 2011

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, has appointed Pittsfield resident Jeff Roudabush as Barrington Stage Company's new Director of Production.

Previews begin Friday, February 25 for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) World Premiere production of KIN, a new play by Bathsheba Doran (Living Room in Africa, her adaptation of Great Expectations at The Lortel).

There will be two presentations of METHTACULAR! to take place in the Studio Theatre at Theatre Row on January 31st, 2011.

Coming to Plays & Players (P&P) mainstage Jan. 13-29 is William Finn's A New Brain: a semi-autobiographical musical journey through his diagnosis and treatment of a seemingly terminal defect in his brain. Protagonist Gordon Schwinn's greatest fear is dying with his best songs still inside him, so he works day and night from his hospital bed to get them all out. Premiering off-Broadway to rave reviews over a decade ago, P&P is proud to introduce Philadelphia theater-goers and musical-lovers to a harrowing yet heartwarming tale about the healing power of art.

Dayton Playhouse is happy to present our next production of our 2010-11 season.

I'm usually not one to sit in judgment of my journalistic colleagues but when one of them is up on stage performing, what's a theatre critic to do?  Fortunately, I can honestly report that Matt Windman, known for his snappy reviews in amNew York and on Theatremania.com, did a fine job in the small role of 'Matt Windman,' on opening night of Paper Mill's funny and heart-tugging production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  (Actually, the role would have been a little larger if he knew how to spell 'palestra' correctly.)