William Rose News

Though I'm extremely familiar with Tom Jones' (words) and Harvey Schmidt's (music) most popular work, THE FANTASTICKS, I had never seen their follow up, CELEBRATION. What I'd read while doing research was that it really fizzled once it was on Broadway. However, after seeing it I can understand why; it's a smaller scaled show that requires just the right venue to succeed. That's why I'm so glad New Line Theatre opened their 26th season with this fanciful and tune-filled musical. Through their superlative efforts we're able to see the premiere of a version that's been revised by Tom Jones. I'm not sure what was changed, but what we're privy to is a very engaging and entertaining production that will make you wonder why it isn't performed with more regularity. The score itself is gorgeous, and I cannot recommend this neglected gem highly enough.

New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," opens its 26th season of adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of a new revised version of the wild, 1969 adult jazz-rock musical CELEBRATION, by the creators of The Fantasticks, runningSept. 29-Oct. 22, in the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district.

California Shakespeare Theater's 25th anniversary season at the Bruns Amphitheater concludes with Artistic Director Eric Ting's company debut with Shakespeare's Othello, from September 14 through October 9. For tickets and information, contact the Cal Shakes Box Office at 510.548.9666 or visit www.calshakes.org

New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' announces its 26th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, including the world premiere of a new revised version of the wild, 1969 adult jazz-rock musical CELEBRATION, by the creators of The Fantasticks, running Sept. 29-Oct. 22, 2016; followed by Kander & Ebb's rarely produced gem ZORBA, running March 2-25, 2017; then the regional premiere of the pitch-black 2002 jazz-rock musical THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, based on the famous novel and film, running June 1-24, 2017; and the world premiere of the third installment of New Line's own creation, the new revue OUT ON BROADWAY: THE THIRD COMING, running August 3-19, 2017. All New Line's mainstage shows will be in the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district.

Geva Theatre Center's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy and Executive Director Christopher Mannelli are proud to announce the 12 major productions and events of the much anticipated 2016-2017 Season, the non-profit theatre's 44th year of making professional theatre of a national standard in Rochester.

Nearly 50 years after the groundbreaking film inspired the world, Asolo Rep is thrilled to present Todd Kreidler's electric stage adaptation of the iconic Academy Award-winning film GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER.  

Nearly 50 years after the groundbreaking film inspired the world, Asolo Rep is thrilled to present Todd Kreidler's electric stage adaptation of the iconic Academy Award-winning film GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER.  

Nearly 50 years after the groundbreaking film inspired the world, Asolo Rep is thrilled to present Todd Kreidler's electric stage adaptation of the iconic Academy Award-winning film GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER.  

Today, March 16, 2015, Asolo Repertory Theatre and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training announced their highly anticipated 2015-16 seasons with a special presentation in the Mertz Theatre.

The Belgrade Theatre is delighted to welcome The Smallest Show On Earth, a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film.  The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin's greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin' the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin' Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems. The show, which is currently touring the UK, will visit the theatre from Tues 13th - Sat 17th Oct.

Subscriptions for Asolo Rep's thrilling 57th season are on sale now. 

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery present a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film The Smallest Show on Earth.  The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin's greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin' the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin' Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems.

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery present a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film The Smallest Show on Earth.  The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin's greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin' the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin' Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems.

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery present a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film The Smallest Show on Earth.  The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin's greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin' the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin' Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems.

Subscriptions for Asolo Rep's thrilling 57th season are on sale now. 

Mercury Theatre Colchester, Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery present a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film The Smallest Show on Earth.  The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin's greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin' the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin' Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems.

Today, March 16, 2015, Asolo Repertory Theatre and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training announced their highly anticipated 2015-16 seasons with a special presentation in the Mertz Theatre.

It seems like more and more films are being adapted for the stage these days. Some for the better and some for the worse. Which brings us to the classic film, GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, which starred Spencer Tracy (in his final screen appearance), Katherine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier, in a wonderfully inspiring and humorous production being presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. One might think that this particular piece of cinema is outdated, but the fact is that this story is one that will still resonate with audiences today, and maybe that's a just a sad dose of reality that we all have to face. Todd Kreidler's script follows the movie fairly closely (based on the original screenplay by William Rose), but includes large doses of laughs that neatly leaven the dramatic aspects of the piece, making it an engaging and thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience that I cannot recommend highly enough.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by Todd Kreidler and directed by Seth Gordon. Based on the screenplay by William Rose, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, January 7-February 1, 2015.