Zakiya Young News

The La Jolla Playhouse is presenting a world premiere musical based on the 2006 Academy Award winning film "Little Miss Sunshine". And while the show had its shining moments and a cast that matched the subtlety and charm of the original sleeper hit, on the whole it needs a bit of a jump start if it's going to make it down the road to Broadway.

The 2006 movie dramedy Little Miss Sunshine was and still remains such a low-key charmer that to attempt to simulate it on stage with music is at once challenging, courageous and perplexing. Why? Why retell a story that is so perfect on film unless you can achieve a brand new and interesting take on it? I guess Spider-Man and other films being translated to the stage is the rage these days, especially when there's a dearth of original musicals. All this aside, the production values, the cast and the very artistic endeavor of the stage musical Little Miss Sunshine, now at the Mandell Weiss Theatre of La Jolla Playhouse through March 27, should be lauded and appreciated.

The Tony Award-winning creative team of composer/lyricist William Finn and writer/director James Lapine, who previously collaborated on the Tony Award-winning musicals Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, will bring their latest project to, Little Miss Sunshine to The Playhouse. The production runs through March 27, 2011 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

The La Jolla Playhouse is presenting a world premiere musical based on the 2006 Academy Award winning film "Little Miss Sunshine". And while the show had its shining moments and a cast that matched the subtlety and charm of the original sleeper hit, on the whole it needs a bit of a jump start if it's going to make it down the road to Broadway.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War II and in 1941 songwriters - like all Americans - did their part for the war effort, with hits from Irving Berlin, Frank Loesser and many more working to keep up morale.

The Tony Award-winning creative team of composer/lyricist William Finn and writer/director James Lapine, who previously collaborated on the Tony Award-winning musicals Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, will bring their latest project to, Little Miss Sunshine to The Playhouse. The production runs through March 27, 2011 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

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.

On Monday, November 22nd, 2010, a host of theatre actors took part in an exclusive concert and cocktail reception featuring the music and lyrics of Steven Jamail. Check performances by Orfeh and Katie Rose Clark below!

On Monday, November 22nd, 2010, a host of theatre actors took part in an exclusive concert and cocktail reception featuring the music and lyrics of Steven Jamail. Check out photos from the event below!

La Jolla Playhouse has just released costume sketches by Jennifer Caprio for the upcoming world-premiere musical Little Miss Sunshine. The musical features Tony Award-winning creative team of composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright/director James Lapine. Below are two of the costumes for 'Olive Hoover.'

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the cast and creative team of its upcoming world-premiere musical Little Miss Sunshine, by the Tony Award-winning creative team of composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright/director James Lapine. Mr. Lapine has enjoyed a long association with the Playhouse, having previously directed Merrily We Roll Along (1985) and Luck, Pluck and Virtue (1993). The production runs February 15 - March 27, 2011 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

On Monday, November 22nd, 2010, a host of theatre actors will take part in an exclusive concert and cocktail reception featuring the music and lyrics of Steven Jamail. This invitation-only concert will be held at the famed Hudson Terrace. Cocktails start at 6:30pm followed by the performance promptly at 7pm.

On Monday, November 22nd, 2010, a host of theatre actors will take part in an exclusive concert and cocktail reception featuring the music and lyrics of Steven Jamail. This invitation-only concert will be held at the famed Hudson Terrace. Cocktails start at 6:30pm followed by the performance promptly at 7pm.

'Nothing Like a Dame: A Party for Comden and Green' the annual all-star concert benefiting the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative took place on Monday, November 1, 2010 (7:30 p.m.) at The Laura Pels Theater in midtown Manhattan (111 W. 46th St.).

'Nothing Like a Dame: A Party for Comden and Green' the annual all-star concert benefiting the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative took place on Monday, November 1, 2010 7:30 p.m. at The Laura Pels Theater in midtown Manhattan 111 W. 46th St. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the after party and brings you photo coverage below.

The Actors Fund is pleased to announce the complete roster of performers for the 16th annual 'Nothing Like A Dame: A Party for Comden and Green.'

The Actors Fund announced the complete roster of performers for the 16th annual 'Nothing Like A Dame: A Party for Comden and Green.' The all-star concert, presented each year as a benefit for the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, set for Monday, November 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Laura Pels Theater (111 W. 46th St.).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced additional casting and Songwriters Showcase line-up for its 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22, 2010 at New World Stages in New York City. The Industry-only two-day event features 8 new musicals in 45-minute staged readings.

'Submissions Only,' a new online television series, will premiere this Friday, October 15th on YouTube featuring a slew of Broadway guest stars. 'Submissions Only' is about auditioning for theatre in New York City. It follows a group of friends as they navigate the trips and falls, callbacks and trainwrecks experienced while working in the business.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced additional casting and Songwriters Showcase line-up for its 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22, 2010 at New World Stages in New York City. The Industry-only two-day event features 8 new musicals in 45-minute staged readings.