White Christmas 1996

Female country music trio CHAPEL HART have confirmed the details for their HARTFELT FAMILY CHRISTMAS album due out October 25. Prior to the album’s release, CHAPEL HART will head back to Europe for performances in the UK and will also support the album’s release with a fall holiday tour.

For 20 years Alpine Theatre Project has brought artists direct from Broadway to Whitefish to perform and teach.

The Green Room 42 will present “Gotta Sing with Kenneth Gartman” on Tuesday, July 23rd at 9:30 pm.  Host and Music Director Kenneth Gartman shines a light on some of NYC’s best musical theatre talent each month in a new cabaret series - Gotta Sing.

Broadway baritone Jared Bradshaw will return to Marriott Theatre to celebrate the songs made popular by Bing Crosby. Learn how to purchase tickets.

What could be more enticing to youngsters than Christmas that comes early? This summer Maine State Music Theatre invites families to experience Christmas in July at the Pickard Theatre and to share the magic of a musical never before presented here in Brunswick: Robin and Clark’s  THE STORY OF THE NUTCRACKER. Twinkling lights, myriads of trees, a market filled with goodies, and even a hint of snow …. all join forces to create an immersive experience for the Theatre for Young Audiences series. While Robin and Clark’s musical version of the Nutcracker story has been a Christmas staple for years in cities like Chicago and Lancaster, PA, It has not been presented here in Maine until now.  But after this debut series of performances, one can only hope it will become a new Maine tradition.

The thermometer in Brunswick Maine reads 85°F, but as one approaches the Pickard Theater, a band plays Christmas music outside, and inside the lights are twinkling; the halls are decked with garlands and wreaths; there is literally a forest of elegantly decorated trees, and there is a promise of snow in the air. This is, indeed, a white Christmas like no other. The brainchild of Artistic Director Curt Dale Clark, Maine Street Music Theatre has created “Christmas in July” with a spectacular production of Irving Berlin’s classic WHITE CHRISTMAS, directed and choreographed by Marc Robin as its centerpiece. This is a singular and sensational opportunity to experience a breathtaking Broadway musical in a beautiful fantasy setting. 

Pittsburgh CLO has revealed the full Cast and Creative team for SEUSSICAL. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced a revival of Arthur Wing Pinero's The Cabinet Minister, in a brand-new adaptation by Nancy Carroll, who also stars as Lady Katherine Twombley.

Melissa Errico and Isabelle Georges will debut their new show DEUX GRANDES DAMES at Crazy Coqs.

54 BELOW will welcome back Broadway and cabaret star Melissa Errico in December. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.

Paper Mill Playhouse will present the Front Row Center series featuring solo shows by Karen Mason, Jarran Muse, and Nicholas Rodriguez in an intimate cabaret setting. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Blake McIver Ewing and Tony Award Nominee Marcia Mitzman Gaven will headline THE BOY FROM OZ at OFC Creations Theatre Center in Rochester, NY. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

“There’s so much more to this show than just Christmas,” declares actress Kerry Conte, describing Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, which receives its first ever production at Maine State Music Theatre beginning July 17.  “It’s one of those shows that has something for everyone,” adds co-star Will Ray.  “How lucky are we to spread a little Christmas cheer in July!” Ray, who plays Bob Wallace, and Conte, who portrays Betty Haynes, are enthusing about Maine State Music Theatre’s newest extravaganza: a spectacular, immersive production of the holiday classic that will transform the entire Pickard Theater and offer dazzling visual effects, breathtaking choreography, and stunning vocal and dance performances as it tells the beloved story in the irresistible language of live theatre.

Surflight Theatre will continue their 2024 Season with the musical, Footloose. Performances run July 9-July 28.

Beginning July 19, the Cumberland County Playhouse will present Grease, the rock n’ roll high school musical celebration of growin’ up, cruisin’ with friends and goin’ steady. 

“We battle with other theatres to get the rights for shows.  We always try to get MSMT on the national radar as much as we can and get first rights if possible, but it is very competitive,” explains Curt Dale Clark, Maine State Music Theatre’s Artistic Director, as he recounts how the Brunswick theatre managed a virtual coup for this 2024 season by becoming the first regional theatre to receive the rights to produce FUNNY GIRL after it closed its recent revival on Broadway.  “In the case of FUNNY GIRL, Concord Theatricals was holding our money for a show that we planned to produce in 2020 before the pandemic shut everyone down. Since they do not return money, they were eager for us to choose another show from their catalog and clear their books.  I agreed if they would give us the first rights to FUNNY GIRL after the Broadway show closed.” Clark is sharing his thoughts with the audience at MSMT’s second Peek Behind the Curtain on July 3 at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, where he is joined by actors Sue Cella, Douglas Raymond Williams, and Michelle Beth Herman, as well as panel moderator, Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold.

Celebrate Christmas in July with MSMT's White Christmas!

We spoke to Charis Leos about appearing in Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Maine State Music Theatre!  Charis is a familiar face at MSMT, appearing in dozens of shows over the years,  beginning with Nunsense in 1997. Some favorite MSMT roles include Roz (9 to 5), Rose (Gypsy), Louise (Always, Patsy Cline), Paulette (Legally Blonde), Maggie (42nd Street), Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables), Chaperone (Drowsy Chaperone) and Dolly (Hello, Dolly!).

The first all-Gershwin concert in history Cuban Overture will be re-created July 11, 2024 at the Hollywood Bowl as All-Gershwin.  Former LA Phil Associate Conductor Lionel Bringuier reprises the night with Gershwin’s iconic classical, jazz, and Caribbean rhythms, while celebrating Rhapsody in Blue’s 100th anniversary, The evening will feature the Los Angeles Philharmonic, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet,   and vocalists Isabel Leonard and Tony Yazbeck. Tony graciously took time to answer a few of my queries.

“It has such a great message. It's a very layered show. There’s this kind of ‘Barbie Girl Power’ aspect of it -- women can do anything. People are more than what you just think we are by our looks or all other preconceived notions.” Director Dionysia Williams Velazco

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the full cast and creative team for THE MUSIC MAN, running July 9-14, 2024 at the Benedum Center.

The Beautiful City Projected presented JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR on Monday evening, raising funds for the Chicago organization Intentional Sports. See photos from the show. 

Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea will present Steve Ross and Karen Murphy in Best of the Versed, celebrating lesser-known opening lyrics from the Great American Songbook. Learn how to purchase tickets.

All new video clips have been released from Spring Awakening at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Check out clips of 'Don't Do Sadness / Blue Wind' and 'The Dark I Know Well' here!

Daniel O’Donnell comes to the Fargo Theatre in September. The performance is on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.

Recently I wrote a Broadway World feature dealing with a partial restoration of Robert Ginzler’s original orchestrations for Bye, Bye, Birdie at the Kennedy Center by conductor John Bell with additional work by Joshua Clayton. When the piece was shared on social media, it started a bigger conversation about proper credit for the original orchestrator. Robert Ginzler was somehow never acknowledged in the Kennedy Center program.

Music Theater Works reveals the cast and creative team for the upcoming production of CAROUSEL, running from August 8 to 18.

Miller Auditorium has announced its 2024-25 Spotlight Series, along with a Miller Special. Learn more about the lineup here!

The Gateway has announced the full cast for JIMMY BUFFETT'S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, set to bring tropical vibes and classic Buffett hits to the stage.