Photo Flash: Once On This Island at Freud Playhouse
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 27, 2008
Director Billy Porter and Grammy nominee Ledisi mark their debuts with Reprise Theatre Company in the 1990 musical 'Once on This Island,' opening the 2008-2009 season, September 2 to 14 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The press opening is September 3. Bradley Rapier, founder of the Groovaloos, choreographs and Darryl Archibald is the music director. Reprise Theater Company is led by Artistic Director Jason Alexander and Producing Director Susan Dietz.
Burgess, Butler, Murney and More Added to Wesport's Gala
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 26, 2008
Broadway talents Tituss Burgess ('The Little Mermaid'), Kerry Butler ('Xanadu'), Gavin Lee ('Mary Poppins'), Nedra McClyde, Julia Murney, Q. Smith and Aurelia Williams will join previously announced Laura Benanti ('Gypsy'), Raúl Esparza ('Company') and Steven Pasquale ('The Light in the Piazza') on Monday, September 15, at the annual gala for the venerable 78-year-old Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director), Westport, Connecticut.
'Twilight in Manchego' To Be Presented at NYMF
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 4, 2008
he New York Musical Theatre Festival, Laura Brandel and Patrice Miller have announced Broadway and R&B star Billy Porter to direct a cast that includes Tony-Award Winner Chuck Cooper (The Life, Caroline or Change), Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q, The Glorious Ones, TV's Johnny and the Sprites) and Adam Halpin (Glory Days) in the world premiere musical Twilight in Manchego. The show, with music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson Award Winner Matt Gould, will play six performances at the ATA Theater (314 W. 54th Street) September 25th - October 4th, 2007.
MTC Announces New Plays By Nottage, Shanley and Krieger.
by BWW News Desk - Jul 23, 2008
Manhattan Theatre Club announced casting for two of its upcoming productions: ROMANTIC POETRY, the world premiere musical by John Patrick Shanley and Henry Krieger, and RUINED, a world premiere play by Lynn Nottage.
Reprise Theatre Co Presents 'Once On This Island' 9/2
by BWW News Desk - Jul 21, 2008
Director Billy Porter and Grammy nominee Ledisi mark their debuts with Reprise Theatre Company in the 1990 musical 'Once on This Island,' opening the 2008-2009 season, September 2 to 14 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The press opening is September 3.
Love, Janis To Be Presented At Wilshire Theatre 5/29
by BWW News Desk - May 8, 2008
The Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills continues its 2008 season with the Los Angeles premiere of LOVE, JANIS for five performances only: May 29 - June 1. The life and music of rock-n-roll icon Janis Joplin explodes onto the stage in LOVE, JANIS.
Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 'Little Shop' Casting
by BWW News Desk - May 8, 2008
Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) announces its mainstage production of Little Shop of Horrors, a musical written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. It's a musical comedy to die for - literally! The musical is based on Roger Corman's 1960 sci-fi comedy and includes several show-stopping numbers including 'Skid Row (Downtown),' 'Somewhere That's Green,' and 'Suddenly Seymour,' as well as the title song. Little Shop of Horrors will run at the Millburn theatre from June 4 through July 6, 2008.
PS Classics Celebrates 'One Ounce of Truth' At Joe's Pub
by BWW News Desk - Apr 7, 2008
PS CLASSICS is proud to announce the release of ONE OUNCE OF TRUTH: THE NIKKI GIOVANII SONGS, the extraordinary new collaboration from the team of vocalist Capathia Jenkins and songwriter/performer Louis Rosen. The new disc will be available in stores and online on May 13, 2008. They will celebrate the release with four concerts at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater in New York on May 12, 18, 19 and 26.
Drama League Announces Speciality Awards Recipients
by BWW News Desk - Mar 25, 2008
The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President)announced the recipients of its three annual specialty awards, to be presented along with its five annual production and performance awards at The 74th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 16, 2008 (noon).
Angela Robinson is Shug while Withers-Mendes is On-Leave
by BWW News Desk - Jan 29, 2008
Original The Color Purple Broadway cast member, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who has played the role of Shug Avery since the musical began performances at the Broadway Theatre in November 2005 and throughout its entire record-breaking run, will begin a hiatus from the role on Thursday, January 31, 2008. The Tony nominated actress will return to the role for the final two performances of The Color Purple on Sunday, February 24, 2008. Beginning on Friday, February 1, 2008, Angela Robinson assumes the role of Shug Avery while Withers-Mendes is on leave.
Mark Hoebee is New Paper Mill Artistic Director
by BWW News Desk - Jan 17, 2008
The Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees is proud to announce that Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill's Acting Artistic Director since March of 2007 has been promoted to Artistic Director effective immediately.
Charm City Call Board: September 11-17
by James Howard - Sep 11, 2007
New this week! Best Bet: Titanic: The Musical! News of Everyman Explore! Series! CENTERSTAGE Events! Baltimore Shakespeare Festival Fund Raiser! Much more!
Brian Stokes Mitchell - Going, Going...Gone!
by BWW News Desk - Sep 5, 2007
The Actors Fund announced today that Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will take to the stage at Carnegie Hall for the very first time as a solo artist on October 15th, 2007.
Charm City Call Board - August 2007
by James Howard - Aug 28, 2007
This week: Best Bet: Rep Stage's Mrs. Farnsworth! Spotlighters goes dark! BPF to perform at the Kennedy Center! News of The Wedding Singer and My Fair Lady tours!
Osbourne and Lenox are New 'Chicago' Mama Mortons
by BWW News Desk - Jul 30, 2007
Kelly Osbourne will make her legitimate stage debut starring as 'Mama Morton' in the smash hit West End musical Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre on Monday, September 10 for a limited seven-week season, finishing on October 27.