New Donna Summer Musical, Leigh Silverman-Helmed WILD GOOSE DREAMS and More Round Out La Jolla Playhouse's 2017-18 Season
by BWW News Desk - Nov 18, 2016
La Jolla Playhouse, nationally-renowned for the development of new work, announces four world-premiere productions for the 2017/2018 season, including the previously-announced Escape to Margaritaville (May/June), featuring the songs of legendary singer-songwriter-author Jimmy Buffett and an original story by co-book writers Greg Garcia ('My Name Is Earl') and Mike O'Malley ('Survivor's Remorse,' 'Shameless'), directed by La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley (Come From Away, Memphis).
Tituss Burgess, Sierra Boggess, Bryce Pinkham and More to Perform at NYMF's 2016 Gala
by BWW News Desk - Nov 8, 2016
The New York Musical Festival (NYMF), previously known as The New York Musical Theater Festival, will honor Tony and Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Duncan Sheik, Casting Director Tara Rubin, and former NYMF Board Member and Treasurer Frank Troutman at its 2016 Gala hosted by Mo Rocca on Sunday, November 13 at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan (240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036).
Robert Sean Leonard, Ken Ludwig, Josh Rhodes Slated for The Old Globe's 2017 Summer Season
by BWW News Desk - Oct 28, 2016
The Old Globe today announced the remaining productions in its 2017 Summer Season, including a brand-new comedy, Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood!, and a Summer Shakespeare Festival lineup featuring Robert Sean Leonard in the title role of the towering history play Richard II, directed by Erica Schmidt. Shakespeare's exhilarating tragedy Hamlet follows, directed by Old Globe Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, one of the leading American authorities on the works of Shakespeare.
The 2016 - 2017 Season Expands to Include the Addition of Performances at the Skokie Theatre, New Guest Hosts, New NEW FACES One Production Celebrating New Musicals and M
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 26, 2016
Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the 2016 - 2017 season of Chicago's hit musical revue series, New Faces Sing returning to Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway and debuting at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Skokie. In tribute to the original New Faces series that ran on Broadway and on film from 1934 - 1968, Porchlight Music Theatre last year created this Chicago musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway, as a showcase for the best emerging musical talent now performing on Chicago stages. Each edition is a journey from the start to the finish of a entire musical season on Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists and acting as your guide through a past season on the Great White Way. Seating is general admission; tickets are $22, with no drink minimum and are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org.
Jennifer Allen and Steven Blanchard Featured in Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID in Seattle; Cast Set!
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 12, 2016
A spectacular new production of Disney's The Little Mermaid kicks off at The 5th Avenue Theatre this holiday season. Featuring the critically acclaimed work of Director Glenn Casale, this beloved tale of a young mermaid's coming-of-age adventure is told like never before. Previously announced casting includes Seattle's own Diana Huey as Ariel and Matthew Kacergis as Prince Eric, with Broadway's Jennifer Allen as Ursula andSteven Blanchard as King Triton. Melvin Abston, Connor Russell and Jamie Torcellini join the cast as Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle. The 5th Avenue's production will go on to play engagements in cities including Orlando, Cincinnati,Atlanta and Louisville, among others.
NYMF to Honor Duncan Sheik and More at 2016 Gala, Hosted by Mo Rocca
by BWW News Desk - Oct 11, 2016
The New York Musical Festival (NYMF), previously known as The New York Musical Theater Festival, will honor Tony and Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Duncan Sheik, Casting Director Tara Rubin, and former NYMF Board Member and Treasurer Frank Troutman at its 2016 Gala hosted by Mo Rocca on Sunday, November 13 at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan (240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036).
BWW Interview: Let the Sun Shine In: Mark Martino Directs MAMMA MIA at MSMT
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 1, 2016
'We are excited to have the audience open its eyes to some sunshine. [Artistic Director] Curt Dale Clark and I were just saying this morning that this has been an intense season so far, and Fiddler on the Roof and Evita cannot let in much sun. But we stream that light in Mamma Mia, and we hope it will provide a chance to breathe in the joy of the Greek Isles. If we do it right, we will all feel an uplift.'
Director/choreographer Mark Martino is waxing eloquent about his latest project and one which constitutes his Maine State Music Theatre debut: a new production of the 2001 Broadway smash it musical Mamma Mia, based on the songs of ABBA. Martino has what he calls 'a very short history' with the show, having mounted a production for the first time in June of this year at the Theatre Aspen. 'The two will be staged very differently,' he explains. 'Aspen is a 200-seat thrust stage, and here they have a 600-seat proscenium theatre. The Pickard Theater gives me an opportunity to expand the show. Our cast at MSMT is about one third larger than in Colorado - some twenty-seven actors - which is even a bit larger than the twenty-four in the original Broadway production. The production values are going to be large and lavish, and the cast has a huge amount of energy, so for me it is an opportunity to revisit the show and make different pictures and entirely different choreography.'
Megan McGinnis-Led SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Begins Tonight at The Old Globe
by BWW News Desk - Jul 6, 2016
The Old Globe presents the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.
Megan McGinnis to Star in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at The Old Globe; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Jun 21, 2016
The Old Globe has announced the complete cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.
Photo Coverage: Pittsburgh CLO's CHICAGO!
by Jessica Fallon Gordon - Jun 17, 2016
Set inside the sensationalized female murderess craze that swept 1920s Chicago, CHICAGO draws its audience into a world of crime and glitz against the vivid backdrop of the jazz age. A first time production for Pittsburgh CLO, CHICAGO is sure to be 'all that jazz' and more!
Broadway Veterans to Lead Pittsburgh CLO's CHICAGO
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 7, 2016
Set inside the sensationalized female murderess craze that swept 1920s Chicago, CHICAGO draws its audience into a world of crime and glitz against the vivid backdrop of the jazz age. A first time production for Pittsburgh CLO, CHICAGO is sure to be 'all that jazz' and more!
Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Opens in June at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
by Tyler Peterson - May 13, 2016
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to journey "Under The Sea" as it presents the fifth and final show of its 2015-2016 season, THE LITTLE MERMAID, music by Alan Menkcn, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright, musical direction by Colin R. Freeman, choreography by John MacInnis and directed by Glenn Casale.
Enrollment Now Open for Light Opera Works' 2016 Summer Workshop
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 25, 2016
Light Opera Works is now accepting enrollments for the 2016 Musical Theater Summer Workshop. Young people ages 8 to 13 will learn singing, dancing and acting in preparation for a free public performance, where family and friends are invited to watch them perform a mini-musical. No experience or audition required, and everyone gets a part.
Photo Flash: First Look at KISS ME, KATE at Maltz Jupiter Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Mar 11, 2016
What do you get when you combine Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew with Cole Porter's music and lyrics? A musical that is just too darn hot! Follow the backstage story of feuding couples, raging egos, gamblers and gangsters in the beloved Tony Award-winning musical KISS ME, KATE, onstage now through March 27 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Celebrate the joys, madness and rewards of working in the theater -- both onstage and off. Brush up your Shakespeare and don't miss this witty and delightful musical. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Lisa Howard, Beth Leavel and More Set for AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS Tribute to Cole Porter Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2016
AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS, featuring Fred Barton & His Orchestra in 'An Evening with Cole Porter', stars a cast of today's best Broadway performers. The concerts take place at Pace University's Schimmel Center in New York tonight, March 4 at 7:30 PM and then Kingsborough Community College's 'On Stage at Kingsborough' in Brooklyn tomorrow, March 5 at 8:00 PM.