David Blyth to Become Property Director of Ambassador Theatre Group
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 10, 2011
The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) today announced a new senior role for David Blyth as Property Director commencing on 28 March 2011. This is an Executive Board appointment and David will head up the Property, Health & Safety and Environmental Teams. He will continue to be based at ATG's St. Martin's Lane office.
Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton to Host 2011 Olivier Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 3, 2011
Previous Olivier Award-winners Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton are to host the 2011 Olivier Awards with MasterCard at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 13 March.
The pair, who will preside over the most glamorous ceremony in years, are no strangers to the Olivier Awards. Ball won the coveted Best Actor in a Musical Award in 2009 while Staunton is a double winner, having picked up the famous bronze statuette in 1985 and 1991.
Both hugely experienced stage performers, Staunton and Ball's presenting double-act comes ahead of their joint appearance on stage in Chichester Festival Theatre's revival of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd this September.
Treasured as much for her screen work as her stage appearances, Staunton is a BAFTA-winning actress with a vast body of work behind her. Such is her versatility that musicals Into The Woods, Guys And Dolls and Mack And Mabel sit on her CV alongside plays Life X 3, There Came A Gypsy Riding, Uncle Vanya and, most recently, Entertaining Mr Sloane in the West End. On screen, Staunton has starred in numerous films including Shakespeare In Love, Much Ado About Nothing, Sense And Sensibility and Vera Drake - for which she won a BAFTA and received an Oscar nomination - as well as the hugely popular television serial Cranford. Before heading to Chichester, Staunton returns to the London stage in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida theatre this May.
Ball will be adding Olivier Awards host to a resume that already includes actor, producer, radio and TV presenter and recording artist. Since making his West End debut in the original production of Les Miserables in 1985, Ball has appeared in a variety of high profile West End productions, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom Of The Opera, The Woman In White and Aspects Of Love, Stephen Sondheim's Passion and family musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He made his opera debut at the London Coliseum in 2007 in Kismet and has appeared several times on Broadway. In 2008 he famously donned drag to play the loveable role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, a performance which earned him an Olivier Award. On top of that, Ball has released 12 solo albums, represented Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992, toured all over the world and, since 2008, presented Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch on BBC Radio 2. In 2010 he turned producer by co-producing the musical Love Story in the West End.
Theatre fans who want to see Staunton and Ball in action can purchase tickets to the Olivier Awards, either by MasterCard through www.olivierawards.com or with cash, Theatre Tokens or MasterCard in person at the tkts booths in Leicester Square and Brent Cross.
Dan Sharkey Joins THE FANTASTICKS, 2/28
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 28, 2011
Dan Sharkey, whose Broadway credits include The Music Man and Show Boat, will join the cast of The Fantasticks as Hucklebee on February 28, 2011. He replaces Gene Jones, who played his final performance on February 20.
Full Cast Set for Encores! WHERE'S CHARLEY? Arcelus, Luker, McGillin, McClure, Worhsam, Paice & More!
by Robert Diamond - Feb 28, 2011
Sebastian Arcelus, Rebecca Luker, Rob McClure, Howard McGillin, Jill Paice and Lauren Worsham have been cast in Frank Loesser's Where's Charley?, the final New York City Center Encores! production of the 2010-11. Where's Charley?, based on Brandon Thomas' Charley's Aunt, has a book by George Abbott and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The show, running March 17 - 20, will be directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Alex Sanchez with music direction by Rob Berman.
James Earl Jones Will Lead Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN on Broadway in 2012
by Jessica Lewis - Feb 24, 2011
The New York Times reports today that following his stint in DRIVING MISS DAISY, James Earl Jones will be hanging around Broadway a bit longer, assuming the role of Arthur Hockstader in the revival of Gore Vidal's 'The Best Man.' The production is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012. Orphan's Home Cycle director Michael Wilson will helm the revival. The plot centers around chief executive Hockstader trying to decide which presidental nominees to support: William Russell and Joe Cantwell.
Wolf Trap Announces 45 Additions to its 2011 Summer Season
by Gabrielle Sierra - Feb 9, 2011
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces 45 new summer performances at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and The Barns at Wolf Trap, featuring several of the biggest names in pop music, comedy, theater, and symphony, along with the meticulously chosen Wolf Trap Opera Company repertoire and cast.
Duncan, Rickman & Shaw Lead Abbey's 'BORKMAN' at BAM, 1/7-2/6
by BWW
News Desk - Jan 7, 2011
BAM_20010101
BAM Presents JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN by Henrik Ibsen in a new version by Frank McGuinness. This production comes from the Abbey Theatre, Ireland and is directed by James Macdonald with set design by Tom Pye, costume design by Joan Bergin, lighting design by Jean Kalman, and sound design by Ian Dickinson
Duncan, Rickman & Shaw Lead Abbey's 'BORKMAN' at BAM, 1/7-2/6
by Sophie Schulman - Dec 14, 2010
BAM_20010101
BAM Presents JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN by Henrik Ibsen in a new version by Frank McGuinness. This production comes from the Abbey Theatre, Ireland and is directed by James Macdonald with set design by Tom Pye, costume design by Joan Bergin, lighting design by Jean Kalman, and sound design by Ian Dickinson
Osnes, Stone et al. Join Foster & Grey in ANYTHING GOES; Full Cast Announced
by Jessica Lewis - Dec 7, 2010
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full company of the new Broadway production of Anything Goes, starring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as 'Reno Sweeney' and Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey as 'Moonface Martin.'
Butler, Cerveris, Garber, Hawke & More Sing for Jack O'Brien 11/8
by BWW
News Desk - Nov 8, 2010
Sonnet Repertory Theatre announced their Ninth Annual BENEFIT & CABARET HONORING JACK O'BRIEN to be held Monday, November 8th at Joe's Pub, to be hosted by Jerry Mitchell with Musical Direction by Dan Lipton and featuring performances by John Behlmann, Kerry Butler, Michael Cerveris, Victor Garber, Ethan Hawke, Carly Jibson, Andrew Lippa, Duncan Sheik, Joe Allen Players.
BWW EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Sondheim Talks Past, Present & Future
by Robert Diamond - Nov 3, 2010
Today, perhaps the greatest gift a Broadway baby could receive was benevolently bestowed upon me in the form of an indepth and revealing discussion with the foremost composer and lyricist of his generation, one of the greatest writers in American history in any medium - the unmatched musical and lyrical genius himself, Stephen Sondheim. In this portion of our complete discussion we discuss his new book, FINISHING THE HAT, as well as take a look back at his legendary career both in Hollywood and on Broadway. Merman to Madonna, Brecht to Barbra Streisand, COMPANY to GROUNDHOG DAY (or not) - we cover it all. See here just a glimpse of the reason why the name Stephen Sondheim means more to musical theatre than any other name in the last fifty years. Plus, his promise to - in his own immortal words from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - 'give us more to see' in the very near future. That moment cannot come soon enough, as any fan of theatre - or art in America, for that matter - can assuredly attest.
Butler, Cerveris, Garber, Hawke & More Sing for Jack O'Brien 11/8
by Robert Diamond - Oct 27, 2010
Sonnet Repertory Theatre announced their Ninth Annual BENEFIT & CABARET HONORING JACK O'BRIEN to be held Monday, November 8th at Joe's Pub, to be hosted by Jerry Mitchell with Musical Direction by Dan Lipton and featuring performances by John Behlmann, Kerry Butler, Michael Cerveris, Victor Garber, Ethan Hawke, Carly Jibson, Andrew Lippa, Duncan Sheik, Joe Allen Players.
Faith Prince Brings 'Adelaide' to Orlando in GUYS & DOLLS Concert, 10/9
by BWW
News Desk - Oct 9, 2010
Everyone's favorite 'Adelaide,' Faith Prince, will be reprising the role she made famous on Broadway in two concerts with the Orlando Philharmonic this October. Prince will star alongside Davis Gaines as Sky Masterson in a concert version of Guys and Dolls that will run at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center on October 9, 2010 and 2:00pm and 8:00pm. Christopher Wilkins conducts the concert, and Mad Cow Theatre's Alan Bruun will direct.
ANYTHING GOES Tix On Sale 10/4
by BWW News Desk - Oct 4, 2010
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey will return to Broadway to join the cast of the new Broadway production of Anything Goes, starring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as 'Reno Sweeney.'
Roundabout Announces Joel Grey in ANYTHING GOES, Tix On Sale 10/4
by Gabrielle Sierra - Sep 30, 2010
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey will return to Broadway to join the cast of the new Broadway production of Anything Goes, starring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as 'Reno Sweeney.'
Joel Grey Joins Sutton Foster in ANYTHING GOES!
by Jessica Lewis - Sep 30, 2010
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey will return to Broadway to join the cast of the new Broadway production of Anything Goes, starring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as 'Reno Sweeney.' Anything Goes will mark Mr. Grey's seventh Broadway production.
Jeremy McCarter to Host Public Forum Lecture Series at The Public this Season
by Jessica Lewis - Sep 27, 2010
This fall, The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director) will launch The Public Forum, an exciting new series of lectures, debates and conversations that showcase leading voices in the arts, politics and the media. Curated by Jeremy McCarter, a senior writer at Newsweek, Public Forum events are open to the general public. Tickets for the inaugural event can be purchased for $25 beginning Tuesday, October 5. Member tickets are on sale Tuesday, September 28.
Lucas' KING KONG Musical Sets Sights on Broadway
by Jessica Lewis - Sep 16, 2010
Carmen Pavlovic, C.E.O. of Global Creatures, the company behind the phenomenal world-wide success, Walking with Dinosaurs - the Arena Spectacular, has announced that a creative team has been assembled and work has begun on KING KONG - Live on Stage, an entirely new production conceived for the Broadway stage. KING KONG - Live on Stage is authorized by the estate of Merian C. Cooper (Creator of KING KONG and director of the 1933 film).
Westport Country Playhouse Extends I DO! I DO! Thru 9/4
by BWW
News Desk - Sep 4, 2010
Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for 'I Do! I Do!,' the charming and touching musical about marriage, three extra performances have been added, Thursday through Saturday, September 2 - 4, evenings at 8 p.m. The tuneful journey through the ups and downs of a 50-year marriage stars Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin and Drama Desk Award nominee Lewis Cleale. The musical is written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of 'The Fantasticks,' and directed by Susan H. Schulman.
Westport Country Playhouse's I DO, I DO! Closes 9/4
by BWW News Desk - Sep 4, 2010
Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for 'I Do! I Do!,' the charming and touching musical about marriage, three extra performances have been added, Thursday through Saturday, September 2 - 4, evenings at 8 p.m.
Paice, Morton, Kushnier Lead Cast Of CHESS At Signature Theatre Thru 9/26
by Lauren Wolman - Aug 29, 2010
CHESS opened at the Signature Theatre on August 10 and will run through September 26. The cast is lead by Jill Paice (Curtains, The 39 Steps) as Florence Vassy, Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Anatoly Sergievsky and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent) as Freddie Trumper. The rock musical is directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. Written by Mamma Mia! composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, the 1984 cult musical of Cold War competition in love and chess is being given its first major Washington area production. Chess is being performed in the fabulous intimacy of the 276-seat MAX Theatre.
Westport Country Playhouse Extends I DO! I DO! Thru 9/4
by Lauren Wolman - Aug 28, 2010
Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for 'I Do! I Do!,' the charming and touching musical about marriage, three extra performances have been added, Thursday through Saturday, September 2 - 4, evenings at 8 p.m. The tuneful journey through the ups and downs of a 50-year marriage stars Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin and Drama Desk Award nominee Lewis Cleale. The musical is written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of 'The Fantasticks,' and directed by Susan H. Schulman.