Zanna, Don't! 2003 - Articles Page 6

Writing musicals with existing song catalogs presents unique challenges.

How many of these great songs do you know from underappreciated musicals?

Writers seeking fame and recognition are generally advised to steer clear of the task of writing books for Broadway musicals. Regarded by theatre insiders to be perhaps the most vital, yet most underappreciated element of a successful musical, the book oftentimes receives the least credit when a musical's a hit, but is the first thing blamed if it's a flop.

Goodspeed Musicals continues its commitment to innovative, thought-provoking works with a bold reimagining of the witty and ridiculous The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. The tremendously talented cast of four will be Tony Sheldon playing the role of Sir, Caesar Samayoa  appearing as Cocky, Michelle Aravena  as The Kid, and Gregory Treco as The Stranger.

Theatreworks USA will continue its 2016 weekend family performance series this Sunday April 3rd, with Henry and Mudge? was adapted by bookwriter/lyricist Kait Kerrigan and composer/lyricist Brian Lowdermilk (Jonathan Larson Award-winners) and is based on the best-selling books by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson. Henry and Mudge premiered Off-Broadway in July 2006 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. This 60-minute musical is recommended for ages 4 and up.

Arena Stage announces the full cast and creative team for BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY, the heartwarming true story of six-time Grammy Award-winning icon BeBe Winans' journey to fame.

Kokandy Productions just announced its 'new' summer 2016 production: the funny, intimate and moving musical TOMORROW MORNING with book, music and lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe, directed by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Cameron Turner.

Theatreworks USA will continue its 2016 weekend family performance series this Saturday, February 13th, with Henry and Mudge? was adapted by bookwriter/lyricist Kait Kerrigan and composer/lyricist Brian Lowdermilk (Jonathan Larson Award-winners) and is based on the best-selling books by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson. Henry and Mudge premiered Off-Broadway in July 2006 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. This 60-minute musical is recommended for ages 4 and up.

On Thursday, January 21 at 8PM, Jai Rodriguez presents his new show, 'Tales of An Aging Twink' at Martinis Above Fourth. He calls this show 'the R-rated GLEE version of his life.' Rodriguez, best known for his role as the culture guide on Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, is also a well-known Broadway singer/actor and TV/movie performer. Tickets for this one-night only event are $20-$25 and are available at www.martinisabovefourth.com.

The Mezzanine closes a hit-packed 2015 and kicks off another great year with two blockbuster musicals mounted in the one-of-a-kind local space and headlined by Colorado Springs Conservatory alums, regional and national performers, as well as, in one case, members of an original cast.

Kokandy Productions invites you to pour yourself some eggnog and make yourself at home for a family-sized portion of holiday cheer at A KOKANDY CHRISTMAS, an evening of festive stories and songs old and new performed by five of Chicago's brightest musical theater talents.

Welcome to Heartsville High, set in a world where everyone is gaywell, almost everyone. The big man on campus is the chess champion and the captain of the football team is made cool by being cast as the lead in the school musical. The students write a controversial show called 'Don't ask, Don't tell' about straight people in the military, which becomes the catalyst for a young man and woman to fall in love. Enter Zanna, a magical, musical fairy who, with a wave of his wand, brings true love to one and all.

Duck and cover, make it to high ground, stop, drop and roll, batten down the hatches -- prepare to weather the storm! BroadwayWorld has learned that the new musical DISASTER! will begin performances on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 and officially open on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street).

Kokandy Productions invites you to pour yourself some eggnog and make yourself at home for a family-sized portion of holiday cheer at A KOKANDY CHRISTMAS, an evening of festive stories and songs old and new performed by five of Chicago's brightest musical theater talents: Emily Grayson (Melancholy Play, Titanic), Christina Hall (Sweet Smell of Success, The Wild Party), Garrett Lutz (Dogfight, The Full Monty), Jaymes Osbourne (Smokey Joe's Cafe, Dessa Rose) and Sasha Smith (The Wild Party, Plastic Revolution).

Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Song Salon will offer a special presentation with three rising Broadway talents -- Sydney James Harcourt (Hamilton), Doreen Montalvo (On Your Feet) and Timothy Ware (Kinky Boots) -- who will present musical highlights from their respective shows. The evening will be held on Monday, November 30 in a spectacular, sky-high location on West 57th Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BWW Chicago Awards are taking submissions! Plus there's a CST cast album, a new 'Gypsy,' 'Show Boat' on TV, and the 'My Fair Lady' film in theaters. Davenport's has interesting shows, a new project gives us an unknown musical, CCT premieres one, Cult Camp stages an obscure one, and Broadway In Chicago announces its 2016 subscription series!

Long before the devil wore Prada -- 20 years ago, in fact -- the story of the irrepressible Diana Vreeland first commanded the stage of the Globe in a world premiere in 1995. Oscar and Tony Award winner Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King, Lost in Yonkers) now brings 'The Empress of Fashion' back in FULL GALLOP. Written by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson and directed by Andrew Russell, FULL GALLOP runs now through October 25, 2015, with opening night tonight, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Long before the devil wore Prada -- 20 years ago, in fact -- the story of the irrepressible Diana Vreeland first commanded the stage of the Globe in a world premiere in 1995. Oscar and Tony Award winner Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King, Lost in Yonkers) now brings 'The Empress of Fashion' back in FULL GALLOP. Written by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson and directed by Andrew Russell, FULL GALLOP will run tonight, September 26, through October 25, 2015, with opening night on Thursday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Kokandy Productions invites you to pour yourself some eggnog and make yourself at home for a family-sized portion of holiday cheer at A KOKANDY CHRISTMAS, an evening of festive stories and songs old and new performed by five of Chicago's brightest musical theater talents.

Berkeley Playhouse at the historic Julia Morgan Theater opens its eighth season with Avenue Q. The artistic team will be headed by favorite Bay Area actor Danny Cozart (Assassins with Shotgun Players, Babes in Arms with 42nd Street Moon), in his directorial debut. Avenue Q runs from tonight, September 17 - October 11, 2015.

Long before the devil wore Prada -- 20 years ago, in fact -- the story of the irrepressible Diana Vreeland first commanded the stage of the Globe in a world premiere in 1995. Oscar and Tony Award winner Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King, Lost in Yonkers) now brings "The Empress of Fashion" back in FULL GALLOP. Written by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson and directed by Andrew Russell, FULL GALLOP will run September 26 through October 25, 2015, with opening night on Thursday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Berkeley Playhouse at the historic Julia Morgan Theater opens its eighth season with Avenue Q. The artistic team will be headed by favorite Bay Area actor Danny Cozart (Assassins with Shotgun Players, Babes in Arms with 42nd Street Moon), in his directorial debut. Avenue Q runs from September 17 - October 11, with previews on September 17 and September 19. Opening Night is Saturday, September 19, at the Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Avenue in Berkeley. Tickets and Season Passes are available now through the Box Office, call (510) 845-8542 x351 or visit Berkeleyplayhouse.org.

Zanna, Don't is your typical high school rom com, with a slight twist.  There are all the traditional elements - quarterbacks and queen bees, cliques and crushes - but in the upside-down universe of Zanna, Don't, chess players are sex symbols, musical theatre is super cool, and gay relationships are the norm.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) will give aspiring Toronto-area performers a chance to make their "big break" when the program presents Generation: The 2015 Summer Intensive Tour. The national non-profit training program, making a stop in Toronto for the very first time, will present an incredible roster of Broadway directors, performers, and industry insiders who will offer highly personalized musical theatre training and mentoring through unique, week-long performing arts intensive workshops for students of all ages, skill levels, and socio-economic backgrounds.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF), in partnership with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, returns to Philadelphia for a weeklong musical theater intensive, August 2-9, during which Philadelphia's most promising performers will receive unprecedented instruction from the industry's top directors, choreographers and professionals.  To conclude the weeklong intensive, BDF will present GENERATION, a unique Broadway-style revue featuring performances by Broadway veterans and emerging local talent.