Damn Yankees

Come see The John W. Engeman Theater hit one out of the park with the 2010-2011 season opener: DAMN YANKEES. Just in time for baseball season, this musical comedy is centered around America's National Pastime. No matter what team you root for, Damn Yankees is sure to be a Grand Slam!

Experience a night of laughs, mystery and drama when Pittsburgh CLO presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Curtains, June 22 - 27 at the Benedum Center, in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The legendary writing team of Kander and Ebb delivers another hit with this hilarious musical whodunit.

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is pleased to announce its summer show Sophie Tucker: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas, a musical revue by Jack Fournier and Kathy Halenda. Sophie Tucker: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas opens for the press on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 8:00pm and plays through Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

A special one-night only concert of the new musical JAWBREAKER will be performed on July 29. Taking part in the special performance will be Shoshana Bean, and Lesli Margherita.

DRG RECORDS is proud to announce the solo album debut of JANE KRAKOWSKI, the Tony Award winning Broadway star of Nine and Damn Yankees and the Emmy Award nominated star of '30 Rock' and 'Ally McBeal.'

Last weekend, I had the exceptional privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with 2010 Tony-winning Best Featured Actress In A Play: the luminous and winsomely witty film and stage star Scarlett Johannson. We talked about her work in the theatre on this year's highly-praised revival of Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, as well as her feelings on musicals, Stephen Sondheim, and growing up in New York, which then veered off into a considerable discussion of her film work and working with actors like Hugh Jackman, Robert Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz, as well as directors like Woody Allen and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, we discussed her love of musicals, her favorite shows, scores and cast albums, singing showtunes with Hugh Jackman, her thoughts on a Woody Allen musical, what Sondheim roles she would like to play, GLEE, and, of course, a detailed and descriptive discussion of the entire process of bringing BRIDGE to the stage. This is the complete InDepth InterView you have all been waiting for - of course, two sneek peek samples have gone up on BWW this week and have so far been quoted and reprinted in US WEEKLY, Perez Hilton and Oh No They Didn't, just to name a few, all of whom also reprinted her e-mail response to me. She is without a doubt one of the brightest stars of our age and it was a extreme privilege for me to help her shine some light on the more obscure corners of her career, as well as the highs - on Broadway, in Hollywood and elsewhere. Enjoy!

Rat King LLC, Adam Blanshay, and Stephenie Overton in association with Brierpatch Productions announce the Off-Broadway Run of The New Comedy TALES FROM THE TUNNEL. Featuring Tony Award Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia

The Weston Playhouse of Weston, Vermont has announced its summer 2010 season. The season will include four mainstage productions--THE 39 STEPS, AVENUE Q, DAMN YANKEES, and DEATH OF A SALESMAN-- as well as other productions.

Experience a night of laughs, mystery and drama when Pittsburgh CLO presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Curtains, June 22 - 27 at the Benedum Center, in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The legendary writing team of Kander and Ebb delivers another hit with this hilarious musical whodunit.

The Muny has announced casting for its 2010 summer season, featuring a number of Broadway veterans reprising roles they created on Broadway. Performers include Ken Page, Gary Beach, Stephanie J. Block, Georgia Engel, Ashley Brown and more.

Roundabout Theatre Company and Todd Haimes, Artistic Director announced that Tony® Award winner Sutton Foster will star as "Reno Sweeney" in a new Broadway production of ANYTHING GOES, directed and choreographed by Tony® Award winner Kathleen Marshall. Music & lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; New book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.

This weekend, I had the exceptional privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with 2010 Tony-winning Best Featured Actress In A Play: the luminous and winsomely witty film and stage star Scarlett Johansson. We talked about her work in the theatre on this year's highly-praised revival of Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, as well as her feelings on musicals, Sondheim, and growing up in New York, which then veered off into a considerable discussion of her film work and working with actors like Hugh Jackman, Robert Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz, as well as directors like Woody Allen and Christopher Nolan. In this second sample portion of the forthcoming interview we talk about her love of musicals, her favorite shows, scores and cast albums, singing showtunes with Hugh Jackman, her thoughts on a Woody Allen musical, what Sondheim roles she would like to play, GLEE, and more. The complete InDepth InterView will be available next Friday, but here is another small sampling to curb your appetite until then. A special early-summer treat!

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that their LADCC (Best Production, Best Ensemble, Best Musical Direction), LA WEEKLY (Best Musical) and BACKSTAGE GARLAND (Best Production, Best Ensemble, Best Musical Direction) award-winning, critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING AGAIN through SUNDAY, JUNE 20 at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

PlayhouseSquare honored Broadway producer Kevin McCollum with its highest award, the PlayhouseSquare Star Award for Achievement in the Performing Arts, at its annual Chairman's Dinner last night. Past honorees include legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch and Disney Theatricals President Thomas Schumacher.

Logo, the entertainment network for gays, lesbians and their families and friends announced the co-hosts for the 2010 'NewNowNext Awards.' Actress/comedienne Niecy Nash and actor Cheyenne Jackson are set to co-host the third annual 'NewNowNext Awards.' Logo also announced musicians Little Boots, Agnes and Dan Black are set to perform for the 'NewNowNext Awards' in front of a live audience at the retro-glam Edison in Downtown Los Angeles on June 8th.

Bill Hanney launches the 2010 Broadway musical series at the new North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) with Vicki Lewis starring in GYPSY. A veteran of the stage and screen, Vicki Lewis is most remembered for her 5 seasons playing Beth on the NBC sitcom, 'NewsRadio.' The multi award winning Broadway classic GYPSY runs July 6 - 25, 2010, with press night scheduled for July 8 at 7:30pm.

David Elzer, Peter Schneider and Crooning Crabcakes, LLC are thrilled to announce that their LADCC (Best Production, Best Ensemble, Best Musical Direction), LA WEEKLY (Best Musical) and BACKSTAGE GARLAND (Best Production, Best Ensemble, Best Musical Direction) award-winning, critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK, LA WEEKLY GO!) smash-hit world premiere production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, written and directed by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wonderettes) with choreography by Lee Martino (Reprise On Your Toes, On The Town) and musical direction by Michael Paternostro (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Thrill Me) is EXTENDING AGAIN through SUNDAY, JULY 25 which will mark its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Broadway Concerts Direct is proud to announce 2 great Monday night concerts at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC in June.

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

Music Theatre of Connecticut's MainStage presents 'Pete 'n' Keely,' a rollicking musical comedy with Book by James Hindman, Original Music by Patrick Brady, Original Lyrics by Mark Waldrop, Patrick S. Brady and others. Join America's swingin' sweethearts, Pete and Keely, as they reunite for a live television special re-living their illustrious musical career on TV, in Las Vegas showrooms, and at the top of the hit parade. The show features great hits of The Rat Pack era, including "Lover," "Besame Mucho," "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," "Secret Love," "Fever," "Black Coffee" and many more. Performances are June 4-13, 2010 at the Music Theatre of Connecticut Studio Theatre in Westport, CT.

I had a most difficult time falling asleep last night. It was one of those nights when something kept going over and over in my mind, preventing sleep from happening. As a creature of the theater, I get most excited by a show that gives me goose bumps and keeps me riveted from beginning to end. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh have teamed to bring us a stage version of MARY POPPINS. Last night, MARY POPPINS opened at the Broward Center. It is a 'Jolly Holiday' for me to tell you, MARY POPPINS is one of the greatest musicals in years.

Atlanta's Broadway dreams will come true for the 5th consecutive summer when THE BROADWAY DREAMS FOUNDATION (BDF) presents their acclaimed Summer Performing Arts Intensive Monday, June 7 through Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Marietta, GA), Atlanta's premiere entertainment venue.

On July 15, 2010 Jane Krakowski will release her debut solo album, 'Laziest Girl in Town' (out by DRG), a live recording of the actress' recent Feinstein's concert. Today, the album art has been revealed, and features the beauty relaxing on satin sheets.

Experience a night of laughs, mystery and drama when Pittsburgh CLO presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Curtains, June 22 - 27 at the Benedum Center, in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The legendary writing team of Kander and Ebb delivers another hit with this hilarious musical whodunit.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, June 29, KATHY FITZGERALD will assume the role of Madame Morrible in the musical blockbuster WICKED. Kathy joins a cast which includes Mandy Gonzalez as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Andy Karl as Fiyero, Alex Brightman as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Timothy Britten Parker as Dr. Dillamond. Tony Award-winner Rondi Reed will play her final performance as Madame Morrible on Sunday, June 27 at 3:00pm.

The Ogunquit Playhouse will present The Drowsy Chaperone from June 9 through June 26, 2010 starring Bravo's Carson Kressley as the Man in Chair and The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Gloria Engel as Mrs. Tottendale, the role she created for the original Broadway production. This new musical comedy was the darling of the Tony Awards, winning the most statues in 2006, including Best Sets and Costumes - the very same sets and costumes will be featured in the Ogunquit Production. Broadway veteran Liz Larsen also joins the cast as the Drowsy Chaperone.

A new developmental production of Platinum (www.PlatinumTheMusical.com) starring Tony Award nominee Liz Larsen (The Most Happy Fella, A New Brain) and Sarah Litzsinger (Beauty and the Beast, Amour) will be presented by UnsungMusicalsCo. Inc. as part of the 2010 New York International Fringe Festival.

Following two previous sold out runs, Olivier Award Winner Lesli Margherita (ZORRO - West End) returns to Hollywood with an encore performance of her hit nightclub act ALL HAIL THE QUEEN (HAIL YES!). This one night only event will be presented on Tuesday, June 8th at 8:00 p.m. at Level 3 Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. Tickets are $20 (in advance) or $25 cash at the door. For ticket and information visit www.leslimargherita.com or call 800-838-3006.

Since their inception in 1996 the Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey. Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award® nominee Anne Hathaway, and Tony® award winner Laura Benanti.

Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman Willis, the producers of the 2008 Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights, announced today that Jon Rua will be Broadway's new 'Sonny' for 5 weeks only from Tuesday, June 22, through Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street).

Atlanta's Broadway dreams will come true for the 5th consecutive summer when THE BROADWAY DREAMS FOUNDATION (BDF) presents their acclaimed Summer Performing Arts Intensive Monday, June 7 through Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Marietta, GA), Atlanta's premiere entertainment venue.

Broadway Concerts Direct is proud to announce 2 great Monday night concerts at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC in June.

Goodspeed Musicals announces the cast of BAND GEEKS!, a new musical. The spring production will kick off a three show season at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. The show will run from May 13 through June 6, 2010.

Music Theatre of Connecticut's MainStage presents 'Pete 'n' Keely,' a rollicking musical comedy with Book by James Hindman, Original Music by Patrick Brady, Original Lyrics by Mark Waldrop, Patrick S. Brady and others. Join America's swingin' sweethearts, Pete and Keely, as they reunite for a live television special re-living their illustrious musical career on TV, in Las Vegas showrooms, and at the top of the hit parade. The show features great hits of The Rat Pack era, including "Lover," "Besame Mucho," "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," "Secret Love," "Fever," "Black Coffee" and many more. Performances are June 4-13, 2010 at the Music Theatre of Connecticut Studio Theatre in Westport, CT.

Music Theatre of Connecticut's MainStage presents 'Pete 'n' Keely,' a rollicking musical comedy with Book by James Hindman, Original Music by Patrick Brady, Original Lyrics by Mark Waldrop, Patrick S. Brady and others. Join America's swingin' sweethearts, Pete and Keely, as they reunite for a live television special re-living their illustrious musical career on TV, in Las Vegas showrooms, and at the top of the hit parade. The show features great hits of The Rat Pack era, including "Lover," "Besame Mucho," "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," "Secret Love," "Fever," "Black Coffee" and many more. Performances are June 4-13, 2010 at the Music Theatre of Connecticut Studio Theatre in Westport, CT.

A pumpkin turns into a carriage, mice become horses, and a young girl becomes a beautiful princess when Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of CINDERELLA weaves a spell on audiences at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Casting for the 60th Music Circus season is nearing completion. After auditioning performers in New York, Los Angeles and Sacramento, California Musical Theatre Artistic Director Glenn Casale is finalizing the acting company for the seven-show season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. The company is expected to include Broadway veterans, including Tony Award nominees, television comedians, up-and-coming young actors and plenty of returning Music Circus favorites. Complete cast lists are available online at www.SacramentoMusicCircus.com and are subject to change.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), the not-for-profit producing entity at the historic Theatre By The Sea, is pleased to welcome Mitzi Hamilton as director and choreographer of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical, A CHORUS LINE, scheduled to open the summer season on June 2, 2010.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF), the non-profit that brings first-rate Broadway training to aspiring performers throughout the country, brings you this clip of the development of a real Broadway baby, Neve Juday, daughter of an Atlanta faculty member. Check out the clip below of little Neve as Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors being coached by Chase Todd as a BDF 'director.'

This August, from the 18th through the 21st, the Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) will host its Summer Performing Arts Intensive in Philadelphia! During the intensive, attendees will receive first-rate training in acting, dance and vocal performance daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by savvy Broadway veterans who will share their invaluable insider knowledge on the skills needed to make it in show business. Students will also learn how to improve their audition skills (song selections and cold readings) and attend classes geared toward college and career planning (headshots and resumes). At week's end, all participants will have the opportunity to perform alongside their Broadway idols in a 'one night only' concert event. Tony-winner Alice Ripley (Next To Normal) will participate as the guest teacher for the intensive.

Atlanta's Broadway dreams will come true for the 5th consecutive summer when THE BROADWAY DREAMS FOUNDATION (BDF) presents their acclaimed Summer Performing Arts Intensive Monday, June 7 through Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Marietta, GA), Atlanta's premiere entertainment venue.

The Weston Playhouse of Weston, Vermont has announced its summer 2010 season. The season will include four mainstage productions--THE 39 STEPS, AVENUE Q, DAMN YANKEES, and DEATH OF A SALESMAN-- as well as other productions.

Agoraphobia, adultery, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, kleptomania, flan and disco - these are just a few of the subjects covered in hit Off-Broadway musical comedy THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, which will have its Boston-area premiere April 30-May 30, produced by SpeakEasy Stage Company.