Follies Revival

Assassins will be directed at The Milwaukee Rep by Artistic Director Mark Clements. This will be the third musical he has directed since he began his tenure at The Rep following last season's hit Next to Normal and Cabaret from his first season. With the selection of Assassins for the 2012/13 Season, Milwaukee Repertory Theater shows its commitment to continuing to produce full-scale musicals as part of its repertoire. Clements has assembled a top-notch cast for this production featuring many performers with extensive Broadway credits. Assassins runs in the Quadracci Powerhouse from September 4 - October 7, and opens on Friday, September 7.

After a three-year absence, Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway returns to the 47th Street Theatre with a brand new edition, Forbidden Broadway: ALIVE AND KICKING. The show, which opens Thursday, September 6, will run for a limited engagement through January 6, 2013. This production will mark Forbidden Broadway's 30th Anniversary, as well as its 21st edition. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

As the curtain goes down this year on Totem Pole Playhouse's 62nd consecutive summer season, the local theatrical mainstay faces a cloudy future in which the curtain may not rise again for a 63rd season.

As we come to the end of August and make our way on into September (is this weekend REALLY Labor Day Weekend … already?!), I trust you are planning to take in one or more of the wonderful productions playing at some of the many theatre and live performance establishments that make their home and ply their artistic trade here on the California Central Coast! And speaking of WONDERFUL …

Combine more than 20 unforgettable Gershwin songs like "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" with lots of fabulous dancing and a comical boy-meets-girl love story and you get Crazy for You, the rousing, Tony Award-winning musical that closes the 2012 Music Circus Season, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from August 28 - September 2. Check out production photos, featuring Noah Racey as Bobby Child and Anne Horak as Polly Baker, below!

Tony Award winner Linda Lavin will make nightclub appearances in New York in September, including two shows at 54 BELOW (254 W. 54 St. in Manhattan) on September 17 at 7 p.m. and September 23 at 3 p.m. with musical director Billy Stritch and a 5-piece combo.

Combine more than 20 unforgettable Gershwin songs like "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" with lots of fabulous dancing and a comical boy-meets-girl love story and you get Crazy for You, the rousing, Tony Award-winning musical that closes the 2012 Music Circus Season, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from tonight, August 28 - September 2. Playing Bobby Child will be award-winning Broadway song-and-dance man Noah Racey, who has performed on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies, Curtains and Never Gonna Dance. Playing the feisty Polly Baker will be Anne Horak, whose Broadway and touring credits include Young Frankenstein and White Christmas.

Charity Hope Valentine, with a shoulder bag and a heart tattooed on her left arm, works as a dancer-for-hire in a Times Square Dance Hall but longs for love.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, makes a splash with the effervescent musical comedy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, previewing November 8, opening November 15, and running through January 13, 2013.

Hot Mess in Manhattan: The Musical, featuring music by 12 of today's musical theatre composers, will perform a limited run August 30-September 8 at The American Theatre of Actors (314 W. 54th Street NYC) as a part of the second annual Araca Project. Check out photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

Kritzerland has just announced a second edition for the critically acclaimed newly remixed cast album for FOLLIES- The 1971 Original Broadway Cast Recording. For only the second time in Kritzerland history, Kritzerland is doing a second edition of one of our limited edition CDs (the first was for Promises, Promises). The reaction to this newly mixed version of Follies has been overwhelming, and the original first edition of 1500 copies was gone by the time word had spread and reviews had appeared. Stephen Sondheim called the new mix "a miracle" and that's been pretty much the reaction from everyone, including original co-director and producer Harold Prince, cast members John McMartin (the original Ben) and Harvey Evans (the original Young Buddy), Ted Chapin (the author of Everything Was Possible, the book about the creation of Follies), and logo creator David Edward Byrd. At the request of Mr. Sondheim, we are issuing this one-time only second edition so that it will be available for those who either hadn't heard about it or were too slow ordering.

Hot Mess in Manhattan: The Musical, featuring music by 12 of today's musical theatre composers, will perform a limited run August 30-September 8 at The American Theatre of Actors (314 W. 54th Street NYC) as a part of the second annual Araca Project.

The Laguna Playhouse welcomes back Rita Rudner, one of the country's top comediennes, for an exclusive three-day stand-up engagement, aptly titled Rita Rudner: Act 3, tonight, August 24 - Sunday, August 26, 2012. Performance times are 7 p.m. each evening.

The Metropolitan Room is proud to announce that they now have a bi-weekly Ole Fashioned Burlesque Show at The Metropolitan Room - THE BEST IN NYC. It's Sophisticated. It's Exciting. It's Entertaining. It's a MUST SEE. A guaranteed memorable experience.

Roundabout Theatre Company announced the full cast this July for the new Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The show is set to open on November 13, 2012 and will star Stephanie J. Block as Edwin Drood. Meet the whole cast in the video and bios below!

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 2012 Equity Jeff Award nominees, 'Xanadu' at Drury Lane, upcoming shows at Porchlight and Theo Ubique, dueling 'Assassins,' a summer theater surprise and more!

Combine more than 20 unforgettable Gershwin songs like "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" with lots of fabulous dancing and a comical boy-meets-girl love story and you get Crazy for You, the rousing, Tony Award-winning musical that closes the 2012 Music Circus Season, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from August 28 - September 2. Get a first look at Noah Racey as Bobby Child with the ensemble in the photos below!

As we move toward the latter portion of August and the end of summer (sigh ... some schools are already back at it!), I hope you are making plans to attend a few of the wonderful shows currently (or soon to be) running at any of the numerous live performance and theatre venues so readily found here on the Central Coast of California!

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

Reuniting for one night only are the stars of the 2004 Tony Award winning production: Becky Ann Baker (Sara Jane Moore), James Barbour (Leon Czolgosz), Mario Cantone (Samuel Byck), Michael Cerveris (John Wilkes Booth), Mary Catherine Garrison (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Alexander Gemignani (John Hinckley), Neil Patrick Harris (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald), Marc Kudisch (Proprietor), Jeffrey Kuhn (Giuseppe Zangara) and Denis O'Hare (Charles Guiteau).

Birdland (315 West 44th Street - between 8th & 9th Aves.) has announced entertainment for the month of September, 2012.

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN begins previews tomorrow at 8pm and opens September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Meet the cast below!

With the newly remodeled live music space nearing completion and innovative menus still being unveiled, Rockwell: Table & Stage continues their exciting summer long "Soft Opening" by presenting a reconditioned version of For The Record: John Hughes. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

For this new one-man show, 'Perfectly Imperfect', Doug has compiled a roster of song selections from Broadway, The Great American Songbook, and Popular music that he feels describe himself, but most likely the audience will see a little of themselves in more than a few. The show begins at 2 PM today, August 19th at the Arthur Newman Theater located in the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert. Local musical director Joel Baker will accompany Doug on piano for the show.

GPR Records will release a recording of Catherine Zeta-Jones narrating The Runaway Bunny, based on the best selling children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown. Also on the CD will be English Baritone Mark Stone singing Goodnight Moon and a special guest superstar narrating Poulenc's Babar, The Elephant. The CD will be released on November 15th, will be available at www.GPRRecords.com, Amazon, and iTunes.

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announced casting for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 10, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - May 26, 2013, both at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont and the naming of new Artistic Associates and members to the Advisory Board. Alexis J. Rogers will play "Billie Holiday" in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, by Lanie Robertson to be directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley.

Atlantic Theater Company will present the New York premiere of HARPER REGAN, by Olivier Award winner Simon Stephens, starring an ensemble cast featuring Vandit Bhatt, Christopher Innvar, Mahira Kakkar, Jordan Lage, Madeleine Martin, Mary McCann, Mary Beth Peil, Gareth Saxe, Peter Scanavino, John Sharian and Stephen Tyrone Williams, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch.

New Candlelight Theatre (NCT) presents FOLLIES IN CONCERT, September 27-30, 2012. The proceeds from this special event will benefit the New Candlelight Memorial Endowment Fund which assists with funding the capital efforts of New Candlelight Theatre.

The 2012-2013 Concerts from the Library of Congress season offers a packed lineup of 40 concerts, lectures, film screenings, master classes and workshops, all celebrating the rich tapestry of the nation's musical heritage. Concerts kick off Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., with a performance by the Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir.

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, Joan Roberts, the stage and film actress who created the role of 'Laurey' in the original 1943 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, died on Monday August 13, in Stamford, Connecticut. She was 95, and died of congestive heart failure, according to her son, John Donlon. In the video below, Imagem Music Group remembers the stage star by sharing a 2011 interview. Check it out below.

With the newly remodeled live music space nearing completion and innovative menus still being unveiled, Rockwell: Table & Stage continues their exciting summer long "Soft Opening" by presenting a reconditioned version of For The Record: John Hughes. Joining the creative team are Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles, Broadway's Avenue Q) and Chad Hodge (The Playboy Club) who have contributed a reinvented script that focuses the show around John Hughes seminal coming of age teen flicks.

Signature Theatre kicks off its 2012/13 season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, now playing through October 7, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

Following a successful debut last year, popular Las Vegas entertainers Bill Fayne, Teddy Davey and Chris Coyne - together as Voices 3 - return to the Suncoast Showroom September 22 and 23.

The California Women's Conference will present a panel titled "Legendary Ladies of Stage and Screen," giving patrons the chance to hear personal and professional stories from women who embraced their dreams and worked their advantages.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Casting news for ChiShakes' 'Sunday,' TATC's '42nd Street' and Paramount's 'Grease,' plus ALW and the eye-popping Marriott season, Chicago's first 'Q,' Super September along Belmont Avenue and much more!

Primary Stages launched its 28th season with Harrison,TX: Three Plays by Horton Foote. Opening night was last night, August 14. Tony Award nominees HAllie Foote (Dividing the Estate, The Orphans' Home Cycle) and Jayne Houdyshell (Follies, Well) will head up an ensemble featuring Devon Abner (Dividing the Estate, The Orphans' Home Cycle), Mary Bacon (Motherhood Out Loud, Happy Now?) Jeremy Bobb (Is He Dead?, Shipwrecked!...), Alexander Cendese (Psycho Therapy, A View From the Bridge), Andrea Lynn Green (Giant, Anne and Emmett), Evan Jonigkeit (High, History Boys at Arden Theatre Company), and Jenny Dare Paulin (Dividing the Estate, The Orphans' Home Cycle). Helmed by Tony Award nominated director Pam MacKinnon (Clybourne Park, A Lifetime Burning at Primary Stages), Harrison,TX: Three Plays by Horton Foote runs through September 15 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and will bring you full coverage from the festivities below!

Combine more than 20 unforgettable Gershwin songs like "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" with lots of fabulous dancing and a comical boy-meets-girl love story and you get Crazy for You, the rousing, Tony Award-winning musical that closes the 2012 Music Circus Season, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from August 28 - September 2. Playing Bobby Child will be award-winning Broadway song-and-dance man Noah Racey, who has performed on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies, Curtains and Never Gonna Dance. Playing the feisty Polly Baker will be Anne Horak, whose Broadway and touring credits include Young Frankenstein and White Christmas.

Joan Roberts, the stage and film actress who created the role of 'Laurey' in the original 1943 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, died on Monday August 13, in Stamford, Connecticut. She was 95, and died of congestive heart failure, according to her son, John Donlon.

The Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre has announced the 2012-2013 FMCT season, including Schoolhouse Rock Live, Woman in Black, Humpty Dumpty is Missing, It's a Wonderful Life, a New Year's Musical Revue, Rumors, Forever Plaid, Gypsy, Follies - Carol Burnett Skits and Songs and Winnie The Pooh KIDS!.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company (Jonathan Silverstein, Artistic Director/Damon Chua, Executive Director) today announced that Lauren Molina and Jason Tam will star in Marry Me A Little, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene, directed by Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein. Marry Me A Little kicks off their 2012 - '13 season and will be followed by a newly revised version of the 1991 play, The Old Boy by A.R. Gurney.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) launches its 28th season with Harrison,TX: Three Plays by Horton Foote. Opening night is Tuesday, August 14. Tony Award nominees Hallie Foote (Dividing the Estate, The Orphans' Home Cycle) and Jayne Houdyshell (Follies, Well) will head up an ensemble featuring Devon Abner (Dividing the Estate, The Orphans' Home Cycle), Mary Bacon (Motherhood Out Loud, Happy Now?) Jeremy Bobb (Is He Dead?, Shipwrecked!...), Alexander Cendese (Psycho Therapy, A View From the Bridge), Andrea Lynn Green (Giant, Anne and Emmett), Evan Jonigkeit (High, History Boys at Arden Theatre Company), and Jenny Dare Paulin (Dividing the Estate, The Orphans' Home Cycle). Helmed by Tony Award nominated director Pam MacKinnon (Clybourne Park, A Lifetime Burning at Primary Stages), Harrison,TX: Three Plays by Horton Foote runs through September 15 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters.

Yee-haw! It's time to start two-steppin' and boot-scootin' in the aisles, as Signature Theatre kicks off its 2012/13 season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, beginning performances tonight, August 14.

Despite being completely busy preparing for the concert staging of A TOUCH OF VENUS, Paul Hope, Artistic Director and Founder of Bayou City Concert Musicals, took a break from his busy schedule to talk to me about his innovative and charitable organization. Since it's inception, Bayou City Concert Musicals has been providing Houston audiences with well-produced and lauded performances of often-neglected musicals. Continuing to grow an ever-increasing loyal audience and fan following, I asked Paul Hope to tell me more about Bayou City Concert Musicals and the shows they choose to produce.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the new performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet, will present Victor Garber, Natalie Joy Johnson and more.

This week - it's all about BRING IT ON! Direct from a 13-city National Tour, BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL, opened on Broadway on August 1, 2012 at The St. James Theatre for a 12-week limited engagement through Sunday, October 7, 2012.