William 'Bill' Pullinsi, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse Founder, Dies at 86
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2026
William 'Bill' Pullinsi, the director and producer credited with pioneering dinner theatre and founding Chicago's Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, has died at 86. His venues launched the careers of Mandy Patinkin, Shelley Long, and others.
Jazz Saxophonist Gary Bartz Receives Honorary Doctorate from New England Conservatory
by A.A. Cristi - May 21, 2026
Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist and Oberlin professor Gary Bartz received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from New England Conservatory at its 155th Commencement, alongside Innovative Vivo Performing Arts executive Gary Dunning.
ST NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson to Open at Black Button Eyes Productions
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026
Black Button Eyes Productions will stage Conor McPherson's one-actor play ST NICHOLAS at City Lit Theater in Chicago, with Kevin Webb as a Dublin theatre critic entangled with vampires, directed by Ed Rutherford.
THE DAVID DRUMGOLD VARIETY SHOW Pride Edition to Return to Puffin Cultural Forum
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026
David Drumgold brings his annual Pride Variety Show back to the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck, NJ, featuring jazz, drag, R&B, and comedy performers including Richard Cortez, Zeta Jones, and pianist Yasuhiko Fukuoka.
PAN GYUL to Screen at American Black Film Festival's 30th Anniversary
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2026
Juliette Jeffers' directorial debut Pan Gyul, a coming-of-age short film set in Nevis centered on steelpan music and Caribbean identity, has been selected for the American Black Film Festival's 'Voices of Culture' showcase in Miami Beach.
Ensemble Studio Theatre Reveals Inaugural Memorial Writers Fund Recipients & Legacy Gifts
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2026
Ensemble Studio Theatre announced legacy gifts from the families of playwrights Arthur Giron and Bridgette A. Wimberly, including a Memorial Writers Fund honoring Wimberly, with Stephanie Berry and Cassandra Medley named as inaugural recipients.
CINDERELLA Cast Announced at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2026
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre announced the cast for Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, with two newcomers set to star as Cinderella and the Prince. The Indianapolis production offers $10 discounts for children ages 3-15.
Cast Set For Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA at Beef & Boards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2026
Two Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre newcomers will star in Cinderella, being presented at the venue this spring and summer. As Beef & Boards' 2026 Family Show, Cinderella tickets for children ages 3-15 receive a $10 discount.
DISNEY'S HERCULES Will Host Charity Toga Run Benefiting Make-A-Wish UK
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
DISNEY'S HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane has partnered with RunThrough to host a 5km Toga Run benefiting Make-A-Wish UK, with a warm-up at the theatre and an exclusive finisher's medallion for participants.
Schmidt Vocal Arts Will Present Fifth Annual National High School Vocal Competition
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2026
Schmidt Vocal Arts announced 58 teen singers advancing to the semifinals of its fifth annual National Vocal Competition, held in partnership with Sarasota Opera at the Sarasota Opera House in Florida.
HAUNTED, a Dance Opera by Paul Salerni & Dana Gioia Will Come to Sierra Madre Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026
Sierra Madre Playhouse will present HAUNTED, a one-act dance opera with music by Paul Salerni and libretto by former California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia, featuring baritone Rod Gilfrey and three dancers.
DISNEY'S THE LION KING Begins at Playhouse Square This June
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2026
Casting has been announced for Cleveland's limited return engagement of DISNEY'S THE LION KING at Playhouse Square, featuring Cleveland native Robb Sapp, who has played Ed in the Broadway production since 2021.
New York City Ballet Names Beatrice Jona Affron as New Associate Music Director
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 11, 2026
New York City Ballet has appointed Beatrice Jona Affron as the company's next Associate Music Director, adding new leadership to its music staff. Affron currently serves as Music Director for the Philadelphia Ballet.
THE MONSTERS Cast & Creative Team Unveiled at La Jolla Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - May 7, 2026
La Jolla Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for THE MONSTERS, a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Playwright Ngozi Anyanwu stars alongside Sullivan Jones in the sibling drama set in the world of mixed martial arts.
Extant Expands Edinburgh Fringe Accessibility Programme for Visually Impaired Audiences
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2026
Extant, the UK's leading performing arts company of blind and visually impaired artists, will present an expanded Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, with projections suggesting up to 12% of shows could be accessible to visually impaired audiences.
Royal Ballet and Opera Unveil New Stage Curtains at Special Gala Performance
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2026
The Royal Ballet and Opera will unveil new stage curtains at a landmark Gala performance featuring dancers, operatic soloists, and a rediscovered Kenneth MacMillan pas de deux believed lost since 1984.
NJPAC Will Present Itzhak Perlman, Max Richter, ACME and Canadian Brass in Final Classical Concerts of 2026
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2026
NJPAC announced its final classical concerts of the 2026 season, featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman, composer Max Richter with ACME, and Canadian Brass at its Newark, NJ venues.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN Starring Anthony LaPaglia Returns for Melbourne & Brisbane Seasons
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2026
Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony winner Anthony LaPaglia will reprise his role as Willy Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, returning to Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre and making its Brisbane debut at QPAC.
38 SPECIAL and HANSON Added to 2026 SERVPRO After Hours Concerts Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2026
38 SPECIAL and HANSON have been added to the 2026 concert season at SERVPRO After Hours Concerts at The Innsbrook Pavilion in Glen Allen, VA, with tickets going on sale soon.
HERCULES JR. To Be Piloted By Beacon Performing Arts Center
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 2, 2026
Beacon Performing Arts Center is one of a few theatre companies chosen to pilot HERCULES JR., a new Junior adaptation of the 1997 Disney film, at Seegler Theatre at Beacon High School.
Full Cast Set for HERCULES Final Extension at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Disney Theatrical Group announced the full company for the final extension of HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with Bradley Gibson leading as the title character alongside newly announced cast members joining the production.
Photos: Samuel D. Hunter Honored at Page 73 Gala 2026
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Playwright and MacArthur “Genius” Samuel D. Hunter was honored at the Page 73 Gala 2026, celebrating the nonprofit renowned for its work fostering playwrights early in their careers. Check out photos here!
HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, and More Set For Beck Center 26-27 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Beck Center for the Arts announced its 94th professional theater season, featuring a world premiere comedy by Cleveland playwright Eric Coble, regional premiere musicals, and a collaboration with Oberlin College & Conservatory Music Theater Program.
Photos: Maya Rudolph Takes First Bows in OH, MARY!
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 29, 2026
Maya Rudolph made her Broadway debut in Oh, Mary!Also re-joining the cast are Phillip James Brannon, Cheyenne Jackson, and Bianca Leigh. Check out photos of their first bows here!
Ruthie Foster, Greg Abate Quartet, And Anthony Geraci Set For Blues And Jazz Series At The Spire Center
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 27, 2026
The Spire Center in Plymouth will present Grammy winner Ruthie Foster, the Greg Abate Quartet, and Anthony Geraci with special guest Barrence Whitfield in an upcoming blues and jazz series.
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