Stairway to Paradise - 2007 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 3

Today, on the eve of 112th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth, New York City Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center are pleased to announce a new producing partnership that will combine the organizations' specialties: musical theater and jazz.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of the new musical THE BLUE FLOWER: Sebastian Arcelus (Buddy in Elf, Wicked, Jersey Boys), Marc Kudisch (Three-time Tony Award nominee for 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Meghan McGeary (The Blue Flower at A.R.T.), Joseph Medeiros (Irving Berlin's White Christmas), Julia Osborne (National Tour of South Pacific), Graham Rowat (Guys and Dolls), Aaron Serotsky (August: Osage County), and Teal Wicks (Elphaba in Wicked).

This holiday season, America's #1 Christmas movie comes to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical. A Christmas Story, The Musical! features a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Broadway's Finian's Rainbow, Follies at The Kennedy Center, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) will helm the production. Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the original 1983 film, serves as a producer for the holiday tour.

Just announced is news that Lin-Manuel Miranda will star as 'Charlie' in the upcoming Encores! production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Merrily has been extended for a two-week run, and will play for 15 performances, February 8-19, 2012 at New York City Center, 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

J.D.'s varied career has encompassed Broadway, opera, concert work and 17 Encores! shows.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of the new musical THE BLUE FLOWER: Sebastian Arcelus (Buddy in Elf, Wicked, Jersey Boys), Marc Kudisch (Three-time Tony Award nominee for 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Meghan McGeary (The Blue Flower at A.R.T.), Joseph Medeiros (Irving Berlin's White Christmas), Julia Osborne (National Tour of South Pacific), Graham Rowat (Guys and Dolls), Aaron Serotsky (August: Osage County), and Teal Wicks (Elphaba in Wicked).

This holiday season, America's #1 Christmas movie comes to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical. A Christmas Story, The Musical! features a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Broadway's Finian's Rainbow, Follies at The Kennedy Center, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) will helm the production. Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the original 1983 film, serves as a producer for the holiday tour.

Today, on the eve of 112th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth, New York City Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center are pleased to announce a new producing partnership that will combine the organizations' specialties: musical theater and jazz.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present David Ives' new comedy, THE SCHOOL FOR LIES, adapted from the Molière classic The Misanthrope, directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie, beginning performances Wednesday, April 13 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 22

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present David Ives' new comedy, THE SCHOOL FOR LIES, adapted from the Moli re classic The Misanthrope, directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie, beginning performances Wednesday, April 13 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 22

From the show that's defied the critics, we spotlight the veteran gypsy and fiance of fellow dancer Megan Sikora.

Paulette Haupt, Artistic Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference, today announced directors for music theater selections previously announced

The Providence Performing Arts Center will end its run of A BRONX TALE, written by and starring Chazz Palminteri, at the Theatre from Sunday, April 18, as part of the Inskip Lexus Contemporary Classics Series.

The Providence Performing Arts Center is pleased to have A BRONX TALE, written by and starring Chazz Palminteri, at the Theatre from Thursday, April 15 to Sunday, April 18, as part of the Inskip Lexus Contemporary Classics Series.

Donna Murphy, star of the upcoming production of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at City Center, recently sat down with the New York Daily News to discuss her feeling on the production and her upcoming Disney film.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is proud to announce that Dennis Stowe has joined the all-star cast of Smokey Joe's Café. Mr. Stowe is replacing the previously announced Devin Richards who had to withdraw from the production due to an injury. Directed by Mark S. Hoebee with choreography by Denis Jones, Smokey Joe's Café will run at the Millburn theater from April 7 through May 2, 2010. Smokey Joe's Café is proudly sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of Paper Mill Playhouse. Press Opening is Sunday, April 11th at 7:00pm

Raúl Esparza, Edward Hibbert, Jeff Blumenkrantz and John Ellison Conlee will join Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster in Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents' Anyone Can Whistle, the final New York City Center Encores! production of the 2009-2010 season. Anyone Can Whistle, running for five performances April 8 - 11, will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with musical direction by Rob Berman.

The Providence Performing Arts Center is pleased to have A BRONX TALE, written by and starring Chazz Palminteri, at the Theatre from Thursday, April 15 to Sunday, April 18, as part of the Inskip Lexus Contemporary Classics Series.

Tony Award winner Donna Murphy will join Sutton Foster in Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents' Anyone Can Whistle in the final New York City Center Encores! production of the 2009-2010 season. Ms. Murphy will play Mayor Cora Hoover Hooper, the role originated by Angela Lansbury. Anyone Can Whistle, running for five performances April 8 - 11, will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with musical direction by Rob Berman.

Tony Award Winner Kristin Chenoweth, who is currently developing a feature film based on the life of Dusty Springfield, told E! News back in April that she'd love to have Kerry Washington (currently starring in David Mamet's RACE on Broadway) play her lesbian lover in the film. E! caught up with Washington recently and she was delighted with the idea. She told E! 'It's very exciting. I feeling like I've been waiting to make out with her forever.'

Fred Applegate, George Hearn, David Patrick Kelly, Michael McCormick, Rondi Reed, Elena Shaddow, James Snyder and Ted Sutherland have been cast in Fanny, the 50th Encores! musical produced by New York City Center since 1994 and the second Encores! production of the season. Fanny, running February 4 - 7, has music and lyrics by Harold Rome and book by S.N. Behrman and Joshua Logan, and is based on Marcel Pagnol's trilogy Marius, Fanny and Cesar. Fanny will be directed by Mark Bruni and choreographed by Lorin Latarro with music direction by Rob Berman.

Producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced today that Warren Carlyle, the director/choreographer of the current acclaimed Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow, has joined the creative team of the Broadway-bound musical PURE COUNTRY. Carlyle will handle Musical Staging and Choreography. Based on the hit movie of the same name, PURE COUNTRY is on track to have its Broadway premiere as part of the 2010/2011 Season.

Girl Crazy, the first Encores! production of the New York City Center season, will star Ana Gasteyer, Wayne Knight and Marc Kudisch and will run November 19 - 22. Girl Crazy, directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Warren Carlyle with Guest Music Director Rob Fisher, has music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and Jack McGowan.

Producers David Richenthal and Jack Viertel have announced that the critically-acclaimed New York City Center Encores! production of Finian?s Rainbow, will transfer to Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, beginning Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, with an opening set for Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm.

Stage and Screen favorite Kristin Chenoweth won the 2009 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series. She starred in the ABC series 'Pushing Daisies,' where she was nominated for the Emmy Award and won for her comic and inspired work. She visited The Late Show with David Letterman on September 24, 2009 and you can watch the segment right here on STAGE TUBE!