The Encore

ELF Score to Reissue on Picture Disc, Expanded Encore CD
by Rachel Stone - Aug 5, 2026

Varèse Sarabande will release John Debney's score for the holiday film ELF in a new vinyl picture disc and an expanded Encore Edition on CD and digital formats.

SPIDERBAIT to Add Encore Dates to IVY & THE BIG APPLES Anniversary Tour
by Rachel Stone - Aug 5, 2026

SPIDERBAIT will return with four encore performances following a sold-out run of its Ivy & the Big Apples 30th Anniversary Tour, with stops across regional Victoria and Hobart.

NATE BARGATZE LIVE to Play Wynn's Encore Theater This December
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 4, 2026

Nate Bargatze will return to Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for five performances of NATE BARGATZE LIVE, Dec. 9-12, 2026, during National Finals Rodeo season, with tickets on sale Aug. 7.

Review Roundup: Andrew Stein's DISRUPTION Opens Off-Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 3, 2026

Disruption, a new play by Andrew Stein, directed by Hersh Ellis, just opened at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Check out what the critics are saying about the new play...

Review: There's No Bad News When Kathleen Edwards and Patty Griffin Share a Stage At 92NY
by Nathan Johnson - Jul 31, 2026

There is no voice like Patty Griffin. Not in this genre. Not in any genre. From the lowest, richest depths to ringing highs that hang, she doesn't perform a song so much as excavate it. She is something rare. Special. Perfect. And uniquely herself.

Casey Donahew And Josh Abbott Band Announce Co-Headlining Performance At The Theater At Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 27, 2026

Texas country artists Casey Donahew and Josh Abbott Band are set to co-headline a one-night performance at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas during NFR season.

Review: MEGAN MORONEY - CLOUD 9 TOUR at Target Center Minneapolis
by Jared Fessler - Jul 26, 2026

What did our critic think of MEGAN MORONEY - CLOUD 9 TOUR at Target Center Minneapolis?

Encore Musical Theatre Names Cortney Ophoff as New Managing Director
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 24, 2026

The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, MI announced a leadership transition as Managing Director Frank Mack prepares to retire and General Manager Cortney Ophoff was named his successor by the Board of Directors.

Review: Mrs. GREEN APPLE Concludes “ZENJIN MITO TO IM/MUTABLE” at Japan National Stadium
by Ayaka Ozaki - Jul 22, 2026

Three-piece band Mrs. GREEN APPLE, consisting of Motoki Ohmori (Vocals/Guitar), Hiroto Wakai (Guitar), and Ryoka Fujisawa (Keyboard), launched their stadium tour, “ZENJIN MITO TO IM/MUTABLE,” in April 2026. The tour visited Japan National Stadium in April and July and Yanmar Stadium Nagai in May, featuring hit songs including “KUSUSHIKI,” “Lilac,” and “Darling.” Across all performances, the tour attracted a total of 390,000 fans. The tour also made Mrs. GREEN APPLE the first band in history to perform four shows at Japan National Stadium, while spectacular productions, including 4,500 fireworks, created an unforgettable concert experience. The tour’s final performance, held on July 5 at Japan National Stadium, was streamed live across 15 online platforms. Live viewings were also held at more than 360 movie theaters throughout Japan, as well as in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, in addition to karaoke viewing events. Including those in attendance at the venue, approximately 250,000 people experienced the grand finale together. Below is a review from the final performance at Japan National Stadium on July 5.

Disney's NEWSIES Casting Announced At Starlight Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 21, 2026

Starlight Theatre has announced the cast for its production of Newsies, starring Lucas Pastrana as Jack Kelly alongside Graham Rowat, Aubrey Matalon, Bryonha Marie, and a company featuring Kansas City performers and national talent.

Review: Encore Performing Arts Warms a FROZEN Heart at Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts
by Albert Gutierrez - Jul 19, 2026

The selection of Frozen as the summer musical served multiple masters. Thematically, it fit within Encore’s 2025-2026 season’s theme of “Finding Yourself,” as the story of Queen Elsa discovering how to better control her powers also serves as a metaphor for self-love, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. Frozen also, let’s be honest, has always been a crowd-pleaser. It has a near universal appeal for various attendees who’d be interested in seeing a production at Dr. Phillips Center. Musical Theatre Acolytes. Disney Adults. Families looking for kid-friendly entertainment.

MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT to Return to Starlight Theatre in Kansas City
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 17, 2026

The Tony Award-winning MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, will play Kansas City's Starlight Theatre, featuring killer rabbits, French taunters, and 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.'

Review: AC/DC POWER UP TOUR at Ohio Stadium
by Paul Batterson - Jul 17, 2026

Perhaps the biggest change was the audience. In the 1980s, AC/DC was the rebellious band parents warned their children about. Now, the band is the spectacle parents bring their children to experience. It was a little unnerving to hear a mother asking, “Timmy, would you like a cookie?” before the band opened with “If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It.”

Video: Laurie Hernandez Takes Her Final Bow in & JULIET on Broadway
by Michael Major - Jul 13, 2026

Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez took her final bow in & JULIET on Broadway. The production shared footage of her farewell performance with the cast. Watch the video!

Photos: Jordan Von Haslow Celebrates Nat King Cole and America’s 250th At The Green Room 42
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 7, 2026

Jordan von Haslow performed An Unforgettable Fourth: An American Celebration of Nat 'King' Cole at The Green Room 42, featuring over 20 Cole songs, special guests, and improvised cabaret moments. See photos!

Review: AVANTGARDEY TOUR 2026
by Ayaka Ozaki - Jul 4, 2026

avantgardey: A dance team produced by akane(Read: Interview: Producer akane Makes AGT Finalist, avantgardey Go Viral), the choreographer behind “Bubbly Dance,” consisting of 16 members. Established in 2022, they gained recognition in 2023 as finalists on the renowned American famous TV show, 'America’s Got Talent,' and also performed in the same year's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen（紅白歌合戦）,” one of the Japan’s biggest music TV shows. Known as the 'mysterious uniformed bobbed-hair group,' they have amassed global popularity on TikTok and Instagram. Furthermore, starting from May 16th, they held their Avantgardey Tour 2026. Here, we present the highlights from Osaka performance on May 23rd.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF At The Encore Musical Theatre Company To Host Sensory Friendly Performance
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jun 10, 2026

The Encore Musical Theatre Company will present a sensory-friendly performance of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Dexter, MI, featuring softened lighting and sound, quiet spaces, and open doors for audiences with sensory sensitivities or special needs.

Photos: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF At The Encore Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 9, 2026

Check out photos of Fiddler on the Roof at The Encore Musical Theatre Company. Directed by Dan Cooney and starring Daniel Eli Friedman as Tevye, the production runs through July 19.

THE COMEDY OF OPERA to Be Presented by Guild Opera Company at Flappers Comedy Club
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 8, 2026

Guild Opera Company will present THE COMEDY OF OPERA at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, featuring comedic divas Diana Lucas and Gracie Moore alongside guest artists performing comic opera gems.

SEE IT LIVE SUMMER To Feature 100+ Shows Across NYC
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 2, 2026

MSG Entertainment announced its 'See It Live Summer' initiative, with Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and Infosys Theater hosting over 100 events, including Harry Styles, Bon Jovi, Phish, and LES MISÉRABLES.