BroadwayWorld Special Coverage: SUMMER STAGES - Our Picks for Summer's Best Around the World!
As the summer days near, BroadwayWorld rounded up our worldwide community - from Australia to Canada, California and beyond! - to bring you our top picks for the best of summer theater in each of our main markets! Looking for the best of the summer venue and production offerings in your area? Let's hear from a sampling of the BroadwayWorld experts!
Scroll down below for their recommendations and click below each entry for more information on each selection from their personalized column!
New York:
Michael Dale, Chief Critic, BroadwayWorld.com
- Love Goes To Press: The Mint Theater: www.minttheater.org
- Sideshows By The Seashore: Coney Island www.coneyisland.com/sideshow.shtml
- The Fantasticks:The Jerry Orbach Theatre at the Snapple Theatre Center www.thefantasticks.com
- 2012 undergroundzero festival: various venues www.undergroundzeronyc.org
CLICK HERE for more from Michael!
Naomi Serviss, Contributing Writer, BroadwayWorld.com
- Harvey, Studio 54, www.Roundabouttheatre.org
- The Book of Mormon, Eugene O’Neill Theater, www.Bookofmormonbroadway.com
- Newsies, Nederlander Theater, www.Newsiesthemusical.com
- One Man Two Guvnors, Music Box Theatre, www.Onemantwoguvnorsbroadway.com
- Once, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, www.Oncemusical.com
CLICK HERE for more from Naomi
Duncan Pflaster, Contributing Writer, BroadwayWorld.com
- Planet Connections Theatre Festivity: www.planetconnections.org
- Sovereign, the final part of Mac Rogers' Honeycomb sci-fi trilogy: www.gideonth.com
- All Out Arts' Fresh Fruit Festival (for LGBT theatre): www.freshfruitfestival.com
- Hudson Warehouse, the other free Shakespeare in the Park: www.hudsonwarehouse.net
- Democracy and Game Play Festivals at The Brick in Williamsburg: www.bricktheater.com
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Chicago:
Paul Thompson, BroadwayWorld Chicago
- A Little Night Music: Writers’ Theatre (Glencoe), www.writerstheatre.org
- Three Sisters: Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago), www.steppenwolf.org
- Beauty and the Beast: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, www.chicagoshakes.com
- Rock of Ages at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, www.broadwayinchicago.com
- The Merchant of Venice: First Folio Theatre, www.firstfolio.org
CLICK HERE for more from Paul!
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Los Angeles:
Don Grigware, BroadwayWorld LA
- Hollywood Bowl: www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/calendar-fullseason.cfm
- Theatricum Botanicum: www.theatricum.com
- Independent Shakespeare Co: www.facebook.com/indyshakes
- The Hollywood Fringe Festival: www.hollywoodfringe.org
- Judy Garland's 90th Birthday: www.friendofjudy.com
CLICK HERE for more from Don!
Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld CA
- The Producers: Live at The Hollywood Bowl, www.HollywoodBowl.com
- War Horse: Ahmanson Theatre, www.centertheatregroup.org
- Red: Mark Taper Forum, www.centertheatregroup.org
- The Exorcist: Geffen Playhouse, www.geffenplayhouse.com
- The Addams Family The Musical: Pantages Theatre, www.BroadwayLA.org
CLICK HERE for more from Michael!
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California Central Coast - Costa Mesa & Orange Country:
Curt Minor, BroadwayWorld CA Central Coast
- The Pacific Conservatory of the Perfoming Arts (PCPA): www.pcpa.org
- The Great American Melodrama in Oceano: www.americanmelodrama.com
- Kelrik Productions in San Luis Obispo: www.kelrikproductions.com
- San Luis Obispo Little Theatre: www.slolittletheatre.org
- The Performing Arts Center on the Cal Poly campus: www.pacslo.org
CLICK HERE for more from Curt!
Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld CA
- Free Movie Mondays!: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, www.SCFTA.org
- Stephen Sondheim In Conversation: Segerstrom Concert Hall, www.SCFTA.org
- West Side Story: Chance Theater, Anaheim Hills, www.ChanceTheater.com
- Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, www.SCFTA.org
- Von Trapped!: Irvine Barclay Theatre, www.MenAliveChorus.org
CLICK HERE for more from Michael!
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San Diego:
ErinMarie Reiter, BroadwayWorld San Diego
- The Scottsboro Boys: The Old Globe, www.theoldglobe.org
- Wicked: Broadway San Diego, www.broadwaysd.com
- The God Of Carnage: The Old Globe, www.theoldglobe.org
- The Nightingale: The La Jolla Playhouse, www.thelajollaplayhouse.org
- The Man Of La Mancha: The Cygnet Theatre, www.cygnethteatre.com
Sacramento/Northern CA:
- The Little Mermaid: Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, www.calmt.com
- Triple Espresso: Cosmopolitan Cabaret at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret Theatre, www.calmt.com
- The Mikado: Lamplighters at five different venues, www.lamplighters.org
- Willy Wonka: YES Company at the Gallo Center for the Arts, www.galloarts.org
- The Full Monty: Runaway Stage Productions at 24th Street Theatre, www.runawaystage.com
CLICK HERE for more from Harmony!
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Seattle:
Jay Irwin, BroadwayWorld Seattle
- Summer Outdoor Theater Festival: www.greenstage.org/sotf
- Sweet Nothing: Macha Monkey Productions, www.machamonkey.org
- Intiman Theatre’s Summer Theatre Festival: www.intiman.org
- The Producers: Village Theatre, www.villagetheatre.org
- Jesus Hopped A Train: Azeotrope, www.azotheatre.org
CLICK HERE for more from Jay!
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Las Vegas:
Ellen Sterling, BroadwayWorld Las Vegas
- The Utah Shakespearean Festival: Cedar City and Tuachan, www.bard.org, www.tuachan.org
- Phantom: The Las Vegas Experience: www.phantomlasvegas.com
- Human Nature: www.humannaturelive.com
- Vegas! The Show: www.vegastheshow.com
- The biggest stars in music play Las Vegas this summer: Kiss and Motley Crüe, Enrique and JLo, One Direction, Neil Diamond, Nickelback, six Cirque du Soleil shows, Jersey Boys Absinthe and more, www.vegas.com/shows
CLICK HERE for more from Ellen!
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Boston:
Jan Nargi, BroadwayWorld Boston
- Far From Heaven, Williamstown Theatre Festival, www.wtfestival.org
- Kiss Me, Kate: The Cape Playhouse, www.capeplayhouse.com
- A Chorus Line: Reagle Music Theatre, www.reaglemusictheatre.org
- 9 To 5 The Musical: North Shore Music Theatre, www.nsmt.org
- South Pacific: Ogunquit Playhouse, www.ogunquitplayhouse.org
CLICK HERE for more from Jan!
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- Pride and Prejudice/Romeo and Juliet: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, call 877-639-3728
- You Can't Take it With You: Everyman Theatre, www.everymantheatre.org
- Legally Blonde the Musical: Toby's Dinner Theater Columbia, www.tobysdinnertheatre.com
- Sunset Boulevard: Cockpit-in-Court Theatre, Essex campus, Community College of Baltimore County, www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit
- Xanadu: Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, www.summergarden.com
CLICK HERE for more from Charles!
- Bent: Mobtown Players, www.mobtownplayers.net
- Following Sarah: A Season 31 Production for Baltimore Playwrights Festival, www.baltplayfest.org
- Passport: A Season 31 Production for Baltimore Playwrights Festival, www.baltplayfest.org
CLICK HERE for more from Brent!
Lori Welgein, BroadwayWorld Baltimore
- Artscape: www.artscape.org
- Annapolis Summer Garden Theater: www.summergarden.com
- Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre: www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit
- Young Victorian Theater Company: www.yvtc.org
- Pumpkin Theatre: www.pumpkintheatre.com
CLICK HERE for more from Lori!
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Washington, DC:
- Servant of Two Masters: Shakespeare Theatre Company, www.shakespearedc.org
- Music Man: Arena Stage, www.arenastage.com
- Little Shop of Horrors: Olney Theatre Center, www.olneytheatre.org
- Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson: Studio Theatre, www.studiotheatre.org
- Memphis: The Kennedy Center, www.kennedy-center.org
CLICK HERE for more from Charles!
- Bunked!: Rarely Done at CNY Jazz Arts Foundation, www.cnyjazz.org
- Mrs. Mannerly: Ithaca’s Kitchen Theatre Company, www.kitchentheatre.org
- 9 To 5 The Musical: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, www.merry-go-round.com
- Go Back For Murder: Bristol VAlley Theatre, www.bvtnaples.org
- Full Gallop: Hangar Theatre, www.hangartheatre.org
- Colorado Shakespeare Festival: www.coloradoshakes.org
- Legally Blonde: The Arvada Center, www.arvadacenter.org
- The Addams Family/Jersey Boys: The Denver Center, www.denvercenter.org
- Cinderella: Boulder's Dinner Theatre, www.bouldersdinnertheatre.com
CLICK HERE for more from Michael!
- Gypsy and Legally Blonde: Atlanta Lyric Theatre, www.atlantalyrictheatre.com
- Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical, Much Ado About Nothing, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Emperor and the Nightingale: Georgia Shakespeare, www.gashakespeare.org/home
- Xanadu: Actor’s Express, www.actors-express.com
- Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Time Between Us: Serenbe Playhouse, www.serenbeplayhouse.com
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Onstage Atlanta, www.onstageatlanta.com
CLICK HERE for more from Joseph!
- Connecticut Rep’s Nutmeg Series: www.crt.uconnn.edu
- Romeo & Juliet: Shakespeare on the Sound, www.shakespeareonthesound.org
- Carousel: Goodspeed Musicals, www.goodspeed.org
- Just Jim Dale: Long Wharf Theatre Stage II, www.longwharf.org
- Tartuffe: Westport Country Playhouse, www.westportplayhouse.org
- Oberlin Summer Theater Festival: Call 440-775-8169
- Porthouse Theatre: www.dept.kent.edu/theatre/porthouse/index.html
- The Ohio Light Opera: www.ohiolightopera.org
- Mercury Summer Stock: www.mercurysummerstock.com
- Avenue Q: Cain Park, www.cainpark.com
CLICK HERE for more from Roy!
- Sondheim On Sondheim: Great Lakes Theater, www.playhousesquare.org
- Kristin Chenoweth In Concert: PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre, www.playhousesquare.org
- Legally Blonde: Mackey Main Stage of the Beck Center for the Arts, www.beckcenter.org
- Mamma Mia!: PlayhouseSquare, www.playhousesquare.org
- One Night With Janis Joplin: Cleveland Play House, www.clevelandplayhouse.com
CLICK HERE for more from Vicky!
- Parallel Lives: Street Theatre Company, www.streettheatrecompany.org
- Fiddler on the Roof: Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre, www.dinnertheatre.com
- The Music Man: Cumberland County Playhouse, www.ccplayhouse.com
- Much Ado About Nothing: Centennial Park Bandshell, www.nashvilleshakes.com
- The Nutty Professor, A New Musical: Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre, www.tpac.org
CLICK HERE for more from Jeffrey!
- The Comedy of Errors: The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, www.shakespearenj.org
- Smokey Joe's Cafe: NJPAC's Summer Musical Program at Montclair State University's Alexander Kasser Theatre, www.njpac.org
- A Jersey Voice - Sinatra to Springsteen...and Everyone in Between: 4th Wall Theatre at the Westminster Arts Center, www.4thwalltheatre.org
- Savage In Limbo: The Company at Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, www.theatrecompany.biz
- Children Of Eden: beyondEDUCATION at Bergen Performing Arts Center, www.bergenpac.org
Linda Watt, BroadwayWorld Charlotte
- The Tempest: Uptown at The Green by Collaborative Arts Theatre, www.charlotteshakespeare.com
- Charlotte Squawks: 8 Misbehavin': Booth Playhouse, http://www.blumenthalarts.org/
- Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Belk Theater, http://www.blumenthalarts.org/
- National Poetry Slam: Blumenthal Performing Arts, http://www.blumenthalarts.org/
- The Merchant of Venice: The McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square by Collaborative Arts Theatre, http://www.blumenthalarts.org/
CLICK HERE for more from Linda!
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Salt Lake City:
Tyler Hinton, BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City
- Aladdin: Tuacahn Amphitheatre, www.tuacahn.org
- 9 to 5 the Musical: Hale Centre Theatre, www.halecentretheatre.org
- Wicked: Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City, www.magicspace.net
- Fiddler on the Roof: SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, www.scera.org
- Swallow the Sun: Zion Theatre Company at the Off Broadway Theatre in Salt Lake City, www.ziontheatrecompany.com
CLICK HERE for more from Tyler!
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New Orleans:
Heidi Scheuermann, BroadwayWorld New Orleans
- Hamlet: Dixon Performing Arts Center for the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival, www.neworleansshakespeare.tulane.edu/blog
- Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead: Dixon Performing Arts Center for the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival, www.neworleansshakespeare.tulane.edu/blog
- Little Shop of Horrors: Playmakers in Covington, www.playmakersinc.com
- Seussical: St. John Theatre in Reserve www.stjohntheatre.org
- Fiddler On The Roof: Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University, www.summerlyric.tulane.edu/index.cfm
CLICK HERE for more from Heidi!
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Philadelphia/South Jersey:
Pati Bueler, BroadwayWorld Philadelphia
- My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra: The Eagle Theater, www.theeagletheatre.com
- Say Goodnight Gracie: Bristol Riverside Theater, www.brtstage.org
- Titanic: Ocean Professional Theater Company, www.oceantheatre.org
- Rogers and Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing: Bucks County Playhouse, www.bcptheater.org
- Once Upon A Time in New Jersey: Surflight Theatre, www.surflight.org
CLICK HERE for more from Pati!
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Cincinnati:
Jill Siekman, BroadwayWorld Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Fringe Festival: The Know Theatre, www.cincyfringe.com
- Next to Normal: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, www.ensemblecincinnati.org
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Falcon Theater, www.falcontheater.net
- The Second City 2: Less Pride...More Pork: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, www.cincyplay.com
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged): Cincinnati Shakespeare Company www.cincyshakes.com
CLICK HERE for more from Jill!
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Long Island:
Estelle Hallick, BroadwayWorld Long Island
- Cemetery Club: Lantern Theatre in Freeport, www.lanterntheatreli.com
- Hair: Smithtown Performing Arts Center, www.smithtownpac.org
- The Graduate: Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center, www.southamptonculturalcenter.org
- 9 to 5: Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, www.gatewayplayhouse.com
- Next to Normal at the Merrick Theatre, merricktheatreandcenterforthearts.com
CLICK HERE for more from Estelle!
Melissa Giordano, BroadwayWorld Long Island
- Phantom: Gateway Playhouse of Bellport, www.gatewayplayhouse.com/index.html
- Social Security: Merrick Theatre, www.merricktheatreandcenterforthearts.com
- La Cage au Folles: CM PAC, www.cmpac.com
- Concert series: John W. Engeman Theatre, www.engemantheater.com
CLICK HERE for more from Melissa!
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Pittsburgh:
Alexandra Strycula, BroadwayWorld Pittsburgh
- Private Lives: Pittsburgh Public Theater, www.ppt.org/shows/view/56
- A Chorus Line: Pittsburgh CLO, www.pittsburghclo.org/shows
- Candide: Pittsburgh Opera Theater's Summerfest, www.otsummerfest.org/candide
- Chekhov Celebration: Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, www.picttheatre.org
- The Goden Dragon: Quantum Theatre, www.quantumtheatre.com
CLICK HERE for more from Alexandra!
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Maine:
Michael Tobin, BroadwayWorld Maine
- Ogunquit Playhouse: www.ogunquitplayhouse.org
- Maine State Music Theatre: www.msmt.org
- Hackmatack Playhouse: www.hackmatack.org
- Theatre at Monmouth: www.theatreatmonmouth.org
- Lakewood Theatre: www.lakewoodtheater.org
CLICK HERE for more from Michael!
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Raleigh:
Larissa Mount, BroadwayWorld Raleigh
- West Side Story: Durham Performing Arts Center, www.dpacnc.com
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Theatre in the Park, www.theatreinthepark.com
- Race: Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy, www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org
- Rocky Horror: Raleigh Little Theatre, www.raleighlittletheatre.org
- Radio Golf: Deep Dish Theatre, www.deepdishtheater.org
CLICK HERE for more from Larissa!
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St. Louis:
Chris Gibson, BroadwayWorld St. Louis
- High Fidelity: New Line Theatre, www.newlinetheatre.com/hifipage.html
- Ain't Misbehavin': Stages St. Louis, www.stagesstlouis.org/Shows/Aint-Misbehavin
- Thoroughly Modern Millie: The Muny, www.muny.org
- Great American Trailer Park Musical: Stray Dog Theatre, www.straydogtheatre.org
- The Lion King: The Fox Theatre, www.fabulousfox.com
CLICK HERE for more from Chris!
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Rhode Island:
Veronica Bruscini, BroadwayWorld Rhode Island
- Theatre by the Sea, www.theatrebythesea.com
- Il Divo: Providence Performing Arts Center, www.ppacri.org
- When Mahalia Sings: Mixed Magic Theatre, www.trinityrep.com
- Macbeth: Westerly’s Colonial Theater, www.thecolonialtheater.org
- A Few Good Men: 2nd Story Theatre, www.2ndstorytheatre.com
CLICK HERE for more from Veronica!
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San Antonio:
Erin Privratsky, BroadwayWorld San Antonio
- In the Next Room: San Pedro Playhouse, www.sanpedroplayhouse.com
- Idina Menzel in Concert: Majestic Theatre, www.ticketmaster.com
- Next to Normal: Woodlawn Theatre, www.woodlawntheatre.com/coming-soon
- Hello, Dolly!: San Pedro Playhouse, www.sanpedroplayhouse.com
- August, Osage County: The Shelton Vexler Theatre, www.vexler.org/index.html
CLICK HERE for more from Erin!
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Houston:
David Clarke, BroadwayWorld Houston
- Next to Normal: Stages Repertory Theatre, http://www.stagestheatre.com
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts’ Sarofim Hall, www.tuts.com
- Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee: Alley Theatre’s Hubbard Stage, www.alleytheatre.org
- The Lion King: The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts’ Sarofim Hall www.houston.broadway.com
- Yankee Doodle Dandy: Theatre Under the Stars, www.tuts.com
CLICK HERE for more from David!
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Florida:
Beau Higgins, BroadwayWorld Florida
- Summer Shorts Festival: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, www.arshtcenter.org
CLICK HERE for more from Beau!
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United Kingdom:
Carrie Dunn, BroadwayWorld UK
- Sweeney Todd - Adelphi Theatre, www.sweeneytoddwestend.com
- Matilda - Cambridge Theatre, www.matildathemusical.com
- Chariots of Fire - Gielgud Theatre, www.chariotsoffireonstage.com
- Derren Brown: Svengali - Novello Theatre, www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/Tickets/DerrenBrown/DerrenBrown.asp
- A Midsummer Night's Dream - Open Air Theatre, www,openairtheatre.org/production/a-midsummer-nights-dream
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Philippines:
Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld Philippines
- The Phantom of the Opera: Cultural Center of the Philippines, www.ticketworld.com.ph
- Atlantis Productions’ Rock Of Ages: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, www.atlantisproductionsinc.com
- Rock of Ages, The Movie: cineplexes across the country,www.facebook.com/warnerbrosphils
- Atlantis Productions’ God Of Carnage: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, www.atlantisproductionsinc.com
- Philippine Opera Company’s Ang Bagong Harana: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, www.facebook.com/pages/Philippine-Opera-Company/157674847594549
CLICK HERE for more from Oliver!
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Toronto:
Kelly Cameron, BroadwayWorld Toronto
- The Toronto Fringe Festival: www.fringetoronto.com
- 42nd Street: Stratford Shakespeare Festival - Festival Theatre, www.stratfordfestival.ca
- Ragtime: Shaw Festival - Festival Theatre, www.shawfest.com
- A Midsummer Night's Dream: Canadian Stage - High Park Amphitheatre, www.canadianstage.com
- Backbeat: Mirvish - The Royal Alexandra Theatre, www.mirvish.com
CLICK HERE for more from Kelly!
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- Une Vie Presque Normale - Theatre du Rideau Vert - www.rideauvert.qc.ca
A French adaptation of the musical Next to Normal - Chantons Sous La Pluie: Salle Pierre Mercure, www.hahaha.com/fr/montreal/act/2850
A French adaptation of the musical Singing In The Rain - Le Prénom: Monument National - www.hahaha.com/fr/montreal/act/2851
- Liza Minnelli at the Montreal Jazz Fest: Place des arts, www.montrealjazzfest.com/artists/artist.aspx?id=7794
- Sugar Sammy: L'Olympia, www.2tickets.ca/show/sugar-sammy-tickets
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Australia:
Emma Cambey, BroadwayWorld Australia
- An Officer and a Gentleman: Lyric Theatre, www.anofficerandagentleman.com.au
- Adelaide Cabaret Festival, www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
- A Chorus Line: Capitol Theatre, www.achorusline.com.au/
- Jersey Boys: Lyric Theatre, www.jerseyboysaustralia.com.au
- Under Milk Wood: Drama Theatre, www.sydneytheatre.com.au/2012/under-milk-wood
CLICK HERE for more from Emma!
Jacqueline Bublitz, BroadwayWorld Australia
- Annie: Regent Theatre, www.anniethemusical.com.au/tickets_melbourne.html
- Melbourne Cabaret Festival: www.melbournecabaret.com
- The Producers, Chess, Promises, Promises: Production Company, www.theproductioncompany.com.au
- Tina Arena with Orchestra: Arts Centre Melbourne, www.events.artscentremelbourne.com.au
- 8: Her Majesty’s Theatre, www.hmt.com.au
CLICK HERE for more from Jacqueline!
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