Broadway News - Latest broadway shows, news and gossip of Broadway , NYC, NY

SLASHER Regional Premiere

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:34:00 GMT

A new comedy thriller called Slasher will premiere at the SF Playhouse with previews April 27-30 and an open date of May 1st. The production by Allison Moore will run until June 5, 2010.

SLASHER is about the making of a low budget slasher film where a girl cast as the 'last girl' thinking it's her big break is suddenly surprised by her mother's thwarted feminist rage. The audience will laugh as her mother is willing to do anything to stop filming...even if it kills her.

LEAP OF FAITH Premieres At LA's Ahmanson Theatre

Elizabeth Rapplean — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 03:09:00 GMT

A new musical called Leap of Faith will have its world premiere at LA's Ahmanson Theatre September 5th through October 17. The production is based off the 1992 Steve Martin film. The musical has reportedly been in the works for years, but was delayed due to a directorial change.

The story is about Jonas Nightengale, a fraudulent Christian faith healer in a small Kansas town with a traveling ministry. The con artist takes a leap of faith when he meets a beautiful waitress and falls in love. The music is a blend of country, blues, gospel and pop and the show lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Southern Theater Presents Sacred Water Dance

Elizabeth Rapplean — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:34:00 GMT

The Minneapolis-based Ragamala Dance performances will take place at the Southern Theater on May 20-23, 2010. The Ragamala Dance Company was founded in 1992 and is known for its presentation of a classical dance form of Southern India called Bharatanatyam.

The dancers will perform Ihrah: Sacred Waters illustrating how India worships their rivers and considers them personifications of divinity. India has always respected the vitality of water as a life-sustaining force. Ihrah: Sacred Waters is set to a live south Indian orchestra with an evening performance at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

"Ragamala astounds audiences with works that expands one's perception of dance, cross-cultural collaboration, and spiritual meaning." according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

For more information on Ragamala's Ihrah: Sacred Waters go to: www.southerntheater.org

Budy Opens at La Mirada

Elizabeth Rapplean — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:43:00 GMT

The Buddy Holly Story began performances at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on Friday, April 16. The production officially began performances on Saturday, April 17 and will run through Sunday, May 2. The Buddy Holly Story is written by Alan Janes & Rob Bettinson with choreography by Dana Solimando.

Buddy tells the story of a music legend that died unexpectedly in a tragic plane crash. The play showcases some of Buddy Holly's greatest hits including "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be The Day," "Oh Boy," "Not Fade Away," "Everyday," "Rave On," "Maybe Baby," "Raining In My Heart," Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba," and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace." Known as "The World's Most Successful Rock & Roll Musical", Buddy is a magical story of one of the world's top recording artists of all time.

Ticket costs range from $35 - $50. Purchase tickets at La Mirada Theatre's website, www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. Student, Senior, Children and group discounts are available.

Save 50% on La Cage aux Folles

Elizabeth Rapplean — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:02:00 GMT

$55
Wed mats

$67.50
Weekday & Sun eves

72.50
Sat mats & eves

(Regular: 132.50)

TO GET TICKETS:

ONLINE:Click here or visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code LCBW319

BY PHONE: Call 212-947-8844 and use code LCBW319

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Opens on Broadway Tonight

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:41:00 GMT

The critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of LA CAGE AUXFOLLES opened today, April 18 at the Longacre Theatre. LA CAGE AUX FOLLES stars five-time Emmy Award-winner Kelsey Grammer as Georges and Olivier Award-winner Douglas Hodge as Albin. Also starring as the notorious and dangerous Cagelles will be Nick Adams as Angelique.

Georges (KelseyGrammer) is the suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera. He lives a charmed life with his high-strung star performer Albin. The pair live a charmed life-until Georges' son announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative right-wing politician who's coming to dinner.

You can follow all the opening night festivities on Twitter. Follow the show at @LaCageBroadway and the cast at @BwayCagelles.

Adam Lambert Announces 'Glam Nation' Tour

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:28:00 GMT

Adam Lambert announced his first North American tour titled "Glam Nation" featuring opening acts Orianthi and Alison Iraheta. Dates for the concert will be released later this month. Lambert spoke to "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest about the upcoming tour.

"I am working on it right now. I am actually about to leave on Sunday for three weeks to go over to the U.K. I go over there. My album is coming out, I'm so excited to do some TV shows and promo out there. All over Europe, it has been a really good response. Then I come back, and right away I start rehearsals for my first North American tour. " Lambert says of his idea for the shows: "I want it to be atmospheric. I want it to feel like you are somewhere else. I want it to transport people. I can tell you right now that it is going to be called Glam Nation. And it is going to be very glittery and sparkly, but it is going to have that mystery and the mood and the sexy and the celebration. I think the fans are going to be in for a real treat."

Apollinaire Theatre Company Presents MAMMALS

Elizabeth Rapplean — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:46:00 GMT

Apollinaire Theatre Company stages MAMMALS at their elegantly restored theater in the Chelsea Theatre Works. Mammals is a bitterly comic examination of love and commitment. It speaks volumes to anyone who's in, has ever been in, or will ever be in a family.

The East Coast Premiere of Mammals by AmeliaBullmore are April 16-May 16,Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00, with Sunday matinees at 3:00 on May 9 & 16.

Performances are at the Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet St., Chelsea.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Seniors pay $20 in advance(advance purchase only).

Student rush tickets are $15 and are available beginning one hour before each performance.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (617) 887-2336 or online at www.apollinairetheatre.com.

Information and directions at www.apollinairetheatre.com.

Performances run 2 hours, with one 10 minute intermission. Performances will be followed by a Reception with the actors in the Gallery.

Des Moines Playhouse Holds Auditions For DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER

Elizabeth Rapplean — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:42:00 GMT

The Des Moines Playhouse will hold auditions for "Don't Dress For Dinner" on Sunday,April 25th at6:00 P.M. Auditions are open to the public and no one is pre-cast.

"Don't Dress For Dinner" requires feature roles for three men and women ages 20 and up. Live performances are June 11-27."Don't Dress For Dinner" is production directed by Kathy Pingel. The show is about a man who plans a gourmet dinner weekend with his mistress while he packs his wife off to her mother's. He even uses his best friend to provide him with an Alibi.

For more information on auditions, visit The Playhouse website at www.dmplayhouse.com/audition or contact The Playhouse at 515.255.3741.

NEXT TO NORMAL Wins 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Elizabeth Rapplean — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:31:00 GMT

NEXT TO NORMAL recently won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The play was awarded $10,000 for what Pulitzer describes as, "A distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life," according to the Pulitzer website.

Next to Normal is a contemporary musical that portrays how a suburban household copes with crisis. The show includes provocative lyrics, and an electrifying array of more than 30 original songs. Next to Normal is about how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family intact.

Other nominees for the drama category include "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity," by Kristoffer Diaz, "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo," by Rajiv Joseph, and "In the Next Room or the vibrator play," by Sarah Ruhl.

Past Pulitzer Prize for Drama Winners

2009 Ruined by Lynn Nottage
2008"August: Osage County" by Tracy Letts
2007 Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire
2006 by No Award
2005 Doubt, a parable by John Patrick Shanley
2004 I Am My Own Wife by Doug Wright
2003 Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz
2002 Top dog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks
2001Proof by David Auburn
2000 Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies
1999Wit by Margaret Edson
1998 How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
1997No award.
1996 Rent by the late Jonathan Larson
1995 The Young Man From Atlanta by Horton Foote
1994 Three Tall Women by EdwardAlbee
1993 Angels in America: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner
1992The Kentucky Cycle by Robert Schenkkan
1991 Lost in Yonkers by NeilSimon
1990 The Piano Lesson by August Wilson
1989 The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein
1988 Driving Miss Daisy by AlfredUhry
1987 Fences by August Wilson
1986 (No Award)
1985 Sundayin the Park With George; music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book byJames Lapine.
1984 Glengarry GLen Ross by David Mamet
1983 Night,Mother by Marsha Norman
1982 A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller
1981Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley
1980 Talley's Folly by LanfordWilson
1979 Buried Child by Sam Shepard
1978 The Gin Game by Donald L. Coburn
1977 The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer
1976 A Chorus Line conceived, choreographed and directed by Michael Bennett,with book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, and lyrics by Edward Kleban
1975 Seascape by Edward Albee
1974(No Award)
1973 That Championship Season by Jason Miller
1972 (No Award)
1971 The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel
1970 No Place To Be Somebody by Charles Gordone
1969The Great White Hope by Howard Sackler
1968 (No Award)
1967 A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee
1966 (No Award)
1965 The Subject Was Roses by Frank D. Gilroy
1964 (No Award)
1962 How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows
1961All The Way Home by Tad Mosel
1960 Fiorello! Book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.
1959J. B. by Archibald MacLeish
1958 Look Homeward, Angel by Ketti Frings
1957 Long Day's Journey Into Night by Eugene O'Neill
1956Diary of Anne Frank by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich
1955 Caton A Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams
1954 The Teahouse of the August Moon by John Patrick
1953 Picnic by William Inge
1952 The Shrike by Joseph Kramm
1951 (No Award)
1950 South Pacific by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
1949 Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
1948 A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
1947 (No Award)
1946 State of the Union by Russel Crouse and Howard Lindsay
1945 Harvey by Mary Chase
1944 (No Award)
1943The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder
1942 (No Award)
1941There Shall Be No Night by Robert E. Sherwood
1940 The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan
1939 Abe Lincoln in Illinois by Robert E.Sherwood
1938 Our Town by Thornton Wilder
1937 You Can't Take It With You by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
1936 Idiots Delight by Robert E. Sherwood
1935 The Old Maid by Zoe Akins
1934 Men in White by Sidney Kingsley
1933 Both Your Houses by Maxwell Anderson
1932Of Thee I Sing by George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind and Ira Gershwin
1931Alison's House by Susan Glaspell
1930 The Green Pastures by MarcConnelly
1929 Street Scene by Elmer L. Rice
1928 Strange Interludeby Eugene O'Neill
1927 In Abraham's Bosom by Paul Green
1926Craig's Wife by George Kelly
1925 They Knew What They Wanted by Sidney Howard
1924 Hell-Bent Fer Heaven by Hatcher Hughes
1923Icebound by Owen Davis
1922 Anna Christie by Eugene O'Neill
1921Miss Lulu Bett by Zona Gale
1920 Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O'Neill
1919(No Award)
1918 Why Marry? by Jesse Lynch Williams
1917 (NoAward)

Dixie Carter Passes Away at Age 70

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:28:00 GMT

Dixie Carter, mostly known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker on the hit TV Series "Designing Women", passed away at age 70. Her family has requested that the details of her death remain private. According to BroadwayWorld.com, "This has been a terrible blow to our family," her husband Hal Holbrook tells ET. "We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy. Thank you."

Carter starred in seven other TV series and she was last seen on stage in "Southern Comforts" back in 2006, in which she starred with her husband Hal Holbrook in Coconut Grove, Florida. Carter was also seen at Washington, D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre where she played Mrs. Erlynin "Lady Windermere's Fan."

Broadway fans know Carter best for her earlier appearances in "Thoroughly Modern Mille," as Maria Callas in "Master Class," for her role as Melbain the Circle in the Square production of "Pal Joey," and for her run in "Sextet" at the Bijou Theatre. In 2006and 2007, Dixie Carter played Gloria Hodge on Desperate Housewives, earning an Emmy nomination for her work on the series.

She also has Off-Broadway credits including New York Shakespeare Festival: The Winter's Tale (Perdita); Public Theatre: Taken in Marriage (Dixie Avalon), Fathers and Sons (Calamity Jane), Buried Inside Extra (Liz Conlon), Gogol (Chained Woman), Jesse and the Bandit Queen (Belle Starr); Music Theatre of Lincoln Center: Carousal, The King and I, The Merry Widow; Astor Place Theatre: A Coupla' White Chicks Sittin' Around Talkin'; Upstairs at the Downstairs.

For more information on the accomplished life of Dixie Carter, go to BroadwayWorld.com.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Opens Tonight

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:43:00 GMT

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, will open tonight, Sunday, April 11, 2010. The cast includes the acclaimed original "quartet" from Chicago. The group of actors each making their debut on Broadway will be joined by Tony Award® nominee Hunter Foster (Little Shop of Horrors, Urinetown) and Elizabeth Stanley (Cry-Baby).

Inspired by a meeting with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley at Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis, the MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET features a treasure trove of the greatest rock and roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these musicians. Songs such as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Riders in the Sky," "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." captivate the audience with an infectious spirit and thrilling sounds of moment in music history when four of the music industry's most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.

For more information about the MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com. Tickets are available online at: www.TicketMaster.com, by calling 212-307-4100, or by visiting the Nederlander Box Office (208 West 41st Street).

2010 Festival of New American Musicals Announced

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:01:00 GMT

The 2010 Festival of New American Musicals will take place May 16 through August 21 2010, throughout Southern California. The Festival will consist of full productions, staged readings,workshops of musicals in progress, cabaret events and concerts. The organizers are working in partnership with over thirty performing arts organizations located in Southern California. Each will produce a new American musical during the Festival time period.

The Festival of New American Musicals begins and ends with two fund raising events including a kick off reception on Sunday, May 16honoring sponsor BNY Mellon Bank and a 40th birthday celebration for Jason Robert Brown on Sunday, August 21.

For more information on the festival go to BroadwayWorld.com.

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE Opens at NY City Center Tonight

Elizabeth Rapplean — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:34:00 GMT

Anyone Can Whistle, the final Encores! production of the 2009-2010 season, opened tonight at the New York City Center. The show, directed and choreographed by CaseyNicholaw with musical direction by Rob Berman, runs for five performances through April 11.

Anyone Can Whistle opened on April 4, 1964 at the Majestic Theatre. The experimental satire closed after only nine performances. The show took aim at every target on the American cultural scene of the moment-conformity, psychology, race relations, greed,religion and politics. It divided the critics, thrilled the emerging counter-culture, baffled the masses, and became an instant legend. The title song and "With So Little to Be Sure Of" is a cabaret classic. The rest of the show is a variety of jazzy,show-biz razzmatazz, waltzes, gospel numbers and Broadway pastiche.

Tickets for the 2009-2010 Encores! season are available at the New York City Center Box Office (West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues), through CityTix® at 212-581-1212, or online at www.NYCityCenter.org.Tickets for the Orchestra, Grand Tier and Mid-Mezzanine tickets are$95; tickets for the Rear Mezzanine and Front Gallery are $50; tickets for the Rear Gallery are $25.

South Camden Theatre Company Announces New Season

Elizabeth Rapplean — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:50:00 GMT

The SouthCamden Theatre Company recentlly announced their 6th season with a new location at the Waterfront South Theatre. The new theme for the nonprofitprofessional theatre organization new season is 'The Past in the Present is Our Future'.The new theatre will open on September10th, 2010 with 'LastRites' produced byArtistic Director Joseph M. Paprzycki and directed by Christopher 'Jumbo' Schimpf.

For moreinformation on South Camden Theatre Company and Waterfront SouthTheatre, visit www.southcamdentheatre.org and www.waterfrontsouththeatre.com.

JERSEY BOYS Cancels Broadway Performance

Elizabeth Rapplean — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:01:00 GMT

Tonight's Broadway performance of Jersey Boys was canceled due to a nearby electrical fire. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

Several underground explosions took place this afternoon in a manhole at Times Square. It resulted in a three-alarm fire while an underground transformer burst into flames. Multiple buildings were evacuated in the area. Firefighters are investigating.

JERSEY BOYS has won many awards including 2006 Best Musical Tony Award®, the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album and the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Broadway Shows that Opened on this Date

Elizabeth Rapplean — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:01:00 GMT

Here is a list of Broadway shows that opened on April 6:

3for Tonight Broadway - 1955

AParisian Folly Broadway - 1874

AidaUS Tour - 2001

BagsOff-Off-Broadway - 1982

BloodyBloody Andrew Jackson Off-Broadway - 2010

CottonClub Parade Off-Broadway - 1933

Damesat Sea Regional (US) - 1985

ForbiddenBroadway 1992 Off-Broadway - 1992

FunnyGirl Milburn, NJ (Regional) - 2001

GayDivorce Regional (US) - 1983

Half-PastWednesday Off-Broadway - 1962

HumptyDumpty at Home Broadway - 1874

JustMy Luck West End - 1914

MammaMia! West End - 1999

MarcyIn The Galaxy Off-Broadway - 2008

Monsieurde Pourceaugnac Off-Off-Broadway - 1978

OnceOn This Island Off-Broadway - 1990

RagtimeChicago - 2007

TantivyTowers West End - 1931

TheGrand Duchess of Gérolstein Broadway - 1869

TheHappy Time Arlington, VA (Regional) - 2008

TheNew Kid Chicago - 2005

ThePrince of Tonight Chicago - 2005

TheToxic Avenger Off-Broadway - 2009

Troublein Tahiti Off-Broadway - 1958

GLEE to Perform at White House with Live Online Broadcast

Elizabeth Rapplean — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:53:00 GMT

GLEE will perform live at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll along with teen sensation Justin Bieber on Monday April 5th. Themusical performances will be broadcasted live at: www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll.

The show will also include appearances by the casts of "Yo GabbaGabba" and "Sesame Street." MariskaHargitay, Apolo Ohno, "Harry Potter" scribe J.K. Rowling andReese Witherspoon will also be featured at the Easter Egg Roll. Members of the Washington Redskins and BaltimoreRavens will also be at the event.

The livebroadcast will take place from 7:45am EST to5:45pm. For moreinformation, visit www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll.

APOCALYPSE Premieres at Philly Improv Theatre

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:10:00 GMT

The long-awaited premiere of The Action Section's new show is finally here. The first showing of a new sketch comedy called THE APOCALYPSE took place today at the Philly Improv Theatre. The production is presented by Philly Improv Theatre's Action Section.

The Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) was founded as a nonprofit in 2005. It is the only long form improvisation theater in the Metro Philadelphia area. PHIT embraces the art of improvisation as an end rather than a means while creating and producing improv, sketch, and alternate comedy shows in traditional theaters like Chicago's Second City and New York's Upright Citizens Brigade.

The Philadelphia theatre offers it's own take on the theories and concepts behind good improvisation in a full curriculum of classes for performers of all skill levels. The classes are taught by local talent and through master classes with distinguished performers and teachers from all over the world.

Tickets for the performances are available for $10 and may be purchased online at: www.phillyimprovtheater.com.

Broadway Star John Forsythe Dies at Age 92

Elizabeth Rapplean — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:33:00 GMT

John Forsythe's family announced his passing on April 1, 2010. At age 92, he died with dignity and grace after a year long struggle with cancer. John's wife and family have requested donations to the cancer society in lieu of flowers and there will be no public service.

The New Jersey born John Forsythe attended the University of North Carolina and then moved to New York City where he began his career as a radio actor. He then became a field announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbet's field. He later auditioned for Lee Strasburg and became one of the original founding members of The Actors Studio.

John Forsythe was on Broadway, in film and on TV. He was also enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. Forsythe recieved numerous Emmy nominations while starring in the television series "Bachelor Father" from 1957 to 1962. He also starred in many feature films including Robert Wise's"Captive City," "It Happens Every Thursday" with Loretta Young,"The Glass Web," and two AlfredHitchcock films, "The Trouble with Harry" and "Topaz." He alsostarred in "The Ambassador's Daughter," "Madame X," Truman Capote's"In Cold Blood," "The Happy Ending," "And Justice For All" and"Scrooged."

Forsythe was also an executive producer, director and host-narrator of aone-hour film documentary on the life and career of legendary jockeyBill Shoemaker entitled "Nice Guys Finish First." heappeared as host and narrator of four one-hour documentaries for TurnerBroadcasting called "Portrait of Great Britain."

The deceased man of many hats also was a man of many passions. He was interested in ecology and was a spokesperson and sponsor ofthe World Wildlife Fund. Forsythe supported the American Cancer Society andthe United Nations Association. One of his life's greatest passions wasowning, breeding and racing horses. He was VicePresident of Hollywood Park Racetrack in Los Angeles for four years andwas a member of the Board of Directors at the same racetrack for elevenyears. He also hosted the prestigious Eclipse Awards every year for manyyears.

John Forsythe will be missed by many including his wife,Nicole, his son and daughter-in-law, Dall and Ana Marie Forsythe, histwo grown daughters, Page Courtemanche and Brooke Forsythe as well assix grandchildren (Deborah, Susanna, Raquel, Juliana, Alexandra andJohn) and five great-grandchildren.