http://www.theatermania.com/ Read the latest stories from TheaterMania.com: theatre news, reviews, features, and photos from Broadway to Off-Broadway and beyond! en-us Copyright 2012 TheaterMania.com Inc. http://www.theatermania.com/ http://www.theatermania.com/images/rss.gif KohanaPHP Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM http://www.theatermania.com/st-louis/news/02-2012/jennifer-holliday-to-star-in-st-louis-munys-dreamg_49611.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM<br /><br />Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday will reprise the role Effie White in The St, Louis Muny's premiere production of the musical Dreamgirls, July 16-22. The show, co-written by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger, tells the story of a popular singing group torn apart by professional Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/aaron-bergs-the-underbelly-diaries-to-play-nycs-th_49610.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM<br /><br />The Underbelly Diaries, a solo show written by and starring Aaron Berg, will be presented at the Studio Theatre on Theatre Row, March 22-April 7, before touring Canada. The show will be directed by Dwight McFee. The piece, which has previously been seen in Tornoto Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM http://www.theatermania.com/philadelphia/news/02-2012/jennie-eisenhower-diane-findlay-among-cast-of-bris_49609.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM<br /><br />The Bristol Riverside Theatre in Pennsylvania will present Robert Harling's popular comedy-drama Steel Magnolias, March 20-April 8. The production will be directed by Susan D. Atkinson. Set entirely in the beauty parlor of Truvy Jones, the play is about the bond among a group of Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/john-logan-bill-nighy-win-annie-awards_49608.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 10 AM<br /><br />Tony Award winner John Logan was honored with the International Animated Film Society's coveted Annie Award for co-writing the screenplay for the animated film Rango on Saturday, February 4 in Los Angeles. The film also picked up the Annies for Best Picture, Character Design, and Sunday, February 05, 2012 9 AM http://www.theatermania.com/south-jersey/reviews/02-2012/jitney_49387.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 9 AM<br /><br />Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper headlines this superb revival of August Wilson's drama about a group of taxi drivers in the Sunday, February 05, 2012 9 AM http://www.theatermania.com/off-off-broadway/reviews/02-2012/botanica_49457.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 9 AM<br /><br />This offbeat, often pitch-black show details three men's experiments with the world of Sunday, February 05, 2012 8 AM http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/02-2012/ramin-karimloo-faces-the-music-of-the-night_49367.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 8 AM<br /><br />Ramin Karimloo has quickly become one of the UK's most admired musical theater stars, with his turns in Love Never Dies, Les Miserables, in which he currently playing the role of Jean Valjean, and notably, The Phantom of the Opera, in which he has played Sunday, February 05, 2012 5 AM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/photo-flash-mila-kunis-at-peter-macs-judy-garland-_49606.html Sunday, February 05, 2012 5 AM<br /><br /> Filn and television star Mila Kunis recently attended a performance of Judy Garland: LIVE! In Concert, playing at the French Market. The tribute show, starring Peter Mac as Judy Garland, features selection of songs that Judy made famous in concert and on her TV series, Saturday, February 04, 2012 8 AM http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc/news/02-2012/tonights-the-night-for-maurice-hines_49429.html Saturday, February 04, 2012 8 AM<br /><br />Maurice Hines has been one of the theater world's most versatile talents for decades, beginning with his childhood work as a dancer with brother Gregory Hines, through his Broadway performances in Eubie, Sophisticated Ladies, and Uptown, It's Hot!, for which he received a Tony Award Friday, February 03, 2012 11 PM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/tony-award-nominee-ben-gazzara-has-died-at-81_49585.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 PM<br /><br />Broadway and film legend Ben Gazzara has died at age 81, according to The New York Tiimes. Gazzara, who studied with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in Manhattan, made his Broadway debut in 1953 in End As A Man. He then originated the role Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/the-jacksonian-with-ed-harris-amy-madigan-bill-pul_49583.html Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM<br /><br /> The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere production of Beth Henley's The Jacksonian has added an extra week to its run, and will now perform February 7-March 25. Tony Award winner Robert Falls directs the production, which will open officially on February 15. Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/bobby-cannavale-to-join-hbos-boardwalk-empire_49582.html Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM<br /><br />Two-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Bobby Cannavale will join the cast of HBO's award-winning series Boardwalk Empire as gangster Gyp Rosetti. according to Deadline.com. The series, which is set in Atlantic City in 1920s, is executive produced by Martin Scorsese, and features Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/al-pacino-to-lend-voice-to-despicable-me-2-film_49584.html Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM<br /><br />Tony Award winner Al Pacino will lend his voice to the animated film Despicable Me 2, which is set for a July 2013 release, according to Deadline.com. Pacino won Tony Awards for his work in Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and The Basic Training Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM http://www.theatermania.com/chicago/news/02-2012/pascale-armand-kevin-mambo-set-for-the-convert-at-_49580.html Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM<br /><br /> The original cast of Danai Gurira's The Convert will continue on with the show from its world premiere co-production at the McCarter Theatre Center, when the play performs at the Goodman's Owen Theatre, February 25-March 25. The production will then travel to Los Angeles, where Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/bmis-jean-banks-has-died_49577.html Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM<br /><br />Arts administrator Jean Banks has died after a battle with lung cancer. She was 77. Banks was senior director of jazz and musical theatre at BMI, a position she held from the mid-1990s. In this capacity, she also served as the administrative head of the Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/02-2012/photo-flash-robin-strasser-dawn-wells-celebrate-op_49576.html Friday, February 03, 2012 5 PM<br /><br /> TV icons Dawn Wells of Gilligan's Island fame and Robin Strasser of One Life to Live are among the newest Off-Broadway cast members in Love, Loss, and What I Wore, at the Westside Theatre. They joined fellow performers Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Alexandra Silber, who Friday, February 03, 2012 4 PM http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/02-2012/arlene-phillips-to-direct-and-choreograph-starligh_49567.html Friday, February 03, 2012 4 PM<br /><br />Arlene Phillips will direct and choreograph a U.K. tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, which will launch with an engagement at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London, running May 10-19. Additional tour cities will include Bradford, Salford, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Southend, Llandudno, Aberdeen, Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/martin-sheen-to-join-george-clooney-jamie-lee-curt_49564.html Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM<br /><br />Martin Sheen will play Theodore B. Olson in the Los Angeles premiere of Dustin Lance Black's 8, to be offered as a benefit reading at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on March 3, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. Rob Reiner will direct Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/02-2012/paul-masse-alicia-hall-moran-nathaniel-stampley-fr_49562.html Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM<br /><br /> Paul Masse, Alicia Hall Moran, and Nathaniel Stampley -- who currently appear in the Broadway production of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess -- will perform a number from the show at the Apollo Theatre on Sunday, February 5. The performance is part of an Open Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/02-2012/video-flash-newsicals-john-walton-does-smash_49561.html Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM<br /><br />NEWSical has released a video which imagines a reality casting project for the forthcoming NBC series, Smash. In the video, NEWSical cast member John Walton offers his impersonations of such celebrities as Matthew Broderick, Norbert Leo Butz and Mandy Patinkin. Click here for more information Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/stephanie-beatriz-renandeacute-millandaacuten-rich_49559.html Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM<br /><br />The entire cast of the current La Jolla Playhouse production of Richard Montoya's American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jos&amp;eacute; will continue in the show when it performs at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre, March 9-April 11, with an opening on March 11. Jo Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/scarlett-johansson-mark-ruffalo-set-for-john-carne_49558.html Friday, February 03, 2012 3 PM<br /><br />Mark Ruffalo will join the previously announced Scarlett Johansson in Can A Song Save Your Life?, according to a report in Variety. John Carney is writing and directing the picture. The film centers on a washed-up recording executive who forms a passionate bond with a Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/marieann-meringolo-to-bring-michel-legrand-show-to_49557.html Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM<br /><br /> Award-winning vocalist Marieann Meringolo will bring her new show You Must Believe In Spring! The Music of Michel Legrand to Feinstein's at Loews Regency for four consecutive Sundays, February 26-March 18. The show will feature songs with music composed by Legrand, and lyrics by the Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM http://www.theatermania.com/seattle/news/02-2012/myrna-conn-to-star-in-artswests-the-rise-and-fall-_49555.html Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM<br /><br />ArtsWest will present Jim Cartwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, March 7-31, starring 18 year-old actress Myra Conn. Artistic Director Christopher Zinovitch will direct. In the piece, Mari Hoff is desperate for the elixir that will make her feel alive. And she's not Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM http://www.theatermania.com/austin/news/02-2012/connie-mcmillan-to-receive-equitys-lucy-jordan-hum_49553.html Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM<br /><br /> Actors' Equity Association has announced that Connie McMillan is the recipient of the 2012 Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award, which honors an individual in the theatrical community. It will be presented to her at Equity's Austin/San Antonio Annual Membership meeting on Saturday, February 11. McMillan is Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM http://www.theatermania.com/connecticut/news/02-2012/steven-yuhasz-named-new-executive-director-for-sha_49546.html Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM<br /><br /> Steven Yuhasz has joined Shakespeare on the Sound as its new Executive Director. He replaces Emily Bryan, who is now the organization's Director of Education. Yuhasz has worked extensively in both the non-profit and commercial theater as a producer and a director. He is a Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/stephen-eich-to-end-tenure-as-executive-director-o_49545.html Friday, February 03, 2012 2 PM<br /><br /> Stephen Eich, who joined Pasadena Playhouse as Executive Director in July 2009, will end his tenure in that position on or around February 29. He will continue to serve in a consulting capacity through June 30. Eich is a producer, manager, teacher, and director with Friday, February 03, 2012 1 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/john-leguizamo-developing-autobiographically-inspi_49543.html Friday, February 03, 2012 1 PM<br /><br /> 2011 Drama Desk Award winner John Leguizamo has signed a development deal with ABC to star in and executive produce a comedy inspired by &quot;his professional, personal and family life in New York City,&quot; according to Deadline.com. Leguizamo won the Drama Desk for Ghetto Klown, Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/shoshana-bean-to-perform-at-xl-nightclub_49539.html Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM<br /><br />Broadway veteran Shoshana Bean will perform at the newly opened cabaret space at XL Nightclub on Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 8pm. Bean has been seen on stage in such shows as Wicked, Hairspray, and Peepshow, and frequently performs as part of Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM http://www.theatermania.com/baltimore/news/02-2012/jeffry-denman-danielle-ferland-lauren-kennedy-set-_49537.html Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM<br /><br /> Casting has been announced for Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods, a co-production to be presented at CENTERSTAGE in Baltimore, March 7-April 15, and Westport Country Playhouse, May 1-26. Mark Lamos will direct. Danielle Ferland, who originated the role of Little Red Riding Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM http://www.theatermania.com/chicago/news/02-2012/kirsten-fitzgerald-natalie-west-set-for-a-red-orch_49536.html Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM<br /><br />A Red Orchid Theatre has announced casting for Marisa Wegrzyn's The Butcher of Baraboo, to run April 5 - May 20. Shade Murray will direct the production. The play centers on a female butcher who is suspected of having a hand in her husband's disappearance, Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2012/jessica-chastain-joel-edgerton-set-for-double-feat_49535.html Friday, February 03, 2012 12 PM<br /><br />Jessica Chastain and Joel Edgerton will star in a double-feature film project The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: His and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Hers, according to a report on Deadline.com. Ned Benson is writing and directing the project. The two films will center on Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/02-2012/video-flash-zach-braff-discusses-all-new-people-wi_49534.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM<br /><br />The Guardian has released a video interview, featuring Zach Braff, who discusses his play All New People, which begins previews on February 22 at the West End's Duke of Yorks Theatre. Peter Dubois, who helmed the play's debut off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre, will once Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/02-2012/anne-chancellor-nicholas-farrell-set-for-the-brown_49525.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM<br /><br />The double bill of Terence Rattigan's The Browning Version and David Hare's South Down, seen at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2011, will transfer to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre, according to a report on Whatsonstage.com. Angus Jackson and Jeremy Herrin, respectively, will once again Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/02-2012/sutton-foster-stephen-schwartz-set-for-february-16_49532.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM<br /><br /> Composer Stephen Schwartz will challenge the contestants on the reality competition Project Runway All Stars to put together an outfit for inclusion in the Broadway production of Godspell on the Lifetime Television's program's Thursday, February 15 episode. Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, who currently stars Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM http://www.theatermania.com/tampa/news/02-2012/avi-hoffman-to-direct-mosaic-theatres-death-and-th_49533.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM<br /><br />Mosaic Theatre is set to present Ariel Dorfman's Death and the Maiden, March 8-April 1. Avi Hoffman will direct. Set in an unnamed country that is, like the author's native Chile, emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship, this political thriller explores the after-effects of repression on Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/02-2012/clybourne-park-to-open-as-scheduled-at-broadways-w_48332.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM<br /><br />Producer and Jujamcyn Theater executive Jordan Roth has issued a statement that Bruce Norris' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Clybourne Park, will play Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre this season, with an opening on April 12, despite the loss this week of two key producers. Scott Rudin, who Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city/news/02-2012/tituss-burgess-jaime-cepero-morgan-james-set-for-w_49530.html Friday, February 03, 2012 11 AM<br /><br />The Time Out New York Lounge at New World Stages will present a special Valentine's Day edition of Whistling Trixies on February 11, 2012 at 10:30pm. Tituss Burgess, Jaime Cepero, Colleen Harris, Morgan James, Kristina Nicole Miller, Erik Sisco, and Justin Michael Van Pelt will Friday, February 03, 2012 10 AM http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/02-2012/samuel-barnett-johnny-flynn-samantha-spiro-join-ca_49526.html Friday, February 03, 2012 10 AM<br /><br /> Updated casting has been announced for Shakespeare's Globe's 2012 season, according to WhatsOnStage.com. Two-time Olivier Award winner Samantha Sprio will star as Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew, to run in repertory June 23-October 13. Toby Frow will direct. As previously reported, two-time Tony Friday, February 03, 2012 10 AM http://www.theatermania.com/berkshires/news/02-2012/will-eno-mark-st-germain-and-more-set-for-barringt_49524.html Friday, February 03, 2012 10 AM<br /><br /> Playwrights, directors, and actors have been announced for Barrington Stage Company's 10x10 On North, a new play festival to be presented at BSC Stage 2, February 16-26. The program will consist of ten 10-minute plays, including &quot;God in the Goat&quot; by Suzanne Bradbeer, directed by