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St. Louis: Terence Blanchard, Michael Cristofer Opera Champion to Debut in St. Louis June 2013

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 5 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 5 PM

The new opera Champion, featuring music by five-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael Cristofer, will receive its world premiere at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, June 15-30. James Robinson will direct. A co-commission with with Opera Theatre of Saint

New York: Broadway's Priscilla Queen of the Desert to Close June 24

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 5 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 5 PM

The Broadway production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert will play its final performance at the Palace Theatre on Sunday evening, June 24. As of that date, it will have played 23 previews and 526 regular performances. The musical is based on the Oscar-winning film

New York: Melissa Errico, Randy Graff Join Line-Up for Prospect Theater Company Gala

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Melissa Errico and Randy Graff have been added to the line-up for Prospect Theater Company's previously announced annual gala, 2012's Spring Soirée, in the Harbor View Room at Battery Gardens. This special one-night-only event will be held on Monday, May 21 from 6pm - 10:30pm,

London: Finding Neverland Musical to Have World Premiere at Curve Theatre, Leicester

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

The stage musical adaptation of the film Finding Neverland will receive its world premiere as part of Leicester's Curve Theatre, running September 21-October 18. Featuring a score by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, and a book by Alan Knee (adapted from his play The Man

New York: Jeremy Kushnier to Play Birdland June 18

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Jeremy Kushnier, currently appearing on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar, will play a one-night concert engagement at Birdland on Monday, June 18 at 7pm. Sonny Paladino will be musical director. Kushnier performs the dual roles of James the Lesser and Priest, as well as understudying

New York: Norm Lewis, Michael McElroy to Perform in Highest Praise

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Norm Lewis is set to join Michael McElroy and Broadway Inspirational Voices for Highest Praise, a special concert event, May 20 and 21 at Central Presbyterian Church. Currently starring as Porgy in Broadway's Porgy and Bess, Norm Lewis had his Broadway debut in the Broadway

New York: Tony Danza to be Honored at 2012 Voices Against Brain Cancer Benefit

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4 PM

Tony Danza will be honored at Voices Against Brain Cancer's Sounding Off for a Cure benefit, to be held Thursday, June 14 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Danza will be honored with the 2012 Voices Award. Additional honorees include NYU Langone Medical Center's Dr. Howard Riina

New York: Broadway's Death of a Salesman Recoups Capitalization

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

The Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, at the Barrymore Theatre, will recoup its $3.1 million capitalization this week. The play, directed by Mike Nichols, plays a seven performance a week schedule rather than a standard eight, making its swift recoupment a

Boston Metro: Lyric Stage Company of Boston Extends Avenue Q Through June 24

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston has announced a two week extension of its production of the musical Avenue Q, which will now run through June 24. Spiro Veloudos has directed the production. Part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart, Avenue Q is a

Los Angeles: Joel Edgerton to Write, Star in Felony Film

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Stage veteran Joel Edgerton will write and star in the film Felony, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Matthew Saville will direct the thriller, about a police officer who lies about accidentally running a young cyclist off the road. Edgerton appeared on the New York stage

Los Angeles: Jane Fonda Joins Better Living Through Chemistry Film

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Oscar winner and Tony Award nominee Jane Fonda has joined the cast of the comedy Better Living Through Chemistry, according to Deadline.com. David Posamentier and Geoff Moore are co-directing and writing the film, which focuses on a straight-laced pharmacist whose uneventful life spirals out of

Los Angeles: Kenneth Lonergan's Margaret to be Released on Blu-ray July 10

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Kenneth Lonergan's film Margaret will be released on Blu-ray Combo Pack on July 10. The follow-up to his Academy Award-nominated You Can Count on Me, Margaret tells the story of a Manhattan teenager whose life is altered after witnessing a terrible accident. The film stars

Los Angeles: Bill Voorhees, Lauren Dobbins Webb to Star in The Crucible at the Lillian Theater

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 3 PM

Dollar Bill Productions will present Arthur Miller's The Crucible, to run June 7-July 14 at Elephant Stages' Lillian Theater. Based on historical events, The Crucible tells the story of Salem, Massachusetts resident Elizabeth Proctor, who is accused by a young girl of being a witch

New York: Quiara Alegría Hudes' 2012 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Water by the Spoonful Set for Second Stage

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Second Stage Theatre will present Quiara Alegría Hudes' 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Water by the Spoonful, with previews to begin in mid-December and an opening in early January 2013. Davis McCallum will direct this New York premiere, in which Elliot, a Puerto Rican veteran of

Los Angeles: Rosie Perez, Jason Ritter, Krysten Ritter, Tracie Thoms Set for L.A. 24 Hour Plays

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Casting has been announced for the upcoming Los Angeles edition of The 24 Hour Plays, to be held on Sunday, June 16 at The Broad Stage. Participants will include Sasha Alexander, Jason Biggs, Josh Dallas, Brooklyn Decker, Ashley Greene, Ginnifer Goodwin, Zachary Levi, Alexander Ludwig,

Las Vegas: Joey Lawrence to Do Guest Stint in Las Vegas Chippendales Show

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Broadway veteran and pop culture icon Joey Lawrence will join the Las Vegas production of Chippendales, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, for a three-week stint as celebrity guest star, June 7-24. Lawrence, according to press notes, "will flex his vocal cords and muscles

New York: Gore Vidal's The Best Man Extends on Broadway Through September 9

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2 PM

The Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, has been extended a second time and will now play through Sunday, September 9. Michael Wilson directs this play, set at the national convention where two candidates are vying for their

New York: PTP/NYC to Present Serious Money and Monster at Atlantic Stage 2

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

PTP/NYC will present revivals of Caryl Churchill's Serious Money and Neal Bell's Monster as part of its 26th repertory season, to run July 3-29 at Atlantic Stage 2. PTP co-artistic director Cheryl Faraone directs Serious Money, the play's first New York revival since its Broadway

New York: Nancy Opel to Host Abingdon Theatre Company AB*IE Award Presentation

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Obie winner and Tony nominee Nancy Opel will host Abingdon Theatre Company's sixth annual AB*IE Award presentation, to be held at the June Havoc Theatre on Monday, May 21 at 7pm. The AB*IES celebrate all of the artists who create on Abingdon's stages. Opel received

Los Angeles: Melissa Hoff, Lisa Livesay, James Snyder Set for Sondheim Unplugged Concerts

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Casting has been announced for Sondheim Unplugged, an evening of acoustic Sondheim songs, which will play The Coterie at The Hollwood Renaissance Hotel on June 2 at 8:30pm. Directed by J. Scott Lapp with new arrangements by David Lamoreux, the concert will feature Will Collyer,

London: Elizabeth Cadwallader, Bob Goody, Nick Haverson, John Hopkins to Star in U.K. Ben Hur

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

A four-person stage adaptation of the novel Ben Hur will run at the Watermill Theatre in the U.K., June 22-July 28. Written and co-directed by The 39 Steps playwright Patrick Barlow, the cast will feature Elizabeth Cadwallader, Bob Goody, Nick Haverson, and John Hopkins. Sean

Chicago: American Theater Company Announces 2012-2013 Season

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

American Theater Company has announced the productions planned for its 2012-2013 season. The season will kick off with two plays that explore themes of mystery and faith, Doubt by John Patrick Shanley and Agnes of God by John Peilmeier, performed in rotating repertory from September

Los Angeles: Scott Bakula to Host Actor's Fund's 16th Annual Tony Awards Party in Los Angeles

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 1 PM

Tony and Emmy nominee Scott Bakula will host The Actor's Fund's 16th Annual Tony Awards Party, to be held on Sunday, June 10 at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. As previously reported, Tony Award winner Jason Alexander will receive the Julie Harris Award for

New York: Daniel Aukin, Mark Brokaw, Rebecca Taichman to Direct AracaWorks Readings

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 PM

The Araca Group has announced the line-up for AracaWorks, a week-long series of play readings celebrating new work for the theater, to be held at The Studio at Theater 511 (511 West 54th Street), May 21-25 at 7:30pm. Works will include Sister Sister, written by

Connecticut: Maureen Anderman to Star in The Year of Magical Thinking at Westport Country Playhouse

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 PM

Westport Country Playhouse is set to stage Joan Didion's award-winning memoir The Year of Magical Thinking, June 12-30. Nicholas Martin will direct. Like the book, the solo play is based on the author's actual experience rebuilding her life during the year after her spouse's death

New York: Andy Sandberg to Direct The Last Smoker in America Musical Off-Broadway

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 PM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 PM

Tony Award-winning producer and director Andy Sandberg is set to direct the Off-Broadway premiere of The Last Smoker in America, opening August 2 at the Westside Theatre. With book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell and music by Drama Desk nominee Peter Melnick,

New York: Norbert Leo Butz, Melissa Errico, Lisa Lampanelli Set for Seth Rudetsky's Not Since High School!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Norbert Leo Butz, Melissa Errico, Mandy Gonzales, Joshua Henry, Christopher Jackson, and Lisa Lampanelli are among the performers set to participate in Seth Rudetsky's Not Since High School!, a benefit for Chesapeake Bay Academy, to be held at XL (512 West 42nd Street) on Monday,

Los Angeles: Alan Rickman to Star in CBGB Film

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Stage and screen star Alan Rickman will play Hilly Kristal, the founder of the famous East Village punk-rock club CBGB, in a new film to directed by Randall Miller. The film will focus on the life of Kristal, who died in2007, during the club's early

New York: Lincoln Center Theater's 4000 Miles Extended Through July 1

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Lincoln Center Theater has announced that its currently running production of Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles, which was originally slated to close on May 20, will extend a second time at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. Daniel Aukin directs the production, which will now play through

New York: Programming Announced for OPEN: The New Jewish Theater Residency

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

LABA: The National Laboratory for New Jewish Culture and the Jewish Plays Project are set to present OPEN: The New Jewish Theater Residency at the 14th Street Y, a five-project residency to take place June 23-July 1. The residency, which will provide space, significant resources,

London: Melanie C, Tim Minchin, Chris Moyles Set for UK Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Melanie C of Spice Girls fame will play Mary Magdalene and BBC Radio DJ Chris Moyles will play Herod in the upcoming U.K. arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, according to a report in Variety. They join the previously reported Tim Minchin, who will play

London: Julie Atherton, Stuart Matthew Price, Hannah Waddingham Featured on Richard Beadle's Songs CD

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11 AM

Julie Atherton, Jon Boydon, Louise Dearman, Ross Hunter, Landi Oshinowo, Stuart Matthew Price, Hannah Waddingham, and Rachael Wooding are featured on the newly released CD showcasing the work of songwriter Richard Beadle, Songs. The album includes several songs from Beadle's musical Today is My Day,

New York: Dashaun Young Returns to Broadway's The Lion King

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10 AM

Dashaun Young will play the role of Simba in the Broadway production of Disney's The Lion King, at the Minskoff Theatre, beginning tonight, Wednesday May 16. He replaces Adam Jacobs, who is taking a brief hiatus from the production, with a return date scheduled for

New York: PHOTO FLASH: Laura Osnes, Marin Mazzie, Molly Ranson at Steve Tyrell's I'll Take Romance

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10 AM

On Tuesday, May 15, vocalist Steve Tyrell returned to the Café Carlyle for a two-week spring engagement through May 26. Tyrell is celebrating his newest album I'll Take Romance, released by Concord Records, which is an homage to The Great American Songbook with tracks culled

New York: Lucy Liu, Jonny Lee Miller, Donna Murphy, Michael Urie Set for New CBS Series

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

CBS has ordered four new series for its 2012 Fall schedule. The series include Elementary, a new take on Sherlock Holmes, starring stage veterans Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, and Aidan Quinn; Partners, a comedy about two best friends and business partners -- one straight,

Los Angeles: Jude Law to Star in Dom Hemingway Film

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

Tony and Oscar nominee Jude Law will star in the film Dom Hemingway, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor will play the title character, described as "a larger-than-life safecracker with a loose fuse who is also funny, profane and dangerous." The black comedy, set

New York: ArtsBridge Summer NYC 2012 Program to Take Place in August

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

ArtsBridge is set to present the ArtsBridge Summer NYC 2012 program, August 5-17 at Chelsea Studios. The program's main purpose is to connect student performers with dynamic program directors from America's top performing arts colleges. Faculty will include ArtsBridge Artistic Director and Director of Musical

New York: Daniel Jenkins, Meghan McGeary, Jeanine Serralles Set for The Civilians' Let Me Ascertain You

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9 AM

Emily Ackerman, Matt Dellapina, Dan Domingues, Nina Hellman, Daniel Jenkins, Meghan McGeary, Greg McFadden, Emily Rossell, and Jeanine Serralles will perform in The Civilians' cabaret, Let Me Ascertain You, at Joe's Pub on Friday, May 18 at 9:30pm. Mia Rovegno directs the performance, which features

New York: CD REVIEWS: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and Sweet Little Devil

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 8 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 8 AM

There's an abundance of music from George Gershwin in the air right now -- and on disc. PS Classics is releasing the gorgeous two-disc set of the current Broadway revival of The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess -- which has received numerous Tony Award and Drama

Los Angeles: INTERVIEW: Glee's Matthew Morrison Is Expecting Great Things

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 AM

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12 AM

Matthew Morrison is instantly recognizable to television audiences as choir director Will Schuester on FOX's hit series Glee. But he's long proved his versatility on stage, in such shows as South Pacific, Hairspray, The Light in the Piazza, and the recent reading of Dustin Lance