Boston Theatre + Broadway News

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Joins Talk-Back for TWO-HEADED, Closing Tonight, 5/19

(5/19/2012) Closing at the Boston Center for the Arts tonight, May 19, the final performance of TWO-HEADED is followed by a talk-back with the cast and Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.

Cotuit Center for the Arts Holds CABARET Auditions, 5/19 & 21

(5/19/2012) Director Kiley Donovan, Music Director Glenn Starner-Tate, and Choreographer Pam Wills will be holding auditions for this summer's production of CABARET at Cotuit Center for the Arts, running August 2 to 26 from Thursday to Sunday.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Presents Spring Concert Tonight, 5/19

(5/19/2012) Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presents its annual Spring Concert tonight, May 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Franklin’s Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. The four Spring Concert performances feature FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, as well as the FSPA Youth Choir, performing troupes, dance ensembles, Groovemasters percussion ensemble, Jazz Krewe, and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth.

Win Tickets to See IL DIVO in Concert!

(5/18/2012) The world's foremost classical crossover quartet IL DIVO is set to embark on its 2012 world tour, the group's fourth, which follows the release of the quartet's latest album, Wicked Game (on Syco/Columbia Records) and provides a new mark of achievement for the signature vocal blend and unique operatic arrangements which have captivated millions and launched a classical-crossover sensation. To celebrate the kick-off of this much-anticipated world tour, BroadwayWorld invites you to enter for a chance to WIN ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to see IL DIVO live in concert!

Jackie Hoffman, Noah Racey and More Join Berkshire Theatre Group's Summer Casts

(5/18/2012) Berkshire Theatre Group today announced its acting ensemble for the Summer of 2012 with a mixture of Berkshire Theatre Group alumni, newcomers, up and coming talent and seasoned professionals.

Complete Emerging America Festival Line-Up Announced: PIRATES OF PENZANCE, EXPERIMENT AMERICA and More

(5/18/2012) The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), Huntington Theatre Company, and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston today announced additional events and offerings as part of the third Emerging America— an annual festival featuring groundbreaking performance by American artists.

Spectrum Playhouse Continues Friday IMPROV NIGHTS with RBIT

(5/18/2012) Every Third Friday now through June, 2012, the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT) will perform an “Improv Comedy Night” at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA.

Varla Jean Merman Stars in THE MEDIUM at P-Town's Art House, Now thru 6/3

(5/18/2012) Varla Jean Merman aka Jeffery Roberson plays the title role in Menotti’s THE MEDIUM at The Art House directed by Donna Drake. Produced by Provincetown Counter Productions in association with Mark Cortale this production runs from tonight, May 18th – June 3rd. Elizabeth Hastings who has conducted for both New York City Opera and College Light Opera on Cape Cod will music direct. The cast also includes Stefanie Izzo as Monica, Edmund Bagnell as Toby, Shannon Carson as Mrs. Gobineau, Peter Kendall Clark as Mr. Gobineau and Maria Elena Armijo as Mrs. Nolan. This production is slated to transfer to the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre in NY for a limited engagement in the fall. For Art House tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com or call 508-487-9222.

Don Dinicola Hosts Post-Show Discussion of TEN BLOCKS ON THE CAMINO REAL, May 18

(5/18/2012) Don Dinicola, composer of the score for the production of Ten Blocks on the Camino Real, will be at the Charlestown Working Theater for a free, post-show discussion about his composing for live theater. He will be joined by director Davis Robinson, the musicians, and the cast. This presentation is made possible by a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts, and was originally scheduled for Friday, May 4th. The forum is free and open to the public. The forum will begin at 9:15, immediately after the 8pm performance.

BWW Review: WOODY SEZ Sings For You and Me

(5/16/2012) You don’t have to be an old folkie to appreciate the music and message in WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE at the A.R.T.’s Loeb Drama Center in Harvard Square. Four talented musicians sketch the life and times that were the foundation of Guthrie’s music and made him into an icon of the folk/protest culture. They are unamplified, but they put across Woody’s message loud and clear.

Company Theatre Presents MOMologues 3: THE FINAL PUSH Tonight, 5/16

(5/16/2012) Following in the footsteps of its two predecessors (The MOMologues and MOMologues 2: Off to School) creators Lisa Rafferty, Stefanie Cloutier and Sheila Eppolito have scheduled a benefit staged reading of MOMologues 3: The Final Push tonight, May 16, 7:30 pm, at The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell.

TAWNY, TELL ME TRUE to Premiere at the Crown & Anchor, 6/17

(5/15/2012) Following her holiday show in Provincetown last Christmas, and her debut at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City this past February, David Drake’s newest theatrical creation Tawny Heatherton will bring her blonde-swept brand of cheer back to the tip of the Cape for her very first summer-long engagement – with the premiere of TAWNY, TELL ME TRUE at the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, MA. With onstage musical direction by John Thomas, TAWNY, TELL ME TRUE opens June 17th and performs every Sunday at 10PM thru Sept 2nd in the Crown Cabaret Room of the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial Street. Tickets are $25, and can be obtained in-person at the box office, or online at www.onlyatthecrown.com. (Note: *No performance on July 8th.)

Don Dinicola Hosts Post-Show Discussion of TEN BLOCKS ON THE CAMINO REAL, May 18

(5/15/2012) Don Dinicola, composer of the score for the production of Ten Blocks on the Camino Real, will be at the Charlestown Working Theater for a free, post-show discussion about his composing for live theater. He will be joined by director Davis Robinson, the musicians, and the cast. This presentation is made possible by a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts, and was originally scheduled for Friday, May 4th. The forum is free and open to the public. The forum will begin at 9:15, immediately after the 8pm performance.

Pre-NY Tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL! Set for 6/13, Boston

(5/15/2012) Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.

STAGE TUBE: Elements Theatre Company's THE DINING ROOM - Rehearsal Footage

(5/15/2012) Check out this video of the Elements Theatre Company rehearsing "The Dining Room" by A.R. Gurney.

Cotuit Center for the Arts Holds 'FROG' Auditions, Today and 5/19

(5/15/2012) Theater Under The Stairs announces auditions for its original summer family show, "FROG: A Modern Fairy Tale," directed by Chris Compton and Holly Erin McCarthy.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Presents Spring Concert, 5/19

(5/14/2012) Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presents its annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Franklin’s Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. The four Spring Concert performances feature FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, as well as the FSPA Youth Choir, performing troupes, dance ensembles, Groovemasters percussion ensemble, Jazz Krewe, and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth.

Lorenzo Lamas, Anita Gillette et al. Lead Reagle Music Theatre's 44th Summer Season, 6/15-8/19

(5/14/2012) Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has announced major principal casting and creative team members for its 44th consecutive summer season, including Lorenzo Lamas, Anita Gillette, Rick Hilsabeck and Sarah Pfisterer.

BWW Review: Club Cafe Now Serving CUPCAKE: A NEW MUSICAL

(5/14/2012) Inspired by a headline in the Provincetown Banner, Boston-based trio collaborates on world premiere musical about a baker who sells his irresistible cupcakes on the streets of “Summertown,” his adoring customers, and the Keystone Cop who tracks his scent.

Austin Pendleton Directs Boston Midsummer Opera's DON PASQUALE, 7/25-29

(5/14/2012) For its seventh season Boston Midsummer Opera (BMO) presents the comic piece, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, playing at the Tsai Performance Center at Boston University for three performances only, July 25, 27, and 29. Obie Award winner/Tony Award nominee Austin Pendleton directs the fully staged and costumed production. Music director and nationally acclaimed conductor Susan Davenny Wyner leads the performances, which will be performed with orchestra and sung in English. Metropolitan Opera bass Ricardo Lugo will sing the role of Don Pasquale.

A.R.T. Extends WOODY SEZ Through 6/3

(5/14/2012) The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) today announced an one week extension to the run of Woody Sez, described as "a musical tapestry of the American folk hero’s life and songs," devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley, performed by David M. Lutken, Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell, and Andy Teirstein, directed by Nick Corley. Performances now will run through Saturday, June 3rd at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge.

Prometheus Dance Presents DESIDERARE Tonight, 5/13

(5/13/2012) Prometheus Dance presents Desiderare, choreographed by Diane Arvanites and Tommy Neblett Tonight, May 13 at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm). Tickets: $30 general admission, $25 students, seniors, BDA members; with cash bar. Oberon is the second stage of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), a destination for theater and nightlife on the fringe of Harvard Square. 2 Arrow Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Wheelchair accessible and conveniently located near the Harvard T Station on the Red Line.

Cotuit Center for the Arts Holds 'FROG' Auditions, 5/15 & 19

(5/12/2012) Theater Under The Stairs announces auditions for its original summer family show, "FROG: A Modern Fairy Tale," directed by Chris Compton and Holly Erin McCarthy.

RHYTHMIC CIRCUS Plays the Colonial Theatre Tonight, 5/12

(5/12/2012) Rhythmic Circus will astound audiences with their innovative tap dancing and musical prowess, leaving everyone dancing in the aisles! Catch this dance phenomenon tonight, May 12 at 8pm at The Colonial Theatre. Rhythmic Circus will be followed by an after party with DJ BFG and projections by Drew Suto.

Cotuit Center for the Arts Holds CABARET Auditions, 5/19 & 21

(5/11/2012) Director Kiley Donovan, Music Director Glenn Starner-Tate, and Choreographer Pam Wills will be holding auditions for this summer's production of CABARET at Cotuit Center for the Arts, running August 2 to 26 from Thursday to Sunday.

BWW TV Seattle Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of Kristin Chenoweth on Tour!

(5/11/2012) BroadwayWorld Seattle was granted EXCLUSIVE access to Kristin Chenoweth's debut performance of her new (and first ever) tour, which opened in Seattle on Wednesday night ... and received a whopping NINE standing ovations for a show unlike we had ever seen.

Tyne Daly, Brandon Victor Dixon, Amy Spanger and More Join Williamstown Theatre Festival Casts

(5/11/2012) Williamstown Theatre Festival Artistic Director Jenny Gersten has announced additional casting for the 2012 Summer Season. A host of Williamstown Theatre Fesival veterans and talented newcomers including Becky Ann Baker, Marylouise Burke, Tyne Daly, Brandon Victor Dixon, Alison Fraser, Heather Lind, Amy Spanger, Jeremy Strong, Lili Taylor and many more, will take the stage during the Festival’s 58th Season.

Lorna Luft Unable to Continue in NMST's HELLO, DOLLY!; Jacquelyn Piro Donovan Steps In

(5/11/2012) Due to a severe back injury, Ms. Lorna Luft will be unable to play the role of Dolly Levi in the award-winning North Shore Theatre (NSMT) production of HELLO, DOLLY! scheduled to open Tuesday, June 12, and play through Sunday, June 24. Press night is scheduled for June 13 at 7:30pm.

ImprovBoston Presents CAMP, Now thru 6/22

(5/11/2012) ImprovBoston presents Camp, an improvised summer comedy that follows a cast of “campers,” played by ImprovBoston’s comedians, through their adventures at an eight-week summer camp set in the year 1994. Camp runs Fridays at 10pm from tonight, May 11th through June 22nd. Tickets cost $14-$18. The show will run at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect Street, Cambridge. Tickets cost $12-$16 and are available online at www.improvboston.com.

SpeakEasy Stage Company Presents XANADU, Now thru 6/9

(5/11/2012) SpeakEasy Stage presents the Boston Premiere of the hit Broadway musical comedy XANADU. This acclaimed show will be the company’s 100th production and opens tonight, May 11.

BWW Review: OPENING NIGHT AT POPS WITH BERNADETTE PETERS

(5/10/2012) The Boston Pops Orchestra, Keith Lockhart Conducting: Opening Night with Guest Artists Maggie Scott, Michael Chertock, Bernadette Peters; Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Symphony Hall.

BWW Review: New Rep Seeks Blood Donors for Audrey II

(5/10/2012) LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the third longest-running show in off-Broadway history, has been extended through May 27 at the Charles Mosesian Theater in Watertown. Like the nefarious, carnivorous plant at the center of its story, LITTLE SHOP is on a long, deliberate path to conquer the world…of stage and screen. Director/choreographer Russell Garrett and his team of designers have crafted a production that is visually and technically spot on, with Musical Direction by Todd C. Gordon and a cast that is vocally up to the task.

Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival to Announce 2012 Program at WINE WILLIAMS AND SONG Gala Dinner June 2

(5/10/2012) The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival will announce the program for this year’s theme, Tennessee Williams and Music, at its first gala fundraising dinner on June 2, 2012. Guests will be treated to a sneak preview of one of this year’s productions, “Autumn Song,” an exclusive auction and art exhibition of white-line woodcuts by Bill Evaul, and a special appearance by entertainer Zoe Lewis.

Beau Jest Moving Theatre Presents Tennessee Williams’ TEN BLOCKS ON THE CAMINO REAL, Now thru 5/20

(5/10/2012) The award-­winning Beau Jest Moving Theatre returns to the Charlestown Working Theater with their original interpretation of the rarely seen fantasy TEN BLOCKS ON THE CAMINO REAL.

Company Theatre Presents MOMologues 3: THE FINAL PUSH, 5/16

(5/8/2012) Following in the footsteps of its two predecessors (The MOMologues and MOMologues 2: Off to School) creators Lisa Rafferty, Stefanie Cloutier and Sheila Eppolito have scheduled a benefit staged reading of MOMologues 3: The Final Push on Wednesday, May 16, 7:30 pm, at The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell.

American Repertory Theater to Hold WILDSTYLE Benefit, 5/17

(5/8/2012) The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will hold a Dance Party Fundraiser, Wildstyle, to be held on Thursday, May 17 at OBERON, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge.

Barrington Stage Presents Duncan Macmillan's LUNGS, 5/23-6/10

(5/8/2012) Barrington Stage Company will present the New England premiere of British playwright’s Duncan Macmillan’s acclaimed new drama Lungs. Lungs opens the newly named St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) from May 23 through June 10, and the press opening is Sunday, May 27 at 3pm. St. Germain Stage is located on the upper level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

Photo Flash: Beth Leavel & Tony Mansker at The Franklin Performing Arts Company Gala

(5/8/2012) Franklin Performing Arts Company’s May 5 Gala 2012 event at the Gillette Stadium featured Broadway headliners Beth Leavel and Tony Mansker. Check out the photos of AN EVENING WITH THE STARS below.

Huntington Theatre Company’s THE LUCK OF THE IRISH Breaks Records

(5/7/2012) The Huntington Theatre Company’s production of Huntington Playwriting Fellow Kirsten Greenidge’s The Luck of the Irish closed yesterday as the highest grossing and attended Huntington world premiere at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA since the fall of 2004. The Luck of the Irish played for a total of 41 performances from March 29 through May 6, including a one-week extension due to popular demand that was announced on April 13. Ticket demand for The Luck of the Irish was so high that an advanced waiting list was introduced in April and final extension performances were sold out.

BWW Review: David Sedaris Dishes on Owls, Monkeys, and Colonoscopies at Celebrity Series

(5/7/2012) The venerable Symphony Hall stage served as ground zero for the humor of David Sedaris as part of the Celebrity Series of Boston on Sunday. Socialized medicine, taxidermy, matchmaking, and foreign idiosyncrasies were only a few of the topics covered in his wide-ranging, hilarious essays.