A. J. Shively News

Follow along on our Instagram story as Irish Repertory Theatre actors AJ Shively and David McElwee take you behind the scenes of Philadelphia, Here I Come!

Classic Stage Company's A Man Of No Importance officially opened on Sunday, October 30. The cast of A Man Of No Importance includes four-time Emmy winner Jim Parsons and two-time Emmy winner and Tony nominee Mare Winningham as siblings Alfie and Lily Byrne, respectively, and more. Read all of the reviews for A Man of No Importance here!

New York City. 1863. The Civil War raged on. An extraordinary thing occurred amid the dangerous streets and crumbling tenement houses of the Five Points, the notorious 19th-century Lower Manhattan slum. For many years, Irish immigrants escaping the devastation of the Great Famine settled alongside free-born Black Americans and those who escaped slavery, arriving by means of the Underground Railroad. The Irish, relegated at that time to the lowest rung of America's social status, received a sympathetic welcome from their Black neighbors (who enjoyed only slightly better treatment in the burgeoning industrial-era city). The two communities co-existed, intermarried, raised families, and shared their cultures in this unlikeliest of neighborhoods.

McCarter Theatre Center is proud to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, directed by Adam Immerwahr. This family-friendly production runs December 10 - 29 in the Matthews Theatre. A popular annual event for families all across the region, McCarter Theatre Center's production of Charles Dickens' timeless story brings a tale of memory and redemption beyond the stage and out into the aisles and lobbies.

Gingold Theatrical Group continues the 14th Season of Project Shaw, Art as Activism: A Theatrical Survival Guide, a special series of evenings of plays that embrace human rights and free speech. All of GTG's programming, inspired by the works of George Bernard Shaw, are designed to provoke peaceful discussion and activism.

Steve Martin's and Edie Brickell's Bright Star played Broadway in 2016, garnering a Tony nomination for Carmen Cusack. The show fared somewhat well, but did not seem to be an overall critics' choice. On the minus side, it is an all too familiar story about a backwoods pregnant girl and parental abuse in the 1920s, with far-fetched resolutions and a sweet, but for many, saccharine ending. In spite of this, I was delighted with the bluegrass music by Martin and Brickell, with Walter Bobbie's fluid staging and with the performances. It's most definitely uplifting and an entertaining evening at the Ahmanson through November 19.

Prospect Theater Company in association with Amas Musical Theatre will present a one-night-only concert presentation of Bridges: A New Musical on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 8pm at The TimesCenter.

Gingold Theatrical Group's Project Shaw, under the leadership of Artistic Director David Staller, kicked off its 12th Season when it presented its 120th concert presentation with Shaw's 1893 comedy Mrs. Warren's Profession on Monday, January 16 at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre (2537 Broadway at 95th Street). Scroll down for photos!

A.J. Shively, currently starring in the new Broadway musical BRIGHT STAR by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, honored Craig and Karen Munk with his performance of “Your Passion.'

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Tony-nominated composer Jeff Blumenkrantz, who was joined by his Bright Star cast mates to perform an evening of his original songs. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Bright Star Sings Jeff Blumenkrantz; The Legend of New York By Salzman & Cunningham Featuring Santino Fontana & Laura Osnes; Donna McKechnie: A Visit with Kander & Ebb; 54 Celebrates The Colonial Theatre; and The Girls in White: Songs from the Show.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 18-24, featuring Yellowjackets, Bright Star Sings Jeff Blumenkrantz, Arturo O'Farrill, and more!

Jane Austen's love story between proud Mr. Darcy and prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet receives a lively adaption at Center Stage.

What I found so utterly engaging about the world premiere of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's new musical BRIGHT STAR is its complete unpretentiousness. Certainly its musical style --American bluegrass with a heaping helping of laid back mountain charm -- has the kind of lilting homespun ease that makes you feel like you're listening to the neighborhood jug band on mama's back porch, and there's something oddly comforting about that.

There will be special presentations of Easter Mysteries a theatrical oratorio for a modern audience by John O'Boyle this Friday &Saturday, April 11 & 12 at 8pm; and on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 7pm at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, 263 West 86th Street (at West End Ave.) NYC.

It was announced today that Michael Scott (110 in the Shade, Follies), Trisha Rapier (Sister Act, The Boy From Oz), Chelsie Nectow, and Eileen Aurelia have joined the cast of Easter Mysteries.

It was announced today that Ken Robinson (Memphis, Baby It's You), Ali Ewoldt (Les Miserables), and Mark Campbell (Mama Mia) will lead in Easter Mysteries. Joining them are J. B. Adams (Far From Heaven, Parade), Michael Andrako (Fiddler on the Roof), Eileen Aurelia, Stella Boonshoft, A. J. Cedeno, Sarah Charles, Alma Cuervo (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Caberet), Michael Deleget (Goodspeed's The Most Happy Fella), Jazmin Gorsline (My Fair Lady), Jessica Kahkoska, Laura Kaldis, Paul Louis Lessard, Michael Pesce, Spencer Plachy (Romeo and Juliet, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), A. J. Shively (La Cage aux Folles), Tony-nominee Walter Willison (Two by Two, Pippin). The performances are set for church of St. Paul and St. Andrew on April 11-12 at 8:00pm, and April 13 at 7:00pm.

This holiday season, Center Stage brings to Baltimore a new holiday classic for the entire family with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel's A Civil War Christmas. Casting has just been announced for this production, led by director Rebecca Taichman and choreographer Liz Lerman.

William Blake (Echoes of Etta, The Who's Tommy, The Rocky Horror Show), John Duff (Bayside! The Musical!, Rent), Billboard recording artist and three-time Showtime at the Apollo winner Matt Cusson, Capathia Jenkins (Newsies, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Caroline, or Change, Godspell, The Civil War), Leslie McDonel (American Idiot, Hairspray), N'Kenge (Motown The Musical, The Michael Jackson World Tour Tribute), Sondheim on Sondheim), Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (A Time To Kill, Carole, or Change, Radio Golf, The Wild Party, Jelly's Last Jam, Play On!), two-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw(Motown The Musical), A. J. Shively (La Cage Aux Folles, Unlock'd, February House) Rachel Valdati (My Big Gay Italian Wedding) and American Idol Top 10 Finalist Erika Van Pelt will sing songs from the Michael Jackson catalog at The Pop Show Presents…Michael Jackson! on Monday, September 16, 2013 at Birdland Jazz Club.

Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW presented Bernard Shaw's cocktail comedy, ON THE ROCKS, at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the event below!