Al Tapper News

Algonquin Theater Productions and Jason Hewitt have announced Broadway actors Lindsay Nicole Chambers (Lysistrata Jones, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Mel Johnson Jr. (Jekyll & Hyde, Hot Feet, The Lion King, Big Deal, The Rink, Eubie!, On the Twentieth Century), and James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors) have joined the cast of the world premiere of ON THE RAILS, a new musical with book by Tony Sportiello (Second Chance, National Pastime), music and lyrics by Al Tapper (Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle), arrangements and musical direction by David Wolfson, and directed by Misti B. Wills (In Search of Euphoria).

ALGONQUIN THEATER PRODUCTIONS and JASON HEWITT proudly present the world premiere of On the Rails, a new musical with book by Tony Sportiello (Second Chance, National Pastime), music and lyrics by Al Tapper (Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle), arrangements and musical direction by David Wolfson, and directed by Misti B. Wills (In Search of Euphoria).

Three musicals and two plays - along with the return of the 2nd OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN FESTIVAL for lyricists - will comprise the historic BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE's 76th anniversary season in New Hope, Pa. starting in April, it has been announced by the Playhouse's producing team of Tony Award-winning producers, Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Josh Fiedler.

Al Tapper, composer of the Off Broadway shows Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle and National Pastime, has won a highly prestigious Peabody Award for his documentary Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy. Tapper produced the 90 minute show for WNET. The Peabody Award celebrates excellence in broadcasting. Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy is the first documentary film to explore the phenomenal relationship that Broadway has had with Jewish Americans. From George Gershwin to Irving Berlin to Kander and Ebb to Stephen Sondheim, the Broadway musical has been dominated by Jewish writers and composers.

Producer Jason Hewitt has announced the Phoenix opening of National Pastime, an original baseball musical comedy by Tony Sportiello and Al Tapper, starting today, March 7th and running through March 30th. The show, which originated at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater in Manhattan, has already had productions in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Producer Jason Hewitt has announced the Phoenix opening of National Pastime, an original baseball musical comedy by Tony Sportiello and Al Tapper, starting March 7th and running through March 30th. The show, which originated at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater in Manhattan, has already had productions in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Producer Jason Hewitt is pleased to announce the Phoenix opening of National Pastime, an original baseball musical comedy by Tony Sportiello and Al Tapper, starting March 7th and running through March 30th. The show, which originated at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater in Manhattan, has already had productions in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, a 350-seat theater operating for more than 90 years in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has announced that it is mounting the musical 'National Pastime' for its 2013/2014 season. The show, written by Tony Sportiello with music and lyrics by Al Tapper, is scheduled to come to New York as a Broadway production in 2014.

There are times when audiences would much rather see a carefree, lighthearted show rather than something thought provoking and profound, and that's exactly what National Pastime, a new Broadway-bound musical offers. While the show may need a few rewrites before it gets to the Great White Way, it's already a solid and enjoyable valentine to musicals from days gone by.

National Pastime, the baseball-themed new musical that recently played Off-Broadway, is planning an Arizona production at Peoria Theatre Works in March of 2014 prior to returning to New York, according to producer Jason Hewitt. This is the third upcoming production of the musical scheduled for regional theaters. Austin Theatre Works in Texas will mount the show in September of 2013 and the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania will run it in October of 2013. The production, with music and lyrics by Al Tapper and book by Tony Sportiello, debuted at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, and was subsequently presented at the Keegan Theater in Washington D.C. in spring 2011. It ran for a limited engagement at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in August of 2012. The goal is to come back to New York for a Broadway run in 2014.

Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, a 350-seat theater operating for more than 90 years in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has announced that it is mounting the musical 'National Pastime' for its 2013/2014 season. The show, written by Tony Sportiello with music and lyrics by Al Tapper, is scheduled to come to New York as a Broadway production in 2014.

Algonquin Productions and Austin Theatre Project have announced that the producers of the Broadway-bound musical National Pastime have awarded the Austin-based theatre company a workshop production of their work. Artistic Director David Blackburn says, "We have always felt the Austin theatre community has an incredible level of talent and we are both humbled and thrilled to have been selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

With baseball season in full swing, NATIONAL PASTIME, a new screwball musical comedy, makes its New York debut, beginning performances Off-Broadway tonight, August 8, 2012 ,at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons in Manhattan (416 West 42nd Street). Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

With baseball season in full swing, NATIONAL PASTIME, a new screwball musical comedy, makes its New York debut, beginning performances Off-Broadway tonight, August 8, 2012 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons in Manhattan (416 West 42nd Street).

With baseball season in full swing, NATIONAL PASTIME, a new screwball musical comedy, will make its New York debut, beginning performances Off-Broadway on August 8, 2012 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons in Manhattan (416 West 42nd Street).

With baseball season in full swing, NATIONAL PASTIME, a new screwball musical comedy, will make its New York debut, beginning performances Off-Broadway on August 8, 2012 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons in Manhattan (416 West 42nd Street).

When the aspiring Broadway bound musical NATIONAL PASTIME opens at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, it will have baseball memorabilia decorating the lobby.