Gabriel Mangiante News

On April 16, 2012, Signature Theatre will honor the celebrated Tony Award-winning actress Patti LuPone with the company's third Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy.

Signature Theatre once again mounts a World Premiere musical with success. You'll have a rockin' good time.

The story of the controversial 'Mad Monk,' Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is now the subject of the new rock musical Brother Russia, which is making its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre. The new musical features Music by Dana Rowe and Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey - the award-winning creators behind The Fix (1998) and The Witches of Eastwick (2007). Check out performance highlighs below!

The story of the controversial 'Mad Monk,' Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is now the subject of the new rock musical Brother Russia, which makes its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre. The new musical features Music by Dana Rowe and Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey - the award-winning creators behind The Fix (1998) and The Witches of Eastwick (2007). Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, the production will star John Lescault (Signature's Art and The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as the infamous and enigmatic Rasputin, Natascia Diaz (Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature, and Savage in Limbo at MetroStage), Doug Kreeger (Signature's The Visit), Amy McWilliams (Signature's The Witches of Eastwick and Urinetown), and Tracy Lynn Olivera (Les Misérables and Merrily We Roll Along at Signature). Erin Driscoll, Stephen Gregory Smith, Rachel Zampelli, Russell Sunday, Kevin McAllister, and Christopher Mueller round out the cast for this world premiere event. Brother Russia will play at Signature's MAX Theatre from March 6, 2012 through April 15, 2012. Tickets are now on sale. Check out production shots below!

The story of the controversial "Mad Monk," Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is now the subject of the new rock musical Brother Russia, which makes its world premiere at the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre. The new musical features Music by Dana Rowe and Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey - the award-winning creators behind The Fix (1998) and The Witches of Eastwick (2007). Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, the production will star John Lescault (Signature's Art and The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as the infamous and enigmatic Rasputin, Natascia Diaz (Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature, and Savage in Limbo at MetroStage), Doug Kreeger (Signature's The Visit), Amy McWilliams (Signature's The Witches of Eastwick and Urinetown), and Tracy Lynn Olivera (Les Miserables and Merrily We Roll Along at Signature). Erin Driscoll, Stephen Gregory Smith, Rachel Zampelli, Russell Sunday, Kevin McAllister, and Christopher Mueller round out the cast for this world premiere event. Brother Russia will play at Signature's MAX Theatre from March 6, 2012 through April 15, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.

Signature Theatre today announced that the run of Hairspray will be extended for one week, through February 5th.

Signature Theatre today announced that the run of Hairspray will be extended for one week, through February 5th.

It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away! The 1960's are coming back to Washington as the Broadway sensation Hairspray will begin performances at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre on November 21st - just in time for the holidays. Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, the production will star national radio host Robert Aubry Davis (WETA's 'Around Town' and Sirius/XM Radio), making his musical theater stage debut in the iconic role of Edna Turnblad. The impressive cast of DC favorites is headlined by Carolyn Cole (Tracy Turnblad), Nova Y. Payton (Motormouth Mable), Sherri L. Edelen (Velma Von Tussle), PatRick Thomas Cragin (Link Larkin), and Harry A. Winter (Wilbur Turnblad). Hairspray will play at Signature's MAX Theatre through January 29, 2012. Check out highlights from the show below!

Break out the tinsel, pour the eggnog, and light up the yule log! The holiday season is here and that means Signature Theatre will be hosting its annual holiday celebration, Holiday Follies from December 13th - December 23rd.

Break out the tinsel, pour the eggnog, and light up the yule log! The holiday season is here and that means Signature Theatre will be hosting its annual holiday celebration, Holiday Follies from December 13th - December 23rd.

November has over 60 more openings in the professional, community, universities, and children's theaters in the DC/MD/VA area. A week has already passed in November and over 20 new productions have opened. To read reviews of these shows, go to Maryland Theatre Guide, where I am the Editor and a columnist. A recent back surgery kept me from posting this earlier, so we have some catching up to do.

It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away! The 1960's are coming back to Washington as the Broadway sensation Hairspray will begin performances at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre on November 21st - just in time for the holidays. Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, the production will star national radio host Robert Aubry Davis (WETA's 'Around Town' and Sirius/XM Radio), making his musical theater stage debut in the iconic role of Edna Turnblad. The impressive cast of DC favorites is headlined by Carolyn Cole (Tracy Turnblad), Nova Y. Payton (Motormouth Mable), Sherri L. Edelen (Velma Von Tussle), Patrick Thomas Cragin (Link Larkin), and Harry A. Winter (Wilbur Turnblad). Hairspray will play at Signature's MAX Theatre from November 21, 2011 through January 29, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.

Two Word Premiere Musicals in Rotating Repertory

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre fittingly wraps up its 2011-2012 season by paying tribute to their 'signature' composer Stephen Sondheim, with Side by Side by Sondheim, the renowned musical revue celebrating the early works of America's leading composer.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre fittingly wraps up its 2011-2012 season by paying tribute to their 'signature' composer Stephen Sondheim, with Side by Side by Sondheim, the renowned musical revue celebrating the early works of America's leading composer. Signature's Resident Director Matthew Gardiner directs and choreographs Broadway stars Nancy Anderson (Wonderful Town, A Class Act) and Matthew Scott (Sondheim on Sondheim, Jersey Boys, Signature's Ace), along with Helen Hayes Award-winner and Signature favorite Sherri L. Edelen (Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Side Show ). Musical Director Jon Kalbfleisch (Sunset Boulevard, Show Boat, Les Miserables at Signature) and Associate Musical Director Gabriel Mangiante (Signature's [title of show] and Dirty Blonde) round out the cast and will accompany the trio on pianos.

The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre fittingly wraps up its 2011-2012 season by paying tribute to their "signature" composer Stephen Sondheim, with Side by Side by Sondheim, the renowned musical revue celebrating the early works of America's leading composer.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre fittingly wraps up its 2011-2012 season by paying tribute to their 'signature' composer Stephen Sondheim, with Side by Side by Sondheim, the renowned musical revue celebrating the early works of America's leading composer. Signature's Resident Director Matthew Gardiner directs and choreographs Broadway stars Nancy Anderson (Wonderful Town, A Class Act) and Matthew Scott (Sondheim on Sondheim, Jersey Boys, Signature's Ace), along with Helen Hayes Award-winner and Signature favorite Sherri L. Edelen (Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Side Show ). Musical Director Jon Kalbfleisch (Sunset Boulevard, Show Boat, Les Miserables at Signature) and Associate Musical Director Gabriel Mangiante (Signature's [title of show] and Dirty Blonde) round out the cast and will accompany the trio on pianos.

Director Eric Schaeffer's restaging is first major American production in 20 years.

Signature Theatre, winner of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the Washington premiere of the hit musical comedy [title of show], winner of three Obie Awards and a Tony nomination.

Signature Theatre, winner of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the Washington premiere of the hit musical comedy [title of show], winner of three Obie Awards and a Tony nomination. A zany take on two friends' decision to write a musical, [title of show] runs through June 27 in Signature's remarkably intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre.