Gwen Stewart News

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) closes it's season with the Tony Award-winning musical, THE WIZ, playing August 10 - August 27 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. THE WIZ brings a mix of soul, rock and gospel music to Brunswick and a twist on L. Frank Baum's iconic story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) closes it's season with the Tony Award-winning musical, THE WIZ, playing August 10 - August 27 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. THE WIZ brings a mix of soul, rock and gospel music to Brunswick and a twist on L. Frank Baum's iconic story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' MSMT alumni Donna Drake directs this production, with choreography by Mark Stuart, and starring multiple Broadway veterans: Gwen Stewart, LaQuet Sharnell, Eric B. Anthony, E. Clayton Cornelious, Nikkeili DeMone, Bobby Daye and Gayle Turner.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) closes it's season with the Tony Award-winning musical, THE WIZ, playing August 10 - August 27 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. THE WIZ brings a mix of soul, rock and gospel music to Brunswick and a twist on L. Frank Baum's iconic story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) closes it's season with the Tony Award-winning musical, THE WIZ, playing August 10 - August 27 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. THE WIZ brings a mix of soul, rock and gospel music to Brunswick and a twist on L. Frank Baum's iconic story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

Presented by The Royal Underground Theatre Company, RENT has been extended through May 21 at Hudson Backstage Theatre - 6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90038. Directed by Jerianne Banson, featuring Jason Aaronson, Kate Alden, Benjamin Alicea, Enrico Banson, Barry Brisco, Deosick Burney, Valerie Charles, Cy Creamer, Nathan Crocker, Ali Eagle, Jason Esposito, Leigh Golden, Amelia Harris, Timothy Hearl, Rashonda Johnson, Matt Pick, Charlie Rayshad, Jepoy Ramos, Tiffany Van Cott, and Ana Villafane.

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick presented Rebuild Japan: A Benefit Concert at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm. Proceeds support the American Red Cross and its efforts to assist overseas as Japan begins to rebuild. Check out highlights from the show below!

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick presented Rebuild Japan: A Benefit Concert at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm. Proceeds support the American Red Cross and its efforts to assist overseas as Japan begins to rebuild.

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick presented Rebuild Japan: A Benefit Concert at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm. Proceeds support the American Red Cross and its efforts to assist overseas as Japan begins to rebuild.

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced Rebuild Japan: A Benefit Concert at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm.

Musical Theatre West presents the world premiere of Roger Bean's groovy new musical SUMMER OF LOVE at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. SUMMER OF LOVE runs April 2 through April 17, 2011. The show's creator and writer, Roger Bean directs.

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced Rebuild Japan: A Benefit Concert at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm.

Based on Puccini's 'La Boheme', Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning revolutionary rock opera ‘Rent' tells the story of one year in the life of eight friends living the Bohemian life struggling to express themselves through their art and 'measuring their lives in love.' Against the gritty backdrop of New York's East Village, these friends strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.

Royal Underground/Jerica Productions spearheaded by brother and sister duo Jerianne and Enrico Banson, who mounted the Regional Premiere of RENT in San Francisco, has taken the musical to Los Angeles for the first time. Many RENT fans have credited their rendition as the best regional version paying homage to the iconic original Broadway production while finding new creative staging. So much so, that their production has earn nominations for BroadwayWorld.com's San Francisco Fan Choice Theatre Awards for 2010, earning a Best Leading Actor nomination for Enrico Banson as Roger, and Adrienne Fraser for Best Scenic Design. Both are back for the Hollywood production and coincidentally enough, Jason Aaronson who will play Mark opposite Enrico Banson's Roger is also nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance of the West Coast Premiere of Glory Days.

Musical Theatre West won top musical direction honors for its 2010 production of Sweeney Todd. John Glaudini took the prize for Best Musical Direction on the evening of January 17th at the Annual LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for the 2009-2010 awards season.

BroadwayWorld TV was bigger than ever in 2010, covering the world of theatre from GLEE to the Hollywood Bowl to Broadway to London and Beyond! Take a look back at some of 2010's most watched videos!

Casting has been announced for Centerstage's revival of the musical THE WIZ, which will open on September 29 and run through November 7. The production will be directed by Irene Lewis, with choreography by Willie Rosario and musical direction by Eric Svejcar.

The cast has been selected, the designers are prepping, the shops are buzzing, and rehearsals start this week for The Wiz! This highly anticipated production of a beloved Broadway original will feature some familiar faces, recognizable voices, and several local talents-all under the direction of Artistic Director Irene Lewis, working with musical director Eric Svejcar, and choreographer Willie Rosario.

It is official: The Wiz is a smash hit in Baltimore. CENTERSTAGE announces that as of this week and with 13 performances to go, Dorothy and her friends have "eased on down the road" past previous top seller Ain't Misbehavin', which came in at just over $310,000.

Irene Lewis Initiates Her Last Season as Artistic Director with a Blockbuster Musical

Casting has been announced for Centerstage's revival of the musical THE WIZ, which will open on September 29 and run through November 7. The production will be directed by Irene Lewis, with choreography by Willie Rosario and musical direction by Eric Svejcar.