Lauren Kennedy News

RAGTIME is a musical that is as relevant now as it was in 1998 when it premiered and the production currently on at PlayMakers Repertory Company makes that abundantly clear. While the show might be set in the state of New York in 1906, it makes statements about immigration, race relations, corrupt justice, and women's rights that continue to ring true today. Director Zi Alikhan stages the show as you've never seen before, cutting away the period clothing and elaborate setting to focus on its brilliant music and lyrics and the poignant themes it explores. The new 360 degree theatre layout puts the audience firmly into the action, letting them get even closer to the characters than in a normal show. 

 PlayMakers Repertory Company presents Zi Alikhan's innovative staging of Ragtime, the musical by Terrance McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens. Ragtime stars Hamilton's Fergie L. Philippe and Theatre Raleigh's Lauren Kennedy and began previews last night (Nov 20). With press opening on Saturday, November 23 at 8:00pm, the show runs through December 15.

Theatre Raleigh presents their annual holiday tradition, Oh What A (Holy) Night! This Christmas cabaret will ease you into the holiday season with a talented and professional cast of actors, singers, dancers and musicians from both local and national stages. The show will feature some of their favorite performers in this seasonal twist of the Theatre Raleigh acclaimed Broadway concert Oh What a Night!

When you open a program to find a page recommending ways that people can take action after seeing a musical (like registering to vote and supporting groups like the ACLU), you know that you're going to see something special. Theatre Raleigh's last show of their 2019 Summer Season, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, is a daring musical about the Scottsboro Boys trials in the 1930s in Alabama. It has a company of all African-American performers, except one, and takes inspiration from minstrel shows. The show is directed and brilliantly choreographed by Gerry McIntyre who manages to make it very impactful, without feeling overdone.

Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices, announced details of the acclaimed ensemble's 78th season, celebrating the joy of choral singing and the power of the human voice to unite, inspire and connect since 1941. Highlights include three major musical presentations at top venues, including a New York premiere, and the World Premiere of a new work, commissioned by the Company. Throughout the season there will be collaborations with leading singers, artists, ensembles and organizations, some who are familiar with and others who are new to the Company.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature JOSEPH on Broadway, Lea Salonga in SWEENEY TODD, FROZEN Tour First Look and More!

There are some musicals that it's difficult to imagine someone could watch without their heart being touched. Theatre Raleigh's production of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, directed by their Artistic Director Lauren Kennedy Brady, is certainly one of those pieces. Based on the novel of the same name, it's a story of family and isolation, love and romance, and wondering if you were meant for more than the life you're leading. With gorgeous music by Jason Robert Brown, this heart-wrenching show is sure to connect with audiences.

Theatre Raleigh presents the next show in its 2019 Summer Series, The Bridges of Madison County. Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller and winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations, you don't want to miss this sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross.   

Jason Robert Brown has been hailed as one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters. In fact, The Chicago Tribune referred to his work as 'extraordinary, jubilant theater music.' But Brown, who wrote the book and score for THE LAST FIVE YEARS and the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, as well as the music and lyrics for PARADE for which he won the 1999 Tony Award, isn't one to pontificate. In fact, he says, it's all about looking ahead. 'I think I'm just running forward,' he says. 'There's more work to do.'

Portland Stage presents The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown April 30 through May 19. This hit musical by Tony Award-winning lyricist Jason Robert Brown deconstructs a love affair and marriage between an aspiring novelist and a struggling actress over five years. Told almost entirely through song, this piece moves backward and forward through time weaving the beginning and end of a love affair.

Theatre Raleigh presents the first show in its 2019 Summer Series, Beehive: the 60's musical . Beehive is the ultimate celebration of 1960's female empowerment, all accomplished by a vast array of the most celebrated and memorable songs of the era.

Based on the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is set on a Greek Island where a young woman named Sophie Sheridan is about to get married, and she wants her birth father to give her away. Yet, she has no idea who it is, so she invites three men who were romantically involved with her mother 20 years ago to the wedding. When they arrive to the island, Sophie's mother, Donna Sheridan, is brought back memories of love and heartbreak.

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce Broadway star and Raleigh native Lauren Kennedy will star in the February production of Mamma Mia!. Directing the musical, playing February 12-17 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, is another North Carolina native, NC Theatre's new producing artistic director, Eric Woodall.

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce casting for its upcoming production of Mamma Mia!, playing February 12-17 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce Broadway star and Raleigh native Lauren Kennedy will star in the February production of Mamma Mia!. Directing the musical, playing February 12-17 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, is another North Carolina native, NC Theatre's new producing artistic director, Eric Woodall.

An energetic Piano Men concert opens the new 200-seat downtown Lancaster theater with free on-site parking.

Delaware Theatre Company is pleased to announce the complete cast for A Sign of the Times, a new musical featuring the songs of Petula Clark and multiple hit-makers of the 1960s.

SALT Performing Arts presents  the Tony Award winning CATS, based on T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats  with a  magnificent musical score composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber.