Michael Peters News

The New Colony launches its 2017 Season with the fantasy adventure PSYCHONAUT LIBRARIANS by Sean Kelly, directed by Krissy Vanderwarker, playing January 11 - February 12, 2017 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

Atari! Pong! Space Invaders! The New Colony will conclude its 2016 Season with the world premiere comedy MERGE, a fast-paced, heartfelt and uproarious journey inside the burgeoning 1970s video game industry. Written by Spenser Davis and directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, MERGE will play October 8 - November 13, 2016 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 22 at www.thenewcolony.org.  

Atari! Pong! Space Invaders! The New Colony concludes its 2016 Season with the world premiere comedy MERGE, a fast-paced, heartfelt and uproarious journey inside the burgeoning 1970s video game industry. Written by Spenser Davis and directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, MERGE plays now through November 13, 2016 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The press opening is tonight, October 11 at 7:30 pm, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Amber Riley dropped in on The Graham Norton Show this week in support of her upcoming West End turn as Effie White in the first ever UK production of the 1980's classic musical, Dreamgirls. Watch the video below to catch one of the first glimpses of the production as Ms. Riley slays the iconic ballad, 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going'.

Check out the brand new artwork for the UK's first ever West End production of the musical theatre classic, Dreamgirls. In the picture. the show's stars, including Glee star, Amber Riley strike a pose in gold gowns and 60's style up do's. 

There's not much one can say when you look at the resume of Ben Vereen. I have to admit I thought the email to interview Mr. Vereen was a hoax or a vile trick someone was playing on me. Now the reason I say this is because he is one of my idols and reasons I studied musical theatre in college and left to go to NYC to work professionally. We are familiar with his work with Bob Fosse as the Leading Player in PIPPIN and as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR but Mr. Vereen still continues to give us the ole razzle dazzle on the stage and on the screen. He's starred in 9 Broadway shows, has received the coveted Antionette Perry Award (The Tony), a Drama Desk Award, and a Prism Award. Nominated for an NAACP Image Award, starred in 30 plus movies and television shows, and has a huge crossover career. Ben Vereen hit the scene in Martha Graham's PRODIGAL SON in 1965 and he's been working ever since. I had the esteemed pleasure to sit and talk about his illustrious career and the current projects he's working on currently.

Atari! Pong! Space Invaders! The New Colony will conclude its 2016 Season with the world premiere comedy MERGE, a fast-paced, heartfelt and uproarious journey inside the burgeoning 1970s video game industry. Written by Spenser Davis and directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, MERGE will play October 8 - November 13, 2016 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 22 at www.thenewcolony.org.  

Evelyn must follow her dreams ... by leaving her family. Come down for some hot times with THE JOINT at Theatre for The New City's Dream Up Festival this September.

Evelyn must follow her dreams ... by leaving her family. Come down for some hot times with THE JOINT at Theatre for The New City's Dream Up Festival this September.

Atari! Pong! Space Invaders! The New Colony will conclude its 2016 Season with the world premiere comedy MERGE, a fast-paced, heartfelt and uproarious journey inside the burgeoning 1970s video game industry. Written by Spenser Davis and directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, MERGE will play October 8 - November 13, 2016 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 22 at www.thenewcolony.org.  

The Daily Mail has reported that actress Lily Frazer will be joining the cast of Casey Nicholaw's upcoming premiere UK production of Harry Krieger and Tom Eyen's, Dreamgirls.

Legendary lyricist Tim Rice's new musical, From Here to Eternity, is currently playing at Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse through July 20. Based off the 1951 novel of the same name by James Jones, the show tells the story of a group of U.S. Army soldiers during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. From Here to Eternity, as Rice tells us via a phone interview, is much different than some of his past musicals including The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. 'It's not like Aladdin or The Lion King,' he explains. 'The material is very different and more mature than those shows. It's a very complex story. There is a lot going on in it but that is what makes it such a beautiful show.'

A full house of children and adults greeted the Disney musical Mary Poppins with exuberant delight at the historic Waterville Opera House this weekend. And, indeed, the elaborate production of the familiar classic had many pleasures to offer. Directed by Debra Susi with choreography by Adam P. Blais, the staging was lively and the dancing serviceable, sometimes sparkling, while the moments of flight (facilitated by Foy) elicited the appropriate gasps and applause. The atmospheric production, despite slowing the action in the scene changes on several occasions, boasted a painted drop set with moveable furniture units and a colorful, magical lighting design by Chad Lefebvre, who created the storybook palette in pastel pinks, greens, blues, and lavenders. Travis M. Grant supplied the lavish, elegantly designed and detailed costumes, and Jayson Murray insured a well-balanced acoustic with his sound design.

Following last month's big news that GLEE and THE WIZ LIVE!'s Amber Riley will star as 'Effie' in the UK debut of DREAMGIRLS this winter, the star sat down with the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye to discuss her journey to the iconic role.

The award-winning drama program at Hanover High School will bring the Gothic thriller Jekyll & Hyde to the stage for its spring musical.

 Twenty-four students from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts advanced from this weekend's four regional semi-final competitions of the 11th annual Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest to compete in the State Final competition on Sunday, March 13 at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington Street, Boston). The event begins at 9:30am and is free and open to the public.

Writers Theatre today opened its new theatre center, featuring two theatres in a stunning building designed by Studio Gang Architects, led by principal Jeanne Gang, and built by general contractor W.E. O'Neil Construction. The new home, the centerpiece of a $34 million fundraising campaign, provides nationally-recognized Writers Theatre with two intimate performance spaces under one roof, improved patron and artist amenities, and rehearsal and production spaces. Located on the site of the former Woman's Library Club of Glencoe, the new center was developed in partnership with the Woman's Library Club and the Village of Glencoe.

As BroadwayWorld reported just two days ago, GLEE and THE WIZ LIVE! star Amber Riley will take on the role of 'Effie' when DREAMGIRLS makes its UK debut at London's Savoy Theatre this winter. And Riley is no stranger to the musical's challenging anthems.

Big news in the DREAMGIRLS world tonight! The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye just revealed the news that GLEE and THE WIZ LIVE! star Amber Riley will play 'Effie' when the musical makes its UK debut at London's Savoy Theatre this winter.