Music Theatre International News

Next to Normal is coming to Sydney for a strictly limited season playing at the Capitol Theatre from 13 September to 7 October 2012. Director Tyran Parke today announced the cast who will perform in this groundbreaking musical that follows the life of the Goodman’s – who seem like a perfect family. The musical, with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, stars Ian Stenlake, Bobby Fox, Dash Kruk, Michelle Doake, Ross Hannaford and Erica Lovell. (more...)

Music-Theatre Group has announced a special interview with Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner, to be moderated by Thomas Schumacher (Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group) on Thursday, June 7th at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10th) at 7:30 p.m. (more...)

The New York regional premiere of rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson with book by Alex Timbers and music & lyrics by Michael Friedman takes the stage for Little Radical Theatrics, Inc. May 25-June 2. Directed by Michael J. Mirra with musical direction by Ricky Romano and choreography by Jessica Bittner, the show's executive producer is Stephanie Viegas, with assistant producer and production manager Jovan C. Richards. Below is a video mash-up of three numbers from the production, including songs "Populism Yeah, Yeah", "I'm So That Guy" and ending with the musical's No. 1 hit "Rock Star". Check it out below! (more...)

Leadership and Public Service High School in Manhattan was selected as one of the first 20 schools across the nation to participate in “NBC’s ‘Smash’: Make a Musical,” a new initiative from NBC and iTheatrics’ Junior Theater Project that builds self-sustaining musicals in schools. (more...)

Nick Jonas – the popular singer/songwriter who is currently starring in the Tony-nominated How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying – will serve as master of ceremonies as hundreds of students from middle and intermediate New York City Public Schools in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Manhattan make their Broadway debut on stage at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44 St.) on Tuesday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m., the culminating event of the 7th annual Shubert Foundation/MTI Broadway JR. Student Program. The students will perform a song from their school's production of a student version of a Broadway musical, including Annie JR., Once on this Island JR., Disney’s Aladdin JR., Guys and Dolls JR., Bugsy Malone JR., Meredith Willson’s The Music Man JR., Dear Edwina JR., Fame JR., Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR., and Thoroughly Modern Millie JR. (A list of schools participating in the May 29 celebration follows.) (more...)

Chairman of Stage Entertainment, Joop van den Ende and Producer and President of Disney Theatrical Productions, Thomas Schumacher announce two premiere productions of THE LITTLE MERMAID. The Holland production is currently in previews in Groningen and opens on June 16th, 2012 in Rotterdam. The Moscow production of THE LITTLE MERMAID will make its debut on October 6th, 2012. (more...)

Beck Center for the Arts presents the regional premiere of the award-winning rock musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, May 25 through July 1, 2012 in the Studio Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. There are no Sunday matinee performances for this production. Tickets are now on sale. (more...)

Oscar Productions presents The Last Five Years, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, directed by Peter Berube, with music direction by Lauren Fraley. One preview performance plays June 7th at 7:15pm and the show runs Saturday, June 16th, 17th, 22nd, and 23rd at 5:30pm. All performances are presented as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. (more...)

Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece, Sweeney Todd, stars Olivier Award winner Michael Ball as the infamous demon barber of Fleet Street and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton as his devoted accomplice Mrs. Lovett. Following sell-out success at Chichester Festival Theatre, the production transferred to London’s West End on 10 March, 2012 for a limited season only, and must end on 22 September, 2012. Comedian Jason Manford will join the company as “Italian” barber Pirelli for four weeks in July this year, covering for Robert Burt, who is scheduled to sing at Glyndebourne Festival 2012. (more...)

Ten schools across the nation have been selected for the second phase (Fall, 2012) of "NBC's 'Smash': Make a Musical." The philanthropic initiative, sponsored by NBC's hit musical drama series "Smash" and administered by iTheatrics' Junior Theater Project, works with under-served schools across the country to stage their own productions and implement self-sustaining theater programs. (more...)

The New York regional premiere of rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson with book by Alex Timbers and music & lyrics by Michael Friedman takes the stage for Little Radical Theatrics, Inc. May 25-June 2. Directed by Michael J. Mirra with musical direction by Ricky Romano and choreography by Jessica Bittner, the show's executive producer is Stephanie Viegas, with assistant producer and production manager Jovan C. Richards. (more...)

Beck Youth Theater presents Willy Wonka, a children’s favorite by Roald Dahl on the Mackey Main Stage, tonight, May 4 through May 13, 2012. Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this musical adaptation ofCharlie and The Chocolate Factory, featuring songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory including “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man.” See photos from the production below! (more...)

Ghostlight Records announced today that they have re-released the 1996 Original Cast Recording of Andrew Lippa and Tom GreenwaldÂ’s musical, JOHN & JEN. The album is available now in all digital music outlets, including iTunes and AmazonÂ’s digital store. (more...)

The family hit musical production "Seussical: The Musical" will continue the season for Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre (Theatre FMPAT) in their new space at the MCL Grand Black Box Theater - May 2-6, 2012, as part of their 20th season. (more...)

Disney’s THE LION KING will make its South American premiere in São Paulo, Brazil. T4F (Time For Fun), will present the production with its opening night on March 7th, 2013 at the Teatro Abril. THE LION KING in São Paulo will mark two firsts: as the largest stage musical ever presented in Brazil and the first time the show has been performed in Portuguese. The Disney and Cameron Mackintosh musical, MARY POPPINS will be produced in Mexico City by OCESA. The production will be performed for the first time in Spanish and will begin performances on November 14th, 2012 at the Telmex Cultural Center, in Mexico City. (more...)

In our time and place, the great Marriott Theatre to the north of Chicago, in Lincolnshire, in the collar county of Lake, has mounted a production of “The Pirates of Penzance” which officially opened this past weekend, and will run through June 10, 2012. It’s directed by Dominic Missimi, a visionary musical theater director and teacher with vast experience and influence across the country, and especially here. (more...)

The Shaw Festival embarks on the first season of its next 50 years by proudly initiating a provocative conversation through the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime. Based on E.L. DoctorowÂ’s novel of the same name, Ragtime is directed by Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell and brought to life by The ShawÂ’s renowned acting Ensemble. This powerful and complex story of a young America on the cusp of defining itself and the hopes and dreams of its citizens continues to gain resonance today. Surpassing all expectations, early tickets sales to the Shaw FestivalÂ’s production of Ragtime are nearly 20% above projected totals, while early April and May ticket purchases for special matinees are already 80% sold out. YesterdayÂ’s preview performance of Ragtime received a standing ovation. (more...)

Beck Youth Theater presents Willy Wonka, a childrenÂ’s favorite by Roald Dahl on the Mackey Main Stage, May 4 through 13, 2012. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are now on sale. The 10 a.m. student matinee on Thursday, May 10 is sold out. (more...)

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of NEWSIES is now available digitally today on Ghostlight Records. The album has debuted at #1 on the iTunes Soundtracks chart and #15 on the iTunes album chart.To purchase the album, visit iTunes here. The recording is set for physical release on May 15th, 2012. The physical release will feature three special bonus tracks including an exclusive version of “Santa Fe” performed by lead Jeremy Jordan accompanied by Alan Menken on piano. The full track listing is below. For more information on the cast recording, visit: http://newsiesthemusical.com/music (more...)

After receiving positives reviews from critics and audiences alike – and selling out every performance of its January run – Balagan Theatre brings the coming-of-age rock musical, Spring Awakening, back to Seattle in April, plus a weekend tour to Mount Vernon in May. (more...)