Robert Bartley News

Composer, Paul Leschen (Drama Desk nominee for Twist!, Scissor Sisters) and book & lyricist Fred Sauter's (MFA, NYU Musical Theatre Writing Program) musical Bedbugs!!! is taking over the Upper West Side this week. Presented by Dale Joan Young, Bedbugs!!! is the award winning comedy sci-fi thriller rock musical. BEDBUGS!!! features the direction and choreography of Robert Bartley with musical supervision by Deborah Hurwitz. BEDBUGS!!! opened last night, September 14, and will run through October 26 at the ArcLight Theatre (152 West 71 Street). BroadwayWorld has photos of the opening night festivities below!

BEDBUGS!!! tells the story of Carly, an exterminator, determined to avenge the bedbug related death of her mother. In the process of concocting a bedbug pesticide, Carly accidentally morphs New York City's bedbugs into blood-sucking, heavy metal rock gods. Recently, BEDBUGS!!! creators, Paul Leschen and Fred Sauter, sat down with me to give me all the juicy details about the new Off-Broadway production.

Dale Joan Young is bringing Bedbugs!!! back to NY. No, not those begbugs, Bedbugs!!! the award winning comedy sci-fi thriller rock musical, the brainchild of composer Paul Leschen (Drama Desk nominee for Twist! and pianist and arranger for international rock sensations Scissor Sisters) and book & lyricist Fred Sauter (MFA, NYU Musical Theatre Writing Program). BEDBUGS!!! will feature the direction and choreography of Robert Bartley with musical supervision by Deborah Hurwitz. BEDBUGS!!! begins performances tonight, September 9, and runs through October 26, celebrating its opening night on Sunday, September 14 at 7PM at the ArcLight Theatre (152 West 71 Street).

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, announces the return of Drama Desk Award-winner Jim Brochu in his new show Character Man, following his wildly successful run of Zero Hour in 2011. A musical valentine celebrating the Golden Age of the American Musical, Character Man will be presented at BSC's St. Germain Stage at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center from September 18 through 28. The press opening is Saturday, September 20 at 7:30pm.

Dale Joan Young is bringing Bedbugs!!! back to NY. No, not those begbugs, Bedbugs!!! the award winning comedy sci-fi thriller rock musical, the brainchild of composer Paul Leschen (Drama Desk nominee for Twist! and pianist and arranger for international rock sensations Scissor Sisters) and book & lyricist Fred Sauter (MFA, NYU Musical Theatre Writing Program). BEDBUGS!!! will feature the direction and choreography of Robert Bartley with musical supervision by Deborah Hurwitz. BEDBUGS!!! begins performances on September 9 and runs through October 26, celebrating its opening night on Sunday, September 14 at 7PM at the ArcLight Theatre (152 West 71 Street). Tickets are $25 - $89 and can be purchased by visiting BedBugsMusical.com or calling Ovationtix.com at 866.811.4111.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano, announced the final week of the World Premiere engagement of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). This limited run will continue through April 6th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. The Final Post-Show Talk will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd with Special Guest Karen Mason (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray), moderated by Peter Filichia.

Classic 1970s sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter,' which introduced the masses to The Lost Boy's playwright Ron Palillo and actor John Travolta, will join the Me-TV line-up beginning on Monday, April 14. 'Kotter,' which produced 95 episodes on ABC from 1975-79, will replace 'F Troop' in the Monday to Thursday 9:30 p.m. half-hour.

Broadway's best filled a sold-out Al Hirschfeld Theatre with laughter, tears and cheers during the unforgettable ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards on Monday, March 24, 2014, raising a record-breaking $423,182 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. In the video below, go backstage with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge as he chats with some of the evening's participants, including: Norm Lewis, Julie White, Kyle Dean Massey, and more!

Broadway's best filled a sold-out Al Hirschfeld Theatre with laughter, tears and cheers during the unforgettable ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards on Monday, March 24, 2014, raising a record-breaking $423,182 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Click below to watch highlights from the show, featuring all the epic performances, love and romance, stirring solos and funny moments!

Broadway's best filled a sold-out Al Hirschfeld Theatre with laughter, tears and cheers during the unforgettable ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards on Monday, March 24, 2014, raising a record-breaking $423,182 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.

The ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards, a one-night-only performance produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefiting BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York, took place last night. This year's special event featured the talents of Michael Berresse (Kiss Me, Kate; A Chorus Line), Tony winner Beth Leavel (Elf, The Drowsy Chaperone), Tony winner Debra Monk (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, TV's 'Girls'), Ken Page (Ain't Misbehavin', Cats), Tony winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Tony nominee Andrew Rannells(The Book of Mormon, TV's 'Girls'), Tony nominee John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, TV's 'Johnny and the Sprites.'), and more This year's edition of Broadway Backwards (#bwaybackwards) was held at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 W 45th Street, NYC), current home to the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots. BroadwayWorld was there for the after party festivities and you can check out photo coverage below!

A limited number of $40 rush tickets for the much-anticipated ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards will be released for sale at 6:30 PM Monday, March 24, 2014. The rush tickets will be sold outside the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). They will not be available at the box office. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, cash only and are limited to two tickets per person. The show begins at 8 PM.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano, today announced the World Premiere engagement of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). This limited run will continue through April 6th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan.

The roster of stars continues to expand for Broadway Backwards with today's additions of Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, TV's 'Scandal'), Roger Rees (co-director of Peter and the Starcatcher, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby), Julie White (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Little Dog Laughed), and Rachel York (Encores! Little Me, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir now at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street), with opening night set for Today March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan.

Producers Lawrence Leritz (Boobs! The Musical) and Dominic Paolillo are proud to announce their partnership, producing the Ron Palillo play 'The Lost Boy' for the New York stage. The team are in pre-production for a summer workshop, with full Broadway production to follow.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir now at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street), with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan.

Jim Brochu's new solo piece will warm the heart of anyone who has ever looked out from an audience with awe and wonder.

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir just opened Off-Broadway at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) Wednesday March 5th. This limited run, in previews now, will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for opening night and you can check out what the cast had to say below!

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir just opened Off-Broadway at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) Wednesday March 5th. This limited run, in previews now, will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!