Thomas Caruso News

The Public Theater presents the new musical Southern Comfort, the true story of a group of transgender friends living life on their own terms in the back hills of rural Georgia,  directed by Thomas Caruso and based on the film by Kate Davis. Southern Comfort features book and lyrics by Dan Collins, music by Julianne Wick Davis, choreography by Ryan Kasprzak, and was conceived for the stage by Robert DuSold and Thomas Caruso. The new musical will run through Sunday, March 27 in The Public's Anspacher Theater. Check out photos from opening night below!

The Public Theater presents the new musical SOUTHERN COMFORT that tells the true story of a group of transgender friends living life on their own terms in the back hills of rural Georgia. SOUTHERN COMFORT begins previews tonight, February 23 and will run through Sunday, March 27 in The Public's Anspacher Theater, with an official press opening on Monday, March 7. 

A friendly reminder! The Public Theater will begin previews for the new musical Southern Comfort, the true story of a group of transgender friends living life on their own terms in the back hills of rural Georgia, on Tuesday, February 23. As an ongoing advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, The Public has also announced a variety of Talk Backs, Audience Conversations, and Speaker Series discussions focusing on the larger themes of Southern Comfort.

We're just three days into the New Year, and we can't wait for all the new shows set to open around the corner from Broadway! Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at some of the upcoming plays and musicals from The Public, Classic Stage, Atlantic Theater, Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Signature Theatre, Roundabout, the Encores! series and more, currently slated to open off-Broadway in 2016!

he Public Theaterannounced complete casting today for the new musical SOUTHERN COMFORT that tells the true story of a group of transgender friends living life on their own terms in the back hills of rural Georgia.  Directed by Thomas Caruso and based on the film by Kate Davis, SOUTHERN COMFORT features book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis, and was conceived for the stage by Robert DuSold and Thomas Caruso. SOUTHERN COMFORT begins previews on Tuesday, February 23 and will run through Sunday, March 27 in The Public's Anspacher Theater, with an official press opening on Monday, March 7. Public Theater Member tickets and single tickets are available now.

The Public Theater announced today that the transformative, heart-soaring musical SOUTHERN COMFORT has been added to the 2015-16 downtown season. Directed by Thomas Caruso and based on the film by Kate Davis, SOUTHERN COMFORT features book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis and was conceived for the stage by Robert DuSold and Thomas Caruso. SOUTHERN COMFORT begins previews on Tuesday, February 23 and will run through Sunday, March 27 in The Public's Anspacher Theater, with an official press opening on Monday, March 7.

Penguin Rep Theatre's 2015 season officially begins tonight, May 15, 2015, with the New York premiere of Small World by Frederick Stroppel, directed by artistic director Joe Brancato.

Penguin Rep Theatre's 2015 season officially begins May 15, 2015, with the New York premiere of Small World by Frederick Stroppel, directed by artistic director Joe Brancato.

'Musical Speed Dating', an evening featuring the collaborations of the BMI class of 2013-2014, will play The Duplex on Monday, November 10 at 9:30 pm. The concert will showcase the new works of these up-and-coming writers, as performed by an all-star Broadway cast including Charissa Bertels (A Christmas Story), Ali Ewoldt (Les Mis), Arlo Hill (The Phantom of the Opera) and KJ Hippensteel (The Book of Mormon).

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the winners of the NYMF 2014 Awards for Excellence. Awards are voted on by the NYMF jury and the awards were presented at the closing night celebration on July 27th at Arena Events Space.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) just launched its 2014 season, featuring such stars as Lillias White, J. Robert Spencer, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jennifer Simard, Robin De Jesus, and more.NYMF exists to revitalize musical theatre culture by discovering and promoting new musical theatre artists, producers and projects; nurturing a vibrant and innovative artistic community; and connecting one of America's greatest art forms with a diverse, contemporary audience. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside opening night below!

The hysterical new musical Academia Nuts has been selected to kick off the first week of the celebrated New York Musical Theatre Festival with performances from July 9-13, 2014 at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street). Academia Nuts has book and lyrics by Becca Anderson & Dan Marshall, and music by Julian Blackmore, with direction by Thomas Caruso, musical direction by Martyn Axe, and choreography by Ryan Kasprzak. It is produced by Charissa Bertels in association with CAP21 Theatre Company. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

Newly appointed Yale School of Drama “Lecturer in Acting” Bill Connington publishes his new book today on applying the Alexander Technique to performance. The book is entitled “Physical Expression on Stage and Screen: Creating Unforgettable Performances with the Alexander Technique.” Published today in England, it will be published in the U.S. on August 14th. Brought out by famed theatrical publisher Methuen Drama, the book promises to be invaluable to the individual performer, and has been predicted to be the “go-to book” on the Alexander Technique for performers. It will also be used as a textbook by colleges and performing arts institutions nationwide. Connington is regarded as a world-expert on the Alexander Technique in general, and applying the method to performance specifically. In addition to his recent appointment to Yale, he has taught at Juilliard, NYU, and the Actors Studio MFA Program. His innovative new book includes 133 specially designed exercises to aid the actor in helping herself achieve peak performance. 14 of the core exercises are available free on vimeo.com: http://vimeo.com/channels/connington

The hysterical new musical Academia Nuts has been selected to kick off the first week of the celebrated New York Musical Theatre Festival with performances from July 9-13, 2014 at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street). Academia Nuts has book and lyrics by Becca Anderson & Dan Marshall, and music by Julian Blackmore, with direction by Thomas Caruso, musical direction by Martyn Axe, and choreography by Ryan Kasprzak. It is produced by Charissa Bertels in association with CAP21 Theatre Company.

Award-winning actors Bill Connington (ZOMBIE) and AnnMarie Benedict (ROBESON) appeared in a sold-out performance of LOVE LETTERS that benefitted historic Van Cortlandt House in Van Cortlandt Park. The standing-room-only crowd at the Colonial Dames Museum House gave a standing ovation for this beloved classic by A.R. Gurney. The evening was produced by Razors Edge Productions, and was directed by Dan Cordle, who has collaborated several times with Connington and Benedict.

Award-winning actors Bill Connington (ZOMBIE) and AnnMarie Benedict (ROBESON) will appear in A.R. Gurney's beloved classic, LOVE LETTERS, on Thursday, November 14th at the Colonial Dames Museum House at 215 East 71st Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). Cocktails are at 6 pm; the performance is at 7 pm. The play is directed by Dan Cordle (POSSESSION) and will benefit historic Van Cortlandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park. The evening is produced by Razors Edge Productions. Tickets are $75 each, or two for $125. For information and reservations call 212-744-3572.

Troika Entertainment and Michael Coppel in association with Hilary Williams, Margot Astrachan Production/Dennis Grimaldi Productions/Paul Lucas Productions/Robert Sher and Paramount Pictures present the first U.S. National Tour of Ghost The Musical, based on the film by Bruce Joel Rubin and Paramount Pictures. The supernatural power of love is taking North America by storm as the new Broadway and West End musical Ghost The Musical, adapted from the Academy Award-winning film, launched its first national tour in Schenectady, NY, at Proctors Theater on September 14, 2013. Ghost The Musical features Steven Grant Douglas as Sam Wheat, Katie Postotnik as Molly Jensen, Carla R. Stewart as Oda Mae Brown and Robby Haltiwanger as Carl Bruner. Scroll down for photos of the opening night festivities in Schenectady below!

In one of the most unusual musical stories since Sweeney Todd, we enter into the world of transgendered people living in the rural south and the lives they lead in a hostile environment. With country and bluegrass music the difficulties and challenges of becoming who you are is explored with both brutal honesty and tender understanding.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and TriStan Wilson, Managing Director, presents the BSC Musical Theatre Lab (William Finn Artistic Producer) world premiere production of Southern Comfort, a new musical with book and lyrics by Dan Collins and music by Julianne Wick Davis, directed by Thomas Caruso (Associate Director of Broadway's Matilda). Check out a first look at the cast in action below!