Todd Johnson News

Celebrating a return to performances after an extended intermission due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is bringing the best of Broadway “Roaring Back” to Nashville with its 2021-22 HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC Season, featuring a multi-week return engagement of Nashville’s best-loved Broadway musical, Disney’s THE LION KING.

After more than a year without in-person performances.  Circuit Playhouse, Inc., the organization that includes The Circuit Playhouse, TheatreWorks @ the Square, and Playhouse on the Square has announced the return to in-person live professional theatre for its 53rd season.

Lively McCabe Entertainment and CuzBro Productions – the production company founded by Brian Kelley of the multi-platinum, award-winning duo Florida Georgia Line – will world premiere the musical MAY WE ALL in June 2022 as a special presentation of Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Broadway at TPAC series.

And the hits just keep on coming!

The BROADWAY WORLD AWARDS introduces some new categories this year.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff has collaborated with producers Lively McCabe Entertainment, music giants BMG, as well as Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and his CuzBro Productions, to produce a new musical celebrating the genre of country music and capturing the American spirit.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff has collaborated with producers Lively McCabe Entertainment, music giants BMG, as well as Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and his CuzBro Productions, to produce a new musical celebrating the genre of country music and capturing the American spirit.

The Circuit Playhouse, Inc., parent company to The Circuit Playhouse, TheatreWorks at the Square, and Playhouse on the Square have announced their 2020-2021 Season.

Cousineau and guests will sing songs written by Cousineau in collaboration with various composers. Bookwriter/lyricist Larry Todd Cousineau, whose musicals written with composer Cindy O'Connor include the upcoming AMERICA'S BEST OUTCAST TOY, this past summer's ALL THAT HE WAS, and 2018's FLIES! THE MUSICAL, will perform SONGS FROM MY HOLIDAY CLOSET - a night of heartwarming and hilarious 'HoliGay' music featuring Cousineau's original songs - on Monday, December 9 in The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway. This festive revue, created by the award-winning lyricist, stars Cousineau, Ashlee Hardgrave, and Musical Director (and Chicago Gay Men's Chorus Artistic Director) Jimmy Morehead (pictured below).

Lively McCabe Entertainment announces a partnership with Brian Kelley -- of the multi-platinum, award-winning duo Florida Georgia Line -- via his CuzBro Productions banner, on the recently announced new musical MAY WE ALL. Kelley and partners Stephen Snedden and Justin Halliwell join previously announced producers, Lively McCabe Entertainment President Michael Barra, and Elyse Cogan, Director, Theatrical for BMG. CuzBro will be actively involved in the creative development of the project, and a developmental production will be staged in Memphis, Tennessee at Playhouse on the Square in the fall of 2020 (dates TBA). The producers are simultaneously pursuing a feature film adaptation of the musical.

Lively McCabe Entertainment announces a partnership with Brian Kelley -- of the multi-platinum, award-winning duo Florida Georgia Line -- via his CuzBro Productions banner, on the recently announced new musical MAY WE ALL. Kelley and partners Stephen Snedden and Justin Halliwell join previously announced producers, Lively McCabe Entertainment President Michael Barra, and Elyse Cogan, Director, Theatrical for BMG. CuzBro will be actively involved in the creative development of the project, and a developmental production will be staged in Memphis, Tennessee at Playhouse on the Square in the fall of 2020 (dates TBA). The producers are simultaneously pursuing a feature film adaptation of the musical.

The 1993 AIDS-themed musical ALL THAT HE WAS that opened on August 12, earning rave reviews and a Jeff recommendation, will extend its run by one week and will now close on Sunday, September 15.

Pride Films and Plays has announced that $5 of each ticket sold for each Friday 8pm performance of ALL THAT HE WAS, the Jeff-recommended musical that opened on Monday August 12, will go toward one of four Chicago-area charities that provides services and advocacy for those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

The 1993 AIDS-themed musical ALL THAT HE WAS is set to open on August 12 at the Pride Arts Center. The writers have crafted a special version of the show specifically for the Pride venue, with new music and a newly revised script.

A brand-new version of the award-winning 1993 musical ALL THAT HE WAS to open on August 12, 2019 at Pride Arts Center.

Lively McCabe Entertainment Co-President Michael Barra proudly announces the expansion of their Columbus Circle office with the hiring of two key executives, Darnetha Lincoln M'Baye and Molly Israel Paul. Ms. M'Baye has joined the company as VP, Head of Music and will be responsible for managing the company's content partnerships with the major music publishers, as well as overseeing the packaging of all music intellectual property elements into the company's stage, film, and television development slates. Also joining Lively McCabe this month is Molly Israel Paul, who will serve as Creative Executive, focusing on the development of new plays adapted from existing IP for the company's exclusive HollyWay collection at Dramatists Play Service. Lively McCabe is also pleased to announce that Jen Bender and Allison Bressi will begin working with the company this month as Creative Development Consultants and will each oversee the development of select stage musicals on behalf of the company.

Lively McCabe Entertainment Co-President Michael Barra proudly announces a slate of three new stage musicals in partnership with licensing agency Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) and music powerhouse BMG. These initial three projects, all which will have premiere productions in 2020 (TBA), will feature select music from the BMG catalog, as part of their previously announced partnership with Lively McCabe.

ALL THAT HE WAS 25th Anniversary Benefit Concert and cast announced for March 11, 2019 at Pride Arts Center.

Ben Caldwell ('Prez,' 'A Force'), Kurt Lehner ('Gargoyles,' 'Marvel Action Hour'), Shawn Coss ('Cyanide and Happiness'), Steve Geiger ('Punisher,' 'Spider-Man'), Joe Rubinstein ('Wolverine,' 'Warlock'), James O'Barr ('The Crow'), Phil Ortiz ('The Simpsons,' 'Muppet Babies') and Tom Cook ('Masters of the Universe,' 'Smurfs') are among the leading comics artists and writers scheduled to attend Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland, March 2-4 at Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The weekend will feature many demonstrations and discussions at the Creative Stage. The event also marks the first since Wizard World's recent partnership with Sony Pictures to find the next generation of movies as well as to engage in a number of strategic initiatives. Artist Alley in Cleveland will also feature such notables as Clinton Hobart (Disney licensed fine artist), Martin Egeland ('Aquaman,' 'Alpha Flight,'), Carl Potts ('Alien Legion,' 'Venom'), Todd Johnson ('Tribe'), Larry Stroman ('The Uncanny X-Men,' 'Tribe'), Thom Zahler ('My Little Pony,' 'Ultimate Spider-Man'), Brian Shearer ('IDW,' 'GI Joe'), John Sloboda ('Star Wars,' 'The Walking Dead'), Victor Dandridge ('The Samaritan,' 'The Trouble w/Love') and many others. Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland will also feature non-stop live entertainment, gaming, exclusive Q&A sessions with top celebrities, a dedicated kids zone and more. Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The third event scheduled on the 2018 Wizard World calendar, Cleveland show hours are Friday, March 2, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, March 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult. Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character - and some never before dreamed - will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening. For more on the 2018 Wizard World Cleveland, visit http://wizd.me/ClevelandPR. About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, tech, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming and entertainment takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also teamed with Sony Pictures Entertainment to find the next generation of movies as well as to engage in a number of strategic initiatives. Additional initiatives may include an augmented touring schedule of Wizard World shows, fixed-site installations, curated e-commerce, and the production and distribution of content both in the U.S. and internationally. Fans can interact with Wizard World at www.wizardworld.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

Art-In-Relation (A.I.R.), Children's Theater of Long Beach (CTLB), and The Scottish Rite Cathedral announce a wonderful partnering of resources and talent for a 2017 holiday musical production of 'The Christmas Carol.' Plays Dec. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Ernest Borgnine Theatre, 855 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA.