Tom Sawyer News

The 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS just got a little rowdier and funnier as country music superstar Toby Keith and actress Kristen Bell have been tapped to host this yearÂ’s show. Now in its 11th year, the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air live from NashvilleÂ’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com. (more...)

Some Like It Hot meets Twelfth Night in Ken LudwigÂ’s delightful madcap comedy, Leading Ladies. Richard Israel directs a four-week run, June 8 through July 1, at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Low-priced previews take place on Tuesday, June 5; Wednesday, June 6; and Thursday, June 7. (more...)

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater produces the 2011 Tony Award-winning production of Larry KramerÂ’s The Normal Heart, directed by George C. Wolfe. Wolfe, who directed the showÂ’s sold-out Broadway engagement last season, mounts the professional D.C.-area premiere of this production, which features returning Broadway cast members Patrick Breen and Luke MacFarlane, among others. Presented by special arrangement with Daryl Roth, The Normal Heart runs June 8-July 29, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater. (more...)

Kansas City Repertory Theatre, under the artistic leadership of Eric Rosen, closes its 2011-12 season with a professional production of the popular musical Little Shop of Horrors; book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Kyle Hatley directs. Little Shop of Horrors runs now through May 20 at the Rep's Copaken Stage. See photos from the production below! (more...)

On Sunday April 29 Melody Hollis presented the new installment of Melodyland at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Incorporating some different songs into the set like "I'm the Greatest Star", "Tchaikovsky", "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Hamlet" and a couple of others, material she has performed in Kritzerland shows since last summer, Hollis has turned 14 since she last did the show ...and is now a self-described "woman". In spite of this humorous, laugh-guaranteed joke of the grownup fully emerging from the little girl, one can clearly see the changes in physical development and at the same time sense the increased sense of self-awareness and freedom. She is taller, prettier and blossoming nicely into an intelligent young lady - and who says 'home schooling' doesn't work? Bruce Kimmel has written some very cute material for her, and she is learning how to make it work optimally. As she continues to blossom and grow over the next few years, Hollis' vocal instrument, considering her immense talent, should mature beautifully. And maybe, just maybe, if luck will have it...she might just get that chance to sing "I'm the Greatest Star" on Broadway as the newest Fanny Brice in that still awaited, much anticipated, first ever revival of Funny Girl. She can do it! I know I have my fingers crossed for her! (more...)

The Public Theater will begin previews for the world premiere production of FEBRUARY HOUSE, with music and lyrics by Gabriel Kahane and book by Seth Bockley, on Tuesday, May 8 in The PublicÂ’s Martinson Theater. Directed by Davis McCallum, FEBRUARY HOUSE runs through Sunday, June 10, with an official press opening on Tuesday, May 22. Tickets are on sale now at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office. (more...)

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP), in partnership with UCF, has announced its 10th Birthday Season. The REP is OrlandoÂ’s only professional theatre for families and young audiences and has performed shows such as PINKALICIOUS: The Musical, Lyle the Crocodile, and A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas. (more...)

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the Alley TheatreÂ’s new production of Theresa RebeckÂ’s WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST, part of the Alley TheatreÂ’s New Play Initiative. WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST runs on the Alley TheatreÂ’s Neuhaus Stage May 11 through June 12, 2012. (more...)

Aurora Theatre will end its season with The Fox on the Fairway opening May 3, 2012. The play is written by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo) who "hits a hole-in-one with his tribute to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s. Love and money are in the rough at the Quail Valley Country Club. Two rival country club owners waggle around mistaken identities and play through over-the-top romantic shenanigans in order to stay on the fairway and ace a happy ending. This uproarious golf comedy promises to hit the sweet spot." (more...)

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look so damn good? We're gonna tell ya...Today's actor/subject/model is the lovely and talented Memory Strong, photographed by Melissa Chipper (whom you can contact via www.Melissaschipperphotography.com). (more...)

Four well-known shows and the return of a holiday classic make up the 2012-13 season for Studio Tenn, the professional theatre troupe that calls the historic Franklin Theatre home. Artistic director Matt Logan and managing director Jake Speck made the season announcement during a lively afternoon event, which featured performances from the shows included in the line-up, at the historic theatre in downtown Franklin. (more...)

Atlantic Theater Company today announced the world premiere of Fernanda Coppel’s new play CHIMICHANGAS AND ZOLOFT featuring Teddy Cañez, Zabryna Guevara, Alfredo Narcisco, Xochitl Romero, and Carmen Zilles, directed by Jaime Castañeda. (more...)

Geva Theatre CenterÂ’s 2011-2012 Wilson Mainstage Season concludes with Stephen Sondheim and George FurthÂ’s musical Company, which begins performances on May 9 and runs in the Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage through June 10. (more...)

Kansas City Repertory Theatre, under the artistic leadership of Eric Rosen, closes its 2011-12 season with a professional production of the popular musical Little Shop of Horrors; book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Kyle Hatley directs. Little Shop of Horrors runs April 20 – May 20 at the Rep’s Copaken Stage. (more...)

The Ceremony for the Seventh Annual Kevin Kline Awards took place last night at the Loretto-Hilton Theater, honoring productions in St Louis from 2011. We've got the full list of nominees and winners below. (more...)

Directed by Laura Kepley, CPH Associate Artistic Director, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play takes place at the dawn of electricity, when a remarkable treatment for “hysterical” men and women is taking place. A funny and touching play about marriage and intimacy, A 2010 Tony Award® Nominee for Best Play and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play will begin in the Second Stage at PlayhouseSquare on Friday, April 13 and is intended for mature audiences. Due to popular demand, the run has been extended one week and will now play through Sunday, May 13, 2012. Tickets are available at PlayhouseSquare ticket office by calling 216-241-6000 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. In the Next Room, or the vibrator play is sponsored by Ambiance, and presented with support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and the Ohio Arts Council. (more...)

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 9 is the ninth edition of this series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The show features performances and stories from original cast members and writers of several of the featured shows. (more...)

PeopleÂ’s Light & Theatre presents John SteinbeckÂ’s Of Mice and Men, running through March 25, 2012 on the Main Stage. (more...)

The National Theatre Conservatory presents two fully-produced plays where eight upcoming graduates will take the stage as part of the annual NTC Rep. FAHRENHEIT 451 will run in repertory at The Conservatory Theatre April 4 – April 21 and CHARLEY’S AUNT will run April 5 – April 21. NTC Rep is the last step before students receive their Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory. Tickets may be purchased now, by calling 303.893.4100 or visiting www.denvercenter.org. (more...)

The Denver Center Theatre Company presents the musical revue RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH created by Richard Maltby, Jr. and conceived by William Meade, playing The Stage Theatre March 23 – May 13 (opening night Thursday, March 29). Tickets can be purchased now, by calling 303.893.4100 or www.denvercenter.org. (more...)