Jessica Lewis - Page 39

ROCK OF AGES, which opened in Melbourne to standing ovations and five star reviews, will open in Sydney at the Theatre Royal on 14 January 2012 for a strictly limited season.

Karl Sydow has announced that Backbeat - the stage adaptation of the 1994 film by Iain Softley on the birth of the Beatles - will be rock & rolling its way to London's Duke of York Theatre for its West End premiere this October.

A reading of a brand new musical entitled Peter & I will be held on August 4th at Ripley Grier Studios. Peter & I stars Chris Dwan, Julia Murney (Wild Party, Wicked), Jack Noseworthy (Sweet Smell of Success, A Chorus Line), Emily Padgett (Rock of Ages, Grease), Constantine Rousouli (Hairspray, Wicked), and Lucas Steele (Three Penny Opera, The Kid). The ensemble includes Kimberly Burns, Ben Hart, Geoffrey Kidwell, Jeff Leatherwood, Sharon Taylor, and Hernando Umana. Book and lyrics for Peter & I were written by Matte O'Brien who will also direct the show. Music was composed by Matt Vinson. O'Brien's most recent work includes the Whoopi Goldberg produced White Noise at the Royal George in Chicago and the Le Petite Theatre in New Orleans. Amanda Morton (16 Days) is the Musical Director for the piece.

WICKED, the hit musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, has announced that Rachel Tucker will continue in her starring role as Elphaba into 2012. Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible), Nikki Davis-Jones (Standby Elphaba) and Chloe Taylor (Standby Glinda) are also all continuing in their roles. UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe commented: 'Since first joining our cast in March 2010, Rachel has thrilled audiences and critics alike with her powerful and passionate performance as Elphaba. We are all absolutely thrilled that Rachel has now decided to continue leading the company with her extraordinary professionalism and great dedication to the role - we couldn't be more proud of her success'.

The new, off-Broadway production of Rent began previews on, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. The highly anticipated resurrection of the cult classic, written by Jonathan Larson, is being directed by Michael Greif, who directed the show's original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. The creative team includes choreographer Larry Keigwin, music supervisor Tim Weil, set designer Mark Wendland, costume designer Angela Wendt, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designer Brian Ronan, and projection designer by Peter Nigrini. As a follow up to the preview we brought you last week, below is the complete batch of production shots!

As previously reported, previews will begin in March of 2012 in anticipation of an April 2012 opening and rehearsals begin in February of next year for the highly anticipated revival of EVITA, starring Ricky Martin and Elena Roger. According to a casting notice out today, the production is still in search of a 'Mistress' and will be holding open auditions (Equity and non Equity) on Friday, August 19, 2011.

The UK's Independent reports that Tony Award winner Mark Rylance has given away his 2011 trophy, which he received for Best Performance by an Actor for Jerusalem, to Mickey Lay - a British man who inspired Rylance's performance.

Lauren Molina and Geoff Packard will bring the Goodman Theatre's acclaimed production of CANDIDE, directed and newly adapted by Mary Zimmerman, to the Huntington Theatre this fall, the theater has announced. Performances begin Saturday, September 10, 2011. Tickets are on sale through October 16, 2011.

Below, we bring you the performances from The Fantasticks at Broadway in Bryant Park 2011!

Below, we bring you the performances of Traces at Broadway in Bryant Park 2011!

Below, we bring you the performances from The Phantom of the Opera at Broadway in Bryant Park 2011!

Below, we bring you the performances of ANYTHING GOES at Bryant Park 2011!

Below, we bring you the performances of HAIR at Broadway in Bryant Park 2011!

The Muny has just released a preview for the upcoming production LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. A true classic of camp comedy, this is the musical that's sure to grow on you! For information call (314) 361-1900 , or visit our website at www.muny.org. To charge tickets by phone, call (314) 534-1111. Check out production shots below!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will resume performances tonight at its new home at New World Stages.

Producers Alicia Keys, Reuben Cannon & Nelle Nugent announced today that the Broadway premiere of Lydia R. Diamond's STICK FLY, originally confirmed to play at the Lyceum Theatre, will now play at the Cort Theatre. Directed by Kenny Leon, STICK FLY will open on Broadway on Thursday, December 8, 2011 with performances beginning on Friday, November 18, 2011. Tickets are now on sale through Telecharge.com.

ROCK OF AGES welcomed 80's pop icon Tiffany last night, July 26, as she made her Broadway debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Tiffany performed her hit song 'I Think We're Alone Now' on stage after the 7pm performance. Want to relive your favorite memories to everyone's 80s anthem? Click below!

Ars Nova has announced a by-invitation-only reading of Max Vernon's new musical, Wired, tomorrow July 28 at 2pm at Ars Nova. Directed by Mike Donahue, and musical directed by Sonny Paladino, the cast features Spider-Man's Patrick Page and Wicked's Teal Wicks. The reading will also include Meggie Cansler, Paige Davis, Matt Doyle, Rich Dreher, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Nathan Graham, Brian Tyree Henry and Bobby List.

Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove have announced that Tony and Emmy Award winner John Lithgow returns to Broadway in the Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere production of THE COLUMNIST by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. In this new play, Lithgow plays noted newspaper columnist Joseph Alsop. This limited engagement will begin previews on Tuesday, April 3 and open Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

Audra McDonald can now add wedding singer to her resume (alongside winning four Tony Awards). On Sunday, July 24, McDonald was the guest singer at the same-sex wedding of a Bloomberg administration staffer at Gracie Mansion. Bloomberg himself officiated the ceremony. Yesterday, McDonald visited The View to talk about the event and marriage equality with the ladies. Click below for her on screen segment, in addition to a behind the scenes chat!