Paul Abrams

BWW Review: CATHY AND THE TROLLEY DOLLIES a Blast for Both Frequent Flyers and First-Timers at Gate69

There is something indescribable about returning to Gate69, the glitzy dinner theatre venue that opened less than a year ago in central Cape Town. It is that ineffable feeling of coming home, of belonging. CATHY AND THE TROLLEY DOLLIES, one of the venue's current offerings, is a blast for everyone - frequent flyers or not.

Scoop: REBECCA Trial Update; Testimony Today Throws Timeline Into Question

On the stand today in the trial was Ben Smith, an Australian property developer who at just under $2 million dollars has one of the largest stakes in the failed production.

BWW Blog: On the Meaningful Recognition of Theatre for Young Audiences at South African Theatre Awards Ceremonies

How meaningful is the recognition of Theatre for Young Audiences at major South African theatre awards ceremonies such as the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards and the Naledi Theatre Awards>

UPDATE: REBECCA Publicist Marc Thibodeau Responds to Latest Ruling

As reported last night, Broadway's ever-evolving REBECCA scandal continues, with press agent Marc Thibodeau having been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull $2.25 million from the musical, a move that forced the project to a halt.

Broadway Publicist Found Liable in REBECCA Scandal; Musical Eyeing Spring 2016 Bow

In the latest legal news from Broadway's ever-evolving REBECCA scandal, Deadline writes that press agent Marc Thibodeau has been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull $2.25 million from the musical, a move that forced the project to a halt.

ALL THE WAY, Bryan Cranston, THE FLICK, ONCE, Andre De Shields and More Among 2014 Elliot Norton Award Nominations

The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) has announced over 25 nominations of actors, directors, designers and ensembles to be presented at 32nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday May 19 at The Wheelock Family Theatre.

BWW Blog: Reactions to the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Nominations

The Fleur du Cap nominations were announced this week. Having taken a few days to consider who was nominated, here are some thoughts about each of the categories.

Fleur du Cap Announces Nominees for 2013 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, 3/16

The nominees for the prestigious 49th annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards have been announced. Prizes will be presented to the winners at a glamorous event that will be held at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town on Sunday 16 March at 6pm.

BWW Reviews: South Africa's MIES JULIE Thunders Into Shakespeare Theatre

Into Shakespeare Theatre's stately Lansburgh Theatre comes a performance so powerful, so unrestrained, so visceral as to rip the bloody roots of power from the earth and hold them dripping above our astonished heads.

BWW Reviews: Relevant and Moving SADAKO Lays the Foundations for Constructing Peace

This revival of Peter Hayes and Jacqueline Dommisse's 1998 puppet play introduces Sadako Sasaki's story to a new generation of South African audiences, both young and old, and is as relevant now in its plea for peace as it was 15 years ago.

REBECCA THE MUSICAL Con Mark C. Hotton Pleads Guilty

The New York Daily News reports that Mark C. Hotton admitted today, July 29, to conning funds from Broadway's REBECCA THE MUSCIAL by fictionalizing millionaire investors. Hotton said the scam was part of a plan to keep $65,000 in finder's fees. Hotton also plead guilty to a similar scheme with a Connecticut real estate firm, and will be tried tomorrow in Long Island in a money laundering conspiracy connected to Brooklyn's Maimonides Medical Center.

REBECCA to Arrive on Broadway Next Year? Fundraising Deadline Extended Through 2014

Back in April, BroadwayWorld reported that lead producer of REBECCA, Ben Sprecher, still intended to bring the new msuical to Broadway by the end of the year. After the Fall 2012 production was cancelled, Sprecher revealed to BroadwayWorld that another $7 million would be needed to reach the $15 million needed to bring the show to Broadway. For the show to open by the end of the year, the musical needed to raise an additional $7 million by the end of June.

Baxter Flipside Presents MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE, Now thru 7/27

Hearts and Eyes Theatre Collective has forged its reputation with the brave staging of human stories: the real and the personal in pursuit of truth and understanding. MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE is such a work, and will continue to build the company's reputation for the award-winning staging of true stories.

Baxter Flipside to Present MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE, 7/12-27

Hearts and Eyes Theatre Collective has forged its reputation with the brave staging of human stories: the real and the personal in pursuit of truth and understanding. MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE is such a work, and will continue to build the company's reputation for the award-winning staging of true stories.

Vanity Fair Online Extra - REBECCA Must-Read!

As an online companion to Vanity Fair's feature article on Rebecca the Musical's scandalous Broadway collapse, David Kamp takes readers behind the scenes at Rebecca's first and only rehearsal.

Vanity Fair Delves Into REBECCA THE MUSICAL's Scandals in June Issue

Vanity Fair has dedicated a June 2013 feature article to uncovering the scandals that led to Rebecca the Musical's Broadway demise.

Exclusive: Ben Sprecher Still Intends to Bring REBECCA to Broadway This Year; Rehearsals to Begin in October?

Lead producer of Rebecca, the Broadway musical that was cancelled last Fall, is still intent on bringing the show to Broadway this year. Sprecher told BroadwayWorld that the producing team has brought in an additional $2 million for the production. Another $7 million will need to be raised to reach the $15 million needed to bring the show to Broadway. If the show is to open by the end of 2013, the fundraising goal must be reached by the end of June, and if things go as planned, Sprecher intends to begin rehearsals in October 2013.

SEC Investigating REBECCA; Show Still Coming to Broadway This Year?

The drama surrounding Rebecca, the Broadway musical that was cancelled last Fall, continues to grow, as Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is now investigating what happened bewteen lead producer Ben Sprecher and potential investors for the show. The SEC is reortedly specifically looking into 'whether Sprecher misled a prospective investor, Larry Runsdorf.'

Fleur du Cap Winners Announced in Cape Town, South Africa

The prestigious 48th annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards took place at the Artscape Theatre last night, Sunday March 17, 2013.It was a glamorous red carpet event, attended by celebrities, VIP's and the creme de la creme of the South African theatre scene. Top South African comedian Alan Committee hosted the onstage proceedings with great humour and flair. Africa Melane, a Fleur du Cap panel member and Capetalk presenter was his co-host for the evening.

REBECCA Producers and Publicist Caught in Lawsuit Back-and-Forth

2013's Broadway drama continues to unfold surrounding the musical REBECCA. According to The New York Times, the publicist who formerly represented REBECCA, Marc Thibodeau, has asked the State Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit put forth by the show's producers that accuses Thibodeau of 'defamation and breach of contract and fiduciary duty' for allegedly 'scaring off' a last-minute investor. Thibodeau is arguing that he only warned the potential investor that REBECCA's producers had been taken in by a fraud scheme.