MaryJoanna Grisso, Austin Colby, Natascia Diaz and More Star in Signature Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY, Beginning Tonight

Signature Theatre presents WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from tonight, December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.

"WEST SIDE STORY promises to be an amazing experience for our audiences," said Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. "No audience member will be more than 20 feet from the stage and with a 30 member cast and a 17 piece orchestra in the intimate 276 seat Max Theatre, this story has never had a more environmental and encompassing production. Signature is known for its reinvention of the American musical and WEST SIDE STORY continues that tradition in grand style."

The production will star MaryJoanna Grisso (WEST SIDE STORY, US National Tour) as Maria, Austin Colby (Signature's Simply Sondheim, Sound of Music, US National Tour) as Tony, Sean Ewing (Broadway's WEST SIDE STORY, Amazing Grace) as Bernardo and Max Clayton (Broadway's On the Town, Gigi) as Riff. Helen Hayes Award winner Natascia Diaz (Signature's The Threepenny Opera, St. Louis MUNY's WEST SIDE STORY) returns to the role of Anita. Diaz was previously heralded as "a worthy successor to Chita Rivera" by the Los Angeles Times.

"I can't wait for our audiences to experience this classic musical in Signature's intimate setting," said Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner. "Bernstein, Laurents and Sondheim's story about racial tolerance feels especially relevant today. With Parker Esse reimagining Jerome Robbin's iconic choreography, Jon Kalbfleisch conducting Bernstein's beloved score, and an outstanding company of actors and designers, this is sure to be an unforgettable experience for our audiences."

Grisso, Colby, Diaz, Ewing and Clayton are joined in the cast by Jasmine Alexis (Teresita; The Kennedy Center's OMAN O'man), Kurt Boehm (Diesel; Signature's Cabaret), Jennifer Cordiner (Graziella; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, US National Tour), Ryan Fitzgerald (Action; WEST SIDE STORY, International Tour), Michael Graceffa (Indio; Catch Me if You Can, US National Tour), Colleen Hayes (Velma; Signature's Diner), Mikaela Holmes (Rosalia; Clear Space Theatre's Grease), Jamie Howes (Minnie; NBC's Smash), Ryan Kanfer (A-Rab; Forestburgh Playhouse's Legally Blonde), Ilda Mason (Francisca; Connelly Theatre's Wedding Singer), Tony Niedenbach (Big Deal; Anything Goes, US National Tour), Zachary Norton (Anxious; Cats, US National Tour), DJ Petrosino (Chino; Merry Go Round Playhouse's Saturday Night Fever), Olivia Ashley Reed (Consuela; Mamma Mia!, US National Tour), Eric Rivas (Luis; New Bedford's A Chorus Line) Maria Rizzo (Anybodys; Signature's Gypsy), Ryan Sellers (Pepe; Signature's The Threepenny Opera) Bobby Smith (Doc/Gladhand; Signature's The Fix), Cami Spring (Clarice), Russell Sunday (Officer Krupke; Signature's Elmer Gantry) Joseph Tudor (Baby John; Signature's Cabaret), Shawna Walker (Pauline; Ogunquit Playhouse's Guys and Dolls), J. Morgan White (Snowboy; Olney Theatre Center's Carousel) and John Leslie Wolfe (Lieutenant Schrank; Signature's Diner).

The creative team includes Choreography by Parker Esse; Based on Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins; Musical Direction by Jon Kalbfleisch; Scenic Design by Misha Kachman; Costume Design by Frank Labovitz; Lighting Design by Jason Lyons; Sound Design by Lane Elms; Hair Design by Anne Nesmith; Fight Choreography by Casey Kaleba; Associate Choreographer Jessica Hartman; Assistant Choreographer Tony Niedenbach; Production Stage Manager Kerry Epstein; and Assistant Stage Managers Allie Roy and Paul Luckenbaugh.

Two star-crossed lovers find themselves wrenched between two rival gangs in New York City's Upper West Side in this musical adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Featuring an iconic score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim that includes "America," "Maria," "Somewhere," "I Feel Pretty" and "Tonight," WEST SIDE STORY will also mark the 25th production of a Stephen Sondheim musical in Signature Theatre's history.

IF YOU GO:

WEST SIDE STORY

Book by Arthur Laurents

Music by Leonard Bernstein

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins

Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Choreographed by Parker Esse

Based on Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins

Directed by Matthew Gardiner

Seven weeks only!

Performances run December 8, 2015 through January 24, 2016

Performances run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Additional performances have been added on Monday, December 21 at 7:30 PM and Thursday, December 24 at 2:00 PM. Student matinees have also been added Wednesday, January 6 at 12 noon and Wednesday, January 20 at 12 noon. Tickets start at $40. Single tickets are available in person at the Signature Box Office at 4200 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington, by calling 703-820-9771, and online at www.sigtheatre.org.

There will be no performances on the evenings of December 15, December 24 or December 25. This production's Pride performance is scheduled for January 8. Discussion performances are scheduled for January 5 and January 13.

ABOUT THE CAST:

Jasmine Alexis (Teresita) DC AREA: Town Danceboutique: Wondrous; The Kennedy Center: OMAN O'Man, Pepito's Story. DANCE: Future Shock DC Hip-Hop Dance Company, Washington Redskins Junior All-Star Dance Team, NBA Washington Wizards Junior Dancer. TV: MTV: MADE; NBC: The Today Show. MUSIC VIDEOS: Chuck Brown, The Party Roll; Busta Rhymes, Get Out. AWARDS: International Latin Danceport Champion (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania), Miss District of Columbia U.S. International 2016, Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2009, Miss District of Columbia's Outstanding Teen 2008, Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 2007.

Kurt Boehm (Diesel) SIGNATURE: Cabaret, LES MISERABLES (2009 Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Ensemble), Kiss of the Spider Woman, One Red Flower. DC AREA: Arena Stage: Fiddler On The Roof, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, She Loves Me; Olney Theatre Center: Godspell, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, A Chorus Line, The Producers; Ford's Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors; The Kennedy Center: Phantom Tollbooth; Keegan Theatre: The Full Monty, Rent, Spring Awakening; Imagination Stage: Lyle, The Crocodile; Adventure Theatre MTC: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Goodnight Moon; Red Branch Theatre: The Last Five Years. EDUCATION: The Catholic University of America, BM. UPCOMING: Alliance Theatre/Arena Stage: Born For This.

Max Clayton (Riff) BROADWAY: On The Town (u/s Gabey), Gigi (Martel, u/s Gaston). DC AREA: Kennedy Center: Gigi. REGIONAL: Papermill: The Bandstand (world premiere); Kansas City Starlight: Footloose (Ren McCormack); Lyric Opera of Chicago: Oklahoma! (Slim); Marriott Theatre: On The Town (Gabey), The MUNY, Pittsburgh CLO, Music Theatre of Wichita, NSMT, Palace Theatre. EDUCATION: BFA, CCM. @maxmclayton

Austin Colby (Tony) SIGNATURE: Simply Sondheim, Crossing, Spin, Lost Songs of Broadway: 1970s, Holiday Follies, The Break (21/24 workshop). NATIONAL TOUR: The Sound of Music (director Jack O'Brien). DC AREA: Arena Stage: Smokey Joe's Cafe, Olney Theatre Center: Forever Plaid, Spring Awakening, Cinderella, Toby's Dinner Theatre: Hairspray, Legally Blonde. REGIONAL: Theatre by the Sea: Disney's The Little Mermaid; Cortland Repertory Theatre: Joseph...Dreamcoat, White Plains Performing Arts Center: Hair, Papermill Theatre: On the Town, Smokey Joe's Café, Altar Boyz. EDUCATION: James Madison University, 2011, Bachelor of Music.

Jennifer Cordiner (Graziella) NATIONAL TOURS: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette); Monty Python's Spamalot; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Liza). NEW YORK: PBS' Live From Lincoln Center: One Singular Sensation, Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch; Dr. Oz Health Corps Gala; Gossip Girl; Media Rockette. DC AREA: Olney Theatre Center: A Chorus Line (Val, Helen Hayes nomination); The Producers (u/s Ulla); The Little Mermaid. REGIONAL: Papermill Playhouse: A Chorus Line (Swing); ARROW ROCK: The Producers; Anything Goes. CHOREOGRAPHY: Anything Goes; Spamalot; King and I; How The Grinch Stole Christmas. EDUCATION: Rutgers University, 2007, B.A. English.

Natascia Diaz (Anita) SIGNATURE: The Threepenny Opera (Jenny, 2015 Hayes Award nomination), Spider Woman (Aurora). BROADWAY: Man of La Mancha (Antonia, u/s Aldonza), Seussical (Bird Girl). OFF-BROADWAY: By The Way, Meet Vera Stark; Delacorte Theatre: The Capeman (Esmeralda), Jacques Brel; tick, tick...BOOM! (Susan, LA Ovation nomination); Saturday Night. NATIONAL TOUR: WEST SIDE STORY (Anita, Chicago Joseph Jefferson Award, St. Louis Kevin Kline Award). DC AREA: Shakespeare Theatre: Measure for Measure (Mariana); MetroStage: Jacques Brel (Woman 1, 2014 Helen Hayes Award), Savage In Limbo (Savage), Rooms (Monica P. Miller, 2009 Helen Hayes Award); Kennedy Center: Carnival (Rosalie), A Little Night Music (Petra); . REGIONAL: St. Louis Muny: Chicago (Velma, St. Louis Critics Award nomination); Lyric Theatre: A Chorus Line (Cassie). TV: Law and Order, Oz. FILM: Every Little Step (Self). www.natasciadiaz.com

Ryan Fitzgerald (Action) INTERNATIONAL TOUR: WEST SIDE STORY (Big Deal). REGIONAL: MUNY: Shrek; Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma: Oliver, Hairspray, 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ragtime, A Chorus Line; Denver Center: Norma; Cape Playhouse: My Fair Lady; Drury Lane Theatre: WEST SIDE STORY; Sooner Theatre: 25th Annual....Spelling Bee, The Producers. EDUCATION: National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts NFAA Young Arts Recipient, University of Oklahoma.

Michael Graceffa (Indio) NATIONAL TOUR: Catch Me If You Can (1st National) REGIONAL: Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera: Mary Poppins, Man of La Mancha; North Shore Music Theatre: Chicago, High School Musical 2; Maine State Music Theatre: The Music Man, Young Frankenstein; Music Theatre Wichita: WEST SIDE STORY, Catch Me If You Can, 42nd Street, South Pacific, Joseph...Dreamcoat; Fulton Theatre: The Addams Family; Westchester Broadway: WEST SIDE STORY; Palace Theatre: WEST SIDE STORY; Harbor Lights Theatre Co.: WEST SIDE STORY; Forestburgh Playhouse: WEST SIDE STORY, Legally Blonde, The Rocky Horror Show, Guys and Dolls; Reagle Music Theatre: Hairspray!, La Cage aux Folles, Oklahoma!. EDUCATION: Vassar College, 2014, Drama.

MaryJoanna Grisso (Maria) NATIONAL TOUR: WEST SIDE STORY (Maria, 450 performances and Nomination for Best Female Lead in a Touring Production). REGIONAL: LES MISERABLES (Cosette), WEST SIDE STORY (Maria), NYMF's Propaganda! The Musical (Fired Girl), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Urinetown (Hope), The Sound of Music, High School Musical, Peter Pan, The Marriage of Figaro (Barbarina), The Telephone (Lucy), Summer and Smoke (Nellie). CONCERTS: Carnegie Hall: Mozart's Requiem; Clay Center: Beethoven's Fifth; Heinz Hall: Broadway Rocks with Marvin Hamlisch. EDUCATION: BFA in Vocal Performance and Theatre from West Virginia University.

Colleen Hayes (Velma) SIGNATURE: Cabaret, Diner. DC AREA: Olney Theatre Center: A Chorus Line (2014 Helen Hayes Outstanding Resident Musical); How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. NATIONAL TOUR: Catch Me If You Can. REGIONAL: Fulton Theatre: The Producers, Cinderella; Papermill Theatre: The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Rent; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. EDUCATION: James Madison University.

Mikaela Holmes (Rosalia) REGIONAL & EDUCATIONAL: Jekyll & Hyde, Rent, Grease, Seussical, High School Musical, Footloose, Dog Sees God, Beauty and the Beast, Romeo and Juliet, King Island Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, Into the Woods, Ragtime, Company, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Jamie Howes (Minnie) REGIONAL: Palace Theatre: Jersey Nights, Hooray for Hollywood, Le Grande Cirque, Rock Around the Clock, Christmas on Ice, Spirit of Christmas. TV: NBC: The Today Show with Chris Brown, Smash, The Jenny McCarthy Show; TLC: The Cake Boss. CONCERT DANCE: Nicholas Andre Dance, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Marinspired; The Storytellers, Marquette Productions. EDUCATION: George Mason University, 2011, BFA Dance and K-12 Education, Magna Cum Laude.

Ryan Kanfer (A-Rab) REGIONAL: Moonlight Stage Productions: Spamalot, Mary Poppins; Artpark: Peter Pan; Forestburgh Playhouse: Legally Blonde, Rocky Horror Show, Guys and Dolls. EDUCATION: Elon University BFA 2015.

Ilda Mason (Francisca) NEW YORK CITY: Connelly Theatre: The Wedding Singer; American Theatre of Actors: Spring Awakening. PANAMÁ: Peter Pan; Hello Dolly!; Legally Blonde; A Chorus Line; Beauty and the Beast; Bang, Bang, Bang, You're Dead!.

Tony Neidenbach (Big Deal) NATIONAL TOUR: Roundabout: Anything Goes. OFF-BROADWAY: Naked Boys Singing!. TV: 2011 TONY Awards; HBO: High Maintenance. REGIONAL: Arena Stage, Fingerlakes MTF, Pioneer Theatre Co, TUTS, MUNY, Northern Stage, Virginia Stage, Seaside Music Theatre. OTHER: Met Opera, City Center Fall for Dance, Jacob's Pillow, Liz Gerring Dance Company.

Zachary Norton (Anxious) NATIONAL TOUR: Cats: the Musical. INTERNATIONAL TOUR: Rock the Ballet/The Bad Boys of Dance. NEW YORK: Way Off Broadway: Legally Blonde, NYC Fringe: The Doors Project. DC AREA: DC Fringe: Martin, Love, Sex, and Rhythm. REGIONAL: Royal Caribbean Productions: Mamma Mia!, Chicago: the Musical, Blue Planet. EDUCATION: University of the Arts, Baltimore School for the Arts.

DJ Petrosino (Chino) TOURS: Cabaret. REGIONAL: Merry Go Round Playhouse: Saturday Night Fever; The Engeman Theatre: A Chorus Line; Ogunquit/Gateway Playhouse: Saturday Night Fever; American Repertory Theatre: The Donkey Show; Harbor Lights Theatre Co. WEST SIDE STORY; White Plains Performing Arts Center: Tommy, The 39 Steps, The Little Mermaid, Cats; Arizona Broadway Theatre: Young Frankenstein; Buddy Holly Story; Kiss Me, Kate; 7 Brides for 7 Brothers; The Palace Theatre: WEST SIDE STORY; Speakeasy Stage Co.: Zanna, Don't!; Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre: 9 to 5; American Music Theatre: Christmas Show; Sea and Sun Princess Cruise Lines: Dancer; EDUCATION: Salem State University, 2007, BFA Theatre Arts, Magna Cum Laude.

Olivia Ashley Reed (Consuela) BROADWAY NATIONAL TOURS: Mamma Mia! (Lisa). DC AREA: WEST SIDE STORY (Anita); Riverside Center Dinner Theater; Toby's Dinner Theatre: In the Heights (Carla); The Color Purple (Ensemble, Nettie u/s). REVUES: Frank Loesser Revue, Kennedy Center (Concert Soloist). EDUCATION: BM The Catholic University of America, 2014.

Eric Rivas (Luis) REGIONAL: American Music Theatre: 2014 Christmas Show, New Bedford Festival Theatre: A Chorus Line; Cohoes Music Hall: Cats, Hello Dolly!; Resorts Casino Jersey Shore Entertainment: 42nd Street; Palace Theatre: Cabaret, A Christmas Carol; Little Theatre On The Square: Home For The Holidays; Bally's Las Vegas: Jubilee! (Showboy). CRUISES: Norwegian Cruise Lines: Norwegian Jade Dancer/Aerialist, Norwegian Pride of America Dancer/Singer; Disney Cruise Lines: Disney Dream Dancer/Singer. CONCERT/ DANCE PERFORMANCE: Jacob's Pillow Ted Shawn Theatre: A Jazz Happening; PACE University: Cy Coleman Showstoppers. EDUCATION: The School at Jacob's Pillow (Jazz/Musical Theatre, Tap program), Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center; Full Sail University, Bachelor's Degree of Science in Filmmaking.

Maria Rizzo (Anybodys) SIGNATURE: Cabaret (Fraülein Kost), Gypsy (Louise, Helen Hayes nomination), Spin! (Brianna), The Best Little Whorehouse... (Eloise), Xanadu (u/s). DC AREA: Arena Stage: Fiddler on the Roof; Olney Theatre Center: Grease!, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (u/s); Keegan Theatre: Cabaret (Helen Hayes nomination); The Sunshine Boys, Spring Awakening; Studio Theatre: Carrie the Musical; 1stStage: Bat Boy; Toby's Dinner Theatre: Hairspray, Nunsense, Cinderella. EDUCATION: The Catholic University of America; BM, Musical Theatre. @mariarizz9o

Ryan Sellers (Pepe) SIGNATURE: Miss Saigon. DC AREA: Synetic Theatre: The Taming of the Shrew, The Three Musketeers, King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Host and Guest, The Master And Margarita, Antony and Cleopatra, Don Quixote, Dante, Romeo and Juliet, Othello; Studio Theatre: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Imagination Stage: Anime Momotaro, P. Nokio, The Wind In The Willows; American Century Theatre: Voodoo Macbeth; Urban Arias: PhotoOp; Source Theatre: A Frontier; Adventure Theatre: Five Little Monkeys; Hub Theatre: Carried Away On The Crest Of A Wave.

Bobby Smith (Doc/Gladhand) SIGNATURE: The Fix, See What I Wanna See, Show Boat, Company, Spin (2014 Helen Hayes Award), The Threepenny Opera, Elmer Gantry, Kid Victory, Simply Sondheimm Cabaret. BROADWAY: Crazy for You. OFF-BROADWAY: Forever Plaid, The World Goes 'Round, Of Thee I Sing. NATIONAL TOURS: Brigadoon, The World Goes 'Round. DC AREA: Studio Theatre: A Class Act; The Long Christmas Ride Home; Caroline, or Change; Grey Gardens; Reefer Madness; Jerry Springer: The Opera; Ford's Theatre: Elmer Gantry, Liberty Smith, 1776, A Christmas Carol, Violet; Olney Theatre Center: Little Shop of Horrors, Annie, The Sound of Music; MetroStage: Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, Musical of Musicals, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (2013 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor in a Resident Musical), Kennedy Center: The Happy Prince, Peter and the Wolf with the NSO.

Russell Sunday (Officer Krupke) SIGNATURE: Elmer Gantry (Shartel/Forrest/Father/Mike Carrigan), Brother Russia (Viktor/Nicholas), The Boy Detective Fails (Det. Brown), The Hollow (Ellis), Chess (Walter Anderson), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble, Sweeney u/s), LES MISERABLES (Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Ensemble, Jean Val-Jean u/s performed). DC AREA: Studio Theatre: Jerry Springer: The Opera (Chucky, Helen Hayes nomination, Outstanding Ensemble); MetroStage: Closer than Ever, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!); Theatre J: David in Shadow and Light (Goliath); Toby's Dinner Theatre: Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde, 2003 Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Male Lead), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), Titanic (Andrews), Aida (Radames), Miss Saigon (Chris), Kiss Me, Kate (Fred), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston & The Beast), Damn Yankees (Young Joe), Annie Get Your Gun (Frank Butler), Carousel (Billy Bigelow).

Joseph Tudor (Baby John) SIGNATURE: Cabaret (Fritz), Gypsy (Angie). INTERNATIONAL TOUR: Phantom of the Opera. OTHER: A Chorus Line (Mark), High School Musical (Troy), Royal Caribbean International (Featured Soloist). CHOREOGRAPHY: Multiple studios and schools throughout New York, Maryland and New Jersey where he is on staff at Premiere Dance of Hillsborough. EDUCATION: BFA Dance, Shenandoah Conservatory. Represented by MSA Agency.

Shawna Walker (Pauline) REGIONAL: Ogunquit Playhouse: Guys and Dolls (Ensemble), All Shook Up (Ensemble), Chicago (Annie). DINNER THEATRE: Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Featured Dancer); Alhambra Theatre: White Christmas (Ensemble), Seussical (Dance Captain/Bird Girl/Ensemble). ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER: Hermes Fashion Event A Man's World; Alhambra Theatre: Joseph...Dreamcoat, 9 to 5, Anything Goes; Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: White Christmas.

J. Morgan White (Snowboy, u/s Action) NATIONAL TOUR: CATS (Macavity). REGIONAL: Olney Theatre Center: Carousel; Riverside Theatre: WEST SIDE STORY; Maine State Music Theatre: Seven Brides...; Bay Street Theatre: A Funny Thing...Forum; McCarter Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Flat Rock Playhouse, West Virginia Public Theatre. morganwhite.net

John Leslie Wolfe (Lieutenant Schrank) SIGNATURE: Diner, The Threepenny Opera. BROADWAY: Parade, Passion, Evita, Sarava. NY CITY OPERA: Brigadoon, A Most Happy Fella. NATIONAL COMPANIES: The Phantom of the Opera (Las Vegas), Parade, Martin Guerre, Evita, Cabaret. DC AREA: Kennedy Center: Passion, Golden Child; Ford's Theatre: 1776, Elmer Gantry, Captains Courageous, To Kill a Mockingbird, Christmas Carol; Round House Theatre: Our Town; Olney Theatre Center: Oh Coward. REGIONAL: Goodspeed Opera House: Heartbeats; Austin Musicals: Annie; Penn Center Stage: Sweeney Todd; Syracuse Stage: Closer Than Ever. FILM: The Invasion, Invincible, Step Up, Distinguished Gentleman. TV: Netflix: House of Cards; HBO: Something The Lord Made, The Wire, Homicide; NBC: The West Wing.

ABOUT SIGNATURE: Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Signature Theatre is a non-profit professional theater company in Arlington, Virginia dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays, reinventing classic musicals, and developing new work. Under the leadership of co-founder and Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature has presented 44 world premiere productions and is renowned for combining Broadway-quality productions with intimate playing spaces.

In addition to hosting the finest talent from the DC metropolitan area and New York, Signature has been home to such luminaries as Chita Rivera, Sheryl Crow, Barry Levinson, George Hearn, Hunter Foster, Emily Skinner, Kathleen Marshall, Ann Reinking, Marc Kudisch, Judy Kuhn, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cameron Mackintosh, Terrence McNally, and the company's signature composer, Stephen Sondheim. Since its founding in 1989, Signature has won 94 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in the Washington, DC region's professional theater and has been honored with 368 nominations.

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