Miami Theatre + Broadway News

Florida Rep's Lunchbox Theatre Series Presents THOMAS EDISON: FIRE OF GENIUS

(5/16/2012) Commissioned specially for Florida Rep in 2006 by renowned children's theatre author, Kathryn Schultz Miller, Thomas Edison: Fire of Genius examines landmark events in the great inventor's life and shows us how he became a legend. Edison himself takes the audience on an inspirational journey through his childhood full of woes, the invention of the light bulb, and even chronicles his years spent in Southwest Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. A fast-paced and zany look at Edison and life at the turn of the 20th century, Fire of Genius gives audiences a rare glimpse into the life and times of "The Wizard of Menlo Park." Edison's journey teaches children that "genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

I AM MUSIC - THE SONGS OF BARRY MANILOW

(5/16/2012) The Plaza Theatre will come to life with the sounds of favorites like Copacabana, Mandy, and American Bandstand, as they kick off their latest show, I Am Music – The Songs of Barry Manilow. The revue style show, directed by award-winning director Kevin Black, will feature ten vocalists and dynamic dancers who will captivate audiences as they perform hits from one of the world’s most prolific and popular adult contemporary singers and songwriters.

Florida Studio Theatre Announces Summer Season

(5/16/2012) Florida Studio Theatre presents an exciting new Summer Season – with a hootin’ n’ hollerin’ Ring Cycle-inspired musical, a Pulitzer Prize-winning love story, and a comedy full of mistaken identities and slamming doors.

CATHY RIGBY As PETER PAN Flies To The Kravis

(5/15/2012) Audiences are invited to discover the magic all over again of the two-time Emmy Award winning, and two-time Tony® Award-nominated production: Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN. Families and fans alike have their chance to “fly”into the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for this magical production running August 1-5, 2012. Tickets are on sale to the public this Saturday, May 19 at 10am. Tickets start at $25 and are available at the Kravis Center’s official web site www.kravis.org/peterpan; the Kravis Center Box Office (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Mark Della Ventura's SMALL MEMBERSHIP World Premiere At Alliance Theatre Lab

(5/15/2012) Meet Matt, a 26 year old seeking attention and guidance from a group of strangers.The show centers on male insecurity and through a series of flashbacks we see his childhood and adulthood struggles with puberty, sexual orientation, anxiety, true love, heartbreak and self-determined celibacy. "Small Membership" is a one person show about a big boy with a small problem,” says Della Ventura.

High School in the Spotlight: Newton Community High School

(5/14/2012) Based on user demand, BWW is taking our commitment to arts education one step further with the launch of the BWW Student Center - High School Edition. This directory features upcoming show listings for more than 1500 high schools nationwide with more being added each week. Schools can register for 'enhanced' listings on the site - adding in photos, cast lists, videos, links and more. Productions that take advantage of this will receive highlights on our listing pages, extra editorial mentions and potential spotlight features.

DISNEY'S THE LION KING Leaps To Miami's Arsht Center

(5/14/2012) In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

TIME STANDS STILL Southeastern Premiere At GableStage

(5/14/2012) Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent, have been together for nine years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. When her battlefield injuries force them to return home to New York, they find their future together threatened by the prospect of a more conventional life. Penned by Pulitzer Prize Winning playwright Donald Margulies, Tony nominated Time Stands Still was hailed as one of the best new plays on Broadway!

Asolo Rep Presents FANNY BRICE, AMERICA'S FUNNY GIRL

(5/14/2012) Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl will open May 23, 2012 and run until June 17, 2012. Previews begin May 20. Fanny Brice, America’s Funny Girl is a reworking of Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s 2009 hit production Fanny Brice: The Real Funny Girl. Writer and Director David H. Bell modified the script and is bringing Asolo Rep the most inspiring version yet. TCPalm raved, “Marya Grandy may not be the real Fanny Brice…but she just might be a new version of Ethel Merman. That’s with a little Patti LuPone and the emotional singing delivery al a Judy Garland tossed in for good measure”. WJTW FM said “what really brought the audience to its feet for a standing ovation however was the finale…it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Mosaic Theatre’s STOP! THE VIOLENCE VIDEO CONTEST

(5/14/2012) A Measure of Cruelty (April 19-May 13) is inspired by actual events of 2009 where a 15 year old boy was doused with rubbing alcohol and set on fire by four teenagers, a tragic event that impacted South Florida’s local community and touched a nerve in our nation’s conscience.

Tonight! New Theatre Presents 6th Annual MIAMI STORIES

(5/12/2012) A chic evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and plays by J. RICKY ARRIOLA, JAMES R. KAUFMAN and ERIC R. SISSER. Featuring Miami Marlins President DAVID SAMSON as Master of Ceremonies New Theatre announced its 6th Annual Miami Stories taking place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm at New Theatre’s new home at The Roxy Performing Arts Center, 1645 SW 107 Avenue in Miami.

Palm Beach Dramaworks Presents Pulitzer Prize Winning PROOF

(5/12/2012) West Palm Beach’s only resident professional theatre, Palm Beach Dramaworks, concludes its spring season with David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” on Friday, May 25th (8PM) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre(201 Clematis Street). Special priced preview performances are slated for May 23rd & 24th with regularly scheduled curtain times through June 17th.

TheatreZone Announces Season 8 Hot Seats

(5/12/2012) TheatreZone opens Season 8 in December with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum. Broadway's great farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written -- the perfect escape from life's troubles. With Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom.

Sizzling, Song Filled Summer At The Colony Hotel Palm Beach

(5/12/2012) Fast-Rising Cabaret Stars Will Dazzle Royal Room Fans from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: Carole J. Bufford, Nicolas King, Jennifer Sheehan, Wayne Hosford & Ariana Savalas The Colony Hotel – which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as “probably the best place for cabaret on the planet” – plans another sizzling, song-filled summer with some really hot and fast-rising performers straight from Manhattan’s leading cabarets – several of whom are making their Royal Room debut and other performers who are returning favorites for loyal fans of the Royal Room Supper Club. The Colony Hotel’s world famous Royal Room is widely celebrated for presenting “immaculately staged cabaret performances” by well known Grammy- and Tony-winning stars (Condé Nast Traveler, February 2011).

THE WIZ Tony Winner Presented By Stage Aurora

(5/11/2012) Winner of 7 Tony awards, this beloved Broadway musical sets Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel, and soul. The Wiz first appeared on Broadway in 1974 and was written by William F. Brown with Music and Lyrics by Charles Smalls featuring such classic songs as “Ease On Down the Road”, “Home”, and “Everybody Rejoice.”

A BICYCLE COUNTRY By Pulitzer Prize Winner Nilo Cruz

(5/11/2012) New Theatre (THE NEW) announced its last play of the 2011-2012 season, A Bicycle Country by Pulitzer Prize award winning playwright Nilo Cruz running from June 8 - 24, 2012. This stirring portrait of three Cuban exiles and their harrowing journey across the Caribbean Sea examines the universal themes of freedom and oppression, hope and survival.

The Arsht Center Presents AYIKODANS Haiti's Leading Dance Troupe

(5/11/2012) The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County welcomes back Ayikodans, Haiti’s premier dance troupe and one of the country’s most prominent artistic exports, May 25 and 26, staged in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House) as part of the Center’s 2011-2012 Dance Up Close Season. After last year’s sold-out, earthquake relief fundraising performances, AYIKODANS returns to South Florida to once again thrill audiences with the world premiere of “Anmwey Haiti Manman” (Cry Haiti Mother), a moving piece commissioned by the Arsht Center, and “Danse de L’Araignée” (Dance of the Spider), created by the company’s founder and choreographer, Jeanguy Saintus.

I AM MY OWN WIFE - Pulitzer And Tony Winner At Gulfshore Playhouse

(5/10/2012) Gulfshore Playhouse announced the final show that will complete their 2012-2013 season: “I Am My Own Wife”, the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Doug Hughes. The Playhouse will present this play that the New York Times called “both moving and intellectually absorbing” January 18-Feb 3, 2013, with a preview performance on January 17th.

WILLY WONKA JR. At Florida Rep

(5/10/2012) Playing June 1 & 2, Willy Wonka Jr. is a whimsical musical that captures all of the scrumdidilyumptious magic of Roald Dahl's beloved classic book. Come follow Willy Wonka, the eccentric world-famous candy man on his quest to find an heir.

LORETTA SWIT In LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE

(5/9/2012) Emmy® Award-winning actress Loretta Swit is the first cast member announced for Asolo Repertory Theatre’s summer production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Swit is known by audiences for her quick-witted and impassioned portrayal of Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on television’s beloved series, M*A*S*H. Swit has been honored with two Emmy® Awards and ten nominations, a People’s Choice Award, and eight Golden Globe® nominations.

JOYCE DEWITT In REMEMBER ME

(5/9/2012) Craig Smith, Managing Partner of the new Alhambra Theatre & Dining announced this morning that Joyce DeWitt will star in Sam Bobrick’s romantic comedy, Remember Me. Miss DeWitt is most widely known to audiences for her starring role as "Janet Wood" in the ABC Television hit series “Three's Company,” but she is no stranger to live theater, working both as actress and director in a stage career which spans over forty years. She recently starred in A Scattered, Smothered and Covered Christmas Musical and the Canadian productions of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Dinner With Friends and Alfred Uhry's Tony Award-winning play The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Florida Rep's Lunchbox Theatre Series Presents THOMAS EDISON: FIRE OF GENIUS

(5/9/2012) Commissioned specially for Florida Rep in 2006 by renowned children's theatre author, Kathryn Schultz Miller, Thomas Edison: Fire of Genius examines landmark events in the great inventor's life and shows us how he became a legend. Edison himself takes the audience on an inspirational journey through his childhood full of woes, the invention of the light bulb, and even chronicles his years spent in Southwest Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. A fast-paced and zany look at Edison and life at the turn of the 20th century, Fire of Genius gives audiences a rare glimpse into the life and times of "The Wizard of Menlo Park." Edison's journey teaches children that "genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

I AM MUSIC - THE SONGS OF BARRY MANILOW

(5/9/2012) The Plaza Theatre will come to life with the sounds of favorites like Copacabana, Mandy, and American Bandstand, as they kick off their latest show, I Am Music – The Songs of Barry Manilow. The revue style show, directed by award-winning director Kevin Black, will feature ten vocalists and dynamic dancers who will captivate audiences as they perform hits from one of the world’s most prolific and popular adult contemporary singers and songwriters.

BECKY'S NEW CAR Plays Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Now thru 6/4

(5/9/2012) Actors’ Playhouse presents the comedic new adventure Becky’s New Car by Steven Dietz, from tonight, May 9 through June 3, 2012 at the Miracle Theatre. This fresh, delightful and devious regional premiere play is about life, love, marriage, and the detours we make on our way to happiness.

Arnold Mittelman and National Jewish Theater Foundation Create the First Holocaust Theater Archive Conference

(5/8/2012) Arnold Mittelman, President and Producing Artistic Director of the the National Jewish Theater Foundation (NJTF) today announced the upcoming, first-of-its-kind, Holocaust Theater Archive (HTA) Conference, scheduled to take place in Miami in two sessions: May 15th & 16th and May 22nd & 23rd.

Florida Studio Theatre Announces Summer Season

(5/8/2012) Florida Studio Theatre presents an exciting new Summer Season – with a hootin’ n’ hollerin’ Ring Cycle-inspired musical, a Pulitzer Prize-winning love story, and a comedy full of mistaken identities and slamming doors.

Summer Is Swinging At The Lake Worth Playhouse

(5/8/2012) As one of the oldest performing arts organization in Palm Beach County, The Lake Worth Playhouse is excited to declare its never-be-dark policy with a summer full of exciting programming.

High School in the Spotlight: Lyman High School

(5/7/2012) Based on user demand, BWW is taking our commitment to arts education one step further with the launch of the BWW Student Center - High School Edition. This directory features upcoming show listings for more than 1500 high schools nationwide with more being added each week. Schools can register for 'enhanced' listings on the site - adding in photos, cast lists, videos, links and more. Productions that take advantage of this will receive highlights on our listing pages, extra editorial mentions and potential spotlight features.

BECKY'S NEW CAR Plays Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 5/9-6/4

(5/7/2012) Actors’ Playhouse presents the comedic new adventure Becky’s New Car by Steven Dietz, from May 9 – June 3, 2012 at the Miracle Theatre. This fresh, delightful and devious regional premiere play is about life, love, marriage, and the detours we make on our way to happiness.

DISNEY'S THE LION KING Leaps To Miami's Arsht Center

(5/7/2012) In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

Florida Rep Closes Season With THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP

(5/7/2012) Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of the final show in its 2011-2012 season, The Mystery of Irma Vep, a funny, and fast-paced spoof of classic melodrama. Running May 4-20, with three nearly sold out discounted previews on May 1, 2, and 3, The Mystery of Irma Vep is two parts The 39 Steps, one part Jane Eyre, and four parts witty.

PALM BEACH POPS ANNOUNCE 2012-2013 Concert Season

(5/7/2012) Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops, Florida’s premier Pops orchestra, is offering another sensational season of sophisticated musical entertainment with the announcement of six signature concert series. Audiences are invited to hear “The Music You Love, Live” as the orchestra celebrates 21 years of outstanding music from The Great American Songbook with special guest artists including American Idol Finalist Tamyra Gray, pianist and vocalist, Tony DeSare, Broadway leading lady, Christine Andreas, and Vegas superstar Clint Holmes and more.

TIME STANDS STILL Southeastern Premiere At GableStage

(5/7/2012) Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent, have been together for nine years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. When her battlefield injuries force them to return home to New York, they find their future together threatened by the prospect of a more conventional life. Penned by Pulitzer Prize Winning playwright Donald Margulies, Tony nominated Time Stands Still was hailed as one of the best new plays on Broadway!

AVENUE Q Tony Winning Best Musical Opens Run At Andrews Living Arts

(5/6/2012) Avenue Q was the winner of the TONY “Triple Crown” for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK in 2003. Director Robert D. Nation, will bring this deliciously naughty hit musical with its irresistible charm to Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5th St. Fort Lauderdale, 33301, beginning on April 6 for an unlimited run. With 2,534 performances, Avenue Q ranks 21st on the list of longest running shows in Broadway history.

Asolo Rep Presents FANNY BRICE, AMERICA'S FUNNY GIRL

(5/6/2012) Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl will open May 23, 2012 and run until June 17, 2012. Previews begin May 20. Fanny Brice, America’s Funny Girl is a reworking of Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s 2009 hit production Fanny Brice: The Real Funny Girl. Writer and Director David H. Bell modified the script and is bringing Asolo Rep the most inspiring version yet. TCPalm raved, “Marya Grandy may not be the real Fanny Brice…but she just might be a new version of Ethel Merman. That’s with a little Patti LuPone and the emotional singing delivery al a Judy Garland tossed in for good measure”. WJTW FM said “what really brought the audience to its feet for a standing ovation however was the finale…it doesn’t get any better than that.”

New Theatre Presents 6th Annual MIAMI STORIES

(5/6/2012) A chic evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and plays by J. RICKY ARRIOLA, JAMES R. KAUFMAN and ERIC R. SISSER. Featuring Miami Marlins President DAVID SAMSON as Master of Ceremonies New Theatre announced its 6th Annual Miami Stories taking place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm at New Theatre’s new home at The Roxy Performing Arts Center, 1645 SW 107 Avenue in Miami.

Palm Beach Dramaworks Presents Pulitzer Prize Winning PROOF

(5/6/2012) West Palm Beach’s only resident professional theatre, Palm Beach Dramaworks, concludes its spring season with David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” on Friday, May 25th (8PM) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre(201 Clematis Street). Special priced preview performances are slated for May 23rd & 24th with regularly scheduled curtain times through June 17th.

TheatreZone Announces Season 8 Hot Seats

(5/5/2012) TheatreZone opens Season 8 in December with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum. Broadway's great farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written -- the perfect escape from life's troubles. With Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom.

Sizzling, Song Filled Summer At The Colony Hotel Palm Beach

(5/5/2012) Fast-Rising Cabaret Stars Will Dazzle Royal Room Fans from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: Carole J. Bufford, Nicolas King, Jennifer Sheehan, Wayne Hosford & Ariana Savalas The Colony Hotel – which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as “probably the best place for cabaret on the planet” – plans another sizzling, song-filled summer with some really hot and fast-rising performers straight from Manhattan’s leading cabarets – several of whom are making their Royal Room debut and other performers who are returning favorites for loyal fans of the Royal Room Supper Club. The Colony Hotel’s world famous Royal Room is widely celebrated for presenting “immaculately staged cabaret performances” by well known Grammy- and Tony-winning stars (Condé Nast Traveler, February 2011).

A BICYCLE COUNTRY By Pulitzer Prize Winner Nilo Cruz

(5/4/2012) New Theatre (THE NEW) announced its last play of the 2011-2012 season, A Bicycle Country by Pulitzer Prize award winning playwright Nilo Cruz running from June 8 - 24, 2012. This stirring portrait of three Cuban exiles and their harrowing journey across the Caribbean Sea examines the universal themes of freedom and oppression, hope and survival.