Chase Crandell

At the end of a long week, Lauren Elder, playing the titular Mary in Mary and Max, sat down with me to have a quick chat about the show and her journey to the Max Bell Theatre.

Last week marked the world premiere of Mary and Max, a touching story of friendship and the ultimate power of words. I was grateful to sit in the audience and experience the magic of opening weekend at Theatre Calgary.

Theatre Calgary presents the world premiere of MARY AND MAX - A NEW MUSICAL, with music & lyrics by Bobby Cronin, book by Crystal Skillman, directed by the organization's new artistic director, Stafford Arima, and orchestrations and music supervision by Anna Ebbesen.

Theatre Calgary is preparing to open Mary and Max - A New Musical, the second world premiere of the 2018-19 season, with music and lyrics by Bobby Cronin, book by Crystal Skillman, directed by Theatre Calgary's Artistic Director Stafford Arima, choreography by Jenn Rapp, and orchestrations and music supervision by Anna Ebbesen.

"When I saw the movie, I was just like: 'I get you, I so get you'… When I did Wicked we used to say 'everyone has a little green in them.' And that's what I feel like Max is about. Even though he has a diagnosed condition, everyone feels, you know, uncomfortable in their skin at some point. So that, I related to right away and just, the idea of connection."

The annual MUT Competition for Musical Entertainment Theatre organised by the Staatstheater am Gartnerplatz in Munich, Germany aims to discover and encourage outstanding artistic personalities in the world of musical entertainment theatre.

Theatre Calgary's artistic director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Broadway; Carrie, Off-Broadway revival; Altar Boyz, Off-Broadway) is thrilled to officially announce the casting for the world premiere of Mary and Max - A New Musical, with music and lyrics by Bobby Cronin, book by Crystal Skillman, directed by Arima, choreography by Jenn Rapp, and orchestrations and music supervision by Anna Ebbesen.

Broadway Dreams demonstrated the unifying power of the arts when the internationally renowned performing arts education program sent nine Broadway professionals to Moscow, Russia for the third consecutive year. Through a landmark partnership created between the non-profit organization, the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Department of State, and Moscow Broadway, Broadway Dreams offered their unique brand of Broadway master classes to 81 Russian performers of all ages during a ten-day intensive program. The collaboration culminated in three public performances at the Lyudmila Ryumina Concert Hall, Monday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Broadway Dreams demonstrated the unifying power of the arts when the internationally renowned performing arts education program sent nine Broadway professionals to Moscow, Russia for the third consecutive year. Through a landmark partnership created between the non-profit organization, the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Department of State, and Moscow Broadway, Broadway Dreams offered their unique brand of Broadway master classes to 81 Russian performers of all ages during a ten-day intensive program. The collaboration culminates in three public performances at the Lyudmila Ryumina Concert Hall, Monday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Town Stages announces an industry reading of the new musical The Collins Boy by Brad Bass and Cari Joy on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Town Stages, 221 West Broadway, NYC. The Collins Boy is a new musical by Brad Bass and Cari Joy based on real-life events surrounding Christine Collins, her son Walter, and the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders of Los Angeles in 1928.

Town Stages announces an industry reading of the new musical The Collins Boy by Brad Bass and Cari Kassel on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Town Stages, 221 West Broadway, NYC. The Collins Boy is a new musical by Brad Bass and Cari Joy based on real-life events surrounding Christine Collins, her son Walter, and the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders of Los Angeles in 1928.

Big Brother Productions presents an industry reading of MARY & MAX, a new musical based on the 2009 Australian claymation film about two unlikely pen pals, on Sunday, November 12th, at 3pm.

After a very successful reading this summer at the Alliance Theatre produced by Broadway Dreams Foundation, MARY & MAX will have its first 29-hour reading in New York City.

Early-career writer and actor Jacob Grover announced via Facebook that his full-length play "Demonstration of a Drunk Driving Accident," directed by Joel Kirk, will be running for four nights at the Alchemical Theater Laboratory.

This week, Broadway Dreams will workshop and present a staged reading of the new musical Mary & Max at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Through an integrated partnership between the not-for-profit performing arts training program and the musical's creators, Broadway Dreams students and faculty will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the process of creating a new musical.

On January 30th, 2017, singer/songwriter Jeremy Schonfeld celebrates his birthday with an all-star lineup of talented friends in concert at (Le) Poisson Rouge (158 Bleeker Street, New York, NY 10012). Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm.

Tony Award-winner Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and Tony & Olivier Award-Nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) will star in The New York Musical Festival's (NYMF) upcoming production of ICON, a romantic new musical with book by Sebastian Michael and music & lyrics by Jonathan Kaldor.  Paul Stancato directs and choreographs a cast of 14, which also includes Colin Anderson*, Leslie Becker*, Patrick Connaghan*, Chase Crandell*, Chloe Holgate*, Charlotte Maltby*, Ben McHugh*, Kalia Medeiros*, Erika Peterson, Chris Ramirez*, Casey Shane*, and Sam Simahk*.  With a seven piece orchestra, ICON is being staged at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® Project, 229 West 42nd Street (bet. 7th and 8th Aves.) in NYC for five performances from Wednesday, July 20 through Tuesday, July 26, 2016.  *Member, Actors' Equity Association.

Leslie Becker (Bonnie & Clyde, Anything Goes, Amazing Grace) has joined the cast of The New York Musical Festival's upcoming production of Icon alongside Tony winner Donna McKechnie ( A Chorus Line) and Tony and Olivier Award nominee Tony Sheldon ( Priscilla, Queen of the Desert).

Tony Award-winner Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and Tony & Olivier Award-Nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) will star in The New York Musical Festival's (NYMF) upcoming production of ICON, a romantic new musical with book by Sebastian Michael and music & lyrics by Jonathan Kaldor. 

American Theater Group (ATG) is currently presenting 'Crossing Swords' at Hamilton Stage in Rahway through Sunday, May 1st. Directed by Igor Golden and written by Joe Slabe, this new musical is absolutely enthralling with a captivating story and an excellent score.