Ben Michael News

Complete casting has been announced for Paradise Square on Broadway. The production begins rehearsals today in New York City. Previews begin in four weeks on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, prior to opening night on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). 

Paradise Square began its pre-Broadway engagement on November 2, at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre. Get a first look at the cast in action in these all new production photos!

Family can be very complicated. Just think about it – parents with unique personalities and perspectives bring children into the world who have their own quirks and problems and everyone lives together for an extended period under the same roof and are subject to common ups and downs. It can be a formula for something great or something disastrous. Through the theatre (and other media, for that matter) we get the voyeuristic pleasure in seeing how others navigate the treacherous waters of familial bonds. And sometimes it can be quite funny. Such is the case with the latest production from The Ensemble Company (in residence at Penguin Point Productions) – Nicky Silver’s “savage comedy about a dying breed” – THE LYONS.

Experience the opening number for Paradise Square, A New Musical. Featuring Tony Award nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Nathaniel Stampley (The Color Purple), Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys), Kevin Dennis (Assassins) and the ensemble, the show’s exuberant and emotional opening number can be viewed below!

BroadwayWorld has a first listen to 'I'd Be A Soldier' from Paradise Square -which begins previews February 22, 2022 at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street), where it opens March 20, 2022.

Paradise Square begins previews February 22, 2022 at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre. Prior to Broadway, the production will play a five-week limited engagement from November 2-December 5, 2021 at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre.

Single tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical, Paradise Square. The first new musical announced for Broadway since the industry-wide shut down, Paradise Square begins previews February 22, 2022 at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street), where it opens March 20, 2022.

.

Casting and performance dates have been announced for the Broadway run of Paradise Square, which will open on Broadway on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at the Shubert Organization's Barrymore Theatre.

Hanukkah 2021 is gonna be LIT! A HANUKKAH CAROL, or GELT TRIP! The Musical isn’t just “A Christmas Carol for Jews”—it’s an irreverent and heartfelt musical comedy that celebrates being the best version of oneself in pursuit of making the world a kinder place.

The Fred Ebb Foundation in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company  will present the sixteenth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Ben Bonnema & Christopher Staskel, and Michael R. Jackson. The award will be presented by Audra McDonald on Monday November 30th at 7pm.

Vanity Fair has reported that that Ben Affleck is returning as Batman in the upcoming Flash movie in a cameo role. He will be playing the Dark Knight alongside Michael Keaton's Batman from the 1989 Tim Burton film. The Flash is scheduled for release on June 3, 2022 with Ezra Miller playing the title role.

Bay Area Theatre Live! is bringing together over 20 Broadway and Bay Area Stars performing for a LIVE audience via YouTube and Facebook in an effort to raise money for Bay Area Theatre Companies affected by COVID-19.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and director Michael Arden about Joni Mitchell's 1971 album 'Blue.' They also discuss Audra McDonald, Ricky Ian Gordon, 'Follies,' Alexandra Silber, Indigo Girls, Sara McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, 'The Phantom of the Opera,' Gillian Lynne, Ben Folds, Maggie Rogers, 'Lestat,' Robyn, and Jan Maxwell. Michael talks about discovering Joni and how her storytelling abilities influenced his own artistic career. Michael has appeared on Broadway in shows such as 'Big River and 'Bare, A Pop Opera.' He also directed the hit revivals of 'Spring Awakening' and 'Once On This Island.'

Asolo Repertory Theatre will present the world premiere of KNOXVILLE, a new musical by Frank Galati, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, opening April 10 (with previews starting April 3). The musical reunites the Tony Award®-winning creative team behind Broadway's Ragtime (1998). Frank Galati, an Asolo Rep associate artist, also directs the production, which will run through April 25. The world premiere of KNOXVILLE is made possible by a generous grant from The Roy Cockrum Foundation.

Jesse Eisenberg's THE SPOILS reinforces the ability of rich white men to get away with abhorrent behavior with little to no consequences.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces the complete cast and creative team for the Broadway Center Stage production of the Pulitzer Prizea?" winning musical, Next to Normal, starring Tony®, Emmy®, and Grammy Award® winner Rachel Bay Jones (Dear Evan Hansen, Pippin) as Diana with Tony® and Emmy® Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, Shuffle Along) as Dan.

There's just one final week to submit votes for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Buffalo Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Vote today to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Buffalo Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

11th Hour Theatre Company presents CHESS THE MUSICAL. Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Lion King, Aida), and book by Richard Nelson. The concert is directed by 11th Hour co-founder and producing Artistic Director, Michael Philip O'Brien, with music direction by Madison Auch. This riveting rock musical event will perform January 11th-19th at Christ Church Neighborhood House, and will feature seven professional actors alongside an ensemble of eight Temple University students. Tickets are $19-$37 and can be purchased online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.