David Nelson News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A BIC 'Beautiful' announcement, dates confirmed for Estefan musical 'On Your Feet,' both versions of 'The Wild Party' get local productions, Porchlight sings Disney, 'Toulouse' takes a stage, Tony winners Levi Kreis and Chita Rivera set solo dates here, and much more!

Josh Walker, a cast member of the upcoming Broadway revival of Side Show and its recent Kennedy Center staging, has written a new musical about Post-Impressionistic French painter Henri de Toulouse Lautrec and the Moulin Rouge. Toulouse: A New Musical has a score composed by Walker, with a book by John David Nelson, and lyrics by both Walker and Nelson. A workshop is currently taking place in Chicago with presentations scheduled for August 29 - 31, 2014. Walker will also play the title role of Toulouse Lautrec.

Tim Blake Nelson, whose 2009 Off-Broadway production of EYE OF GOD was produced by THEATRE EAST, joins David Chase, creator of The Sopranos and Graham Russell of Air Supply in honoring Dominic Chianese (The Sopranos) with the LAURETTE TAYLOR AWARD on Monday, May 19, at Trinity Place, 115 B'way (between B'way and Trinity Place) in lower Manhattan. The benefit begins with a VIP Cocktail Hour at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm begins the dinner, program and music. Musical guests also include acoustic duo OF EDEN, in their first New York area performance and a sneak preview of songs from the upcoming family musical TREASURE ISLAND, performed by Josh Freilich Musical Friends, featuring Kimberly Hirst, Rebecca Kuznick, Brandon Beynon, Michael Kushner, Natasha Edwards, Sammi Kramer and Eric Stockton (SOUL DOCTOR) on guitar.

Following the huge success of The 39 Steps last spring, WHAT will bring a 'wonderfully barking spoof.' Directed by Stephen Russell, The Hound of the Baskervilles previews March 13 and opens tonight, March 14.

Following the huge success of The 39 Steps last spring, WHAT will bring a 'wonderfully barking spoof.' Directed by Stephen Russell, The Hound of the Baskervilles previews March 13 and opens March 14.

Voting is now underway for San Francisco! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for San Francisco! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for San Francisco! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for San Antonio! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for San Francisco! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Z2 Entertainment presents Shakedown Street featuring Melvin Seals to the Boulder Theater tonight, March 29th, 2013.

Z2 Entertainment presents Shakedown Street featuring Melvin Seals to the Boulder Theater on Friday, March 29th, 2013. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, February 15th, 2013 at 10:00 am for $15 general admission.

Check right in to Stockton Civic Theatre. A friendly bellhop (David Nelson) will greet you, reminding you in his own special way to turn off your cell phone and remind you of other important details. Although those welcoming lines are added for the audience's benefit, playwright Ken Ludwig easily could have written them, they fit the show so well. And Nelson's antics, which continue to delight throughout "Lend Me A Tenor," set the scene perfectly for the farce to come. Audiences will find themselves very satisfied with their just over two-hour stay at an intimate and quaint theatre in the heart of Stockton.

By popular demand, Florida Studio Theatre has extended the run of the hit show Let's Twist Again: with the Wanderers, the ‘50s & ‘60s style musical revue, and Smokey Joe's Café, featuring music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

The Sundance Institute Theatre Program announced the acting company and collaborators for the three projects being developed at its Fall Lab, which begins today at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA). Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Theatre Program, and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, the two-week Lab provides creative support and direction for innovative musical theatre and ensemble-generated projects.

David Lee Nelson's timely autobiographical play THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET, about his "coming out" as a Democrat to his staunchly Republican father officially opened at the Kraine Theatre (85 East 4th Street) on Sunday, October 21. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

59E59 Theaters has announced the 2012 line up for the 8th annual EAST TO EDINBURGH festival, beginning tonight, July 10 for a limited engagement through Sunday, July 29. Each July, 59E59 Theaters hosts a plethora of innovative US productions en route to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world. Created as a way to help shows get on their feet before flying off to Scotland, EAST TO EDINBURGH simulates the same production constraints that all shows experience during the Festival, while giving them a clean, comfortable and nurturing space to fine-tune their productions. This whirlwind three-week festival, featuring 16 productions, reflects some of the most adventurous theater from NY and across the US.

Boulder Weekly & Z2 Entertainment will present Shakedown Street playing Cornell University May 8th, 1977 at the Fox Theatre on Friday, August 17th. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 22nd for $12.00 in advance and $14.00 day of show.

The 2012 Summer Season kicks off with the fiery fun musical DAS BARBECÜ in the Keating Theatre, tonight, June 13 through July 15. Subscriptions to FST's three-show summer season may be purchased for as little as $29, online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling the box office at (941) 366-9000. Single tickets to Das Barbecu range from $19 - $36.

The 2012 Summer Season kicks off with the fiery fun musical DAS BARBECÜ in the Keating Theatre, June 13 through July 15. DAS BARBECÜ, with book and lyrics by Jim Luigs and music by Scott Warrender, is loosely based on Wagner's epic Ring Cycle opera. Add in some modern day Texas twang, big hair, and big hats, and you've got a lightning-paced musical that's fun for opera buffs and regular joes alike. Get a first look at the cast on stage in the photos below!