Hans Christian Andersen News

SPRING AWAKENING will begin previews Thursday, May 18, 2006, officially open Thursday, June 15, 2006 and play a limited engagement through Sunday, July 9, 2006.

Bill Kenwright and Marla Rubin announce that they will present the Almeida Theatre production of FESTEN, the hugely successful London play about a family with a dark secret, on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre (239 W. 45th St.), with performances beginning Thursday, March 23. Larry Bryggman, Michael Hayden, Ali MacGraw and Julianna Margulies have been cast in the Broadway production. Directed by Rufus Norris, in a dramatization by David Eldridge from the Danish 1998 film, FESTEN will have its official press opening on Sunday, April 9.

Capathia Jenkins, Steven Pasquale, Julia Murney, Mary Testa, Clarke Thorell and David Yazbek will take part in the concert Heart & Soul: Frank Loesser's Hollywood from January 21st through 23rd

In the spirit of the holidays, the producer and cast of SANTA MEETS THE ICE DRAGON: A SYMPHONIC CHRISTMAS TALE are giving an extraordinary gift to New York City schoolchildren: a special invite to attend a FREE performance of this enchanting new holiday musical adventure, starring Bob McGrath (beloved Bob from Sesame Street), a 21-foot-tall electronic Ice Dragon, the world-class American Symphony Orchestra (28 pieces), and a fabulous company of dancers.

Co-hosts for the evening will be Julie Andrews and Beverly Sills. Appearances and performances will be by Jane Alexander, Orson Bean, Polly Bergen, Steven Blier, Mario Cuomo, Michael Feinstein, Robert Goulet ,Denyce Graves, Rosemary Harris, Celeste Holm, Audra McDonald, Sylvia McNair, Anna Moffo, Rise Stevens and Kitty Carlisle Hart, plus many more surprise guests.