Michael Lichtefeld News

Rhode Island's theater community had much to celebrate in 2015.  Outstanding productions graced stages from the East Bay to South County, up-and-coming theatrical companies left their mark on the arts scene, and excellent concerts and dance events made for some of the best performances of the year.

Happy Holidays! It's the last week to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!

Time is running out to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!

Voting is fully underway for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 11. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

Strike up the band and march over to Drayton for the most anticipated show of the summer! The Drayton Festival Theatre ends its 25th Anniversary Season on a high note with a grand-scale production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, which entertains audiences of all ages through August 29th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Strike up the band and march over to Drayton for the most anticipated show of the summer! The Drayton Festival Theatre ends its 25th Anniversary Season on a high note with a grand-scale production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, which entertains audiences of all ages through August 29th.

Sound the trombones! Join the parade and march on over to the Drayton Festival Theatre for a beloved Broadway classic in celebration of the theatre's 25th Anniversary. Meredith Willson's The Music Man is guaranteed to hit a high note as it entertains audiences of all ages from August 5th to August 29th.

CLO's production of the classic musical has star power and a spectacular score, but could use a little energy.

Join one-of-a-kind mother, Rose, and her two talented daughters as they search for fame in Pittsburgh CLO's production of GYPSY, tonight, July 10, through July 19 at the Benedum Center. This entertaining musical is complete with memorable performances, mother-daughter struggles and the hardships of show business life, all while set during the infamous vaudeville era. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Join one-of-a-kind mother, Rose, and her two talented daughters as they search for fame in Pittsburgh CLO's production of GYPSY, tonight, July 10, through July 19 at the Benedum Center. This entertaining musical is complete with memorable performances, mother-daughter struggles and the hardships of show business life, all while set during the infamous vaudeville era.

Following last year's recording of CRAZY FOR YOU, this year - the Stratford Festival company of CAROUSEL recorded the festival's second original cast recording. The recording is now available for order and digital download on CDBaby. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, named the best musical of the 20th century by Time magazine, returns to the Festival for the first time in over twenty years in a vibrant production directed by Susan H. Schulman. Previews began Tuesday, May 5, at the Avon Theatre.

Join one-of-a-kind mother, Rose, and her two talented daughters as they search for fame in Pittsburgh CLO's production of GYPSY, July 10-19 at the Benedum Center. This entertaining musical is complete with memorable performances, mother-daughter struggles and the hardships of show business life, all while set during the infamous vaudeville era.

Theatre by the Sea's MY FAIR LADY is a must-see production. Not only is it a jewel of the summer season, it is easily one of the best pieces of theater in Rhode Island so far this year.

Below, check out photos from Theatre By The Sea's production of MY FAIR LADY, running thru July 18, 2015. For tickets and information call (401) 782-8587, visit www.theatrebythesea.com, or visit the box office in person at 364 Cards Pond Rd., Wakefield, RI.

Bill Hanney will present Charles Shaughnessy, Emmy -winning star of 'The Nanny,' and 'Days of Our Lives,' starring in the MY FAIR LADY at the historic Theatre By The Sea (TBTS). Theatre By The Sea, opening Wednesday, June 24 and playing through Sunday, July 18. Press night is scheduled for Friday, June 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Stratford Festival's production of CAROUSEL opened on May 29th at the Avon Theatre. Despite an unsettling story with challenging themes, the performers in this production are able to rise to the challenge and present some of the finest song and dance that this stage has seen.

Today in 1991, The Secret Garden opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 709 performances.The Secret Garden is a musical based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical's book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman, with music by Lucy Simon. Directed by Susan H. Schulman with choreography by Michael Lichtefeld, the cast featured Daisy Eagan, Mandy Patinkin, and Rebecca Luker. It won the 1991 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Daisy Eagan), and Best Scenic Design (Heidi Landesman).

Just in! Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's THE SECRET GARDEN will be coming to Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall next year, according to a print announcement in tonight's program for Manhattan Concert Productions' PARADE. THE SECRET GARDEN will be performed on February 22, 2016 as the company's next musical.