Michelle Lynch News

Dr. Anne McGill-Franzen and Dr. Richard Allington selected American Reading Company (ARC) to provide books for their Summer Slide replication study. McGill-Franzen and Allington's previous longitudinal study in Jacksonville, Florida, proved that giving students books they chose themselves virtually eliminated the summer slide.

2015 HELPMANN AWARDS ***THIS ARTICLE WILL BE UPDATED LIVE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY 2015***

Tonight, the countdown to the 2015 HELPMANN AWARDS began with the announcement of the 2015 HELPMANN AWARDS Nominees.

DIRTY DANCING, THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE, which is now in production at the Connor Palace transports the audience back to the summer of 1963. As is the custom of many well-to-do Jewish New York City families of that time, the Housemans have escaped for the summer to the Catskill Mountains, home of the Borscht Belt. It's a summer away from the sweltering city. It's a time for fun and games, and summer romances.

Based on the 1987 film of the same name, Dirty Dancing tells the classic coming of age story documenting a teenage girl's relationship with a dance instructor whom she encountered during her family's summer vacation.

Today, Little Miss Sunshine's Rory O'Malley speaks exclusively with BroadwayWorld about James Lapine's 'No Hugging' rule, the pros of being a pessimist and why Book of Mormon was the greatest time of his ife.

In the crisp, morning hours on December 27, 2012 I got the chance to speak with Lara Teeter, who will be playing Cap'n Andy in the upcoming production of SHOW BOAT at Houston Grand Opera. The celebrated actor had a plethora of interesting and scholarly items to discuss about SHOW BOAT, and the character of Cap'n Andy. We also had a good time discussing his career as an actor, director, choreographer, and teacher.

Derrick Baskin, Andrea Burns, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harriett D. Foy, Marcy Harriell, Lisa Howard, Ebony Joann, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Adriane Lenox, Sarah Saltzberg, Sherie Rene Scott, and J. Robert Spencer performed songs from several of Second Stage's most memorable musicals for a one-night-only benefit, A MOMENT WITH YOU, last night April 4, 2011 at Hammerstein Ballroom. The evening honored Second Stage Theatre Board Member Donna Perret Rosen. Stephen Sondheim served as the evening's Honorary Chair.

Derrick Baskin, Michael Cerveris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harriett D. Foy, Marcy Harriell, Lisa Howard, Ebony JoAnn, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Adriane Lenox, Sarah Saltzberg, Sherie Rene Scott, and J. Robert Spencer will perform songs from several of Second Stage's most memorable musicals for a one-night-only benefit, A MOMENT WITH YOU, on Monday April 4, 2011 at Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The evening is honoring Second Stage Theatre Board Member Donna Perret Rosen. Stephen Sondheim is the evening's Honorary Chair.

Derrick Baskin, Michael Cerveris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harriett D. Foy, Marcy Harriell, Lisa Howard, Ebony JoAnn, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Adriane Lenox, Sarah Saltzberg, Sherie Rene Scott, and J. Robert Spencer will perform songs from several of Second Stage's most memorable musicals for a one-night-only benefit, A MOMENT WITH YOU, on Monday April 4, 2011 at Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The evening is honoring Second Stage Theatre Board Member Donna Perret Rosen. Stephen Sondheim is the evening's Honorary Chair.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director) announces that the 2010-2011 season opening production, Hairspray has extended its performance schedule. Originally scheduled to run through October 17, Hairspray will now run from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Casting will be announced soon.

Hairspray will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:00PM, Thursdays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM, Fridays at 7:00PM, Saturdays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM and Sundays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM. Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Family week is September 22 through September 26, during which children's tickets are half off. Student rush tickets are $20 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at brand new website: www.papermill.org. Paper Mill Playhouse gift cards, available in any denomination, can be purchased at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount on tickets and should call 973-379-3636 ext.2438.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director) announces that the 2010-2011 season opening production, Hairspray has extended its performance schedule. Originally scheduled to run through October 17, Hairspray will now run from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Casting will be announced soon.

Paper Mill Playhouse's (Mark S. Hoebee- Producing Artistic Director) online video contest, Hairspray's Dance Invention has narrowed its entries down to eight finalists.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director) announces that the 2010-2011 season opening production, Hairspray has extended its performance schedule. Originally scheduled to run through October 17, Hairspray will now run from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Casting will be announced soon.

I remember seeing FOOTLOOSE in a theatre back in 1984, and I think I actually enjoyed it. I even have a cassette of the soundtrack somewhere, although I don't remember ever purchasing it. Still, it's the type of movie that can be easily tweaked for translation to the stage since the songs are already in place (for the most part), and the plot blends dance with romance. It is an undeniably infectious combination, especially for those of us who grew up with this music, for better or worse.

'Little House on the Prairie - The Musical', based on the 'Little House' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and starring Melissa Gilbert as 'Ma', opened quietly at the Buell Theater on Tuesday night. Oh yes, there were commercials and talk of the show. But the show itself is a very low key affair. And that's not a bad thing. There are no chandeliers, bubbles or 'flying green witches' and that is what may upset some theatergoers. What theatergoers will like is that Melissa Gilbert, the original Laura Ingalls from the 70's TV series, plays 'Ma' in this musical production.

A bland, empty show trying to cash in on the popularity of the TV series. Even Fonzie's die-hard fans will be disappointed. * (out of 5)

The Guthrie will debut a new musical, Little House on the Prairie, based on the beloved 'Little House' books by writer Laura Ingalls Wilder. Francesca Zambello, an internationally recognized director of opera and theater, will direct the world premiere, slated for summer 2008 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.