News

Following two successful productions at Flat Rock Playhouse and Goodspeed Musicals, the producers of Chasing Rainbows The Road to Oz haveannounced three private industry lab performances on Thursday, July 13 and Friday, July 14 in New York City.

For some people, Lisa Loeb will eternally remain the cat-eye glasses-wearing crush they first heard in Reality Bites in 1994. But Loeb has resolutely refused to keep still in the intervening years, taking detours into film and television acting and lately, children’s music. She’s currently in New York for a residency at the famed Cafe Carlyle, and People caught up to her to see how she’s been “Stay”-ing busy. (Sorry.)

How did you get involved with the Carlyle?

I’d never imagined that I’d be going there. I’d seen Betty Buckley and people like that...

It was a full house at the Anne L. Bernstein Theater Sunday, Oct. 23, where the Off Broadway Alliance hosted a free seminar, Casting for Off-Broadway: From Development to Opening. Moderated by Tony Award–winning producer Hugh Hysell (“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Peter and the Starcatcher”), the panel consisted of director Thomas Caruso (“Southern Comfort,” “Matilda”) and casting directors Michael Cassara (“Spamilton,” “Gigantic”), Cindi Rush (“Ruthless,” “Urinetown”), and Paul Hardt (“West Side Story,” “Chasing Rainbows”). Hysell began the 90-minute conversation by prompting discussion about a casting director’s purpose in theater and some of the behind-the-scenes details of getting a show from the page to the stage. “We work as a liaison between the creative team and the rest of the world,” Cassara said. “If you’re putting together a new project, our job is to know everybody and find everybody.” Read: “6 Ways to Impress a Casting Director...

Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere chronicles the life of a youngJudy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production runs now through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Opening night is tonight, December 2, 2015.

Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere chronicles the life of a young Judy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production runs now through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Click below to watch highlights from the show...

Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere chronicles the life of a young Judy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production runsnow through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below...

Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere willchronicles the life of a young Judy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production will run from November 27 through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Below, BroadwayWorld has a new portrait ofactress Ruby Rakos in character as Judy,with Michael Wartella as Mickey Rooney...

Rehearsals are underway for Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere, which chronicles the life of a young Judy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production will run from November 27 through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Below, BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at actress Ruby Rakos in character as Judy...

Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere willchronicles the life of a young Judy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production will run from November 27 through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Below, BroadwayWorld has a new portrait ofactress Ruby Rakos in character as Judy,with Michael Wartella as Mickey Rooney...

Rehearsals are underway for Flat Rock Playhouse's presentation of Chasing Rainbows The Road To Oz world premiere, which chronicles the life of a young Judy Garland. This exciting new musical explores her extraordinary journey from vaudeville to Hollywood to stardom which culminated in one of the most popular films of all time, The Wizard Of Oz. The production will run from November 27 through December 19, 2015 at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Below, BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at actress Ruby Rakos in character as Judy...

No.1's Week. Movie Week. '80s Week. Zzzzz.

Is it any wonder that X Factor ratings are tumbling when the show's theme weeks continue to be so predictable? Someone is singing 'Listen' from Dreamgirls you say? Gosh, we've never heard that before.

In the spirit of goodwill, we've got some suggestions that might spice things up and get some songs on a Saturday night that we haven't heard murdered 256 times before.

1. Sing Your Name Week

Inspired by the brilliantly named Ben Haenow, who could perform Crowded House's 'Don't Dream It's Over' ("Hey Now! Hey Now!"), everyone has to sing a song connected to their name.

Fleur East can tackle anything by East 17, Stereo Kicks can tackle a Stereophonics vs Rizzle Kicks mash-up, Lola Saunders can tackle the Kinks classic, Jack Walton could attempt 'Hit The Road Jack' and Only The Young could murder 'We Are Young'.

2. Simon Cowell...

An NYC reading for the new musical Chasing Rainbows - The Road To Oz has been scheduled for this week in New York City, September 8-18. BroadwayWorld has learned that the reading will feature Ruby Rakos Frances Gumm, Euan Morton Frank Gumm Roger Edens, Donna Lynne Champlin Ethel Gumm, Michael Wartella Joe Yule, Karen Mason Kay Koverman, and Douglass Sills George Jessel L.B. Mayer, with Emily Rosenfeld, Beatice Tulchin, Emma Howard, Andrea Marie Laxton, Katie Wesler, Jessica Sheridan, Kevin B. McGlynn, Ben Crawford, Tommy Bracco, Sam Strassfeld, Katie Dixon, Tessa Grady, Jonalyn Saxer, Michael Milton, and Stephen Christopher Anthony.

You couldn't get much more '90s than Tfi Friday. Even if you watched an episode of Friends while wearing a fisherman's hat with Shed Seven playing 'Chasing Rainbows' at the same time in your living room, it still wouldn't be as '90s as Chris Evans stood at a bar, shouting "Wiiiiiilll" in between bursts of 'The Riverboat Song'.

So when Chris Evans revealed over the Bank Holiday that Channel 4 had approached him to revive the show to mark its 20th anniversary next year (it isn't actually 20 until 2016, but let's not quibble over small details), there were understandably a few groans from people who thought the rowdy entertainment show should be left in the decade of Cool Britannia, Hooch and Kula Shaker.

But we disagree, for the five following reasons:

1. Tfi was live. Tfi was unpredictable.

Well, it was normally live. It was until Shaun Ryder...

Today we are talking to a terrifically talented triple-threat diva known for her legendary Broadway performance as the title character in the iconic original production of Annie as well as notable appearances on Broadway since in Starlight Express, Les Miserables, State Fair and more - the engaging and passionate Andrea McArdle. Opening up about her life after 'Tomorrow' as well as sharing memories of her time in Annie, McArdle sheds some light on her idiosyncratic showbiz career and shares sensational stories from her past and present while also looking ahead to the future. Additionally, McArdle looks back on many of her most famous roles to date, including her roller skating days in Starlight Express and her recent stint as Mame herself, as well as her various Judy Garland-related properties, too - the TV biopic Rainbow and the stage adaptation of Meet Me In St. Louis among them, not to...

Shed Seven have re-recorded their 1996 single 'Chasing Rainbows' to mark its 15th anniversary and made the song available as a free download. The band have also added a new date to their 'Maximum Hits and Maximum Highs' tour, which kicks off in November. Shed Seven, who reunited in 2007 after splitting in 2003, will now play a second hometown show at the York Barbican on December 21. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am and are priced at £18.50. The band also confirmed that the horns on tracks from A Maximum High will be replicated with a three-piece brass section. Listen to the new mix of Shed Seven's 'Chasing Rainbows' below: Shed Seven's full tour dates are as follows:

November (more)...