Brandon Wardell News

Under The Streetlamp - the critically acclaimed musical group that's returning to Nashville this weekend for a trio of performances with The Nashville Symphony - was formed when four friends, who had appeared together in the Chicago production of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, decided they should continue their collaboration after the show was shuttered.

On this day in 2011, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre.

UNDER THE STREETLAMP comes to Stowe for one night only, Saturday, April 13th, at The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center. Audiences are invited to experience an unforgettable evening where they will hear classic hits from the American radio songbook. Tickets for UNDER THE STREETLAMP are on sale now and available at Spruce Peak Arts (122 Hourglass Drive Stowe, VT 05672), by visiting www.sprucepeakarts.org/events/under-the-streetlamp/ or by calling 802.760.4634.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2018/19 season with A Number, written by Caryl Churchill and directed by Robin Witt. A Number runs March 20 - June 9, 2019 in The Gillian Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Hansol Jung's CARDBOARD PIANO, now in its Chicago premiere at Timeline Theatre Company, centers on historical and contemporary issues in Uganda. Jung's narrative sweeps up much of that nation's recent history of violence, child soldiers, and homophobia into the story of just a few characters inside a church. And CARDBOARD PIANO relays all this alongside lofty themes of forgiveness, the power of religion, and the human need to fix what's broken and right wrongs. While this may sound like a tall order for one play to tackle-and it is-it is Jung's utterly human, multidimensional characters that allow her to find success. Jung also proves a masterful playwright because she knows that the best plays meditate on themes and add more complexity to some of life's biggest questions, without offering up clear answers.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2018/19 season with A Number, written by Caryl Churchill and directed by Robin Witt.  A Number runs March 20 - June 9, 2019 in The Gillian Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces the initial line up for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. Audiences can expect another outstanding year of programming and fun as SF Sketchfest will host major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more.

Griffin Theatre Company Artistic Director William Massolia today announced the addition of nine new ensemble members: Isa Arciniegas, Larry Baldacci, Peter Byrne, Jermaine Hill, Nicole Laurenzi, Ryan McBride, Rochelle Therrien, Jason VonRohn and Scott Weinstein. Additionally, Griffin is pleased to add six new artistic associates: Will Kiley, Dorothy Milne, Mechelle Moe, Alexander Ridgers, Rachel Sypniewski and Brandon Wardell.

Under Jonathan Berry's direction, Simon Stephens's THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME has found its emotional center at Steppenwolf. Based upon the novel by Mark Haddon, CURIOUS INCIDENT marks the first Steppenwolf for Young Adults production of this season, and this staging brings the show's theme of human connection to the forefront. I saw this play both on Broadway and on tour when it passed through Chicago in 2016, and the more poignant parts of the narrative felt swallowed up by the cavernous venues. In Steppenwolf's comparably smaller Downstairs Theatre, CURIOUS INCIDENT has considerably more emotional heft while also offering up a unique visual and aural landscape.

Under the Streetlamp is a concert celebration of classic hits of the American Radio Songbook from the 1950s-1970s.

Classic hits first performed by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Bobby Darin and more are reborn for today's audiences in this evening of great music and hilarious behind-the-scenes tales, complete with an exceptional seven-piece band composed of world-class musicians. Featuring former cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Jersey Boys, Under the Streetlamp returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, October 5 at 8pm, part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway & Cabaret Series and the Pepsi Rock Series powered by Xfinity

Under the Streetlamp is a concert celebration of classic hits of the American Radio Songbook from the 1950s-1970s.

Featuring former cast members of the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Jersey Boys, Under the Streetlamp returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse with a night of Doo-Wop, Motown, and old time Rock and Roll on Friday, October 5th at 8pm, part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway & Cabaret Series and the Pepsi Rock Series powered by Xfinity. This full-band show show includes popular songs from The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, plus a "show-stopping" salute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! Media partner for this great night of song  is Connecticut Public Broadcasting.

Stars of the Tony Award-winning musical "Jersey Boys" and the stars of three PBS special are taking their considerable triple threat talents on the road and under the stars when they rock around the clock at SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre on Monday, August 20. The foursome will present a celebration of musical hits from the 1950s through 1970s, including Doo Wop, Motown and old-time rock and roll hits.

Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival is excited to announce its 2018 comedy lineup featuring some of today's real heavy-hitters. Hannibal Buress, Michelle Wolf, Pete Davidson, Natasha Leggero, Trixie Mattel and more join an already stacked music lineup during the 3-day festival. For the third year in a row, Life is Beautiful will host an eclectic group of stand-up comedians on the newly minted comedy stage, The Kicker, centered in the heart of the festival grounds inside The Venue Las Vegas. 

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) announces the full casting for its first show of the 2018/19 season, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This Tony Award-winning play is adapted by Simon Stephens, based on the book by Mark Haddon and directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry.

Under the Streetlamp is coming to the Morrison Center for a live, one-night-only performance on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 7:00 PM. Featuring former leading cast members of hit Broadway musicals including 'JERSEY BOYS,' Under the Streetlamp is a concert celebration of classic hits of the American Radio Songbook from the 1950s-1970s. Their shows feature tight harmonies and slick dance moves that take audiences back to an era of sharkskin suits, flashy cars and martini shakers. A flashback to a time when, on hot summer nights, people would gather under a streetlamp to sing their favorite rock and roll songs.  

Steppenwolf's LookOut series is proud to present The Yard's production ofcolumbinus by the United States Theatre Project, written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli. Directed byMechelle Moe and performed by The Yard's 15 young-person ensemble, columbinus runs Thursday, May 3 - Saturday, May 26 in the 1700 Theatre. Press date is Friday, May 4 at 8pm. Tickets ($15 - $25) to columbinusare on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Red and Black Card Members can use their credits toward columbinus, and Black Card members get 2-for-1 tickets.

The Jeff Awards announced today a total of 115 nominations in 19 categories for the 45th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards.

Griffin Theatre Company continues its 30th anniversary season with two powerful tales of war presented in rotating repertory. The Chicago premiere of GHOSTS OF WAR details a young soldier's tour of duty in Iraq following 9/11, based on Ryan Smithson's best-selling autobiographical novel, adapted for the stage by Artistic Director Bill Massolia (In To America) and directed by Jason Gerace (Great Expectations, Last Train to Nibroc).