Kurt Stamm News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the 2013 Regional Summer Musical Theater Guide! Listings for summer theaters in Illinois, Wisconsin, Western Michigan and Northern Indiana, plus The Muny in St. Louis. If you can drive there, there's theater there! But come to our Tony Awards Viewing Party first! Sunday night, June 9th at The Call in Andersonville....

On November 15th, the winners of the Stage Directors and Choreographers' Joseph A. Callaway award were announced at an intimate presentation at the SDC offices, attended by most of the finalists. John Tiffany, director and Steven Hoggett, choreographer each won the prestigious award for their collaborative work on Once, produced by New York Theatre Workshop.

The critically acclaimed first Off-Broadway revival of the of Closer Than Ever, with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire, will end its extended run with its 150th performance on Sunday evening, November 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue) where performances began June 5, 2012.

The York Theatre Company has announced the first Off-Broadway revival of the of Closer Than Ever, with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire, will end its extended run with its 150th performance on Sunday evening, November 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue) where performances began June 5, 2012.

The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, welcomes Marya Grandy (Les Miserables, Damn Yankees) to the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, filling in for Jacquelyn Piro Donovan from October 13 - November 4, due to a prior commitment.

Tasti D-Lite has named a new flavor, "MISS BYRD'S RED VELVET D-LITE," to honor one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever, with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Current cast members of The York Theatre Company production, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Anika Larsen, and James Moye, were on hand on October 4th at Tasti D-Lite Times Square to introduce the world to the deliciously decadent new treat. This exciting new flavor will be available exclusively at the Times Square location for the entire month of October. Check out photos from the unveiling below!

Tasti D-Lite has named a new flavor, "MISS BYRD'S RED VELVET D-LITE," to honor one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Current cast members of The York Theatre Company production, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Anika Larsen, James Moye, and Sal Viviano, will be on hand on Thursday, October 4th at 5:00 p.m. at the Times Square Tasti D-Lite (1588 Broadway between 47th & 48th St) to introduce the world to the deliciously decadent new treat. There will also be an in-store raffle to win two tickets to Closer Than Ever and a $25 Tasti Treat Card.

Continuing their "Celebration of Off-Broadway,' The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), will present a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan Wade, Man with a Load of Mischief will play three performances only, today, October 1 at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 2 at 3:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's. Casting will be announced shortly

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), has announced full casting for a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan L. Wade, the cast will feature P.J. Benjamin (Wicked), Naomi Brockwell, Stephen R. Buntrock (A Little Night Music), Rachel de Benedet (Catch Me If You Can), Nancy Johnston (Elf) and Robert Petkoff (Anything Goes).

The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will welcome James Moye (Dogfight, Million Dollar Quartet) to the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, filling in for George Dvorsky from September 25 - October 7, due to a prior commitment.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, celebrated the 100th performance on September 11th for one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Check out photos of the company at the celebration below!

Continuing their "Celebration of Off-Broadway,' The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), will present a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan Wade, Man with a Load of Mischief will play three performances only, Monday, October 1 at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 2 at 3:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's. Casting will be announced shortly.

A new block of tickets are now on sale for one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Tickets are now on sale through Novembefr 18, 2012 at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Anika Larsen joins the cast of The York Theatre Company's Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire beginning tonight, August 28, 2012. With direction by Mr. Maltby, associate direction and choreography by Kurt Stamm and music direction by Andrew Gerle, the cast also features Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables), George Dvorsky (The Scarlet Pimpernel) and Sal Viviano (The Full Monty). Now in performance through September 30th at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has announced Anika Larsen (Xanadu, All Shook Up, Avenue Q) will join the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire beginning August 28, 2012, replacing previously announced Leslie Kritzer who departed due to a scheduling conflict.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has announced a new addition to one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire: Broadway veteran Leslie Kritzer (A Catered Affair, Sondheim on Sondheim, Legally Blonde, The Musical) beginning August 28, 2012. Ms. Kritzer will step in for Julia Murney who departs the cast on August 25th.

Due to popular demand, The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has announced a second extension through September 30th for one of the best reviewed shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire now in performance at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has added two new additions to one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire: Broadway veterans Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) and Julia Murney (Wicked, Wild Party). Ms. Donovan replaced Christiane Noll and Ms. Murney replaced Jenn Colella who departed to join the company of the new Broadway musical Chaplin.

CLOSER THAN EVER, with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, presented by The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, recently resumed performances at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Santino Fontana and Joan Rivers stopped by to visit the cast and you can check out photos below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, has announced two new additions to Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire: Broadway veterans Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) beginning August 3, and Julia Murney (Wicked, Wild Party) beginning August 6. Ms. Donovan will step in for Christiane Noll and Ms. Murney for Jenn Colella who will both depart to join the company of the new Broadway musical Chaplin.