Michael Butler News

Coastal Repertory Theatre enters into the 'Age of Aquarius' with what the New York Times calls 'The Ultimate American Rock Musical', HAIR -- written by James Rado & Gerome Ragni and produced for the Broadway Stage by Michael Butler, originally produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre. This production is directed and choreographed by Joe Duffy with musical and vocal direction by Joseph Murphy. The show runs July 19, 2013 through August 10, 2013.

Last night, I was invited to attend the final dress rehearsal of Country Playhouse and the Houston Masonic Library's World Premiere production of LEAVING SAN JACINTO by Diana Howie. The one act drama invites audiences to imagine what the journey on the Yellow Stone Steam Boat may have been like on a certain day in May of 1836. Texas is a new nation, having just won its independence. Sam Houston, Lorenzo de Zavala, and Santa Anna, three of Texas history's most iconic masons are all on board the Yellow Stone. The boat leaves Harrisburg, Texas and heads south on the San Jacinto River towards Galveston, allowing these three men a great opportunity to come together and even converse.

San Jose Rep welcomes a cast of undeniable talent to the stage for the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal, directed by David Ira Goldstein and co-produced with the Arizona Theatre Company.

San Jose Rep welcomes a cast of undeniable talent to the stage for the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal, directed by David Ira Goldstein and co-produced with the Arizona Theatre Company.

Westport Community Theatre's next production is one of the spookiest, best-written ghost stories to hit theatres in years - Stephen Mallatrat's 'The Woman in Black.' Based on the novel of the same name by Susan Hill, 'The Woman in Black' tells the macabre tale of London solicitor Arthur Kipps, who travels to a very remote part of England, the small town of Crythin Gifford, to settle the estate of one of his recently deceased clients.

Westport Community Theatre's next production is one of the spookiest, best-written ghost stories to hit theatres in years - Stephen Mallatrat's 'The Woman in Black.' Based on the novel of the same name by Susan Hill, 'The Woman in Black' tells the macabre tale of London solicitor Arthur Kipps, who travels to a very remote part of England, the small town of Crythin Gifford, to settle the estate of one of his recently deceased clients.

Tune in to see cast members of Mike Bartlett's new hit play COCK, Jason Butler Harner, Amanda Quaid and Cory Michael Smith, interviewed on NY-1's "On Stage" this Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8 at 9:30am and 7:30pm, and Monday July 9 (early Tuesday morning) at 12:30am.

Next week, the Pantages Theatre will be hosting the L.A. Premiere of Million Dollar Quartet. Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions in history. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," and more.

The American premiere of The Royal Court Theatre's Olivier Award-winning new production, COCK starring Jason Butler Harner as M, Amanda Quaid as W, Cory Michael Smith as John and Cotter Smith as F, opens Off-Broadway at The Duke tonight, May 17! See photos of the cast on stage below.

The American premiere of The Royal Court Theatre's Olivier Award-winning new production, COCK starring Jason Butler Harner as M, Amanda Quaid as W, Cory Michael Smith as John and Cotter Smith as F, is currently in previews Off-Broadway at The Duke and opens May 17. See photos of the cast on stage below!

In 1950, Billy Wilder wrote and directed what is now regarded as one of the finest movies ever made - Sunset Boulevard, starring silent screen legend Gloria Swanson as silent screen legend Norma Desmond. A biting, incisive insight into the star system of the ‘old' Hollywood, set in the era when talkies had overtaken silent movies, Sunset Boulevard became an instant smash hit, a multi-award winning success (nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning 3), an all-time classic and is regularly featured on the ‘top ten' lists of best movies ever made.

The Bay Area premiere of San Jose Rep's God of Carnage begins previews tonight. This winner of the 2009 Tony Award® for Best Play was written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton. The production runs from March 22 to April 15, 2012, with Opening Night on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30 pm.

The Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) has announced Artistic Excellence Awards totaling $239,000, presented in grants to support professional arts organizations at the Lesher Center for the Arts, the premier presenting venue of Contra Costa County and major arts hub of the East Bay.

On Thursday, January 6th, the Broadway Smash Hit HAIR celebrated its Los Angeles Premiere! Celebrities from the worlds of Broadway, film and television 'Let The Sunshine In' on the red carpet at the Pantages Theatre.

Pop icon Deborah Cox headlined a star-studded cast featuring performances and presentations by Sandra Thurman, former AIDS Czar under President Bill Clinton and current President and CEO of International AIDS Trust, the cast of FELA!, Dancing With The Stars finalist and N'SYNC star Lance Bass, Tony Award winners Alice Ripley, Chuck Cooper, Melba Moore, and TV stars Graham Phillips (The Good Wife) and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious), for the third annual Broadway in South Africa (BSA) benefit concert last night, October 4. Nearly the entire show featured world-premiere songs, created for the evening, by such composers as Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold. This year's honoree was producer Michael Butler. He is one of the most successful theatrical producers, lauded for bringing HAIR to Broadway in 1968, and an active proponent of youth creating positive global social change.

Pop icon Deborah Cox will headline a star-studded cast featuring performances and presentations by Sandra Thurman, former AIDS Czar under President Bill Clinton and current President and CEO of International AIDS Trust, the cast of FELA!, Dancing With The Stars finalist and N'SYNC star Lance Bass, Tony Award winners Alice Ripley, Chuck Cooper, and Melba Moore, and TV stars Graham Phillips (The Good Wife) and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious), for the third annual Broadway in South Africa (BSA) benefit concert. Nearly the entire show will feature world-premiere songs, created for the evening, by such composers as Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold. This year's honoree is producer Michael Butler. He is one of the most successful theatrical producers, lauded for bringing HAIR to Broadway in 1968, and an active proponent of youth creating positive global social change. The concert will take place on Monday, October 4, 2010, at 7:30 pm in the Manhattan Center's Grand Ballroom, located at 311 West 34th Street.

Dancing With The Stars finalist and N'SYNC star Lance Bass joins The Good Wife's Graham Phillips as presenters for the third annual Broadway in South Africa (BSA) benefit concert. The show will premiere new works, created for the evening, by such composers as Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold, to be performed by Broadway stars, like Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious).

Pop icon Deborah Cox will headline a star-studded cast featuring performances and presentations by Sandra Thurman, former AIDS Czar under President Bill Clinton and current President and CEO of International AIDS Trust, the cast of FELA!, Dancing With The Stars finalist and N'SYNC star Lance Bass, Tony Award winners Alice Ripley, Chuck Cooper, and Melba Moore, and TV stars Graham Phillips (The Good Wife) and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious), for the third annual Broadway in South Africa (BSA) benefit concert. Nearly the entire show will feature world-premiere songs, created for the evening, by such composers as Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold. This year's honoree is producer Michael Butler. He is one of the most successful theatrical producers, lauded for bringing HAIR to Broadway in 1968, and an active proponent of youth creating positive global social change. The concert will take place on Monday, October 4, 2010, at 7:30 pm in the Manhattan Center's Grand Ballroom, located at 311 West 34th Street.

Dancing With The Stars finalist and N'SYNC star Lance Bass joins The Good Wife's Graham Phillips as presenters for the third annual Broadway in South Africa (BSA) benefit concert. The show will premiere new works, created for the evening, by such composers as Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold, to be performed by Broadway stars, like Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious).

Grammy Award winners Desmond Child and Julie Gold join New York songwriters in creating world-premier works to be performed by Broadway stars, like Tony-Award winner Alice Ripley and Ariana Grande (Nickelodeon's Victorious), to celebrate, raise awareness and funding for Broadway in South Africa (BSA), at its third annual benefit concert. It will take place on Monday, October 4, 2010, at 7:30 pm in the Manhattan Center's Grand Ballroom, located at 311 West 34th Street. This year's honoree is producer Michael Butler, one of the most successful theatrical producers, lauded for bringing HAIR to Broadway in 1968, and an active proponent of youth creating positive global social change.