Pat Halloran News

The National Theatre of Great Britain's epic WAR HORSE opened at The Memphis Orpheum on March 25th. The story is based on Michael Morpurgo's 1982 novel of the same name. The play premiered in London in 2007, opened on Broadway in 2011, and embarked on a National Tour in 2012. It is also the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's feature film.

Today the Memphis Development Foundation, the parent company which operates the Orpheum Theatre, initiated the construction phase of a new downtown development project: the Orpheum Centre for Performing Arts & Education. More than 200 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony taking place at 225 S. Main Street, the site of the new Orpheum Centre, and a reception inside the Orpheum Theatre's Grand Lobby.

On Saturday, March 1st, The Orpheum Theatre formally announced its much-anticipated 2014-2015 Broadway Season. The scheduled lineup includes the first national tour of the 2013 Tony® Award Winner for Best Musical KINKY BOOTS, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Musical ONCE, 2013 Tony nominated musical A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL, and the record-breaking smash hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. The season also features the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING, and Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

The cast of Broadway's FIRST DATE, the critically acclaimed new musical comedy starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez, will celebrate the release of their Original Broadway Cast Album one week from today with a one night only cabaret at Broadway's nightclub, 54 BELOW. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Operation Smile. Zachary Levi is a longtime supporter and Smile Ambassador for the organization, which provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the globe. Though the cabaret is nearly sold out, tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at 54BELOW.com.

FIRST DATE has just annnounced a new performance schedule, beginning Tuesday, October 8, 2013: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets for FIRST DATE range from $35 to $137, and can be purchased at the Longacre Theatre box office or at Telecharge.com (212.239.6200). Please note that $30 rush tickets may be available the day of the performance. The current performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7pm,Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm. Starting October 8, 2013 the performance schedule will be: Tuesdayand Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm.

The Orpheum continues its exciting Fall film mini-series with KING KONG on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 PM. Handpicked by Orpheum President and CEO Pat Halloran, this 1933 version of the film will cost patrons only 50 cents per person as homage to the low ticket prices of that time period.

In today's New York Times 'In Performance' video, Zachary Levi, who plays the awkward but sweet Aaron, and Krysta Rodriguez, who takes on the role of edgy and artsy Casey in the new musical FIRST DATE, sing the charming number 'First Impressions.' Check it out here!

FIRST DATE opened last night on Broadway and after the curtain came down, we celebrated with the cast, crew and creative team of the fun, new show. What are you waiting for? Scroll down to check them out!

FIRST DATE opened last night on Broadway and we've got photos from the curtain call for the hot new musical starring Zachary Levi, star of TV's 'Chuck,' Disney's feature film Tangled and Thor: The Dark World, making his Broadway debut opposite Broadway and television ingenue Krysta Rodriguez ('Smash,' The Addams Family).

FIRST DATE opened last night on Broadway and we've got photos from the red carpet arrivals for the new musical starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez. What are you waiting for? Scroll down to check them out!

Tony Award-winning producer Junkyard Dog Productions (Memphis) has just announced that leading man Zachary Levi, star of TV's “Chuck,” Disney's feature film Tangled and the upcoming Thor: The Dark World, will make his Broadway debut starring opposite Broadway and television ingénue Krysta Rodriguez (“Smash,” The Addams Family) in FIRST DATE, Broadway's new romantic musical comedy. With a book by Austin Winsberg (“Gossip Girl”), music and lyrics byAlan Zachary and Michael Weiner (Secondhand Lions, Twice Charmed) and musical staging by Josh Rhodes (Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella) FIRST DATE is directed by Bill Berry (Producing Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre). Featuring Sara Chase (“Arrested Development,” The Toxic Avenger), Kristoffer Cusick (Wicked, Rent), Blake Hammond (Sister Act, Billy Elliot) and Kate Loprest (“Boardwalk Empire,” Hairspray), the cast of FIRST DATE also includes Vicki Noon (Wicked, Mamma Mia!). FIRST DATE begins performances Tuesday, July 9, 2013, and opens Thursday, August 8, 2013, at Broadway's Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street). Additional casting to be announced shortly.

As part of The Theatre's Positive Memphis campaign, The Orpheum is pleased to announce the unveiling of The Memphis Music Passport Program, an interactive guide to the many area attractions that celebrate the history of Memphis music.

Pat Halloran, who this summer put Memphis' name in lights on Broadway and for 30 years has added luster to one of Memphis brightest jewels, The Orpheum Theatre, was honored with a star on The Orpheum's Sidewalk of Stars.

Beginning this fall, high school theatre programs within 35 miles of The Orpheum will submit applications to enter their school's musical in the competition. Anonymous adjudicators will attend musicals at each participating school and complete evaluations that rate different elements of each production.