The show which plays Upstairs at Studio 54 will be closing after 215 performances (and 30 previews) at the midtown stage, April 17. According to an announcement the show will plans to return to New York "every November."
Fred M. Caruso presents the show which began performances Sept. 10 and opened Oct. 7 for its open-ended run. He will be joined by producer Mitchell Maxwell for the staging at the Denver Civic Center, starting April 28 and opening May 5 for an open ended run.
The Brad Simon Organization will handle the Newsical tour (slated to kick off September). An updated tour schedule can be found on the website at www.bsoinc.com or www.newsicalthemusical.com.
Newsical plucks its material from the wealth of current events and regular headliners (Martha Stewart, Paris Hilton, George W., Michael Jackson). The evolving work features updated songs and material every week, making the show almost a completely new experience within months, as put by the show "depending on how active our celebrities and politicians have been in making asses of themselves."
Stephanie Kurtzuba (The Boy From Oz, The Joys of Sex), Todd Alan Johnson (Aida), Trish Rapier (The Boy From Oz, Forbidden Broadway, Golf: the Musical) and Jim Newman (Minnelli on Minnelli, Steel Pier, Sunset Boulevard) are the current cast members. The tour will likely include current cast members stated the closing release. The show is the created by composer-lyricist Rick Crom. His credits include many Off-Broadway and cabaret revues including Oh Fine RSVP, The Subject Was Neurosis, Absolutely Rude, Our Life and Times and What in the World.
The cast album — which features "Martha Stewart The Mini-Musical," "Nobody Messes with Liza," "Felt Up at the Airport" and more — is available through the show's website, box office and in music stories.
Director-choreographer Donna Drake (A Chorus Line) stages the work. As an actress, she has appeared on Broadway in It's So Nice to Be Civilized, Sophisticated Ladies, Woman of the Year and Wind in the Willows. Her directorial credits include Romance in the Dark, Boobs the Musical and Christmas with the Crawfords.
The design team for Newsical features Peter P. Allburn (scenic), David Kaley (costumes), Jason Hayes (wigs and makeup) and Michael Flink (sound/light). Ed Goldschneider (Urinetown) serves as musical director.
For tickets to Newsical, at Upstairs at Studio 54 (254 West 54 Street), call (212) 307-4100. For more information, visit www.newsicalthemusical.com.
