Theatreworks goes to Broadway

On September 23, the musical “Memphis” will become TheatreWorks' first show to reach the Broadway stage. Originally developed in their New Works Festival, the world premiere musical highlighted 2003/04 mainstage season and became one of the theatre’s greatest hits. That production featured an astonishing cast, and many of our original leads are starring in the New York production.

The TheatreWorks community has a unique opportunity to be enchanted once again by this inspiring musical hit. If you are visiting New York City, take advantage of this valuable discount ticket offer. Call 212-947-8844 or visit broadwayoffers.com and use code METHW0819. You'll enjoy a great Broadway show, and TheatreWorks will receive a $5 donation for every ticket purchased!

Artists who have participated in previous New Works Initiative workshops at TheatreWorks include Mark Allen , Todd Almond, Sean Barry, Neil Bartram, Raquel Bitton, Beth Blatt, Nell Benjamin, David Bryan, Kirsten Childs, Darrah Cloud, Joe DiPietro, David Ford, Jenny Giering, Daniel Goldfarb, Paul Gordon, Jack Heifner, Brian Hill, Aaron Jafferis, Tom Jones, Rajiv Joseph, Lynne Kaufman, Kait Kerrigan, David Kirshenbaum, Gihieh Lee, Andrew Lippa, Brian Lowdermilk, Taj Mahal, Brendan Milburn, Tommy Newman, Marsha Norman, Laurence O’Keefe, Billy Philadelphia, Steven Sater, Laura Schellhardt, Scott Schwartz, Stephen Schwartz, Tanya Shaffer, Duncan Sheik, Kim D. Sherman, Chris Smith, Lee Summers, Matthew Sweet, Vienna Teng, Joe Thalken, Valerie Vigoda, and Chay Yew.

While TheatreWorks audiences see the fruits of the New Works Initiative on our main stage every year, works originating here regularly go on to success at other regional theatres and in New York.
The “Summer of ’42”, a musical developed at TheatreWorks with music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum and book by Hunter Foster, had an off-Broadway run in 2002.
“Vanities: A New Musical”, with music and lyrics also by David Kirshenbaum and book by Jack Heifner begin an off-Broadway run this last summer at Second Stage Theatre and has also been produced at Pasadena Playhouse.
GrooveLily’s illuminating holiday hit ‘Striking 12” also enjoyed a successful off-Broadway run.
Paul Gordon’s sparkling adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma”, which became the highest-grossing, most-attended production in TheatreWorks history, has gone on to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
Bill Cain's play “Equivocation” is currently premiering at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and will come to Marin Theatre Company this season and open in NYC at the Manhattan Theatre Club in February 2010.
The Matthew Sweet musical “Girlfriend” is in the upcoming Berkeley Rep season.

Speaking of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, they have done an amazing job as well. They have sent 12 shows to New York in the last 12 years, including four to Broadway in the last four years:

“Bridge & Tunnel” [After workshopped at Berkeley, Sarah Jones’ one woman show played five months on Broadway and won her a Tony Award.]
“Passing Strange” [Berkeley Rep was one of the producers of this Broadway run, which earned a Tony Award for Best Book. The show also won three Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, and many other honors before being made into a film by Spike Lee.]
“Wishful Drinking” [Hollywood legend Carrie Fisher worked on her solo show at Berkeley. It is playing a limited engagement at Roundabout Theatre’s Studio 54.]
“In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” [Debuts at the Lincoln Center Theater this fall.]
Currently Berkeley Rep is presenting a new musical that has Broadway ambitions: “American Idiot” It unites the songs of the band Green Day with the director of “Spring Awakening”, Michael Mayer.