Charles Strouse in Hospital

Charles Strouse, the composer of hit Broadway shows like Annie and Bye Bye Birdie fell ill on Sunday while he was accepting a lifetime achievement award by the Gershman YMCA in Philadelphia. Although he is in hospital with a serious infection, he is reported to be in a stable condition. Get well soon, Mr Strouse! We’re looking forward to what Minsky’s holds in store for us when it arrives on Broadway.

Reading of Alyss Cancelled

Illness has also crippled the readings of the new musical Alyss that would have taken place tomorrow and Friday. Production of the irreverent contemporary Marilyn Michaels-Mark Wilk spin on Alice in Wonderland has been postponed until further notice.

New Mamma Mia! Website Launched

A new website focusing on the North American productions of Mamma Mia has been launched. The site includes: a timeline that chronicles the show’s milestones; behind-the-scenes information about the Broadway production and the North American tour; video blogs from cast members; interactive photo features; multilingual ticketing information for the Broadway production; an outreach initiative supporting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation; an online store selling show related merchandise; and Twitter, Facebook and iPhone interfaces and applications. The new North American Mamma Mia! website can be visited here.