Chicago hits a milestone this week as Broadway’s longest running American musical.

Theater news for the week of August 29-September 2

Each week, we’re going to keep you up-to-speed with the latest Broadway news and stories. Check back every Friday to see what you missed this week and to catch a glimpse of what’s going on at PlayhouseSquare this weekend. Enjoy!

Happening on Broadway …

Tentative 2011-2012 Broadway schedule announced

A tentative list of 2011-2012 Broadway shows from September through the end of November has been announced—some of the shows include Jame’s Goldman/Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies,” David Henry Hwang’s “Chinglish,” “The Mountaintop,” Stephen Schwartz’s “Godspell” and Noel Coward’s “Private Lives.”

‘Chicago’ earns distinction as longest running American musical

Chicago marks its 6,138^th performance this week, making it the fourth-longest running show in Broadway history (passing A Chorus Line) and become’s Broadway’s longest running American musical (behind British shows The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Les Miserables.) Bebe Neuwirth, who earned a Tony for playing Velma Kelly when the revival started its run in 1996, joined the cast Monday night to celebrate the milestone.

‘Mary Poppins’ to celebrate milestone performance

Mary Poppins will celebrate its 2,000^th performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre Sept. 4. The show, which opened Nov. 16, 2006, currently stars Olivier Award winner Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary and Tony award nominee Gavin Lee as Burt.

George Lee Andrews to exit ‘Phantom’

George Lee Andrews, who’s appeared in 9,382 performances of Phantom of the Opera over the past 23 years, has announced that the Sept. 3 evening performance will be his last. Considered to be Broadway’s longest-running single show performer, Andrews has been with Phantom since its opening night on Jan. 26, 1988.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

The 12^th Annual PlayhouseSquare District Block Party and Tour
Dance Showcase (Free Event!)

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Tags: Broadway, Chicago, Cleveland, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, PlayhouseSquare, Theater, Theater News

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