I'm seeing The Lion King on Broadway with my cousins tonight. I didn't realize it was directed by Julie Taymor - now I'm really excited to see it!

Quoted: Such is the transporting magic wrought by the opening 10 minutes of ''The Lion King,'' the director Julie Taymor's staged version of the Midas-touch cartoon movie that has generated millions for the Walt Disney Company.

A roundup of outdoor theater festivals around the country, written by my friend Matt (who's quite the playwright himself).

Quoted: Stumped for fun, cheap and surprising things to do this summer? Check out the host of exciting theater festivals in towns across the U.S.

Redotting from Pammy.... Hooray!! Matt, a friend of mine (and one of my dearest friend's beau), wrote a play that is featured as the lead of the NY Times theater section today!

Quoted: Matthew Freeman again peers under the surface of domestic Middle America and finds some odd goings-on in “When Is a Clock.”

Eh, I understand why 'Rent' is closing. Even though it was revolutionary at the time, it's not really counterculture anymore... AIDS has taken on a different character and the East Village isn't exactly for starving artists these days. Still, it's an importance musical and I coud see it doing great as a revival one day since it captures a particular time so well...

Quoted: Report: Counterculture musical 'Rent' to close June 1 after 12 years on Broadway.

Checking out my friend's improv show here tomorrow night. Looks like a great theater!

Quoted: Best New Development in Comedy - Time Out New York

I want to see this while it's on tour in Seattle! Hope it's not sold out... Mo, I'm looking in your general direction as the only other Jerseyan I know in Seattle...

Quoted: "Too good to be true!" raves the New York Post for Jersey Boys, the new Tony Award-winning musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi.

I saw a preview of this play today and it was so powerful. I imagine it'll be even more amazing when the cast/sets are completely polished.

Quoted: This award-winning show is drawn from and based on the lives and experiences of many average Americans...each wrongly accused, convicted and sentenced to Death Row for a crime they did not commit, only to years later be found innocent and released.

That's so funny, I just saw the documentary "Grey Gardens" that this musical is based on. It's oddly sad and poignant at the same time. Megha, thought you'd appreciate this.

Quoted: America, a country renowned as the land that enshrined success as a prize to be cherished above all others, has lately evinced a sneaky fascination with failure.

Thinking about checking out this play at the Seattle Repertory Theatre sometime at the beginning of May. I've heard it's very powerful.

Quoted: Twenty-three year-old Evergreen State College graduate (and Olympia, Washington native) Rachel Corrie went to the Gaza Strip to aid Palestinians whose homes were being destroyed in the conflict with Israel. In March of 2003, she was killed by an Israeli bulldozer.