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2024 was maybe the best year ever for Blu-rays and 4K Uhd discs.

Thanks to boutique labels like Shout! Studios, Criterion, Arrow and Vinegar Syndrome, along with big studios like Universal and Disney, the catalog titles and new releases being introduced into the marketplace is genuine exciting. After years of bemoaning the death of physical media, its transformation from an everyday item to the kind of collector’s market that led to the resurgence of vinyl records, is nearly complete. Lionsgate recently started a boutique sublabel called Lionsgate Limited; A24 is now starting to sell titles that would have been exclusive to its online store on Amazon. Everything is a-okay.

And it’s with this newfound sense of optimism – about the market, about the titles that are being released and the committed teams bringing those titles to life – that we try and encapsulate this very special year. All of the releases...

Robert Benton’s Bad Company does for the western what Bonnie and Clyde, Benton’s earlier collaboration with screenwriter David Newman, did for the gangster movie, only without that film’s veneer of star-powered sex appeal. The scrappier Bad Company consistently undermines the romanticized notions of the frontier that underpinned several generations of genre filmmaking. The film especially takes direct aim at two of our nation’s dearest held myths: the Horatio Alger notion of economic self-sufficiency, and the destiny of political expansion manifest in Horace Greeley’s famous dictum: “Go west, young man!”

The film is also decidedly of a piece with the year of its release in 1972, evident from the very first scene, wherein we see a young man dragged kicking and screaming from his home by blue-clad Army soldiers to be conscripted into the Union cause. The moment is given a surreal punchline by the fact that...

“Try to Remember,” the most famous song to have come out of the stage musical “The Fantasticks,” was noted for its autumnal feel, sung by someone reflecting back on youthful days. The happy irony is that Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt wrote that song prior to the show’s original 1960 staging when they were both still relatively young men of about 30, fellows who still had about two-thirds of their lives ahead of them. Schmidt, who wrote the music, died in 2018 at age 88, and Jones, who penned the show’s lyrics and book, died Friday at 95.

Here’s to it having been a heck of a long way from September to December.

When the movie version of the show came out in the fall of 2000, I wrote about it for Entertainment Weekly and said that “for my money, ‘The Fantasticks’ is the best pure live–action movie musical since ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’” Now,...

Tom Jones, who wrote the book and lyrics for the musical The Fantasticks, the longest-running musical in theater history, has died. He was 95.

He died Friday at his home in Sharon, Connecticut, following a battle with cancer, his son Michael told The New York Times.

Born Feb. 17, 1928, in Littlefield, Texas, Jones studied drama at the University of Texas in 1945 and met his longtime collaborator, Harvey Schmidt. After getting a master’s degree several years later, he and Schmidt were drafted during the Korean War.

Following his time in the service, Jones moved to New York to begin his career in theater. One of his first opportunities included working with composer John Donald Robb. He and Robb also developed the musical Joy Comes to Deadhorse, loosely based on Edmond Rostand’s 1894 play Les Romanesques. But the two ended up going their separate ways due to creative differences, and Jones continued to work on the musical.

Tom Jones, who wrote the book and lyrics for the musical “The Fantasticks” that ran for 42 years, died on Friday at his home in Sharon, Conn. He was 95 and passed from cancer, his son said.

The Fantasticks opened in 1960 in Greenwich Village and is best remembered for its opening song, “Try to Remember.”

Jones started his theater career in New York writing for the revues being staged by the impresario Julius Monk, working with another composer, John Donald Robb.

Jones and Robb called that show “Joy Comes to Deadhorse,” and in 1956, they staged it at the University of New Mexico, where Robb was a dean. The two had a falling out over what worked and what didn’t in the production, and Jones turned to collaborating with friend Harvey Schmidt.

Jones kept working on the piece with Schmidt that was originally devised with Robb. In 1959, when a friend was looking...

Duane Earl Poole, a writer and producer for Aaron Spelling, Hanna-Barbera and Sid & Marty Krofft whose credits include Hart To Hart, The Love Boat, The Smurfs and Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, died of cancer on April 1 in Studio City, California. He was 74.

His death was announced by his husband, Frank V. Bonventre.

Born in Prescott, Arizona, Poole was raised in Kennewick, Washington, Poole began working for King World Productions in Seattle after graduating from the University of Washington. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1975 to work for Hanna-Barbera, and soon became a prolific writer of such Saturday morning cartoon fare as The Great Grape Ape, Scooby’s Laff-a-Lympics, The All-New Super Friends Hour and The Smurfs, among others.

Poole also wrote for Sid and Marty Krofft, whose bizarre, colorful live-action shows rivaled Hanna-Barbera in Saturday morning popularity. Far Out Space Nuts, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, The Krofft Supershow and...

Barbra Streisand’s fabled run of 1962 shows at the Greenwich Village nightclub, Bon Soir, will be released as a new live album, Live at Bon Soir, on Nov. 4 via Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings. To tease the release, Streisand shared a powerhouse rendition of the Arthur Hamilton-penned song, “Cry Me a River.”

Live at Bon Soir was recorded over three nights, Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, 1962: Streisand was just 20 years old, and she’d signed her first record deal with Columbia only a month earlier. The recordings were originally supposed to become Streisand’s debut album,...

The York Theatre Company James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director Evans Haile, Executive Director, dedicated to the development of new musicals and rediscovery of musical gems from the past, as part of its 50th Anniversary season, has announced the cast for the York Legacy Concerts of the 1969 Broadway musical Celebration, written by the revered songwriting team of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones.

Actor Morgan Woodward, known for playing "The Man with No Eyes" in Cool Hand Luke and a recurring guest role on Dallas, died Friday on February 22 morning at his home in California, the Fielder House Museum in Arlington, Texas. He was 93.

Thomas Morgan Woodward was born in Fort Worth, Texas, September 16, 1925. He was educated in the public schools of Arlington, graduated from high school in 1944, then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Pilot Training Program. This was natural, as he had been flying since the age of sixteen.

Following World War II, Woodward entered Arlington State College, where he majored in music and drama. During this period, Woodward began his professional career with the renowned Margo Jones Repertory Theatre in Dallas. His ultimate goal however, was the Metropolitan Opera. Later, the slow emergence of grand opera in America convinced him that this was not a promising career to pursue.

As magical as the evening was, after Freddie Gershon gave an impassioned presentation to the duo,Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones hit the stage and brought the house down at ages 88 and 89 respectively.They joined forces onstage to perform a song from their musical The Bone Room, described by Jones as being about 'the pleasures of dying and being embalmed in this great country of ours.' Below, watch as they perform together for the last time.Bww feels privileged to share with you a bit of highlights of these two legends together before a rapt and ecstatic audience who precded to shower them with a well deservedstanding ovation...Rip Harvey Schmidt.

Actor Mark Rylance Academy Award and 2-time Tony Award winner and playwright Claire van Kampen discuss her new play in which he stars, Farinelli and the King, with co-hosts playwright Warren Leight and Susan Haskins. Also, co-host Michael Musto goes backstage at The Oscar Hammerstein Awards for a conversation with this year's honorees, the legendary songwriting team of Tom Jones amp Harvey Schmidt The Fantasticks I Do, I Do 110 in The Shade.

The York Theatre Company honored legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do, 110 in the Shade, Celebration with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society 725 Park Avenue. BroadwayWorld has more photos from the celebration below...

Just last night, the York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, honored legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt The Fantasticks, I Do I Do, 110 in the Shade, Celebration with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala.

Last night The York Theatre Company honored the musical theatre writing team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt in a Fantastick gala concert and award ceremony directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. The 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre was presented to the legendary team The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do, 110 in the Shade, Celebration at the event held at the Asia Society on Park Ave in NYC and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photo coverage below...

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has added Samantha Bruce The Fantasticks, Ava Della Pietra School of Rock, Julian Fleisher February House, Randy Harrison Cabaret, Samantha Massell Fiddler on the Roof, Randy Rainbow Viral Video Sensation, Lee Roy Reams 42nd Street, Ben Rimalower Bad with Money, the Hot singing string quartet Well-Strung, and The Manhattan School of Music Musical Theatre Ensemble Judith Clurman, Director to the line-up of Broadway performers who will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt The Fantasticks, I Do I Do, 110 in the Shade, Celebration with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society 725 Park Avenue.

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced a line-up of Broadway performers who will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do, 110 in the Shade, Celebration with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala set for Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society 725 Park Avenue.

Today in 2007, the first Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 94 performances. 110 in the Shade is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Harvey Schmidt. Based on Nash's 1954 play The Rainmaker, it focuses on Lizzie Curry, a spinster living on a ranch in the American southwest, and her relationships with local sheriff File, a cautious divorce who fears being hurt again, and charismatic con man Bill Starbuck, posing as a rainmaker who promises the locals he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area. The revival cast featured Audra McDonald as Lizzi and John Cullum as H.C. Curry.

Jack F. Lee born John Francis Lee, beloved musical director of both stage and screen, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2016 in his home at the age of 86. Mr. Lee was one of Broadway's leading conductors and musical directors who worked with composerslyricists John Kander amp Fred Ebb, Cy Coleman amp Dorothy Fields, Jule Styne, Richard Rogers, Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse, Alan Jay Lerner, Maury Yeston, Robert Wright amp George Forrest, Sandy Wilson, Bob Merrill, Betty Comden amp Adolph Green and Harvey Schmidt amp Tom Jones.

110 in the Shade, a richly evocative and touching musical about desperation, desire, and hope, opens at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Friday, August 14 8pm and heats up the Don amp Ann Brown Theatre through August 23. The show, with music by Harvey Schmidt, lyrics by Tom Jones, and a book by N. Richard Nash based on his play The Rainmaker, will be presented in concert, with direction by Clive Cholerton, choreography by Michelle Petrucci, and musical direction by Howard Breitbart.

Today in 2007, the first Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 94 performances. 110 in the Shade is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Harvey Schmidt. Based on Nash's 1954 play The Rainmaker, it focuses on Lizzie Curry, a spinster living on a ranch in the American southwest, and her relationships with local sheriff File, a cautious divorce who fears being hurt again, and charismatic con man Bill Starbuck, posing as a rainmaker who promises the locals he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area. The revival cast featured Audra McDonald as Lizzi and John Cullum as H.C. Curry.

Today in 2007, the first Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 94 performances. 110 in the Shade is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Harvey Schmidt. Based on Nash's 1954 play The Rainmaker, it focuses on Lizzie Curry, a spinster living on a ranch in the American southwest, and her relationships with local sheriff File, a cautious divorce who fears being hurt again, and charismatic con man Bill Starbuck, posing as a rainmaker who promises the locals he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area. The revival cast featured Audra McDonald as Lizzi and John Cullum as H.C. Curry.

The York Theatre Company continues the 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of the new musical, Inventing Mary Martin, conceived, written and directed by Stephen Cole, with music supervision and arrangements by David Krane, music direction by Lawrence Goldberg, co-directed and choreographed by Bob Richard, and original music and lyrics by legendary composers Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers amp Oscar Hammerstein, Vernon Duke amp Howard Dietz, Kurt Weill amp Ogden Nash, Nol Coward, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne amp Carolyn Leigh, Howard Dietz amp Arthur Schwartz, and Tom Jones amp Harvey Schmidt, among others. The four-member cast will feature Cameron Adams, Jason Graae, Lynne Halliday, and Emily Skinner.THe company just met the press and BroadwayWorld takes you inside the special presentation below...

The York Theatre Company continues the 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of the new musical , Inventing Mary Martin, conceived, written and directed by Stephen Cole, with music supervision and arrangements by David Krane, music direction by Lawrence Goldberg, co-directed and choreographed by Bob Richard, and original music and lyrics by legendary composers Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers amp Oscar Hammerstein, Vernon Duke amp Howard Dietz, Kurt Weill amp Ogden Nash, Noel Coward, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne amp Carolyn Leigh, Howard Dietz amp Arthur Schwartz, and Tom Jones amp Harvey Schmidt, among others.

Today in 2007, the first Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 94 performances. 110 in the Shade is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Harvey Schmidt. Based on Nash's 1954 play The Rainmaker, it focuses on Lizzie Curry, a spinster living on a ranch in the American southwest, and her relationships with local sheriff File, a cautious divorce who fears being hurt again, and charismatic con man Bill Starbuck, posing as a rainmaker who promises the locals he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area. The revival cast featured Audra McDonald as Lizzi and John Cullum as H.C. Curry.

Today in 2007, the first Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 94 performances. 110 in the Shade is a musical with a book by N. Richard Nash, lyrics by Tom Jones, and music by Harvey Schmidt. Based on Nash's 1954 play The Rainmaker, it focuses on Lizzie Curry, a spinster living on a ranch in the American southwest, and her relationships with local sheriff File, a cautious divorc who fears being hurt again, and charismatic con man Bill Starbuck, posing as a rainmaker who promises the locals he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area. The revival cast featured Audra McDonald as Lizzi and John Cullum as H.C. Curry.

York Theatre Company James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director, celebrating the legendary librettist and lyricist Tom Jones with Musicals in Mufti The Tom Jones Festival, presents the fourth musical in the spring series Colette Collage, with Book amp Lyrics by Tom Jones and Music by Harvey Schmidt. The limited engagement will play 5 performances tonight, April 27 through April 29 at The York Theatre at Saint Peters Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue.

York Theatre Company James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director, celebrating the legendary librettist and lyricist Tom Jones with Musicals in Mufti The Tom Jones Festival, presents the fourth musical in the spring series Colette Collage, with Book amp Lyrics by Tom Jones and Music by Harvey Schmidt. The limited engagement will play 5 performances only April 27 - 29 at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue. See photos from Colette Collage below...

York Theatre Company James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director, celebrating the legendary librettist and lyricist Tom Jones with Musicals in Mufti The Tom Jones Festival, has announced the complete cast for the fourth musical in the spring series Colette Collage, with Book amp Lyrics by Tom Jones and Music by Harvey Schmidt. The limited engagement will play 5 performances April 27 29 at The York Theatre at Saint Peters Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue.

Bette Midler is to receive a special honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The 'Wind Beneath My Wings' star will be given the prestigious Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award at a New York City gala in June. Midler joins Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Lena Horne and Dionne Warwick as previous recipients of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. Bob Seeger, Gordon Lightfoot, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones will also be honored by the Hall of Fame at (more)...

The award-winning York Theatre Company, celebrating librettist and lyricist Tom Jones with Musicals in Mufti The Tom Jones Festival, has announced casting for the first musical The Show Goes On, a portfolio of theater songs by Mr. Jones and his longtime collaborator Harvey Schmidt. Directed by Pamela Hunt, the cast will feature Mr. Jones The Fantasticks who will be joined by Stephanie Umoh Ragtime, Yorks Falling for Eve and Susan Watson Follies.

Musical geniuses Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt amp Tom Jones and Jim Steinman will become the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organizations 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. The star-studded event is slated for Thursday, June 14th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

The New York Times reports that Bernadette Peters and Martin Short are in talks with producers about co-starring as Agnes Snow and Michael Snow in a revival of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's I Do I Do. Talks about the possible revival are in the earliest phases and no readings or workshops have been planned. The producers behind the revival are Craig Zadan and Neil Meron Promises, Promises, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Smash, and Broadway Across America's John Gore and Beth Williams.

Real-life married couple Paige Davis and Patrick Page will star in a special engagement of I Do! I Do!, the classic Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt musical based on The Fourposter by Jan de Hartog, in The Old Globe's new Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre. The well-loved classic, by the creators of The Fantasticks, spans five decades in the life of a married couple - from the nervousness of their wedding day to the wisdom of old age. I Do! I Do! will run Dec. 11 - 20, 2009. Previews take place on Dec. 11 at 8:00 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 2:00 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale to subscribers only. Single tickets go on sale on Oct. 25 and can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-globe or by visiting the Box Office.

Arena Stage presents an innovative take on the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Director Amanda Dehnert (Oregon Shakespeare Festival‘s All's Well That Ends Well and Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Cabaret) and famed set designer Eugene Lee (Tony Award for Broadway's Wicked, Candide, Sweeney Todd) take a spin on this timeless love story by staging it in Rocky Point, an abandoned amusement park in Rhode Island. This whimsical twist on the classic musical is full of buoyant humor, charming music and incredible magic that will thrill audiences of all ages. The Fantasticks runs November 20, 2009 - January 10, 2010 at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre, with an official opening on Friday, November 27, 2009.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Ray Cullom, will present the beloved musical The Fantasticks, directed by Amanda Dehnert, from October 7 through November 1, 2009, on the Mainstage.

Press night is Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. Curtain times are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3p.m. and 8p.m., and Sundays at 2p.m. and 7p.m. Tickets are $30-$70.

"I have loved The Fantasticks since I was a little kid," said Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein. "This will be so much fun for the entire family."

This hit musical with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, the longest running Off-Broadway musical in history, tells the story of Luisa and Matt, a pair entering the bloom of their youth. Their fathers, scheming to encourage their budding love, hire...

Arena Stage presents an innovative take on the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Director Amanda Dehnert (Oregon Shakespeare Festival‘s All's Well That Ends Well and Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Cabaret) and famed set designer Eugene Lee (Tony Award for Broadway's Wicked, Candide, Sweeney Todd) take a spin on this timeless love story by staging it in Rocky Point, an abandoned amusement park in Rhode Island. This whimsical twist on the classic musical is full of buoyant humor, charming music and incredible magic that will thrill audiences of all ages. The Fantasticks runs November 20, 2009 - January 10, 2010 at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre, with an official opening on Friday, November 27, 2009.

Real-life married couple Paige Davis and Patrick Page will star in a special engagement of I Do! I Do!, the classic Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt musical based on The Fourposter by Jan de Hartog, in The Old Globe's new Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre. The well-loved classic, by the creators of The Fantasticks, spans five decades in the life of a married couple - from the nervousness of their wedding day to the wisdom of old age. I Do! I Do! will run Dec. 11 - 20, 2009. Previews take place on Dec. 11 at 8:00 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 2:00 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale to subscribers only. Single tickets go on sale on Oct. 25 and can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-globe or by visiting the Box Office.

Thin Air Theatre Company producers are gearing up for a new year at the Butte Theater 139 E. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek. The news season starts June 5. The Fantasticks - June 5-Sept. 26 The Fantasticks, a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, the world's longest-running musical, for 42 years. Tickets: $15.75 Adult; $13.75 Senior; $9.75 Children; $12.75 for groups of 20+ See butteroperahouse.com for schedule and to buy tickets.

Several short plays by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer William Inge, never before publicly performed, will premiere April 22 at the annual William Inge Theatre Festival in his Kansas hometown. The 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival celebrates the legacy of great American playwrights and honors Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt April 22-25. They will receive the coveted Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award, joining the list of previous Inge Festival honorees such as Arthur Miller, August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, Neil Simon, and Stephen Sondheim.

Reprise Theatre Company announced today that "The Fantasticks" will replace the previously announced production of "Chess," May 5-17 at the Freud Playhouse. With music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, "The Fantasticks" is the world's longest-running musical and will be performed in Los Angeles as its current New York revival continues running off-Broadway. Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise, said, "I am saddened to report the reason why. Our world premiere production of "Chess" was commissioned and brokered by Gerald Schoenfeld, President of the Shubert Organization. Just before the end of last year, Gerry passed away unexpectedly. Without his support our production of 'Chess' simply is not possible at this time. I am disappointed, both for the loss of this wonderful opportunity and for the loss of an old and good friend."...

Celebration: The forgotten musical by the creators of The Fantasticks. Words by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt New Helvetia Theatre invites you to Celebration. This semi-staged reading of Celebration will feature Kiera O'Neil* (Junie B. Jones, The Lucille Lortel), Bradford Anderson* (General Hospital), and Rick Kleber* (B Street Theatre) with Rosemary Babich, Lauren Parker, Julie Soto, Josh Brown, Lafras le Roux, Ryan Warren, Erin Island,* Connor Mickiewicz,* and Graham Sobelman. (* Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.) New Helvetia Theatre, founded by artistic director Connor Mickiewicz, seeks to bring theatre relevant to Sacramento - hence the reason the theatre is named after John Sutter's first settlement, Nueva Helvetia. The hope for New Helvetia Theatre is to build and educate a new generation of theatre-goers by rediscovering forgotten gems of the American Musical while re-examining classic musicals and plays.