Coming Up This Week in Theatre - 11/11/2008

Rare LuPone Cabaret Recordings From 1980 To Be Released 11 - 11/11/2008

 The year was 1980, and Patti LuPone was starring as "Evita" on Broadway. She was en route to winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and cementing her status as a Broadway star. But there was another Patti LuPone performance taking place -- one that only a comparative handful of people were aware of: Every Saturday night at midnight, for 27 weeks, after performing one of the most demanding roles ever, she made her way to Les Mouches - a legendary nightclub in New York City, to perform a solo concert...This was a one-woman tour de force that -- until now -- only the lucky few who were on hand knew about.
 

All that will change on November 11th, when Ghostlight Records proudly releases "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches," a digitally-restored concert recording of LuPone's 1980 solo show. Ghostlight President Kurt Deutsch, along with longtime producing partner Joel Moss and co-producers Ben Rimalower and David Lewis, have culled performances from the venue's original board mixes, and assembled a recording that captures the raw energy and excitement of a once in a lifetime concert event, and a moment in time. Everybody who was anybody was there, from Andy Warhol to Jodie Foster to Stephen Sondheim. It was literally the hottest ticket in town. This music has never been released before, in any format.
 

LuPone's concerts at Les Mouches often featured unexpected song choices, from Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen's 'Because The Night' to Bob Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man.' LuPone mixed it up in a spirited assortment of familiar Broadway tunes, songs from 'Evita', and more. In addition to the abovementioned tracks, "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches" will include 'Rainbow High', 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', 'Come Rain Or Come Shine', 'Not While I'm Around', 'Meadowlark' and more. A full track list will be announced in the weeks ahead.
 

Here's what the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS said at the time:
"Anyone who thinks there are no volcanoes in Manhattan should check out Les Mouches any Saturday midnight in March. It is here at the witching hour that Patti LuPone fulminates, thunders and showers the room with sparks of her debut cabaret act."


Ghostlight's recent releases of the OCRs for Tony winners In The Heights and Passing Strange, as well as their single release featuring the winner of MTV's Legally Blonde The Musical competition, have brought the label acclaim for their innovative marketing techniques and their efforts to reach the next generation of Broadway music fans via iTunes, music videos and more. Coverage has ranged from Rolling Stone to USA TODAY to The New York Times, from Blender Magazine to Playbill to Billboard, from AP Radio to MyBroadway.com, and much more.  
 
 

More Press Quotes the Original LuPone Concerts in 1980:
The night I saw her, she had a room full of sophisticates close to sexual hysteria, as she ran her repertoire from crotch-clutching ballad to high-spirited rock. If cabaret is going to return it could begin with this act. - The Village Voice

Bounding into the spotlight with a fervor that stamped her cabaret act with excitement, the star of the much heralded SRO Broadway hit musical Evita set out to expose as many unexploited sides of her musical personas as possible. - Mark Bego, Cue Views
 
She also has a kinetic flair for comedy, which makes seeing this scarlet-mouthed, tuxedoed chanteuse with a blazing voice a constant source of show biz voltage, and a trip to the West Side warehouse district in the dead of night entirely worthwhile. -- NY Daily News

With a wide assortment of songs from Fats Waller to Bob Dylan, her taut, tight act, recently reprised at New York's Les Mouches, is highlighted by a presence filled with power, authority and confidence, which, she claims, are the result of theatrical training. Plus, its dazzling to hear her voice--which rings through a Broadway theater--adapt itself so well to a much smaller space. -- GQ

What is most special about this LuPone performance is the individual ingredients she brings to it. There is the freshness she had in The Robber Bridegroom, the Everyman quality she employed in Working and the fire of Evita. -- New York Post
 

 
 
About Patti LuPone:
 
PATTI LuPONE swept the 2008 theatre awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance for her performance as Rose in the critically-acclaimed new Broadway production of the classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical Gypsy, directed by the show's author, Mr. Laurents, currently at the St. James Theatre.
 
Miss LuPone's recent stage credits include her debut with the Los Angeles Opera in Weill-Brecht's Mahagonny, the world premiere of Jake Heggie's new opera To Hell and Back with San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Mrs. Lovett in John Doyle's award winning Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations – Best Actress in a Musical; Drama League Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre), the title role in Marc Blitzstein's Regina, a musical version of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, a critically acclaimed performance as Fosca in a concert version of Stephen Sondheim's Passion, which was also broadcast on PBS' Live From Lincoln Center,  and a multi-city tour of her theatrical concert Matters of the Heart. She has also performed Matters of the Heart internationally, including runs at Australia's Sydney Festival and  London's Donmar Warehouse Theatre. Her CD recording, based on this concert, was named one of 1999's best recordings by both The Times of London and Time Out/New York.
 
In addition to Matters of the Heart, Miss LuPone also performs two other solo concerts Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda and The Lady With The Torch.  She made a triumphant solo concert debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda resulting in a sold-out encore performance, and performs the concert with major symphony orchestras around the country.  The Lady With The Torch is the basis for Miss LuPone's latest solo CD, on Ghostlight Records.  She also tours in a new concert with her Evita co-star Mandy Patinkin – An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.

Patti LuPone's other recent New York stage appearances include performances as La Mome Pistache in the Encores! production of Cole Porter's musical Can-Can at New York's City Center, as The Old Lady in the New York Philharmonic's concert production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, and performances on Broadway in the hit revival of Michael Frayn's Noises Off, in David Mamet's The Old Neighborhood, Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning play Master Class and in her own concert Patti LuPone On Broadway, for which she won an Outer Critics Circle Award.    Over six consecutive summers, she's appeared in the  Ravinia Festival's Sondheim series, starring as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, as Desiree in A Little Night Music, Fosca in Passion, Cora Hoover Hooper in Anyone Can Whistle,  Rose in Gypsy and was featured in two different roles in Sunday in the Park with George.   
 
After completing her training with the first class of the Drama Division of New York's Juilliard School, she began her career as a founding member of John Houseman's The Acting Company playing a variety of leading roles, both on and off-Broadway and on tour throughout the United States.  Her subsequent New York dramatic credits include Dario Fo's Accidental Death of An Anarchist; David Mamet's The Water Engine, Edmond and The Woods and Israel Horovitz' Stage Directions.   Miss LuPone's memorable performances on the New York musical stage include Vera Simpson in the Encores! production of Pal Joey, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, (1988 Drama Desk Award, Tony nomination, Best Actress in a Musical), The Cradle Will Rock, Nancy in Oliver!, Evita (1980 Tony and Drama Desk Awards- Best Actress in a Musical), Working and Rosamund in The Robber Bridegroon (1976 Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, Best Featured Actress in a Musical).
 
In London, she created the role of  Fantine in the the RSC production of Les Miserables, a role she subsequently played on the West End.  For that performance, as well as the reprise of her performance in the London production of The Cradle Will Rock, she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.   Miss LuPone created the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1994 Olivier nomination, Best Actress in A Musical), and recreated her Broadway performance of Maria Callas in the West End production of Master Class.
 
Film: City By The Sea, David Mamet's Heist, State and Main; Just Looking, Summer of Sam, The 24 Hour Woman, Family Prayers, Driving Miss Daisy, Witness.  
 
TV: PBS Great Performances The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, "Ugly Betty"  Will & Grace (as herself), PBS Great Performances' Candide, Oz , the TNT film Monday Night Mayhem, PBS' Evening At The Pops with John Williams and Yo Yo Ma, Falcone, Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (Showtime); Frasier (1998 Emmy nomination); Law & Order, An Evening with Patti LuPone (PBS), the NBC movie Her Last Chance, Showtime's ACE Award and Emmy nominated The Song Spinner (Daytime Emmy nomination, Best Actress), The Water Engine, L.B.J., AMC's Remember WENN and ABC's Life Goes On.
 
Recordings include: Sweeney Todd (both the 2006 Broadway revival cast recording and 2000 live performance recording on NY Philharmonic's Special Editions Label); Pal Joey (DRG); Heatwave with John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (Phillips Classics); Sunset Boulevard (Polygram);  Patti LuPone Live (RCA Victor).   You can visit Miss LuPone on the worldwide web at www.pattilupone.net.


Ghostlight is a label created by and for the Broadway community. They are committed to bringing the music of the 'New Broadway' to a contemporary audience, using modern technology, innovative marketing and artist involvement. Utilizing music videos, digital downloads and other aggressive strategies new to the Broadway arena, Ghostlight continues to be on the vanguard of interacting with the next generation of Broadway music consumers. The label and its artists continue to generate significant attention. President Kurt Deutsch was interviewed by PLAYBILL, regarding the label's embrace of 'Broadway's Digital Age': http://www.playbill.com/features/article/118331.html
 

ABOUT GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS:
Sh-K-Boom Records and its imprint Ghostlight Records is a Grammy-nominated record label, a producer of recorded and live entertainment, and an interactive community at www.sh-k-boom.com, and www.ghostlightrecords.com.  Since being founded seven years ago by Kurt Deutsch and Sherie Rene Scott, Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight is the leading producer of Original Broadway and Off Broadway cast albums, and solo recordings by the new generation of Broadway stars and composers.  Their winning philosophy has been to work in close partnership with performers and producers, to create product that comes from directly within the community of Broadway artists.  With over 50 albums in their catalogue, titles include: The Smash Broadway Hit Legally Blonde, Grammy and Tony Nominated Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Grammy nominated and Tony Winning The Drowsy Chaperone, Grammy nominated and Tony Winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Grammy nominated all-star benefit recording of Hair for The Actors' Fund of America, as well as The Last 5 Years, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Bright Lights, Big City (with Patrick Wilson and Jesse L. Martin), and Michael John LaChiusa's See What I Wanna See and Bernarda Alba.  Solo Artists include: Patti LuPone, Billy Porter, Jason Robert Brown, Christine Ebersole, Adam Pascal (original star of Rent), Sherie Rene Scott (star of Aida and The Little Mermaid), and Kelli O'Hara's debut solo album, Wonder in the World. On May 27, Ghostlight released the Passing Strange OCR as the first-ever Digital Exclusive release via iTunes for a Broadway show.

Ghostlight releases are distributed by Razor and Tie.

Rare LuPone Cabaret Recordings From 1980 To Be Released 11/11 - 11/11/2008

 The year was 1980, and Patti LuPone was starring as "Evita" on Broadway. She was en route to winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and cementing her status as a Broadway star. But there was another Patti LuPone performance taking place -- one that only a comparative handful of people were aware of: Every Saturday night at midnight, for 27 weeks, after performing one of the most demanding roles ever, she made her way to Les Mouches - a legendary nightclub in New York City, to perform a solo concert...This was a one-woman tour de force that -- until now -- only the lucky few who were on hand knew about.
 

All that will change on November 11th, when Ghostlight Records proudly releases "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches," a digitally-restored concert recording of LuPone's 1980 solo show. Ghostlight President Kurt Deutsch, along with longtime producing partner Joel Moss and co-producers Ben Rimalower and David Lewis, have culled performances from the venue's original board mixes, and assembled a recording that captures the raw energy and excitement of a once in a lifetime concert event, and a moment in time. Everybody who was anybody was there, from Andy Warhol to Jodie Foster to Stephen Sondheim. It was literally the hottest ticket in town. This music has never been released before, in any format.
 

LuPone's concerts at Les Mouches often featured unexpected song choices, from Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen's 'Because The Night' to Bob Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man.' LuPone mixed it up in a spirited assortment of familiar Broadway tunes, songs from 'Evita', and more. In addition to the abovementioned tracks, "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches" will include 'Rainbow High', 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', 'Come Rain Or Come Shine', 'Not While I'm Around', 'Meadowlark' and more. A full track list will be announced in the weeks ahead.
 

Here's what the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS said at the time:
"Anyone who thinks there are no volcanoes in Manhattan should check out Les Mouches any Saturday midnight in March. It is here at the witching hour that Patti LuPone fulminates, thunders and showers the room with sparks of her debut cabaret act."


Ghostlight's recent releases of the OCRs for Tony winners In The Heights and Passing Strange, as well as their single release featuring the winner of MTV's Legally Blonde The Musical competition, have brought the label acclaim for their innovative marketing techniques and their efforts to reach the next generation of Broadway music fans via iTunes, music videos and more. Coverage has ranged from Rolling Stone to USA TODAY to The New York Times, from Blender Magazine to Playbill to Billboard, from AP Radio to MyBroadway.com, and much more.  
 
More Press Quotes the Original LuPone Concerts in 1980:
The night I saw her, she had a room full of sophisticates close to sexual hysteria, as she ran her repertoire from crotch-clutching ballad to high-spirited rock. If cabaret is going to return it could begin with this act. - The Village Voice

Bounding into the spotlight with a fervor that stamped her cabaret act with excitement, the star of the much heralded SRO Broadway hit musical Evita set out to expose as many unexploited sides of her musical personas as possible. - Mark Bego, Cue Views
 
She also has a kinetic flair for comedy, which makes seeing this scarlet-mouthed, tuxedoed chanteuse with a blazing voice a constant source of show biz voltage, and a trip to the West Side warehouse district in the dead of night entirely worthwhile. -- NY Daily News

With a wide assortment of songs from Fats Waller to Bob Dylan, her taut, tight act, recently reprised at New York's Les Mouches, is highlighted by a presence filled with power, authority and confidence, which, she claims, are the result of theatrical training. Plus, its dazzling to hear her voice--which rings through a Broadway theater--adapt itself so well to a much smaller space. -- GQ

What is most special about this LuPone performance is the individual ingredients she brings to it. There is the freshness she had in The Robber Bridegroom, the Everyman quality she employed in Working and the fire of Evita. -- New York Post
 

 
 
About Patti LuPone:
 
Patti LuPone swept the 2008 theatre awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance for her performance as Rose in the critically-acclaimed new Broadway production of the classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical Gypsy, directed by the show's author, Mr. Laurents, currently at the St. James Theatre.
 
Miss LuPone's recent stage credits include her debut with the Los Angeles Opera in Weill-Brecht's Mahagonny, the world premiere of Jake Heggie's new opera To Hell and Back with San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Mrs. Lovett in John Doyle's award winning Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations – Best Actress in a Musical; Drama League Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre), the title role in Marc Blitzstein's Regina, a musical version of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, a critically acclaimed performance as Fosca in a concert version of Stephen Sondheim's Passion, which was also broadcast on PBS' Live From Lincoln Center,  and a multi-city tour of her theatrical concert Matters of the Heart. She has also performed Matters of the Heart internationally, including runs at Australia's Sydney Festival and  London's Donmar Warehouse Theatre. Her CD recording, based on this concert, was named one of 1999's best recordings by both The Times of London and Time Out/New York.
 
In addition to Matters of the Heart, Miss LuPone also performs two other solo concerts Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda and The Lady With The Torch.  She made a triumphant solo concert debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda resulting in a sold-out encore performance, and performs the concert with major symphony orchestras around the country.  The Lady With The Torch is the basis for Miss LuPone's latest solo CD, on Ghostlight Records.  She also tours in a new concert with her Evita co-star Mandy Patinkin – An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.

Patti LuPone's other recent New York stage appearances include performances as La Mome Pistache in the Encores! production of Cole Porter's musical Can-Can at New York's City Center, as The Old Lady in the New York Philharmonic's concert production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, and performances on Broadway in the hit revival of Michael Frayn's Noises Off, in David Mamet's The Old Neighborhood, Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning play Master Class and in her own concert Patti LuPone On Broadway, for which she won an Outer Critics Circle Award.    Over six consecutive summers, she's appeared in the  Ravinia Festival's Sondheim series, starring as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, as Desiree in A Little Night Music, Fosca in Passion, Cora Hoover Hooper in Anyone Can Whistle,  Rose in Gypsy and was featured in two different roles in Sunday in the Park with George.   
 
After completing her training with the first class of the Drama Division of New York's Juilliard School, she began her career as a founding member of John Houseman's The Acting Company playing a variety of leading roles, both on and off-Broadway and on tour throughout the United States.  Her subsequent New York dramatic credits include Dario Fo's Accidental Death of An Anarchist; David Mamet's The Water Engine, Edmond and The Woods and Israel Horovitz' Stage Directions.   Miss LuPone's memorable performances on the New York musical stage include Vera Simpson in the Encores! production of Pal Joey, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, (1988 Drama Desk Award, Tony nomination, Best Actress in a Musical), The Cradle Will Rock, Nancy in Oliver!, Evita (1980 Tony and Drama Desk Awards- Best Actress in a Musical), Working and Rosamund in The Robber Bridegroon (1976 Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, Best Featured Actress in a Musical).
 
In London, she created the role of  Fantine in the the RSC production of Les Miserables, a role she subsequently played on the West End.  For that performance, as well as the reprise of her performance in the London production of The Cradle Will Rock, she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.   Miss LuPone created the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1994 Olivier nomination, Best Actress in A Musical), and recreated her Broadway performance of Maria Callas in the West End production of Master Class.
 
Film: City By The Sea, David Mamet's Heist, State and Main; Just Looking, Summer of Sam, The 24 Hour Woman, Family Prayers, Driving Miss Daisy, Witness.  
 
TV: PBS Great Performances The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, "Ugly Betty"  Will & Grace (as herself), PBS Great Performances' Candide, Oz , the TNT film Monday Night Mayhem, PBS' Evening At The Pops with John Williams and Yo Yo Ma, Falcone, Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (Showtime); Frasier (1998 Emmy nomination); Law & Order, An Evening with Patti LuPone (PBS), the NBC movie Her Last Chance, Showtime's ACE Award and Emmy nominated The Song Spinner (Daytime Emmy nomination, Best Actress), The Water Engine, L.B.J., AMC's Remember WENN and ABC's Life Goes On.
 
Recordings include: Sweeney Todd (both the 2006 Broadway revival cast recording and 2000 live performance recording on NY Philharmonic's Special Editions Label); Pal Joey (DRG); Heatwave with John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (Phillips Classics); Sunset Boulevard (Polygram);  Patti LuPone Live (RCA Victor).   You can visit Miss LuPone on the worldwide web at www.pattilupone.net.


Ghostlight is a label created by and for the Broadway community. They are committed to bringing the music of the 'New Broadway' to a contemporary audience, using modern technology, innovative marketing and artist involvement. Utilizing music videos, digital downloads and other aggressive strategies new to the Broadway arena, Ghostlight continues to be on the vanguard of interacting with the next generation of Broadway music consumers. The label and its artists continue to generate significant attention. President Kurt Deutsch was interviewed by PLAYBILL, regarding the label's embrace of 'Broadway's Digital Age': http://www.playbill.com/features/article/118331.html
 

ABOUT GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS:
Sh-K-Boom Records and its imprint Ghostlight Records is a Grammy-nominated record label, a producer of recorded and live entertainment, and an interactive community at www.sh-k-boom.com, and www.ghostlightrecords.com.  Since being founded seven years ago by Kurt Deutsch and Sherie Rene Scott, Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight is the leading producer of Original Broadway and Off Broadway cast albums, and solo recordings by the new generation of Broadway stars and composers.  Their winning philosophy has been to work in close partnership with performers and producers, to create product that comes from directly within the community of Broadway artists.  With over 50 albums in their catalogue, titles include: The Smash Broadway Hit Legally Blonde, Grammy and Tony Nominated Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Grammy nominated and Tony Winning The Drowsy Chaperone, Grammy nominated and Tony Winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Grammy nominated all-star benefit recording of Hair for The Actors' Fund of America, as well as The Last 5 Years, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Bright Lights, Big City (with Patrick Wilson and Jesse L. Martin), and Michael John LaChiusa's See What I Wanna See and Bernarda Alba.  Solo Artists include: Patti LuPone, Billy Porter, Jason Robert Brown, Christine Ebersole, Adam Pascal (original star of Rent), Sherie Rene Scott (star of Aida and The Little Mermaid), and Kelli O'Hara's debut solo album, Wonder in the World. On May 27, Ghostlight released the Passing Strange OCR as the first-ever Digital Exclusive release via iTunes for a Broadway show.

Ghostlight releases are distributed by Razor and Tie.

Rare LuPone Cabaret Recordings From 1980 To Be Released 11/111 - 11/11/2008

 The year was 1980, and Patti LuPone was starring as "Evita" on Broadway. She was en route to winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and cementing her status as a Broadway star. But there was another Patti LuPone performance taking place -- one that only a comparative handful of people were aware of: Every Saturday night at midnight, for 27 weeks, after performing one of the most demanding roles ever, she made her way to Les Mouches - a legendary nightclub in New York City, to perform a solo concert...This was a one-woman tour de force that -- until now -- only the lucky few who were on hand knew about.
 

All that will change on November 11th, when Ghostlight Records proudly releases "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches," a digitally-restored concert recording of LuPone's 1980 solo show. Ghostlight President Kurt Deutsch, along with longtime producing partner Joel Moss and co-producers Ben Rimalower and David Lewis, have culled performances from the venue's original board mixes, and assembled a recording that captures the raw energy and excitement of a once in a lifetime concert event, and a moment in time. Everybody who was anybody was there, from Andy Warhol to Jodie Foster to Stephen Sondheim. It was literally the hottest ticket in town. This music has never been released before, in any format.
 

LuPone's concerts at Les Mouches often featured unexpected song choices, from Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen's 'Because The Night' to Bob Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man.' LuPone mixed it up in a spirited assortment of familiar Broadway tunes, songs from 'Evita', and more. In addition to the abovementioned tracks, "Patti LuPone at Les Mouches" will include 'Rainbow High', 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', 'Come Rain Or Come Shine', 'Not While I'm Around', 'Meadowlark' and more. A full track list will be announced in the weeks ahead.
 

Here's what the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS said at the time:
"Anyone who thinks there are no volcanoes in Manhattan should check out Les Mouches any Saturday midnight in March. It is here at the witching hour that Patti LuPone fulminates, thunders and showers the room with sparks of her debut cabaret act."


Ghostlight's recent releases of the OCRs for Tony winners In The Heights and Passing Strange, as well as their single release featuring the winner of MTV's Legally Blonde The Musical competition, have brought the label acclaim for their innovative marketing techniques and their efforts to reach the next generation of Broadway music fans via iTunes, music videos and more. Coverage has ranged from Rolling Stone to USA TODAY to The New York Times, from Blender Magazine to Playbill to Billboard, from AP Radio to MyBroadway.com, and much more.  
 
More Press Quotes the Original LuPone Concerts in 1980:
The night I saw her, she had a room full of sophisticates close to sexual hysteria, as she ran her repertoire from crotch-clutching ballad to high-spirited rock. If cabaret is going to return it could begin with this act. - The Village Voice

Bounding into the spotlight with a fervor that stamped her cabaret act with excitement, the star of the much heralded SRO Broadway hit musical Evita set out to expose as many unexploited sides of her musical personas as possible. - Mark Bego, Cue Views
 
She also has a kinetic flair for comedy, which makes seeing this scarlet-mouthed, tuxedoed chanteuse with a blazing voice a constant source of show biz voltage, and a trip to the West Side warehouse district in the dead of night entirely worthwhile. -- NY Daily News

With a wide assortment of songs from Fats Waller to Bob Dylan, her taut, tight act, recently reprised at New York's Les Mouches, is highlighted by a presence filled with power, authority and confidence, which, she claims, are the result of theatrical training. Plus, its dazzling to hear her voice--which rings through a Broadway theater--adapt itself so well to a much smaller space. -- GQ

What is most special about this LuPone performance is the individual ingredients she brings to it. There is the freshness she had in The Robber Bridegroom, the Everyman quality she employed in Working and the fire of Evita. -- New York Post
 

 
 
About Patti LuPone:
 
Patti LuPone swept the 2008 theatre awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance for her performance as Rose in the critically-acclaimed new Broadway production of the classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical Gypsy, directed by the show's author, Mr. Laurents, currently at the St. James Theatre.
 
Miss LuPone's recent stage credits include her debut with the Los Angeles Opera in Weill-Brecht's Mahagonny, the world premiere of Jake Heggie's new opera To Hell and Back with San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Mrs. Lovett in John Doyle's award winning Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations – Best Actress in a Musical; Drama League Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre), the title role in Marc Blitzstein's Regina, a musical version of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, a critically acclaimed performance as Fosca in a concert version of Stephen Sondheim's Passion, which was also broadcast on PBS' Live From Lincoln Center,  and a multi-city tour of her theatrical concert Matters of the Heart. She has also performed Matters of the Heart internationally, including runs at Australia's Sydney Festival and  London's Donmar Warehouse Theatre. Her CD recording, based on this concert, was named one of 1999's best recordings by both The Times of London and Time Out/New York.
 
In addition to Matters of the Heart, Miss LuPone also performs two other solo concerts Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda and The Lady With The Torch.  She made a triumphant solo concert debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda resulting in a sold-out encore performance, and performs the concert with major symphony orchestras around the country.  The Lady With The Torch is the basis for Miss LuPone's latest solo CD, on Ghostlight Records.  She also tours in a new concert with her Evita co-star Mandy Patinkin – An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.

Patti LuPone's other recent New York stage appearances include performances as La Mome Pistache in the Encores! production of Cole Porter's musical Can-Can at New York's City Center, as The Old Lady in the New York Philharmonic's concert production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, and performances on Broadway in the hit revival of Michael Frayn's Noises Off, in David Mamet's The Old Neighborhood, Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning play Master Class and in her own concert Patti LuPone On Broadway, for which she won an Outer Critics Circle Award.    Over six consecutive summers, she's appeared in the  Ravinia Festival's Sondheim series, starring as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, as Desiree in A Little Night Music, Fosca in Passion, Cora Hoover Hooper in Anyone Can Whistle,  Rose in Gypsy and was featured in two different roles in Sunday in the Park with George.   
 
After completing her training with the first class of the Drama Division of New York's Juilliard School, she began her career as a founding member of John Houseman's The Acting Company playing a variety of leading roles, both on and off-Broadway and on tour throughout the United States.  Her subsequent New York dramatic credits include Dario Fo's Accidental Death of An Anarchist; David Mamet's The Water Engine, Edmond and The Woods and Israel Horovitz' Stage Directions.   Miss LuPone's memorable performances on the New York musical stage include Vera Simpson in the Encores! production of Pal Joey, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, (1988 Drama Desk Award, Tony nomination, Best Actress in a Musical), The Cradle Will Rock, Nancy in Oliver!, Evita (1980 Tony and Drama Desk Awards- Best Actress in a Musical), Working and Rosamund in The Robber Bridegroon (1976 Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, Best Featured Actress in a Musical).
 
In London, she created the role of  Fantine in the the RSC production of Les Miserables, a role she subsequently played on the West End.  For that performance, as well as the reprise of her performance in the London production of The Cradle Will Rock, she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.   Miss LuPone created the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1994 Olivier nomination, Best Actress in A Musical), and recreated her Broadway performance of Maria Callas in the West End production of Master Class.
 
Film: City By The Sea, David Mamet's Heist, State and Main; Just Looking, Summer of Sam, The 24 Hour Woman, Family Prayers, Driving Miss Daisy, Witness.  
 
TV: PBS Great Performances The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, "Ugly Betty"  Will & Grace (as herself), PBS Great Performances' Candide, Oz , the TNT film Monday Night Mayhem, PBS' Evening At The Pops with John Williams and Yo Yo Ma, Falcone, Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (Showtime); Frasier (1998 Emmy nomination); Law & Order, An Evening with Patti LuPone (PBS), the NBC movie Her Last Chance, Showtime's ACE Award and Emmy nominated The Song Spinner (Daytime Emmy nomination, Best Actress), The Water Engine, L.B.J., AMC's Remember WENN and ABC's Life Goes On.
 
Recordings include: Sweeney Todd (both the 2006 Broadway revival cast recording and 2000 live performance recording on NY Philharmonic's Special Editions Label); Pal Joey (DRG); Heatwave with John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (Phillips Classics); Sunset Boulevard (Polygram);  Patti LuPone Live (RCA Victor).   You can visit Miss LuPone on the worldwide web at www.pattilupone.net.


Ghostlight is a label created by and for the Broadway community. They are committed to bringing the music of the 'New Broadway' to a contemporary audience, using modern technology, innovative marketing and artist involvement. Utilizing music videos, digital downloads and other aggressive strategies new to the Broadway arena, Ghostlight continues to be on the vanguard of interacting with the next generation of Broadway music consumers. The label and its artists continue to generate significant attention. President Kurt Deutsch was interviewed by PLAYBILL, regarding the label's embrace of 'Broadway's Digital Age': http://www.playbill.com/features/article/118331.html
 

ABOUT GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS:
Sh-K-Boom Records and its imprint Ghostlight Records is a Grammy-nominated record label, a producer of recorded and live entertainment, and an interactive community at www.sh-k-boom.com, and www.ghostlightrecords.com.  Since being founded seven years ago by Kurt Deutsch and Sherie Rene Scott, Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight is the leading producer of Original Broadway and Off Broadway cast albums, and solo recordings by the new generation of Broadway stars and composers.  Their winning philosophy has been to work in close partnership with performers and producers, to create product that comes from directly within the community of Broadway artists.  With over 50 albums in their catalogue, titles include: The Smash Broadway Hit Legally Blonde, Grammy and Tony Nominated Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Grammy nominated and Tony Winning The Drowsy Chaperone, Grammy nominated and Tony Winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Grammy nominated all-star benefit recording of Hair for The Actors' Fund of America, as well as The Last 5 Years, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Bright Lights, Big City (with Patrick Wilson and Jesse L. Martin), and Michael John LaChiusa's See What I Wanna See and Bernarda Alba.  Solo Artists include: Patti LuPone, Billy Porter, Jason Robert Brown, Christine Ebersole, Adam Pascal (original star of Rent), Sherie Rene Scott (star of Aida and The Little Mermaid), and Kelli O'Hara's debut solo album, Wonder in the World. On May 27, Ghostlight released the Passing Strange OCR as the first-ever Digital Exclusive release via iTunes for a Broadway show.

Ghostlight releases are distributed by Razor and Tie.

Oliver Winner Greig To Star In David Hare's 'Gethsemane' At National Theatre - 11/11/2008

A new play by David Hare, GETHSEMANE, opens at the Cottesloe on November 11th, directed by Howard Davies. The cast includes Anthony Calf, Tamsin Greig, Jessica Raine, Daniel Ryan, Stanley Townsend and Nicola Walker. The production will have set designs by Bob Crowley and costumes by Fotini Dimou, with lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Christopher Shutt. GETHSEMANE will continue in repertoire at the Cottesloe until 24 February, after which the production will tour the UK.

Nothing is more important to a modern political party than fund-raising. But the values of the donor can't always coincide with the professed beliefs of the party. And family scandal within the cabinet has the potential to throw both the money-raisers and the money-spenders into chaos.

David Hare's new ensemble play about British public life looks at the way business, media and politics are now intertwined to nobody's advantage, as, in an unforgiving world, one character after another passes through Gethsemane. GETHSEMANE is David Hare's fourteenth original play for the National Theatre; the others include Stuff Happens, The Permanent Way (a co-production with Out of Joint), Amy's View, Skylight, The Secret Rapture, The Absence of War, Murmuring Judges, Racing Demon, Pravda (written with Howard Brenton) and Plenty. Tamsin Greig makes her National Theatre debut; her recent theatre credits include God of Carnage (West End), Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (for which she received a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress) and King John for the RSC. Her extensive television work includes Green Wing (RTS and Bafta Awards), Love Soup and Black Books; radio includes playing Debbie in The Archers. Other members of the cast have all recently appeared at the National: Anthony Calf as Anthony Eden in Howard Brenton's Never So Good; Stanley Townsend in Lucinda Coxon's Happy Now?; and Jessica Raine in Simon Stephens' Harper Regan. Nicola Walker was last at the National in Edmond and Tales from the Vienna Woods. Howard Davies is an Associate Director at the NT, where his recent productions include Her Naked Skin, Never So Good, Present Laughter, Philistines, The Life of Galileo, Paul, The House of Bernarda Alba and Mourning Becomes Electra. 

For more information pelase visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Olivier Winner Greig To Star In David Hare's 'Gethsemane' At National Theatre - 11/11/2008

A new play by David Hare, GETHSEMANE, opens at the Cottesloe on November 11th, directed by Howard Davies. The cast includes Anthony Calf, Tamsin Greig, Jessica Raine, Daniel Ryan, Stanley Townsend and Nicola Walker. The production will have set designs by Bob Crowley and costumes by Fotini Dimou, with lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Christopher Shutt. GETHSEMANE will continue in repertoire at the Cottesloe until 24 February, after which the production will tour the UK.

Nothing is more important to a modern political party than fund-raising. But the values of the donor can't always coincide with the professed beliefs of the party. And family scandal within the cabinet has the potential to throw both the money-raisers and the money-spenders into chaos.

David Hare's new ensemble play about British public life looks at the way business, media and politics are now intertwined to nobody's advantage, as, in an unforgiving world, one character after another passes through Gethsemane. GETHSEMANE is David Hare's fourteenth original play for the National Theatre; the others include Stuff Happens, The Permanent Way (a co-production with Out of Joint), Amy's View, Skylight, The Secret Rapture, The Absence of War, Murmuring Judges, Racing Demon, Pravda (written with Howard Brenton) and Plenty. Tamsin Greig makes her National Theatre debut; her recent theatre credits include God of Carnage (West End), Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (for which she received a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress) and King John for the RSC. Her extensive television work includes Green Wing (RTS and Bafta Awards), Love Soup and Black Books; radio includes playing Debbie in The Archers. Other members of the cast have all recently appeared at the National: Anthony Calf as Anthony Eden in Howard Brenton's Never So Good; Stanley Townsend in Lucinda Coxon's Happy Now?; and Jessica Raine in Simon Stephens' Harper Regan. Nicola Walker was last at the National in Edmond and Tales from the Vienna Woods. Howard Davies is an Associate Director at the NT, where his recent productions include Her Naked Skin, Never So Good, Present Laughter, Philistines, The Life of Galileo, Paul, The House of Bernarda Alba and Mourning Becomes Electra. 

For more information pelase visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Lincoln Center to Present Premiere of British Sensation 'Waves' - 11/11/2008

Great writers and great works of literature are the thematic thread running through the 2008-09 season of Lincoln Center's Great Performers "New Visions" series, this year subtitled, "The Literary Muse."  A work by celebrated English novelist Virginia Woolf is the inspiration for the third presentation of the series. Opening on November 12, The National Theatre of Great Britain's award-winning, multi-media production of Waves will have its U.S. Premiere at The Duke on 42nd StreetSM, a New 42nd Street® project.

Waves will have two previews and eleven performances, November 12 through November 22.  A pre-performance lecture by Edward Mendelson will be held on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:45 p.m. The director and cast will also participate in a special reading, "Evening of Virginia Woolf" at the 92nd Street Y on Monday, November 17.

Waves is based on Virginia Woolf's groundbreaking 1931 novel The Waves. Directed by renowned British director Katie Mitchell, associate director of the National, who conceived and created the work in collaboration with the company's actors and video artist Leo Warner of Fifty-Nine Productions, it had its London premiere in 2006. The Financial Times called it, "The most poetically imaginative staging that London has seen in many months...a sensuously many-layered response to Virginia Woolf's novel."  The Times (London) was equally laudatory writing that in the hands of Mitchell and her collaborators the "exquisitely skilled, highly imaginative production" was no less than "art of exceptional order."

Tickets for Waves, priced at $60, are available online at LincolnCenter.org, by phone via CenterCharge, 212-721-6500 and at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office, 65 West 65th Street.  Any remaining tickets will go on sale at The Duke on 42nd StreetSM, a New 42nd Street® project.

Virginia Woolf's stream-of-consciousness novel The Waves follows six people from childhood to old age. Almost plotless (short narrative sections advance the story), the book weaves together the characters interior monologues, in which their lives—problems, joys, regrets—unfold over the course of one day.  "A freeflowing meditation on inner life and the nature of identity," is how The Times (London) describes the novel in its review of the play.  In the National Theatre of Great Britain production of Waves, eight actors—four men and four women—embody, at different points, various aspects of each character, with several actors "depicting" a single character's voiced thoughts, facial expressions, hand gestures, and creating sound effects (the rustle of clothes, drinking, etc.) The words and actions are also captured live and reflected back, often in extreme close-up, on large video projections.

The Financial Times elaborated in its review, "Dramatic characterizations, narration, live music and sound effects, and the interplay between these live elements complement each other so exquisitely it is as if Mitchell, her actors and video artist Leo Warner have created an entirely new art form."  And its review praised the digital images that "brilliantly capture the fragmented, dreamlike narrative of Woolf's novel."  

"New Visions," which celebrates its 10th anniversary season in 2008--2009, was inaugurated by Jane Moss, Lincoln Center's Vice President for Programming.  The series presents productions specially commissioned by Lincoln Center in innovative stage presentations and groundbreaking collaborations from the world's leading directors, choreographers, and classical performers.  Opening simultaneously with Waves is a revival of György Kurtág's Kafka Fragments, settings of excerpts from the diaries and letters of Franz Kafka, directed by Peter Sellars and performed by Dawn Upshaw and violinist Geoff Nuttall.  And in May 2009, "New Visions" presents the first New York City performances of Mark Morris' Romeo & Juliet, on Motifs of Shakespeare that Morris based on the recently-discovered, original Prokofiev score and original dramatic concept.

Katie Mitchell, whom the Guardian Unlimited (London) called "the radical force beating in the heart of the National Theatre," was named Associate Director of the celebrated theater company in 2004. She graduated with a degree in Literature from Oxford and early in her career worked in British regional theater and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her productions for the National include Strindberg's A Dream Play, Chekov's The Seagull, this past November's Attempts on Her Life by Martin Crimp and the upcoming Euripides drama, Women of Troy.   Mitchell has worked in opera and on concert stagings, including a production of Bach's St. Matthew Passion for the Glyndebourne Festival. She has cited Eastern European theater, Russian and Polish acting and directing techniques, in particular Stanislavsky, and contemporary artists such as German choreographer Pina Bausch, as influences. Her working method is highly collaborative, involving actors and her creative team from the early stages of a project.  Her commitment to psychological realism and unique stagings have sparked equal controversy and praise at home, for their perceived flaunting of time-honored British theater conventions and performance practices.  Mitchell made her American directing debut in July 2001 at Lincoln Center.  She directed the Royal Court Theatre's productions of Mountain Language and Ashes to Ashes, two plays by Harold Pinter that were part of Lincoln Center Festival 2001's Pinter celebration.

The National Theatre of Great Britain, founded in 1963, and established on London's South Bank in 1976, has three theaters the Olivier, the Lyttelton and the Cottesloe. Nicholas Hytner serves as the NT's Director. The NT presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics, with seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. It aims to re-energize the great traditions of the British stage and to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike, and aspires to reflect in its repertoire the diversity of the nation's culture. At its Studio, the National offers a space for research and development for its stages and theater as a whole; and through NT Discover, addresses tomorrows' audiences.  With its extensive program of Platform performances, backstage tours, foyer music, exhibitions, and free outdoor entertainment, the National recognizes that theater doesn't begin and end with the rise and fall of the curtain. And by touring, it shares its work with audiences in the UK and abroad.  For more information visit: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.

Leo Warner, video designer for Waves, is an Associate of the National Theatre and creative director of

Fifty Nine Productions, a film and new media production company that has worked on wide-ranging film, theater, opera, ballet and visual arts projects. Among those projects was the English National Opera's production of Philip Glass' Satyagraha which had its U.S. premiere at the Metropolitan Opera during the 2007-2008 season. The company also collaborated on the critically-acclaimed National Theatre of Scotland play, Black Watch, currently at Brooklyn's Arts at St. Ann's. The National's recent ...some trace of her was his fourth production with the Company and with director Katie Mitchell.  Upcoming projects for Fifty Nine Productions include Dr. Atomic for the Metropolitan Opera/English National Opera; Request Programme for Schauspiel Cologne; Dido and Aeneas for ENO/Young Vic; the Metropolitan Opera's 125th anniversary gala; and Al Gran Sole Carico d'Amore at the Salzburg Festival.

PS Classics Releases HOWARD SINGS ASHMAN 2-CD Set 11/11 - 11/11/2008

PS Classics will release a new 2-CD set, HOWARD SINGS ASHMAN, as part of their ongoing Songwriter Series, on November 11, 2008. The album features performances by the late American playwright and film music lyricist. The first CD has 18 tracks, and include several collaborations with Mencken from ALADDIN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, GOD BLESS YOU MR. ROSEWATER and THE LITTLE MERMAID. The other CD features 15 unreleased demo recordings from SMILE, a Broadway collaboration between Ashman and Marvin Hamlisch.

Howard Ashman was born in 1950 in Baltimore, and received a master's degree from Indiana in 1974. He was the artistic director of the WPA Theater in New York. His first collaboration with Alan Mencken was in 1979, for the musical adaption of Kurt Vonnegut's "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater." Along with Mencken, Howard Ashman was the co-recipient of two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Golden Globes.Ashman passed away in 1991 in New York and was posthumously named a Disney Legend in 2001. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was dedicated to him.

Past songwriters featured in the Songwriter Series include Hugh Martin, Jonathan Larson and Charles Strouse. The series is a collaborative project between PS Classics and the United States Library of Congress.

For more information, visit www.psclassics.com.

XANADU Opens 11/11 at La Jolla Playhouse - 11/11/2008

Rehearsals began last week for XANADU at La Jolla Playhouse in anticipation of its West Coast debut on November 23, 2008 directed by Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. Xanadu's cast joins the creative team of the surprise hit Broadway musical at the Playhouse before embarking on a national tour. Xanadu will have its first performance November 11, 2008 and run through December 31 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Xanadu is a new Tony Award-nominated, tongue-in-cheek, magical roller-skating escapade with a joyful classic score of hits like "Magic," "Xanadu," "All Over the World," and "I'm Alive." Based on the 1980's cult film starring Olivia Newton-John, Xanadu follows muse Kira and artist Sonny in their quest for artistic achievement, in pursuit of his dreams to establish…a roller disco! The New York Times called it "Heaven on eight little polyurethane wheels."

"I first heard the soundtrack of Xanadu as a teenager and was floored by how much fun it was," says Director Christopher Ashley, "Then I saw the movie, and it was a complete train wreck. Thank goodness for Douglas Carter Beane, who has penned a fantastic script - which has made working on this show a match made in roller disco heaven."

With book by Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed), music and lyrics by John Farrar (Grease) and Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), direction by Christopher Ashley (Broadway's Xanadu, Memphis) and choreography by Dan Knechtges (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Xanadu was the recipient of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Broadway Musical, four 2008 Tony Award nominations and six 2008 Drama Desk nominations.

Leading the Xanadu cast: Elizabeth Stanley (Kira) returns to La Jolla Playhouse after last performing in Cry-Baby; Max von Essen (Sonny) best known from Les Misérables and Dance of the Vampires, Larry Marshall (Danny), as well as Joanna Glushak (Caliope) and Sharon Wilkins (Melpomene) - the evil muses. Featuring: Tallia Brinson, Amy Goldberger, Vincent Rodriguez III, Jason Michael Snow, Kristofer L. Stock, JB Wing, Julius Thomas and Tiffany Topol.

Xanadu's creatives also include: Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Gallo (A Catered Affair, Memphis) and lighting designer Howell Binkley (Cry-Baby, Jersey Boys), costume design by David Zinn, projection design by Zachary Borovay, wig and hair design by Charles G. LaPointe (High Fidelity, Jersey Boys), musical direction by Jesse Vargas, music supervision by Eric Stern, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, stage management by Allen McMullen and production management by Peter J. Davis. Associate Director is Dana I. Harrel and Associate Choreographer is DJ Gray.

La Jolla Playhouse performances of Xanadu are sponsored by Morrison Foerster.

Performance times are Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30pm; Thursday through Saturday, 8:00pm; and Sundays 7:00pm. Matinees are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. Single ticket prices range from $42 to $100. To purchase, call (858) 550-1010 or online at www.lajollaplayhouse.org.

The nationally acclaimed, Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse is known for its tradition of creating the most exciting and adventurous new work in regional theatre. The Playhouse was founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer, and is considered one of the most well respected not-for-profit theatres in the country.  Numerous Playhouse productions have moved to Broadway, including The Farnsworth Invention, Big River, The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Walk in the Woods, Dracula, Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays, the Pulitzer Prize-winning I Am My Own Wife, and the currently-running Jersey Boys.

B Street Theatre to Conlclude THE SEAFARER Starting 11/11 - 11/11/2008

The B Street Theatre, Sacramento's professional new works theatre, is pleased to present THE SEAFARER by Conor McPherson. Nominated for a Tony award in 2008 for best play, THE SEAFARER is the second production of the B Street Theatre's 2008-2009 "B3 Series."

THE SEAFARER is set on Christmas Eve in Dublin, when James "Sharky" Harkin gathers with friends to drink and play cards. As the evening rolls along, Sharky finds himself playing against a mysterious stranger in a Faustian game of poker with his own soul hanging in the balance.

The cast of THE SEAFARER includes B Street Theatre Acting Company members Kurt Johnson (as Mr. Lockhart), John Lamb (as Nicky Giblin), and David Silberman (as Richard Harkin). Kevin Karrick, who last appeared at the B Street Theatre in A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, portrays James "Sharky" Harkin. THE SEAFARER also features the return to the B Street stage of local radio personality Phil Cowan as Ivan Curry. Previously of Y92.5's long-running, top-rated "The Paul and Phil Show," Phil appeared in the B Street Theatre productions THE GOOD GUY, A COUPLE OF BLAGUARDS and THE MELVILLE BROTHERS. THE SEAFARER is directed by Associate Producer Jerry Montoya, who recently directed B Street productions SYLVIA, A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, THE COCKTAIL HOUR and WHAT THE BUTLER SAW.

Conor McPherson's plays include SHINING CITY and THE WEIR, which won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play for 1999. THE SEAFARER was first performed in September 2006 at the Cottesloe Auditorium of London's National Theatre. McPherson was nominated at the Tony Awards for the category of Best Direction of a Play for his 2008 production THE SEAFARER, which was also nominated for Best Play.

Performances for THE SEAFARER begin with previews on Thursday and Friday, Novemver 6 and 7, 2008 at 7:00pm, followed by an opening night Saturday, November 8 at 8:00pm, and runs through December 11. The press performance is Sunday, November 9 at 1:00pm. THE SEAFARER runs Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 8:00pm. Weekday matinee performances are scheduled Thursdays at 2:00pm (November 13 and December 4) and Wednesday at 1:00pm (November 26). Ticket prices are $25.00 for Tuesday through Thursday performances, $30.00 for Friday through Saturday performances. Preview tickets are $12.00. Senior and student discounts are available for all shows.

The B Street Theatre launched the "B3 Series" in 2007 as a four-show alternative series to the B Street Theatre's mostly comedy mainstage. The "B3 Series" offers more dramas and edgier works and has quickly become a popular program, growing its subscription base from 550 subscribers in its inaugural year to over 1,750 currently.

The B Street Theatre is located at the corner of 27th & B Street in Midtown Sacramento behind Stanford Park Baseball Field at 27th & C Streets.

DRG Records Announces Release of Barbara Cook's RAINBOW 'ROUND MY SHOULDER 11/11 - 11/11/2008

DRG Records is thrilled to announce the release of Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder, the new album by legendary performer Barbara Cook, on November 11th, 2008.

Accompanying Ms. Cook on this, her 14th album for DRG, is new musical director/arranger Lee Musiker, along with bassist Pete Johnson, percussionist/drummer, Jim Saporito, and on woodwinds, Lawrence Feldman.  Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder features classics such as “ Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder,” the standard “Old Devil Moon” and pop hits “For All We Know” and “Lucky To Be Me.” The album was produced by DRG President and Grammy-award winner Hugh Fordin.  

This beloved singer, one of the glories of Broadway in so many fondly remembered shows, is still dazzling audiences today, with a voice remarkably unchanged after a career of more than five decades. Considered “Broadway’s favorite ingénue” during the heyday of the Broadway musical, Miss Cook then launched a second career as a concert and cabaret artist soaring from one professional peak to another.  Throughout her career her singing has attracted generations of fans, and the admiration of her peers and colleagues, from the world of both popular and classical music.

Whether on the stages of major international venues throughout the world or in the intimate setting of New York’s Café Carlyle, Barbara Cook’s popularity continues to thrive - as evidenced by having her own evening at the Metropolitan Opera House  on January 21, 2006.  The first female non-classical singer to be presented by the Met during their long history. In addition to countless Carnegie Hall solo engagements,, and an ever-growing mantle of honors including the Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, her citation as a Living New York Landmark and her induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame.
 
 
About DRG Records:

Celebrating its 32nd Anniversary, DRG Records has been a leader in Broadway cast recordings, film soundtracks, jazz and legendary cabaret performers. Recently, DRG has taken on a large-scale venture in releasing long-out-of-print & first-time-on-CD releases. The label has received numerous Grammy Awards and nominations for its cast recordings and vocalists. DRG is a division of KOCH Records and KOCH Entertainment, the fastest-growing music company and the market leader among independents in North America. For more information on the labels and roster of artists, please visit www.drgrecords.com.

Andrea Marcovicci to SING MOVIES at the Oak Room Starting 11/11 - 11/11/2008

Andrea Marcovicci – the celebrated singer and actress lauded as “the greatest cabaret star of her generation” by The International Herald Tribune and “the epitome of elegance and showbiz savvy” by Variety – will return to the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel (59 West 44th Street) for an exclusive seven-week run from November 11 to December 27 with a special new program “Marcovicci Sings Movies II.” She will be joined by Musical Director Shelly Markham on piano and Jered Egan on bass. Please call (212) 419-9331 for reservations.

“Marcovicci Sings Movies II” – which leads the audience through a dazzling array of movie songs from the 1930s through the 1990s – is a special reworking of one of Andrea’s most celebrated programs of popular song. Since the original show “Marcovicci Sings Movies” was presented over 20 years ago, her song interpretation has deepened and flourished. Using stories about film legends like Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Fred Astaire, she digs deeper into the Hollywood catalog to explore how the musical language of film has influenced our concepts of life and love.

“Movies connect us to our romantic souls,” comments Andrea. “Their music reminds us that romance exists and that taking time to express romantic thoughts and deeds is an absolute necessity in life. They’re more than a soundtrack – they are part of our cultural history.”

Not only does Marcovicci include beloved Golden Age standards like “Cheek To Cheek” from Top Hat (1935) and “Swinging On A Star” from Going My Way (1944) and “Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo” from Lili (1952), but she also takes us into the present with gems from more recent films like “It Might Be You” from Tootsie (1983) and “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2 (1999).

The next year will be a whirlwind period for Andrea as she celebrates her landmark 60th Birthday. To mark the milestone, New York’s Town Hall will present an unprecedented concert event in April 2009 with special guests including three-time Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz, Grammy Award-winner Julie Gold, among others. In conjunction with the show, Andrea will release her new CD “As Time Goes By: The Best of Andrea Marcovicci,” featuring out of print favorites and three newly recorded tracks. She also serves as Executive Producer for “seems like old times,” the touching new CD by her mother, Helen Marcovicci. The recording, which features standards by Cole Porter, Dorothy Fields and Irving Berlin, commemorates Helen’s 90th Birthday.

Andrea will be appearing in the upcoming Henry Jaglom film Irene in Time, also featuring Victoria Tennant and has been commissioned by the Savannah Music Festival to celebrate Johnny Mercer's centennial in March. In addition, her new perfume, AndreaSONG – designed specifically for Andrea – will be available starting on November 11.

“Marcovicci Sings Movies II” plays at The Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel (59 West 44th Street), Tuesday, November 11 through Saturday, December 27, 2008. Performances are at 8:30 PM with additional late shows Friday and Saturdays at 11:00 PM. There are special 7:30 PM shows on November 27 for Thanksgiving, December 24 for Christmas Eve and December 25 for Christmas Day. For reservations call (212) 419-9331 or (212) 840-6800 and ask for Oak Room Reservations.

Roundabout Theatre's STREAMERS Opens 11/11 - 11/11/2008

Roundabout Theatre Company’s (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) Off-Broadway production of Streamers will begin previews tomorrow Friday, October 17th at 7:30 PM. Streamers is written by David Rabe, directed by Scott Ellis and features Hale Appleman, Axel Avin Jr., EJ Cantu, Larry Clarke, Ato Essandoh, Brad Fleischer, Charlie Hewson, Jason McDowell-Green, Cobey Mandarino, John Sharian and J.D. Williams.

Streamers will open officially on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).  This is a limited engagement through January 11th, 2009.

The design team includes Neil Patel (Sets), Tom Broecker (Costumes), Jeff Croiter (Lights) and John Gromada (Sound).

In this powerful American masterpiece, four young soldiers fresh from boot camp wait anxiously in 1965 Virginia, watching the Vietnam conflict escalate. As they struggle to make sense of their new life in the army, tensions rise over race, sexuality, and class, culminating in an explosive act that changes them forever. Streamers is an unflinching exploration of the turmoil and confusion facing young men threatened by forces beyond their control.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre box office (111 West 46 Street).   Tickets range from $63.75-73.75.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Streamers will play Tuesday through Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

www.roundabouttheatre.org

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Liz Smith Talks to Elaine Stritch 11/11 - 11/11/2008

Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith will sit down with the Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer and actress Elaine Stritch, who will discuss her storied career in film, television and on Broadway. Elaine Stritch IN CONVERSATION WITH Liz Smith will be presented on November 11 at 7pm by New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

After the conversation, Stritch will perform excerpts from Elaine Stritch: AT HOME AT THE CARLYLE accompanied by musical director Rob Bowman.

Born in 1926, Elaine Stritch is probably best known for her performance in her 2002 one-woman show, Elaine Stritch AT LIBERTY, which garnered the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. Before that, she received four Tony nominations: 1956 Best Featured Actress in a Play for BUS STOP, 1962 Best Actress in a Musical for SAIL AWAY, 1971 Best Actress in a Musical for COMPANY and 1996 Best Actress in a Play for DELICATE BALANCE.

Stritch's film credits include THE SCARLET HOUR (1956), A FAREWELL TO ARMS (1957), KISS HER GOODBYE (1959), WHO KILLED TEDDY BEAR (1965), PIGEONS (1971), PROVIDENCE (1977), SEPTEMBER (1987), COCOON: THE RETURN (1988), CADILLAC MAN (1990), OUT TO SEA (1997), SMALL TIME CROOKS (2000), AUTUMN IN NEW YORK (2000) and ROMANCE & CIGARETTES (2005).

Regular tickets are $75. Special $125 tickets include VIP seating with cocktail reception with Stritch and Smith. Tickets are available by visiting www.gaycenter.org. The LGBT Center is located in Manhattan at 208 West 13th Street.

Absurd Person Singular to Run at Bristol Riverside Theatre, Nov. 11-30 - 11/11/2008

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its 2008-2009 season with Absurd Person Singular by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, one of the most prolific and widely performed of English language playwrights. Gus Kaikkonen directs this charming, modern romantic comedy that looks at the game of love through the kitchens of three married couples and their fortunes on Christmas.

The show begins previews November 11 opens November 13, and closes November 30, 2008. Tickets are $29 - $37, with $10 student tickets, and are available by calling the Box Office at (215) 785-0100 or visiting the theatre at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, with information online at www.brtstage.org.

Absurd Person Singular comes from the author of BRT's acclaimed production of Communicating Doors. Each couple, at a crossroads in their relationship, finds something inescapably captivating in one another. Sidney (played by Dan Hodge) is an eager social climber who shares a simple innocence with his submissive wife Jane (Kate Hampton). Jane is continually loyal and loves to put hard work into her house. Geoffrey (Jack Koenig) is an architect who falls from grace and mistreats his wife, Eva (Susan Riley Stevens), but still tries to do right by her. Eva is an artist who is emotionally unstable. Ronald (Keith Baker) is a banker who enjoys the finer things in life while his wife Marion (Lisa Bostnar) continues to waste away in a bottle of alcohol.

With a current relevance decades later, Absurd Person Singular is also a commentary on the division of social classes and how quickly one can rise or fall. Ayckbourn told the Bishops Stortford Gazette in 1990, "It was originally intended as a slightly veiled attack on the get-rich-quick society which has got even worse since then. It seems even more relevant today than it did when I first wrote it."

Absurd Person Singular made its London debut in 1972 and its Broadway debut in 1974. The BBC produced a 1985 television drama, adapted from the play which starred Michael Gambon. Manhattan Theatre Company revived the play in 2005.

About the Director

BRT Artistic Director Keith Baker has known guest director Gus Kaikkonen for years and was excited to find an opportunity for him to direct a BRT production. A well-known freelance director, Kaikkonen is also the Artistic Director of the Peterborough Players, a professional resident stock theater in Peterborough, New Hampshire where he has directed many productions. He has directed Off-Broadway productions of Arms and the Man, Heartbreak House, Gentleman Dancing Master and I Have Been Here Before (Pearl Theatre), The Voysey Inheritance, Richard III with Austin Pendleton, MacBeth with Stephen McHattie, and Candida with Laurie Kennedy, among others. Regionally, he has directed at Philadelphia Theatre Company, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Ford's Theatre, Coconut Grove Playhouse, GeVa Theatre Center, Folger Theatre, and BoarsHead Theatre, among others. An actor and playwright as well, he made his Broadway debut in the original cast of Equus, appeared in Tommy Tune's production of Cloud 9 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and won Vermont's 2000 Bessie Award for Best Actor for his performance of Richard III at the Lost Nation Theater. For the last six years Kaikkonen has been a visiting artist and director at the Juilliard School in New York.

About the Cast & Designers

The Absurd Person Singular cast is a mix of local actors and New York-based actors who have previously worked with Kaikkonen. New York actors new to BRT are: Lisa Bostnar who has appeared at many Off-Broadway venues including Riverside Shakespeare, Mint Theatre Company, BAM, and New Federal Theatre, in addition to regional, film and TV work; Kate Hampton whose Broadway credits include The Best Man and The Deep Blue Sea and who has been seen locally in Loot at Arden Theatre Company; and Jack Koenig who spent three years in the Broadway production of The Lion King and starred in several productions under Kaikkonen's direction at Peterborough Players.

Philadelphia area cast members making their debuts at BRT are Dan Hodge and Susan Riley Stevens - both South Philly residents. Hodge can currently be seen as Victor Frankenstein in Neal Bell's Monster for Luna Theater Company and was recently the title character in Woyzeck for EgoPo Productions. Stevens was most recently seen as Regan in King Lear at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

Bristol's Keith Baker has previously worked with Ayckbourn and starred in By Jeeves, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ayckbourn, in a 1996 production directed by the playwright at the Goodspeed Opera House. Baker appeared last season in BRT's production of Copenhagen and most recently directed The Spitfire Grill.

Kaikkonen has also brought to BRT new design talent with New-York based set designer Charles Morgan and lighting designer Eric Larson. Linda Bee Stockton, who recently worked on The Spitfire Grill at BRT, is designing costumes.

About the Playwright

Alan Ayckbourn is not only one of the most prolific and widely performed playwrights in the English language; he is also a highly regarded theatre director. Since 1972, he has been the Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, where the majority of his work has premiered. Ayckbourn has written 72 full length plays, more than half of which have gone on to London's West End. He has directed more than 300 plays, including the West End premieres of the majority of his plays. He has received more than 25 awards and honors, including an Olivier Award and Moliere Award.

In 1994, he received a Montblanc de la Culture Award for Europe for 'establishing a thriving theatrical tradition in Scarborough and for his dedication and commitment to it'. In addition to holding a number of honorary degrees, he was appointed a CBE in 1987 and in 1997 was knighted for services to the theatre.

Ayckbourn's plays have been regularly produced in America and more than 10 of his plays have been produced on Broadway and Off-Broadway. In 1975 he held the record of having the most plays simultaneously running on Broadway (The Norman Conquests trilogy and Absurd Person Singular).

Tickets & Subscriptions
Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. 2008-2009 Season subscriptions and individual tickets are available by visiting the theatre or calling the BRT Box Office at (215) 785-0100 with information online at www.BRTstage.org. Subscriptions range from $99 - $125 for adults and $50 for students.

About Bristol Riverside Theatre
Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 50 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. In addition to its mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children's theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker and Founding Producing Director Susan D. Atkinson, BRT enters its 22nd season.

Casa Mañana Presents STOMP at Bass Performance Hall, November 11 - 16 - 11/11/2008

STOMP, the international sensation, is making its triumphant return to the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, November 11 – 16, 2008 for a one week only engagement. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans.

These new changes also bring along some new faces. Fort Worth native John Angeles has joined the STOMP national tour. Angeles, a professional drummer, attended Nolan Catholic High School and graduated from Texas Christian University’s music program in 2005. Patrons might also recognize Angeles from his appearance on America’s Got Talent in summer 2007.

STOMP is directed and created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. The national touring production is presented by Casa Mañana for an exclusive limited engagement at the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Performance dates are: Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, November 14 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. This show is suitable for all audiences.

Tickets for STOMP are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Casa Mañana Theatre box office at 817-332-2272 or the Bass Performance Hall box office at 817-212-4280. You can also visit the box office at Casa Mañana Theatre, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, or at the Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce Street, Fort Worth. Ticket prices are $29 to $69, depending upon seating location and the performance dates and times. For more information, visit www.casamanana.org or www.stomponline.com.

Dance.Here.Now.| Alex Pearce | Cielo | Nov. 11th Veterans Day!! - 11/11/2008

Coming off his highly successful launch party, Alex Pearce is back for the second installment of his new monthly residency at Cielo. Come celebrate the day off with us for this very special Veterans Day event as Rob Fernandez, Benny Soto and manager Paul continue their ongoing string of wild Tuesday night parties. Hosting the night is Sir Anthony Lamont and on lights the best in the business Ariel himself. Opening sets by up and coming superstar DJs Niki McNally & Alex Karalanian.

Tues, November 11th

Robpromotions.com, Benny Soto and Global Frequencies Present:

A Very Special Veterans Day Edition of...

DANCE.HERE.NOW

featuring

ALEX PEARCE

Opening Sets by Niki McNally & Alex Karalanian

Hosted by Anthony Lamont

Lights by Ariel

OPEN BAR 9-10pm

VETERANS DAY, NO WORK

Cielo~ 18 Little West 12th Street Door 9-4am

RSVP - paul@djalexpearce.com

Residency dates:

November 11th

December 16th

January TBC

Brandishing his signature driven style of electro and tech house Alex Pearce's live preformances take aspiring audiences through a musical journey. Alex's sets boast a unified sound aimed at challenging the audience's senses, and giving them an undeniable urge to dance. With an arsenal of prime mixing, programming and selection ability, Alex has earned the right to rock crowds across the East Coast and South America. During this exciting and progressing voyage Alex has also been honored to work alongside talented artist such as Sander Kleinenberg, Seb Fontaine and Behrouz.

Pearce's cumulative results have garnered exceptional residencies; headlining nights at internationally recognized venues Cielo andWebster Hall in his hometown of NYC. Just as active within the production scene, Alex released "Carbon," on Spice Cadet Recordings in March and "Purpose," a collaboration with Tony Mugavero on Freq1see Records in July. Now with his (w/partner DJ Ebar) Quarterlife Records imprint, Alex has an outlet for extending his lusty NYC house sound across the globe. Quarterlife Records experienced rapid action in '08 with Alex remixing an original of John Digweed protégé, Royal Sapien's original "Everything I Love is Underground"; Alex's own original release, "Dat Sound" was released on the label in mid September. Topped off with successful label and release events that have delightfully surpassed expectations. Looking ahead Alex looks to build on his current success by advancing his production and event portfolio even further.

www.robpromotions.com www.cieloclub.com www.djalexpearce.com www.quarterlifenyc.com www.propagandanyc.com

SENSEDANCE to be Performed at Ailey Citigroup Theater Through 11/11 - 11/11/2008

 Henning Rübsam: SENSEDANCE performs a special engagement for its 2008 season with the premiere of "Cloudforest" at The Ailey Citigroup Theater (The Joan Weill Center for Dance), 405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue.  The program of new dances will be performed Saturday, November 8th - Tuesday, November 11th at 8:00 pm (Sunday 11/9 at 7 pm).

Choreographer Henning Rübsam presents his company of stellar dancers in new ballets on point and with multi-media work. “Cloudforest” is a magical journey - a tribe coming together through movement. Physical trust allows for breathtaking configurations that results in a rebirth of communal and spiritual energy. Set to a collage of scores, the music illustrates shifts of converging cloud patterns.  Costumes are by avant-gardist Lars Andersson and lighting design by Stephen Petrilli.

Other new works are set to music by frequent collaborator composer and pianist Beata Moon, whose third CD was released by NAXOS to glowing reviews.  "Amaranthine Road" is a pas de deux capturing the beauty of an imaginary flower that never fades.  It is danced by Rachel Hamrick (formerly of Dutch National Ballet) and Dartanion Reed (formerly with ABT). The dashing “Inter-Mez-Zo” showcases Maria Phegan (Houston Ballet, Bavarian State Opera Ballet Munich), Erin Ginn (Columbia City Ballet) Jamar Goodman (formerly with ABT) and DTH principal Ramon Thielen. Christine Reisner, a former Alwin Nikolais dancer, who has appeared as a soloist with SENSEDANCE since 2002, will perform the New York premieres of two short movement studies "Innocence" and “Final Bell” - honoring the late composer Ronald Mazurek. Slide projection is designed by Ruth Grauert (Martha Hill Lifetime Achievement Award winner and 40-year Nikolais tech veteran). The seductive "Caves" for Ms. Phegan and Mr. Reed to music by Guggenheim composition fellow Ricardo Llorca as well as divertissements from “Merciless Beauty” set to Bach and Leslie Wildman complete the multifaceted program.

Henning Rübsam directs SENSEDANCE, a New York City-based dance company, presenting annual NYC seasons since 1992. He continues to reach out to artists of other disciplines and has an impressive roster of frequent collaborators. SENSEDANCE was founded in the hope that through the SENSES for a moment we can still all meet.  He also directs and choreographs for opera and theater, including Outer Critics Circle Award winner Lanie Robertson's Off-Broadway production "Cannibal's Waltz". Rübsam’s production of “Spirit of Sepharad” is presented at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. He will choreograph the new musical "HURRICANE" by composer Michael Holland and direct Edward Hudaverdi’s “The 93rd day of Spring.”

Rübsam was the subject of television documentaries in both the U.S. and his native Germany and DANCEVISTA produced three TV specials about him and his work. The documentary "Behind the Curtain" features him alongside NYCB and Graham principals as well as Prima Ballerina Assoluta Eva Evdokimova, for whom he created a critically acclaimed solo.  He has been awarded government, foundation and corporate grants as well as the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen- und Halbach Prize, a Lincoln Center Fellowship, and the DRA Award.

He joined the faculty of his alma mater, The Juilliard School, in fall 2006 and is Resident Choreographer of the Hartford City Ballet. He is a sought-after guest choreographer for ballet and contemporary ensembles across the globe and a master teacher for dance technique and dance composition. In February 2008 he was a guest artist for Ballet Nacional del Peru and the Universidad de Lima.  Henning Rübsam tours a solo program with works to live and original music and is the first dance artist to be invited to speak at the annual international GEL conference.

Tickets are now on sale for $35; online at www.smarttix.com or by phone at (212) 868-4444.  Student/Dancer Rush (with ID/class card) are $15 at the door.  There is also a special Opening Saturday 11/08 benefit ticket at $150 which includes a festive catered reception after the performance.  Rübsam’s mentors of both the ballet and modern dance, Eve Evdokimova and Beverly Blossom are the artists co-chairs for the event. For information please contact: sensedance@sensedance.org.  www.sensedance.org

The LAURIE BEECHMAN Tells True Stories - 11/11/2008

On November 11, 2008, The Spotlight Cabaret will present True Story, featuring eleven rising musical theatre performers.  Two different casts will share stories from their lives through song at 7:00pm and 9:30pm.

The 7:00pm show will feature Katie Gassert (NYMF's About Face), BriAnne Moore (Signature's The Visit), Andrew Pandaleon (Original cast of Play It Cool), Alyse Wojciechowski (Fallen, Jane Eyre reading) and Geoff Kidwell (Cabrillo's A Chorus Line).  The 9:30pm show will feature Ryan Bogner (NYMF's Bedbugs!!!), Cait Doyle (Hot Mess in Manhattan), Larry Hamilton (Captain Louie, Lortel's Charlie Brown), Mara Jill Herman (The Dream Palace, Prospect's Four), Weston Wells Olson (PBS Camelot, Hollywood Bowl's Les Miz), and Aléna Watters (Goodman's Turn of the Century, Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On)..  The evening is directed by Ryan Scott Oliver, with music direction by Matt Vinson.

The Spotlight Cabaret is produced by Ryan Scott Oliver and Rob Shapiro.  The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located inside the West Bank Café, 407 W. 42nd Street at 9th Ave.  Reservations strongly urged; email your request to thespotlightcabaret@yahoo.com.  There is a $10 cover charge and a $15 food/drink minimum.

Mauzey, Dodd, Kern, O'Malley and Brightman Join WICKED Cast 11/11 - 11/11/2008

Now entering its 6th year on Broadway, the musicAl Blockbuster WICKED will welcome new cast members in the coming week.  Beginning performances Tuesday, November 11, Marcie Dodd will assume the role of Elphaba and Alli Mauzey will assume the role of Glinda.  Also joining the company are Kevin Kern in the role of Fiyero and Brynn O'Malley as Nessarose.  Alex Brightman will assume the role of Boq on Tuesday, November 4.

They join a cast which currently includes Jayne Houdyshell as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, and Timothy Britten Parker as Dr. Dillamond.  Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda), Aaron Tveit (Fiyero), and Cristy Candler (Nessarose) will play their final performances on November 9; Ben Liebert (Boq) played his final performance on November 2.

ABOUT THE CAST

Marcie Dodd (Elphaba) comes directly from the Los Angeles Company of Wicked, where she was the standby for the role of Elphaba.  She has also performed on the First National Tour of Wicked.  Other credits include: Hairspray (Louanne, Amber u/s), We Will Rock You (Scaramouche u/s), Grease (Sandy), as well as multiple projects and recordings with Disney Entertainment and Universal Studios.

Alli Mauzey (Glinda) recently starred as the love-crazed Lenora in the new musical Cry-Baby, for which she won the 2008 Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Drama League Award.  She played Brenda in Hairspray on Broadway and the National Tour.  Alli originated the role of Lenora at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego where she won the Theatre Critics Circle Award.  In Los Angeles she has appeared in City of Angels for Reprise!, The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, and 110 in the Shade at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Kevin Kern (Fiyero) appeared on Broadway in the original company of The Wedding Singer (Robbie Standby/Swing) and in Les Misérables (Marius). Most recently, he was a swing in the Pre-Broadway production of 9 To 5 The Musical.  Off-Broadway shows include Next to Normal (original company, standby for Dan and Dr. Madden), Altar Boyz original company (swing for all five parts), and Finian's Rainbow at the Irish Repertory Theater (Woody).  Recent regional productions include Grease (Danny) and Les Misérables (Marius) at St. Louis MUNY.

Alex Brightman (Boq) was most recently seen on Broadway in Glory Days at Circle in the Square. Regional credits include The History Boys at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Upcoming: "Important Things with Demetri Martin" on Comedy Central.

Brynn O'Malley (Nessarose) has appeared on Broadway in Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle), Sunday in the Park with George (Celeste #1/Elaine), Beauty & the Beast (Belle u/s).  Her regional highlights include Avenue Q (Kate Monster/Lucy T. Slut, Wynn Las Vegas), Oklahoma! and Meet Me In St. Louis (Laurey and Esther respectively, Paper Mill Playhouse), She Loves Me (Amalia, Arena Stage, Helen Hayes nom.), Arsenic and Old Lace (Elaine, Baltimore Centerstage), The Full Monty and All Shook Up (Pam and Miss Sandra respectively, Music Theatre of Wichita).

ABOUT WICKED

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz.  One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood.  The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular.  WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

 Called "Broadway's biggest blockbuster" by The New York Times and "a phenomenon that keeps growing" by the Los Angeles Times, WICKED has been sold out at virtually every performance since opening on Broadway.  Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman.  The production is directed by Joe Mantello and has musical staging by Wayne Cilento.  The Grammy Award-winning original cast recording of WICKED, produced by Stephen Schwartz for Decca Broadway, has been the fastest selling Broadway recording of recent years and has been certified 'Platinum' by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com/wicked.  For more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.com.  WICKED is performed at the Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Photo of Alli Mauzey by Peter James Zielinski

Inbal Pinto Dance Company's SHAKER Comes to the Joyce Theater - 11/11/2008

The Joyce Theater will present a weeklong season of the Inbal Pinto Dance Company’s full evening work, Shaker.  A collaboration between Co-Artistic Directors Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak, this engagement will begin on Tuesday, November 11 and run through Sunday, November 16.  The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue in Chelsea.  To purchase tickets, please call JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or via the internet at www.Joyce.org.  

Shaker, the dance-theater piece by Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak, is rich in poetic imagination, interspersed with unique humor and intellectual thought.  The work was created to look and feel like an eerily beautiful winter day; a scene taken out of a shaken, snow-filled glass ball. On a stage inhabited by tiny figures and maquettes, there are three small gray huts from which the dancers — clad in black or colored bodysuits — appear and disappear mysteriously.  Quiet and still at the beginning, the world inside the shaker is magical and enchanted, but not necessarily happy, containing both good and evil, joy and sadness.  

Inbal Pinto (Artistic Director/Choreographer/Director) was born in Israel in 1969, and began her formal dance training at age 13.  She studied graphic arts at The Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem, and worked as a graphic designer for her army service.  As a dancer, she first joined The Bat Sheva Ensemble and was promoted to the senior Bat Sheva Company.  In 1990, she began her career as a choreographer, and was invited to The American Dance Festival to take part in its International Choreographers Program in both 1997 and 1998.  In 2000, she won a Bessie – the New York Dance and Performance Award – for her creation “Wrapped,” and was also given Israel’s Ministry of Culture Award for Dance and the Tel Aviv Municipal Award for Artistic achievements in 2000. Additionally throughout her career Pinto has created the choreography for several theatrical works, such as The Chairs and Romeo and Juliet. 

Avshalom Pollack (Artistic Director/Choreographer/Director) was born in Israel in 1970.  The son of well-known Israeli actor Yossi Pollak, he spent time observing his father from backstage, developing an understanding early on of the commitment and drive needed to create a high-quality theatrical experience for an audience.  He was trained as a classical actor and graduated from The Nissan Nativ Drama School in Tel-Aviv.  He has acted in a large number of films and television programs as well as many theatrical plays at The Habimah National Theater, The Cameri Theater, Gesher Theater and The Haifa Municipal Theater.  Roles have included Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Casssio in Othello, Valere in The Miser, Tuzenbach in Three Sisters, Phillip in Orphans and many others.  
 

INBAL PINTO “DANCE TALKS” AT JOYCE SOHO October 27, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Join choreographer Ze’eva Cohen on a journey into this work, other works by the company and Israeli contemporary dance. “Dance Talks” are free and take place at Joyce SoHo (155 Mercer Street, between Houston and Prince).  Reservations are required: 646-792-8377. 

Inbal Pinto Dance Company’s Shaker will play Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday & Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm.  Free post-performance “Humanities” dialogue following the Wednesday performance. New this fall season, The Joyce has updated its pricing structure to help make dance accessible to a wider audience. Scaling the theater in three tiers, tickets for these performances are $19; $35; $49 (for Joyce Members $26; $37), and can be arranged by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at www.Joyce.org.  For more information about the Inbal Pinto Dance Company, including tour schedule, please visit www.InbalPinto.com.  The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.

Corky Hale to Play 'An Evening' at the Metropolitan Room Starting 11/10 - 11/11/2008

Critically-acclaimed and renowned Jazz Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist, Corky Hale, will appear in an autobiographical cabaret show about her life both on stage, and off, entitled, “An Evening With Corky Hale,” to be presented at the Metropolitan Room at Gotham, 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), New York, NY  10010, on Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, November 14, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. and Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:45 p.m.  Jeff Lass serves as Musical Director.  There is a $20 Cover Charge and $15 Minimum. 

For reservations and further information, please call 212.206.0440 or visit online at www.metropolitanroom.com.  To learn more about Corky Hale, please visit the website, www.corkyhale.com.

Corky Hale (Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist) was born in a small mid-western farm town and started piano lessons at age three.  At age seven, while vacationing with her family in Florida, Hale was heard in the lobby of her hotel picking out tunes on the piano by House bandleader, Horace Heidt.  Heidt had a little band jacket made for her and featured her for the next few weeks in the evening show.

Hale has played harp for such artists as Liberace, Tony Bennett, Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.  She has been the piano accompanist for such artists as Billie Holiday and Mel Tormé.  She has sung with the bands of Harry James, Ray Anthony, and Jerry Gray.  She also owned one of the most successful clothing stores in Hollywood for 17 years.

Hale was also the proprietor of “Corky’s,” a popular restaurant on New York’s East Side.  She has lived in Rome, and for three years, while living there, appeared on the popular television show, “Tempo di Jazz.”  She has performed at The White House with Tony Bennett, soloed with Barbra Streisand in Central Park and at the Hollywood Bowl and performed with Björk on her MTV Special in London.  Hale has also appeared with George Michael at London’s Royal Albert Hall and RFK Stadium.

Her sold-out performances at the Oak Room at the Algonquin in New York, Davenport’s in Chicago, the Cinegrill in Los Angeles, the Plush Room in San Francisco, and Pizza On The Park in London have led Los Angeles Times’ jazz reviewer Don Heckman to observe that Hale is “more than a triple threat,” and Philip Ellwood of the San Francisco Examiner noted her performance is “one of cyclonic proportions.”  On November 22, 2007, Corky Hale appeared at Carnegie Hall as a Piano Soloist with the New York Pops Orchestra, under the baton of Guest Conductor, Barry Levitt.

Hale’s harp, piano and vocals can be heard on her current CD, “CORKY” on the GNP Crescendo label.  Since 2000 Hale has produced and performed her star-studded show “Corky Hale and Friends:  From Tin Pan Alley to Beverly Hills,” at the Beverly Hills Civic Center.  In March 2003 her “Salute To Hollywood Songwriters” opened the newly restored Ferry Building at a Gala for San Francisco’s “Raising Hope” charity, and in 2002 her show opened the 25th Anniversary Season of the 1,000-seat La Mirada Theatre.

In 2003, Corky Hale added theatrical production to her activities, when her show, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” broke box office records at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Florida.  In 2000 she was the associate producer of the hit show,

“Fully Committed,” which played at the Coronet Theatre in Hollywood.  She also produced three other hits – 1998’s “Lullaby Of Broadway” at the Tiffany Theatre in West Hollywood, voted one of the “10 Best Shows” of the year by the Los Angeles Times

and produced a concert version of the show starring Sally Kellerman.  Hale also produced “Give ‘em Hell Harry,” starring Jason Alexander at the Tiffany Theatre in Los Angeles in 1992.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, Hale jokingly considers herself the ultimate cook-housewife.  She has been happily married for 37 years to songwriter Mike Stoller of the team Leiber & Stoller, whose show Smokey Joe’s Café broke the record as the longest running musical revue in Broadway history.  Hale is very involved in numerous charities and political groups, one of them being Angel Harvest, which she introduced to Los Angeles from New York’s City Harvest.  Angel Harvest picks up overages of food at top restaurants and major events such as the Academy AwardsÒ and movie premieres, which otherwise would have been discarded, and delivers them to various shelters for battered women and children, indigent seniors, veterans in rehabilitation and the working poor.  She has always been interested in politics and was one of the first white students to join the NAACP while a freshman at the University of Wisconsin.  She speaks Italian, French and Spanish, and had an apartment in Italy at one time.  Hale serves on the national advisory board of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), the national advisory board of Planned Parenthood and the California board of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP).  She and her husband are strong advocates of the Southern Poverty Law Center and serve on the board of The National Coalition to Ban Gun Violence.

Corky Hale’s recently produced and directed a special event, entitled, “It’s Magic! - A Tribute To Sammy Cahn” at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills, CA.  She is also currently working a new CD entitled “Corky and Her Gal Pals” with vocals by Corky Hale, Freda Payne, Sally Kellerman, Ariana Savalas, Tricia Tahara and Briana Whitaker.  To learn more about Corky Hale, please visit the website, www.corkyhale.com.

Jeff Lass (Musical Director) has worked as a Musical Director for Corky Hale, Sally Kellerman, Paul Williams, Lamont Dozier, Smokey Robinson, Laverne Baker, Taylor Dane, Patti Austin, John Raitt, Freda Payne and Mike Stoller.  As a composer he has written songs for 16 feature films, including, “Dick Tracy” and “Rage In Harlem,” as well as for Madonna’s “Breathless” album.

FREE Improv Workshop Offered at Florida Studio Theatre - 11/11/2008

FREE Improv Workshop Offered, open to the public Tuesday, November 11th at 6:30 PM

Florida Studio Theatre’s Adult Fall Theatre Program begins November 11, 2008, with a FREE Improv Workshop. The class will be taught by FST Improv Troupe’s Chris Friday. Interested adults are able to participate in this FREE workshop before they sign up for the class.
This FREE workshop on November 11, will introduce basic Improvisation. Discover the freedom of spontaneity. Sign up for this FREE Improvisation class that is the launching ground to start developing one’s skills as an Improv performer.  Learn the fundamentals of Comedy Improvisation using theatre games and scenes.  Students are given the opportunity to explore creativity, hone presentation skills, and build self-confidence through teamwork.  This class is designed for those who have no previous Improv knowledge and who have not taken classes with FST Improv before.

Workshop Details:
When: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time: 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
Where: Florida Studio Theatre
R.S.V.P. (941) 366.1350
*Admission is FREE
 
All classes are held in FST’s professional rehearsal studios in the heart of downtown Theatre and Arts District 1241 North Palm Avenue. Price for the eight week class is $205. Reservations can be made by contacting FST’s Education department at 366.1350. Full and partial scholarships are available, ask for details. Professional Improv classes are taught under the direction of FST’s Managing Director, Rebecca Langford. Ms. Langford has 17 years of Improv experience and developed FST’s Improvisation program in 2000.

The Education Program is under the direction of Kate Alexander, Associate Director of FST. The adult teaching staff is comprised of a core of theatre professionals trained to teach free from personal dictates. Our methodology helps each person find his or her own “door” to creative achievement. In addition, guest artists and teachers visit throughout the session.
Known as Sarasota’s Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman.  Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons.  The company eventually settled down into a permanent home, acquiring the former Woman’s Club building – now renamed the Keating Theatre.  In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting contemporary theatre in its three theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Goldstein Cabaret and its newest space, the Gompertz Theatre. Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience.  Under Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director and CEO, FST develops theatre that speaks to our living, evolving, and dynamically changing world.  As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES to Hold CD Release Party After 11/11 Performance - 11/11/2008

Off-Broadway's hit sensation THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES celebrates their original cast recording, with a release party and CD signing on Tuesday, November 11 at 10:15 PM.

The “Marvelous Wonderettes” – Farah Alvin, Beth Malone, Bets Malone, Victoria Matlock will be avaliable immediately following that evening’s show at the Westside Theater at 407 West 43rd Street between Ninth & Tenth Avenues.

Meet the cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes at the show’s CD release party, as stars Farah Alvin, Beth Malone, Bets Malone and Victoria Matlock sign copies of the brand new release.  The Original Cast Recording will be available at the theater for purchase, and every ticketholder for that night’s show will receive a free CD. 

The Marvelous Wonderettes is a cotton candy-colored pop musical featuring songs from the 50’s and beyond.  The critically acclaimed show, written & directed by Roger Bean, had its official opening night on Sunday, September 14 and is currently enjoying an open-ended run at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street).

PS Classics is the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song.  The CD was produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer Jeffrey Lesser. 

DEAR EDWINA to Release Cast Recording 11/11; Purchase Available Online Now - 11/11/2008

DEAR EDWINA, starring Kerry Butler, Terrence Mann, Lynnette Perry, Andrea Burns, Rebecca Luker, Danny Burstein, Jeff Blumenkrantz, and more, will release their cast recording in stores on November 11th, 2008. The album is currently available for purchase online at www.psclassics.com.

DEAR EDWINA begins performances as part of the Daryl Roth Productions' DR2 Kids series at the DR2 Theatre, 103 E. 15th Street, NYC, on Friday, November 14, 2008 and runs through Sunday, January 25, 2009, with an official opening on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m.

DEAR EDWINA features music by Zina Goldrich and book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler (the award-winning songwriting team behind the critically acclaimed family musical JUNIE B. JONES, the popular cabaret song "Taylor, the Latte Boy," and the Broadway-bound musical EVER AFTER).  TIMOTHY MCDONALD, founder of family entertainment producer iTheatrics, will direct.

Janice Mays will appear in DEAR EDWINA's title role. Others in the cast include Tyler Adcock, Gordon Maniskas, Ernie Pruneda, Morgan Rose, Doug Thompson, Shannon Tyo, and Katie Whetsell. Musical direction is by Mark Hartman, with choreography by Steven G. Kennedy. Court Watson is scenic designer, lighting design is by Kathryn Furst, and costume design is by Theresa Squire. Pianist/conductor will be Joe Kinosian, and Nicole Marcus is the production's drummer.

In the classic tradition of "Let's put on a show," DEAR EDWINA's plucky heroine, Edwina Spoonapple, decides that she and her pals will do just that.  Edwina's special talent is giving advice, and she would do almost anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. When a talent scout visits her hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan, Edwina – assisted by a host of quirky friends and neighbors- enthusiastically sings out her musical advice in hopes of finding her own special place in the spotlight. Together Edwina and chums put on a show in the Spoonapple garage that tackles a plethora of problems, in numbers about everything from birthday party etiquette to the proper way to set a table ("salad fork, fork, plate, knife, spoon").  This smart and sassy "show within a show" features such hilarious and endearing songs as "Put It in the Piggy," "Frankenguest," and "Hola Lola," offering clever advice on kid- troubling issues that run the gamut from what to do when offered icky food to how to deal with a truly annoying brother. After hearing "Hola Lola," Roy Sander of Backstage declared it was "so infectious you may not be able to get it out of your head … I couldn't stop singing it for hours."

Children attending DEAR EDWINA will have their own chance to ask Edwina for advice by placing letters in a special box in the DR2 Theatre lobby.  Each week, one child's "Dear Edwina" letter will be selected, and Edwina's reply will be posted on the show's website: www.DearEdwina.com

Praised by The New York Times as a "bright inventive production" that "beguiles with rock, rag, rhythm and blues and doo wop among other attractions," MARCY and ZINA's Junie B. Jones enjoyed three highly successful off-Broadway runs under the auspices of Theatreworks USA, earning two Lucille Lortel Award nominations.  MARCY and ZINA, who have been collaborating since 1993, were voted "Best Knocking on Broadway's Door Songwriting Team" in The Village Voice's "Best of NYC" edition and are past recipients of ASCAP's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Theatre Award. As performers, MARCY and ZINA have toured domestically and internationally, presenting their music at some of the finest venues, including Carnegie Hall, Canada's "Juste Pour Rire" comedy festival and the Kennedy Center. Raved The Village Voice, "[They] have been turning out smart lyrics and sophisticated melodies for some time. Keep in mind they're the ones whose nifty love song rhymed 'quesadilla' with 'IKEA.'"  Their song "Taylor, the Latte Boy" has been recorded by Christiane Noll and Susan Egan and is featured on Kristin Chenoweth's album, As I Am, on the Sony label. Together and apart, MARCY and ZINA have provided original songs for The Disney Channel, Disney Interactive and Feature Animation projects, Disney Theatricals, PBS, and Nickelodeon.

Tickets for DEAR EDWINA are priced at $29 (previews) and $39 (general admission) and are available at DearEdwina.com or by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets may also be purchased at the DR2 box office, 103 East 15th Street, NYC. Group rates are available. This production is 60 minutes long and is recommended for ages 5 - 12.

Jackson, Parker, Gunn and More Appear at 2008 Emery Awards 11/11 - 11/11/2008

On Tuesday, November 11th, Macy's and Marc Ecko will present the 2008 Emery Awards at Cipriani 42nd St. This year's awards honor those who have worked to support LGBT youth, and features a special performance by Cheyenne Jackson, star of Broadway's XANADU, ALL SHOOK UP and AIDA.

Emery 2008 honorees are Mary-Louise Parker, Peter Wilson, and the M.A.C AIDS fund, presented by designer Jeffrey Kalinsky and rap artist Eve

The live auctioneer will be the 'fabulous'  Bianca Del Rio and After-Party DJ will be the equally 'fabulous' Lady Bunny, explain press notes.

And a special performance by the youth of The Hetrick-Martin Institute.

The evening will be hosted by Project Runways' Tim Gunn.

The Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), Home of The Harvey Milk High School, "believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. HMI creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 21 and their families. In addition, through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, HMI seeks to foster healthy youth development. HMI's staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models," according to a press article.    

For more about HMI and the Emery Awards please visit: www.hmi.org

Cullum, Warren, and Ross Join AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY Cast - 11/11/2008

Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play – is proud to welcome Two time Tony Award-winner John Cullum (Urinetown, Shenandoah, On the Twentieth Century) as family patriarch Beverly Weston, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel Award nominee Amy Warren (Adding Machine) as youngest daughter Karen Weston, and Broadway newcomer Samantha Ross as housekeeper Johnna Monevata.

John Cullum (Beverly Weston) received Tony awards for his performances in On The Twentieth Century and Shenandoah, and received Tony nominations for On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and Urinetown.  Off-Broadway, was Drama Desk nominated for Sin.  Other Broadway credits include: Camelot, 1776, Doubles, All My Son,Old Money, Burton's, Hamlet (Laertes),  Boys in Autumn, Trip Back Down, La Mancha, Show Boat.  On Television, Cullum portrayed: Holling, the bartender on "Northern Exposure, Mark Greene's father on "ER," Attorney Moredock on "Law & Order: SVU" His film credits include: Night Listener, Betty Page, Secret Life of Algernon, 1776, Sweet Country, Marie, All the Way Home, and Hawaii.

Samantha Ross (Johnna Monevata) makes her Broadway debut with August: Osage County. Her Off-Broadway credits include: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Pieces Of Ass, War W/The Newts.  On Television, she has appeared on Sex And The City, Chicago Hope, Guiding Light, Half Baked. She is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Grad Acting Program.

Amy Warren (Karen Weston) also makes her Broadway debut with August. Last season, she starred in the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit: Adding Machine, for which she received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel nominations for Best Supporting Actress. A Chicago mainstay, she has previously appeared with Steppenwolf in When the Messenger is Hot (at 59E59), Mother Courage and Her Children, House of Lily, The Weir, and Whispering City. At the Goodman Theatre, she has appeared in Rabbit Hole, Heartbreak House, and Trojan Women, among others. She has released a cd, Step into the Stars with Tallulah, appears on several Aluminum Group releases, and appears on the original cast recording of Adding Machine.

Directed by Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award Winner Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County is the explosively funny comedy-drama focusing on the Weston family following the disappearance of the family's patriarch.

Voted #1 play of the year by Time, The Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, and TimeOut New York, Charles Isherwood of The New York Times has called August: Osage County "The most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years."

August: Osage County performs Tuesday-Friday at 7:30PM, Matinees on Wednesday and Saturdays at 2:00PM, Saturdays at 8:00PM and Sundays at 3:00PM. Tickets can be purchased at Telecharge.com, or by calling (212) 239-6200. Outside the NY Metro (800) 432-7250.

The Music Box Theatre is located at 239 West 45th Street.

Cast of BILLY ELLIOT Featured THE VIEW 11/11 - 11/11/2008

On Tuesday, November 11th, Billy Elliot the Musical will be featured on ABC's "The View."  Composer Elton John, and stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish will join the ladies of "The View" to discuss the new musical.  "The View" airs locally on channel 7 – WABC in the tri-state area.

The multi-award winning Billy Elliot the Musical will open at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th.  Featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical began previews Wednesday, October 1st.  The show is presented by Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal film.

Billy Elliot stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish as Billy, Haydn Gwynne, who created the role of dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson in the show's original London cast and will make her Broadway debut recreating her Olivier Award-nominated performance; Gregory Jbara (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Victor/Victoria) as Dad; Tony winner Carole Shelley (The Elephant Man, Wicked) as Grandma; Santino Fontana (Sunday in the Park with George revival) as Tony, David Bologna and Frank Dolce alternating in the role of Billy's friend Michael, Stephen Hanna as Billy's Older Self, Joel Hatch as George, Leah Hocking as Mum, Thommie Retter as Mr. Braithwaite and Erin Whyland as Debbie.  Hadyn Gwynne is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association.

Billy Elliot the Musical is the funny, heartwarming tale of a young boy with a dream, and a celebration of his triumph against the odds.  Set against the historic British miners' strike of the 1980s, the story follows Billy's journey as a boy in a small mining town who, after stumbling across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, realizes that his future lay not in the boxing ring but on stage as a dancer.

Billy Elliot the Musical, based on the beloved 2000 film which garnered three Academy Award and 13 BAFTA nominations, opened at London's Victoria Palace in May 2005 to unanimous critical acclaim.  The Mail on Sunday wrote, "Truly electrifying…this heart-stopping show is a must-see." The Sunday Express raved, "Pure magic." And The Daily Telegraph proclaimed it simply, "The greatest British musical I have ever seen." The production went on to sweep London's nine awards for Best Musical, including the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards.  It has played over 1,400 performances and celebrated its 3rd anniversary in May '08.

Billy Elliot the Musical next opened to equal acclaim at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia in December 2007. The Australian wrote, "Billy Elliot should come with a warning: abandon cynicism all ye who enter. Open your heart, get out the tissues and surrender."  The Sydney Morning Herald raved, "Joyously entertaining, Billy Elliot bursts into starry-eyed showbiz magic … A rapturous pinnacle of self-expression and fulfillment." The Sunday Telegraph called it, "Bloody brilliant! Funny, exuberantly rude and heartbreakingly moving." The Sydney production went on to win seven 2008 Helpmann Awards, including Best Musical.

Billy Elliot has now played to over 2.4 million people worldwide.

Billy Elliot the Musical is produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jon Finn and Sally Greene. Angela Morrison and David Furnish are Executive Producers. The production features choreography by Peter Darling, scenic design by Ian MacNeil, costume design by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting design by Rick Fisher and sound design by Paul Arditti. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Koch.

For tickets and information visit www.billyelliotbroadway.com

Tracy Morgan and Bill Bellamy at Carolines - 11/11/2008

On Tuesday, November 11"Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine," returns to Carolines on Broadway to benefit the Scleroderma Research Foundation. Renowned actor and comedian and SRF Board Member Bob Saget, will host with comedic performances by Bill Bellamy, Lewis Black, Susie Essman and Tracy Morgan.  Other special guest appearances include actress and fellow Board Member Dana Delany, Bill Hader of Saturday Night Live as well as celebrity chefs and restaurateurs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken.

Bill Bellamy (Actor/Comedian), Lewis Black (Actor/Comedian), Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives), Susie Essman (Actor/Comedian), Susan Feniger (Restaurateur), Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live), Mary Sue Milliken (Restaurateur), Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), and Bob Saget (Actor/Comedian) will all be appearing at Carolines on Broadway, which is located at 1626 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

The Scleroderma Research Foundation is the nation's leading private investor in medical research to find a cure for scleroderma. The word scleroderma literally means "hard skin," but the disease is much more than that – often    affecting the  internal organs with life-threatening consequences. More than 80% of scleroderma patients are women in the prime of their lives, but the disease also affects men and children across all ages and ethnic boundaries.

Grey Gardens - 11/12/2008

This brand new musical comes to Chicago after its 2007 Tony Award-winning Broadway run, giving Northlight audiences the chance to rub elbows with Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little Edie," Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' most scandalous relatives! Once the highest of high society, the two have become East Hampton's most notorious recluses, living in a dilapidated 28-room mansion with 51 cats for company. Set in two eras—1941 when the celebrated estate was the picture of wealth and sophistication, and 1973 after it had been reduced to squalor—Grey Gardens is a hilarious and heartbreaking look at two indomitable women.

Public Theater Announces Native Theater Festival 11/12 - 11/12/2008

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) is proud to announce the return of the Native Theater Festival, a four day festival dedicated to presenting extraordinary theatrical work by Native theater artists from the U.S. and Canada. Now in its second year, the Native Theater Festival will run November 12 to November 15 at The Public Theater and will feature three free readings of new works by Native playwrights followed by post-show discussions; a concert by Native and African-American singer Martha Redbone; topical field discussions on issues of particular concern to artists in the Native theater community; and a conversation with Oskar Eustis and other artists on politics and performance that will be open to the general public.

All events (with the exclusion of Martha Redbone's concert at Joe's Pub, which requires advance tickets) will be completely free and open to the public, though advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets can be reserved beginning on Friday, October 24 at The Public box office or by calling (212) 967-7555.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis first conceived of the idea of a native theater festival when he was Artistic Director at Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island. Called Theater from the Four Directions, the groundbreaking festival explored the talent and artistry of the Native community and resulted in two full productions being staged at Trinity Rep. This initiative was so successful and such a vital and rare forum for Native artists that Eustis launched the Native Theater Festival at The Public Theater last fall where it played to packed houses and received an enthusiastic response from the Native community and the New York theater community. Since then, two 2007 Native Theater Festival plays, Joy Harjo's Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light and Diane Glancy's Salvage, have been selected for full productions in the 2008-2009 season of Los Angeles's Native Voices at the Autry theater company.

"The Native Theater community in the U.S. and Canada is full of brilliant artists, unique visions and an outstanding variety of esthetics," said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "With this festival we hope to both showcase some amazing talent for a broader public and bring Native artists together to chart a path for the future."

The second Native Theater Festival is made possible through the generous support of the Ford Foundation.

"The Public Theater's ongoing commitment to Native theater is exciting not only for the great benefit to the artists themselves, but for the way it promises to advance the way we talk about the American theater," said Betsy Theobald Richards, Program Officer, Media, Arts & Culture, at the Ford Foundation.

During the four day festival, each play reading will be FREE and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring noted artists from the Native theater community. Working closely with The Public's artistic staff, this year's festival is curated by Native Theater Festival Consultant Sheila Tousey (Menominee and Stockbridge-Munsee) and an advisory committee consisting of Hanay Geiogamah (Kiowa-Delaware), Terry Gomez (Comanche Nation - Numunu), Alanis King (Odawa Nation), Daniel David Moses (Delaware from the Six Nations Reserve), Yvette Nolan (Algonquin from Kitiganzibi), Jennifer Podemski (Saulteux/Israeili), Randy Reinholz (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) and Edward Wemytewa (Zuni).

The Public Theater is honored to partner with the following organizations: Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, American Indian Community House, Amerinda, The Hemispheric Institute, and The National Museum of the American Indian.

FULL SCHEDULE OF NATIVE THEATER FESTIVAL 2008 EVENTS

Wednesday, November 12 at 9:30 p.m.

MARTHA REDBONE (Choctaw/Shawnee/Cherokee/Blackfeet) at Joe's Pub

Singer/Soulwriter Martha Redbone's songs carry the torch for love from the romantic to the universal and are infused in an "ingenious aural tapestry" (Music Connection) that pays homage to her Native and African American heritage.

Tickets are $18. Please note that Joe's Pub has a $12 food or 2 drink minimum per person. For table reservations, call 212-539-8778.

Thursday, November 13 at 8 p.m.

THE CONVERSION OF KA'AHUMANU

By Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl (Native Hawaiian/Samoan)

Directed by Betsy Theobald Richards

Set in Hawaii during the early 19th Century, this poignant piece explores the complex relationships amongst Christian missionaries and indigenous women forty years after the islands' first contact with the West. Honolulu-based writer Victoria Kneubuhl is a recipient of the prestigious Hawai`i Award for Literature. Admission is FREE.

Post-Show Discussion: "Writing About Early Cultural Contact"

Special Guests: Diane Glancy (playwright), Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl (playwright), and Betsy Theobald Richards (director / Program Officer, Media, Arts & Culture, at The Ford Foundation).

Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m.

CHASING HONEY

By Laura Shamas (Chickasaw)

Directed by Alanis King (Odawa Nation)

With her loving father serving in Afghanistan and her drug-addicted mother coming back into her life, Sandy turns to Len, keeper of a struggling bee colony and new member of her college's Native American Studies Club. CHASING HONEY has received workshops at Native Earth in Toronto and Native Voices at The Autry in Los Angeles. Admission is FREE.

Post-Show Discussion: "Contemporary Native Playwriting"

Special Guests: Native playwrights Eric Gansworth, Diane Glancy, Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, Laura Shamas, Drew Hayden Taylor, and William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

Saturday, November 15 at 4 p.m.

PANEL DISCUSSION: "Politics and Performance"

Moderated by Oskar Eustis (Public Theater Artistic Director) and Sheila Tousey (actor, director, and Native Theater Festival Consultant). Panelists will include Terry Gomez (playwright, director, actor and educator), Alanis King (Artistic Director, Saskatchewan Native Theater Company), Yvette Nolan (Artistic Director, Native Earth Performing Arts), Jennifer Podemski (CEO and Executive Producer, Redcloud Studios), and Randy Reinholz (Artistic Director, Native Voices at the Autry and Director of the School of Theatre, Television and Film at SDSU). Admission is FREE.

Saturday, November 15 at 8 p.m.

RE-CREATION STORY

By Eric Gansworth (Onendauga)

Directed by Leigh Silverman

Novelist, poet, essayist and visual artist Eric Gansworth, winner of the PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles National Literary Award for Fiction, brings us his personal exploration of the Haudenosaunee creation narrative. He playfully alters the oral tradition's fluid nature to reflect issues relevant to contemporary Haudenosaunee life. Admission is FREE.

Post-Show Discussion: "Bringing Oral Tradition to the Stage"

Special Guests: Eric Gansworth (playwright), Daniel David Moses (playwright), Leigh Silverman (director), and Edward Wemytewa (playwright/performer).

PARTNER EVENTS

For further information about partner events, please visit individual organizations' web sites.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian's

Indigenous Style and Design Event

Saturday, November 15 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Featuring a lecture by Dexter Cirillo on Southwestern Indian jewelry at noon and beadwork demonstrations from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

National Museum of the American Indian, Rotunda

One Bowling Green

www.AmericanIndian.si.edu

American Indian Community House: Drums Along 42nd Street!!

Monday, November 10

2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Learn about AICH's programs, enjoy Native drumming, get a free gift and win prizes.

6:30 p.m.

AICH presents its annual Native American Actors' Showcase.

Kirk Theatre on Theater Row (410 West 42nd Street)

www.aich.org

TICKET INFORMATION

NATIVE THEATER FESTIVAL runs November 12-15 at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street. All theater events are free (excluding Martha Redbone at Joe's Pub on November 12) and open to the public but reservations are required. Two reservations per person, per reading. Tickets must be picked up 15 minutes prior to each curtain or they will be released. All readings will take place in the Anspacher Theater; seating is general admission and subject to availability. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, October 24.

Please call (212) 967-7555 or visit The Public Theater Box Office.

For more information, visit www.publictheater.org.

BIOS OF NATIVE THEATER FESTIVAL ARTISTS

ERIC GANSWORTH (Onondaga) is a professor of English and Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. His books include Mending Skins (PEN Oakland Award), and A Half-Life of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, (National Book Critics Circle's "Good Reads" List). His work has appeared in The Kenyon Review, The Boston Review, Shenandoah, Cold Mountain Review, Poetry International, New York Quarterly, Yellow Medicine Review, American Indian Quarterly, Stone Canoe, UCLA American Indian Culture and Research Journal, Many Mountains Moving, and Studies in American Indian Literature, among other journals.

ALANIS KING (Odawa Nation). Alanis King's playwriting credits include: Bye Bye Beneshe, Song of Hiawatha: An Anishnaabec Adaptation, Order of Good Cheer, Gegwah, Lovechild, Artshow, Heartdwellers, Manitoulin Incident, Tommy Prince Story, When Jesus Met Nanabush, Storyteller and Step by Step. King was Playwright in Residence at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre in Toronto from 2005 to 2007 and at Nightwood Theatre. She was a past Artistic Director of her home theatre company - Debajehmujig Theatre Group and Native Earth Performing Arts. She has also produced, toured, directed and developed numerous plays on many First Nation communities, a highlight was Lupi the Great White Wolf for the children's tour to the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

LAURA SHAMAS (Chickasaw). Laura Shamas's plays have been produced by Golden Thread Productions, Victory Theater (L.A.), Philadelphia Theater Company, Denver Center Theater Company, Walnut Street Theater, Studio Arena, West Coast Ensemble and The Glines (NYC), among others. Her work has been read/developed/presented at many theaters, including Native Voices at the Autry (L.A., Festival of New Plays, '08); Native Earth Performing Arts (Toronto, "Weesagechak Learns to Dance XX," '07); "Playwrights Week at the Lark," (New York, '07); Soho Theatre (London, '06 & '07); Williamstown Theatre Festival (Guest Artist '06); The Old Globe; The Geva Theater; and The Utah Shakespearean Festival. Shamas has several published plays, including Re-Sourcing, Moliere In Love, Pistachio Stories, Up To Date, Lady-Like, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Portrait of a Nude, and The Other Shakespeare. She has been honored with a number of playwriting awards, including the 2008 Garrard Best Play Award from the Five Civilized Tribes Museum for her show Talking Leaves, a Fringe First Award for Outstanding New Drama (Edinburgh), a Drama-Logue Award, and a 2006-2007 Aurand Harris Fellowship from the Children's Theater Foundation of America.

Leigh Silverman (Director) most recently directed David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face at The Public Theater. Her Broadway credits include Lisa Kron's Well. Her off-Broadway credits include Liz Flahive's From Up Here (world premiere, MTC; Drama Desk nom.); Beebo Brinker Chronicles (world premiere, Hourglass Group and 37 Arts); Brooke Berman's Hunting and Gathering (world premiere, Primary Stages); Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (Second Stage Theatre); Tanya Barfield's Blue Door (Playwrights Horizons and Seattle Repertory Theater); The Five Lesbian Brothers' Oedipus At Palm Springs (world premiere, NYTW); Eve Ensler's The Treatment (world premiere, The Culture Project); Neena Beber's Jump/Cut (world premiere, Woolly Mammoth Theatre/Theater J and Women's Project); and Big Times (world premiere, W.E.T.). She directed Wit in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre.

VICTORIA NALANI KNEUBUHL (Native Hawaiian/Samoan) is a Honolulu playwright and author. Her many plays have been performed in Hawai`i and the continental United States and have toured to Britain, Asia, and the Pacific. An anthology of her work, Hawai`i Nei: Island Plays, is available from the University of Hawai`i Press. Ms. Kneubuhl's first mystery novel Murder Casts a Shadow, was recently published by the University of Hawaii Press. She is currently the writer and co-producer for the television series Biography Hawaii. In 1994, she was the recipient of the prestigious Hawai`i Award for Literature and in 2006 received the Eliot Cades Award for Literature.

MARTHA REDBONE (Choctaw/Shawnee/Cherokee/Blackfeet) is a leading voice in both soul and contemporary Native music. She has been recognized with awards for both of her albums - Skintalk and Home of the Brave, including the 2006 Independent Music Awards Best R&B album; Best Debut Artist at the 2002 Native American Music Awards; and two consecutive Indian Summer Music Awards for Best R&B Album of 2004 and 2005. Also in 2005, Martha received the National HIV/Aids Partnership Red Ribbon Award at the UN for her community work. Currently the Brooklyn native and daughter of a Choctaw/Shawnee/Cherokee/Blackfeet mother and African-American father is working on her third album.

Irish Arts Center Presents CATALPA 11/12 - 11/12/2008

The Irish Arts Center has announced the Off-Broadway premiere of CATALPA, written and performed by Donal O'Kelly with live music composed and performed by Trevor Knight. CATALPA is directed by Mr. O'Kelly, based on original direction by Bairbre Ni Chaoimh. CATALPA begins previews on Wednesday, November 12 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 30. The performance schedule is Tuesday –through Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. The press opening is Sunday, November 16 at 3pm.   Performances take place at the Donaghy Theatre at the Irish Arts Center, located at 553 West 51st Street between 10th and 11th Avenues in New York City. Tickets are $60 and are available through SmartTix at (212) 868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.  CATALPA is on an Off-Broadway contract.

Based on a true story of a daring rescue of six Irish prisoners in 1875, CATALPA is a "rip-roaring theatrical adventure" (Washington Post) in the great seafaring epic tradition of Moby Dick. CATALPA tells the true story of sea captain George Anthony who set out in the whaling ship Catalpa to rescue six Irish Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Colony in Australia.

From the whaling town of New Bedford, Massachusetts to a penal colony in Fremantle, Australia, to the scene of New York's first ever ticker-tape parade, CATALPA is about heroes and visionaries, political intrigue and personal loyalty, with hot romance and battles at sea. It's an epic adventure story that challenges the nature of heroism.

CATALPA premiered in Dublin and toured to Melbourne, London, Chicago, Toronto, Paris, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Geneva.

Described by the Times of London as "dazzling theatrical story-telling," these are monologues unlike any other, incorporating memory, landscape, poetic narrative and song, all infused by O'Kelly's Herculean physical energy. Fintan O'Toole (The Irish Times) called it "exuberant, exhilarating, magical." O'Kelly's spellbinding story-telling combines with music composed and performed live by Trevor Knight to recreate the 19th-century rescue voyage with daring theatricality and an unsparing sense of humor.

Donal O'Kelly is a writer and actor. His much-traveled solo plays include the award-winning CATALPA (Edinburgh Fringe First, London Time Out Critics' Choice, Best Event Melbourne International Festival), Bat the Father Rabbit the Son (Best Writer and Best Actor nominations Irish Theatre Awards) and Jimmy Joyced! (Best Actor nomination Irish Theatre Awards). His play The Cambria, about Frederick Douglas' voyage to Ireland in 1845, performed with Sorcha Fox, toured Ireland, as well as playing the UK and Los Angeles. Vive La, a 1798 spy story mummer play, toured Ireland in 2007, and was revived in the Project in 2008. Running Beast, his music-theatre piece with music by Michael Holohan, has toured Europe since its premiere in September 2007. Other plays include The Dogs (Rough Magic); Hughie on the Wires, Trickledown Town, The Business of Blood, Farawayan (all Calypso); Asylum! Asylum! (Peacock, Traverse Edinburgh, Ottawa and Boston); Mamie Sighs, Judas of the Gallarus (Peacock); and The Hand (Dublin Theatre Festival). He has twice been awarded an Irish Arts Council literature bursary and in 1999 was awarded the Irish American Cultural Institute Butler Literary Award. As an actor, his film roles include leading roles in Roddy Doyle's The Van and in the acclaimed bilingual film Kings, Brainer in Spin The Bottle and Funny Face in Conor McPherson's I Went Down. On stage, he has played Lincoln Center with Beckett's Act Without Words, Toronto Winter Garden as Lucky in Waiting For Godot, Joxer in the Abbey Theatre's Juno And The Paycock and Sean O'Casey in Colm Toibin's Beauty In A Broken Place at the Peacock. He is also an associate director of the peace and justice organization Afri.

Trevor Knight formed the experimental jazz-fusion band Naima in Dublin in 1970, while attending Bolton Street College, which became the first outlet for his own compositions. In the late 1970s he lived in the Netherlands and with Gay Woods formed Auto da Fé, an avante-pop group with a strong theatrical element. They recorded three albums and toured extensively throughout the UK and Ireland between 1980-90. He has worked with many artists such as Paul Brady, Philip Lynott, Roger Doyle (General Practice), Camille O'Sullivan and Mary Coughlan. He has written scores for more than 50 theatrical productions including his work with Donal O'Kelly such as Catalpa (Fringe First Award Edinburgh 1997) and Vive La (2007). Interdisciplinary collaborations with visual artist Alice Maher include Link (Belfast Festival 1997) and a performance piece The Sky Chair (Project Arts Centre 1998). Recent work includes slat (Galway Arts Festival 2007) with butoh dancer Maki Watanabe and The Whistling Girl (Dublin Fringe Festival 2007) with his band featherhead.

Irish Arts Center Presents NYC Premiere of CATALPA 11/12 - 11/12/2008

The Irish Arts Center has announced the Off-Broadway premiere of CATALPA, written and performed by Donal O'Kelly with live music composed and performed by Trevor Knight. CATALPA is directed by Mr. O'Kelly, based on original direction by Bairbre Ni Chaoimh. CATALPA begins previews on Wednesday, November 12 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 30. The performance schedule is Tuesday –through Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. The press opening is Sunday, November 16 at 3pm.   Performances take place at the Donaghy Theatre at the Irish Arts Center, located at 553 West 51st Street between 10th and 11th Avenues in New York City. Tickets are $60 and are available through SmartTix at (212) 868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.  CATALPA is on an Off-Broadway contract.

Based on a true story of a daring rescue of six Irish prisoners in 1875, CATALPA is a "rip-roaring theatrical adventure" (Washington Post) in the great seafaring epic tradition of Moby Dick. CATALPA tells the true story of sea captain George Anthony who set out in the whaling ship Catalpa to rescue six Irish Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Colony in Australia.

From the whaling town of New Bedford, Massachusetts to a penal colony in Fremantle, Australia, to the scene of New York's first ever ticker-tape parade, CATALPA is about heroes and visionaries, political intrigue and personal loyalty, with hot romance and battles at sea. It's an epic adventure story that challenges the nature of heroism.

CATALPA premiered in Dublin and toured to Melbourne, London, Chicago, Toronto, Paris, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Geneva.

Described by the Times of London as "dazzling theatrical story-telling," these are monologues unlike any other, incorporating memory, landscape, poetic narrative and song, all infused by O'Kelly's Herculean physical energy. Fintan O'Toole (The Irish Times) called it "exuberant, exhilarating, magical." O'Kelly's spellbinding story-telling combines with music composed and performed live by Trevor Knight to recreate the 19th-century rescue voyage with daring theatricality and an unsparing sense of humor.

Donal O'Kelly is a writer and actor. His much-traveled solo plays include the award-winning CATALPA (Edinburgh Fringe First, London Time Out Critics' Choice, Best Event Melbourne International Festival), Bat the Father Rabbit the Son (Best Writer and Best Actor nominations Irish Theatre Awards) and Jimmy Joyced! (Best Actor nomination Irish Theatre Awards). His play The Cambria, about Frederick Douglas' voyage to Ireland in 1845, performed with Sorcha Fox, toured Ireland, as well as playing the UK and Los Angeles. Vive La, a 1798 spy story mummer play, toured Ireland in 2007, and was revived in the Project in 2008. Running Beast, his music-theatre piece with music by Michael Holohan, has toured Europe since its premiere in September 2007. Other plays include The Dogs (Rough Magic); Hughie on the Wires, Trickledown Town, The Business of Blood, Farawayan (all Calypso); Asylum! Asylum! (Peacock, Traverse Edinburgh, Ottawa and Boston); Mamie Sighs, Judas of the Gallarus (Peacock); and The Hand (Dublin Theatre Festival). He has twice been awarded an Irish Arts Council literature bursary and in 1999 was awarded the Irish American Cultural Institute Butler Literary Award. As an actor, his film roles include leading roles in Roddy Doyle's The Van and in the acclaimed bilingual film Kings, Brainer in Spin The Bottle and Funny Face in Conor McPherson's I Went Down. On stage, he has played Lincoln Center with Beckett's Act Without Words, Toronto Winter Garden as Lucky in Waiting For Godot, Joxer in the Abbey Theatre's Juno And The Paycock and Sean O'Casey in Colm Toibin's Beauty In A Broken Place at the Peacock. He is also an associate director of the peace and justice organization Afri.

Trevor Knight formed the experimental jazz-fusion band Naima in Dublin in 1970, while attending Bolton Street College, which became the first outlet for his own compositions. In the late 1970s he lived in the Netherlands and with Gay Woods formed Auto da Fé, an avante-pop group with a strong theatrical element. They recorded three albums and toured extensively throughout the UK and Ireland between 1980-90. He has worked with many artists such as Paul Brady, Philip Lynott, Roger Doyle (General Practice), Camille O'Sullivan and Mary Coughlan. He has written scores for more than 50 theatrical productions including his work with Donal O'Kelly such as Catalpa (Fringe First Award Edinburgh 1997) and Vive La (2007). Interdisciplinary collaborations with visual artist Alice Maher include Link (Belfast Festival 1997) and a performance piece The Sky Chair (Project Arts Centre 1998). Recent work includes slat (Galway Arts Festival 2007) with butoh dancer Maki Watanabe and The Whistling Girl (Dublin Fringe Festival 2007) with his band featherhead.

Blue Hill Troupe's INTO THE WOODS Pre-Show Event 11/12 - 11/12/2008

Blue Hill Troupe, Ltd., the only musical theater group in New York City to donate its net proceeds to charity, kicks off its 85th season with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods, November 7 through 15, 2008 at Dicapo Opera Theater, 184 East 76th Street.  The Blue Hill Troupe produces a musical every fall and a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta every spring, and has donated over $3 million to local charities.

On November 12 at 6:15 p.m., the Blue Hill Troupe will sponsor a special pre-show event moderated by WNYC host Richard Hake.  Currently slated to appear are original Broadway cast members Chip Zien and Jeff Blumenkrantz.  Admission is free with the price of a ticket to any of the 8 performances.
 
The 2008-2009 Season will benefit Inwood House, a leader and innovator in youth development, teen pregnancy prevention, and family support, serving nearly 5,000 young people in New York City and New Jersey.

The Tony Award-winning Into the Woods originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, fractures the tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and the ever-present Wolf and Witch to bring new depth to characters we thought we knew.  Drawn into a twisty puzzle of a plot, they must band together and discover their personal strengths to battle the darkness that lurks in the woods. Andy Sandberg directs the Blue Hill Troupe's production, with musical direction by Matthew Rupcich.

Into the Woods plays November 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 p.m. with family-friendly matinees at 2:00 p.m. on November 9 and 15.  For tickets, showtimes, and events for children, visit www.bht.org or call 866-811-4111.

The all-volunteer Blue Hill Troupe has presented four other works by Stephen Sondheim: A Little Night Music (1993), Company (2000), Sweeney Todd (2001), and Follies (2005), which was honored by BroadwayWorld.com as "Semi-professional theatre at its finest."
 
The Blue Hill Troupe has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and appeared with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.  For fourteen years, they have presented a Gilbert & Sullivan concert as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Concerts and Lectures series, where they will return on February 15, 2009.  In 2005, the Blue Hill Troupe was honored with three awards at the 12th Annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, UK, for their innovative production of the G&S rarity, The Grand Duke.
 
For more information about the Blue Hill Troupe, Ltd., contact Joanne Lessner at (212) 222-7436 or visit www.bht.org.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE & SHOE Opens at Producer's Club 11/12 - 11/12/2008

Confessions of a Plate & Shoe - An Evening of Outrageous Short Comedies by Josh McIlvain opens November 12, 2008 and runs through November 16, 2008, at the Producers' Club Theater at Crowne Theater, 358 West 44th Street, New York.

Confessions of a Plate & Shoe brings together 16 of Josh McIlvain's funniest short plays into a single show. Featuring many of Josh's best received and previously produced plays as well as several world premieres, the show stars some of New York's best comedic actors including Nicola Barber, Kevin Lyons, Josh Lay, and Jesse Teeters. Director duties are split by previous McIlvain collaborators Deborah Wolfson, director 2006's NYC fringe hit "Williamsburg: The Musical," and Chris Czyz, assistant director of Primary Stage's Off Broadway show "Something You Did".

Sharply funny, sometimes outrageously raunchy, Josh's plays examine the disturbing absurdities of everyday life and the everyday life of the disturbingly absurd. Confessions of a Plate & Shoe ranges from the title piece about a real shoe trying to make friends with a real plate to a wife who finds her husband brought the wrong baby home from day care to a middle-aged man who seeks solace after discovering his mother in a recently made internet porno. But for Josh it takes more than a silly situation to really get an audience going. He gets the most humor from his characters—creating people audiences recognize from their own experiences and whom they don't expect to see on stage.

Tickets are available at the door or at Ticket Leap ($10 on the 12th, $15 all other nights). The running time approximately 90 minutes with one intermission.

Grey Gardens to open at Northlight Theatre - 11/12/2008

Tony Award-winning musical
Grey Gardens
directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones with musical direction by Doug Peck
to open at Northlight Theatre

Due to pre-sale demand, production dates extended for an additional week Nov 12-Dec 28, 2008


Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the Chicago premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical Grey Gardens, book by Doug Wright, lyrics by Michael Korie and music by Scott Frankel.  The production, directed by BJ Jones with musical direction by Doug Peck, choreography by Marla Lampert and featuring Hollis Resnik, Tempe Thomas and Ann Whitney, has already been extended and will now run November 12-December 28, 2008, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

This brand new musical comes to Chicago after its 2007 Tony Award-winning Broadway run, giving Northlight audiences the chance to rub elbows with Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little Edie," Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' most scandalous relatives!  Once the highest of high society, the two have become East Hampton's most notorious recluses, living in a dilapidated 28-room mansion with 51 cats for company.  Set in two eras—1941 when the celebrated estate was the picture of wealth and sophistication, and 1973 after it had been reduced to squalor—Grey Gardens is a brilliant and heartbreaking look at two indomitable women.

“Edith and Edie Beale have become iconic figures in our culture thanks to the Grey Gardens documentary film. But beyond the exploitation factor that has grown up around them, is the resilient dignity of these two eccentric women, shunned by the world and clinging to each other in the eye of the hurricane that is their life,” says BJ Jones.  “Grey Gardens is both a musical and a performance piece, daring to blend styles, and explode form. In our continuing effort to challenge our audience, Grey Gardens will reward them with this tale of quirky humanity; a mother-daughter love story like nothing they have ever experienced.”

The Grey Gardens cast includes: Sean Blake (Brooks Sr., Brooks Jr.), George Keating (George Gould Strong), Dennis Kelly (Major Bouvier, Norman Vincent Peale), Hollis Resnik (Edith, act I; Little Edie, act II), Patrick Sarb (JP Kennedy, Jerry), Tempe Thomas (Little Edie, act I) and Ann Whitney (Edith Bouvier Beale, act II).  Arielle Leigh Dayan, of Ravinia Elementary School in Highland Park, plays Lee Bouvier and Grace Etzkorn, a student at St. Joan of Arc in Lisle, is Jackie Bouvier.

The designers are John Culbert (set), Jacqueline Firkins (costumes), JR Lederle (lights), Cecil Averett (sound) and Kate Brown (props).  The jewelry designer is Ayla Phillips of Ayla’s Originals in Evanston.  The stage manager is Rita Vreeland.  The assistant director is Brian LaDuca and the dramaturg is Meghan McCarthy.  The orchestra is yet to be announced.

BJ Jones (Director/Northlight Artistic Director) is in his 11th year as Artistic Director of Chicago’s Northlight Theatre, where he has piloted the world premieres of Craig Wright’s Lady, Better Late (co-written by Larry Gelbart & Craig Wright, starring John Mahoney), Rounding Third, Sky Girls and Cat Feet.  As a producer he guided the world premieres of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years, The Gamester, and Stud’s Terkel’s ‘The Good War.’   Mr. Jones has directed at Steppenwolf, Intiman Theatre in Seattle, Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, The Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, and Next Theatre in Evanston.  Directorial work includes Northlight’s The Lady with All the Answers, The Retreat From Moscow, A Skull in Connemara, The Cripple of Innishmaan, and An Experiment With an Airpump, as well as A Number, Twelfth Night, Glengarry Glen Ross (Suzie Bass Nominee - Best Director), Pygmalion, The Price (Jeff Nomination - Best Director,) and 100 Saints You Should Know.  A two-time Jeff Award winner, he has appeared at Northlight in dozens of productions and has performed at virtually every major theatre in Chicago, including The Goodman in The Guys and House and Garden, Steppenwolf in The Royal Family and Playboy of the Western World, and Court in Candide and Comedy of Errors.   Film/TV credits include The Fugitive, Body Double, Law and Order Criminal Intent, Early Edition, Cupid and Turks, among others.

Doug Peck (Musical Director and Orchestral Reductions), making his Northlight Theatre debut, was most recently Musical Director and Orchestrator of the highly-acclaimed production of Caroline, or Change at Court Theatre.  He won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Musical Direction for Court’s production of Man of La Mancha, which he also conducted at Connecticut’s Long Wharf Theatre.  He received a Jeff Citation for TimeLine’s production of Fiorello!  Other Court credits include Carousel, Raisin, Guys and Dolls (After Dark Award), James Joyce’s “The Dead,” and The Importance of Being Earnest.  Other Chicago credits include Little Women, Shenandoah (Jeff nomination), The All Night Strut (Jeff nomination), State Fair, and Marc Robin’s Beauty and the Beast and The Nutcracker for Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire; Dessa Rose (Jeff nomination) and Hello Again (Jeff nomination, After Dark Award) at Apple Tree Theatre; The Most Happy Fella at the Ravinia Festival; Seussical! at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Into the Woods at Peninsula Players; I Do! I Do! at American Theatre Company; and Assassins and the revues After Sondheim: Broadway’s New School of Composers, Hit Factory: Songs of the Brill Building, and Affinity: Chicago Sings William Finn for Porchlight Music Theatre.  Doug was musical director at Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw, Indiana, for four seasons.  He also played keyboards for About Face Theatre’s production of Stephen Flaherty and Frank Galati’s Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein, including the original cast album.  He is a Northwestern University graduate who also trained at Interlochen Center for the Arts.  He resides in Chicago, where he is also active as a voice teacher, vocal coach, and cabaret pianist, most notably with the acclaimed vocal trio Foiled Again, in addition to serving as musical director for Unity in Lincoln Park.

Sean Blake (Brooks Sr. /Brooks Jr. /Dance Capt) previously appeared at Northlight in Everything’s Ducky.  He was the swing, Dance Captain and Associate Choreographer for Showboat in Sydney, Australia.  Locally, he has been seen at Goodman, Court, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Marriott Lincolnshire.  He has also appeared at Seattle Rep (Birdie Blue), Long Wharf Theatre (Carousel, Man of La Mancha) and The Kennedy Center (Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince’s Bounce).  Sean has been nominated for 2 Jeff Awards and 2 Black Theatre Alliance Awards.

George Keating (George Gould Strong) previously appeared at Northlight in The Good War, At Wit’s End and Everything’s Ducky.  He has appeared at Drury Lane, Marriott Lincolnshire, Court Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare and the American Music Theater Project.  He toured nationally with Scrooge The Musical, starring Richard Chamberlain and appeared at The International Mystery Writers’ Festival where he won the 2007 Angela Lansbury Award for Best Supporting Actor.  George received a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University, and is the co-creator of Theatrebam Chicago’s Schoolhouse Rock Live! (off-Broadway, three national tours and Chicago venues).

Dennis Kelly (Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale) has played leading roles on Broadway in Into The Woods, Annie Get Your Gun and Damn Yankees and Off-Broadway in Suburb and Music in the Air.  He toured the country in Urinetown, Jekyll & Hyde and Damn Yankees and has performed regionally at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Goodspeed, Old Globe, A.C.T., Pittsburgh Playhouse, and San Diego C.L.O., among others.  Chicago area productions include Caroline, or Change (Court Theatre); A Bench in the Sun (Apple Tree); Knute Rockne – All American (Theatre at the Center); Cymbeline (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); and Phantom! (After Dark & Artisan Awards), La Cage aux Folles (After Dark Award) and Follies at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. 
   
Hollis Resnik (Edith/Little Edie) returns to Northlight where she has appeared in Enter the Guardsman and The Immigrant.  Recent credits include Dangerous Beauty at Northwestern, Carousel at Court and Long Wharf, and Pen at Appletree.  Other Court Theatre appearances include Titus Andronicus, Man of La Mancha, The Little Foxes, Travesties, The Dead, The Chairs, The Cherry Orchard, An Ideal Husband and The Misanthrope.  She has appeared at Writers, Marriott Lincolnshire, Apollo, Goodman, Ravinia, Lyric Opera and the CSO in such varied productions as Sweeney Todd, A Soldier’s Tale, Rough Crossing, Beard of Avon, A Little Night Music, Mame and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.  National tours include Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  She has also appeared at Indiana Rep, Santa Fe Stages, The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), Milwaukee Rep, and most recently as Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire for Cleveland Playhouse and as Lane in The Clean House for Mixed Blood Theatre (Minneapolis).  She is the recipient of nine Jeff Awards and the Sarah Siddons Award for Piaf.  She has a CD entitled Make Someone Happy.

Patrick Sarb (JP Kennedy/Jerry) makes his Northlight debut in Grey Gardens.  Most recently, Patrick appeared as Edwin in Unlock’d at Ravinia, Bertram in All’s Well That Ends Well, and Lucentio in Taming of the Shrew with Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre.  Prior to that, he played Sky in the Vegas company of Mamma Mia! after understudying the role as an ensemble member of the Broadway company.  His Chicago credits include Charlie in Tintypes at American Theatre Company, Queen’s Attendant in The Beard of Avon at The Goodman, Synonymous in Xena Lives! The Musical with About Face, George Willard in Winesburg, Ohio at Steppenwolf, Patrick in Undone with About Face, and Huck Finn in Big River at The Apple Tree Theatre. Patrick is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Tempe Thomas (Little Edie) makes her Northlight debut in Grey Gardens.  Favorite roles include Marty in Grease and Estelle in Full Monty (Marriott Lincolnshire), Maria Elena in The Buddy Holly Story (Drury Lane Oakbrook and Water Tower), Percy in Spitfire Grill (Provision Theatre), and Brooke in Water Coolers (Lakeshore Theatre, Riverfront Theatre).  She has toured with Classical Kids Live in their production of Tchaikovsky Discovers America and appeared in the New York Music Theatre Festival production of River's End (TAM Award Winner).  She is a graduate of Northwestern University. 

Ann Whitney (Edith Bouvier Beale) previously appeared at Northlight in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Quilters and Driving Miss Daisy, for which she received The Sarah Siddons Society Award for her performance in the title role.  She has appeared in Little Women, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Eleanor, Oklahoma!, and Me and My Girl at the Marriott Theatre; Wit at Actors Theatre in Louisville; Fossils in Sacramento; as well as at Apple Tree, American Theatre Company, Court, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Goodman, Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens.  She is a seven-time Jeff Award nominee and a Jeff Award winner for her portrayal of Mrs. Fraser in Steppenwolf’s Stepping Out.

Tickets for Grey Gardens, range in price from $25- $59 and are available by phone, (847) 673-6300, or online at www.northlight.org. The Box Office is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie.  Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. On performance days, the box office hours are extended through showtime. The Box Office is closed on Sundays, except on performance days when it is open two hours prior to showtime.

Curtain times are: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. (except November 12) and 7:30 p.m. (except December 10); Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. (except November 27 and December 25).; Fridays at 1:00 p.m. (on December 26 only) and 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. (except November 15) and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except November 23, December 7, 21 and 28).

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from The Allyn Foundation; the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund; Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Northern Trust Charitable Trust; The Pauls Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; Sanborn Family Foundation ; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Tthe Shubert Foundation; the Skokie Fine Arts Commission; the Sullivan Family Foundation; and The Chicago Community Trust.

Northlight continues its 34th season in 2008-09 as the fourth largest non-profit theatre in Chicago.  Dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of the North Shore and Chicago, Northlight presents theatrical works which reflect and challenge the values and beliefs of the community it serves while continuing to grow its reputation for launching world premieres, new musicals, classic plays and intelligent dramas.

In its 34-year history, the organization has mounted over 160 productions, including over 33 world premieres, and garnered 140 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 24 Awards. As one of the area’s premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality. For more information on Grey Gardens and Northlight Theatre, visit www.northlight.org.

Grey Gardens / FACT SHEET

Title:                 Grey Gardens
Book by:            Doug Wright
Music by:           Scott Frankel
Lyrics by:           Michael Korie
Directed by:        BJ Jones
Music Director:    Doug Peck
Choreography:    Marla Lampert

Featuring: Sean Blake (Brooks), George Keating (George Gould Strong), Dennis Kelly (Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale), Hollis Resnik (Edith/Edie), Patrick Sarb (JP Kennedy/Jerry), Tempe Thomas (Little Edie) and Ann Whitney (Edith)

Dates:   

Previews: November 12-19, 2008
Press openings:     November 20 and 21, 2008
Regular run:         November 21-December 28, 2008

Schedule:  

Tuesdays:        7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays:  1:00 p.m. (except Nov 12)
and 7:30 p.m. (except Dec 10)
Thursdays:    7:30 p.m. (except Nov 27)
Fridays:        8:00 p.m.
Saturdays:   2:30 p.m. (except Nov 15) and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays:     2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except Nov 23, Dec 7 and 21)
 
Location: Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL.

Tickets:  Previews: $25 - $54
Regular run: $25 - $59
Opening night November 20: $75, includes a post-show reception with the company

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.
(847) 673-6300; www.northlight.org

•    Grey Gardens is the winner of three 2007 Tony Awards with book by Doug Wright, author of the 2004 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning I Am My Own Wife; and is based on the legendary 1975 documentary of the same name.

•    The Bouviers were reintroduced to the world when international tabloids learned of the squalor in which they lived, and Jackie swooped in to save her relatives.

•    Before Edie died, AlBert Maysle proposed the idea of a stage musical version of Grey Gardens. Her reply was, “Dearest Al--I am thrilled by what you wrote about the musical G.G.!  My whole life was music and song! It made up for everything! My mother was very close to her Mother--the relatives were mean!  But French families are very close! Younger ones (siblings) would argue!  Thrilled--thrilled-thrilled!  I have all Mother's sheet music and her songs that she sang!  With all I didn't have, my life was joyous!"  With love always, Edie.

•    Musical Director Doug Peck recently worked on Court Theatre’s acclaimed production of Caroline, or Change.  He won a Jeff Award for Court’s Man of La Mancha and a Jeff Citation for TimeLine’s Fiorello!

•    Hollis Resnik is the winner of 9 Jeff Awards. She previously performed at Northlight in Enter the Guardsman and The Immigrant. Her national tours include Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

•    Artistic Director BJ Jones has directed The Lady with All the Answers, A Number, The Retreat From Moscow, A Skull in Connemara, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and 100 Saints You Should Know, among others.  He has directed at Northlight, The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), Steppenwolf, INTIMAN Theatre (Seattle), the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Theatre Museum Presents 'Box Office to Backstage' Panel Discussion 11/12 - 11/12/2008

The Theatre Museum presents “The New York Theatre Scene From the Box Office to Backstage,” a panel discussion , Reception and Meet the Author Book signing At the Times Square Information Center on 7th Ave between 46th & 47th Streets in Manhattan. Wednesday November 12, 2008 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. for  “Seats: New York” Third edition by Jodé Susan Millman. The volume now includes 180 Seating Plans to New York Metro Area Theatres, Concert Halls and Sports Stadiums.  The event Is free and open to the public, but A $20 donation to The Theatre Museum will bring you a signed copy of SEATS.

In celebration of the Third Edition of SEATS: NEW YORK (180 Seating Plans to New York Metro Area Theatres, Concert Halls, and Sports Stadiums) Limelight Editions; ISBN: 978-0-8910-354-5, the author, Jode Susan Millman, has organized a panel of theatre luminaries to discuss everything the theatre-goer needs to know about the New York Theatre scene from the box office to backstage.  Not only will attendants learn how to get the best seats in the house for the best price, they will catch the latest buzz on Broadway and beyond. The panelists include:

Robert Blume
Mr. Blume is President of Blume Media Group and is the veteran Producer of the Drama Desk Awards. The Drama Desk Award recognizes shows produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway  , Off-Off-Broadway  , and by legitimate not-for-profit theaters. These awards have propelled Edward Albee, Wendy Wasserstein  , George C. Scott  , and Dustin Hoffman   towards stardom, and productions such as Driving Miss Daisy , Steel Magnolias  , and The Boys in the Band   to international recognition. The Drama Desk Awards ceremony is held annually at the LaGuardia High School Concert Hall at Lincoln Center

Peter Filichia
Mr. Filichia is the Theater Critic for the Newark Star Ledger, Columnist of Peter Filichia’s Diary for Theatermania, and as well as theatre correspondent for New Jersey Television News 12.  Mr. Filichia is also on the nominating committee for the Drama Desks and has written the Introduction for SEATS : NEW YORK, 3rd Edition.

Jode Susan Millman
Ms.Millman is the author of the SEATS Theatre guides which are published by Limelight Editions, an imprint of Hal Leonard Music Company. The Third Edition of  SEATS : NEW YORK (180 Seating Plans for the Metro New York Area Theatres, Concert Halls and Stadiums) is much more than eye-popping Seating Charts.  The book features a Ticket Concierge designed to help theatre-goers obtain the best seats for the best price, a listing of dozens of Free Seats and Festivals in the five boroughs as well as “Off-Beat” venues such as comedy clubs and cabarets. Of course, it also provides all the parking and transportation information necessary to get you to and from your seats, including theatre district maps. The new edition features the first public release of the seating plan for the New Yankee Stadium.

Praise for Seats:
The spirit and world-class talent that characterizes live performance and sports here in New York will dazzle and excite you.  So be sure to consult your
SEATS guide and enjoy the show!”
- Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York
 
“If you are Broadway bound, SEATS is the book for you. Award yourself the Best Theatre Guide of
the Year and pick up a copy of SEATS today!”
- Elizabeth I. McCann: Managing Producer, Tony Award Productions

Whether it be the New Amsterdam Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, The Public Theatre
or New Yankee Stadium, SEATS: NEW YORK compiles all the information needed to
purchase, locate and arrive at the selected Seats venue before the curtain rises. This new, third
edition of SEATS: NEW YORK builds upon the sturdy foundation of its predecessor by
updating and adding new and unique venues to make the theatergoing experience a memorable
one, right from the start.

SEATS: NEW YORK features 180 eye-popping, state-of-the-art seating plans for all
major venues in the New York City Area. Each seating plan beautifully illustrates all theatre
sections with individually numbered seats, colored-coded by ticket price, to present the realistic,
three-dimensional quality of the venue. Additional information such as: venue addresses,
ticketing information, web-sites, convenient public transportation and parking facilities are
highlighted on each page to enhance the entertainment experience. Special icons also indicate
handicap and hearing impaired accessibility.

The new third edition of SEATS: NEW YORK is also an encyclopedia of theatre tips
on discount tickets, web sites, and best of all, Four Seasons of Free Seats, Cultural Festivals and
Off-Beat Seats!! A fold-out map of the Seats Midtown Theatre District plus mini-maps of the
Seats Union Square, Chelsea, Lincoln Center, East & West Village and Westside Theatre
Districts help the ticket holder navigate the streets, buses and subways of New York City to
reach their desired destinations.
 
Founded in 2003, The Theatre Museum is New York State's first and only chartered, non-profit museum dedicated to the history of theatre. It is a museum-at-large -- presenting exhibitions in collaboration with other cultural institutions. The Museum's programs include community outreach, such as teaching children how to write, direct and stage live theatre, and the annual Theatre Museum Awards for Excellence Ceremony. Its primary mission is to preserve, protect and perpetuate the legacy of theatre through innovative programming.

Carla Sings Sophie 1 Night Only! - 11/12/2008

Carla Gordon in Hotsie Totsie A Salute to Sophie Tucker

There will also be an after party at the Pump Room with half priced food and drink specials. Sophie would've been proud to be there, too!

Theatre Museum to Present FROM BOX OFFICE to BACKSTAGE Discussion and Signing - 11/12/2008

The Theatre Museum presents"The New York Theatre Scene From the Box
Office to Backstage," a panel discussion, reception and meet the
author book signing at the Times Square Information Center on 7th Ave
between 46th & 47thStreets in Manhattan. Wednesday November 12, 2008
from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. for "Seats: New York" Third edition by Jodé
Susan Millman. The volume now includes 180 Seating Plans to NewYork
Metro Area theatres, concert halls and sports stadiums. The event is
free and open to the public, but a $20 donation to The Theatre Museum
will bring you a signed copy of SEATS. For more information, contact
The Theatre Museum at 212 764 4112 x203.

In celebration of the Third Edition of SEATS: NEW YORK (180 Seating
Plans to New York Metro Area Theatres, Concert Halls, and Sports
Stadiums) Limelight Editions; ISBN: 978-0-8910-354-5, the author, Jode
Susan Millman, has organized a panel of theatre luminaries to discuss
everything the theatre-goer needs to know about the New York theatre
scene from the box office to backstage. Not only will attendants learn
how to get the best seats in the house for the best price, they will
catch the latest buzz on Broadway and beyond. The panelists include:

Robert Blume
Mr. Blume is President of Blume Media Group and is the veteran
Producer of the Drama Desk Awards. The Drama Desk Award recognizes
shows produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and by
legitimate not-for-profit theaters. These awards have propelled Edward
Albee, Wendy Wasserstein, George C. Scott, and Dustin Hoffman towards
stardom, and productions such as Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias,
and The Boys in the Band to international recognition. The Drama Desk
Awards ceremony is held annually at the LaGuardia High School Concert
Hall at Lincoln Center.


Peter Filichia
Mr. Filichia is the Theater Critic for the Newark Star Ledger,
Columnist of Peter Filichia's Diary for Theatermania, and theatre
correspondent for New Jersey Television News 12. Mr. Filichia is also
on the nominating committee for the Drama Desks and has written the
introduction for SEATS: NEW YORK, 3rd Edition.

Jode Susan Millman
Ms. Millman is the author of the SEATS Theatre Guides which are
published by Limelight Editions, an imprint of Hal Leonard Music
Company. The Third Edition of SEATS: NEW YORK (180 Seating Plans for
the Metro NewYork Area Theatres, Concert Halls and Stadiums) is much
more than eye-popping seating charts. The book features a ticket
concierge designed to help theatre-goers obtain the best seats for the
best price, a listing of dozens of free seats and festivals in the
five boroughs as well as off-beat venues such as comedy clubs and
cabarets. Of course, it also provides all the parking and
transportation information necessary to get you to and from your
seats, including theatre district maps. The new edition features the
first public release of the seating plan for the New Yankee Stadium.

Praise for SEATS:

"The spirit and world-class talent that characterizes live performance
and sports here in New York will dazzle and excite you. So be sure to
consult your SEATS guide and enjoy the show!"

- Michael R. Bloomberg,Mayor, City of New York

"If you are Broadway bound, SEATS is the book for you. Award yourself
the Best Theatre Guide of the Year and pick up a copy of SEATS today!"

- Elizabeth I. McCann:Managing Producer, Tony Award Productions

Whether it be the New Amsterdam Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, The
Public Theatre or New Yankee Stadium, SEATS: NEW YORK compiles all the
information needed to purchase, locate and arrive at the selected
Seats venue before the curtain rises. This new, third edition of
SEATS: NEW YORK builds upon the sturdy foundation of its predecessor
by updating and adding new and unique venues to make the theatergoing
experience a memorable one, right from the start.

SEATS: NEW YORK features 180 eye-popping, state-of-the-art seating
plans for all major venues in the New York City Area. Each seating
plan beautifully illustrates all theatre sections with individually
numbered seats, colored-coded by ticket price, to present the
realistic, three-dimensional quality of the venue. Additional
information such as: venue addresses, ticketing information,
web-sites, convenient public transportation and parking facilities are
highlighted on each page to enhance the entertainment experience.
Special icons also indicate handicap and hearing impaired
accessibility.

The new third edition of SEATS: NEW YORK is also an encyclopedia of
theatre tips on discount tickets, web sites, and best of all, four
seasons of free seats, cultural festivals and off-beat seats!! A
fold-out map of the Seats Midtown Theatre District plus mini-maps of
the Seats Union Square, Chelsea, Lincoln Center, East & West Village
and Westside Theatre Districts help the ticketholder navigate the
streets, buses and subways of New York City to reach their desired
destinations.

Founded in 2003, The Theatre Museum is New York State's first and only
chartered, non-profit museum dedicated to the history of theatre. It
is a museum-at-large -- presenting exhibitions in collaboration with
other cultural institutions. The Museum's programs include community
outreach, such as teaching children how to write, direct and stage
live theatre, and the annual Theatre Museum Awards for Excellence
Ceremony. Its primary mission is to preserve, protect and perpetuate
the legacy of theatre through innovative programming.

For more information, please contact:

The Theatre Museum (212) 764-4112 ext. 203

Information@TheTheatreMuseum.org

http://www.thetheatremuseum.org

HORRID HENRY Comes to West End's Trafalgar Studios Starting 11/12 - 11/12/2008

Kids adore Horrid Henry. Currently, he’s one of the most popular characters in children’s fiction and is coming to the West End in Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid! opening at the Trafalgar Studios on 21 November for a limited Christmas run until 11 January.

Brought to life by acclaimed playwright John Godber from the best-selling books by award winning author Francesca Simon, Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid! is the first time the tales of the adorably horrid Henry have been performed on stage.  

Along with his long-suffering parents, his smelly- nappy-baby brother, Perfect Peter and the rest of the gang, Horrid Henry’s war on grown ups, rules and all things boring is recreated featuring original music, song and dance.  Funny and fast moving, this family show tells the familiar stories that have captured the imagination of a nation of young people.

With kids able to see it for half price at all performances including Sundays, Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid! is a great Christmas treat.

Horrid Henry is one of the most famous children's literary characters in the UK second only in terms of book sales to Harry Potter.

Since 1993, when the first book was published, Horrid Henry has become a publishing phenomenon- the series has sold over 12 million copies in the UK alone and has been published in 25 languages in 27 countries worldwide. 

The latest book in the series, Horrid Henry Robs the Bank, went straight to number one in the children’s bestsellers list when it was published in June 2008. Meanwhile, its predecessor – Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman- was voted Children’s Book of the Year at the 2008 British Book Awards, affectionately known as ‘The Nibbies’. 
 

Horrid Henry is also a top-rating and hugely successful ITV animated series, made by Novel Entertainment for CITV.

Award-winning writer and director John Godber has been the Artistic Director of Hull Truck Theatre Company since 1984. Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid! is the first time Godber has written a family show. A prolific playwright, his many works include Blood, Sweat and Tears; Teechers; Up ‘n’ Under (Olivier Award for Best New Comedy), and Bouncers (7 Los Angeles Critics’ Circle Awards). For television, he wrote and co-directed The Ritz and its sequel, The Continental. He also wrote the screenplay for My Kingdom For a Horse, and devised Chalkface.  

Rising talent Hannah Chissick directs. Hannah became one of the country’s youngest ever Artistic Directors when she took over at Harrogate Theatre in 2003. Whilst there, she directed many acclaimed productions including Ghosts, Ain’t Misbehavin’, House and Garden - and Steaming in Harrogate’s Turkish Baths!  Her other credits include the smash hit Boeing Boeing (Chissick directed the subsequent casts in Matthew Warchus’ production at the Comedy Theatre, including such stars as Patricia Hodge, Rhea Perlman, Kevin McNally and Amy Nuttall), Side by Side by Sondheim (The Venue) and the national tour of Grumpy Old Women.  

Horrid Henry - Live and Horrid! has set design by Pip Leckenby, lighting design by Richard G Jones and music by Lester Barnes who created the music for the TV series. 

Michael Edwards and Carole Winter in association with Novel Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres present the Watershed production of Horrid Henry- Live and Horrid!

Online Pre-sale for Seattle Opera's Eagerly Anticipated 2009 Ring des Nibelungen Begins November 12 - 11/12/2008

Tickets for Seattle Opera's 2009 Ring cycles will go on sale to the general public in an online pre-sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. PST on November 12, and by phone and in person beginning Saturday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. PST. Cycle tickets range from $302 to $1,508 for the four-opera package, and are already on sale to Seattle Opera subscribers and donors of $100 or more to the Ring fund. Tickets for this highly anticipated event are likely to sell quickly—for the 2005 cycle, tickets were sold out several months in advance, drawing operagoers from 49 states and 19 countries. Seattle Opera will present three full cycles of Wagner's four-opera saga from August 9, 2009, through August 30, 2009.

Seattle Opera has long been heralded as "America's Bayreuth" for its productions of the major works in the Wagner canon, especially the Ring cycle's four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung. In August the company will remount its stunning 2005 production, with the award-winning team of director Stephen Wadsworth, set designer Thomas Lynch, costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, and lighting design from Peter Kaczorowski. Maestro Robert Spano, the distinguished music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra who conducted the 2005 Ring¸ also returns in 2009.

New to the 2009 Ring are American soprano Janice Baird as Brünnhilde, who recently made her Seattle Opera debut as Richard Strauss's Elektra, Danish tenor Stig Andersen as Siegfried, and Australian tenor Stuart Skelton as Siegmund. Returning artists include Greer Grimsley as Wotan/The Wanderer, a role he first sang in Seattle's 2005 Ring, and for which he won a Seattle Opera Artist of the Year award. Also returning are baritone Richard Paul Fink as Alberich, and soprano Margaret Jane Wray as Sieglinde and the Third Norn. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, who has sung Fricka and the Second Norn in all Seattle Ring performances since 2000, continues to sing Fricka this year, but will add Waltraute (Götterdämmerung), and switch to the First Norn.

In addition to performances of the Ring, Seattle Opera is hosting numerous activities in and around McCaw Hall in August. Offerings include symposia with Wagner scholars, pre- and post-performance lectures and conversations, and Tech Talks with the company's technical director. For unique theatrical perspectives on the Ring, there will be performances of hour-long Ring adaptations presented by professional young singers alongside children participating in the Children's Ring program, as well as a revival of the musical spoof Das Barbecü presented by ACT – A Contemporary Theater. For more information, visit seattleopera.org.

All performances take place at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington. Cycle prices start at $302 through $1,508 (includes all four operas). To order call the Seattle Opera Ticket Office: 206.389.7676, 800.426.1619 or visit: www.seattleopera.org.

Seattle Opera's Board of Trustees dedicates the 2008/09 season to Speight Jenkins in celebration of his 25th anniversary as general director.

Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera is one of the leading opera companies in the United States.  The company is recognized internationally for its theatrically compelling and musically accomplished performances, especially the Opera's interpretations of the works of Richard Wagner.  Since 1975, Seattle Opera has presented 35 cycles of the Ring (three different productions), in addition to acclaimed productions of all the other major operas in the Wagner canon. Seattle Opera has achieved the highest per capita attendance of any major opera company in the United States, and draws operagoers from four continents and fifty states.

First Annual Comedy Showdown to Take Place at Laugh Factory 11/12 - 11/12/2008

Nestle Butterfinger is sponsoring the 1st annual Comedy Showdown on Wednesday, November 12th at 8pm at the world famous Laugh Factory in Hollywood, CA.  The event will feature the two finalists from http://www.butterfingercomedyshowdown.com/ vying to win the coveted "Big Shot" award and a chance to launch their stand-up career.

For the past two months, Butterfinger has searched the country for up-and-coming stand-up comedians.  Contestants uploaded a one minute video of their best stand-up routine online at http://www.butterfingercomedyshowdown.com/.  Comedy giants Dave Hill, Wendy Liebman, Adam Williamson, Adrian Kulp, Jamie Masada, and Bruce Hills judged the first-round of submissions and whittled it down to the top five.  The online public voted for their top two favorites who will be performing at the Comedy Showdown at the Laugh Factory on the 12th.

FINALISTS

Andy Woodhull (Chicago, IL) has been doing stand-up for six years.  He was a finalist in the Las Vegas comedy festival in 2004 and won the Carnival Comedy Showdown in Chicago in 2005.  He got his start in Geology class during an oral presentation on plate tectonics.  Having realized he cared more about making his classmates laugh than getting a good grade, he found his calling. Andy has been performing comedy across the Midwest, winning over audiences with stories of college and growing up in Indiana.  Just last month, he released a CD of his stand-up comedy titled, "Sounds from the Rain Forest," available on iTunes.

Ronnie Khalil (Hollywood, CA) is a stand-up comic from Miami, now living in L.A.  Named to Comedy Central's "The Watch List," he has appeared on sketches for Conan O'Brien, Discovery Channel, CNN, ABC News, BBC and NPR. Ronnie has written for Collegehumor.com, filmed for A&E's "15 Films," and Discovery Channel's "Twisted History."  In addition to stand-up, he has studied improv and appeared off-Broadway.

Both Butterfinger Comedy Showdown finalists will be flown to Hollywood to vie for the Grand Prize live on stage at the Laugh Factory.  The finalists will each perform a five minute routine in front of six celebrity judges from the world of comedy, Dave Hill, Wendy Liebman, Adam Williamson, Adrian Kulp, Jamie Masada, and Bruce Hills.  Following the Butterfinger Comedy Showdown, the audience will be entertained by the comedic talents of Jon Lovitz and Ashley Hamilton, son of funny man George Hamilton.

GRAND PRIZE

The grand prize winner will receive a prize package consisting of: Arranged performance at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal; hotel, transportation and airfare to and from; coaching from a professional comedian; counsel from a comedy business manager; and PR support throughout the Butterfinger Comedy Showdown finals.

Visit http://www.butterfingercomedynetwork.com/ and check out Butterfinger's taste for comedy.

THE LAUGH FACTORY

The world famous Laugh Factory is owned by Jamie Masada, who opened his club on the Sunset Strip in 1979 and it remains one of the top destinations for up-and-coming comedians.

Comedians who got their start at the Laugh Factory Hollywood include Jamie Foxx, Dane Cook, Dave Chappelle, and Jim Carrey.  Other comedy superstars who have performed at the world famous venue include:  Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Seinfeld, Damon Wayans, Paul Rodriguez, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Kathy Griffin, Nick Cannon, and Roseanne Barr.

BUTTERFINGER

Butterfinger is a one-of-a-kind candy bar with the crispety-crunchety, peanut-buttery taste people love.  No other candy bar comes close to the intense flavor and texture of a Butterfinger.

NESTLE USA

Named one of "America's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for the eleventh consecutive year, Nestle USA provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day.  From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine(R) to baking traditions with Nestle(R) Toll House(R), Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very experience of life itself.  That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about.  Nestle USA, with 2007 sales of $8.25 billion, is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland -- the world's largest food company -- with sales of $90 billion.  For product news and information, visit http://www.nestleusa.com/.

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman to Present CMA Award 11/12 - 11/12/2008

Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and international superstar Hugh Jackman, who are co-starring in the upcoming movie "Australia," will present an award together on "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards."  Known as "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)," "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Previously announced performers include co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, along with Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney with The Wailers, the Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and a surprise performer.

Previously announced presenters include Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Vince Gill, Julianne Hough, Heidi Newfield, Jake Owen, John Rich, Swift, Josh Turner, Jimmy Wayne, Lee Ann Womack, Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon, and a surprise presenter.

"We are thrilled to have two of Hollywood's biggest stars join us for 'Country Music's Biggest Night,'" said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer.  "We know our fans and viewers will be excited to see Nicole and Hugh on the Awards."

Kidman and Jackman's movie "Australia," will be in theaters on Nov. 26. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, "Australia" is an epic and romantic action adventure, set in that country on the explosive brink of World War II. In it, an English aristocrat (Kidman) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local (Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Together, they embark upon a transforming journey across hundreds of miles of the world's most beautiful, yet unforgiving terrain, only to still face the bombing of the city of Darwin by the Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbor. With his new film, Luhrmann is painting on a vast canvas, creating a cinematic experience that brings together romance, drama, adventure and spectacle.

Tickets for the 2008 CMA Awards are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (615) 255-9600; or in person at the Sommet Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $110 for Bronze-level seating (upper level); $327.75 for Silver-level seating (club level); and $382.50 for Gold-level seating (lower level). All prices include sales tax but exclude applicable service/handling fees.

"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. Paul Miller is the Director. David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards, including a stereo-radio simulcast of the gala event. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2008 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Mary Kay(R) is the Official Beauty Sponsor of the 2008 CMA Awards. Additional promotional partners include Borders(R), Carl Black Chevrolet, Durango Boot(R), Tetley(R) Iced Tea, and VAULT(TM) Citrus Soda.

A Wonderful Life - 11/13/2008

Frank Capra’s film classic has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo.

The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls remains a timeless fable of dreams, disillusionment and the power of love. An uplifting chronicle of the extraordinary lives of ordinary folk, A WONDERFUL LIFE exhilarates the mind and heart as it celebrates the innate goodness in us all.

NOV. 13 – DEC. 21, 2008 at The Theatre at the Center • 1040 Ridge Road , Munster , IN 46321. Call the box office at (219)836-3255.

US Premiere for Polish Playwright Michal Walczak 11/13 - 11/13/2008

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) presents the Obie Award-winning Immigrants' Theatre Project (Artistic Director, Marcy Arlin) production of  SANDBOX and THE FIRST TIME, two one-act comedies by Michal Walczak and translated by Benjamin Paloff, part of MADE IN POLAND: A Festival of New Polish Plays, presented by the Polish Cultural Institute at 59E59 Theaters. Piotr Kruszczynski directs SANDBOX; Marcy Arlin directs THE FIRST TIME. SANDBOX/THE FIRST TIME begins performances on Thursday, November 13 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 30.

These two one-act comedies by Michal Walczak examine the ferocious, tragicomic, rough-and-tumble between the sexes. Both plays explore different stages of relationships, underlaid with a cynicism and absurdism often found in Eastern European theater. The battle of the sexes literally starts in the SANDBOX, in this hilarious confrontation between a boy guarding his space and a girl who just wants to play. THE FIRST TIME is an outrageous look at erotic interplay under absurd circumstances, when a woman demands from her eager boyfriend that their "first time" be perfect.

Michal Walczak (playwright) trained as a theatre director at Warsaw Theatre Academy and is one of the most popular and prolific Polish playwrights of the younger generation. After making his debut with Sandbox in 2001 -- staged at 11 theatres, translated into German, English, Hungarian, Czech, and Italian -- he wrote, among other plays, The Journey to the Inside of the Room, staged at 5 theatres and translated into German, Dutch, and Lithuanian; The Night Bus, translated into German and awarded the jury prize at the 2007 tenth annual Heidelberg Theater Days; The River, the Mine, translated into German and Russian; The First Time, translated into German and French; Hangover; and two plays for children: The Last Daddy and The Sad Princess. Walczak was awarded the main prize for The First Time at the Forum for Young Authors at the 2006 Heidelberger Stückemarkt.

Piotr Kruszczynski (director of SANDBOX) studied architecture in Poznan and directing in Warsaw.  He was the Artistic Director of the Dramatyczny Theatre in Walbrzych from 2002 – 2008 and is also a playwright and theatre journalist.  At the Walbrzych, Piotr nurtured many emerging young directors, such as Jan Klata, Katarzyna Paciorek, and Maja Kleczewska.  He directed the world premiere of Walczak's SANDBOX and has toured with the play and others throughout Europe.

Marcy Arlin (director of THE FIRST TIME) is Artistic Director of OBIE- winning Immigrants' Theatre Project, Fulbright Senior Specialist, member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Theatre Witthout Borders, No Passport. Recent: Marko the Prince (TBG Theater), Tropic of X (Artheater, Köln); Heresy (HERE); 365/365, Cracking Mud is Pinching Me (Tenement Theatre); Red Bull (Play Co.); Waxing West (Teatrul Imposibil), Name Day (Barrow Group). She curates and directs the series Czech Plays in Translation (Public, NYTW); After the Fall: Reality and New Romanian Theatre; Dis-Location & Re-Invention (with New Group/MESTC). Lectures in Theatre for CUNY; guest-lectured at Yale, Brown, University of Chicago (her alma mater), NYU. She created Journey Theatre project, with refugee survivors of torture and war. Upcoming: Fulbright residency Brno, Czech Republic. Recently published her first play, Oldish Woman Leaves Earth, in the Man.In.Fest Journal of Experimental Theater, Cluj, Romania.

Immigrants' Theatre Project was founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Marcy Arlin to present professional theatre about the American and international immigrant experience, exploring themes the social, emotional and psychological effects of a new culture, receiving the 2003 OBIE for innovative theatre. Using traditional and experimental theatre forms, ITP works with professional theatre artists for mainstream audiences and immigrant communities, and has premiered over 400 plays. Notable projects/productions: Marko the Prince, by Jovanka Bach; Tropic of X by Caridad Svich, Artheater/Koln; Heresy/Progress by Sabina Berman/Matei Visniec, 365/365U, Journey Theater, a theatre project working with survivors of war and torture with playwright Ruth Margraff; Unexpected Journeys: Plays by Women from Muslim Cultures; American Dreams Staged Readings series; Czech Plays in Translation with Theatre Institute-Prague/Czech Center NY (Public/NYTW); Dis-location & Re-Invention (The New Group/MESTC); After the Fall: Reality & New Romanian Theatre; New Indigenous Australian Voices. ITP call 718.237.4545 or 347.512.5572 or immigrantstheat@aol.com. For more information, visit www.immigrantstheat.org.

The press opening is Sunday, November 16 at 7:30 PM.  The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Please note that there is no performance on Thursday, November 27 and final performance is on Sunday, November 30 at 3:30 PM (no 7:30 PM performance). Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison, New York).  Tickets are $20 ($14 for 59E59 Members).  Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com. For more information, visit www.59E59.org.

US Premiere for Polish Playwright Michal Walczak 11/13 - 11/13/2008

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) presents the Obie Award-winning Immigrants' Theatre Project (Artistic Director, Marcy Arlin) production of  SANDBOX and THE FIRST TIME, two one-act comedies by Michal Walczak and translated by Benjamin Paloff, part of MADE IN POLAND: A Festival of New Polish Plays, presented by the Polish Cultural Institute at 59E59 Theaters. Piotr Kruszczynski directs SANDBOX; Marcy Arlin directs THE FIRST TIME. SANDBOX/THE FIRST TIME begins performances on Thursday, November 13 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 30.

These two one-act comedies by Michal Walczak examine the ferocious, tragicomic, rough-and-tumble between the sexes. Both plays explore different stages of relationships, underlaid with a cynicism and absurdism often found in Eastern European theater. The battle of the sexes literally starts in the SANDBOX, in this hilarious confrontation between a boy guarding his space and a girl who just wants to play. THE FIRST TIME is an outrageous look at erotic interplay under absurd circumstances, when a woman demands from her eager boyfriend that their "first time" be perfect.

Michal Walczak (playwright) trained as a theatre director at Warsaw Theatre Academy and is one of the most popular and prolific Polish playwrights of the younger generation. After making his debut with Sandbox in 2001 -- staged at 11 theatres, translated into German, English, Hungarian, Czech, and Italian -- he wrote, among other plays, The Journey to the Inside of the Room, staged at 5 theatres and translated into German, Dutch, and Lithuanian; The Night Bus, translated into German and awarded the jury prize at the 2007 tenth annual Heidelberg Theater Days; The River, the Mine, translated into German and Russian; The First Time, translated into German and French; Hangover; and two plays for children: The Last Daddy and The Sad Princess. Walczak was awarded the main prize for The First Time at the Forum for Young Authors at the 2006 Heidelberger Stückemarkt.

Piotr Kruszczynski (director of SANDBOX) studied architecture in Poznan and directing in Warsaw.  He was the Artistic Director of the Dramatyczny Theatre in Walbrzych from 2002 – 2008 and is also a playwright and theatre journalist.  At the Walbrzych, Piotr nurtured many emerging young directors, such as Jan Klata, Katarzyna Paciorek, and Maja Kleczewska.  He directed the world premiere of Walczak's SANDBOX and has toured with the play and others throughout Europe.

Marcy Arlin (director of THE FIRST TIME) is Artistic Director of OBIE- winning Immigrants' Theatre Project, Fulbright Senior Specialist, member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Theatre Witthout Borders, No Passport. Recent: Marko the Prince (TBG Theater), Tropic of X (Artheater, Köln); Heresy (HERE); 365/365, Cracking Mud is Pinching Me (Tenement Theatre); Red Bull (Play Co.); Waxing West (Teatrul Imposibil), Name Day (Barrow Group). She curates and directs the series Czech Plays in Translation (Public, NYTW); After the Fall: Reality and New Romanian Theatre; Dis-Location & Re-Invention (with New Group/MESTC). Lectures in Theatre for CUNY; guest-lectured at Yale, Brown, University of Chicago (her alma mater), NYU. She created Journey Theatre project, with refugee survivors of torture and war. Upcoming: Fulbright residency Brno, Czech Republic. Recently published her first play, Oldish Woman Leaves Earth, in the Man.In.Fest Journal of Experimental Theater, Cluj, Romania.

Immigrants' Theatre Project was founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Marcy Arlin to present professional theatre about the American and international immigrant experience, exploring themes the social, emotional and psychological effects of a new culture, receiving the 2003 OBIE for innovative theatre. Using traditional and experimental theatre forms, ITP works with professional theatre artists for mainstream audiences and immigrant communities, and has premiered over 400 plays. Notable projects/productions: Marko the Prince, by Jovanka Bach; Tropic of X by Caridad Svich, Artheater/Koln; Heresy/Progress by Sabina Berman/Matei Visniec, 365/365U, Journey Theater, a theatre project working with survivors of war and torture with playwright Ruth Margraff; Unexpected Journeys: Plays by Women from Muslim Cultures; American Dreams Staged Readings series; Czech Plays in Translation with Theatre Institute-Prague/Czech Center NY (Public/NYTW); Dis-location & Re-Invention (The New Group/MESTC); After the Fall: Reality & New Romanian Theatre; New Indigenous Australian Voices. ITP call 718.237.4545 or 347.512.5572 or immigrantstheat@aol.com. For more information, visit www.immigrantstheat.org.

The press opening is Sunday, November 16 at 7:30 PM.  The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Please note that there is no performance on Thursday, November 27 and final performance is on Sunday, November 30 at 3:30 PM (no 7:30 PM performance). Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison, New York).  Tickets are $20 ($14 for 59E59 Members).  Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com. For more information, visit www.59E59.org.

Mary Zimmerman Returns to Berkley Rep With 'Arabian Nights' - 11/13/2008

Next month, Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns to Berkeley Repertory Theatre with an alluring adaptation of The Arabian Nights. This is Zimmerman’s sixth trip to Berkeley Rep, and for the first time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage. The Arabian Nights runs from November 13 through January 4 with the official press night on November 19. The executive producers of this play are Betty and Jack Schafer and Jean and Michael Strunsky. The production sponsor is the Ira and Leonore Gershwin Philanthropic Fund, with co-sponsorship from Wealth Management at The Mechanics Bank. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep’s 41st year of fearless theatre.

“The first time I ever saw the Thrust Stage, I turned to [Managing Director] Susie Medak and said, ‘This space is perfect for The Arabian Nights,’” Zimmerman remarks. “It is set up beautifully for the show, with that steep rake that lets the audience see to the floor – which is such an important part of this show – and the intimacy that makes the stage space and the theatre space feel so integrated. So it is very exciting to have that first impulse realized now, and to work on the Thrust for the first time.”

Mary Zimmerman made her career by reanimating ancient myths like Argonautika and Metamorphoses… now she breathes new life into the legend of the 1,001 nights. To save her life, a beautiful bride must spin hypnotic tales of genies, jesters, thieves, and kings – winning her freedom by eventually winning her husband’s heart. He falls under Scheherazade’s spell, and Zimmerman enchants the audience as well with her signature style that transforms simplicity into the sublime. Amidst a thousand tales of honor, revenge, and humor, only love emerges victorious. A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Arabian Nights will travel to Missouri and to Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company in 2009.

“If you want theatre at its most unpretentiously poetic, most fetchingly stylish, as humane as it is elegant, I commend to you The Arabian Nights," raves New York Magazine. “Zimmerman has the kind of transforming theatrical touch that reconnects audiences to what live theatre is all about,” avers the San Francisco Chronicle, and USA Today says simply, “She could stage the Chicago phone book and have it be fascinating.”

Mary Zimmerman is the recipient of a 1998 MacArthur Fellowship and the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director. At Berkeley Rep, audiences have embraced her acclaimed productions of Argonautika, Journey to the West, Metamorphoses, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, and The Secret in the Wings. These plays – and others that she’s adapted and directed such as Eleven Rooms of Proust, The Odyssey, Silk, and S/M – have enjoyed celebrated runs at About Face Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Goodman Theatre, the Huntington Theatre Company, Lookingglass, the Mark Taper Forum, McCarter Theatre Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Stage Theatre, and The Shakespeare Theatre Company. Based in Chicago, Zimmerman has won ten Joseph Jefferson Awards – the city’s top theatrical honors – including prizes for best production and best direction. She is a member of Lookingglass, an artistic associate at the Goodman, and a professor of performance studies at Northwestern University. She also directed classics such as All's Well That Ends Well, Pericles, and The Trojan Women at the Goodman; Henry VIII and Measure for Measure at the New York Shakespeare Festival (NYSF); A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Huntington; and Pericles at The Shakespeare Theatre. In 2002, Zimmerman created a new opera with Philip Glass called Galileo Galilei, which was presented at the Goodman, BAM, and the Barbican in London. Last fall, she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera with Lucia di Lammermoor and will stage La Sonnambula there in 2009.

As usual, Zimmerman has assembled a diverse cast to bring her tale to life:

    * Alana Arenas (Sympathy the Learned) is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where she has performed in The Crucible, The Sparrow Project, and The Bluest Eye, which transferred to an off-Broadway run at the New Victory Theater.
    * A familiar face from four seasons with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Barzin Akhavan (Harun al Rashid) has also performed with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Repertory Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre Company, Seattle Rep, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Virginia Stage Company.
    * Ryan Artzberger (King Shahryar) portrayed Herve in Silk and the title role in Pericles at the Goodman and The Shakespeare Theatre. He also played the leads in Macbeth at Indiana Repertory Theatre and Hamlet at Shakespeare Santa Cruz.
    * Last summer, Ari Brand (Boy) performed in Central Park in NYSF’s Romeo and Juliet. This year, he was named Outstanding Actor in a One Act for his portrayal of Ethan in The Claw of the Schwa at the Midtown International Theatre Festival.
    * Noshir Dalal (Madman) appeared on Broadway in Cymbeline and off Broadway in LaMama’s Romeo and Juliet and The Sandbox at Cherry Lane Theatre. His New York credits also include the Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Gallery Players, and Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company.
    * Recently, Allen Gilmore (Ishak of Mosul) was seen in Berkeley Rep’s Argonautika and All’s Well That Ends Well and Bach at Leipzig at Shakespeare Santa Cruz. His other regional credits include The Acting Company, Congo Square Theatre Company, Court Theatre, and Intiman Theatre.
    * Sofia Jean Gomez (Scheherezade) also appeared in Argonautika, as well as Zimmerman’s production of Mirror of the Invisible World at the Goodman. She has worked at Manhattan Theatre Club, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Stages Repertory Theatre, and Yale Repertory Theatre.
    * Melina Kalomas (Perfect Love) performed in the national tours of Camelot and Les Misérables. A graduate of the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University, her experience ranges from As the World Turns on television to Zhivago at La Jolla Playhouse.
    * Ramiz Monsef (Sage) appeared in Fêtes de la Nuit and Eurydice at Berkeley Rep, reprising his role in the latter show at Yale Rep and Second Stage. His other New York credits include the Barrow Group, Culture Project, and New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW).
    * Jesse J. Perez (Robber) worked with Zimmerman on Argonautika and Pericles. His off-Broadway credits include In the Penal Colony at Classic Stage Company, Recent Tragic Events at Playwrights Horizons, The Triple Happiness at Second Stage, and Up Against the Wind at NYTW.
    * Nicole Shalhoub (ensemble) performed in Zimmerman’s Mirror of the Invisible World at the Goodman. Off Broadway, she was seen in The Clean House at Lincoln Center, The Fifth Column at the Mint Theater, and Hell House at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
    * Louis Tucci (Wazir) performed on Broadway in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. His off-Broadway work includes The Cider House Rules and The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite at Atlantic Theatre Company, The Fourth Sister at Vineyard Theatre, and Woyzeck at The Public Theater.
    * Pranidhi Varshney (ensemble) previously worked with Zimmerman as Sita in Sita Ram at Lookingglass. Her other roles include Eve in Kama Sutra: The Musical at Theatre Building Chicago and Pushpa in Silk Road Theatre Project’s Merchant on Venice.
    * Stacey Yen (Azizah) performed in Mirror of the Invisible World at the Goodman. Her credits also include the title role in Haroun and the Sea of Stories at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Wind-Up with Pig Iron Theatre Company, and Yellowface at The Public.
    * Evan Zes (Abual Hasant) worked with Zimmerman on Pericles at the Goodman and The Shakespeare Theatre. Off Broadway, his credits include American Dreams, Around the World in 80 Days, and Time to Burn – and he appeared in King Stag at the Barbican.

Zimmerman has recruited a team of talented designers to create this intricate mosaic. Daniel Ostling (scenic design) designed the sets for Berkeley Rep’s productions of Argonautika, Closer, Metamorphoses, and The Secret in the Wings. An ensemble member of Lookingglass, he often works with Zimmerman and received a Tony nomination when they took Metamorphoses to Broadway. Mara Blumenfeld (costume design) returns to Berkeley Rep where she worked on after the quake, Metamorphoses, and The Secret in the Wings. Her New York credits include BAM, Circle in the Square, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Opera, the New Victory Theater, NYSF, and Second Stage. TJ Gerckens (lighting design) illuminated Berkeley Rep’s presentations of Journey to the West, Metamorphoses, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, and The Secret in the Wings. His extensive experience has earned him a Drama Desk Award, several Jefferson Awards, and an L.A. Ovation Award. Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman (sound design) collaborated on after the quake, Argonautika, Blue Door, Honour, Metamorphoses, and The Secret in the Wings at Berkeley Rep. On Broadway, they designed I Am My Own Wife and Metamorphoses. Their honors include a Drama Critics Circle Award, 11 Jeffersons, and an Ovation. The stage manager for this show is Michael Suenkel, Berkeley Rep’s resident production stage manager.

To keep the audience enthralled, Berkeley Rep unveils 1,001 special events during the run of The Arabian Nights:

    * Low-cost previews take place on Thursday, November 13; Friday, November 14; Saturday, November 15; and Sunday, November 16.
    * Target ® Teen Night begins at 6:30 PM on Friday, November 14, and includes dinner donated by Bowzer’s Pizza, a behind-the-scenes discussion with a member of the artistic team, and a performance of The Arabian Nights. Tickets are only $10 for teens. For details, call 510.647.2978 or e-mail school@berkeleyrep.org.
    * VIP night on Tuesday, November 18 includes a pre-show dinner for donors at Downtown Restaurant and a special performance of The Arabian Nights.
    * Press night starts at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 19 and culminates with a post-show party catered by Bistro Liaison and Raymond Vineyards.
    * night/OUT, an event for the lesbian / gay / bisexual / transgender community sponsored by Energy 92.7, takes place on Thursday, November 20. The post-play party features music, dancing, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, bouquets from Darling Flower Shop, and complimentary drinks from Raymond Vineyards and Triple Rock Brewery.
    * Berkeley Rep’s newest event, 30 Below, returns on Friday, November 21. It’s the coolest night of theatre for the under-30 crowd with a performance starting at 8:00 PM and a wild post-show party sponsored by the SF Bay Guardian. Tickets start at only $22.50 for anyone under 30 years old.
    * Student matinees occur at noon on Wednesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 17. Tickets are $10 each, and a chaperone is admitted free for every 10 students. For details, call 510.647.2978 or e-mail school@berkeleyrep.org.
    * And, on the following evenings, patrons can whet their palates for the play with free tastings from these culinary artisans one hour before curtain: the Berkeley Farmers’ Market on Friday, November 14; Fra’ Mani Handcrafted Salumi on Saturday, November 15; Raymond Vineyards on Sunday, November 16; Triple Rock Brewery and Fra’ Mani Handcrafted Salumi on Friday, November 21; Domaine Carneros and Teance on Saturday, November 22; Bravante Vineyards and Raymond Vineyards on Sunday, November 23; Domaine Carneros on Saturday, November 29; Kokomo Wines on Friday, December 5; Kokomo Wines and Peterson Winery on Saturday, December 6; Kokomo Wines and Peet’s Coffee and Tea on Sunday, December 7; Triple Rock Brewery on Friday, December 12; Craft Distillers and St. Helena Road Winery on Saturday, December 13; Bravante Vineyards and Domaine Carneros on Sunday, December 14; and Teance on Saturday, December 20.

 
Berkeley Rep also offers these opportunities to learn more about the artists and the show:

    * Robert Hurwitt, theatre critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, interviews Zimmerman at Page to Stage on Monday, November 3. This free event starts at 7:00 PM and, in addition to the public discussion, includes an exclusive reception for donors at the Supporter level and above catered by Bistro Liaison.
    * Free 30-minute docent presentations about the show take place at 7:00 PM on the following Tuesday and Thursday evenings: November 20, November 25, December  2, December  4, December  9, December  11, December  16, December  18, December 23, December  30, and January 1.
    * Post-play discussions moderated by theatre professionals follow the 8:00 PM shows on Thursday, December 11; Tuesday, December 16; and Friday, December 19.

 
Individual tickets for The Arabian Nights start at only $27, thanks to exciting new prices that let more people experience the best theatre in the Bay Area.  Additional savings are available for groups, seniors, students, and anyone under 30 years of age – meaning discounted seats can be obtained for as little as $13.50. This change makes Berkeley Rep more affordable to people in the community who are just starting school, starting careers, and starting families – because lower prices are now available for every performance. True theatre lovers can save even more with ticket packages that include three or more shows in Berkeley Rep’s bold new season.

Don’t miss The Arabian Nights. Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage is located at 2025 Addison Street, near bus lines, bike routes, and parking lots – and only half a block from BART. For tickets or information, call 510.647.2949 or toll-free at 888-4-BRT-Tix – or simply click berkeleyrep.org.

ABOUT BERKELEY REP

Born in a storefront on College Avenue, Berkeley Rep has moved to the forefront of American theatre – and is still telling unforgettable stories. Founded in 1968 by Michael Leibert, the Theatre quickly earned respect for presenting the finest plays with top-flight actors. In 1980, with the support of the local community, Berkeley Rep built the 400-seat Thrust Stage where its reputation steadily grew over the next two decades. It gained renown for an adventurous combination of work, presenting important new dramatic voices alongside refreshing adaptations of seldom-seen classics. In recognition of its place on the national stage, Berkeley Rep was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997. The company celebrated by unveiling a new 600-seat proscenium stage in 2001, the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre. It also opened the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, a permanent home for its long tradition of outreach and education programs. The addition of these two buildings transformed a single stage into a vital and versatile performing arts complex, the linchpin of a bustling Downtown Arts District which has helped revitalize Berkeley. In four decades, four million people have enjoyed more than 300 shows at Berkeley Rep, including 50 world premieres. The Theatre now welcomes an annual audience of 180,000, serves 20,000 students, and hosts dozens of community groups, thanks to 1,000 volunteers and more than 400 artists, artisans, and administrators. In the last three years, Berkeley Rep has helped send five hit shows to New York: Bridge & Tunnel, Brundibar, Eurydice, Passing Strange, and Taking Over

Lillian Yuralia - 11/13/2008

La MaMA presents "Lillian Yuralia" by Barbara Eda-Young

Barbara Eda-Young, whose distinguished acting career ranges from Theater Genesis to Broadway, has lately become a prolific playwright. La MaMa E.T.C. will present the premiere of her reflective and powerful new three-person play, "Lillian Yuralia," from November 13 to 30, 2008. Directed by Austin Pendleton, the piece was a sensation when presented January 18 to February 4, 2008 at HB Playwrights Foundation.

November 13 to 30,2008 La MaMa E.T.C. (First Floor Theater), 74A East Fourth Street, Manhattan (Presented by La MaMa E.T.C.) Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm $18 tdf/v Box office (212) 475-7710; online ticketing www.lamama.org

NYU to Present Tenth Anniversary Production of KING DAVID at the Skirball Center - 11/13/2008

New York University will present a tenth anniversary production of King David, a modern oratorio by musical theater legends Alan Menken and Tim Rice, at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South) on Thursday, Nov. 13 and Fri. Nov. 14 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 ($5 with a valid NYU ID). The public may purchase tickets online at www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu or by phone at 212.352.3101 (daily between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.) In person tickets may be purchased at the box office, Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

King David features music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Tim Rice (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King). The production originally premiered on May 18, 1997 at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theater. The musical is based on biblical tales from the books of Samual and 1 Chronicles, as well as text from David’s Psalms. It celebrates the journey of a biblical monarch from his humble beginnings as a poor shepherd boy to his ultimate place as ruler of a great nation.

The production will be directed by William Wesbrooks. The cast and orchestra will feature the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Amoralists Present World Premiere of AMERISSIAH 11/13 - 11/13/2008

THE AMORALISTS have announce the world premiere production of AMERISSIAH, a new comedy about America and the thin line between faith and insanity, ambition and corruption written and directed by Derek Ahonen. AMERISSIAH will play a four-week limited engagement at The Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street (Corner of Bond and Lafayette), New York. Performances begin Thursday, November 13 and continue through Sunday, December 7. Opening Night is Monday, November 17 (8 p.m.).

Barry Ricewater, a terminally ill man convinced he is God, returns to the apartment of his childhood. His degenerate family descends on him to pay their last respects. They all think he is crazy until the gathering is interrupted by an unlikely disciple. Only through Barry's divine intervention can the crooked Ricewater clan be saved.

DEREK AHONEN (Playwright & Director) Other writing and directing credits include for the Amoralists Theatre Company: The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side, The Hey You Monster: Parts One and Two. Part One: Pokin the Bears in a Zoo, Part Two: Bring Us the Head of Your Daughter, While Chasing the Fantastic.... His plays include: Twelve hundred Plays of Purgatory, Austin Fine Arts Festival The Gat5 Artists Collective, Venus, Sensation and The Pope NYC and Austin, TX Third Floor Productions, and In Lieu of Flowers..., NYC Rocketship Productions.

The AMORALISTS are a theatre company that produces work of no moral judgment, collaborating exclusively with American playwrights whose works are not concerned with the principals of right or wrong, good or bad, but rather full or empty. We are radical in both style of character and narrative, challenging artistic conventions, and defying political correctness. An AMORALISTS production is not an experience that you can stick under your seat and forget.

The production features scenic design by Matthew Pilieci & Al Shatz, costume design by Ricky Lang, and lighting design by Linda Burstyn. Bart Lucas is the sound engineer and Heather Mossis the stage manager

AMERISSIAH plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, December 7: Mondays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and are now available online at www.theatermania.com or by calling 212-352-3101. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at The Gene Frankel Theatre, 30 min prior to the performance.

Theatre Exile's DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS Preview Begins 11/13 - 11/13/2008

Theatre Exile's 12th season starts with the Philadelphia premiere of DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS by Carlos Murillo, directed by co-artistic director Deborah Block.  The show runs from November 13th through December 7th at the Theatre at the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival.  DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS is recommended for mature audiences because of strong language and sexual content.

Studies revealed that 1 in 5 youths are sexually solicited online but most claim, 'it's not a big deal.'  Yet it is a big deal that 1 in 5 children have accepted these facts as "just the way it is".  This statistic is the tip of an iceberg.  It's not just middle aged men sitting at their desks getting-off on talking to little girls.  Teenagers are hurting teenagers, children are hurting children.  Instead of being protected from guns, drugs, and kidnappers this generation is learning how to use another tool that when misused has become just as dangerous.  The internet can be as harmful as the gun.  Children used to be sent outside to play, but from the solace of home this generation plays in cyber-playgrounds.  They reach out to one another through social networking sites, chat-rooms, and instant messages; and communicate through abbreviations and acronyms.  Instead of personal friendships they create computer-screen-deep identities that promote false securities and a misunderstanding of the value of human life.

DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS illuminates how easily it is for anyone to slip into the darker side of the cyber-playground.  A psychosexual drama, this play ensnares audiences in a web of fantasy and deceit as two adolescent boys search for human connection in a disconnected world.  Based on the true events of one of England's most unusual crimes*, dark play premiered in the 2007 Humana Festival, where it quickly developed a cult following.  In dark play we meet Nick, an intelligent and darkly charismatic college student whose outlet for his talent for "making shit up" is the World Wide Web.  Nick's talent and neuroses become weapons in the world of internet chat rooms, online dating services, and instant messaging where he preys on those he deems weaker than himself, the gullible ones, guys like Adam.  Adam appears to be a typical guy but his loneliness leads him to look for the perfect girl in the only place he feels like he can connect with people, the internet.  When Adam enters into Nick's carefully crafted fantasy-world both boys discover the possibility of finding true love in a fake world.  But when Adam denies Nick real intimacy only to offer love and devotion to Nick's fictional avatars, Nick creates the ultimate blurring of fantasy and truth where the consequences are only too real.  * (Judy Bachrach. Vanity Fair. New York: Feb 2005., Iss. 534; pg. 86)

Theatre Exile brings together new friends and familiar faces for dark play's cast and crew.  Robert DaPonte returns from Exile's Barrymore nominated Mr. Marmalade ensemble as Nick, dark play's deceitful anti-hero. Last season DaPonte was seen with InterAct's House Divided and Mum Puppettheatre's The Master & Margarita.  Doug Greene joins Theatre Exile for the first time as Adam.  Greene was most recently seen in EgoPo's celebrated Woyzeck as well as Spring Awakening and Vagabond's Art of War, both of which earned him Outstanding Ensemble Barrymore nominations. Katie Gould makes her Philadelphia debut as Rachel. Gould is a recent transplant to Philadelphia after working with companies such as Actors Theatre of Louisville and the SITI Company.  Krista Apple, part of Temple's professional MFA acting program, also joins Theatre Exile for the first time as the haughty and haunting Female Netizen.  Apple has performed at the Wilma and The Arden Theater and was most recently seen as the lead in Temple Theater's Expecting Isabel.  Dave Johnson completes the cast as the aggressive and witty Male Netizen.  Johnson has been part of the ensembles for Enchantment Theatre Co. as well as Mum Puppettheatre.  2008 Barrymore Award winner for Outstanding Sound Design, Christopher Colucci returns to Exile after designing last season's Roosters and Mr. Marmalade.   Adam Riggar and Krista Billings join Exile for the first time as set designer and lighting designer, respectively.  After designing last season's hit Bug, Alison Roberts costume designs return to Exile.  Doug Smullens steps out of the shadows of technical director to serve as video designer for the production.

Director Deborah Block has been a consistent figure in the Philadelphia arts community for almost 20 years as a director, dramaturge, producer and educator.  She has been involved in the creation of over 50 professional productions with an emphasis on new plays and movement-based theater.   She has received much recognition for her professional and educational work including being a recipient of the Independence Fellowship in the Arts and finalist twice for the F. Otto Haas Award for Emerging Artist.  She is one of the founders of the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe and was the program director for nine years.  She is currently teaching at Temple University where she received her MFA.  She most recently directed Roosters for Theatre Exile. 

Playwright Carlos Murillo is quickly making a name for himself with his dark modern tales of pseudo-existence.  Laura Hitchcock of CurtainUp Review said, "Murillo has an aptitude for skewering today's culture through piercing literate dialogue and credible, sad and questing characters."  dark play, his most recent creation, received critical praise and cult-following status at its debut at the 2007 Humana Festival.  Murillo's play digs deep into this duality by blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, the real and the imagined, masculine and feminine, love and hate.  It's an age old concept with a very modern twist, as Murillo cites Ancient Greek theatre as one of his central inspirations for dark play.  "Euripides's idea of masks, revelation and false pretext-man becomes woman, woman becomes man, reality becomes hallucination, hallucination become reality-all had a heavy subconscious influence on the play."

The cast features Robert DaPonte (Nick), Doug Greene (Adam), Krista Apple (Female Netizen), Dave Johnson (Male Netizen), and Katie Gould (Rachel).

The crew includes Deborah Block (Director), Brenna Geffers (Assistant Director), Adam Riggar (Set Design), Alison Roberts (Costume Design), Krista Billings (Lighting Design), Chris Colucci (Sound Design), Doug Smullens (Video Design; Technical Director), Paul Moffitt (Production Manager), with stage management by Eric Snell, Josh Wallace and Sara Waxman.

DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS is playing at The Theatre at The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom Street (between 21st and 22nd), Philadelphia, PA 19103. First preview is Thursday November 13, 2008. The show opens Wednesday November 19, 2008, and closes Sunday December 7, 2008.

For tickets, call 215-922-4462 or visit at www.theatreexile.org. Ticket prices are $15-$40, call for specific prices and dates. Season subscriptions and student tickets are available. Substantial savings are offered for groups of 10 or more, please call for details.

Roust Theatre's MACBETH Begins Previews 11/13 - 11/13/2008

Roust Theatre Company presents William Shakespeare's MACBETH -- a bloody, unrelenting drama which looks so deeply at the tortured human psyche that it will be an intense and visceral R-rated 90-minute ride from start to finish, containing violence, nudity, and strong sexual content -- with previews set to begin November 13, prior to its official press opening November 17 at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan. James Phillip Gates directs.
 
MACBETH meets HBO in Roust Theatre Company's contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's classic: set against the backdrop of a dangerous, sinister underworld -- where power, money, and suspicion are all mixed in a boiling pot with lust, vice and murder. Moral lines are blurred, perhaps non-existent. There's a good dose of sex, torture, under-age prostitution and biological manipulation to create a more efficient killing machine. This nihilistic tale tells of one soldier's violent rise to power through the ranks of a mercenary army. Twisted by fate and a power-hungry spouse, Macbeth shows us the ravaging and tangible effects of fear, the destructive impact of own nature's dark forces through senseless, unjustified killing.
 
MACBETH costars Kristin Barnett, Duane Boutte, Craig Braun, Melissa Center, Tracy Hostmyer, Emily Hubelbank, Nick Lawson, Tom Macy, Hugh Martin, Tyler Moss, Michael Peterson, Andrew Pifko, Isaac Woofter, and Trey Zeigler as Macbeth.
 
The production has set design by Casey Smith, lighting design by Travis Sawyer, sound design by Michael Bogden, and costume design by Heather Klar.
 
"Despite its references to war and its relevance to current world events, in particular the ravaging effects that sustained killing (often unjustified) can have on a soldier's mind, I wanted to shift focus away from that slightly," notes director James Phillip Gates. "Rather than have the backdrop of the play being 'war' specific, I imagined other contemporary scenarios where combatants exist, where a strict social hierarchy is enforced and rewarded, a world where a legitimate veneer is often a cover for a seething, dark underbelly, full of moral ambiguities," he continues. "The exciting and challenging world these characters inhabit is a hybrid of organized crime and mercenary army: a world where Blackwater meets 'Eastern Promises.'"
 
Mr. Gates is the Artistic Director of Roust Theatre Company. He directed the company's inaugural production, Bertolt Brecht's politically charged THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE MASTER RACE, about which the New York Times wrote: "Angry, passionate, bare-bones and uncompromisingly personal and political...James Phillip Gates directs with an eye to simplicity." He is also the Founding Artistic Director of the London-based, award-winning theatre company Dramarama. His work has been seen in theatres, including The National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as the first New York International Fringe Festival. This past spring, he directed RTC's critically acclaimed 20th anniversary production of Lee Blessing's TWO ROOMS about which nytheatre.com raved: 'Roust Theatre Company's current production is a wonder of simplicity. It radiates an earnest humanity that puts an empathic face on complex political issues. It is not just good theatre; it's commendable work."
 
Roust Theatre Company is dedicated to radical and epoch-making theatre. It aims to challenge and inspire its audience, and encourage the questioning of the world around us. RTC believes that theatre is much more than entertainment, it has the power to make a difference in the world. Tracy Hostmyer is Executive Director.
 
Roust Theatre Company's production of Shakespeare's MACBETH is not affiliated with The Mint Theatre.
 
Please note: this 90-minute production of MACBETH contains nudity and graphic violence.
 
MACBETH runs at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street, 5th floor, between 8th and 9th Avenues, New York) November 13-December 6; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm (with the following exceptions: no performance Wednesday, November 19 or Thursday, November 27.)  Tickets are $18, call 212-868-4444 or online at www.SmartTix.com. For additional details, visit www.RoustTC.com.

Medicine Show Theater Ensemble's MR. SHAKESPEARE & MR. PORTER Opens 11/13 - 11/13/2008

Medicine Show THEATRE ENSEMBLE, one of NYC's longest-running experimental theatres, has announced its revival of "MR. SHAKESPEARE & MR. PORTER," the melding of the plays of William Shakespeare with the music and lyrics of Cole Porter. The production features two different evenings of mini-musicals: Volume 1 ("Hamlet," "Macbeth" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream") runs from November 13th through the 23rd; Volume 2 ("Measure for Measure," "Richard III" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream") runs from December 4th-December 21st.  Adapted and directed by Obie-Award winner Barbara Vann with musical direction by JAKE LLOYD and choreography by Peter Schmidt, the production plays at Medicine Show THEATRE, 549 West 52nd St., 3rd Floor (between 10th and 11th Ave.). The performance schedule for both evenings is Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 4:00 PM. Tickets are $18 and are available from Smarttix at (212) 868-4444 or via the web at www.Smarttix.com. For more information, please log onto the company's website at www.MedicineShowTheatre.org.
 
MR. SHAKESPEARE & MR. PORTER turns the Bard of Avon's most famous plays into hilarious 30 minute mini-musicals featuring songs (both well-known and obscure) from one of Broadway's wittiest tunesmiths. Among the hi-jinks: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth talk about userping the throne and how they're going to murder Duncan and then break into "You're a Bad Influence On Me" (from "Red, Hot and Blue"); after the tortured Hamlet kills Polonius, he and Gertrude sing "Let's Misbehave;" the jailed and miserable Claudio in "Measure for Measure" musically tells us "Don't Fence Me In."
 
Medicine Show has produced previous editions of the show in 1992, 1995 and 2001.
 
Featured in the cast: PATRICK MICHAEL WICKHAM (National Tours of "Chess" and "Miss Saigon"), LINDSAY KITT-WIEBE ("Cymbaline," Royal Acadamy of Dramatic Arts) and as well as ROB BERLINER, MOLLY BLAU, MERCER BOFFEY, ELIZABETH BOSKEY, LEE CAVALIER, OLVER CONANT, MARK GERING, BETH GRIFFITH, RACHEL GRUNDY, CEDRIC JONES, RICHARD KEYSER, EVA NICOLE, VINCE PHILLIP, SIKA RAUTENBERG, CHARLES ROBY, PETER TEDESCHI, Barbara Vann.

Director Barbara Vann is a founder of the Open Theatre as well as the Medicine Show, and won an Obie Award for her work on the musical "Bound To Rise."

Scenery and lighting is by JOE BARNA and costumes by UTA BEKAIA. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is directed by ALEXIS HADSALL.
 
Medicine Show THEATRE ENSEMBLE was founded in 1970 by Barbara Vann and the late James Barbosa.

'The Unconquered Trap Door Theatre - 11/13/2008

                          The TRAP DOOR THEATRE presents:                       

The American Premiere of…. 

The Unconquered

Written by: Torben Betts

Directed by: Beata Pilch

Cast: Tiffany Bedwell, John Kahara, Kevin Lucero Less, Beata Pilch

Torben Betts’ The Unconquered is a fast-moving satirical portrait of patriarchy, political indolence and over-reaction.  The laughs begin when the "re-liberation" knocks on the door of your average upper-middle class family after aggressive revolutionaries have overthrown the government.  Strange and unsettling, their new found freedom provokes the parents to reminisce about the comfort of life under the previous aristocracy while their spirited daughter criticizes her parent's banal and conforming attitudes with great, yet impotent, ferocity.  The piece is a reflection of war's long-reaching effects on the domestic front, demonstrating the encompassing ambiguity of a public out of touch with reality.  With great wit, poetics and charm, Betts sketches the self-hypocrisy that materializes during times of opaque identity and societal partition. 

Torben Betts is an English playwright born in 1968 in Stamford, Lincolnshire.  He attended the University of Liverpool and originally trained and worked as an actor.  He was writer-in-residence at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough where he met the prolific master of British farce and comedy, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, who has since commissioned Betts’ plays The Optimist (2002), Her Slightest Touch (2003) and The Swing of Things (2006).  Betts has been hailed as a successor to writers such as Ayckbourn and Howard Barker.  Among a dozen plays written by Betts and staged so far are, A Listening Heaven (1996), Incarcerator (1997), Mummies and Daddies (1998), and Clockwatching (2000).  The Unconquered opened on February 14, 2007 in a production by the Stellar Quines Theatre Company at the Byre Theatre in St. Andrews and was Best New Play in the 2006-7 Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland. Betts is currently under commission by Stellar Quines to write Constantina, a tragedy for four actresses set in Ancient Rome. For more info visit www.torbenbetts.com.

Choreographer Lindsay-Rose Kane / Dramaturge Milan Pribisic / Lighting Designer Gina Patterson / Set Designers Andrew Holder & Ben Freyinger/ Costume Designer  Sir Iris Bainum-Houle/ Sound Designer Bob Rokos / Stage Manager Gary Damico/ Graphic Designer Michal Janicki / Fight Choreographer Andrew Luckenbill

Opens: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8 PM.           

Closes: Friday December 19, 2008 at 8 PM.

Runs: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM. Sundays December 7 & 14th at 7PM. No show Thursday November 27 (Thanksgiving).

Admission: $20 (2-for-1 on Thursdays)

What:           

* Torben Betts’ The Unconquered is a fast-moving satirical portrait of patriarchy, political indolence and over-reaction that examines the long reaching effects of war on the homefront.

*The Unconquered, in the midst of political upheaval a fiercely intelligent young girl relentlessly questions her parents need to conform.

* The Unconquered, a satirical reflection of war's long-reaching effects on the domestic front.

Where: TRAP DOOR THEATRE, 1655 W. Cortland Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Info/Reservations: 773-384-0494

To purchase tickets online: www.trapdoortheatre.com

Theatre at the Center Presents Holiday Musical A WONDERFUL LIFE - 11/13/2008

Theatre at the Center presents the popular, charming holiday musical A Wonderful Life, running November 13 through December 21 at Theatre at the Center 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.  Press opening will be November 21. Offering a new spin on the classic holiday film, A Wonderful Life is the musical stage version of the Frank Capra film classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Celebrating 60 years as America’s favorite holiday tradition, It’s a Wonderful Life tops the American Film Institute’s list of most inspiring films of all time.  A Wonderful Life is the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo. 

Blending music, comedy and drama, A Wonderful Life is set in the small town of Bedford Falls, New York in the 1940s, and is the story of George Bailey, who has a heart of gold and is destined to live a small town life, despite his big dreams of seeing the world.  When financial ruin threatens to destroy the family business, George considers ending it all and wonders what life would be like if he had never been born.  But Clarence, an angel working to get his wings, intervenes, helping George to see how many lives he has touched and how dwindled his town would be if he had never been born.  Audiences will meet all of the memorable characters of the town- Uncle Billy, Mr. Potter, Mary, Violet, Bert, and others – as they help George rediscover that the greatest gifts in life begin at home.  A Wonderful Life is a timeless story of love and redemption, perfect for the whole family.

According to director and choreographer Stacey Flaster, “I have such fond childhood memories of watching the movie It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stuart and Donna Reed.  Now, directing the musical version A Wonderful Life at Theatre at the Center, I decided to watch the movie again after many years.  It’s still hard to watch George as he struggles through life, never leaving Bedford Falls, and yet not knowing, until the end, how truly loved and blessed he is.  But this time, I watched the movie through different eyes.  I saw people not being able to afford their mortgages, people losing their homes, people losing their life’s  savings—and suddenly this wasn’t a movie about what once was. Never before have the themes in It’s A Wonderful Life been more poignant than today.  I hope the audience can see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.   That family and friends and caring for one another have always provided the light. “

A Wonderful Life stars Rod Thomas as “George Bailey,” Natalie Ford as “Mary Hatch” and James Harms as “Clarence” the angel.  The supporting cast includes veteran actors Dale Benson, Ron Keaton, Skip Lundby and Robert Hildreth.

The artistic team for A Wonderful Life is led by director and choreographer Stacey Flaster and the Musical Direction will be by Bill Underwood. Scenic Designer and Technical Director is Ann Davis.  Lighting Design is by Shelley Strasser-Holland, Costume Design is by Brenda Winstead, Sound Design is by Barry Funderburg, Props Design is by Libby Fandrei, Production Manager is Chuck Gessert, and Stage Manager is Jill Yetsky.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center has grown into a year-round professional, equity theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.  Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. ($36.00); Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Sundays at 2:30 p.m. ($40.00) and select Thursdays at 7:30, Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 pm ($36.00).  To purchase season tickets or individual tickets call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552.  Group discounts, available for groups of 20 or more; and gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions are also available by calling the Box Office at 219.836.3255.  For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.theatreatthecenter.org.

SIMONE Returns to the Blue Note on 11/13 - 11/13/2008

Vocalist Simone returns to the Blue Note for the second time in her career almost twenty-five years after her mother Nina Simone played her only run at the Blue Note in 1984. Simone has made a career for herself in the jazz world and on Broadway. She's played lead roles in numerous national tours including Rent, Aida, Jesus Christ Superstar, among others. Three years after her mother's death in 2003, Simone paid her tribute at a Town Hall show that became the concept for her latest record, Simone On Simone. Released in February, 2008, Simone On Simone (her first full length album) is a big band tribute to her mother, produced by famed jazz musician and arranger Bob Belden. "This is my tribute to my mother, a chance for me to do the songs I love the most the way I hear them," says Simone. "It's a glimpse of my life over four decades…"

Simone will perform on Thursday, November 13, 2008; Sets @ 8pm & 10:30pm. Cost is $25 @ table / $15 @ bar. The Blue Note is located at 131 W 3rd. St, New York, NY 10012

She is her own woman, a singer, songwriter and performer whose ability to transcend genres echoes the tradition of her mother, musical icon and pioneer Nina Simone. Blessed with a rich vocal range, an innate skill for lyrical interpretation and a soul-deep understanding of music as a means of healing, empowerment and celebration, Simone is very much her mother's daughter, she is most assuredly a multi-talented artist in her own right.

A highly-praised live performer whose impressive resume includes starring roles on Broadway in such acclaimed musicals as Rent and Aida, Simone has developed an exciting and diverse repertoire of pop, soul, jazz, rock and funk, expressed in shows she's done throughout the U.S. and in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Finland, Spain and France. With the upcoming February 2008 release of her first full-length album, Simone On Simone (a big band tribute to her mother produced by famed jazz musician and arranger Bob Belden), music lovers worldwide will discover the vocal dynamism that live audiences have witnessed for over a decade. "This is my tribute to my mother, a chance for me to do the songs I love the most the way I hear them. It's a glimpse of my life over four decades…" Born Lisa Celeste Stroud in Mount Vernon in upstate New York, Simone's earliest exposure to music naturally came through her mother's work as a globally-loved musician and freedom fighter.

On April 21, 2006, three years after her mother's passing, Simone paid tribute to her at Town Hall in New York, at the very venue where forty-seven years earlier a 26-year old Nina Simone had enjoyed her first major show in the city. With some of the original members of the band who had accompanied her mother then (including longtime musical associate, guitarist Al Shackman), Simone's spellbinding, soulful performance turned into the genesis for the recording of Simone On Simone. "The idea had been pitched to me before but I had been writing a lot of my own material for almost ten years and my goal was to record those songs. It felt like an obstacle between me and that goal to do a tribute record to my mother. But after the Town Hall performance, I started considering it seriously…"

In addition to completing work on her debut CD in 2007, Simone performed in a week-long St. Louis production of Les Miserables and did shows with "The Daughters Of Soul" in the U.K. and Holland. Since her mother's passing, she has been busy managing Nina Simone's extensive estate as well as co-founding in 2003, the Nina Simone Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission – fulfilling her mother's wish – is to raise money for the education of African-American children and children of African descent.

NO PAROLE returns to the Bay Area at The Marsh San Francisco - 11/13/2008

In this wry, energetic semiautobiographical adventure play, No Parole takes the audience on a kaleidoscopic journey through the life a flamboyant, live-for-the-moment con artist mother, who has no trouble posing as an attorney, professor, daycare worker, or nun --- as seen through the eyes of the young son who acts as her look-out, bail, partner-in-crime, and follows her across borders, into jail, and finally to the end of the road. Performer Carlo D'Amore plays all the characters, from his mother as a vibrant, young woman, to her 60 year-old stroke-battered self, as well as himself as a child, teenager, and adult, his brother, father, various law enforcement officials, doctors, and others taken in by his mother's imaginative schemes -which run the gamut from shoplifting to international smuggling.  Traveling from their native Peru, bypassing Mexican border officials without legal Visas, and into the promised land of the U.S., from the Hollywood Hills to an illegal New York City walk-up, No Parole provides a vivid, and hilarious look into the life of an extraordinary woman who saw the world as her playground, and the children she dragged along with her.

No Parole won over critics when it played at the San Francisco Playhouse in July, 2007 (the current production contains significant revisions). Rob Avila of the San Francisco Bay Guardian wrote, "It's anyone's guess just how semi this 'semi-autobiographical' story is, but its theatrical chronicle, deftly conjured by the skillful and charismatic D'Amore comes over in great cinematic images like a black-box blend of Martin Scorsese and Pedro Almodóvar." Richard Dodds of the Bay Area Reporter declared D'Amore "has a quirky, wry sense of humor that suggests a Latino Eddie Izzard with a little bit of Pee Wee Herman" and lauded the show as "expert storytelling… enchanting; a funny and poignant ride." He went on to select No Parole as one of the year's top ten productions.  The revised production, which is playing at the Sacramento Theatre Company this month before coming to The Marsh, was recently reviewed by the Sacramento Bee as an "exemplary piece, funny, touching and true – as true as art can be."

An actor, playwright, director, and educator with over twenty years of experience in the theatre, Carlo D'Amore has been involved in groundbreaking productions across the country. D'Amore filled seven roles in the Cheech Marin-directed Latinologues at the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway, as well as being featured in Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke for the Roundabout Theater Company. Regional acting credits include roles with San Diego Repertory Theatre, two seasons with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Shakespeare in the Park), and three productions at the legendary Magic Theater, including two collaborations with Pulitzer-winning playwright Nilo Cruz. His work in film and television includes collaborations with Spike Lee, Anjelica Huston, and OZ director Tom Fontana.

No Parole will play The Marsh San Francisco (1062 Valencia Street – near 22nd Street in the Mission) Thursday, November 13 through Saturday, December 13, 2008.  The performance schedule is Thursday - Saturday at 8 PM, with no shows on Thursday, November 27, Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5. Ticket prices for performances are $15 – $50, with reserved seating for $50 and $100.

Tickets are on sale now at The Marsh San Francisco box office, by phone at (800) 838-3006, and at brownpapertickets.com.  For more information, visit http://themarsh.org/

Jonathan Whitton's SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL - 11/13/2008

Jonathan Whitton (2008 Bistro & MAC Award Winner) continues the encore run of his acclaimed cabaret evening, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre Thursdays, November 13 & 20 @ 7PM.

Recently celebrated for his Highline Ballroom headlining turns as Hedwig in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, Jonathan Whitton follows up his sparkling, award-winning 2007 cabaret debut, with a fresh, ironic, and uplifting song cycle about the personal journey to find equilibrium between career, sex, and self.

Whitton most recently completed runs in the NYC Fringe Hit UNDERWEAR:
A SPACE MUSICAL and NAMT'S THE YELLOW WOOD. He will reprise his turn as Hedwig at NYC's BB Kings Blues Club on November 21.

Musical selections for SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL come from Elton John, Mandy Moore, Rufus Wainwright, & Robbie Williams, as well as current musical theatre writers John Bucchino, Mark Campbell (SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED), Sam Carner & Derek Gregor (UNLOCK'D), Michelle Elliot & Danny Larsen (THE YELLOW WOOD), and Brett Kristofferson, amongst others.

The evening is directed by MAC Award Winner Miles Phillips. Bistro & MAC Award Winner Steven Ray Watkins serves as Musical Director.

Backstage Magazine proclaimed, "Whitton exudes talent and taste," and Cabaret Scenes dubbed him, "a performer to watch and appreciate. He has an agenda and he delivers." Barbara & Scott Siegel heralded Whitton, "a musical theater performer with considerable craft and skill at his disposal... Jonathan Whitton will, indeed go a long, long way in cabaret."

Jonathan Whitton's 2007 NYC cabaret debut PERFECT FINITE played sold- out and acclaimed engagements at The Triad, The Duplex, & The Laurie Beechman Theatre. This encore engagement will mark Whitton's return to the solo cabaret stage for the first time since receiving the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) Award and the BackStage Magazine Bistro Award.

His MAC Nominated Album, Jonathan Whitton: LIVE AT THE Laurie Beechman, is available at CDBaby and iTunes.

The encore engagement of SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL continues Thursdays, November 13 & 20. All performances are at 7PM. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located within the West Bank Café at 407 W. 42nd St. (at 9th Avenue). Tickets are $10 plus a $15 Food/Drink Minimum.
Reservations can be made by calling 212.695.6909.

ARENA STAGE NEW DEAL: Get 7 Shows For $25 Each 11/13 - 11/13/2008

THE Arena Stage NEW DEAL: FOR 24 HOURS GET 7 SHOWS FOR $25 EACH
Arena Stage has issued theater-goers a one-day-only bailout plan, The Arena Stage New Deal. From midnight Thursday, November 13th to midnight Friday, November 14th, ALL TICKETS will be $25 EACH for the first week of performances to all remaining seven shows at Arena Stage. This represents a savings of up to 60% off regular ticket prices for more than 25,000 tickets.

"We know our D.C. audiences have been affected by the financial crisis, just like our entire country has," remarks Artistic Director Molly Smith. "I believe Arena Stage has an important obligation to our community—to provide the highest quality entertainment at reasonable prices so that everyone can access our productions." Smith continues, "With the recent economic downturn, citizens are being forced to make some difficult decisions, so we want to do our part to lighten the load. The Arena Stage New Deal is our theater-going stimulus to give patrons a chance to see great productions at an amazing discount and to continue their loyal support of Arena Stage."

To participate in The Arena Stage New Deal, patrons may purchase tickets during the entire 24-hour period from the Arena Stage sales staff—who will be working around the clock—by phone at (202) 488-3300, online at www.arenastage.org or in person at the Arena Stage Sales Office at 1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202.
 
Performance dates available for sale:
Next to Normal, November 21 – 28, 2008
I Love a Piano, January 29 – February 4, 2009
A Delicate Balance, February 6 – 11, 2009                  
Crowns, March 27 – April 1, 2009
A Long and Winding Road, March 31 – April 5, 2009
Legacy of Light, May 8 – 13, 2009
Sweet Bird of Youth, May 29 – 3, 2009
 
Discount prices for these performances:
Individual ticket: $25 plus applicable handling fees
Groups of 15 or more: $22 including fees
 
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith, Washington, D.C.-based Arena Stage has become the largest theater in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights. Founded in 1950 by Zelda Fichandler, Thomas Fichandler and Edward Mangum, Arena Stage was one of the nation's original resident theaters and has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage will be a leading center for the production, development and study of American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000. For more information please visit www.arenastage.org.

Acquila Theatre to Present Adaptation of Heller's 'Catch 22' Starting 11/14 - 11/14/2008

AQUILA THEATRE (Peter Meineck, Artistic Director) is proud to announce that John Lavelle will star as Yossarian in the World Premiere of the stage adaptation of Joseph Heller’s Catch 22, adapted and directed by Peter Meineck.  Performances begin November 14th, with opening night scheduled for November 23rd. This limited engagement continues through December 20th. All performances will be at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker & Hudson Streets). For tickets, visit TicketCentral.com or call 212/279-4200. For more information, visit www.aquilatheatre.com
 
John Lavelle starred on Broadway in The Graduate. Off Broadway credits include The Merchant of Venice and The Jew of Malta (TFANA), Burleigh Grimes (New World Stages), Rope (Drama Department), and Spatter Pattern (Playwrights). Regional credits include On the Razzle (Williamstown), Bell Book and Candle (Old Globe), Much Ado About Nothing (La Jolla) and The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company).  Film/TV: The Taking of Pelham 123, National Lampoon's Dirty Movie, Can Openers, Porcelain and Diamonds, Frozen Impact, The Sandpiper, August, “Black Donelley's”, “Law and Order,” “Guiding Light,” “All My Children,” and “Sixteen to Life.”

Peter Meineck explains, "Yossarian is one of the most iconic and elusive roles in American literature. Paul Newman spent a year studying the role, never to play it, Richard Dreyfus signed on for a pilot that was never made. Jack Lemmon, Eli Wallach, Anthony Quinn and Ben Gazzara all lobbied for the role that famously went to Alan Arkin for the 1972 Mike Nichols film. Brooklyn born John Lavelle inherently understands Heller's biting, absurdist satire (Heller hailed from Coney Island) and will bring a new intensity, verve and clarity to Yossarian.  As modern day Milo Minderbinder's play havoc with the stock market and contemporary Colonel Cathcart's place the lives of our troops at risk for political gain this is the right time for Catch-22 to be seen on stage. We are all greatly looking forward to seeing Yossarian live again."

Joseph Heller's Catch-22 is a modern American classic. The term itself has entered the language as a description of a ridiculously cyclical situation. The book by Joseph Heller was first published in 1961 and immediately caused a huge furor in the literary world. In 1971, Heller himself created a play based on his best-selling novel. Since then, Catch-22 the play has not received a professional production. Aquila feels this is a work by one of America’s great creative geniuses, and it deserves to be seen. Yossarian is a bombardier on a B-25, based on a small island off the coast of Italy in 1944. He starts to question the futile and ridiculous administration of his air base and seeks a way to preserve his life when the whole world around him seems to be going mad. Like a modern-day Achilles, Yossarian protests with powerful and often hilarious results. Catch-22 tackles huge things with rich metaphors, boldly drawn characters and near-impossible situations. It is a work of great theatricality with superb language and a sense of dark surrealism. Heller dares to examine the very philosophy of war and what it does to the humans that fight them. For a whole new generation of Americans, Yossarian Lives!

Peter Meineck has directed and/or produced over 40 productions in NY, London, Holland, Germany, Greece, Scotland, Canada, Bermuda, and the US in venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall, the ancient Stadium at Delphi, Lincoln Center, and the White House. Peter has published several volumes of translations of Greek plays including Aeschylus’ Oresteia, which won the Lewis Galantiere Award for Literary Translation from the American Translators Association, Sophocles’ Theban Plays (with Paul Woodruff) and Philoctetes and Ajax and Aristophanes’ Clouds, Wasps & Birds. He has also written several literary adaptations for the stage including The Man Who Would Be King, Canterbury Tales, The Invisible Man, in addition to Catch-22. He also acts as a mythological advisor, most recently to Will Smith on I Am Legend.

The Aquila Theatre Company was founded in London in 1991 by Peter Meineck and has been based in New York City since 1999. Aquila's mission is to bring the greatest theatrical works to the greatest number. Aquila presents a regular season of plays in New York, at international festivals, and tours to approximately seventy American towns and cities a year. Aquila also provides access to excellent theatre for people in under-served rural and inner city communities. The Aquila performance approach is a technique developed by Peter Meineck that combines text and physical action based in a theory of theatrical unity. The technique is aimed to create an aesthetic environment where the performer can create and recreate a role in a consistently changing theatrical atmosphere. Aquila Theatre broadens the classical cannon, collaborates across the performing arts, deepens a commitment to artistic excellence, teaches and exchanges idea and embraces new technology.

Valarie Pettiford Stars in 'Thankful' 11/14 - 11/14/2008

Valarie Pettiford gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled "Thankful," presented by Upright Cabaret in Hollywood, California. Written and directed by David Galligan, the Tony-nominated actress blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, accompanied by a stellar band musically directed by Ron Abel.

Pettiford started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series 'House of Payne' as Sandra Lucas. Last year, she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with the Pasadena Pops conducted by Rachel Worby. She was also thrilled to play the role of Deanna Rivers in the pilot for HBO's 'Anatomy of Hope,' directed by JJ Abrams.

She guest-starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in 'CSI: Miami' (2006), as Ellen Laskow in 'Bones' (2007) and Susan Latham 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2007). She also portrayed Aunt Jackie in the #1 film for 3 weeks and now the #1 DVD, 'Stomp the Yard,' a 2007 Sony Screen Gems production.

In February 2006, Valarie completed her fourth season with the hit TV series 'Half & Half,' which is now in syndication and earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne.

Her widely successful one-woman shows were performed to sold out audiences at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre, the Gardenia Room, the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Room in New York City (where she received the 2007 Backstage Bistro Award) and most recently at New York's famous BIRDLAND supper club. Her Broadway and tour credits include FOSSE, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, the Dora Mavor Moore Award and was recognized by the Drama League; CHICAGO (opposite Chita Rivera) for the London West End debut; SOPHISTICATED LADIES, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison. She also appeared in GRIND, DANCIN, BIG DEAL, SHOW BOAT (NAACP, LA's Robby, and the Vancouver Sun Reader's Choice Awards). She received nominations for the Ovation and the Jessie Richardson Theater Awards. She performed in Des Mc Anuff's production of The Wiz, and THE WILD PARTY (NAACP Theatre and The Garland Awards for Best Actress in a Play, Ovation nomination). Highlights in TV and film including THE DISTRICT, FRASIER, THE WEST WING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, THE WIZ, THE COTTON CLUB and GLITTER.

Marks Restaurant - 861 N. La Cienega Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

November 14th and 15th, 9PM

Tickets:
$25 Main, $20 Patio, $15 Standing Room Only
Dinner/10 Cane Rum Drink Specials begin at 7PM
Dinner is required for Main/Patio seating.
In addition to the entertainment charge
(show ticket) there is a $30 pp Food/Drink min
in Dining room // No minimum in Bar/Lounge

Valarie continues to lend her support and talents to many charities annually and is thrilled to have fulfilled a life long dream of recording an album titled HEAR MY SOUL, being sold at www.cdbaby.co

For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret

Valarie Pettiford Stars in 'Thankful' 11/14 - 11/14/2008

Valarie Pettiford gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled "Thankful," presented by Upright Cabaret in Hollywood, California. Written and directed by David Galligan, the Tony-nominated actress blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, accompanied by a stellar band musically directed by Ron Abel.

Pettiford started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series 'House of Payne' as Sandra Lucas. Last year, she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with the Pasadena Pops conducted by Rachel Worby. She was also thrilled to play the role of Deanna Rivers in the pilot for HBO's 'Anatomy of Hope,' directed by JJ Abrams.

She guest-starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in 'CSI: Miami' (2006), as Ellen Laskow in 'Bones' (2007) and Susan Latham 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2007). She also portrayed Aunt Jackie in the #1 film for 3 weeks and now the #1 DVD, 'Stomp the Yard,' a 2007 Sony Screen Gems production.

In February 2006, Valarie completed her fourth season with the hit TV series 'Half & Half,' which is now in syndication and earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne.

Her widely successful one-woman shows were performed to sold out audiences at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre, the Gardenia Room, the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Room in New York City (where she received the 2007 Backstage Bistro Award) and most recently at New York's famous BIRDLAND supper club. Her Broadway and tour credits include FOSSE, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, the Dora Mavor Moore Award and was recognized by the Drama League; CHICAGO (opposite Chita Rivera) for the London West End debut; SOPHISTICATED LADIES, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison. She also appeared in GRIND, DANCIN, BIG DEAL, SHOW BOAT (NAACP, LA's Robby, and the Vancouver Sun Reader's Choice Awards). She received nominations for the Ovation and the Jessie Richardson Theater Awards. She performed in Des Mc Anuff's production of The Wiz, and THE WILD PARTY (NAACP Theatre and The Garland Awards for Best Actress in a Play, Ovation nomination). Highlights in TV and film including THE DISTRICT, FRASIER, THE WEST WING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, THE WIZ, THE COTTON CLUB and GLITTER.

Marks Restaurant - 861 N. La Cienega Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

November 14th and 15th, 9PM

Tickets:
$25 Main, $20 Patio, $15 Standing Room Only
Dinner/10 Cane Rum Drink Specials begin at 7PM
Dinner is required for Main/Patio seating.
In addition to the entertainment charge
(show ticket) there is a $30 pp Food/Drink min
in Dining room // No minimum in Bar/Lounge

Valarie continues to lend her support and talents to many charities annually and is thrilled to have fulfilled a life long dream of recording an album titled HEAR MY SOUL, being sold at www.cdbaby.co

For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret

CUNY Presents AN EVENING WITH THE TALKING BAND 11/14 - 11/14/2008

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) will present a free event, "An Evening with The Talking Band" on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30pm. The evening features Paul Zimet and Ellen Maddow of The Talking Band discussing their work and current production, FLIP SIDE. In this unconventional collaboration, Hungarian-born designer Anna Kiraly produced set designs that were then used as inspiration for text by playwright Ellen Maddow and music by composer "Blue" Gene Tyranny. FLIP SIDE is a comedy of longing, misperceptions, and mismatches, in which two sets of characters occupy two different worlds. NYTheatre.com wrote, "Flip Side is a whimsical, wise, theatrical meditation … full of surprises and … profound and gloriously elegant poetry."

The Talking Band creates a poetic-political theater - political in that it reflects the condition of people in our time, and poetic because of the language, music and visual imagery. These elements are used to create richly textured works which seek to illuminate the extraordinary dimensions of ordinary life.

Ellen Maddow is a founding member of The Talking Band. Works that she has written include Flip Side, Delicious Rivers, Painted Snake in a Painted Chair (2003 OBIE Award) and the text and music for five pieces about the avant-garde housewife, Betty Suffer. Ellen was a member of the Open Theater. She is a recipient of the 2007 NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program for Playwrights, and a member of New Dramatists.

Paul Zimet is the Artistic Director of The Talking Band.  He has written Imminence, Party Time, Belize, The Parrot, Star Messengers, Bitterroot, Black Milk Quartet, New Cities, and two episodes of The Necklace. He received a Village Voice OBIE award for his direction of The Talking Band production of Painted Snake in a Painted Chair, and also three OBIE awards for his work with the Open Theater and the Winter Project, both directed by Joseph Chaikin. 

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center (MESTC), The Graduate Center, CUNY, is a non-profit center for theatre, dance, and film affiliated with CUNY's Ph.D. Program in Theatre. Originally founded in 1979 as the Center for Advanced Studies in Theatre Arts (CASTA), it was renamed in March of 1999 in recognition of one of New York City's outstanding leaders of the arts. The Center's priMary Focus is to bridge the gap between the academic and professional performing arts communities by providing an open environment for the development of educational, community-driven, and professional projects in the performing arts. As a result, MESTC is home to theatre scholars, students, playwrights, actors, dancers, directors, dramaturgs, and performing arts managers, as well as both the local and international theatre communities. The Center presents staged readings to further the development of new and classic plays, lecture series, televised seminars featuring professional and academic luminaries, and arts in education programs, and maintains its long-standing visiting-scholars-from-abroad program. In addition, the Center publishes a series of highly regarded academic journals, as well as books, including plays in translation, all written and edited by renowned scholars.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre is located at 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street in New York City.

For more information, visit http://web.gc.cuny.edu/mestc.

Photo credit: Jon Crispin

Valarie Pettiford to Perform 'Thankful' at Upright Cabaret - 11/14/2008

Direct from New York, Valarie Pettiford - THANKFUL, the smash hit solo show starring Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford makes its west coast debut at Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069. Her show will debut Friday and Saturday - November 14-15, 2008 at 9pm
 
Stage Veteran and television star Valarie Pettiford gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled "Valarie Pettiford - Thankful" presented by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel at Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood. Written and directed by David Galligan, the Tony-nominated actress blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, accompanied by a stellar band musically directed by Ron Abel.

Pettiford started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series 'House of Payne' as Sandra Lucas. Last year, she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with the Pasadena Pops conducted by Rachel Worby. She was also thrilled to play the role of Deanna Rivers in the pilot for HBO's 'Anatomy of Hope,' directed by JJ Abrams. She guest-starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in 'CSI: Miami' (2006), as Ellen Laskow in 'Bones' (2007) and Susan Latham 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2007). She also portrayed Aunt Jackie in the #1 film for 3 weeks and now the #1 DVD, 'Stomp the Yard,' a 2007 Sony Screen Gems production. In February 2006, Valarie completed her fourth season with the hit TV series 'Half & Half,' which is now in syndication and earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne.

Her widely successful one-woman shows have been performed to sold out audiences at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre, the Gardenia Room, the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Room in New York City (where she received the 2007 Backstage Bistro Award) and most recently at New York's famous BIRDLAND supper club where “Valarie Pettiford - Thankful” first debuted. Her Broadway and tour credits include FOSSE, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, the Dora Mavor Moore Award and was recognized by the Drama League; CHICAGO (opposite Chita Rivera) for the London West End debut; SOPHISTICATED LADIES, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison. She also appeared in GRIND, DANCIN, BIG DEAL, SHOW BOAT (NAACP, LA's Robby, and the Vancouver Sun Reader's Choice Awards). She received nominations for the Ovation and the Jessie Richardson Theater Awards. She performed in Des Mc Anuff's production of The Wiz, and THE WILD PARTY (NAACP Theatre and The Garland Awards for Best Actress in a Play, Ovation nomination). Highlights in TV and film including THE DISTRICT, FRASIER, THE WEST WING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, THE WIZ, THE COTTON CLUB and GLITTER.

Valarie continues to lend her support and talents to many charities annually and is thrilled to have fulfilled a lifelong dream of recording an album entitled HEAR MY SOUL, being sold at www.cdbaby.com

Created by producing partners Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, UPRIGHT CABARET, L.A.’s famed “new generation cabaret” has quickly become the place for cabaret and live performance in Los Angeles. After only three years, the Upright stages in West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Catalina Island and Santa Barbara have been home to performers from over 75 Broadway shows as well as stars from Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, How I Met Your Mother, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, House, Nip/Tuck and countless other film and television productions. At Mark’s Restaurant in West Hollywood, Upright is more than an inventive cabaret, Proprietors Chris Diamond and Chef Wayne Elias along with a welcoming staff dish out charm, class and California cuisine at its finest.

Show Tickets: $15-25 Main, Patio & SRO, available in advance online at www.uprightcabaret.com/events or at door on day of show. Dinner Reservations required with all Main & Patio Seating. Table minimums apply.

For more info including show times, tickets and scheduled performers please visit us at www.uprightcabaret.com.

Booth and Pat Make LA Debut at Art/Works Theatre 11/14, 11/16 - 11/14/2008

Comic singers Booth Daniels and Patrick Frankfort make their Los Angeles debut with their hilarious duo act on November 14 at 8PM & November 16 at 7PM at the Art/Works theatre after successful shows in New York City over the past year.

Booth Daniels & Patrick Frankfort took their decade of warped tomfoolery and bizarre insomnia-induced conversations and put 'em into a duo act - part sketch comedy, part song with just a touch of the off-kilter.  They've been seen at Gotham Comedy Club, Comix, The Duplex, Don't Tell Mama, the P.I.T., Broadway Comedy Club, Rose's Turn as well as regular appearances on the Joey Reynolds Show on WOR.  Hailed as "the Smothers Brothers on crystal meth", "a well-oiled laugh-riot machine", and "a satirical mini-miracle", they're taking the entertainment world by storm, or at the very least, a sputtering drizzle. With original songs and covers, they promise an evening of quirky entertainment, which is melodic, spontaneous, warped, but most of all, funny.

About the boys…

Booth, a comic musical theatre actor, is thrilled to be at the LA Comedy Festival.  He gained critical acclaim for his cabaret "Unconventional" that played at Don't Tell Mama in 2006 & 2007. Credits include the world premiere of Charles Mee's "THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE", the national tour of SEUSSICAL (Mr. Mayor), as well as the NYMF and Fringe Festivals.   Regionally, he has worked all over the country, played the leads in SLEUTH (Milo Tindle), THE NERD (Rick Steadman), THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG (Vernon Gersh), ANYTHING GOES (Moonface Martin), ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Sitting Bull), and DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER (Bernard).  Booth also works as a voiceover artist for Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, as well as a studio singer for Stage-Stars records, where he's done recordings of THE LITTLE MERMAID, SWEENEY TODD, GODSPELL, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, WEST SIDE STORY, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, KISS ME KATE, HAIRSPRAY and COMPANY.  Booth is a graduate of Brandeis University and the masters program at Boston Conservatory.

Patrick hit New York after graduating the Boston Conservatory. He's been in such outstanding productions as POKEMON LIVE! at Radio City Music Hall, LAUGHING MATTERS TOO with the Florida Studio Theatre, and the NYC Fringe Festival. He can also be seen traveling with the hilarious sketch group, CITY HALL.  When he's not doing theatre, Patrick is constantly writing music, which was recently featured at the Laurie Beechman Theatre this past July. He can be found around NYC doing gigs, singing his songs beautifully to his very own guitar licks that can only be described as groovy in the retro cool one four five chord way. Soon to be available to the masses, his debut CD, called Shame, which he recorded at JGB Studios with fellow songwriter and friend, John Barwick.

Tickets - $10.  Reservations – www.lacomedyfest.com or call (323) 463-2942

For more info, visit www.boothandpat.com
Press inquiries visit www.lacomedyfest.com/press.html

Valarie Pettiford's Thankful! - 11/14/2008

Fri & Sat, November 14-15, 2008 at 9pm

Upright Cabaret proudly presents VALARIE PETTIFORD's THANKFUL!

VALARIE PETTIFORD gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled Thankful. The multi-talented, Tony nominated actress appears blending a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, with a stellar band musically directed by the brilliant Ron Abel.

PETTIFORD started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series “House of Payne” as Sandra Lucas. Last year she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with The Pasadena Pops, conducted by Rachel Worby. She went on to shoot the pilot “Anatomy of Hope” for HBO as Deanna Rivers, directed by JJ Abrams. In February 2006, PETTIFORD completed her fourth season of the hit TV series “Half & Half” that earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne. She guest starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in “CSI Miami” (Spring 2006), Ellen Laskow in “Bones” and as Aunt Jackie in the number one film for 3 weeks, and now the number one DVD, “Stomp the Yard”.

PETTIFORD‘s Broadway and tour credits include Fosse, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award and recognizes by the Drama League, Chicago (opposite Chita Rivera) London West End debut, Sophisticated Ladies, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison.

Dinner/ "10 Cane Rum" Drink Specials begin at 7:00PM/SHOWTIME 9:00PM.

Tickets $25 Main Room, $20 Patio Seating and $15 SRO. Tickets available at www.uprightcabare.com

Dinner Required with Main Room and Patio Tickets. Your Ticket purchase also confirms your dinner reservation. $30 pp Food/Drink min in Dining room // No min in Bar/Lounge

Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd. WeHo, CA

For more info, please visit: www.uprightcabaret.com www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret

DEAR EDWINA Opens at Daryl Roth 11/14 - 11/14/2008

Daryl Roth Productions has announced the premiere of the Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler musical, DEAR EDWINA. A fully staged musical comedy for kids, DEAR EDWINA will have a limited engagement, as part of the DR2 Kids series at the DR2 Theatre, 103 E. 15th Street, NYC, from Friday, November 14, 2008 through Sunday, January 25, 2009, with an official opening on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m.

DEAR EDWINA features music by Zina Goldrich and book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler (the award-winning songwriting team behind the critically acclaimed family musical JUNIE B. JONES, the popular cabaret song "Taylor, the Latte Boy," and the Broadway-bound musical EVER AFTER). TIMOTHY MCDONALD will direct.

In the classic tradition of "Let's put on a show," DEAR EDWINA's plucky heroine, Edwina Spoonapple, decides that she and her pals will do just that. Edwina's special talent is giving advice, and she would do almost anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. When a talent scout visits her hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan, Edwina's assisted by a host of quirky friends and neighbors - enthusiastically sings out her musical advice in hopes of finding her own special place in the spotlight. Together Edwina and chums set out to tackle a plethora of problems, in numbers about everything from birthday party etiquette to the proper way to set a table ("salad fork, fork, plate, knife, spoon"). The show features such hilarious and endearing songs as "Put It in the Piggy," "Frankenguest," and "Hola Lola," offering clever advice on kid-troubling issues that run the gamut from what to do when offered icky food to how to deal with a truly annoying brother.

Praised by The New York Times as a "bright inventive production" that "beguiles with rock, rag, rhythm and blues and doo wop among other attractions," MARCY and ZINA's Junie B. Jones enjoyed three highly successful off-Broadway runs under the auspices of Theatreworks USA, earning two Lucille Lortel Award nominations. MARCY and ZINA, who have been collaborating since 1993, were voted "Best Knocking on Broadway's Door Songwriting Team" in The Village Voice's "Best of NYC" edition and are past recipients of ASCAP's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Theatre Award. As performers, MARCY and ZINA have toured domestically and internationally, presenting their music at some of the finest venues, including Carnegie Hall, Canada's "Juste Pour Rire" comedy festival and the Kennedy Center. Raved The Village Voice, "[They] have been turning out smart lyrics and sophisticated melodies for some time. Keep in mind they're the ones whose nifty love song rhymed 'quesadilla' with 'IKEA.'" Their song "Taylor, the Latte Boy" has been recorded by Christiane Noll and Susan Egan and is featured on Kristin Chenoweth's album, As I Am, on the Sony label. Together and apart, MARCY and ZINA have provided original songs for The Disney Channel, Disney Interactive and Feature Animation projects, Disney Theatricals, PBS, and Nickelodeon.

Producer Daryl Roth says, "I've known and admired MARCY and ZINA for years, and seeing a production last year of their show Junie B. Jones through the eyes of my grandchildren inspired me to invite them to be a part of my new children's theatre series, DR2 Kids. By introducing young audiences to creative, imaginative, quality musical theatre, it is my hope that we will build audiences for the future. MARCY and ZINA have a youthful exuberance that is wonderfully contagious, and I look forward to DEAR EDWINA being the first of many future collaborations."

Marcy Heisler laughs, "Maybe it isn't such a stretch for me to write about Midwestern girls yearning for fame in their garages, but DEAR EDWINA is about more than that. It's about friendship and family, learning and listening, having fun, surviving disappointment -- not only giving good advice, but taking it too. At its heart, DEAR EDWINA is a celebration of the garage full of dreams we all have wherever we call home -- dreams that deserve to be pursued, protected, and, on occasion, performed in large production numbers for our neighbors."

Zina Goldrich adds, "And what better 'garage' to play in than the DR2 Theatre. It has such a warm and intimate feeling, and is a perfect match for DEAR EDWINA. We are thrilled to be working with Daryl Roth and her associates."

To coincide with the DR2 Theatre production, record label PS Classics will release the world premiere recording of DEAR EDWINA on November 11.

Daryl Roth is privileged to have produced six Pulitzer Prize winning plays: August: Osage County, Anna in the Tropics, How I Learned to Drive, Proof, Three Tall Women, and Wit. Other award winning productions include: Thurgood, A Catered Affair, Curtains, The Country Girl, Allergist's Wife, Caroline or Change, Coram Boy, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, Inherit the Wind, Medea, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Year of Magical Thinking.

DR2 Kids has presented such delightful family shows as The Funkey Monkeys, A Dolphin Up a Tree, and Gustafer Yellowgold's Mellow Sensation. In addition to DEAR EDWINA, this fall's offerings include Moey Live: P is for Party, Custard the Dragon, and a return engagement of Gustafer Yellowgold's Mellow Sensation. New this season is the affordable DR2 Kids Theatre Membership Program, a wonderful chance to introduce young children to the magical world of live theatre. Information is available at dr2theatre.com.

Tickets for DEAR EDWINA are priced at $29 (previews) and $39 (general admission) and are now available at DearEdwina.com or by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets may also be purchased at the DR2 box office, 103 East 15th Street, NYC. Group rates are available. This production is 60 minutes long and is recommended for ages 5 - 12.

Metropolitan Playhouse's ANNA CHRISTIE Previews Begin 11/14 - 11/14/2008

Metropolitan Playhouse presents Anna Christie, by Eugene O’Neill, at the theater (220 E 4th Street) November 14th through December 14th, 2008. Directed by Robert Kalfin, the production features Sam Tsoutsouvas, Jenne Vath, and Roger Clark as Chris, Anna, and Mat.

Anna Christie , one of O’Neill’s earlier full-length plays, is as tender and hopeful a vision as can be found among the fallen angels in the playwright’s bittersweet universe. Anna, the ‘ruined’ daughter come East to find her estranged father finds him both less and more than she hoped, while the love she makes with boiler stoker Mat Burke threatens to destroy all three of their yearning souls. Impassioned and strangely innocent, the central characters of Anna Christie are haunting and profound.

Metropolitan promises an especially affecting production in its intimate downtown home, where each audience of 50 patrons will feel the play’s power up close. The production is directed by Robert Kalfin. Mr. Kalfin’s long career began with the founding of New York’s Chelsea Theatre Center, (winner for its work of 5 Tony Awards, 4 Ton Nominations and 21 Obie Awards.) Director on Broadway and off, across America and Canada, and in Europe, the Middle East and as far abroad as Siberia, his credits include Strider, Happy End (starring Meryl Streep and Christopher Lloyd), and Yentl (starring Tovah Feldshuh.) Most recently for Metropolitan, Mr. Kalfin directed Israel Zangwill’s The Melting Pot in 2006.

Featured in the production isSam Tsoutsouvas as Chris Christopherson. Mr. Tsoutsouvas, a graduate of Juilliard’s Group I, has a distinguished career includes appearances on Broadway (By Jeeves, directed by Alan Ayckbourn, Our Country’s Good, directed by Mark Lamos); Off-Broadway (CSC, The Public, Signature Thaeter, NY Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights Horizons); and in Regional theaters such as the Shakespeare Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Trinity Rep. Along with Mr. Tsoutsouvas are,as Anna, Jenne Vath, whose work about New York City includes La Mama’s striking revival of The Tooth of Crime, and widely ranging international actor Roger Clark, making his New York debut as Mat Burke.  Rounding out the cast are Joe Atack, Nick Delany, Ian Campbell Dunn, Zakary Spicer, Rob Sulaver, Karen Christie-Ward, Zachary Spicer, and Rob Sulaver.

Metropolitan Playhouse is New York’s home for American drama, exploring our theatrical heritage and creating new plays of American historical and cultural moment. Hailed by Backstage Magazine as "dedicated to the living examination of American theatre history", Metropolitan has earned accolades fromThe New York Times, The Village Voice, and nytheatre.com for its ongoing mission to produce theater that illuminates who we are by revealing where we have come from. Recent triumphs include Nowadays,Year One of the Empire, The Pioneer: 5 plays by Eugene O’Neill, Denial and The Melting Pot, as well as theAlphabet City and East Village Chronicles series and last year’s Hawthornucopia.

Anna Christie begins five previews on Friday, November 14, and opens Friday, November 21 to run through Sunday, December 14. Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Sundays (11/30 and 12/7) at 7:30 pm. There will be a special, Pay-What-You-Will performance on Monday, November 17 at 7:30 pm.

There will be no performance Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27th.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and preview performances, $12 Students, $10 for Children under 18. Call 212-995-5302 to purchase tickets, or visit www.metropolitanplayhouse.org for more information.

Previews Begin: Friday, November 14, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Opening Night: Friday, November 21, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Pay What You Will: Monday, November 17 at 7:30 pm
Closing: Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 pm
Performances: Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm, Saturdays (11/29, 12/6 &13) at 3:00 pm, Sundays (11/30 & 12/7) at 7:30 pm
No Performance: Thursday, November 27

Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars Perform at The Mall at Robinson - 11/14/2008

Pittsburgh CLO has announced that 18 local young performers have been chosen to star as the 2008-2009 Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars.  These talented youngsters have appeared in numerous productions for Pittsburgh CLO, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater and the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Created in 1981, the CLO Mini Stars perform full-scale, dazzling, high-energy revues of Broadway's most memorable moments for private and public events throughout the region. In addition, the Mini Stars have been featured performers at Governor Ed Rendell's Inauguration, Walt Disney World's Epcot Center and in numerous CLO productions including Disney's High School Musical, Peter Pan, Annie, The Who's Tommy, Grease, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Carousel, The Sound of Music, 42nd Street, Oklahoma, The Full Monty, A Musical Christmas Carol, and The Gene Kelly Awards. Former Mini Stars have gone on to pursue professional performing careers on Broadway in such shows as 42nd Street, Lestat, Assassins, A Chorus Line, Contact, Swing, Gypsy and Bombay Dreams. Zachary Quinto of the award-winning series, "Heroes," is also a former Mini Star.

The Mini Stars have begun preparations for their annual Holiday Show which will be performed throughout the region, including at "Light Up Night" on Friday, November 21. This glittering revue will include classic holiday songs and favorites such "Carol of the Bells," "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch," "Silent Night" and a Rockette-inspired Holiday Kick Line.

2008-09 Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars

From the North:

Matthew Augustynia, Ross Township, North Hills High School
Logan Farine, Ross Township, North Hills High School
Chris Jamison, McCandless, North Hills High School
Alex Manalo, Valencia, Mars High School

From the City:

Ethan Butler, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh CAPA
Rehima Jordan, Pittsburgh, South Brook School

From the South:

Zoe Hinkle, Upper St. Clair, Fort Couch Middle School
Rachel Miller, Oakdale, Chartiers Valley High School
Daniel Ryave, Upper St. Clair, Upper St. Clair High School
Kristin Serafini, Bethel Park, Bethel Park High School
Jamie Stein, South Park, South Park High School
Luke Steinhauer, Upper St. Clair, Upper St. Clair High School
Claire Stoller, Upper St. Clair, Fort Couch Middle School                    
Michael Zaitz, Upper St. Clair , Upper St. Clair High School

From the East:

Shannon Kirk, Monroeville, Shady Side Academy
Katie Rogers, Penn Hills, Linton Middle School
Emily Weaver, Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel High School
Eric Williams, Penn Hills, St. Bede

The Mini Stars are scheduled to perform at The Mall at Robinson as part of "Santa's Welcome" on Friday, November 14, at Pittsburgh's Light Up Night on Friday, November 21, at PPG Plaza, at the Cultural Trust's Kids Holiday Crawl on Saturday, December 6, at the Cabaret at Theater Square and for a pre-show performance at Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol on Sunday, December 14, at the Byham Theater. They will also entertain guests at private events at the Duquesne Club and at various country clubs throughout the county.  For more information or to book the Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars, call Patty Maloney at (412) 281-2234 ext.104 or email pmaloney@pittsburghclo.org.

Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Pittsburgh CLO is a not-for-profit arts organization that appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends beyond the summer season, with such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

For more information, visit www.pittsburghclo.org.

Playwrights Horizons' PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY Opens - 11/14/2008

Rehearsals are now underway for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) New York premiere of PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY, a new play by two-time Tony Award nominee, Pulitzer Prize finalist and two-time Obie Award winner Craig Lucas (Small Tragedy at Playwrights Horizons, The Light in the Piazza, Prelude to a Kiss, Reckless, The Dying Gaul).

Directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher (The Butterfly Collection at Playwrights Horizons, the current Broadway revival of South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza), PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY will begin previews on Friday, November 14 with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, December 9 at 7PM.  The limited engagement will run through Sunday, December 21 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The third production of the theater company's 2008/2009 Season, PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY is the first of two plays by Mr. Lucas that will receive their New York premiere this season.  His play The Singing Forest will have its premiere at The Public in the spring.

The cast features Tony Award winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza, the recent The Marriage of Bette and Boo at Roundabout, Follies and Juno at City Center, How to Succeed..., the film The Happening), Tony Award winner Michele Pawk (Hollywood Arms, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Drama Desk nominations for Crazy For You, Cabaret and Off-Broadway's The Paris Letter), Tony Award nominee Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening, the recent and Broadway-bound Hair for Shakespeare in the Park, Ang Lee's upcoming film Taking Woodstock), 2008 Theatre World Award winner Cassie Beck (The Drunken City),  Zachary Booth (the current film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, the upcoming Taking Woodstock, both Spine and Pentecost at The Barrow Group) and Skipp Sudduth (Lincoln Center's current South Pacific).

The Playwrights Horizons production of PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY reunites three key team members behind the Tony Award-winning production The Light in the Piazza, which featured a book by Mr. Lucas, was directed by Mr. Sher and starred Ms. Clark.  It will also feature costume design by Piazza's Tony-winning costume designer, Catherine Zuber.

In PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY, a hell of a night for the Noones finds father Austin (Skipp Sudduth) watching his nature shows and trying to keep from falling off the wagon, mother Karen (Michele Pawk) keeping an eye on Austin, son Billy (Jonathan Groff) just back from Iraq, and pregnant daughter Marianne (Cassie Beck) upset about the state of her marriage to Tad (Zachary Booth), Billy's childhood friend who may still harbor a crush on him.  As an enigmatic outsider, Dolores (Victoria Clark), relates a tale of taking responsibility for her ailing mother, an American family's long-held secrets are dragged to the fore in what may be its final reckoning.  PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY is a paean to our age, a keenly-layered drama about the preciousness of life and the grace to share common ground – even with those we love the least.

The production will feature scenic design by John McDermott, costume design by four-time Tony Award winner Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Stephen Strawbridge and sound design by Tony Award winner Scott Lehrer.  Production Stage Manager is Lisa Ann Chernoff.

Playwrights Horizons' 2008/2009 Season is generously supported by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Playwrights Horizons is supported in part by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate.  In addition, Playwrights Horizons receives major support from Carnegie Corporation of New York, Charina Endowment Fund, The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Time Warner Inc.

The performance schedule for PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY will be Tuesdays through Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2:30 & 8PM and Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM.  There are additional performances set for Wednesday matinee, November 26 at 2:30 PM; Monday, December 1 at 8:00 PM; Wednesday matinee, December 3 at 2:30 PM; and Monday, December 8 at 8:00 PM.  Tickets, $65, may be purchased online via TicketCentral.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily), or in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues).  Subscriptions for the 2008/2009 Playwrights Horizons season are also available.

A ticketing initiative created last season, LIVEforFIVE makes available $5 tickets for the first preview performance of each Playwrights Horizons production through a lottery via the company's website.  The LIVEforFIVE lottery for PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY will be for the first preview on Friday, November 14 at 8 PM.  Entries for the lottery will be accepted beginning Wednesday, November 5 at 10 AM, with theatergoers filling out an entry form at www.playwrightshorizons.org.  Entries will be accepted until Monday, November 10 at 12 Noon.  Winners of the lottery will be notified via email no later than 12 Noon on Tuesday, November 11 with instructions on how to book their $5 tickets.  One or two tickets may be purchased for $5 each.  At least 50 tickets will be available for Mainstage shows via the lottery.

Reflecting Playwrights Horizons' ongoing commitment to making its productions more affordable to younger audiences, the theater company will offer HOTtix, $20 rush tickets, subject to availability, day of performance only, starting one hour before showtime to patrons aged 30 and under. Proof of age required. One ticket per person, per purchase. STUDENT RUSH, $15 rush tickets, subject to availability, day of performance only, starting one hour before curtain to full-time graduate and undergraduate students. One ticket per person, per purchase. Valid student ID required.

LIVEforFIVE, HOTtix and STUDENT RUSH are some of Playwrights Horizons' popular Arts Access initiatives, which allow the theater company to reach out to those who may not be able to afford the cost of a full-price theater ticket.  Playwrights Horizons is grateful to Goldman, Sachs & Co., lead sponsor of Arts Access at Playwrights Horizons.  This program is also supported, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Elroy and Terry Krumholz Foundation.

A special open captioned performance of PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY for theatergoers who are deaf and hard of hearing will be held on Saturday, November 22 at 2:30 PM.  Funding for this program is provided, in part, by the Theodore H. Barth Foundation and the Theatre Development Fund's TAP Plus program in cooperation with the New York State Council on the Arts.

How to order tickets for the open captioned performance:
Online: log on to www.playwrightshorizons.org
Phone: call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily) via Relay Service (800) 421-1220
TTY:    call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (noon-8pm daily) via Relay Service (800) 662-1220
By fax:   a printable order form may be found online at www.playwrightshorizons.org/tickets.html

In addition, special Post-Performance Discussions with members of the cast and creative team will take place immediately after the following three performances: Wednesday, November 19 at 8PM, Sunday, November 23 at 2:30 PM and Monday, December 1 at 8:00 PM.

For subscription and ticket information to all Playwrights Horizons productions,call TICKET CENTRAL at (212) 279-4200, Noon to 8 pm daily, or purchase online at the Playwrights Horizons website at www.playwrightshorizons.org.

BIOGRAPHIES

Craig Lucas (Playwright) has been represented at Playwrights Horizons in 1987 with the book of the musical Three Postcards (with a score by Craig Carnelia) and in 2004 with the play Small Tragedy (Obie Award for Best New American Play).  He's been nominated for two Tony Awards (Best Play for Prelude to a Kiss in 1990 and Best Book of a Musical for The Light in the Piazza in 2006) and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (Prelude to a Kiss).  His other plays include The Dying Gaul, This Thing of Darkness, Stranger, God's Heart, Blue Window, Reckless and Missing Persons, and a translation of Strindberg's Miss Julie.  As a director, his credits include the play Saved or Destroyed (Obie Award) and the films The Dying Gaul (based on his own play) and the recent Birds of America.  Screenplays include The Secret Lives of Dentists (New York Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay), Longtime Companion, Prelude to a Kiss, Reckless and Blue Window. He co-wrote the opera libretti to Orpheus in Love and created the bookless musical Marry Me a Little. He is Associate Artistic Director at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle, where he premiered his most recent plays The Singing Forest and Prayer for My Enemy.  The Singing Forest will have its New York premiere this spring at The Public.

Bartlett Sher (Director) directed the play The Butterfly Collection at Playwrights Horizons in 2000. He's represented on Broadway by the current hit Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific, for which he's earned 2008 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. He also received Tony Award nominations for Awake and Sing! in 2005 and The Light in the Piazza in 2006.  Since 2000, he's been Artistic Director at Intiman Theatre Company, where he's directed Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth and Our Town; Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters, both in new adaptations by Craig Lucas; the world premieres of Prayer for My Enemy and The Singing Forest by Craig Lucas (both also for Long Wharf Theatre); as well as Lucas's The Dying Gaul.  He directed a new production of Cymbeline in 2002, produced by Theatre for a New Audience, which premiered in England as the first American Shakespeare ever performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company and he received the Callaway Award for the production's award-winning Off-Broadway run. He made his opera directing debut in 2006 at the Metropolitan Opera with The Barber of Seville and he'll direct Roméo et Juliette this year for the Salzburg Festival. He'll also direct the world premiere of the new musical Bruce Lee: Journey to the West, slated for Broadway in 2010.  He has just been appointed Resident Director of Lincoln Center Theater.

Cassie Beck (Marianne) appeared last season at Playwrights Horizons in Adam Bock's The Drunken City, for which she won a 2008 Theatre World Award.  She previously worked with Mr. Bock in the world premiere of Thursday.  Her credits with TheatreWorks include All My Sons, Living Out and Be Aggressive.  Regional work includes the world premiere of Haunting of Winchester (San Jose Rep), On the Verge (Napa Valley Rep), Marriage of Figaro (Centre Rep Theatre), Communicating Doors (Marin Theatre Company) and Richard III (Napa Valley Shakespeare).

Zachary Booth (Tad) appears in the current hit film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.  His New York stage credits include Spine and Penetcost (The Barrow Group), Victoria Martin: Math Team Queen (The Women's Project) and Trojan Horse (First Look Theatre).  His other Film and Television credits include Ang Lee's upcoming Taking Woodstock, "New Amsterdam," "Damages," "What Goes On" and "Law & Order: SVU."

Victoria Clark (Dolores) received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards, as well as a Drama League Honor, for her performance as Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza.  Her other Broadway credits include Titanic, How to Succeed…, Urinetown, Cabaret, Guys & Dolls, A Grand Night for Singing and Sunday in the Park with George, plus national tours of Les Misérables and Cats.  For City Center's Encores! she's appeared in Juno, Follies and Bye, Bye Birdie. She recently appeared in the Roundabout production of The Marriage of Bette and Boo and additional Off-Broadway credits include The Agony and the Agony (Vineyard) and Tres Ninas (The Zipper). Film and TV credits includes The Happening, Cradle Will Rock, vocal work for several Disney animated features, "Law & Order" and the PBS broadcast of Sweeney Todd in Concert with the San Francisco Philharmonic. Concert work includes the Stephen Sondheim tribute Opening Doors at Carnegie Hall and the American Songbook series at Jazz at Lincoln Center. As a director, her work includes Serenade in Blue: The Mack Gordon Song Cavalcade (92nd Street Y).  Last fall, she released her debut solo album Fifteen Seconds from Grace.

Jonathan Groff (Billy) recently completed his lauded run as Melchior Gabor in the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening, a role which garnered him a 2007 Theatre World Award, in addition to Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations.  He created the role Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company. This past summer, Jonathan starred as Claude in the Public Theater's acclaimed revival of Hair in Central Park, which is Broadway-bound for spring 2009.  Groff also recently completed production on Ang Lee's upcoming feature film, Taking Woodstock, which is slated for release in 2009.  Additional Broadway:  In My Life. Tours/Regional:  The Sound of Music (Rolf), Fame (Nick Piazza), Bat Boy (Bat Boy), Honk! (Ugly). Television: "Pretty/Handsome" (pilot), "One Life to Live."

Michele Pawk (Karen) won a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Hollywood Arms, directed by Harold Prince.  Her other Broadway credits include Cabaret (revival, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), Crazy for You (Drama Desk nomination)  Mamma Mia!, Chicago (revival), Seussical, Triumph of Love, Losing Louie and Mail. Off-Broadway: The Paris Letter (Drama Desk nomination), The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Reefer Madness, After the Fair, Hello Again, Merrily We Roll Along, john & jen, A Little Night Music (NYC and L.A. Operas). Regional: Natural History. Her Film and television work includes Cradle Will Rock Jeffrey, all three "Law & order" series, "Guiding Light,""All My Children," "The Golden Girls" and "LA Law."

Skipp Sudduth (Austin) is currently playing Captain George Brackett in South Pacific. Other Lincoln Center: Twelfth Night. Broadway includes The Iceman Cometh, On the Waterfront and The Grapes of Wrath (also at London's National Theatre). Off-Broadway: 10 Million Miles and Writer's Block (both at Atlantic Theater Company), The Big Funk and Marisol (Public Theater). TV includes Officer John 'Sully' Sullivan in the Emmy Award-winning "Third Watch" (six seasons), "Criminal Minds," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Oz," "Trinity," "Homicide: Life on the Street." Film: Ronin, Flawless, Money Train, Clockers, American Cuisine, Drunkboat (TBR). TV directing: "Third Watch," "ER," "Criminal Minds," "Women's Murder Club."

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, is a writer's theater dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers and lyricists, and to the production of their new work.  In its 38 years, Playwrights Horizons has presented the work of more than 375 writers and has received numerous awards and honors, most recently being honored with a special 2008 Drama Desk Award for "ongoing support to generations of theater artists and undiminished commitment to producing new work."  Notable productions include four Pulitzer Prize winners: Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife (2004 Tony Award, Best Play), Wendy Wasserstein's The Heidi Chronicles (1989 Tony Award, Best Play), Alfred Uhry's Driving Miss Daisy and Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday in the Park with George, as well as John Dempsey, Michael Friedman and Rinne Groff's Saved, Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone, Doug Wright, Scott Frankel and Michael Korie's Grey Gardens (2006 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical), Bruce Norris's The Pain and the Itch, Lynn Nottage's Fabulation (2005 Obie Award for Playwriting), Craig Lucas's Small Tragedy (2004 Obie Award, Best American Play), Kenneth Lonergan's Lobby Hero, Kirsten Childs's The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey's James Joyce's The Dead, William Finn's March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, Christopher Durang's Betty's Summer Vacation and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Richard Nelson's Goodnight Children Everywhere and Franny's Way, Jon Robin Baitz's The Substance of Fire, Scott McPherson's Marvin's Room, A.R. Gurney's Later Life, Adam Guettel and Tina Landau's Floyd Collins and Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley's Violet.

Metropolitan Playhosue to Present ANNA CHRISTIE Starting 11/14 - 11/14/2008

The Metropolitan Playhouse will present ANNA CHRISTIE, O'Neill's tenderest tale of fallen angels looking for land.  Anna has left a life in the streets to find her estranged father working a coal barge, and to fall in love with a bold and brazen man who cannot accept her past. Three hard headed lovers of the sea are tossed in a storm of their own desires in an ironic and hopeful story of human frailty.

It will run from November 14 -December 14 and will star Joe Atack, Roger Clark, Nick Delany, Ian Campbell Dunn, Zachary Spicer, Rob Sulaver, Sam Tsoutsouvas, Jenne Vath, and Karen Christie-Ward. The production is directed by Robert Z. Kalfin.

Metropolitan Playhouse explores America’s theatrical heritage to illuminate contemporary American culture. The Playhouse produces early American plays, new plays drawn from American culture and history, and plays from around the world that resonate with the American canon.

"Under the leadership of Artistic Director Alex Roe since 2001, the sixteen-year-old company has grown into an institution recognized for both artistic excellence and cultural significance.  Guiding the company’s growth has been a clear vision of the rich portrait that theater paints of the culture that creates it. Reflecting society’s values, aspirations, and character, theater offers, as does no other art, a doubly rich perspective.  On the one hand, it is a window into the character of the time of its creation. On the other, it is always contemporary, because every performance of a play is a new creation for its own time.  Connecting us with our past in the light of our present, America’s theater gives invaluable insight into our cultural identity."

For a detailed schedule and ticket information please visit www.metropolitanplayhouse.org.

WOMAN SEEKING Open 11th Season With MARY THE THIRD 11/14 - 11/14/2008

WOMAN SEEKING... a theatre company is pleased to announce open their 11th Season with the production, MARY THE THIRD directed by Katrin Hilbe. MARY THE THIRD, the company’s 19th production, is being produced in New York for the first time since it’s 1923 premiere at the 39th Street theatre – produced by Shubert and starring George Howard and Louise Huff. It ran for 152 performances. The show will play a limited engagement – ten performances only - at West End Theatre (263 W. 86th Street) Performances begin with a preview on Thursday, November 13 and continue until Sunday, December 7. Opening Night is Friday, November 14 at 7:30 pm.

In the dramedy Mary the Third, three generations of “Mary’s” ponder the question--Is there only one love in a lifetime or is “free love” the solution? Rachel Crothers' classic wit and shrewd observations show us that every generation will struggle anew to answer the pesky relationship riddle!

Produced in 1923, it is interesting to note how relevant the question remains, and how, 80 years later, we still want to avoid the mistakes of our elders, but continue to let our desires trump our most brilliant thinking.

The production features scenic design by Heidi B. Andersson, costume design by Meredith Neal, and lighting design and stage management by Elliot Lanes. Katharina Tapp is the sound designer and GridKid.

Mary the Third plays the following schedule:

Preview Thursday Nov. 13th @ 7:30pm
Friday Nov. 14th 7:30pm opening
Sat. Nov 15th 3pm
Sat. Nov 15th 8:00pm
Sunday Nov 16th 3pm
Monday Nov 17th 7:30pm
Saturday Nov 22nd - 3pm
Sunday, Nov 23rd - 3pm
Friday December 5th 6:30pm
Saturday December 6th 3pm
Sunday December 7th 3pm

Tickets are $18 and are now available online at SmartTix.com or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Theatre Box Office, half-hour prior to show.


BIOGRAPHIES

RACHEL CROTHERS (Playwright) (1878–-1958) Not only a playwright, Ms. Crothers was a director, producer, and actor. She was the most consistently successful playwright of her time with many of her plays focusing the audiences' attentions on modern women's issues of equality and choice. After studying acting at the Stanhope-Wheatcroft School and performing professionally for several seasons, Crothers abandoned acting when her first play, Nora (1903), was produced. Plays include: The Three of Us (1906), A Man's World (1910), Young Wisdom (1914), Old Lady 31 (1916), A Little Journey (1918), and 39 East (1919). He and She (1920), Nice People (1921), Mary the Third (1923), Expressing Willie (1924, and produced by Woman Seeking...in 2007), A Lady's Virtue (1925), Venus (1927), Let Us Be Gay (1929), As Husbands Go (1931), and When Ladies Meet (1932). Her last play was Susan and God (1937), describing the problems that ensue when a rich matron discovers religion. During World War I Crothers founded Stage Women's War Relief. She was a consummate craftsman, who, as Howard Taubman noted, "used the stage to articulate the case for woman's freedom. When the battle was won, she did not shrink from poking fun at the liberated woman's pretensions."

KATRIN HILBE (Director) directs Opera, Operetta, Contemporary Music Theatre, Plays, both in Europe and in the US. She is the principal assistant director for the opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany, and is currently developing a play, a chamber opera and a musical comedy. Katrin is an alumni of the Directors Lab West of 2007, a member of the Jewish Theater of New York and of the WorkShop Theater Company. She holds a masters degree in Philosophy, Musicology and English/American Literature from the University of Berne (Switzerland) and is both a citizen of the USA and the Principality of Liechtenstein, where she grew up. For more information, please see www.katrinhilbe.com

WOMAN SEEKING... is a theater group whose goal is to provide an arena for women free from stereotypes to practice and hone their craft in quality productions that are entertaining and fun for the actors and audience a
like. Woman Seeking... strives to create more opportunities for women to work and thrive in the theater.

WOMAN SEEKING... better roles..., more opportunities..., the right to be young..., old..., heavy..., thin..., tall..., short..., a parent..., and everything in between while still being cast in wonderful roles!

Corky Hale to Play 'An Evening' at the Metropolitan Room Starting 11/10 - 11/14/2008

Critically-acclaimed and renowned Jazz Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist, Corky Hale, will appear in an autobiographical cabaret show about her life both on stage, and off, entitled, “An Evening With Corky Hale,” to be presented at the Metropolitan Room at Gotham, 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), New York, NY  10010, on Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, November 14, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. and Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:45 p.m.  Jeff Lass serves as Musical Director.  There is a $20 Cover Charge and $15 Minimum. 

For reservations and further information, please call 212.206.0440 or visit online at www.metropolitanroom.com.  To learn more about Corky Hale, please visit the website, www.corkyhale.com.

Corky Hale (Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist) was born in a small mid-western farm town and started piano lessons at age three.  At age seven, while vacationing with her family in Florida, Hale was heard in the lobby of her hotel picking out tunes on the piano by House bandleader, Horace Heidt.  Heidt had a little band jacket made for her and featured her for the next few weeks in the evening show.

Hale has played harp for such artists as Liberace, Tony Bennett, Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.  She has been the piano accompanist for such artists as Billie Holiday and Mel Tormé.  She has sung with the bands of Harry James, Ray Anthony, and Jerry Gray.  She also owned one of the most successful clothing stores in Hollywood for 17 years.

Hale was also the proprietor of “Corky’s,” a popular restaurant on New York’s East Side.  She has lived in Rome, and for three years, while living there, appeared on the popular television show, “Tempo di Jazz.”  She has performed at The White House with Tony Bennett, soloed with Barbra Streisand in Central Park and at the Hollywood Bowl and performed with Björk on her MTV Special in London.  Hale has also appeared with George Michael at London’s Royal Albert Hall and RFK Stadium.

Her sold-out performances at the Oak Room at the Algonquin in New York, Davenport’s in Chicago, the Cinegrill in Los Angeles, the Plush Room in San Francisco, and Pizza On The Park in London have led Los Angeles Times’ jazz reviewer Don Heckman to observe that Hale is “more than a triple threat,” and Philip Ellwood of the San Francisco Examiner noted her performance is “one of cyclonic proportions.”  On November 22, 2007, Corky Hale appeared at Carnegie Hall as a Piano Soloist with the New York Pops Orchestra, under the baton of Guest Conductor, Barry Levitt.

Hale’s harp, piano and vocals can be heard on her current CD, “CORKY” on the GNP Crescendo label.  Since 2000 Hale has produced and performed her star-studded show “Corky Hale and Friends:  From Tin Pan Alley to Beverly Hills,” at the Beverly Hills Civic Center.  In March 2003 her “Salute To Hollywood Songwriters” opened the newly restored Ferry Building at a Gala for San Francisco’s “Raising Hope” charity, and in 2002 her show opened the 25th Anniversary Season of the 1,000-seat La Mirada Theatre.

In 2003, Corky Hale added theatrical production to her activities, when her show, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” broke box office records at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Florida.  In 2000 she was the associate producer of the hit show,

“Fully Committed,” which played at the Coronet Theatre in Hollywood.  She also produced three other hits – 1998’s “Lullaby Of Broadway” at the Tiffany Theatre in West Hollywood, voted one of the “10 Best Shows” of the year by the Los Angeles Times

and produced a concert version of the show starring Sally Kellerman.  Hale also produced “Give ‘em Hell Harry,” starring Jason Alexander at the Tiffany Theatre in Los Angeles in 1992.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, Hale jokingly considers herself the ultimate cook-housewife.  She has been happily married for 37 years to songwriter Mike Stoller of the team Leiber & Stoller, whose show Smokey Joe’s Café broke the record as the longest running musical revue in Broadway history.  Hale is very involved in numerous charities and political groups, one of them being Angel Harvest, which she introduced to Los Angeles from New York’s City Harvest.  Angel Harvest picks up overages of food at top restaurants and major events such as the Academy AwardsÒ and movie premieres, which otherwise would have been discarded, and delivers them to various shelters for battered women and children, indigent seniors, veterans in rehabilitation and the working poor.  She has always been interested in politics and was one of the first white students to join the NAACP while a freshman at the University of Wisconsin.  She speaks Italian, French and Spanish, and had an apartment in Italy at one time.  Hale serves on the national advisory board of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), the national advisory board of Planned Parenthood and the California board of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP).  She and her husband are strong advocates of the Southern Poverty Law Center and serve on the board of The National Coalition to Ban Gun Violence.

Corky Hale’s recently produced and directed a special event, entitled, “It’s Magic! - A Tribute To Sammy Cahn” at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills, CA.  She is also currently working a new CD entitled “Corky and Her Gal Pals” with vocals by Corky Hale, Freda Payne, Sally Kellerman, Ariana Savalas, Tricia Tahara and Briana Whitaker.  To learn more about Corky Hale, please visit the website, www.corkyhale.com.

Jeff Lass (Musical Director) has worked as a Musical Director for Corky Hale, Sally Kellerman, Paul Williams, Lamont Dozier, Smokey Robinson, Laverne Baker, Taylor Dane, Patti Austin, John Raitt, Freda Payne and Mike Stoller.  As a composer he has written songs for 16 feature films, including, “Dick Tracy” and “Rage In Harlem,” as well as for Madonna’s “Breathless” album.

LaVon Fisher Wilson Joins Cast of CHICAGO as Matron 'Mama' Morton 11/14 - 11/14/2008

Stephen Daldry 'Theater Talk' Guest 11/14 - 11/14/2008

“Theater Talk,” the nationally syndicated program co-hosted by New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel and producer Susan Haskins, has announced two new additions to their upcoming lineup:

Friday, November 7th on Thirteen
1:00 AM (Saturday morning)

Frank Langella
Master actor Frank Langella discusses his riveting portrayal of the martyred 16th century English intellectual and politician, Thomas More, in A Man for All Seasons - at The Roundabout Theater - as well as his brilliant interpretation of the disgraced and tormented American President, Richard Nixon, in Frost/Nixon - both on Broadway and now in the soon-to-be released screen version. (Reairs on CUNY TV, Channel 75 on Saturday, November 15 at 8:30 PM; Sunday, November 16 at 12:30 PM; and Monday, November 17 at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.)
photo by Joan Marcus

Friday, November 14th on Thirteen
1:00 AM (Saturday morning)

Stephen Daldry
A conversation with Stephen Daldry, the director of the beloved film Billy Elliot, as well as the spectacular musical theater version of the movie, opening this month on Broadway. Also a review of the Sarah Kane's controversial play Blasted (now at The Soho Rep.) by our New Theater Corps Editor, Aaron Riccio. (Reairs on CUNY TV, Channel 75 on Saturday, November 22 at 8:30 PM; Sunday, November 23 at 12:30 PM; and Monday, November 24 at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.)

“Theater Talk” is a news/discussion television series devoted to the world of the stage. It began on New York television in 1993, and is one of the few independent productions on PBS, now syndicated to a growing number of stations throughout the country, including those in Rochester, Syracuse, Schenectady, Binghamton, Albany, Buffalo, Watertown and Elmira in New York, Providence, RI; Odessa, Texas; Eureka, Kansas; Sacramento and Redding, California; Missoula, Montana; Steubenville, Ohio and Washington, DC. 

For more information please visit www.theatertalk.org

Northwestern to Present Kopit's INDIANS Starting 11/14 - 11/14/2008

A Tony Award-winning play by Arthur Kopit that depicts the life of master showman “Buffalo Bill” Cody is the second 2008-09 season production of the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University.

Performances of Kopit’s “Indians” will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16; 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, in the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, on the University’s Evanston campus.

Told from the perspective of the American cowboy as well as the Native American point of view, “Indians” is a captivating and analogous tale of Cody’s ego, ambition and desire as he makes his comeback in a ghost town -- all the while aware that his so-called heroism is having destructive effects. The 95-minute, intermission-free production is a combination of Old West mythology, circus spectacle and Native American ritual.

The play spans a time period from the 1860s to 1910 and focuses on both the golden years -- and the death -- of the Old West, featuring bawdy comedy and humorous tall tales told with an exaggerated accent and political fire. It will be directed by Shade Murray, a third-year student in the Northwestern University School of Communication’s MFA program. Murray has previously directed productions at Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe and Chicago’s Strawdog, Shattered Globe and About Face theatre companies, as well as productions at the Museum of Contemporary Art and for Second City.

“’Indians’ is an American epic that will appeal to anyone interested in United States history and politics,” said Murray. “The show’s theme is about the survival of nations. It is a strong piece on American identity and how one individual can affect and change how the entire world perceives America.”

Cody (1846-1917), who was born in what is now the state of Iowa, was a (1872) Medal of Honor-winning American soldier and bison hunter, and successful self-promoter who became one of the most colorful figures of America’s Old West. The Wild West shows he organized were staged around the world. Cody and his cast members recreated the Pony Express, Little Big Horn and the Sioux Nation in stadiums the size of a football field. His extravaganzas were the precursors to today’s American rodeos.

Twelve Northwestern undergraduate student cast members will each play multiple roles because Kopit’s play calls for a total of 45 characters to appear on stage. During auditions, Murray selected students who were trained and experienced in dance, acrobatics and precision marching, so they could bring those talents to the Barber Theater stage.

The show’s costumes, stage sets and lighting were designed and constructed on the University’s Evanston campus by a production team of students in the School of Communication’s MFA program. The body-adapting costumes are designed to fit both men and women of varying sizes since many of the roles are interchangeable.

The production’s stage sets begin with a tranquil prairie vista with a huge panoramic sky. However, as the show continues, the stage transforms into the “artificial” world of Cody’s version of the Wild West, with the addition of artificial lighting, giant-size publicity posters and other “show biz magic.” In sharp contrast to Cody’s “false” world, the natural beauty of the Sioux Indians, and their chants, dances and rituals are also highlighted.

Live chants and drumming will accompany scenes of Native American rituals and songs in the show include recordings of music used in Cody’s traveling Wild West shows.

“Indians” is best-suited for teen-agers and adults. Single tickets are $25 for the general public; $23 for seniors 65 and older, Northwestern staff and faculty and area teachers and administrators; and $10 for full-time students. Tickets are available through the Theatre and Interpretation Center Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or www.tic.northwestern.edu.

Photo Arthur Kopit by Walter McBride

CHICAGO Celebrates 12 Years and 5,000 Performances on Broadway 11/14 - 11/14/2008

On Friday, November 14, 2008, Broadway's six-time Tony Award-winning smash hit musical CHICAGO will celebrate two major milestones: its 12th Anniversary and its 5,000th performance on The Great White Way.
 
Among its myriad of honors, CHICAGO has the distinction of being the second longest-running show currently on Broadway, the eighth longest-running production in Broadway history and Broadway's longest-running musical revival...and it still shows no sign of slowing down!
  
Directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, the Broadway production now stars two-time Tony Award nominee Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart and Tony Award nominee Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly.
 
Both Ms. d'Amboise and Ms. Braxton hold records for having played Roxie and Velma (respectively) more than any other actress in the 12-year history of the Broadway production -- over 1,250 performances each.
 
CHICAGO also stars Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn and Raymond Bokhour as Amos Hart.
 
Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, CHICAGO opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996.  It transferred to the Shubert Theatre on February 4, 1997 and later moved to its current home at the Ambassador Theatre on January 29, 2003.
 
The Broadway production received six 1997 Tony Awards (including Best Musical Revival), five Drama Desk Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Grammy Award for Best Cast Recording.
 
CHICAGO has launched nine U.S. national tours since 1997, with a tenth national tour set to kick-off in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 (see sidebar for up-to-date tour itinerary).
 
But CHICAGO's success is by no means limited to the United States. Since 1996, productions of CHICAGO have played a total of 23 countries throughout the world, in 11 languages.
 
The Olivier Award-winning London production of CHICAGO, which celebrates its 11th Anniversary this month, continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End theatre history.
 
In 2009, international return engagements of CHICAGO are slated for Australia, Spain and Holland, as well as the re-launch of the U.K. national tour and the premiere engagement in Bangkok, Thailand.
 
CHICAGO has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, and has played over 17,000 performances for a total estimated audience on more than 18 million people.
 
Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for additional information.

MARY POPPINS Tickets On Sale Friday, November 14 - 11/14/2008

Broadway In Chicago and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of Mary Poppins will go on sale to the public Friday, November 14, 2008 with a special public pre-sale at 8 a.m. at the Cadillac Palace Theatre box office.  Telephone ticketing lines, internet (ticketmaster.com), and other box office outlets will have tickets available to the public beginning at 10 a.m. The eagerly anticipated North American National Tour will begin performances at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre March 11, 2009.  Original Broadway stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, along with the entire original creative team, will reunite to bring this magical story of the world's most famous nanny to audiences around North America.

Ticket buyers are invited to special box office opening festivities on Friday, November 14, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, where 1,000 of the best seats available will be held for purchase at the box office only, and will not be available online or via phone.  Special gifts, including Mary Poppins t-shirts, will be given to the first 500 people in line. Ticket buyers will also be offered complimentary tea and scones from Argo Tea until 10 a.m.

Mary Poppins, a co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006.  Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.  The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne.  Mary Poppins features set and costume design by TonyÒ Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick.

Consistently among the top-grossing shows on Broadway, Mary Poppins will celebrate its two-year anniversary at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sunday, November 16, 2008.  Simultaneously, the show's popularity grows around the globe. Following a successful three-year run (December 2004 - January 2008) at the Prince Edward Theatre on London's West End, a U.K. tour of Mary Poppins commenced earlier this summer and is currently performing to critical acclaim in Edinburgh, with additional dates booked for Manchester and Cardiff through April 2009.  Mary Poppins will later make its Australian debut at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2009.

Mary Poppins will play Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre beginning March 11, 2009 with the following performance schedule:  Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m.

Tickets for performances through May 17, 2009 will go on-sale Friday, November 14 at 8 a.m. at the Cadillac Palace Theatre box office, and 10 a.m. at all telephone, internet, and box office outlets.  Tickets range in price from $23 - $90 and a limited number of Premium Ticket Packages are available for $123 - $150.  Tickets are available at Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (18 W. Monroe, 24 W. Randolph St. and 151 W. Randolph St.), through the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including Carson Pirie Scott stores, Hot Tix, select Coconuts and fye stores) or online at ticketmaster.com.  Groups of 20 or more should call (312) 977-1710.

Mary Poppins is a part of the 2009 Broadway In Chicago season series.

For more information please visit www.DisneyOnBroadway.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Carnegie Hall to Host Special Leonard Bernstein Tribute 11/14 - 11/14/2008

The late Leonard Bernstein — that hip conductor, composer, and man-about-town who inspired legions of music lovers — is being fêted by the New York Philharmonic at every concert this season with a new set of chimes that beckon concertgoers to their seats. Launched October 30, the sounds of “Maria,” “Somewhere,” and “Tonight” from Bernstein’s iconic West Side Story are ringing at Avery Fisher Hall before concerts and at intermission, in tribute to the Orchestra’s Laureate Conductor, who would have turned 90 this year, and who is being celebrated all around the city as part of Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds.

To commemorate the 65th anniversary of his legendary New York Philharmonic debut in 1943, the Philharmonic will perform a special all-Bernstein program at Carnegie Hall this Friday, November 14 with Music Director Designate Alan Gilbert.

Outside of Avery Fisher Hall, Leonard Bernstein’s presence continues to resound all over the city, even on the subway.

The new chimes honor the long and celebrated history between Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in this anniversary season. Since his headline-grabbing debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943, on a national radio broadcast of a critically acclaimed performance at Carnegie Hall, almost 400 Philharmonic musicians have played for Leonard Bernstein. When he became Music Director, in 1958, he became the first American-born and trained conductor ever to be appointed to any major orchestra.  After his tenure ended in 1969 and he became the Philharmonic’s first and only Laureate Conductor, he returned nearly every season to lead the Orchestra at Lincoln Center and on tours around the country and the world. In total, he conducted 1,246 Philharmonic performances. His legacy is carried on today at the New York Philharmonic, where he remains affectionately known as “our Lenny.”

Surefire Theatrical & Speckulation Entertainment present a staged reading of Mathilde - 11/14/2008

Mathilde, a new musical by burgeoning young composer Conor Mitchell, will receive an industry staged reading at the Vaudeville Theatre on Friday 14 November 2008 at 1.00pm.

Featuring a cast comprising Samuel Barnett, Daniel Evans, Julian Forsyth, Josefina Gabrielle, Ceri Ann Gregory, Simon Green, Ella Smith, Anton Stephans and Sally Ann Triplett, this reading of Mathilde follows an acclaimed concert staging at the Edinburgh Festival earlier this year and takes place ahead of the show’s West End première in 2009.

Based on Guy de Maupassant’s short story, The Necklace, Mathilde tells the story of a Parisienne beauty who feels trapped in her ordinary life. Aspirations drive Mathilde and her husband into a web of intrigue, debt and a dalliance with the Paris underworld. With music and lyrics by acclaimed writer Conor Mitchell, Mathilde is an accessible, relevant and inspiring musical, combining soaring melodies, touching comedy and fascinating characters.

Conor Mitchell’s previous musical theatre works include Have A Nice Life  at the Lyric Belfast and New York Musical Theatre Festival, where it won Best Score, Merry Christmas Betty Ford at the Lyric Belfast, Missing Mel for Youth Music Theatre and Otto  at LAMDA.

Admittance to the reading is by invitation only. Industry professionals who wish to attend are asked to e-mail mathilde@surefiretheatrical.com stating their interest in the production and the professional capacity in which they are applying for tickets. For further information on the reading, the musical and composer Conor Mitchell, visit www.mathildethemusical.com 

Surefire Theatrical was formed by Andrew Jenkins and Thomas Hopkins in 2007 to produce and general manage new material. As well as currently developing Mathilde and other works, Surefire produced and general managed Make Me a Song, a show based on the music of William Finn, in London earlier this year, and Mathilde at the Edinburgh Festival. 

Speckulation Entertainment is a company dedicated to producing high quality entertainment and working on a wide range of projects in a variety of genres. Formed by producers Neil Eckersley and Paul Spicer, who also co-founded the West End’s highly successful and critically acclaimed Notes from New York series, it operates both within the West End and beyond. Earlier this year it produced A Spoonful of Stiles & Drewe, a charity gala celebrating 25 years of songwriting by Olivier Award winners George Stiles & Anthony Drewe at Her Majesty’s Theatre. It is general managing all of Notes from New York’s current and future productions, including the recent gala staging of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last 5 Years at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket and the upcoming third instalment of Christmas in New York at the Lyric Theatre in December. It is co-producing Mathilde.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts Kicks Off 'World of Dance' Series with 'Tango Fire' 11/15 - 11/15/2008

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College kicks off its 2008-09 World of Dance series with the return of the Argentine company Tango Fire on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 8pm.

Showcasing ten torrid dancers accompanied by the fiery musicians of Quatrotango, Tango Fire offers a journey through the history of tango, from its origins in the red light district of Buenos Aires to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties and its evolution to the world of contemporary ballroom.  The performance also features singer Javier “Cardenal” Dominguez, a regular performer in many of the most important tango houses in Buenos Aires, and showcases the music of Astor Piazzola, Rodriguez, and others.  The company has toured the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia and South Africa to high acclaim.

Born in the brothels and taverns of Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th century, tango was originally the dance of the working classes – immigrants and country people drawn to the Argentine capital by its economic promise.  As elaborate as it looks, Argentine tango is actually an improvisational dance based on the four building blocks of walking, turning, stopping and embellishments. Even though dancers follow certain conventions, they never quite know how their partner will construct a dance, add an embellishment or interpret the music. Each partner brings his or her individual style and embellishments to the dance, contributing significantly to the excitement and unpredictability of the experience.  Argentine tango is danced in a closed position, with the partners’ chests in constant contact, adding a strong sensuality and passion to this unmistakable style.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn’s diverse communities, at affordable prices.  Brooklyn Center’s presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving schoolchildren from over 225 schools annually.

Tango Fire at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 15, 8PM
Tickets: $75*, $45, $30
*Gold seating constitutes the first ten rows of the center orchestra.  Multibuy and other discounts do not apply.

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday – Saturday, 1PM – 6PM
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 22

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Funding for Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ 2008-2009 season is provided by: Target; JP Morgan Chase; Independence Community Foundation; Con Edison; National Grid; Citi Foundation; Commerce Bank; Macy’s; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Air Jamaica; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, established in the New York Community Trust by founders of The Reader’s Digest Association.  Additional support provided by the Best Western Gregory Hotel, Courier-Life Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, and The Brooklyn Paper.

Brooklyn Center gratefully acknowledges the support of the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York State Assembly: Assemblymembers William F. Boyland, William Colton, Steven Cymbrowitz, Diane Gordon, Janele Hyer-Spencer, Rhoda Jacobs, Alan Maisel, Joan Millman, Felix Ortiz, N. Nick Perry, Sheldon Silver, Darryl C. Towns, Helene E. Weinstein; and members of the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York State Senate: Senators Eric Adams, Martin Golden, Kevin Parker and John L. Sampson.  Brooklyn Center thanks the New York City Council: Councilmembers Simcha Felder, Domenic M. Recchia Jr., Kendall B. Stewart, and Albert Vann, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.

Hell in a Handbag kicks off 2008-2009 season with Haywire! - 11/15/2008

Just in time for the Halloween season Hell in a Handbag kicks off its 2008-2009 season with a spine-tingling, horror comedy parody under the big top. HAYWIRE!

 

Haywire!

by Tim Wilkins and Kevin Remington

Songs and Special Musical Material by Fred Barton

Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass

 

Valarie Pettiford to Perform 'Thankful' at Upright Cabaret - 11/15/2008

Direct from New York, Valarie Pettiford - THANKFUL, the smash hit solo show starring Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford makes its west coast debut at Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069. Her show will debut Friday and Saturday - November 14-15, 2008 at 9pm
 
Stage Veteran and television star Valarie Pettiford gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled "Valarie Pettiford - Thankful" presented by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel at Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood. Written and directed by David Galligan, the Tony-nominated actress blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, accompanied by a stellar band musically directed by Ron Abel.

Pettiford started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series 'House of Payne' as Sandra Lucas. Last year, she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with the Pasadena Pops conducted by Rachel Worby. She was also thrilled to play the role of Deanna Rivers in the pilot for HBO's 'Anatomy of Hope,' directed by JJ Abrams. She guest-starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in 'CSI: Miami' (2006), as Ellen Laskow in 'Bones' (2007) and Susan Latham 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2007). She also portrayed Aunt Jackie in the #1 film for 3 weeks and now the #1 DVD, 'Stomp the Yard,' a 2007 Sony Screen Gems production. In February 2006, Valarie completed her fourth season with the hit TV series 'Half & Half,' which is now in syndication and earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne.

Her widely successful one-woman shows have been performed to sold out audiences at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre, the Gardenia Room, the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Room in New York City (where she received the 2007 Backstage Bistro Award) and most recently at New York's famous BIRDLAND supper club where “Valarie Pettiford - Thankful” first debuted. Her Broadway and tour credits include FOSSE, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, the Dora Mavor Moore Award and was recognized by the Drama League; CHICAGO (opposite Chita Rivera) for the London West End debut; SOPHISTICATED LADIES, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison. She also appeared in GRIND, DANCIN, BIG DEAL, SHOW BOAT (NAACP, LA's Robby, and the Vancouver Sun Reader's Choice Awards). She received nominations for the Ovation and the Jessie Richardson Theater Awards. She performed in Des Mc Anuff's production of The Wiz, and THE WILD PARTY (NAACP Theatre and The Garland Awards for Best Actress in a Play, Ovation nomination). Highlights in TV and film including THE DISTRICT, FRASIER, THE WEST WING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, THE WIZ, THE COTTON CLUB and GLITTER.

Valarie continues to lend her support and talents to many charities annually and is thrilled to have fulfilled a lifelong dream of recording an album entitled HEAR MY SOUL, being sold at www.cdbaby.com

Created by producing partners Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, UPRIGHT CABARET, L.A.’s famed “new generation cabaret” has quickly become the place for cabaret and live performance in Los Angeles. After only three years, the Upright stages in West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Catalina Island and Santa Barbara have been home to performers from over 75 Broadway shows as well as stars from Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, How I Met Your Mother, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, House, Nip/Tuck and countless other film and television productions. At Mark’s Restaurant in West Hollywood, Upright is more than an inventive cabaret, Proprietors Chris Diamond and Chef Wayne Elias along with a welcoming staff dish out charm, class and California cuisine at its finest.

Show Tickets: $15-25 Main, Patio & SRO, available in advance online at www.uprightcabaret.com/events or at door on day of show. Dinner Reservations required with all Main & Patio Seating. Table minimums apply.

For more info including show times, tickets and scheduled performers please visit us at www.uprightcabaret.com.

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents 'The Seafarer' - 11/15/2008

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents

The Seafarer

By Conor McPherson

Directed by ensemble member Randall Arney

December 4, 2008 – February 8, 2009

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney.  The production, featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan, Tom Irwin, John Mahoney and Alan Wilder with Randall Newsome, runs December 4, 2008 – February 8, 2009 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.  The press performance is Saturday, December 13 at 3 p.m.

 It’s Christmas Eve in Dublin. In the rundown house where Sharky cares for his blind brother, old acquaintances gather for a card game—joined by an ominous stranger.  As the booze flows and the game intensifies, Sharky discovers he is playing for his soul.  In this eerie, darkly humorous tale, celebrated playwright Conor McPherson examines how we face the demons of our past as we struggle to find redemption.

 The Seafarer is the second of two plays by Conor McPherson premiering in Chicago at Steppenwolf this season. McPherson’s Dublin Carol plays November 6 – December 21, 2008 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre. The Seafarer makes its Chicago premiere following a critically-acclaimed Broadway run.

Born in Dublin, playwright Conor McPherson won London’s prestigious Olivier Award for The Weir and received a Tony nomination for Shining City.   

 Ensemble member Randall Arney has directed Conor McPherson’s The Weir at L.A.’s Geffen Playhouse, where he serves as Artistic Director.  Other directing credits include Atlanta, Speed the Plow, All My Sons, Take Me Out, I Just Stopped by to See the Man, Boy Gets Girl and God’s Man In Texas.  Steppenwolf Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (Tony Award winner).

 The design team for The Seafarer includes:  Takeski Kata (sets), Janice Pytel (costumes), Daniel Ionazzi (lights) and Richard Woodbury (sound).  Christine D. Freeburg is the Stage Manager and Rose Marie Packer is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Title:                                       The Seafarer

Playwright:                              Conor McPherson

Director:                                   ensemble member Randall Arney

Featuring:                                ensemble members Francis Guinan (Sharky), Tom Irwin (Mr. Lockhart),  John Mahoney (Richard) and Alan Wilder (Ivan) with Randall Newsome (Nicky).

 Location:                                 Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates:                                      Previews:  December 4 – 12, 2008

Press preview: Saturday, December 13 at 3:00 p.m.

Opening:  Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.

Regular Run:  December 16, 2008 – February 8, 2009

There are no performances on December 25, 2007 (Christmas Day) and January 1, 2009 (New Years Day).

 Curtain Times:                         Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

                                    (Sunday eve. performances through January 11 only)

Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday matinees on January 14, 21, 28 and February 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket prices:                           Previews: $20-$48

                                                  Regular run: $20-$70

Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances).  Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.  Student discounts available.

Audience Services:                  1650 N. Halsted, 312-335-1650

Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

The Seafarer Wine Tasting Night:  Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant while our DJ spins tunes in our newly-renovated lobby:  Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m.  Tasting and performance cost $60 per person.  For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

 Foley & Lardner LLP and Harris Bank are the Production Sponsors of The Seafarer.

Free post-show discussions, sponsored by AT&T, are offered after every performance.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible.  Street and lot parking are available.  Assistive listening devices are available for every performance.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon.  The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work.  Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of forty-one artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.  For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.

NCTC Presents San Francisco Premiere of AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN - 11/15/2008

 NCTC presents the San Francisco premiere of As Bees in Honey Drown by Douglas Carter Beane. The show previews November 7 -14, opens November 15, (Press Night is Friday, November 14th) and runs through December 21, 2008: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. (There are no performances on November 16, 26, and 27). All performances will take place at The New Conservatory Theatre Center (Walker Theatre), located at 25 Van Ness Ave. near Market St. in San Francisco, 94102. Tickets range from $22 - $34, and are $40 for opening night on Saturday, November 15th. Tickets are available at the NCTC Box Office (415) 861 8972, or online at www.nctcsf.org.

Evan Wyler is a gay twenty-something New York writer savoring the success of his debut novel.  Defined by the media as the "hot, young, thing-of-the-moment," Evan captures the attention of Alexa Vere de Vere, a black-clad woman of mystery who's made the world of celebrity her home.  In fact, it's her religion.

The cast will feature Jonathan Bock, Melissa Jones Briggs, Ben Fisher, Stefanie Goldstein, Juliet Heller, Dene Larson

His works include the screenplay of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, and several plays including The Country Club and The Little Dog Laughed, which was nominated for the 2007 Tony Award for Best Play, and As Bees in Honey Drown, which ran at New York's Lucille Lortel Theatre in 1997 and won an Outer Critics Circle Award. Beane also wrote the book for Xanadu, a stage musical adaptation of the 1980 film.

Upright Cabaret presents VALARIE PETTIFORD's Thankful! - 11/15/2008

Fri & Sat, November 14-15, 2008 at 9pm

Upright Cabaret proudly presents VALARIE PETTIFORD's THANKFUL!

VALARIE PETTIFORD gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled Thankful. The multi-talented, Tony nominated actress appears blending a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, with a stellar band musically directed by the brilliant Ron Abel.

PETTIFORD started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series “House of Payne” as Sandra Lucas. Last year she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with The Pasadena Pops, conducted by Rachel Worby. She went on to shoot the pilot “Anatomy of Hope” for HBO as Deanna Rivers, directed by JJ Abrams. In February 2006, PETTIFORD completed her fourth season of the hit TV series “Half & Half” that earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne. She guest starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in “CSI Miami” (Spring 2006), Ellen Laskow in “Bones” and as Aunt Jackie in the number one film for 3 weeks, and now the number one DVD, “Stomp the Yard”.

PETTIFORD‘s Broadway and tour credits include Fosse, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award and recognizes by the Drama League, Chicago (opposite Chita Rivera) London West End debut, Sophisticated Ladies, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison.

Dinner/ "10 Cane Rum" Drink Specials begin at 7:00PM/SHOWTIME 9:00PM.

Tickets $25 Main Room, $20 Patio Seating and $15 SRO. Tickets available at www.uprightcabare.com

Dinner Required with Main Room and Patio Tickets. Your Ticket purchase also confirms your dinner reservation. $30 pp Food/Drink min in Dining room // No min in Bar/Lounge

Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd. WeHo, CA

For more info, please visit: www.uprightcabaret.com www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret

Emelin Theatre Presents RONNIE SPECTOR 11/15 - 11/15/2008

The Emelin Theatre has added two November concerts to its season with Simone—the accomplished jazz singer and daughter of Nina Simone— on November 7, and legendary girl group vocalist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ronnie Spector on November 15. In addition to the line-up of concerts this fall, including country music chart-topper BRyan White (October 24) and Tony Award-winner and jazz singer Ann Hampton Callaway (October 25), the Emelin's 2008-2009 season will feature film, music, family programs and more.

Simone brings her big voice and classic jazz sound to the Emelin on the heels of her debut album, a big band tribute to her mother producer by Bob Belden, Simone on Simone. The record has received critical acclaim from NPR, People, Jet, Chicago Tribune and The Advocate, among others. While Simone is very much her mother's daughter her concert on November 7 invites audiences to hear the versatility in her talent.

The legendary girl groups of 1960s are best remembered through the voice of Ronnie Spector, whose iconic hits with the Ronettes like "Be My Baby," "Baby I Love You" and others helped lay the groundwork for the pop music we know today. Her show at the Emelin on November 15 will touch on those and the many hits since her "Wall of Sound" days that have made Spector one of the most recognizable singers of the pop era.

The Emelin's season of music performances features its well-known Bluegrass, Folk and In Concert series along with its launch of five new series: Indie Rock, Latin, Country, Popular Song and Emelin Unplugged. Los Lobos, perhaps the most successful Mexican-American music group ever, help launch the new Latin series with their blend of American rock and Mexican popular music. Highlights for the other series include American Idol's Bo Bice, Grammy nominated Sones de Mexico, Edwin McCain ("I'll Be"), Loudon Wainwright III, "LA Law" stars Jill Eikenberry & Michael Tucker, Lesley Gore ("Its My Party"), Grammy Award-winner Laurie Lewis, Country star and CMA Award-winner BRyan White, Grammy Award-winner Janis Ian and many more. With the diversity of concerts coming up, from country music crooner BRyan White to Broadway legend Ann Hampton Callaway to Leonel "Papo" Ortega's Cubanoson (December 13), the Emelin is the place in Westchester to find great concerts.

About The Emelin Theatre

The Emelin has embarked on a new era to reposition the theatre with an increasing diverse range of programming. The Emelin Theatre is non-profit institution dedicated to enriching the lives of
Westchester residents with a full range of performing arts programs. Since 1972, established artists with international reputations, young rising stars, community performers and children have all graced our stage and become a part of the Emelin family. Our work is made possible by audience support, public and private grants, special benefits and contributions, and Friends of the Emelin.

For more information, please visit: www.emelin.org.

Box Office:
The Emelin Theatre 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck, NY
(914) 698-0098


COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES

In Concert

Ann Hampton Callaway | $45
Oct 25 @ 7 & 9:30 pm
Singer/songwriter and Broadway legend Ann Hampton Callaway premieres songs from her soon to be released album at the Emelin. See it here first! A devoTed Keeper-of-the-flame to the American Songbook, she brings fresh and original interpretations to timeless classics.

Jill Eikenberry & Michael Tucker | $45
Dec 6 & 12 @ 8 pm
Join one of television's all time favorite on screen and off screen couples, "L.A. Law" stars Jill Eikenberry & Michael Tucker, in this clever new show that tells about the courage, heart and humor that it takes to make a marriage work.

Valentine Cabaret | $40
Feb 14 @ 8 pm
An evening of Broadway stars singing about the joys and tribulations of love, insuring an enthralling and entertaining Valentine's date night.

Lesley Gore | $40
Mar 7 @ 8 pm
The most commercially successful solo artist of the "Girl Group" era, with a string of hits, including "It's My Party" and "You Don't Own Me," Lesley Gore dazzled the world with her brilliant pop instincts and independent spirit. Her now-burnished voice deepens everything it touches with the hard-won wisdom of time. "Lesley Gore is back. And this time it really is her party. The former teen idol's voice is better than ever, and especially poignant..." (Philadelphia Inquirer).

Susan Werner | $40
Apr 18 @ 8 pm
Susan Werner composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm. Throughout her expansive career, boundless versatility has emerged as a hallmark of Werner's talent, and has proven to be a quintessential ingredient of her engrossing musical persona. "...a triply blessed artist who sings adroitly, plays the piano smartly and, best of all, writes songs of genuine distinction and high craft" (Chicago Tribune).

Bluegrass

Tony Trischka's Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular w/ Steve Lutke & Appalachian Uprising | $37
Oct 17 @ 8 pm
Avant-garde banjo artist Tony Trischka showcases his first bluegrass solo project in twenty years, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, with Steve Lutke & Appalachian Uprising, the premier bluegrass/newgrass/acoustic string band, opening.

Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands | $37
Dec 5 @ 8 pm
Grammy Award-winner and twice named International Bluegrass Music Association Female Artist of the Year Award-winner Laurie Lewis, along with her band, the Right Hands, bring their renowned concerts filled with musical virtuosity and front-porch friendliness to the Emelin. "Laurie is one of the pre-eminent bluegrass and Americana artists of our time. She spreads her talent over several genres – bluegrass, folk, country – and with the recognition she has within all those fields, I would certainly say she's one of the top five female artists of the last 30 years. And she continues to make great music" (IBMA's Dan Hays).

Dry Branch Fire Squad | $37
Feb 13 @ 8 pm
Founded more than 30 years ago by singer, mandolin-picker, and raconteur Ron Thomason, the present Dry Branch line-up is one of the strongest ever, and continues to reflect the finest in bluegrass music. "There is no band in bluegrass or country music today that captures the soul of American music better than the Fire Squad" (Keith Lawrence, Knight-Ridder Newspapers).

Seldom Scene | $37
Mar 13 @ 8 pm
Seldom Scene showcases songs from their first album in seven years, Scenechronized, which has given them their third Grammy nomination for best bluegrass album. Known for their unique style, such as the addition of a Dobro to their line up and merging rock classics with a bluegrass twist, Seldom Scene has become one of the most influential bluegrass bands of the past 30 years.

John Reischman & the Jaybirds | $37
Apr 17 @ 8 pm
Years of European and North American tours, four critically acclaimed albums, a Juno nomination and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations...little wonder, the buzz around John Reischman and The Jaybirds continues to grow.
Folk

Dar Williams | $36
Oct 4 @ 8 pm
One of the most acclaimed singer/songwriters of her generation, Dar Williams has been engaging audiences with her musical artistry since the early 1990s. She has released seven albums to date, and has toured with artists such as Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin and more.

Loudon Wainwright III | $40
Feb 20 @ 8 pm
Critically acclaimed folk artist Loudon Wainwright III has charmed audiences for generations, having released more than twenty albums, and composing the soundtracks for numerous films, most recently Judd Apatow's Knocked Up. He continues to exemplify the embodiment of contemporary folk.

Janis Ian | $40
May 1 @ 8 pm
Two-time Grammy Award-winner Janis Ian is a formidable talent and a force of nature. Boasting an active recording career spanning more than four decades, it's good to know Ian remains where she started, in the bosom of folk music at its quintessential best. "Ian is as accomplished a singer/songwriter as she ever was, but she handles the highs and lows with the tremendous care of a survivor" (Rolling Stone).

Country

BRyan White | $35
Oct 24 @ 8 pm
BRyan White first burst on to the country music scene in the 1990s, with a string of six number one singles and received such accolades as the CMA's Horizon Award and the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist Award and CMT Rising Star and Male Video Artist of the Year, to name a few. He has sung duets with Wynona,