John Downey

The world is growing again for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), which returns to international touring July 10 - 19 with a visit to Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Members of the 'Pro99' movement of Actors' Equity Association have issued an open letter to AEA's newly elected president, Kate Shindle, in response to her victory and to her inaugural address as president of the national union for actors and stage managers. The open letter is signed by over 400 Equity members (listed below), including such notable names as Ed Asner, Francis Fisher, Sally Kirkland and Alfred Molina. The 'Pro99' movement formed in late 2014 in opposition to AEA's rollout of a new plan that will effectively force 'intimate theaters' in Los Angeles to pay Equity actors minimum wage, go 'non-union' or even close - despite an overwhelming vote against the plan by 66% of the Los Angeles membership on an advisory referendum. 'Pro99' members around the nation, who take their name from the current AEA '99 Seat Plan' that allows members to volunteer in smaller venues, oppose AEA's new promulgated plan. They are requesting that Equity leadership put a moratorium on the plan until local members' voices can be heard, and that the union work with its members to develop an alternative plan that will more realistically address the needs of the Los Angeles theater community.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra presents two concerts this weekend at Shattuck Music Center Auditorium at Carroll University, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra presents two concerts next weekend at Shattuck Music Center Auditorium at Carroll University, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra presents the first of three Spring Concerts today, May 6, 2012, at 3:00 PM, in Uihlein Hall of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra presents the second of three Spring Concerts on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 7:00 PM, Shattuck Auditorium, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha, on the Carroll University campus, featuring MYSO's acclaimed Chamber Orchestra, the Flute Chorale and String Orchestras North and South performing works of Verdi, J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and more.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra presents the first of three Spring Concerts on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at 3:00 PM, in Uihlein Hall of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

On Monday night, April 16, 2012, The Point Foundation honored Edward Albee and Focus Features at their fifth annual New York Gala. BroadwayWorld.com was on hand at Pier Sixty to capture the event honoring current and future champions of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

'The Golden Gays', this fall's runaway hit Drag Musical Spoof and Tribute is back in 2010 with their first tour. The elderly girls jaunt will begin with a grand reopening of the show at the Meta Theatre (Melrose and Fairfax in Hollywood) January 22nd - January 30th.  The Fab Five men in gals clothes then take the ribald musical parody to a brand new 200 seat venue in Palm Springs at the Temple Isaiah Pavilion on Alejo for one weekend only February 5th, 6th and 7th.  After a two-week rest of their tired old bones, the girls will perform their little hearts out to attendees in South Beach at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Boulevard.  All the original cast members of the show expected to make the trip barring any unforeseen health issues prominent with this vulnerable demographic.  The Miami Dates are February 26th, 27th and 28th 2010.

'The Golden Gays', this fall's runaway hit Drag Musical Spoof and Tribute is back in 2010 with their first tour. The elderly girls jaunt will begin with a grand reopening of the show at the Meta Theatre (Melrose and Fairfax in Hollywood) January 22nd - January 30th.  The Fab Five men in gals clothes then take the ribald musical parody to a brand new 200 seat venue in Palm Springs at the Temple Isaiah Pavilion on Alejo for one weekend only February 5th, 6th and 7th.  After a two-week rest of their tired old bones, the girls will perform their little hearts out to attendees in South Beach at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Boulevard.  All the original cast members of the show expected to make the trip barring any unforeseen health issues prominent with this vulnerable demographic.  The Miami Dates are February 26th, 27th and 28th 2010.

'The Golden Gays', this fall's runaway hit Drag Musical Spoof and Tribute is back in 2010 with their first tour. The elderly girls jaunt will begin with a grand reopening of the show at the Meta Theatre (Melrose and Fairfax in Hollywood) January 22nd - January 30th.  The Fab Five men in gals clothes then take the ribald musical parody to a brand new 200 seat venue in Palm Springs at the Temple Isaiah Pavilion on Alejo for one weekend only February 5th, 6th and 7th.  After a two-week rest of their tired old bones, the girls will perform their little hearts out to attendees in South Beach at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Boulevard.  All the original cast members of the show expected to make the trip barring any unforeseen health issues prominent with this vulnerable demographic.  The Miami Dates are February 26th, 27th and 28th 2010.

"The Golden Gays", this fall's runaway hit Drag Musical Spoof and Tribute is back in 2010 with their first tour. Along with the tour comes some exciting additions. Vic Carmona will play the twisted Therapist who suggests "Drag Therapy" to his 4 patients and sets up the original plot for this new tribute. In addition to the LifeGroup Los Angeles, the show will add some other charities including the Aids Assistance Program ( Palm Springs), and Certified Humane (Humane Farm Animal Care Nationwide). The show runs in Los Angeles for six performances only: January 22nd,23rd,24th, 29th, 30th, and 31st. It then moves on to Palm Springs for 3 performances February 5th, 6th and 7th. More details can be found at www.thegoldengays.com

A number of versions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL have popped up in the Los Angeles area this holiday season. Hal Landon Jr. has portrayed the role of Scrooge for 30 seasons at the South Coast Repertory. Portraying Scrooge has become somewhat of a signature role for Landon Jr.

gay apparel: A Christmas Carol adapted and directed by Jason Moyer Lyric Hyperion Theatre through December 20

'The Golden Gays', this fall's runaway hit Drag Musical Spoof and Tribute is back in 2010 with their first tour. The elderly girls jaunt will begin with a grand reopening of the show at the Meta Theatre (Melrose and Fairfax in Hollywood) January 22nd - January 30th.  The Fab Five men in gals clothes then take the ribald musical parody to a brand new 200 seat venue in Palm Springs at the Temple Isaiah Pavilion on Alejo for one weekend only February 5th, 6th and 7th.  After a two-week rest of their tired old bones, the girls will perform their little hearts out to attendees in South Beach at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Boulevard.  All the original cast members of the show expected to make the trip barring any unforeseen health issues prominent with this vulnerable demographic.  The Miami Dates are February 26th, 27th and 28th 2010.

Diehard fans of TV's The Golden Girls will love this cute spoof called The Golden Gays. Yes, its humor could be more rollicking and spicy - this is a Nite Club after all - and it should be a tad shorter, but I had a great time and loved the cast, especially John W. McLaughlin as Dorothy/Damian and John Downey III as Blanche/Blaine.