Alliance Theatre News

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. A co-production with ALLIANCE THEATRE at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs tonight, November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

The South Florida Theatre League's Remy awards, named in honor of Remberto Cabrera, the former Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs' Senior Cultural Administrator and Chief of Cultural Development, are given annually for Outstanding Service, and for Pioneering in South Florida regional theatre.

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines(Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. A co-production with ALLIANCE THEATRE at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater. Check out the photos below!

Christmas Canteen 2013 is Aurora Theatre's original annual holiday musical revue. Gwinnett County's longest running theatrical holiday tradition combines the sentimentality of a television variety special with the high energy of a USO show. This feast for the eyes and ears is resplendent with nostalgic music that will evoke warm holiday memories. For thousands of North Georgians, it's just not Christmas until they hear their Canteen favorites. Fun for the whole family, Aurora's Christmas Canteen is the perfect way to get the spirit of the season stirring or quite simply…a Cup of Eggnog for the Holiday Soul.

Replace your regular holiday tradition with a Dad's Garage tradition - kicking classic theatre in the tookus! After five years of success, the award-winning Dad's Garage Ensemble will be returning to the stage starting Friday, Nov. 29 at 8pm (this time to Fabrefaction Theatre and The Alliance) to skewer the quintessential Christmas play - A Christmas Carol!

Coming on the heels of its successful 18th season City Theatre announces the appointment of Mcley LaFrance to the position of Assistant Artistic Director, Joy Finer as Operations Director, and Melody Fakhourie as Director of Development.

You already know you're going to love Mamma Mia! now on stage at the Fisher Theatre, through November 10. The wildly popular musical takes the massive worldwide hits from ABBA and weaves them into a compelling story about life, love and dreams.

Back for its 15th Anniversary Production, Horizon Theatre Company turns 'ho ho ho' into 'ha ha ha' as it reprises its popular production of The Santaland Diaries by award-winning satirist David Sedaris. The perfect laughter-spiked antidote to the holiday blues, Creative Loafing calls this non- traditional, adult-only, Christmas comedy 'a fiendishly exhilarating, politically incorrect send-up of the holidays.'

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Alliance Theatre's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns November 29, 2013 for its 24th production. The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a tradition for many families around the southeast. Opening night is Wednesday, December 4, 7:00 p.m.

The Kennedy Center presents the world premiere production of Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! in the Family Theater from November 23 to December 31, 2013. Commissioned by the Kennedy Center, the play is written by six-time Emmy Award-winner and popular children's book author Mo Willems and directed by Jerry Whiddon, with music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. The production features a live, four-piece band on stage. Press opening performance is Saturday, November 23 at 4pm. The performance on Saturday, December 28 at 11am is sensory-friendly. Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! is recommended for ages 4 and up.

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. will be honoring Del Hamilton and Faye Allen, founders of 7 Stages Theatre, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's 9th annual awards ceremony today, November 4. This is a relatively new category of recognition, given for an outstanding body of work by an Atlanta theatre artist, playwright or producer having a significant impact on the theatre community and voted by the Board of Directors. Along with the original request that Del and Faye be considered for this commendation, multiple endorsements acknowledged the long-term impact both had in developing Atlanta's vibrant and diverse theatrical community.

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. will be honoring Del Hamilton and Faye Allen, founders of 7 Stages Theatre, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's 9th annual awards ceremony on Monday, November 4. This is a relatively new category of recognition, given for an outstanding body of work by an Atlanta theatre artist, playwright or producer having a significant impact on the theatre community and voted by the Board of Directors. Along with the original request that Del and Faye be considered for this commendation, multiple endorsements acknowledged the long-term impact both had in developing Atlanta's vibrant and diverse theatrical community.

With the Broadway Fall season in full swing, and a constant need for replacements, there is a solid group of performers making their Broadway debuts this Fall. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!

Goodman Theatre announces the complete line-up for its 2013 New Stages festival, this year celebrating Latino playwrights. Three staged readings-The Rooster Room by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes, Feathers and Teeth by Charise Castro Smith and Another Word for Beauty by Jose Rivera-complement the previously-announced two fully-staged workshop productions, The Upstairs Concierge by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz and The Solid Sand Below by former Goodman Theatre Playwrights Unit member Martin Zimmerman.

Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area cabaret star Craig Jessup in concert with A SWELL NOËL. This special holiday engagement plays for six performances only, December 17-22, at Aurora Theatre Company's intimate second stage cabaret performance space, Harry's UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. Tickets ($23-32) may be purchased directly from the Aurora Theatre Company box office by calling (510) 843-4822 or online at auroratheatre.org.

Dr. Barbara Ann Teers's National Black Theatre (NBT) will open its 45th Season with the New York Premiere of The Last Saint On Sugar Hill, written by Keith Josef Adkins and directed by Seret Scottannounced NBT's Director of Theatre Arts Program, Jonathan McCrory. Preview performances begin tonight, October 29th at NBT, 2031 Fifth Avenue starting at 7:30pm. The opening night is set for Friday, November 1st at 7pm. The production will run through Sunday, November 24th.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and the Alliance Theatre are coming together to provide Atlanta with a new "pop-up" nightlife scene at the Woodruff Arts Center. The venue, Soundstage, will be open on the first Friday of every month, and will be launched in conjunction with the Atlanta Symphony's inaugural "First Fridays with the ASO" concert on Friday, November 1, 2013.

Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company announce the upcoming Atlanta Premiere of David Mamet's Race directed by John Dillon. Race will run from February 25 - March 23, 2014 at Fulton County's Southwest Arts Center located at 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331.

UP Comedy Club has announced its remount of Porchlight Music Theatre's smash hit, BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy. BEST MUSICAL! was developed in 'Off the Porch' Porchlight Music Theatre's new works development program. BEST MUSICAL! will run October 2 - November 6, 2013 at the UP Comedy Club, located at 230 W. North Ave., 3rd Floor of Pipers Alley.

Popular music icon Barry Manilow reflects on the recent out-of-town tryout of his new musical HARMONY and looks ahead to the future for the project - and his own forthcoming endeavors - as part of a new blog post on his official Facebook page.