Brian Prather News

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues." 

It's been 80 years since Bessie Smith, the celebrated Empress of the Blues, died a lonely death, after an auto accident on a desolate Mississippi road. Contrary to legend, Smith did not bleed to death after being refused admission to a white Southern hospital. That story was related to Down Beat magazine by Columbia Records impresario John Hammond, who later apologized, saying that it was all based on hearsay. But her injuries were severe enough so that when she was taken to the nearest hospital (which happened to be one that accepted blacks), that she was beyond saving, and died at the young age of 43.

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues."

NewArts, a nonprofit organization based in Newtown, CT, is producing its first winter production - Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - in partnership with Walnut Hill Community Church.

Beautiful melodies fill Capital Repertory Theatre with director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill's staging of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner's "Camelot." The musical's score is composed of lush, romantic, and memorable tunes that help to move along the somewhat flawed book.

About Face Theatre launches 2016-17 Season with a reimagining of Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE, the Tony, Pulitzer Prize and Lambda Literary Award-winning play first developed at AFT back in 2003. Traditionally staged as a one-person play performed by a male actor, Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff's new exploration will feature transgender actress Delia Kropp with three additional actors. I AM MY OWN WIFE will play now through December 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

NewArts, a nonprofit organization based in Newtown, CT, is producing its first winter production - Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - in partnership with Walnut Hill Community Church.

About Face Theatre is pleased to launch its 2016-17 Season with a reimagining of Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE, the Tony, Pulitzer Prize and Lambda Literary Award-winning play first developed at AFT back in 2003. Traditionally staged as a one-person play performed by a male actor, Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff's new exploration will feature transgender actress Delia Kropp with three additional actors. I AM MY OWN WIFE will play November 4 - December 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at aboutfacetheatre.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 pm.

About Face Theatre will launch its 2016-17 Season with a reimagining of Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE, the Tony, Pulitzer Prize and Lambda Literary Award-winning play first developed at AFT back in 2003.

Can a great man also be a good man? Is a person defined by the impact they make on the world or by the impact they make on those they love? Does the importance of a piece of art or a scientific breakthrough outweigh the personal actions of the artist/scientist? These are some of the questions that are tackled in the opening production of TheaterWorks 31st season, RELATIVITY by Mark St. Germain.

TheaterWorks presents RELATIVITY, a new play by Mark St. Germain directed by Rob Ruggiero. RELATIVITY is the first show of TheaterWorks 31st Season and will run tonight, October 7, through November 13, 2016.

About Face Theatre is pleased to launch its 2016-17 Season with a reimagining of Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE, the Tony, Pulitzer Prize and Lambda Literary Award-winning play first developed at AFT back in 2003. Traditionally staged as a one-person play performed by a male actor, Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff's new exploration will feature transgender actress Delia Kropp with three additional actors.

Penguin Rep Theatre, the award-winning theatre in Stony Point, New York, under the leadership of Artistic Director Joe Brancato and Executive Director Andrew M. Horn, closes its 2016 season with the New York premiere of Daniel's Husband by Michael McKeever from September 23 through October 16, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

TheaterWorks announced today the full cast and creative team for RELATIVITY, a new play by Mark St. Germain directed by Rob Ruggiero.

Penguin Rep Theatre, the award-winning theatre in Stony Point, New York, under the leadership of Artistic Director Joe Brancato and Executive Director Andrew M. Horn, closes its 2016 season with the New York premiere of Daniel's Husband by Michael McKeever from September 23 through October 16, 2016. In Daniel's Husband, Mitchell and Daniel are the ideal couple, everything but married. Mitchell does not believe in marriage; Daniel does. "When their life together takes a shocking and unexpected turn," says Mr. Brancato, who will stage the production at Penguin Rep, "we learn about the power and pain of love in this breathtaking new play."

About Face Theatre will launch its 2016-17 Season with a reimagining of Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE, the Tony, Pulitzer Prize and Lambda Literary Award-winning play first developed at AFT back in 2003.

NewArts, a nonprofit theatrical production organization in Newtown, CT, is producing its sixth and seventh shows for its summer, 2016 season incorporating nearly 200 children from the Newtown area onstage, backstage and in the orchestra as a continuation of its mission to use the performing arts to promote healing and strength. NewArts was founded by local parent, Michael Baroody, M.D. and brings in a talented team of nearly 20 theatre professionals including Broadway-level directors, choreographers, music directors, designers, producers, and technicians to guide the children in this endeavor of creativity, collaboration and community.

Kendra Ellis-Connor is living every mother's worst nightmare. Her son is missing. It's now four o'clock in the morning and she's at the police station trying to get answers. The officer working the nightshift is useless, her ex-husband isn't picking up his phone and the speculations are beginning to consume her. Her son's disappearance and the station's lack of information raise questions. Kendra has a hunch why. Both she and her son are black. American Son, a new play by Christopher Demos-Brown which ran at the Barrington Stage Company from June 17 through July 9, 2016 is a turbulent parable of America's systemic racism.

BWW Reviews: BUYER & CELLAR at Penguin Repertory Theatre

Kristin Piacentile is currently starring as Janis Joplin in A Night with Janis Joplin at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, NY, where she portrays the legendary singer for three performances per week.