Charles Strouse News

Leapin' lizards! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never losing hope. The family-friendly musical Annie will close March 6.

Drury Lane Theatre for Young Adults, 100 Drury Lane, presents the beloved children's classic CHARLOTTE'S WEB from April 6 through May 28, 2011. The production is Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader (Drury Lane Theatre's Thoroughly Modern Millie and My One and Only), with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Roberta Duchak (Drury Lane Theatre's Ragtime.)

The Renaissance Center in Dickson presents a unique production of Annie, Jr., a Broadway Junior version of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, running March 11-20. The Young Entertainers on Stage (Y.E.S.) production is adapted for young performers and is cast entirely with kids from first through 12th grades. The seven-time Tony Award winning musical boasts a hit score that includes 'It's A Hard Knock Life,' 'You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile,' 'Easy Street' and the song used to cheer up children of all generations, 'Tomorrow.'

Annie, the popular Broadway star, takes center stage at the Orpheum Theater this spring in one of the world's most beloved musicals and we hope you will become a part of this wonderful production.

Annie, the popular Broadway star, takes center stage at the Orpheum Theater this spring in one of the world's most beloved musicals and we hope you will become a part of this wonderful production.

Leapin' lizards! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never losing hope.

Grosse Pointe Theatre's Purdon Studio Theatre presents The Exonerated by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank, the compelling true stories of six people who, wrongfully convicted of murder, served harrowing sentences on death row waiting for their own execution.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook, which explores the best of the golden age of musical standards through to the best in current songwriting, will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song.

As we put Valentine's Day behind us and move into the second half of February, I hope you have plans to attend some of the wonderful performances that are happening in the coming weeks at any number of our California Central Coast theatres and live performance venues!

Carolyn Rossi Copeland & AG Funding will present a special invitational reading of the new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, for two performances on Thursday, February 10th and Friday, February 11th at 3 p.m. at The New 42nd Street Studios (229 West 42nd Street)

Access Hollywood reports today that Willow Smith is hopeful that Brad Pitt will play the role of 'Daddy Warbucks' in the upcoming remake of Annie, in which she will star. Pitt has not yet responded to the appeal. As reported yesterday, Deadline.com revealed that GLEE creator Ryan Murphy is in talks to direct the Annie remake, produced by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z and partners, starring the Smith's youngest, Willow.

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. One of the projects being discussed is the re-imagination of the classic Broadway musical ANNIE as a vehicle for Willow Smith to star. The film will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Mr. Carter.

Carolyn Rossi Copeland & AG Funding will present a special invitational reading of the new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, for two performances on Thursday, February 10th and Friday, February 11th at 3 p.m. at The New 42nd Street Studios (229 West 42nd Street)

Award-winning Theatre Aspen is thrilled to announce that its summer repertory season will feature the actress Sandy Duncan, in Steven Dietz's comedy Becky's New Car

Leapin' lizards! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never losing hope.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook, which explores the best of the golden age of musical standards through to the best in current songwriting, will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song. Week Three is a Grammy Awards fest, as three of the four acts are current and past nominees. On February 2nd one can experience life in the Piedmont hills of the Carolinas via the vibrant sound of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. This three-piece string band plays old-time roots music with virtuoso playing of the banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, jug and more. Next up is the crown princess of bossa nova, Bebel Gilberto. Gilberto has taken classic bossa nova rhythms and mixed them with modern pop - for a sound that is up for a Grammy this year. On February 4th perennial Grammy nominee Joan Osborne will perform an emotionally-charged work she has written with Jack Petruzzelli: Love and Hate - A Song Cycle. On February 5th, actress/singer Anika Noni Rose, a Tony winner for Caroline, Or Change, will make her eagerly-anticipated solo concert debut.

Grosse Pointe Theatre's Purdon Studio Theatre presents The Exonerated by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank, the compelling true stories of six people who, wrongfully convicted of murder, served harrowing sentences on death row waiting for their own execution.

Grosse Pointe Theatre presents Relativley Speaking, a witty, charming and beautifully constructed comedy of manners and mistaken identities from one of England's most popular playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn. The show opens with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, January 16 in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road , Grosse Pointe Farms. Relatively Speaking continues with shows on January 20, 21 and 22 at 8:00 p.m., January 23 at 2:00 p.m., and January 26, 27, 28 and-29 at 8:00 p.m.

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. One of the projects being discussed is the re-imagination of the classic Broadway musical ANNIE as a vehicle for Willow Smith to star. The film will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Mr. Carter.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook, which explores the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic songwriting, will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song. Week Two starts on January 26th with a tribute to arguably the greatest songwriting team in American Songbook history: the brothers George and Ira Gershwin. Conductor, arranger and pianist (as well as Artistic Director of the Gershwin centenary) Rob Fisher will lead Victoria Clark (Tony winner for Light in the Piazza) and Norm Lewis (Les Miserables, The Little Mermaid) in a night of gorgeous Gershwin. On January 27th singer/songwriter Shara Worden (from the group My Brightest Diamond) performs her unique blend of vocal music that has her pegged as a star to watch. Week Two closes out with gritty veteran John Doe singing 'real' country, with all its understated empathy and rough poetry. Pfizer is a proud sponsor of Lincoln Center's American Songbook 2011.