City Center News

The Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF) is expanding its support of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) by joining a group of prestigious sponsors for the second season of the well received American Songbook at NJPAC. Hosted by Ted Chapin and airing on New Jersey's public television NJTV, the series features live performances of America's finest interpreters of the Great American Songbook on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 7pm and Sunday, September 21 at 3pm. Slated to appear are Marilyn Maye, Tommy Tune, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, John Pizzarelli, Nellie McKay and Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana, with John Pizzarelli performing an entire show of songs by the great master himself, Johnny Mercer.

Superstar duo Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard are set to host the inaugural television broadcast of the AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS

Encores! Celebrates Rodgers and Hammerstein and Hart, New York City Center's annual Gala on October 27, 2014, will feature the music and lyrics of Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Lorenz Hart

On Friday, October 24 at 7:30pm, Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street -- between Rivington & Delancey) will proudly present the World-Premiere presentation and Special Equity Showcase production of MAMA ROSE, a solo performance art/experimental play with music about Rose Waits, a woman from Buffalo who could have ruled the world if they had let her.

the cell, A Twenty-First Century Salon, along with the 1st Irish Theatre Festival, A Celebration of the Best of Irish Theatre presented by Origin Theatre Company, presents THE MCGOWAN TRILOGY, a series of one-act plays by award-winning writer Seamus Scanlon. Directed by Kira Simring, Artistic Director of the cell, THE MCGOWAN TRILOGY will play a strictly-limited engagement from today, September 11th - October 5th at the cell (338 West 23rd Street).

Classes for Kids and Teens are back this September at The Ailey Extension in conjunction with the new school year and National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Starting Sunday, September 7th, tailor-made classes will bring dance and fitness to young people, including: Tiny Steps, a unique experience for 2-year-olds, Hip-Hop 4 Kids (ages 7-11), and the Teen Extension Series (ages 12-17), with ballet, jazz or hip-hop. Weekly classes are taught in a “no-pressure” environment allowing students to gain confidence not only in their dancing abilities, but in themselves.

BalletCollective will present two world premiere ballets that showcase the company's commitment to artistic collaboration on October 29 and 30 at NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square. The program will also include The Impulse Wants Company (2013). All three works will be accompanied by live music performed by the ensemble Hotel Elefant and feature lighting design by Brandon Stirling Baker.

Monica Bill Barnes & Company and Ira Glass, host of This American Life, will present their show Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) for a three-night-only run, tonight, September 10, through September 12 at 8pm. Since April 2013, they've been on a 30-city national tour, appearing in one or two cities per month.

Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere co-production of The Country House, the new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, begins previews tonight, September 9, and opens Thursday, October 2 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The Country House is produced in association with the Geffen Playhouse.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will open their 2014-15 season with Olives and Blood at the Nafe Katter Theatre October 2nd - 12th. Written by Michael Bradford, this new play stars Martin Sola as Juan Luis Trescante Medina, the aging fascist who claims responsibility for the murder of poet-playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, played by Nicholas Urda.

The Joyce Theater Foundation and The National Ballet of Canada today announced the casting for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, having its New York premiere at the David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center today, September 9 - 14, 2014.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center play reading series, that features the Tony Award-winners for "Best Play" since the award's creation in 1948, continues with this months' reading of Arthur Miller's Death of Salesman on Friday, September 12 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 each. The Nakd Stage Play Reading Series features actors with scripts in hand, no sets, costumes or props. It's all about the words.

Amalgamate Dance Company presents ADC'S 4th Guest Artist Showcase: See and Be Seen, September 14, 2014. The show is produced by ADC to highlight NYC-based professional dancers. The G.A.S. provides dancers the unique environment to network, hone their craft, and work closely with professional choreographers.

From September 18-28, 2014, Houston Ballet offers up its fall mixed repertory program titled From Houston to the World with ballets choreographed for Houston Ballet dancers. Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo brings wit and humor to the extreme virtuosity that he demands in ONE/end/ONE. Edwaard Liang's deeply spiritual ballet Murmuration also returns. Closing the program is Stanton Welch's vivid and exciting interpretation of the third act of Paquita, showcasing a breathtaking display of technique and classical skill. Houston Ballet will give six performances of From Houston to the World at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets start at $20, and may be purchased at www.houstonballet.org, or by calling 713 227 2787.

Longtime arts patrons Ann and William Van Ness welcomed guests to their art filled townhouse for a very special kickoff cocktail reception for the committees and honorees of the upcoming ROLEX presents NEW YORK NEW YORK a helluva town - Career Transition For Dancers' 29th Anniversary Jubilee which takes place Monday, October 6, 2014 followed by dinner at The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. Scroll down for photos from the soiree!

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is pleased to announce the award-winning, internationally recognized jazz vocalist and recording artist Cyrille Aimee will be the featured performer during the Cultural Trust's Gala tonight, September 6, 2014, performance being held at the O'Reilly Theater located in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

Broadway Entertainment Group in association with New Adventures are delighted to announce that one of the most popular dance productions ever staged, MATTHEW BOURNE'S multi award-winning hit 'SWAN LAKE', will extend its current UK tour internationally from this month, September 2014. The show will visit the Tokyo Theatre Orb, Shanghai Cultural Square, Singapore Esplanade, the Regent Theatre, Melbourne and the Theatre Royal, Sydney.

Broadway leading lady Elena Shaddow makes her 54 Below solo debut tomorrow, September 6, in an exciting evening dedicated to her favorite contemporary composers. Below, check out a clip of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's 'One Second and a MIllion Miles' as performed by Shaddow (who stood by for the role of Francesca) and composer Jason Robert Brown.

On Monday, October 6, 2014 five-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara and Drama Desk nominee Steven Pasquale will perform an intimate benefit concert titled Kelli O'Hara and Friends at 54 Below, located at 254 West 54th Street. The evening is a joint benefit in support of PopsEd Programs at Ronald McDonald House® New York, which provide creative outlets to the children and families in residence. Hosted by Steven Reineke, Music Director of The New York Pops, the evening will also feature performances by children participating in the PopsEd programs at Ronald McDonald House® New York, along with some special surprise guests. The benefit will start with a champagne reception at 5:30PM followed by dinner and a performance at 6:30PM.