David Brooks News

 The Trust for Governors Island announced today this year’s participants in its annual Organizations in Residence program. Through the program, the Trust invites arts and cultural organizations to present public programming and artist residencies inside former military homes. 24 organizations presenting visual art, environmental education, and cultural programming were selected for the 2022 program, which will be free and open to the public from May 1 through October 31, 2022.

Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) continues their gala 25th Anniversary Season with Del Shores’ beloved Sordid Lives.  I say “beloved” because this is the eighth time PCT has presented the outrageous comedy and audiences are snatching up tickets like they’re going to a long awaited family reunion.

The Trust for Governors Island announced today a new exhibition by artist Mark Dion will open as part of its ongoing public art program. Beginning October 8, The Field Station of the Melancholy Marine Biologist will be on long-term view in Building 105, a historic arsenal building located within the Governors Island Historic District. 

Palm Canyon Theatre is back, and I couldn't be happier! Rather than opening post-pandemic with a gigantic blockbuster, they decided on You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and the audiences are the winners from that decision.

After 16 months shuttered by the pandemic, the nonprofit Palm Canyon Theatre is running its first live stage production - You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Players will portray Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang based on the popular comic strip by Charles M. Schultz. The beloved Peanuts Gang characters jump off the page in this colorful and comforting musical. Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, and Snoopy – the dog – experience the joys and perils of childhood in an often thoughtful and enlightened way.

Earlier this month, Dress Circle Publishing released THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4, the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper. Can't wait to get your hands on it? While you're waiting for your copy, let BroadwayWorld hold you over with a special sneak peek from a chapter all about the Golden Theatre.

The Call to Unite is a 24-hour global livestream event that will unite people across the world to celebrate our shared humanity. 

The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, the arts center of the Archdiocese of New York, has announced highlights of its 2020 Spring season, a rich mix of theater, film, music, author's nights, gallery exhibitions, and talk events featuring artists and thought leaders including Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal columnist and author Peggy Noonan; New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks, and Director of The Philanthropy Roundtable's Character Initiative and author Anne Snyder; Director of the Vatican Observatory and President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ; a rousing evening of gospel music from Vy Higginsen's Sing Harlem choir; celebrated composer and big bandleader Darcy James Argue plus the New England Conservatory Alumni Big Band; Tony Award nominee Melissa Errico and multi-award winning New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik; singer, songwriter, and acclaimed clawhammer banjo player Abigail Washburn and genre-bending composer, guzheng virtuoso and vocalist from Beijing Wu Fei; and events tackling thought-provoking topical themes including justice in underserved communities, the protection of immigrants to America, and the inspiration of Sr. Thea Bowman and other Servants of God.

The finest moments of the evening for me were Arthur's speeches, notably his telling of the story of removing Excalibur from the stone and his soliloquy at the end of Act I when he tries to find how to deal with the two greatest loves of his life betraying him, as a man and as the king. Grant's handling of those speeches were a master class!

Just in time for Pride, Palm Canyon Theatre has rolled out a new production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and she is firing on all cylinders! PCT did a knockout production of the show a few years ago and it was so good, I was concerned about the new staging, many new actors, new set, etc. I had no need for worry. The new production is probably even better than the first!

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has appointed Henry Timms. Timms brings with him a deep expertise in the arts and culture, digital, and non-profit sectors as the next President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Chair Katherine Farley announced today. Timms will join Lincoln Center in early May 2019.

The 2019 Kennedy Center Arts Summit: The Human Journey: Creating the Story of US will take place Monday, April 29, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center. The one-day annual convening brings together thought leaders from the arts and related fields to investigate the power and potential of the arts.

Desert Theatreworks has opened its 2018-19 season with a hilariously funny production of SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL. A clever script, great acting by the ensemble cast, great direction, and great set and costume designs ensure that audiences will have a great deal of fun at the dysfunctional Frye family's send-off for their husband and father.

On Wednesday, June 27th from 3:45-5:15 pm, the Aspen Ideas Festival and Theatre Aspen will collaborate for the first time ever on a combination live performance and panel discussion event at the Aspen Music Festival's Benedict Music Tent. The session will examine the historical and social impact that iconic theatre pieces have had in highlighting important social issues such as race, gender and social justice. The panel discussions will be moderated by the renown theatre critic of the Washington Post, Peter Marks, and will feature such participants as David Brooks and Katie Couric.

On Monday, June 4, Wellesley Repertory Theatre (WRT) will host a special performance at 7pm to honor those who have served with free tickets for veterans.

New episodes of Poetry in America will be on public television stations nationwide starting the first week of April and running throughout the Spring.(Check local listings as some stations will debut the series at other times during the spring.)

NBA Hall of Fame basketball star and platinum hip-hop artist Shaquille O'Neal reads the immersive Edward Hirsch poem “Fast Break” about the universal experience of playing basketball in a remarkable new 12-part television series Poetry in America that aims to bring poetry to millions of viewers.

NBA Hall of Fame basketball star and platinum hip-hop artist Shaquille O'Neal reads the immersive Edward Hirsch poem “Fast Break” about the universal experience of playing basketball in a remarkable new 12-part television series Poetry in America that aims to bring poetry to millions of viewers. Watch the trailer here!