David Johnson News

Today FringeArts President and Producing Director Nick Stuccio and Artistic Producers Katy Dammers and Zach Blackwood announced the programming for two new FringeArts festivals. Blue Heaven presents twelve distinct comedy acts over two days this February 1 and 2. High Pressure Fire Service runs from March through June and features six new productions-five world premieres and one expanded remount-from some of Philadelphia's preeminent performers. These exciting new platforms expand FringeArts' already rich roster of programming-the flagship fall Fringe Festival, contemporary circus festival Hand to Hand, and year-round music, comedy, and cabaret performances-and further its mission to present world-class, contemporary performing arts that challenge convention and inspire new ways of thinking.

On Sunday, October 27th, Theatre West presented a beautiful new addition to the urban art landscape in Los Angeles with the unveiling of local artist Levi Ponce's latest mural featuring Judy Garland. Painted in full color and pictured with the Emerald City behind her, the portrait immortalizes one of the most beloved singers of all time in her signature role - Dorothy Gale from the classic 1939 MGM musical, THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Food Network gets competitive this August testing contestants of all ages and abilities on their cooking, grilling and baking skills! Kicking off the action on Sunday, August 5th at 8pm is the premiere of Ultimate Summer Cook-Off hosted by Eddie Jackson and featuring six competitors taking on America's summertime favorites in a bid for the grand prize and backyard bragging rights. Then, it is the grand finale of Food Network Star when Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay crown the winner on Sunday, August 5th at 9pm. Then, a new season of Kids Baking Championship begins on Monday, August 6th at 9pm, when hosts Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman give nine young bakers the chance to compete for the title and $25,000 prize. Cupcake designer Ashley Foxen is taking viewers inside her New York City bakery, where she is known for making some of the most unique and imaginative cupcakes in the world, on the new seriesReality Cupcakes premiering with back to back episodes on Monday, August 6th at 10pm and 10:30pm. Next,Anne Burrell and Robert Irvine are putting a new class of recruits through the ringer on a new season ofWorst Cooks in America premiering Sunday, August 12th at 9pm. Two serious summer competitions come to an epic close when a final winner is named on the season finales of Chopped: Grill Masters on Tuesday, August 28th at 9pm and The Great Food Truck Race on Thursday, August 30th at 9pm. Andrew Zimmern is keeping the food truck spirit alive as he searches the country for the most passionate food truck owners with a secret prize of $10,000 on the line in the all-new series Big Food Truck Tip premiering Wednesday, August 29th at 10pm. Also in primetime, catch new episodes of Beat Bobby Flay, Comfort Food Tour, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy's Grocery Games and Triple D Nation. In daytime,get the latest recipes, food trends and kitchen secrets on the new series Let's Eat premiering Sunday, August 12th at 11am. Also in daytime, don't miss premieres of Girl Meets Farm, The Kitchen, The Pioneer Woman and Trisha's Southern Kitchen. FoodNetwork.com serves up all-new series, summer recipes perfect for Labor Day and fun back to school snacks. Join the Food Network conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat Discover.

The breakdown of Pageant: The Musical Comedy Beauty Contest, is simple. Six contestants from across our vast country are competing for the title of Miss Glamouresse (Glamouresse being a cosmetics company).

 The MacDowell Colony has awarded fellowships to 84 artists from 18 states and six countries, from Colorado to Virginia and from Portugal to Nigeria. They are working in seven disciplines, and 43 percent identify as culturally diverse while 56 percent are women. The fellowships are for upcoming summer residencies at one of the nation's leading contemporary arts organizations. 

Particularly in light of the 2016 documentary I Am Not Your Negro, author and civil rights activist James Baldwin is garnering new attention and appreciation for his astute analyses of race, class, and sexuality in U.S. culture. Our reading group will take up his groundbreaking semi-autobiographical first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953). Attendees are invited to read this seminal text that brought mid-20th Century African-American literature out of the shadow of Richard Wright while deftly exploring the post-Civil War Great Migration, its southern roots, its religious inflections, and its generational tensions. The suggested edition is the most recent paperback (ISBN 978-0345806543). Traditional New Orleans fare of coffee and beignets at Muriel's Jackson Square with lively discussion to follow led by Festival favorite and Southern literary scholar Gary Richards. Seating is limited to 50 persons; pre-registration is required.

'A Good Farmer,' by Sharyn Rothstein, is currently on stage at Center SOPAC through Sunday, February 4th. Produced by American Theatre Group and expertly directed by Kel Haney, it is an outstanding production that raises awareness of matters that immigrants and family farmers face in our country. See it and talk about it. This is an important piece of theatre.

It's what's on the inside that counts. THE UGLY ONE by German playwright Marius von Mayenburg skewers that idea, and Nu Sass brings us an energetic take on the satirical play. Renata Fox directs actors who embrace their roles with effervescence, three out of four of them playing multiple characters, while colorful lighting by E-Hui Woo enhances the absurdist atmosphere.

The Doghouse opens its doors to Discovery Channel in the all-new series GEAR DOGS (WT), premiering Monday, September 4 at 10pm ET/PT.

The Doghouse opens its doors to Discovery Channel in the all-new series GEAR DOGS (WT), premiering Monday, September 4 at 10pm ET/PT.

USITT is seeking nominations for the 2018 Rising Star Award sponsored by LDI/Live Design. The award honors early-career professional designers in lighting, sound, scenic, or projection for outstanding work in one or more of these fields.

A sold-out crowd gathered at the Benedum Center as Pittsburgh CLO honored Allegheny County's finest high school performers at the 27th Annual Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

VH1 today announced three new specials will be premiering this May to give fans an inside look into the LOVE & HIP HOP: ATLANTA and BLACK INK CREW franchises. 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: Joseline's Special Delivery' Premieres Monday, May 1 at 8PM ET/PT

Discovery Channel announced today it has ordered HOUSE OF CARS (working title) to air as part of the network's iconic Motor Mondays line-up. The series, produced by Coolfire Studios, is an original unscripted series that proves building cars isn't just for the pros - it's for anyone who thinks they have what it takes to test their chops on a big build.

James Bundy, Dean/Artistic Director has announced the appointment of Shaminda Amarakoon as Chair of the Technical Design and Production Department and Director of Production at Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre for a three-year term effective July 1, 2017.

Highwood Theater in Silver Spring has been providing education in a 'community-produced' environment for more than 10 years, but recently has moved into producing professional theater in their new black box theater. I applaud the work that founder and Executive Director Kevin Kearney has been doing and the organization he has created.

The Highwood Theatre is taking off with the hilarious comedy BOEING BOEING, continuing its 2016-2017 season: January 27, 28 & February 3, 4 at 8:00 pm; January 29 & February 5 at 2:00 pm at The Highwood Theatre in Downtown Silver Spring.

The Highwood Theatre is taking off with the hilarious comedy BOEING BOEING, continuing its 2016-2017 season: January 27, 28 & February 3, 4 at 8:00 pm; January 29 & February 5 at 2:00 pm at The Highwood Theatre in Downtown Silver Spring.