George Faison News

Vinnie Favale and Indie Global present staged readings of Hereafter (written by Vinnie Favale and Frankie Keane) on Monday, March 4th and Tuesday, March 5th in New York City. The industry-only staged readings are open by invitation only.

Broadway World [BWW] sat down with Broadway veterans, Lloyd Culbreath and Valarie Pettiford, to discuss their efforts to preserve Bob Fosse's legendary choreography for the next generation of dancers. The pair held an exclusive Fosse Workshop in early February and invited fifty professional dancers to learn the signature style and articulation of Fosse choreography.

With her bright, sparkly, dulcet, sometimes belty tone, her unique, quirky girl-next-door-with-a-twist demeanor, and her background/training in musical theatre (NYUSteinhardt, national tours of Henry and Mudge & If This Hat Could Talk, directed by George Faison), Amanda will be performing mostly originals on guitar. The evening will feature her friend and musical collaborator Walter Thompson (Wicked) on piano, as well as special guests Jeremy Morse (Bloodsong of Love) and Lauren Marcus, who will provide additional vocals.

SIREN'S HEART - Norma Jean & Marilyn in Purgatory, presented by Primal Scenes Productions, continues the seventh month of its open run in February, with one performance a week, Saturdays at 5pm. SIREN'S HEART, which opened on August 5, 2012, 50 years to the day that Marilyn Monroe died, is directed by Lissa Moira. This one-woman Off-Broadway play with music, written & composed by Walt Stepp, stars Louisa Bradshaw, with Gregory Nissen as Musical Director & Arranger & Don Garverick as Choreographer. Set is by David 'Zen' Mansley, Costumes by Ryan Matthieu Smith & Lighting by William Giraldo.

With her bright, sparkly, dulcet, sometimes belty tone, her unique, quirky girl-next-door-with-a-twist demeanor, and her background/training in musical theatre (NYUSteinhardt, national tours of Henry and Mudge & If This Hat Could Talk, directed by George Faison), Amanda will be performing mostly originals on guitar. The evening will feature her friend and musical collaborator Walter Thompson (Wicked) on piano, as well as special guests Jeremy Morse (Bloodsong of Love) and Lauren Marcus, who will provide additional vocals.

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Washington, DC in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

Philanthropist-actress-reality show star Dhonna Goodale is working to ensure that homeless and foster children in Riverhead and surrounding areas have a delightful Christmas. The Flanders resident and her family will be heading up a Christmas Eve shopping excursion to Kmart in Riverhead today from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, where they'll outfit approximately 20 Riverhead-area children from head to toe and purchase toys of their choice.

Philanthropist-actress-reality show star Dhonna Goodale is working to ensure that homeless and foster children in Riverhead and surrounding areas have a delightful Christmas. The Flanders resident and her family will be heading up a Christmas Eve shopping excursion to Kmart in Riverhead on Monday from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, where they'll outfit approximately 20 Riverhead-area children from head to toe and purchase toys of their choice.

SIREN'S HEART - NORMA JEAN & MARILYN IN PURGATORY, now in its fifth month, opened on August 5, 2012, 50 years to the day that Marilyn Monroe died. Lissa Moira directs this one-woman play with music, written and composed by Walt Stepp, starring Louisa Bradshaw*, Gregory Nissen as Musical Director & Arranger, Chris Wade at the piano & Don Garverick as choreographer.

Actress / award-winning playwright Renee Flemings presents a free, staged reading of her acclaimed play "Strange Weather" on Sunday, December 2nd at Harlem's George Faison Firehouse Theatre (6 Hancock Place) at 3:00pm.

Renowned contemporary dance company Philadanco performs an evening of works, entitled …BACK TO BLACK (What is so called 'Black' dance anyway), at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater, Friday-Sunday, December 7-9, 2012. Program highlights include Philadelphia premiere of Matthew Rushing's Moan, Milton Myers' Echoes: A Celebration of Alvin Ailey and Philadanco's signature performance pieces that highlight their bold, precise dance style, Ronald K. Brown's Exotica, and George Faison's Suite Otis.

The Philadelphia Dance Company, affectionately known around the world as PHILADANCO returns to the Joyce Theater October 2-7, 2012, for its annual New York season with an exciting program of works that reflect both the versatility of the dancers and the company's longstanding commitment to working with choreographers in various stages of their careers. The New York 2012 season includes: the World premiere of "Moan" choreographed by Matthew Rushing; the New York premiere of Rennie Harris' "Wake Up"; Ronald K. Brown's "Gatekeepers" and the restaging of George Faison's iconic work "Suite Otis."

It was a starry week at 54 BELOW with performances from Faith Prince and Jason Graae, Maurice Hines and Tonya Pinkins. Among the celebrities who came out for their opening night performances were Elaine Stritch, S. Epatha Merkerson, La Chanze, Liiliane Montevecchi, Donna McKechnie, Ron Raines, Nona Hendryx, Andre de Shields, Adriane Lenox, Jeanine Tesori, Phillip Boykin, Jeff Calhoun, Mary Rodgers, George C. Wolfe, George Faison, Billy Porter, Brenda Braxton, Adrian Bailey, Mark Nadler, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Charles Randolph-Wright and Julie Budd. Check out photos from the events below!

Following two successful Off-Off Broadway runs this past year (2011), SIREN'S HEART - Norma Jean & Marilyn in Purgatory ~ Norma Jean Sings Songs Marilyn Never Sang, will begin performances today, August 5th at 2pm at Actors Temple Theatre. The producer, ASCOLS, LLC, have set the opening for 7pm, August 5th (that same night), 50 years to the day, that Marilyn Monroe died.

Following two successful Off-Off Broadway runs this past year (2011), SIREN'S HEART - Norma Jean & Marilyn in Purgatory ~ Norma Jean Sings Songs Marilyn Never Sang, will begin performances on Sunday, August 5th at 2pm at Actors Temple Theatre. The producer, ASCOLS, LLC, have set the opening for 7pm, August 5th (that same night), 50 years to the day, that Marilyn Monroe died.

Legendary Tony Award-winner George Faison is directing and co-producing the production of Accept "Except" LGBT NY. Performances began on June 21st at the Faison Firehouse Theater " located in Harlem at 6 Hancock Place at West 124th Street between St. Nicholas and Morningside Ave at 7:30pm. The extended run is scheduled for Thursdays - Sundays until July 22nd, 2012.

With her bright and beautiful belt, brilliant, quirky singer-songwriter, Amanda Taraska will present her first solo show at Manhattan's acclaimed Laurie Beechman Theatre. The hour-long concert, featuring musical direction by Wicked's Walter Thompson, will showcase original work by up-and-coming writers Nick Blaemire, Jeff Bowen, Rob Hartmann, Natalie Lovejoy, Robby Sandler and Daniel Green, Dustin Sullivan and Elyssa Samsel, and David Alan Thornton and by beloved musical theatre luminaries Jason Robert Brown, Pasek and Paul, and Stephen Sondheim. Additionally, Miss Taraska will duet with special guests David Alan Thornton, Dustin Sullivan and Nikki MacCallum and debut selections from her own musical catalogue.

Legendary Tony Award winner George Faison is directing a new Equity showcase production of Accept "Except" LGBT NY with performances beginning tonight, June 21st at the Faison Firehouse Theater located in Harlem at 6 Hancock Place at West 124th Street between St. Nicholas and Morningside Ave at 7:30pm. The opening is scheduled for Friday, June 29th at 7:30 p.m. and will run on selected dates through Sunday, July 8th, 2012.