James Robinson News

Tired of Christmas Carol and Nutcracker? Here's a holiday play for those who like their comedy like they like their Christmas chocolate - DARK. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. Artistic Pride Productions brings back their annual production of Eight Reindeer Monologues for FIVE PERFORMANCES ONLY!! All performances at Joria Productions, 260 W. 36th street. Tickets can be purchased for just $18 at theeight2014.bpt.me or call 1-212-252-4076 to make reservations.

AOP (American Opera Projects) and Poets House present a discussion with award-winning poet and librettist J. D. McClatchy followed by a reading of his latest opera libretto The Leopard, based on the acclaimed novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and directed by James Robinson. The discussion will be joined by The Leopard's composer Michael Dellaira and will feature a performance of music from the opera-in-development and a mid-event reception with the artists. The event will take place on Saturday, November 8 at 3 pm at Kray Hall in Poets House (10 River Terrace, New York, NY 10282 in Battery Park City). Tickets are $10, $7 for students and seniors, free to Poets House members and can be purchased at operaprojects.org.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis has just opened a new commissioned work entitled simply '27'. With music by Ricky Ian Gordon and libretto by Royce Vavrek, it brings us into the world of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.

Seven productions tempt opera-lovers in a bright summer season.

Seven productions tempt opera-lovers in a bright summer season.

Now that the San Diego Opera has been saved, they present their 50th Anniversary Season. In the 2015 Season they offer 3-opera subscriptions including La bohème, Don Giovanni and Nixon in China, as well as two very special 50th Anniversary Celebration Concerts. More events are being planned so stay tuned for more exciting offerings. For subscriptions and more information, visit: http://www.sdopera.com/Operas

Ben Edquist, of Houston, won the $15,000 First Prize in the finals of the 2014 Lotte Lenya Competition, sponsored by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music and held on April 12, 2014, in Kilbourn Hall of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Arlo Hill, of New York, won the Second Prize of $10,000, and the Third Prize of $7,500 was awarded to Natalie Ballenger, also of New York.

Fourteen exceptionally talented young singer-actors have been selected as finalists in the 2014 Lotte Lenya Competition. They will compete for top prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 on Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Rochester, New York. Broadway conductor and Encores! music director Rob Berman, 2-time Tony Award winner Judy Kaye, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Artistic Director James Robinson will judge.

Perhaps the most controversial opera of the 20th century makes its Southern California debut when Long Beach Opera (LBO) stages John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer on March 16 and March 22 at the Terrace Theater in downtown Long Beach. This powerful and unsettling work chronicles the 1985 hijacking of the Mediterranean cruise ship Achille Lauro by Palestinian terrorists and the murder of disabled Jewish-American passenger, Leon Klinghoffer. LBO's production is a partner presentation of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 'Minimalist Jukebox' Festival.

Last night, we reported that San Francisco Opera has replaced Mezzo-Soprano Dolora Zajick with Patricia Racette (for the first four performances), then Catherine Cook (in the final two) in the World Premiere 'Dolores Claiborne', premiering September 18-October 4, 2013.

Long Beach Opera's Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek announces the company's 2014 plans to produce five rarely performed 20th and 21st century, “Out Of Bounds,” operas. The new season includes the Southern California premieres of Duke Ellington's “street opera” Queenie Pie and John Adams' controversial The Death of Klinghoffer; An American Soldier's Tale, Kurt Vonnegut 's provocative remake of Igor Stravinsky'sThe Soldier's Tale paired with Wynton Marsalis' jazz-driven A Fiddler's Tale; and a reprise of LBO audience favorite, David Lang's haunting The Difficulty of Crossing a Field. Three of the five composers–Adams, Marsalis and Lang–are actively contributing to today's music scene, while Stravinsky and Ellington made indelible marks on 20th century music.

Long Beach Opera's Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek announces the company's 2014 plans to produce five rarely performed 20th and 21st century, "Out Of Bounds," operas. The new season includes the Southern California premieres of Duke Ellington's "street opera" Queenie Pie and John Adams' controversial The Death of Klinghoffer; An American Soldier's Tale, Kurt Vonnegut 's provocative remake of Igor Stravinsky'sThe Soldier's Tale paired with Wynton Marsalis' jazz-driven A Fiddler's Tale; and a reprise of LBO audience favorite, David Lang's haunting The Difficulty of Crossing a Field. Three of the five composers-Adams, Marsalis and Lang-are actively contributing to today's music scene, while Stravinsky and Ellington made indelible marks on 20th century music.

Magnetic, Terence Blanchard's stunning new album is set for release May 28 on Blue Note Records. The album features ten original songs written by Blanchard or a member of his quintet: saxophonist Brice Winston, pianist Fabian Almazon, bassist Joshua Crumbly, and drummer Kendrick Scott. Magnetic also showcases special guest appearances from bass legend Ron Carter, as well as label-mates saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and guitarist Lionel Loueke.

New York Live Arts is set to present several Re: Awakenings performances as part of the inaugural Live Ideas festival. New York Live Arts' newest program initiative, Live Ideas is an annual humanities festival that will explore a different theme each year over several days. The inaugural festival, The Worlds of Oliver Sacks, will take place from today, April 17 through 21, 2013 and is comprised of more than 20 events, including performances, films and discussions that showcase works of art and spark conversations that engage the prevalent themes in the acclaimed neurologist's works.

New York Live Arts is set to present several Re: Awakenings performances as part of the inaugural Live Ideas festival. New York Live Arts' newest program initiative, Live Ideas is an annual humanities festival that will explore a different theme each year over several days. The inaugural festival, The Worlds of Oliver Sacks, will take place from April 17 through 21, 2013 and is comprised of more than 20 events, including performances, films and discussions that showcase works of art and spark conversations that engage the prevalent themes in the acclaimed neurologist's works.

TV One, which entertains, informs and inspires Black adult viewers, announced today its plans to air theVERIZON'S HOW SWEET THE SOUND ROAD TO GOSPEL GREATNESS: THE FINALE hosted by R&B and gospel music superstar Michelle Williams tonight, March 31, at 10 PM/ET.

TV One, which entertains, informs and inspires Black adult viewers, announced today its plans to air theVERIZON'S HOW SWEET THE SOUND ROAD TO GOSPEL GREATNESS: THE FINALE hosted by R&B and gospel music superstar Michelle Williams on Sunday, March 31, at 10 PM/ET.

GLAAD announced the nominees for the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature -The Regional Opera Company of the Week! This week's featured Opera Company is Opera Colorado in Denver celebrating its 30th anniversary!

The concert will feature the world premier of 'Sea of Tranquility,' specially commissioned to honor the memory of astronaut Neil Armstrong who passed away earlier this year.