Jim Luigs News

Some of Seattle's most talented actors will be hard at work in collaboration with writers from around the country in the rehearsal halls of The 5th Avenue Theatre this month as the company's NextFest: A Festival of New Musicals launches its three week intensive development cycle this weekend.

Donizetti's ebullient comedy The Elixir of Love sets a celebratory tone as Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) 62nd season opener on October 21.

Houston Grand Opera will present four pinnacles of the operatic repertoire during the company's 2016-17 season, which also features the highly anticipated world premiere of It's a Wonderful Life by composer Jake Heggie with libretto by Gene Scheer, and much-loved comedies by Donizetti and Mozart. Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers will lead Gotterdammerung, the final installment of Wagner's epic Ring cycle, featuring a new generation of leading Wagnerians includingSimon O'Neill as Siegfried and Christine Goerke as Brunnhilde. HGO will bring back its popular production of Gounod's Faust, with the HGO debut of international star tenor Michael Fabiano in the title role partnered by Houston favorite Ana Maria Martinez as Marguerite, along with the role debut of prominent bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni as Mephistopheles. The company will celebrate the 30thanniversary of HGO's world premiere of John Adams's pivotal Nixon in China by presenting James Robinson's production, of which HGO is a co-producer, with HGO Studio alumnus Scott Hendricks as Richard Nixon and soprano Andriana Chuchman as his wife, Pat. Patrick Summers will conduct Verdi'sthrilling Requiem, which critics at the time termed "an opera in ecclesiastical robes," with soloists Angela Meade, soprano, in her HGO debut; Sasha Cooke, alto; Alexey Dolgov, tenor; and Peixin Chen, bass; and the HGO Orchestra and Chorus. HGO's 62nd season will open with a whimsical production of Donizetti's buoyant The Elixir of Love, featuring tenor Dimitri Pittas as Nemorino and HGO Studio alumna Nicole Heaston as Adina and led by the eminent English conductor Jane Glover, HGO's 2016-17 Lynn Wyatt Great Artist, in her first HGO appearance. Mozart's zany yet deeply emotive comedy TheAbduction from the Seraglio-featuring Russian coloratura soprano and HGO Studio alumna Albina Shagimuratova as Konstanze and leading American tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Belmonte in HGO's inventive 2002 co-production-will close the main-stage season.  

This season holds a wealth of 'theatre magic' for you! A little frightening, and a lot of fun! Spotlighters tackles a variety of genres, and takes our audiences on some dark travels into the world of politics, feuding families and neighbors, gossipy friends, crime, murder and Dungeon & Dragons.

Fountain Hills Theater will present its 2015-16, 29th season for its three venues, Mainstage, Mainstage Too and Youth Theater as well as our Sizzlin' Summer Stock. Tickets go on sale May 1st, 2015.

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati ends its 90th MainStage Season with DISNEY'S ALADDIN JR., this weekend, April 10-12 and April 18, 2015 at the Taft Theatre.

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati ends its 90th MainStage Season with DISNEY'S ALADDIN JR., April 10-12 and 18, 2015 at the Taft Theatre.

Director and choreographer Kyle Donahue of Fox Valley Repertory and the Youth Ensemble bring Disney's Aladdin Jr. to the Fox Valley Area. Under the musical direction of Debra Stombres, the FVR Youth Ensemble brings this all-time Disney classic of magic, splendor and true love to life on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage August 1-10, 2014 (4051 East Main Street, St. St. Charles).

Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak have announced BrightSide Theatre's 4th Season - 2014-2015 - 'Celebrating Friends & Family' - It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Rumors, and The Sound of Music. 'These three pieces of theatre entertain us as we celebrate what it means to have the love of friends and family in our lives,' explains Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak. From the warmth of the holiday spirit, to the hilarious lengths we go to help our friends, to creating our own loving families as we travel the journey of life - come celebrate at the theatre with friends and family.

Director and choreographer Kyle Donahue of Fox Valley Repertory and the Youth Ensemble bring Disney's Aladdin Jr. to the Fox Valley Area. Under the musical direction of Debra Stombres, the FVR Youth Ensemble brings this all-time Disney classic of magic, splendor and true love to life on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage August 1-10, 2014 (4051 East Main Street, St. St. Charles).

Sam Bass Theatre is pleased to announce its 2014-2015 season full of laughter, drama and song!

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati celebrates its 90th birthday with a world premiere, an educational rock-and-roll spectacular - featuring one of Cincinnati's favorite bands on stage - plus two Disney favorites. The 2014-2015 season includes:

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 9, 2014 - Sunday, March 9, 2014.

On Friday, March 7, Lincoln Center's American Songbook Presented 'Jim Caruso's Cast Party Goes To The Movies,' with two shows at The Allen Room overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park South. Host Jim Caruso and Musical Director Billy Stritch, along with the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (David Katzenberg on bass and Daniel Glass on drums) celebrated the Golden Age of Hollywood with a variety show starring a dazzling roster of friends including Christina Bianco, Jeffry Denman, Natalie Douglas, Clarke Thorell, Marilyn Maye, and Jane Monheit. Jim Luigs directed the festivities. Check out a look back below!

On Monday, March 3, singer/pianist Billy Stritch debuted the first of two Birdland concerts called "I've Got Your Number - The Jazz of Cy Coleman." The next show will take place at the historic music room this coming Monday, March 10 at 7pm. Scroll down for photos!

DAS BARBECÜ IN CONCERT has extended for 2 shows on August 19th and 22nd.

DAS BARBECÜ IN CONCERT is set for tonight, August 12, and contining on the 13th and 14th this week. Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 7:30pm at West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th Street, Seattle, WA 98122. Tickets: $20 - available in advance online HERE. Unclaimed tickets sold to waitlist 5 minutes before curtain.

Originally commissioned by Seattle Opera to accompany their internationally renowned production of Wagner's RING CYCLE, DAS BARBECÜ is a two-hour retelling of Wagner's 'Ring' cycle, specifically the fourth opera, Gotterdammerung, that sets Brunnhilde, Siegfried, Wotan and the gang in the middle of Texas and the 'Valhalla' Ranch. With music by Seattle composer Scott Warrender and book and lyrics by Jim Luigs,BARBECÜ is a witty Texas fable with five actors playing more than 30 outrageous characters at breakneck speed. Songs run the gamut from Broadway to Texas swing, from jazz to twangy country and western. Mismatched lovers who meet on the day of their shotgun double wedding, three generations of feuding families and a magic ring of power make for a fast and furious love letter to Wagner's great epic.