John Mark News

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. announced nominations for the 2011-2012 Atlanta professional theatrical season this evening to an enthusiastic crowd of patrons and theatre industry artists. The Suzi Nomination Party, which rotates venues, was hosted this year by the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA. The spacious lobby allowed guests to enjoy drinks, hors d'ouevres and the chance to congratulate their colleagues. Guest announcers, Atlanta's own funny men Bryan Brendle, Bart Hansard, Tony Larkin, Aurora Theatre artistic director Tony Rodriguez and Scott Warren shared the list of nominees while playfully riffing on the 2011/2012 Atlanta theatre season.

Smokey Joe's Cafe features the songs of Leiber & Stoller and stars Melinda Doolittle, Ryan Greenawalt, Libby Hodges, Harvey Hubert, Laura Matula, John-Mark McGaha, Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez.

Feature film production companies Unitel Productions ("Crying Ladies"), Studio 5 ("Rosario"), multi-award winning screenwriter, film director Chris Martinez ("The Woman in the Septic Tank," "100"), and prolific stage, television, and film music composer, arranger Vincent de Jesus ("Care Divas," "Crying Ladies") join forces to create the groundbreaking movie musical "I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila," which explores four interwoven love stories inspired by 17 songs popularized by the APO Hiking Society, a trio made up of Original Pilipino Music (OPM)luminaries Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo, and Danny Javier.

Nashville's own American Idol finalist-and Belmont Unviersity almuna-Melinda Doolittle leads a cast of powerhouse vocalists in Smokey Joe's Cafe, Studio Tenn's first musical production of its 2012-2013 season, opening September 20 at the historic Franklin Theatre.

Aurora Theatre opens a new season with a new chamber version of the Broadway classic Sweet Charity now through September 2, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Aurora Theatre opens a new season with a new chamber version of the Broadway classic Sweet Charity beginning tonight, August 2, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the production. Check out the video teaser below.

Aurora Theatre opens a new season with a new chamber version of the Broadway classic Sweet Charity beginning August 2, 2012.

Aurora Theatre opens a new season with a new chamber version of the Broadway classic Sweet Charity beginning August 2, 2012.

On the heels of unprecedented ratings success for BBQ PITMASTERS, Destination America greenlights another season of barbecue bliss. Since the network's debut on Memorial Day weekend, on what was formerly Planet Green, BBQ PITMASTERS has helped drive record-setting nights in June. BBQ PITMASTERS is Destination America's #1 original series ever among all key demos: P/W/M25-54, P/M18-49, HH, and P2+ delivery. Additionally, the 9-10 PM timeslot has fueled the success of the network, launching Destination America to rank 21st on Sunday nights among all ad-supported cable for M25-54 delivery, beating networks such as TRAV, ADSM, NGC, G4, H2, VH1, CMT, BBCA, BIO, NBC Sports, NGWD, and others.

Cedille Records, the Grammy Award-winning, Chicago-based independent classical record label, has announced its CD release schedule for the remainder of 2012.

Theatrical Outfit announces its 2012-2013 season. Subscribers save up to $60 over single ticket buyers and get special benefits; to learn more and purchase a subscription, call Ticket Alternative at 1.877.725.8849 or visit www.theatricaloutfit.org.

Houston Early Music presents Chicago-based Trio Settecento, featuring rising star violinist Rachel Barton Pine, tonight, May 4, 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church (2353 Rice Blvd, Houston 77005) in a program of Scottish Baroque classical and folk music. Joining Pine, who will be performing on a violin made in 1770 by Nicola Gagliano, will be harpsichordist David Schrader and, playing a Baroque cello, John Mark Rozendaal, who will present a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. Tickets, $10-35, are available at www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org, or call 281-846-4222.

As the first original premiere on Destination America, the new season of BBQ PITMASTERS premieres with a sneak peek episode airing Wednesday, May 30 at 10 PM (E/P), with regular premieres beginning Sunday, June 3 at 9 PM (E/P).

Houston Early Music presents Chicago-based Trio Settecento, featuring rising star violinist Rachel Barton Pine, Friday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church (2353 Rice Blvd, Houston 77005) in a program of Scottish Baroque classical and folk music. Joining Pine, who will be performing on a violin made in 1770 by Nicola Gagliano, will be harpsichordist David Schrader and, playing a Baroque cello, John Mark Rozendaal, who will present a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. Tickets, $10-35, are available at www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org, or call 281-846-4222.

Four well-known shows and the return of a holiday classic make up the 2012-13 season for Studio Tenn, the professional theatre troupe that calls the historic Franklin Theatre home. Artistic director Matt Logan and managing director Jake Speck made the season announcement during a lively afternoon event, which featured performances from the shows included in the line-up, at the historic theatre in downtown Franklin.

One of Shakespeare's most tragic heroes squares off against literature's greatest villain in a visceral, sexy, hard-driving story of intrigue, betrayal and vengeance, as Iago leads Othello to the edge of jealous madness by sowing seeds of doubt about his wife's fidelity. This classic revenge tragedy comes to life in a modern and edgy adaptation set in the world of motorcycle gangs. This production of Othello will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, the role of Othello will be performed by guest actor Lindsay Smiling, and the role of Iago will be performed by Rep Resident Acting Company Member Gerard Neugent. The Rep's production of Othello is sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company and runs April 3 - May 6, 2012 in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse and previews Tuesday, April 3 - Thursday, April 5, and opens on Friday, April 6.

Pittsburgh Public Theater is presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Freud's Last Session, Mark St. Germain's new play about an imagined meeting between outspoken atheist Sigmund Freud (David Wohl) and Christian writer C.S. Lewis (Jonathan Crombie). Freud's Last Session won the 2011 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play.

One of Shakespeare's most tragic heroes squares off against literature's greatest villain in a visceral, sexy, hard-driving story of intrigue, betrayal and vengeance, as Iago leads Othello to the edge of jealous madness by sowing seeds of doubt about his wife's fidelity. This classic revenge tragedy comes to life in a modern and edgy adaptation set in the world of motorcycle gangs. This production of Othello will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, the role of Othello will be performed by guest actor Lindsay Smiling, and the role of Iago will be performed by Rep Resident Acting Company Member Gerard Neugent. The Rep's production of Othello is sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company and runs April 3 - May 6, 2012 in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse and previews Tuesday, April 3 - Thursday, April 5, and opens on Friday, April 6.

Chicago early music ensemble Trio Settecento will perform a program titled "The Scottish Play" at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church on Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. Closing the Houston Early Music 2011-2012 concert season, the performance will include both classical and folk music from the Baroque period, either composed in Scotland or inspired by the country.