Margaret John News

Audiences of all ages can hum along to their favorite songs like 'Edelweiss,' 'My Favorite Things' 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' and title song 'The Sound of Music' when Central City Opera (CCO) brings to Denver one of the most popular Broadway productions of all time, The Sound of Music. Rodgers and Hammerstein II's Tony Award winning musical, which was also an Academy Award winning movie, is Central City Opera's final production for the 2014 Festival. The Sound of Music will be performed at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex for seven performances only from August 2 through August 10. Directed by Ken Cazan, who also directed CCO's critically acclaimed production of Dead Man Walking this summer, The Sound of Music will be performed in English with a full live orchestra. Single tickets range from $30 to $106.

The LakeArts Foundation will present the World Premiere of TROPHIES, a unique collaborative performance piece that blends sculptural masks by Roland Gebhardt, choreography by Mercedes and music by Moondog, performed live by HalfMoon Consort, under the direction of Louis Nicolia. It will be performed tonight, June 26 at Jack Hanley Gallery.

Actors' Theatre Grand Rapids (www.atgr.org) is pleased to announce the upcoming productions of their 34th season. Known for providing West Michigan with the best works of contemporary theater, the 2014-15 Season exemplifies this commitment.

The LakeArts Foundation will present the World Premiere of TROPHIES, a unique collaborative performance piece that blends sculptural masks by Roland Gebhardt, choreography by Mercedes and music by Moondog, performed live by HalfMoon Consort, under the direction of Louis Nicolia. It will be performed on June 26 at Jack Hanley Gallery.

The audience might have a hard time telling the good guys from the bad guys in 'Sin, Sex & the C.I.A.,' the next show in Hanover Little Theatre's (HLT's) 65th season. This laugh-out-loud farce is written by Michael Parker and Susan Parker, authors of last season's hit comedy 'Sex Please, We're Sixty.'

The audience might have a hard time telling the good guys from the bad guys in 'Sin, Sex & the C.I.A.,' the next show in Hanover Little Theatre's (HLT's) 65th season. This laugh-out-loud farce is written by Michael Parker and Susan Parker, authors of last season's hit comedy 'Sex Please, We're Sixty.'

Villanova Theatre presents The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics written by Adam Guettel, directed by Dr. Valerie Joyce, PhD., and on stage today, April 1-13, 2014. A mother's need to protect her daughter comes in conflict with her desire to set her free into life, love, and happiness. Triumphant, gorgeous, and courageous, Villanova's production of The Light in the Piazza proves that love truly can conquer all.

Villanova Theatre presents The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics written by Adam Guettel, directed by Dr. Valerie Joyce, PhD., and on stage April 1-13, 2014. A mother's need to protect her daughter comes in conflict with her desire to set her free into life, love, and happiness. Triumphant, gorgeous, and courageous, Villanova's production of The Light in the Piazza proves that love truly can conquer all.

The audience might have a hard time telling the good guys from the bad guys in 'Sin, Sex & the C.I.A.,' the next show in Hanover Little Theatre's (HLT's) 65th season. This laugh-out-loud farce is written by Michael Parker and Susan Parker, authors of last season's hit comedy 'Sex Please, We're Sixty.'

The entire cast of thirteen sang with pure feeling, and the rafters rang with their astonishing voices.

Like a beautiful painting Adam Guettel's The Light in the Piazza is a true work of art. With discordant music not unlike that of Stephen Sondheim, written for a small chamber orchestra, feelings of love - from all kinds of people -fuel passionately. Without the right actresses to play the American mother and daughter visiting Florence, the play loses its fragility and inner beauty. This production could not be more divine. Patti Cohenour as Margaret Johnson and Erin Mackey as her decidedly different daughter make sparks fly with their glorious acting and singing.

Truly one of the most elegant, though underrated musicals of the new century, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA---now on stage in a lovely new production at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through February 23---follows the uneasy journey that a loving, though over-protective mother must embark on when her daughter discovers the wonderfully vulnerable world of adult love. Filled with a gorgeously sweeping score by Adam Guettel and an insanely talented cast, this Italian journey surely ranks as one of the best, most attractive musicals SCR has mounted in recent years.

An Italian vacation, young love and a parent's heart-rending decision are all part of the award-winning Broadway hit, The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, and based on the novel by ElizaBeth Spencer. Directed by Kent Nicholson, The Light in the Piazza runs today, Jan. 24-Feb. 23 on SCR's Segerstrom Stage.

Christine Andreas brings her much hailed and highly anticipated Cabaret 'be-Mused' to The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs tonight, January 18 at 8:00 pm.

Christine Andreas brings her much hailed and highly anticipated Cabaret "be-Mused" to The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs on Saturday, January 18 at 8:00 pm. Ms. Andreas first captured New York City theatre-goer's hearts and became a bonifide star in the 20th anniversary production of MY FAIR LADY as Eliza Doolittle (Theatre World Award); followed by the revival of OKLAHOMA!, as Laurey, working with Billy Hammerstein & Agnes deMillle (Tony Nomination); and ON YOUR TOES, as Frankie Frayne, directed by the legendary director George Abbott, (Tony Nomination). The LA Times called her "a mesmerizing musical presence".?I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Andreas about her upcoming Cabaret Performance at The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, and all things "Christine". Here are a few excerpts from that interview.

An Italian vacation, young love and a parent's heart-rending decision are all part of the award-winning Broadway hit, The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, and based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. Directed by Kent Nicholson, The Light in the Piazza runsJan. 24-Feb. 23 on SCR's Segerstrom Stage. Tickets are available online: www.scr.org. Check out photos of the cast below!

An Italian vacation, young love and a parent's heart-rending decision are all part of the award-winning Broadway hit, The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, and based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. Directed by Kent Nicholson, The Light in the Piazza runs Jan. 24-Feb. 23 on SCR's Segerstrom Stage.

South Coast Repertory has announced its upcoming shows, January through April 2014. Details below!

An Italian vacation, young love and a parent's heart-rending decision are all part of the award-winning Broadway hit, The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, and based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. Directed by Kent Nicholson, The Light in the Piazza runs Jan. 24-Feb. 23 on SCR's Segerstrom Stage.