Matthew Clark News

When IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU opened on Broadway in April of 2015, it didn't quite get the reception the producers intended, closing just shy of three months later and receiving zero Tony Awards nominations. But, the producers at Uptown Players saw a hidden gem, and took a chance on this sweet, funny wedding-themed musical – and now local audiences have a chance to take part in the nuptial entertainment.

It was at the time nothing more than a media gaffe when a radio broadcaster called a garrison of Australian soldiers stationed in Libya 'rats in a trap'. In true Aussie spirit, the slight was transformed into a mark of pride and 'The Rats of Tobruk', known for their scavenging and tunnelling became legends of contemporary war story. It proved fertile ground for Writer/Director Chris Huntly-Turner, presenting Rats, a double feature at Old 505 Theatre in Newtown investigating the men on the battleground, and the women defending their homeland, Dirt and Moonshine respectively.

If you look up the definition of the word pulse in a dictionary, or at www.dictionary.com as I did, you find that the third meaning completely resonates with PULSE - A MADCO (Modern American Dance Company) Cabaret Performance, which is a collaborative effort with the UMSL Music Department. The 'rhythmic recurrence of strokes, vibrations, or undulations', captures the spirit and essence of this thoroughly enjoyable experience. While considered a 'work-in-progress', to a degree, I would have to say that it rises well above that plateau to reach considerable heights as an experience into how music and dance intertwine. Music provides the rhythms and sounds that dancers can move or react to, whether balletic, theatrical, or modern, etc, in nature and style. PULSE takes that a step further with a series of five examples of how they can actually interact down to the subtlest note or phrase, and it's set to a score, that was performed with amazing precision, that runs the gamut from classical pieces to newly created ones, to standards, to free-form jazz. A total trip through music and dance itself, divided up into five sections, each featuring a different choreographer, and its own selection of musical choices. It's an absolute success, and it's challenging, playful, filled with moments of both grace and humor, and brimming with athleticism and energy.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has announced full casting for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which begins rehearsals today, Monday 8 June. The production will run at the theatre from 16 July - 29 August with performance for press on 23 July.

Shayna Raichilson-Zadok was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (raised in Buffalo since she was 18 months old) and has been doing theater since the of age 5. She has been on stage at such companies as American Repertory of WNY, Artpark, Theatre for Change, Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions, Subversive and others.

The Pasadena Playhouse has updated the performance schedule for two unusual one-person shows - Amy G in Entershamement and Joe Orrach in In My Corner - to reopen the newly re-designed Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Entershamement has a limited run of five performances, while In My Corner runs for one night only. With these shows, that perform today, May 22 to May 31, The Playhouse is relighting the refurbished Carrie Hamilton Theatre, which has been changed from a proscenium theatre to a black box, and can be configured to accommodate many different kinds of productions.

The Pasadena Playhouse has updated the performance schedule for two unusual one-person shows - Amy G in Entershamement and Joe Orrach in In My Corner - to reopen the newly re-designed Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Entershamement has a limited run of five performances, while In My Corner runs for one night only. With these shows, that perform May 22 to May 31, The Playhouse is relighting the refurbished Carrie Hamilton Theatre, which has been changed from a proscenium theatre to a black box, and can be configured to accommodate many different kinds of productions.

The Footlight Players, South Carolina's longest-producing theatre company, is thrilled to present Twentieth Century, the story of a Broadway director and his quest to woo his former lover and star back to the Broadway Stage. Twentieth Century, by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, is newly adapted by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor). Michael Locklair directs this madcap farce about egomaniacal Broadway director, Oscar Jaffe, who has a twenty hour train ride from Chicago to New York to convince, now Hollywood star, Lily Garland to return to Broadway in his upcoming show. Twentieth Century arrives on stage tonight, May 2 at 8:00 pm and May 3, 8, 9,10,15, 16 and 17 at 8:00 pm with matinees on May 11 & 18 at 3:00 pm.

The Footlight Players, South Carolina's longest-producing theatre company, is thrilled to present Twentieth Century, the story of a Broadway director and his quest to woo his former lover and star back to the Broadway Stage. Twentieth Century, by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, is newly adapted by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor). Michael Locklair directs this madcap farce about egomaniacal Broadway director, Oscar Jaffe, who has a twenty hour train ride from Chicago to New York to convince, now Hollywood star, Lily Garland to return to Broadway in his upcoming show. Twentieth Century arrives on stage May 2 at 8:00 pm and May 3, 8, 9,10,15, 16 and 17 at 8:00 pm with matinees on May 11 & 18 at 3:00 pm.

Birmingham Hippodrome has confirmed Hotel La Tour as a headline sponsor for its fifth Gala Dinner.

The hit West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, announced today that it has extended its booking period by six months until 1 November 2014. The show had previously been booking until 31 May 2014. The production, which has so far been seen by almost 300,000 people since it began previews in May 2013, is extending its run due to popular demand, releasing almost 400,000 extra tickets.

A universal story, uniquely told. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents In My Corner, a singular new play byLizbeth Hasse and Joe Orrach that works boxing, tap dance and music into the story of a street smart, wise guy Puerto Rican kid from New York City who comes of age in the ring and at the barre. Jeremiah Chechik (Benny & Joon, Diabolique) directs Orrach in an exhilarating performance that takes off to the beat of an original score by Matthew Clark, performed live on stage by Clark on piano, Eugene Warren on bass and percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez. In My Corner opened for a nine-week run at the Odyssey Theatre on Sept. 6. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

IN MY CORNER uses boxing, tap dance and music to tell a universal tale of fathers and sons accompanied by the riffs and rhythms of Latin, jazz and rock 'n roll. It is the story of a street smart, wise guy Puerto Rican kid from New York City who comes of age in the ring and at the barre.

Prince George's Little Theatre will lead off its 54th season with the madcap comedy "Twentieth Century" at the Bowie Playhouse at White Marsh Park August 30 through September 15. The six Friday and Saturday evening performances are August 30 and 31, and September 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 8 p.m. The three matinee performances are Sundays September 1, 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, with discount tickets available at $15 for seniors and those 18 and under. For more information, call 301-937-7458.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, begins tonight, May 22, 2013. Opening night is set for June 25.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, has been postponed. The first two previews - scheduled for May 17 and 18, respectively - have been cancelled and performances will now begin May 22 instead of May 23.