Peter Thom News

Friends, something exciting is going on at the Guthrie Theater. In the wake of (not unjustified) criticism about their lack of diversity onstage and backstage, they are currently presenting a 60-year-old play written by Alice Childress, one of the most important female African-American playwrights of the 20th Century, and directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, the first African-American woman to ever direct on a Guthrie mainstage. And I'm happy to report that TROUBLE IN MIND succeeds on so many levels. First of all, it's hilarious, engaging, and entertaining, and offers a behind the scenes look at the theater world we love so well. But more importantly, it talks about racism, sexism, classism, ageism in a smart and nuanced way that has as much resonance in today's world as it did in the 1950s NYC theater world depicted in the play. I was fortunate enough to attend on a night when there was a post-show discussion with the cast, which just made the experience that much richer. The best and most important work of theater is to start conversations about the world we live in, give voice to everyone's stories, and in doing so help us to better understand our fellow human beings. Trouble in Mind, and the conversations it will hopefully spark amongst its audience, is a fantastic example of that.

"China is the 20th country that Hampton has entered, and for the city of Guangzhou, it is not only a strategic city and the 'south gate' of China, but is also the center of politics, economy, science, education and culture of Guangdong Province and the Pearl River Delta. We are especially happy that Hampton by Hilton's flagship hotel has opened in Guangzhou and are confident that the hotel will contribute positively to the development of Guangzhou's tourism industry," said Phil Cordell, global head, Focused Service and Hampton Brand Management, Hilton Worldwide. "It represents a breakthrough for Hampton's development in the China market. With a strong partner like Plateno Group, I have every confidence that the brand will achieve a similar success as in the United States."

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of THE COCKTAIL HOUR, a hilarious and witty comedy that will have audiences shaken and stirred with laughter.

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of THE COCKTAIL HOUR, a hilarious and witty comedy that will have audiences shaken and stirred with laughter.

The Flat Rock Playhouse 2015 season will continue with the hit comedy Over the River and Through the Woods which will run from tonight, June 4th through the 21st at the Playhouse Downtown in historic Downtown Hendersonville.

The Flat Rock Playhouse 2015 season will continue with the hit comedy Over the River and Through the Woods which will run from June 4th through the 21st at the Playhouse Downtown in historic Downtown Hendersonville.

Flat Rock Playhouse and Executive Producer, Pardee Hospital will kick off the holiday season with the Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol on the Clyde and Nina Allen Mainstage beginning tonight, November 20th and running through December 21st.

Flat Rock Playhouse and Executive Producer, Pardee Hospital will kick off the holiday season with the Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol on the Clyde and Nina Allen Mainstage beginning November 20th and running through December 21st. The perennial favorite literally comes to life on the stage in a spectacular new production featuring all the classic elements with a few new twists. It tells the story of bitter old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation resulting from supernatural visits by Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The industrial setting of 19th century England gives way to a story filled with hope and joy with original songs and amazing puppetry. All the well-known characters retell the magical and uplifting story from "Bah! Humbug!" to "God bless us, everyone!"

If 'Every Movie's a Circus,' as a song midway through the first act proclaims, the Short North Stage's season opening production of SUNSET BOULEVARD must be a very grand carnival. The theater group pulls out all the stops as far as color schemes and movie clips go but it is rock solid performances of stars Gina Handy and Chris Shea that brings the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to life.

Full disclosure: I'm a huge fan of Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion. He's the Mark Twain of our generation, and is Minnesota's best export. If A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION is one of the things that Minnesota is most known for, I am proud to be a Minnesotan. So of course, I absolutely love his new play RADIO MAN, the first he's written. I saw a reading of it early this year as part of the History Theatre's Raw Stages festival and loved it then, but this full production, now playing at the History Theatre, is so much more polished and complete, and really a thing unto itself and not just an episode of A Prairie Home Companion on stage. Yes there is the familiar music, the jingles for Powdermilk Biscuits, rhubarb pie, and ketchup, stories from Lake Wobegon, and beloved characters including Dusty and Lefty and Guy Noir. But there's also a story and a character (the host of a radio show called A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION who bears a striking resemblance to Garrison) who we get to know as he reminisces about his past and contemplates his future.

The Luxury Collection, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), announces the opening of The Castle Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalian. Owned by the Dalian Yifang Group and managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, The Castle Hotel marks The Luxury Collection's first hotel in Liaoning, China offering the brand's signature concierge service and indigenous cultural experiences in a majestic urban retreat.

Ascomycetes in Colour by Peter I. Thompson illustrates with colour photographs 700 species from the ascomycota. This book provides the field mycologist with a reference guide for locating and identifying a wide range of ascomycetes, which grow in many different habitats.

Sharon Bush, Philanthropist & Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Teddy Share, Arianna Huffington, Chair, President & Editor-in-Chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, and Joan Vail Thorne, playwright and director, are Women's Project Theater's 2014 Women of Achievement who will be inducted at its 29th Annual Gala Celebration at the Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle, Monday, March 10, at 6:00pm.

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of the beloved American classic, Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, a comedy that kills with kindness. Made famous on the silver screen starring Cary Grant, Arsenic and Old Lace plays at Florida Rep January 10 through 29 with four nearly sold out discounted previews January 7, 8, and 9.

This hilarious and touching story is perfect for the whole family and plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre Dec. 6-22 with four nearly sold out preview performances on Dec. 3-5.

R&B powerhouse Jaheim will appear at Memphis' Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, November 30th as part of his Appreciation Day Tour, which was announced today. 'Timeless, 'Classic' and ' A Return To Real R&B' are just a few of the phrases used to describe singer/songwriter Jaheim's latest release 'Appreciation Day.' Having established himself in the landscape of the music industry, fans and critics alike have come to expect a solid body of work from the seasoned vet, and 'Appreciation Day'does not disappoint. The album sold almost 60,000 copies worldwide in its first week, landing it on the Billboard charts at #3 Urban/#6 overall. Currently available via iTunes, (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/appreciation-day/id684566446) this album taps into the timeless tales of love, loss and the overcoming of life's obstacles. Fans flock to Jaheim's facebook (https://www.facebook.com/officialjaheim) page, raving about each song.

Friday night, July 12, saw the opening of the Guthrie Theater's romantic summer comedy Pride and Prejudice helmed by Guthrie director Joe Dowling. The production is the Simon Reade adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel and features Ashley Rose Montondo (Guthrie: Charley's Aunt, University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program) as Miss Elizabeth Bennet along with Vincent Kartheiser (Guthrie:A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Henry IV; Regional theater: Death of the Novel; Film: Untamed Heart, In Time; Television: 'Mad Men') as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Scroll down for photos from the curtain call and opening night party!

Friday night, July 12, saw the opening of the Guthrie Theater's romantic summer comedy Pride and Prejudice helmed by Guthrie director Joe Dowling. The production is the Simon Reade adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel and features Ashley Rose Montondo (Guthrie: Charley's Aunt, University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program) as Miss Elizabeth Bennet along with Vincent Kartheiser (Guthrie:A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Henry IV; Regional theater: Death of the Novel; Film: Untamed Heart, In Time; Television: "Mad Men") as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for its summertime romance Pride and Prejudice adapted for the stage by Simon Reade based on the novel by Jane Austen in the 200th anniversary of its publication. The production will be directed by Joe Dowling and will feature Erin Krakow (Guthrie: The Importance of Being Earnest; Off-Broadway: The Shanghai Gesture, Prometheus Bound; Television: "Army Wives") as Miss Elizabeth Bennet along with previously announced Vincent Kartheiser (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Henry IV; Regional theater: Death of the Novel; Film: Untamed Heart, In Time; Television: "Mad Men") as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.