Richard Little News

The uncommonly versatile actor/writer/musician Darryl Van Leer has made it his mission to provide inspiration to others. It would therefore be hard to think of a more perfect way for The Marsh to launch Black History Month than with a live performance of his electrifying one-man play, Mandela: Let Freedom Reign, which it will present on MarshStream on Saturday evening, February 6th. From his early life to his epic struggles against apartheid, Nelson Mandela comes to vivid life in this life-affirming performance. An icon of democracy and social justice, Mandela’s life-long dedication to promoting forgiveness and equality are celebrated in this stirring reminder of one man’s incredible impact. Mandela: Let Freedom Reign will be presented at 7:30pm PST on Saturday, February 6th on MarshStream. Van Leer will also appear two days prior to that on Stephanie’s MarshStream at 7:30pm PST on Thursday, February 4th to discuss the play and perform a brief excerpt. For more information, visit www.themarsh.org/marshstream. Also, please note that the performance on February 6th will be live only, and not archived for later viewing. Van Leer is a man of many talents who has enjoyed an exceptionally wide-ranging career. While his theater work has focused primarily on his one-man shows about iconic historic and musical figures, he has also racked up some impressive film and TV credits in ensemble projects, sharing the screen with acting luminaries such as James Earl Jones, Samuel L. Jackson and Rue McClanahan. BroadwayWorld spoke with Van Leer last week from his home base in Nashville, Tennessee.  In conversation, he is instantly and effortlessly engaging, warm and upbeat, and clearly thankful for the opportunity to create and perform works of inspiration. His Kentucky roots are evidenced by the delightfully musical lilt in his speech patterns.

The Wick Theatre has been keeping audiences entertained for months now with their dynamic Supper Club Cabarets, which take place in the grand lobby, but now the time has come to open the doors to the main theatre! The first show will be appropriately, Back Home Again, a John Denver tribute by Tom Becker and his band, who have been featured on PBS.

The Wick Theatre is bringing back live entertainment with a wonderful series of Supper Club events, concerts and theatrical productions.  All safety and social distancing procedures are being followed. For more information and tickets, please visit www.thewick.org or call the box office at 561-995-2333.

Billy Porter is a singer, composer, actor, playwright and director from Pittsburgh, PA. He currently stars as Pray Tell on the FX television series Pose, for which he won an Emmy Award.

Variety reports that Elton John's 'Elton: Jewel Box' album will contain 148 songs, including 60 previously unreleased ones.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has contributed words to a book of artwork by SuperSize artist Morgan Howell.

After record-breaking opening week sales, Rubicon Theatre Company has announced details related to the first event of Rubicon Goes Retro, the company's Safe-Distance Drive-In Theatre Concert Series featuring live 75-minute concerts at the Ventura County Fairgrounds that patrons can enjoy from the safety and comfort of their cars. The concerts feature multimedia, lights, and sound through an FM transmitter.   

After record-breaking opening week sales, Rubicon Theatre Company has announced details related to the first event of Rubicon Goes Retro, the company's Safe-Distance Drive-In Theatre Concert Series featuring live 75-minute concerts at the Ventura County Fairgrounds that patrons can enjoy from the safety and comfort of their cars.

One theatre company in California has found a creative way to change that for their audiences. Rubicon Theatre Company, based in the beachside community of Ventura, has become the first non-profit professional regional theatre in the nation to announce a Safe-Distance Drive-In Theatre Concert Series.

Joe Stilgoe is a well-known pianist, singer and songwriter. Over the past few years, he's turned his hand to composing musicals such as The Jungle Book and The Midnight Gang. The Midnight Gang, based on David Walliams' novel of the same name is currently available online as part of the Chichester Festival Theatre at Home series. We spoke to Joe about his career and how he is spending lockdown.

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

The Colony Theatre in Burbank has announced The Colony Comedy Series - Hosted by Damon Williams, three evenings of non-stop laughter beginning on Friday, April 17, and continuing on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, August 22. Curtain will be at 8pm for all three shows.

Raue Center For The Arts invites you to come onboard! Raue Center has announced a special fundraising event perfect for Valentine's Day! Stargazers Ball: The Love Boat will leave port at 6 p.m. on February 15, 2020.

On Saturday, January 11, I had the pleasure of seeing THREE PIGS at the Downtown Cabaret Children's Theatre in Bridgeport, CT.   This was an excellent start to a new decade of theatrical experiences!  The stellar cast brings their A game to this Chris Gensur adaptation of this classic children's tale. 

On Stage At Kingsborough, a leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to present its Spring 2020 season featuring world class artists from around the globe.On Stage At Kingsborough brings high caliber performing arts to Southern Brooklyn, with a diverse roster of artists spanning multiple genres including cabaret, dance, music, and family programming.

Concord Theatricals has announced that it has secured exclusive worldwide licensing rights to Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk's new musical The Mad Ones. The show is now available for licensing at: samfren.ch/PerformMadOnes

From November 21st-24th, Judson Theatre Company will be presenting a production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actor Alan Campbell, who will be starring in the role of Sir Wilford Robarts.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Have you heard of her? Maybe not (I know I hadn't before last night). But even if you're unfamiliar with her, you're more than likely familiar with one of the many artists she's influenced. Artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Little Richard to name just a few. But that's kind of the point of the show, a?oeShout Sister Shout!a??, currently playing at the Seattle Rep. A show that tells the story of the a?oeGodmother of Rock n' Rolla??, and how we need to recognize these artists that have been whitewashed and mansplained from history. But even beyond that, you want to catch this for the insanely powerful performance of Carrie Compere as Tharpe, who will have you rockin' in your seat as she tears the roof off the Rep.

The Segal Centre has another hit on it's hands with the North American Premiere of the pop/rock musical, MYTHIC. Directed by Brian Hill, this energetic production has already been extended through November 24, 2019.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actress and singer Bridget Everett about Prince's legendary 1984 album Purple Rain. They also discuss Bread, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, Little Richard, Lillias White, The Life, Tina Turner, Kiki & Herb, Murray Hill, Allison Janney, Brooks Ashmanskas, RuPaul, karaoke, lowbrow brilliance, and finding solace in music. Bridget talks about growing up with six siblings and how she found her way from Kansas to New York's electrifying downtown scene. Bridget can be seen in a number of TV shows such as Inside Amy Schumer, Lady Dynamite, Unbelievable, and Camping, as well as the upcoming AJ and the Queen on Netflix.