Ron Jones News

 Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney today announced the appointment of two new members, Elysa Hotchkiss and Thom Panto, and two new apprentices, Lilliana Hagerman and Naomi Hergott to the Kansas City Ballet Company. Additionally there are 10 new members of Kansas City Ballet's Second Company comprised of KCB II dancers Ivan Braatz, Nikolas Gaifullin, Aaron Steinberg and Goldie Walberg and Trainees Miranda Dafoe, Lindsay Dekleva, Elizabeth Dennen, Melanie Jensen, Zoe Stein, and Kara Troester. High resolution photos can be downloaded here.

A womanizer's call to get his life in order is challenged by an unstable woman from his past seeking revenge. Love's Gonna Get'cha was written and directed by Ron Jones Jr. and stars an ensemble cast of talent including Brandon Woodson, Rebekka Bryant, Christian Daigle, Wendell Vaughn, Shanna Richards and Hope Penns.

A womanizer's call to get his life in order is challenged by an unstable woman from his past seeking revenge. Love's Gonna Get'cha was written and directed by 2015 Fade to Black Finalist Ron Jones Jr. and stars an ensemble cast of talent including Brandon Woodson, Rebekka Bryant, Christian Daigle, Wendell Vaughn, Shanna Richards and Hope Penns.

Actor's Equity Association artists Ron Jones, Celeste Roberts, Joel Sandel, David Grant, Nick Henderson and Lauren Smith will produce Houston's first Equity Showcase production, the Houston premiere of Tennessee Williams' rarely produced THE MILK TRAIN DOESN'T STOP HERE ANYMORE.

While it addresses a most timely issue and would likely do well on the educational circuit, the production is unfortunately lacking in, well (it must be said)…theatricality.

Last night I had the privilege to go to the 3rd annual FADE TO BLACK playwright's festival. Houston has its share of fringe events, but there wasn't a playwright's festival celebrating the works of black playwrights until Denise O'Neal conceived the FADE TO BLACK festival. In their 3rd year of operation, the FADE TO BLACK festival is on the rise and serves as a platform for the creative voices of black theatre artists of the future. Not only do the playwrights get the chance to show their work, actors and directors have an opportunity to flex their creative muscles. An esteemed panel of judges read a lot of plays and narrowed it down to 10 titles that were rehearsed and presented last night.

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company today announced that its 2015-16 season will include a world premiere, as well as a return engagement of one of its earliest shows. The full season lineup includes the Houston premiere of THE DROWNING GIRLS by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and Daniela Vlaskalic; a reprise of Mac Wellman's DRACULA; the world premiere of DOLLFACE by Katharine Sherman; and a special surprise show to be announced later this fall. The season wraps up with the company's eighth annual MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION.

KNOW THEATRE and the CINCINNATI FRINGE FESTIVAL present Back to Back Cincy Fringe Encores from Jon Kovach and Unity Productions, This Monday, November 17, Unity Productions brings back not one but two Cincinnati Fringe Festival Encore shows, performed back-to-back by masterful local performer Jon Kovach.

After years of working with artists such as Rachael Yamagata, Amadeus Leopold, The Trans Siberian Orchestra, Peter Cincotti, and countless others, Or Matias is gathering friends to join him in performing his original music for the first time in NYC. Guest artists will include Chloe Lowery (Yanni, The Trans Siberian Orchestra), Phillipa Soo, Catherine Brookman, and Luke Holloway (all members of the recent hit pop-opera Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812).

After years of working with artists such as Rachael Yamagata, Amadeus Leopold, The Trans Siberian Orchestra, Peter Cincotti, and countless others, Or Matias is gathering friends to join him in performing his original music for the first time in NYC. Guest artists will include Chloe Lowery (Yanni, The Trans Siberian Orchestra), Phillipa Soo, Catherine Brookman, and Luke Holloway (all members of the recent hit pop-opera Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812).

Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company has a successful history of presenting Houston audiences with bold and innovative theatre, offering patrons an altogether edgy theatre-going experience. In addition to their 2014-2015 mainstage season, Mildred's Umbrella has just kicked-off their four play series entitled The Women's Project with CASSANDRA by Katharine Sherman. The Women's Project will feature plays that are written by a female playwright, or contain thematic elements that explore the feminine perspective. Furthermore, a portion of proceeds from each of the productions in The Women's Project series will be donated to local charities dedicated to women's issues. Taking time out of her schedule, Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jennifer Decker, met with us to fill us in on what Houston Audiences can expect from Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company's 2014-2015 Season.

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company has added a four-play series entitled THE WOMEN'S PROJECT to its 2014-15 season to highlight the company's ongoing commitment to equal representation in the performing arts.

The Marsh announces the extension of TIPPED & TIPSY, a hilarious look at life as seen from behind the bar, written and performed by Jill Vice. This 2013 'Best of Fringe' winner, originally scheduled to run through April 6, is now held over through May 17 at The Marsh San Francisco. Written by Jill Vice and developed with and directed by David Ford, TIPPED & TIPSY plays Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 7pm at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia Street. For tickets ($20-$35, reserved seats $50) the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, held their 28th Annual MAC Awards celebration last evening at BB King's Blues club in Times Square. Winners in twenty-five categories were announced. The show was hosted by the vivacious singer, band leader, multiple MAC Award winner and 2014 Nominee, Terese Genecco. The gala was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, the current MAC President. Don Rebic served as Musical Director. Presenters included Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal and designer Bob Mackie. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners.

As Mildred's Umbrella continues to grow, we proudly bring you another season of Premieres, as well as our Museum of Dysfunction Play Festival as we always do... but this year we've added our WOMEN'S PROJECT, which will be four short-run productions, designed to give up-and-coming female artists a chance to create art with us while also raising awareness of local women's charities.

The Marsh announces that Geoff Hoyle's hit solo show GEEZER will extend at The Marsh Berkeley through April 26, following its current sold-out run previously scheduled to close March 1. This vivid look at NOT "going gentle into that good night" by one of the era's most acclaimed physical comedy actors will play Thursdays at 8pm and Saturdays at 5pm at The Marsh Berkeley Main Stage, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For tickets ($25-$50), the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. All proceeds from the final performance Saturday, April 26 (tickets $50-$100, include reception) will benefit The Marsh.

Nic Rouleau, currently starring in The Book of Mormon on Broadway, and Donna Vivino, who played Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked, will sing songs from brand new musicals in the Cutting-Edge Composers concert at 54 Below on 2/17 at 9:30pm.

Solo performer Jill Vice brings her 'Best of Fringe' award-winning show TIPPED & TIPSY to The Marsh. A hilarious and touching send-up of American bar culture, TIPPED & TIPSY plays March 1 - April 6, 2014, with performances Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 7pm at The Marsh Studio Theater at 1062 Valencia Street. (Press opening is Sunday, March 9.) For tickets ($15-$50), the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.