Symphony Space News

Andrew Gerle may be one of the most talented and promising composers/writers for the theatre today that you've never heard of. He launches the new year with an incredible lineup of projects on the horizon: a musical, a play, a new book, a star-studded revue, a concert reading at City Opera featuring an 80-piece orchestra, a recital performance of his work at London's Wigmore Hall, and the first-ever published volume of his songs.

Affinity Company Theater and 3-Legged Dog will present the world premiere of Sheila Schwartz's "SPY GARBO," directed by Kevin Cunningham, in a multi-media production.

Five students from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music will perform February 27 (Sunday), at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The performance is part of the center's Conservatory Project, a weeklong concert series showcasing artists from America's leading music schools.

KEIGWIN + COMPANY will present EXIT, a world premiere choreographed by Artistic Director Larry Keigwin, at The Joyce Theater, March 8 - 13. The evening-length work, inspired by the worlds of fashion and drama, will feature original music by electro-acoustic cellist Chris Lancaster and pianist Jerome Begin. Mr. Begin will perform live. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Tracy Aron, announces the complete cast for the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.

PARADIGM presents a program including World Premieres by Carmen de Lavallade and Gus Solomons, Jr. from April 14 - 16, 2011 at 8pm at Danspace Project, St. Mark's Church, at 131 E. 10th Street (at Second Avenue), NYC.

A trio of outstanding and hilarious judges has been announced for the 5th Smash Year of The Broadway Beauty Pageant: Bruce Vilanch is the six-time Emmy Award winner comedy writer and actor who is one of the most sought after jokesmiths in the entertainment industry. Rachael Dratch is best known for her years as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, and is an award winning comic actress from Second City. Carson Kressley was the fashion expert on Queer Eye, the host of the TV show How To Look Good Naked, and now hosts Carson-Nation on the Oprah Winfrey Network. This not-to-be-missed event will be on Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 8:00 PM, benefiting The Ali Forney Center, NYC's primary housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. The annual show will again be at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street).

Symphony Space announces updates for award winning Selected Shorts Performances.

New music collective Ensemble Pi is pleased to return to The Cooper Union's Great Hall, for its sixth annual Peace Project concert, Echosystem, on Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m.

The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps (LGBAC) Symphonic Band will welcome New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke to the podium during its Spring 2011 concert, Once Upon a Musical Time, to conduct the world premiere of his new piece for concert band. The band will perform this concert, the second in its 31st concert season, on Sat., April 30, 2011 at 8 p.m. in Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.

Five students from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music will perform February 27 (Sunday), at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The performance is part of the center's Conservatory Project, a weeklong concert series showcasing artists from America's leading music schools.

Symphony Space has announced several casting updates for award winning Selected Shorts Performances. Scheduled guests are as follows:

Sonia Manzano and David Rakoff will join host Isaiah Sheffer for Selected Shorts, a celebration of the short story, performed live on Long Wharf Theatre's Mainstage March 14, 2011.

America's foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) will continue its season with a special performance of Trial by Jury along with the musical revue G&S a la Carte on Sunday, March 20th (5PM) at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2535 Broadway at 95th Street).

Two performances of three world music concertos will be held in New York City on Friday, March 18 at 8pm and Saturday, March 19 at 9pm at Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, blending western classical music with folk music and featuring non-traditional instruments played by leading world musicians.

La Catrina Quartet will make its only New York appearances of the season on Symphony Space's Sonidos Series. The acclaimed Mexican-American quartet will be presented in a full-length concert on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. The group will also appear as part of the 'Wall to Wall Sonidos' marathon on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

March comes in like a lion for the 5th Smash Year of The Broadway Beauty Pageant! This not-to-be-miss event will be on Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 8:00 PM, benefiting The Ali Forney Center, NYC's primary housing resource for homeless LGBT youth.

Continuing their mission of developing new works and cultivating the next generation of playwrights, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Artistic Director) will present a reading of David Koteles' The Cook's Tour, directed by Chris Henry. The reading will take place on Tuesday, February 8 at 6PM.The free reading will take place at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30 Street) reservations can be made by calling 212 421-1380.

Verdi's tragic tale of courtesan Violetta Valery is brought to life on the stage of London's Royal Opera House - and on a movie screen near you. La Traviata (or, 'the Fallen Woman,') stars beloved American soprano Renée Fleming in the title role, with tenor Joseph Calleja as her lover Alfredo and bass Thomas Hampson as Germont.

Conductor Daniel Harding, acclaimed for his intense and compelling operatic interpretations, will lead a live broadcast from La Scala of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci at Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theatre on Thursday, January 20 at 2 p.m.