Works by Paula Vogel, Alex Brightman and More Set for 2017 Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed
by BWW News Desk - Dec 20, 2016
In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 32 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2017 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 18 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.
BWW Review: HAIRSPRAY the Cupcake Way!
by George Brietigam - Nov 22, 2016
On the eve of HAIRSPRAY LIVE!, North Hollywood Arts District's newest theatre exceeds expectations with their production of HAIRSPRAY.
Jason C. Tramm Conducts Puccini's TOSCA, 11/16
by Molly Tracy - Nov 14, 2016
Jason C. Tramm will conduct a concert version of Tosca, Giacomo Puccini's visionary and dramatic operatic masterpiece on November 16 at the South Orange Performing Art Center. Inspired by the French playwright Victorien Sardou's 1887 widely popular play 'La Tosca' (which stared the great Sarah Bernhardt in the title role) Puccini's exquisite music, propelled the veristic tale of an unlikely heroine into one of the most beloved and frequently performed operas of all time.
BWW Review: HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME a Brilliant Miracle
by Trevor Durham - Oct 23, 2016
Once in a very rare moment do you see community art shine, shine like a diamond in the rough, shine like nothing you could have hoped to find there. Rarely can one expect to find New York quality shows in a space outside of the great white way, perhaps Boston or Chicago. Not Broward, never Broward. Some blessings reach far, in the figure of Patrick Fitzwater and Slow Burn Theatre, opening their bright new season with a shock. Under a very exclusive contract, Fitzwater and his team are premiering The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a Disney produced show with only four productions ever produced. The score is one of the most challenging and daunting ever written, the characters dark as Victor Hugo's original novel, and technical nightmares never seen in south Florida. Somehow, through the magic of his performers (and a full choir), Fitzwater puts on a premiere that rivals New York, a show that most have never seen before, certainly one of the greatest productions the state has ever seen.
PLENTY, Starring Rachel Weisz, Extends Again at The Public
by BWW News Desk - Oct 18, 2016
The Public Theater has announced a final extension today for the first major New York revival of PLENTY, written by David Hare. Directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux, the show began performances on Tuesday, November 4 and was originally extended through Sunday, November 20. It will now run through Thursday, December 1, with an official press opening Sunday, October 23.
Sarah Ruhl's New Play SCENES FROM COURT LIFE Opens Yale Rep's 50th Season Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 6, 2016
Yale Repertory Theatre, celebrating 50 years of daring artists, bold choices, and adventurous audiences, presents the world premiere of Scenes from Court Life, or the whipping boy and his prince by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Mark Wing-Davey, now through October 22 at Yale University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is tonight, October 6.
Sarah Ruhl's New Play SCENES FROM COURT LIFE Opens Yale Rep's 50th Anniversary Season Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 30, 2016
Yale Repertory Theatre, celebrating 50 years of daring artists, bold choices, and adventurous audiences, presents the world premiere of Scenes from Court Life, or the whipping boy and his prince by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Mark Wing-Davey, tonight, September 30, through October 22 at Yale University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, October 6.
Royal Court Announces Casting for THE CHILDREN by Lucy Kirkwood
by Liz Cearns - Sep 22, 2016
Francesca Annis, Ron Cook and Deborah Findlay have been cast in Lucy Kirkwood's new play The Children which runs in the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs 17 November 2016 - 14 January 2017 with Press Night on Thursday 24 November. Directed by James Macdonald. With design by Miriam Buether and lighting design by Peter Mumford. "At our time of life, we simply cannot deal with this shit."
The Paul Dresher Ensemble Presents SCHICK MACHINE
by Ashlee Latimer - Sep 10, 2016
The Paul Dresher Ensemble Presents the music theater production Schick Machine September 23-25 on San Francisco's Z Space Main Stage prior to tour. Directed by Rinde Eckert virtuoso percussionist Steven Schick inhabits a fantastical stage filled with huge invented instruments and sound sculptures - including the Hurdy Grande, the Tumbler, the Field of Flowers and the Peacock (a deconstructed pipe organ). After the performance, the audience is invited onstage to engage and explore a kind of audio "maker" sound and visual domain. The production was described at its debut as 'fresh and surprising...often mind-blowing' LA Times
Stages Adds Special Matinee Performance to Grand Finale of 30th Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 31, 2016
Due to unprecedented advance ticket sales, STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce the addition of a special matinee performance to the original Sister Act show schedule. A conscious effort to meet patron demand, this extra show marks the first additional matinee STAGES has put on in its 30 year history. The added performance will be held on Thursday, September 29th at 2pm.
BWW Review: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Fredericksburg Theater Company
by Kathy Strain - Jun 21, 2016
Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC) is a small theater in historic Fredericksburg, Texas between San Antonio and Austin. It's a perfect location to attract patrons from both cities. Beginning its 20th season, FTC opened with DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Having set the bar high from past shows, audience expectations were great. And the audience was not disappointed. The quality of the show was professional and polished and the actors were superb.
Pianist Peggy Stern to Release 'Z Octet' in July
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 13, 2016
Finding inspiration in the physical surroundings of her current hometown of Austin, Texas, and drawing upon what jazz critic Harvey Pekar called her 'fertile imagination' as a pianist, composer, and arranger, Peggy Stern has recorded the deepest and most personal album of her distinguished career, 'Z Octet.' Comprised of several of her most poignant compositions, the recording shapes them into a cohesive work of great beauty, color, and tender emotion. Stern's Estrella Productions will release the CD on July 8.
BWW Interview: We Are All Irish!
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - May 24, 2016
'We are all Irish. Everyone loves the free, spirited, easy come-easy go air of the Irish, and this show makes everyone want to be Irish all the time - not just on St. Patrick's Day.' There is a twinkle in his eye, as Maine State Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Curt Dale Clark, utters those words. Immediately his sentiments are seconded by the show's director/choreographer, Marc Robin, and Portland Stage's Artistic Director, Anita Stewart, all three of whom will be joining forces to create Frank McCourt's play with music, The Irish and How They Got That Way, from August 16- September 4, 2016, at Portland Stage.
SCERA Announces Star Awards Honorees
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 2, 2016
Those who have made significant contributions to the arts in a variety of categories will be recognized for their achievements in enriching the communities and citizens of Utah at the 11th Annual Star Awards held Friday, March 11, 2016 at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem.