Thumbs Up! 1934 - Articles Page 13

A new stage play about the life of acclaimed author Helen Forrester is heading to Warrington this month.

The lineage of 'The Algonquin Cat' dates back to 1932, when a stray cat wandered into The Algonquin Hotel in New York City and was adopted by the hotelier. Now a new illustrated children's book 'Matilda, The Algonquin Cat' (Wyatt-MacKenzie, OCT 2016) illuminates the daily routine of Manhattan's most celebrated feline concierge, while paying homage to The Algonquin Hotel's long-held tradition of hosting authors, journalists, and actors, most notably the 'Algonquin Round Table.'

Dadigan, hosted an eclectic list of current/former child stars (some reuniting with other cast members for the first time in years) and other VIP guests for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they preview the 'Child Stars - Then And Now' exhibit, which will be open to the public through December.

Dadigan, hosted an eclectic list of current/former child stars (some reuniting with other cast members for the first time in years) and other VIP guests for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they preview the 'Child Stars - Then And Now' exhibit, which will be open to the public through December.

Deadline reports that truTV has renewed its top-rated series IMPRACTICAL JOKERS for a 26-episode sixth season, scheduled to premiere in 2017.

Theatre in Toronto is moving and shaking. This city has a consistent flow of productions year-round, but the summer is a particularly exciting time to celebrate home-grown work. On June 27, the 2016 Dora Mavor Moore Awards took place at the Harbourfront Centre. The ceremony recognizes Toronto-based creators in theatre, dance and opera spanning 48 categories. I had the honour of attending the awards on behalf of Randolph Academy and was reminded of how diverse, vibrant and hard-working our theatre community is. Many post-Dora commentators regarded Bruce Dow's outstanding job as host. His undeniable humour did not deter from socially charged commentary on the state of our community's compensation. Bruce also directed the audience's attention to the world stage, advising that artists must continue to unite globally in the wake of political events happening around the world. The breadth of work being created in this city is astounding. Repeatedly, I heard award recipients talk about persistence in this industry. Years and years of creative trial have led to works formally recognized. It is a profession worth its weight in blood, but worth every beautiful drop. I left the awards wanting to see more theatre, learn more about the veterans in the room and take a whole list of people out for coffee.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) has announced the line-up of new musicals for their 28th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 2016 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

Before a word is spoken, our show starts on our sturdy pirate ship as a raging storm throws us from one side of the "boat" to the other. At this point in our process, the tumultuous weather looks a lot like a group of guys rolling around on the floor, but that's nothing a of week of rehearsal and some great lighting can't fix! From this point forward, we arrre in "go" mode until we open. Yesterday was our last real day off until opening night and it sort of feels like we arrre actually heading into a crazy storm of our own.

Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, the hit comedy written by Matt Murphy, based on the best-selling book by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman, is about to get even sexier.

As Clubbed Thumb kicks off it's annual Summerworks collection, THE TOMB OF KING TOT is the second play in the line up, described as a comedy with a twist. An actor, musician and illustrator, Nick Choksi is no stranger to the arts, starring in KING TOT, his second Summerworks production. This fall, he'll be making his Broadway debut in NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. BroadwayWorld sat down with Choksi to learn more about his work.

The Met's new production of Richard Strauss's ELEKTRA is something to behold, with Vincent Huguet recreating the original by the late Patrice Chereau from France's Aix-en-Provence Festival. Starring the glorious Nina Stemme in the title role--and backed by the stellar performances of Waltraud Meier as Klytamnestra, Adrianne Pieczonka as Chrysothemis and Eric Owens as Orest--this is a cast that would be hard to better. Add to it conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen's insightful, propulsive performance with the great Met orchestra. And, yet, there was…something missing: catharsis--no burst of rapture and the urge to jump up and applaud.

There are quite a few advantages of getting old, despite what many people may believe: the well-worn worries of youth are whisked away in the leveled way more mature people live their lives, self-dictated rules and personal boundaries are set as people come into their own and emotions are at bay as people gradually accept and even embrace the monotone way in which their lives are lived. Youth can still be kept alive and may even be sought after, but that shouldn't be too strenuous a task, right? Ha, no. After seeing the workings of the Academy of Performing Art's newest production of Social Security, where insecurities run rampant, youth is a perpetual theme in hilarious unforeseen ways and basically nothing is secure, the irony of this show's title alone is bound to excite and surprise anyone one believes that youth cannot be rekindled in the old at heart.

Point/counterpoint: As if to set off its trio of Elizabethan tragedies by Donizetti, the Met is presenting two of the master's comedies. First up: DON PASQUALE, and it was a pip. (The other is L'ELISIR D'AMORE.) Too bad the Met underestimated its appeal, because it had a truncated run of only five performances. Judging by the audience reception, they could have done more--certainly if tenor Javier Camarena was at bat.

Actor Training - Alba Technique's Patricia Angelin invites trained actors to cry on cue at NYU Gallatin's 'Dreaming the Americas' summit.

This season, the Royal Shakespeare Company celebrates not only the 400th anniversary of the death of their namesake, but also that of Miguel de Cervantes, with a brand new adaptation of Don Quixote. After a lifetime of reading books on chivalry, Don Quixote decides to embark on a quest of his own. Taking up a lance and sword, he sets out to become a wandering knight, defending the helpless and vanquishing the wicked. Hopelessly unprepared and increasingly losing his grip on reality, he travels across Spain accompanied by his faithful and equally ill-suited squire. With each calamitous adventure they experience, the romantic ideal of Quixote's books seems further away than ever.

'In Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial,' author, Robert Thornhill, continues to ask the question, 'Are we being poisoned?' Investigative reporter, Jack Carson, has been murdered, but by whom? Police arrest mob boss Carmine Marchetti, but Walt is convinced that it was the work of government assassins, sent to silence the reporter before he could expose a clandestine program that for decades had been spraying deadly chemicals into the atmosphere for weather control and defense. Will justice prevail or will the government's dirty little secret remain hidden? Lee Ashford of Reader's Favorite writes, 'Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial by Robert Thornhill is another brilliantly-conceived mystery/comedy novel from the biographer of Walt Williams and creator of the Lady Justice series of contemplative tales. As fresh and timely as all the stories in this series, Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial tackles a troubling theory gaining traction just below the surface of public consciousness. 'Whether truth or fiction, the subject matter of this story - and its immediate predecessor, Lady Justice and the Conspiracy - will have readers surreptitiously peering beyond their curtains at the sky above. 'Once again we find the intrepid Walt Williams, senior citizen extraordinaire, right in the thick of a dangerous situation. As the body count rises, Walt understandably fears for his safety and the safety of his loved ones. This time he may have bitten off more than he can chew. 'Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered whether the government is perhaps not always forthcoming with 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth' in its response to requests for information. 'Has our government conspired to foist a deadly top-secret program on our planet, or is this just an imaginative and witty tale? It will give you an adrenaline rush, regardless of what you ultimately believe. It will also give you something to think about. 'Robert Thornhill has a noteworthy talent for crafting compelling tales ripped from the headlines of our daily newspapers. Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial will grip you from beginning to end and may well color your dreams at night. 'Five stars and two thumbs up for Lady Justice and the Conspiracy Trial.' Robert began writing at the ripe old age of 66 and in six years has penned twenty-two novels in the Lady Justice series, the seven volume Rainbow Road series of chapter books for children, a cookbook and a mini-autobiography. During the past year, nine volumes in the Lady Justice series reached the #1 rank in the book's category on Amazon.

THE WIZ LIVE director Kenny Leon texted his running critique to GREASE: LIVE helmer Thomas Kail!

More Fraggles than Wiggles, more Soul Train than Thomas the Train, 23 Skidoo is equal parts Dr. Suess and Dr. Dre!

Hey, all you YOUNGER fans! Guess what?! Sutton Foster, Miriam Shor, Hilary Duff and the whole Empirical/Bed-Stuy gang is back! Last we saw them her, Liza she had her cover blown with Josh, but, because she had that irresistible charm, Josh pledged to continue dating her, anyway. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how that'll all play out this season, especially in terms of how well he'll keep her secret. Because…. 

Channing Tatum channeled his inner Queen Elsa of Arendelle for his performance of FROZEN's 'Let It Go' on last night's episode of SPIKE TV's LIP SYNC BATTLE

FROZEN star and Broadway alum Josh Gad gave props to STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS on Instagram today after the film surpassed FROZEN's all-time box office record with $1.29 billion globally over the Disney animated musical's impressive $1.28 billion in 2013. Scroll down for Gad's post!

Little did Frank Baum realize in 1900 when he wrote the book, THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, that he was creating a cottage industry. 'Chachkas' such as snow globes, stuffed Toto dogs and figurines of the characters dot many a household. Clothing, including red crystal shoes, checkered gingham 'Dorothy' dresses and Halloween costumes galore, relate aspects of the tale.

Valley Forge Casino Resort (1160 First Avenue) kicks off the holidays with an all-star lineup for Thanksgiving Weekend. Legendary rock favorites 38 Special brings four decades of timeless arena-rock to King of Prussia on Black Friday, November 27, 2015. Experience Howard Stern alum and MadTV's Artie Lange as you have never heard him before on Saturday, November 28, 2015. All shows will take place in the Event Center and start at 8:00pm (doors open 7:00pm). Tickets for 38 Special are available on Ticketmaster for $34, $40 and $70, and tickets for Lange are available on Ticketmaster for $35 and $50.

I forgot how funny THE GOOD WIFE is. How quick, and how cheeky. This is a fun show. The hour goes really fast when you're enjoying all the side-eye/eye-rolls/grimaces that these characters dish out to each other, whether they're mother and daughter, nearly-friends, or scheming political partners.