For more than half a century the name Florence Foster Jenkins has been guaranteed to produce explosions of derisive laughter. Not unreasonably so, as this wealthy society eccentric suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano when she was in fact incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Nevertheless, her annual recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton hotel brought her extraordinary fame. As news of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity. Her growing mob of fans packed her recitals, stuffing handkerchiefs in their mouths to stifle their laughter—which Mrs. Jenkins blissfully mistook for cheers. The climax of her career was a single concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944. Famously, it sold out in two hours. SOUVENIR, by turn hilarious and poignant, tells her story through the eyes of her accompanist, Cosme McMoon. Faced with her boundless certainty, Cosme comes to revise his attitude, not only towards her singing but to the very meaning of music itself. As the play ends the audience enters her world completely, finding there the beauty she'd heard in her head all along. SOUVENIR is a musical odd-couple for the ages.
McCarter Theatre Center announces the complete cast of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, directed by Rebecca Taichman. A co-production with Washington, D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre Company, Twelfth Night begins performances in the Matthews Theatre on Tuesday, March 10 and runs until March 29. (Press opening Friday, March 13).
Shipwrecked in a foreign land without family, friends or possessions-what's a girl to do? Identity is under siege in the labyrinth of misconceptions that is Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's bewitching comedy of unquenchable desire, self-deception and misdirected love. This fantastical, timeless production-helmed by rising-star director Rebecca Taichman-is a real sensualist's delight: full of longing 'all as hungry as the sea' and awash in ethereal charm.
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) salutes the secret diva in all of us with Stephen Temperley's play with music, Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins directed by Vivian Matalon. This production marks the return of the remarkable Judy Kaye to A.C.T. in the daring role that earned her a 2006 Tony Award nomination. Kaye last appeared on the A.C.T. stage as Mrs. Lovett in last season's critically-acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd. A heartfelt, wickedly funny look at the limits of self-perception and the unpredictable nature of friendship, Souvenir imagines the story of real-life Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva who thought she was a great soprano.
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2008-09 season Koret Visiting Artist Series with 'The Inner 'I': How Artists See Themselves,' a conversation with Lotfi Mansouri, celebrated opera director and the general director emeritus of the San Francisco Opera; Judy Kaye, the Tony Award-winning star of A.C.T.'s Souvenir; and the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. Moderated by A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff, the conversation will focus on the different ways artists view themselves and how these self-images affect their work. 'The Inner 'I' is presented in conjunction with A.C.T.'s production of Stephen Temperley's Souvenir, which tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva who thought she was a great soprano. The conversation will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The hour-long event is free and open to the public and takes place on the A.C.T. stage on Monday, February 23, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.act-sf.org/koret.
Emmy-nominated Paul Anthony Stewart stars as Raskolnikov in a gripping 90-minute adaptation of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment at The Cleveland Play House. In addition to numerous New York and regional theatre roles, Stewart, who was nominated for his recurring role on 'Guiding Light,' recently appeared on Broadway in the revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and Cyrano - The Musical. Performed with only three actors, the adaptation of Crime and Punishment by Marilyn Campbell and Cut Columbus is being helmed by the acclaimed director of the 2005 Play House production of I Am My Own Wife, Anders Cato. Crime and Punishment begins in the Drury Theatre at The Cleveland Play House on Friday, February 27 and runs through Sunday, March 22, 2009. Tickets are on sale now at The Cleveland Play House box office by calling 216.795.7000 ext 4 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Crime and Punishment is presented in promotional partnership with National City and Baker & Hostetler.
Broadway In Chicago and producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce full casting for the eagerly anticipated North American National Tour of MARY POPPINS. Performances begin Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) in preparation for a Wednesday, March 25 opening night. In addition to this Chicago engagement, productions of MARY POPPINS are currently running in NY and on tour in the UK.
As previously announced, the show's two original Broadway stars, Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, will be reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert respectively on the tour.
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) salutes the secret diva in all of us with Stephen Temperley's play with music, Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins directed by Vivian Matalon. This production marks the return of the remarkable Judy Kaye to A.C.T. in the daring role that earned her a 2006 Tony Award nomination. Kaye last appeared on the A.C.T. stage as Mrs. Lovett in last season's critically-acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd. A heartfelt, wickedly funny look at the limits of self-perception and the unpredictable nature of friendship, Souvenir imagines the story of real-life Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva who thought she was a great soprano.
This year will be of particular interest due to the economic situation, which makes the phrase 'more for your hard earned dollar' even harder...
Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce the cast of its upcoming world premiere production of Jim Henson's classic holiday favorite Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, adapted for the stage. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will run December 7, 2008, through January 4, 2009, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.
Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce the cast of its upcoming world premiere production of Jim Henson's classic holiday favorite Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, adapted for the stage. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will run December 7, 2008, through January 4, 2009, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.
Signature Theatre today announced that Andrew Call will sing the role of the student revolutionary Marius in its upcoming production of Les Misérables. He will replace Doug Kreeger, who will be performing in the new off-Broadway production of Rooms. Call recently performed in Signature's world premiere production of Glory Days, playing the role of the would-be jock Andy. Call has also performed in Cry-Baby and High Fidelity on Broadway, in Altar Boyz off-Broadway, and in national tours of Saturday Night Fever and Altar Boyz.
Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce the cast of its upcoming world premiere production of Jim Henson's classic holiday favorite Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, adapted for the stage. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will run December 7, 2008, through January 4, 2009, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.
George Street Playhouse continues their 35th season with the New Jersey premiere of Conor McPherson's Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated play, The Seafarer.
MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT presents the first production of their 2008-2009 season of shows, SOUVENIR, written by Stephen Temperley, directed by Jason Edwards and starring Linda Edwards.
The best show in town just got better. JERSEY BOYS, the hit musical about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, now offers the ABSOLUT BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE VIP Package.
Kelly Price, who recently starred in the West End production of 'Guys & Dolls' opposite Patrick Swayze and Adam Cooper, will star as 'Roxie Hart' in the smash hit West End musical 'CHICAGO' at the Cambridge Theatre.
Stephen Temperley's Souvenir is an affectionate salute to the fascinating story of a unique artist who suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano. Unfortunately, she had no ear for pitch and those in her circle of friends, mostly out of politeness, would compliment her voice to the point where she decided to hold small recitals for charity. The cult status of her regrettable singing spread through New York, culminating in a smash hit record and a sold-out Carnegie Hall solo concert.
Suzanne Shaw, who has just won the ITV television series 'Dancing on Ice', will return to the West End stage to star as 'Roxie Hart' in the smash hit West End musical CHICAGO.
Souvenir was first developed at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. It has since played New York's York Theatre Company and Broadway's Lyceum Theatre, where it starred Judy Kaye as Jenkins and won her a 2006 Tony Award nomination.
The smash hit West End musical 'CHICAGO' is extending its booking period by five months until 30 July 2009.
Suzanne Shaw, winner of the recent ITV television series 'Dancing on Ice', will return to the West End stage to star as 'Roxie Hart' in 'CHICAGO' at the Cambridge Theatre on Monday 2 June. Alongside her, Anna Jane Casey will star as 'Velma Kelly', Terence Maynard as 'Billy Flynn', Victor McGuire as 'Amos Hart' and Sue Kelvin as 'Mama Morton'.
The London production of 'CHICAGO' has just celebrated its tenth anniversary with a Charity Gala Performance, which took place on Wednesday 5 December. The smash hit West End musical 'CHICAGO' transferred from the Adelphi Theatre to the Cambridge Theatre in April 2006. The Cambridge Theatre was the London home of 'CHICAGO', when the first production of the show opened there on 10 April 1979, running for 603 performances. 'CHICAGO' became the longest running production ever to play at the Adelphi Theatre on 17 October 2005, replacing the previous record holder 'Me and My Girl', which had run for 3,303 performances.
'CHICAGO' opened at the Adelphi Theatre on 18 November 1997 to rave reviews and immediately became a sell-out hit. 'CHICAGO' won the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for 'Outstanding Musical Production' as well as the 1998 Critics Circle Drama Award for 'Best Musical'. Currently playing in New York, with forthcoming productions planned in Japan, Australia and South Africa, Korea, Denmark and a US National Tour, 'CHICAGO' is produced in London by the Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler.
'CHICAGO', which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Scenic design is by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Rick Clarke. Musical supervision is by Rob Fisher and musical direction by Ian Townsend. 'CHICAGO' is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie. The West End production of 'CHICAGO' is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team.
Tickets for 'CHICAGO', priced from £20.00 - £52.50 (£55.00 on Saturday evenings, with a £75 VIP Package option, including interval champagne in a private room and souvenir brochure), are available from the Cambridge Theatre Box Office on 0844 412 4652. Performance times at the Cambridge Theatre are Mondays to Thursdays at 8.00pm, with Friday performances at 4.30pm and 8.00pm and Saturday performances at 3.00pm and 8.00pm. 'CHICAGO' is now booking until 30 July 2009. Visit the 'CHICAGO' website on www.chicagothemusical.co.uk
'Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins,' Stephen Temperley's comedy with music opens July 5th at Palm Beach Dramaworks.
Sarah Soetaert, who played the role of 'Roxie Hart' with great success last year, will return to star in the smash hit West End musical 'CHICAGO' for a five-week season from Monday 28 April to Saturday 31 May.
Suzanne Shaw, who has just won the ITV television series Dancing on Ice, will return to the West End stage to star as Roxie Hart in the smash hit West End musical Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre on Monday 2 June for six weeks only (finishing on 12 July). Her other television credits include The Bill, City Central and Holby City. A member of Hear'Say (the original winners of television's Popstars), Suzanne has had several hit singles.
The Producers of Broadway's critically acclaimed surprise hit, XANADU, and the show's Director of Merchandise Karen Davidov, are pleased to announce the XANADU THE BOOK! SERIOUSLY! Sneak Peek and contest presented by BroadwayWorld.com, which will lead to the upcoming release of XANADU THE BOOK! SERIOUSLY! The showbook was conceived by world renowned graphic designers and collaborators Mark Melnick and Chip Kidd, who USA TODAY called 'the closest thing to a rock star in graphic design today.' Click now to see advance pages and enter to win your own copy!
American Conservatory Theater today announced the lineup of the company's 42nd subscription season. Running from September 2008 to July 2009, the season brings new plays, the nation's finest writers, fresh directors, and renowned performers to San Francisco, while presenting a carefully calibrated range of decades, aesthetics, and perspectives, ranging from dark comedy to serious drama, from movement-theater fusion to music-filled celebration.
The Producers of Broadway's critically acclaimed surprise hit, XANADU, and the show's Director of Merchandise Karen Davidov, are pleased to announce the XANADU THE BOOK! SERIOUSLY! Sneak Peek and contest presented by BroadwayWorld.com, which will lead to the upcoming release of XANADU THE BOOK! SERIOUSLY! The showbook was conceived by world renowned graphic designers and collaborators Mark Melnick and Chip Kidd, who USA TODAY called 'the closest thing to a rock star in graphic design today.' Click now to see advance pages and enter to win your own copy!
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