Take Me Along 2006 - Articles Page 9

As the June 3 release date for ACOUSTIC II¸ ABOVE & BEYOND's side project quickly approaches, the trio -- Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki -- have made available another selection from the album with 'No One On Earth.'

Sister Act the Musical started out in 2006 at the Pasadena Playhouse, premiered in London's West End in 2009 and then underwent serious revisions before coming to Broadway in 2011. I remember liking the first mounting in 2006 with many reservations. Since I loved the 1992 film so much, I didn't feel that the stage version was particularly faithful...no pun intended. Well, with all the 2011 changes, MTW's revival of the Broadway version is tops, a joyful, tuneful, splashy romp that never lets down, with a tremendous cast, stellar direction from Michael Matthews and soulful choreography from Daniel Smith. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony nominated play The Little Dog Laughed, added new book material for the national tour, included here, and this contributes substantially to molding a sleek and unforgettable show.

Orange County, Calif.—March 22, 2016—Pacific Symphony announces a blockbuster Summer Festival 2016 designed to evoke the memories of the last 30 years with exhilarating and iconic music for the final season at Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre before its scheduled closure. Warm pleasant evenings, picnic baskets flowing with delectable goodies, surrounded by family and friends, are only the cherry on the top—for those planning their summer around five exceptional musical experiences under the stars. The Symphony's 2016 Summer Festival kicks off with a “July 4 Spectacular,” featuring a symphonic tribute to Michael Jackson's music, culminating in a magnificent fireworks display! Then, Music Director Carl St.Clair leads an ode to joy with Beethoven's famous Ninth Symphony, followed by a night at the movies with John Williams memorable score from one of the best-loved films, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Next up is Sheena Easton and “The Spy Who Loves Me,” featuring memorable music from James Bond movies and more; and finally, the Symphony's summer goes out with a bang for the annual favorite, “Tchaikovsky Spectacular,” bursting with cannons and fireworks for the “1812” Overture!

After making his rounds in NY's Broadway Scene, Daniel J. Watts has stormed onto VINYL as the incomparable funk singer, Hannibal. I had the chance to speak to him last week. Pardon me, while I swoon.

It all started with 13 Going on 30. At least, it did for me. (This makes it sound like I'm about to write a cheesy romantic novel. My apologies.) I, along with basically every girl in my 8th grade class, fell in love with the adorable, slightly nerdy best friend of Jennifer Garner in the coming of age hit of 2004. I took to IMDb (as one does) and instantly decided that Mark Ruffalo was a pretty cool guy, and a pretty cool actor. Fortunately, it wasn't long after that that Mark Ruffalo started appearing in some of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood: Zodiac, Where the Wild Things Are, Shutter Island, and The Avengers. Hollywood thankfully agreed with me.

BroadwayWorld and The Muny announces today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2016 Season, which opens on June 13 with The Wizard of Oz.

Long Wharf Theatre presents, in conjunction with Eva Price, THE LION, written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer, directed by Sean Daniels, from tonight, January 6 through February 7, 2016. The play will take place on Stage II. The press opening will take place on January 13, 2016 at 7:30 pm.

The Vineyard Theatre today announced that their 2016 Gala will honor Vineyard Board President and award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant and New York theatrical press agent Sam Rudy. The annual Gala Fundraiser will take place on Monday, March 14, 2016, beginning at 6:30pm, at Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue).

Long Wharf Theatre presents, in conjunction with Eva Price, THE LION, written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer, directed by Sean Daniels, from January 6 through February 7, 2016. The play will take place on Stage II. Tickets are $25-$85. The press opening will take place on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 7:30 pm.

Can YOU feel a brand new day? We're gearing up to ease on down the road with powerhouse newcomer Shanice Williams and the rest of the gang from Oz, when THE WIZ LIVE! premieres Thursday, December 3, at 8pm on NBC.  Of course, as was the case in 2013's THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and last year's PETER PAN LIVE!, the cast is certainly not short on big-name talent — and most come with Broadway or theatrical credits, no less. As if you didn't already know, be sure to look out for Queen Latifah (of 2002's CHICAGO and 2007's HAIRSPRAY), Elijah Kelley (also of 2007's HAIRSPRAY), Uzo Aduba (of CORAM BOY and 2011's GODSPELL), and David Alan Grier (2012's PORGY AND BESS). 

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: The Essential Liz Callaway; Lena Hall: The Villa Satori, Growing up Haight Ashbury; The Kerrigan & Lowdermilk Songbook; Jay Malsky is...Elaine Stritch: Merry Christmas; and A Very Funny Broadway Holiday.

Producers Daniel Nardicio and Andy Brattain will honor Edith Piaf, the iconic French songstress on her actual 100th Birthday with PIAF: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION with stars from Broadway, London's West End, Jazz, Cabaret and Rock 'n' Roll. Starring Elaine Paige, Christine Ebersole, Marilyn Maye, Vivian Reed, Little Annie, Gay Marshall, Molly Pope, Amber Martin, Aaron Weinstein and Meow Meow, the concert will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall(123 West 43rd Street).

The first season of HBO's drama THE LEFTOVERS was one of the most divisive 10 episodes in recent television history. Supporters hailed it as a dark and intelligent allegory for surviving trauma, while detractors slammed it as 'grief porn.' However, Season 2 has been able to maintain the show's intense mystery, while creating a more thrilling, less depressing, motif. One of the major changes was the introduction of Erika and John Murphy and their twin teenagers. Erika, played by recent Emmy-winner Regina King, is a hearing-impaired doctor, while her husband, played by Kevin Carroll (Broadway's ANGELS IN AMERICA, TAKE ME OUT, and more) is a convicted felon turned vigilante fire captain.

With their trademark wit, virtuosity and irreverence for traditional genre demarcations, the members of the Turtle Island Quartet are the perfect candidates to put a thoroughly unique spin on the works of Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin and Thelonious Monk, drawing out surprising connections along the way. On their brand new program, Jelly, Rags & Monk, the Turtle Island Quartet reunites for the third time with the extraordinary jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut, after a series of special performances for TIQ's 25th anniversary season with mandolinist Mike Marshall that featured “astonishing versatility,” according to The Washington Post.

To benefit their 2016 return to their East Village home, Performance Space 122 (PS122) and Executive Producer Anson Mount bring together widely acclaimed playwright Eric Bogosian and director Jo Bonney, along with their close friends, for two-nights of hand-selected, intimate performances from Bogosian's 100 Monologues series.

Whenever Chick Corea and Béla Fleck take to the stage, genres always fly fast and furious. Performing together, these two master musicians weave duets out of staggering virtuosity creating mind-blowing magic performances.  Chick Corea and Bela Fleck come to Mayo Performing Arts Center tonight, September 25, 2015 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39-79.

Tonight, NBC takes another stab at its 2006 fan favorite science fiction show with a new series, aptly named HEROES REBORN. This time around, we'll be introduced to a whole new set of extraordinary people with a whole new set of extraordinary abilities (in other words, you'll be fine if you've never seen a single episode from the original series). Don't worry, though – a few original favorites are bound to make appearances here and there!

Whenever Chick Corea and Béla Fleck take to the stage, genres always fly fast and furious. Performing together, these two master musicians weave duets out of staggering virtuosity creating mind-blowing magic performances.  Chick Corea and Bela Fleck come to Mayo Performing Arts Center on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39-79.

With their trademark wit, virtuosity and irreverence for traditional genre demarcations, the members of the Turtle Island Quartet are the perfect candidates to put a thoroughly unique spin on the works of Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin and Thelonious Monk, drawing out surprising connections along the way. On their brand new program, Jelly, Rags & Monk, the Turtle Island Quartet reunites for the third time with the extraordinary jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut, after a series of special performances for TIQ's 25th anniversary season with mandolinist Mike Marshall that featured “astonishing versatility,” according to The Washington Post.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Idina Menzel and Broadway In Chicago will shake Millennium Park this weekend! The Improvised Sondheim Project, the 'Grease' sing-along and 'Urinetown' have two performances, while 'H2$,' 'Miss Saigon' and 'South Pacific' each play three weekends. Plus dueling 'Spamalot's, and the sixth anniversary of 'The Showtune Mosh Pit!'

Peter Bjorn and John were excited to join NPR's World Cafe Host David Dye in the studio this June when he visited Stockholm as part of World Cafe's Sense of Place series. 

Legendary trumpet-and-voice duo Herb Alpert and Lani Hall bring their unique mix of jazz, world and American pop music to Pacific Symphony for the final concert of the 2014-15 Pops Series. Joining musical forces in 2006, each half of this musical power couple brings an impressive résumé to the table. As a solo artist and leader of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert has sold more than 72 million records and placed 28 albums on the Billboard charts, including five at No. 1. His 2014 album, “Steppin' Out,” earned him his ninth Grammy Award, and in 2013, he was honored with the National Medal of Arts. His wife and music partner, Hall, rose to fame in 1966 as the lead singer of Sergio Mendes' group, Brasil '66. The two met and became friends when Brasil '66 was signed to A&M records by its co-founder, Alpert. Hall has the distinction of recording more than 22 albums in three different languages, four alongside her husband, and she earned a Grammy for her album, “Es Facil Amar.”

With inviting, optimistic songs and a highly anticipated new full length album on Innervision Records, vocalist and songwriter Aysha showcases her sexy, sensual style with a dynamic mix of top artists and producers in contemporary urban jazz

Legendary trumpet-and-voice duo Herb Alpert and Lani Hall bring their unique mix of jazz, world and American pop music to Pacific Symphony for the final concert of the 2014-15 Pops Series. Joining musical forces in 2006, each half of this musical power couple brings an impressive résumé to the table. As a solo artist and leader of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert has sold more than 72 million records and placed 28 albums on the Billboard charts, including five at No. 1. His 2014 album, “Steppin' Out,” earned him his ninth Grammy Award, and in 2013, he was honored with the National Medal of Arts. His wife and music partner, Hall, rose to fame in 1966 as the lead singer of Sergio Mendes' group, Brasil '66. The two met and became friends when Brasil '66 was signed to A&M records by its co-founder, Alpert. Hall has the distinction of recording more than 22 albums in three different languages, four alongside her husband, and she earned a Grammy for her album, “Es Facil Amar.”

The Downtown Urban Theater Festival announces that acclaimed playwright/director/actor Danny Hoch will receive the 2015 DUTF Playwright Masters Award at this year's Opening Night event, which will take place tonight, May 12th at 8:00 p.m. at 40/40 Club (6 West 25th Street, NYC).