As Is 1985 - Articles Page 32

Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) announced today that it will honor dancer, choreographer, actress, producer, director and author Debbie Allen as Woman of the Year for the 31st Annual Black & White Ball. The recipient of numerous awards, including a Tony Award, Golden Globe and three Emmy Awards among others, Allen's many contributions to the performing arts and entertainment industry will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at ARIA Resort & Casino, CityCenter.

The New York Philharmonic and American Composers Orchestra (ACO), in collaboration with ACO's EarShot: the National Orchestra Composition Discovery Network, announce the selection of 13 emerging composers from an international pool of more than 400 applicants from seven countries and 37 states ranging in age from 9 to 84, whose original scores for orchestra have been chosen for readings and performances by the Philharmonic and ACO as part of the inaugural NY PHIL BIENNIAL.

The renowned pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin will perform Franck's Symphonic Variations with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis tonight, April 24th 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m. and Saturday, April 26th at 8:00 p.m. at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center.

Washington

Many say that death is the final frontier - the last major event experienced on this earth. Leaving loved ones behind is never an easy thought, but there is one thing that can help make the passing easier for families: life insurance. 'Life Insurance to the Rescue' demonstrates how families who make life insurance part of their future plans end up better financially prepared than those who don't. In today's society, life insurance isn't merely an option; it's a necessity.

Valerie Hart's, author of 'The New Tradition Cookbook' and 'The Bounty of Central Florida,' new book for children and adults incorporates four delightful Christmas stories with the title, 'CaliClaus and the Christmas Contraption' (published by AuthorHouse).

The renowned pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin will perform Franck's Symphonic Variations with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis on Thursday, April 24th 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m. and Saturday, April 26th at 8:00 p.m. at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. Mr. Hamelin will also be appearing with members of the New York Philharmonic on April 26th at 2:00 p.m. for a performance of Faure's First Piano Quartet.

The Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center ('the PAC') today announces the establishment of a core team of artistic leaders: David Lan (Artistic Director of London's Young Vic) as Consulting Artistic Director; Lucy Sexton (artist, producer, and Director of the New York Dance & Performance Awards (aka The Bessies)) as Associate Artistic Director; and Andy Hayles, Managing Partner of Charcoalblue (London's National Theatre, Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, and the future home of Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse), as theater design consultant. Stephen Daldry (director of the films The Hours, Billy Elliot, The Reader and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and of Billy Elliot the Musical, and former Artistic Director of London's Gate Theatre and Royal Court Theatre) has joined the PAC's Board of Directors. The artistic team is collaborating with the PAC's staff, board and numerous consultants to create a place that is unique on the cultural landscapes of New York, the United States and the world.

Inspired by the worldwide wave of terror attacks, the lack of preparedness of ordinary citizens and the failure of governments to provide required protection and safeguards, author Lenzy Kelley decided to use his trainings and experiences in educating readers how to properly 'Combat Terrorism - Foreign and Domestic' (published by AuthorHouse).

Encore Theatre is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a season of "Classic Works from the Past Seasons." Proving that they are well capable of tackling complex pieces, they are sailing into 2014 with John Pielmeier's AGNES OF GOD. The play, which opened on Broadway in 1982 and eventually inspired the 1985 film, provides a stark examination of faith, innocence, compassion, and humanity. Encore Theatre beautifully captures the spirit of this production, giving audiences a gripping and emotional theatre going experience.

Pacific Symphony announces what is perhaps its most significant season to date for the 36-year-old orchestra-the 2014-15 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series and special events, celebrating Music Director Carl St. Clair's 25 years at the helm. Filled with giant stars and giants of the repertoire that have moved listeners for centuries, the season is pure St. Clair-embracing and celebrating all that great music can mean to the human heart.

The MGM classics A Chorus Line is coming to blu-ray today, January 14th!

What is controlling an individual's mind, body and soul? Why is it becoming an addiction? What can be done to stop it? Inspired by these three interesting questions, 'Who Is Your Master?' by Larry Holt aims to provoke reader' minds and thoughts and tackle the sins of the human flesh and how are these viewed in the Holy bible. Author Holt provides an in-depth examination on why masturbation should be avoided, what carnal activities that rot the flesh and how to become free with these sins and refresh the body, mind and spirit through the magnificence of God.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present its first-ever musical REPaloud staged reading with the Tony-winning Grey Gardens. The REPaloud for Grey Gardens will take place on January 17 - 18 at 7:00 pm at Nashville Children's Theatre (25 Middleton Street).

The MGM classics A Chorus Line is coming to blu-ray on January 14th!

Author Constant Tsouza believes that today's society is not that different to the ancient ones: people are still struggling for security, their will to possess more and to consume more, and their thirst for power. Most of the time, they are still fighting wrong selfish battles. In his new publication, 'First Hymn to Life in Congo' underlines this fact of life. He shows the extent of man's nature through the story of one remarkable woman who braved the tragedies of her life and still managed to retain the goodness of her heart.

Although thumb sucking can be a soothing activity for babies and young children, its effects are anything but soothing to the body. In fact, thumb sucking can affect craniofacial growth and development of airways, hindering functions such as breathing, speaking and swallowing. This new book by a dentist details the effects of thumb sucking on growing children to help parents recognize early symptoms so they can avoid problems with their child's health.

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

A slew of Broadway favorites will return to Broadway in the upcoming theatre season, including Alan Cumming, who will will star as 'the Emcee' in Cabaret (set to open at Studio 54 on April 24, 2014).

Executive Director Tim Evans and Artistic Director BJ Jones announce a special literary event with author Rich Cohen in celebration of his new release Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football. The one-night-only event with the New York Times bestselling author takes place at 7:00pm tonight, November 25, 2013 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

NEW YORK FESTIVAL OF SONG, Steven Blier, Artistic Director • Michael Barrett, Associate Artistic Director, opens its 2013-14 Mainstage series at Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center with 'NED IS NINETY', a musical 90th birthday for American icon (and guest of honor) Ned Rorem.

Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman's short-lived beauty pageant musical is revived by Musicals Tonight! in a version that restores its pre-Broadway satirical tone.

For author Ronald Schur, a brilliant mind born in the flux of exiting hippies and the social entry of disco fanatics, alcohol was always a social lubricant and came to be as important to him as oil and gas are to a automobile's engine. The slow process to full blown alcoholic was a sometimes secretive, sometimes blistering path, common to alcoholics and addicts, but always giving credence to the cliché, 'A goldfish rarely knows he lives in a fishbowl.' Come and take this inspirational journey with author Ronald Schur in his memoir, 'Feeding the Monster,' and share his struggles and triumphs on the road to sobriety.

Reserved British author C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) was used to discussing love in the abstract. But when he meets the outspoken Joy Davidman, he is forced to confront his own feelings of love and loss. This intimate and epic love story shows how Lewis and Davidman are both unexpectedly transformed by their faith, doubt, and the power of the heart.

NEW YORK FESTIVAL OF SONG, Steven Blier, Artistic Director • Michael Barrett, Associate Artistic Director, opens its 2013-14 Mainstage series at Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center with 'NED IS NINETY', a musical 90th birthday for American icon (and guest of honor) Ned Rorem.