Imagine walking into Jackson Hall on opening night, as I did, thinking, “Why did the directors reimagine this pleasant, if somewhat plodding, old-school musical with an ensemble of multi-ethnic women, trans and non-binary actors cast in the roles of America’s founding fathers?” Then leaving the theater after the final curtain wondering, “why on earth would anyone ever feel the need to cast the roles with men?” and reveling in the fact that 1776 tapped into my heart in unexpected ways, eliciting an emotional and, I daresay, patriotic response.
Community theatre is where it all begins. Children attain their first production in community theater; life experiences never to be forgotten. A nurturing Mom and Dad could say, “Hey, why not try this. It’s a cool.” Or a friend might comment, “Hey, I auditioned for this show. Come on. Let’s have fun. Let’s do this together.” Some are pulled in. And, if so entranced by the excitement of performing, the supercharged atmosphere of opening night and the culture of the venue, well…the theatrical ‘beast’ explodes and remains within them for the rest of their lives. Yes, theatre people are different. I know that. You know that.
The 18th Annual Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival has announced its September program titled Tennessee Williams: Science Fiction and Fantasy.
It is a brilliant production of the second-most produced American opera. (After 'Porgy and Bess') Gorgeous scenic effects and world-class voices.
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents the Vancouver premiere exhibition of The Art of Dimension from July 4 – October 15, 2023.
Recitals by rising young opera stars and one of the vocal world's most prestigious competitions comprise the George and Nora London Foundation for Singers 2023-24 season of events at New York's Morgan Library and Museum. Mezzo-soprano Lindsay Kate Brown, a 2020 George London Award winner, and baritone Blake Denson, who won his George London Award in 2022, each performs a solo program, and the 52nd year of the foundation's competition for American and Canadian opera singers will confer 2024 George London Awards on five of the opera world's most promising young artists.
Classic American Tales (CAT) presents TALES AT THE DORMER HOUSE. This new company has taken on what had been presented by East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) for 33 years under the name 'Tales of the Victorians.'
Virginia Repertory Theatre has announced the musicals, plays and special presentations for its 2023-2024 Signature Season at the November Theatre downtown, the Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, the Children’s Season at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education as well as the Theatre Gym studio space.
MUSE/IQUE honors Duke Ellington in performances entitled THE DUKE: Ellington as America's Ultimate Renaissance Man, conducted by Artistic and Music Director Rachael Worby, Sunday, May 21, 7:30 pm at the Skirball Cultural Center in West Los Angeles and Wednesday, May 24, 7:30 pm at the Huntington Library in San Marino.
A standing ovation, and a demand for a second curtain call.
Immersive Everywhere’s immersive production of The Great Gatsby has announced casting.
MICHA, The Michael Chekhov Association has announced that American playwright Gracie Gardner has been selected as the first recipient of the Theater of the Future Fellowship.
The Guthrie Theater has announced the cast and creative team for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted by Ken Ludwig, directed by Risa Brainin.
What did our critic think of CHICAGO at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis? Chicago is celebrating 25 dazzling years and it has returned to Memphis! It is certainly a fan favorite, with exhilirating dancing and an iconic story that is known around the world. The 1975 musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, is the 2nd longest running Broadway musical (thanks to the 1996 revival), behind fan favorite Phantom of the Opera.
Jaime Laredo, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's (VSO) Music Director for the past twenty years, returns to the Flynn in Burlington on May 6 2023, to conduct his farewell concert. Originally scheduled for 2020, this program features longtime friends of the VSO and Laredo, violin soloist Bella Hristova and composer David Ludwig, in an inspiring evening of music selected by Laredo to celebrate his tenure with the VSO.
Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 23 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's spring reading list.
A stellar cast brightens a Romberg favorite. Operetta, as a genre, arose in the 1850's and swelled into a widely beloved form of entertainment. In America its chief luminaries were Sigmund Romberg, Victor Herbert, and Rudolf Friml. From the 1920's to the '40's the modern musical gradually drove operettas from the stage (except for the happily undying works of Gilbert & Sullivan). And I miss them! So I greatly approve of Winter Opera's offering us this old piece.
Georgina Hopson and Emily Havea deliver the requisite sass and shine as the leading ladies of GENTLEMEN PERFER BLONDES.
One of the region's most famous mansions will again host a famous Greystone Hall and the Colonial Playhouse of Delaware County present the 2023 production of The Manor, a two-act play by Kathrine Bates, directed by Sam Barrett.
Cincinnati Opera announces updated schedule and cast information for the company's 2023 Summer Festival, taking place June 11–July 29, 2023.
Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced their jazz programming running February 7 through February 19. Performers appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Gunhild Carling, Ben Markley Big Band Feat. Ari Hoenig, Catherine Russell and Sam Blakeslee Large Group.
The GRAMMY Award–winning Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin have announced a musical journey of discovery, beauty, and inspiration: the 2023–24 season.
He’s always joking, sometimes gruff, vexing people, stealing stuff – can you guess his name? When the otherwise sedate carpentry workshop of Master Eder falls into chaos, with bolts rattling, boards wobbling and things disappearing into thin air, it can mean only one thing: “Hooray, hooray, Pumuckl is on his way!”
Winter Opera has presented a truly gorgeous production of Puccini's La Rondine (The Swallow). Puccini is the supreme master of romantic melody, and in Rondine he outdoes himself. I love this opera, my heart having been beguiled early by one lilting, gently syncopated romantic waltz refrain that recurs again and again like the memory of a distant sweet infatuation.
Harlem Stage and Beth Morrison Projects, in their first ever collaboration, present Song Cycles, featuring visionary women and non-binary composers and musicians Tamar-kali (she/her), Yaz Lancaster (they/them), and Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa-Nzou Mambano (she/her).
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