Revived in 2002 by the Royal National Theatre in a production that sparkled on Broadway, Private Lives is one of the most sophisticated, entertaining plays ever written. Elyot and Amanda, once married and now honeymooning with new spouses at the same hotel, meet by chance, reignite the old spark and impulsively elope. After days of being reunited, they again find their fiery romance alternating between passions of love and anger. Their aggrieved spouses appear and a roundelay of affiliations ensues as the women first stick together, then apart, and new partnerships are formed. A uniquely humorous play boasting numerous successful Broadway runs with stars like Coward himself, Laurence Olivier, Tallulah Bankhead, Gertrude Lawrence, Tammy Grimes, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
King's Head Theatre and Making Productions are pleased to announce casting for Robert Chesley's play Jerker, which returns to London for the first time in 29 years. Tibu Fortes will play Bert and Tom Joyner will play J R, directed by Ben Anderson. Jerker runs at the Kings Head Theatre between 30 October and 23 November 2019 (press night Friday 1 November).
Something old, something new…there's still plenty going on for fans of opera and classical vocal music in the Northeast now that summer is upon us. Here's a taste of what to look for.
Main Street Theater (MST) offers the perfect sparkling summer refreshment in the form of the wit and wisdom of Noel Coward's Private Lives. "It is by far my favorite of his plays," shares Coward specialist and the production's director Claire Hart-Palumbo. "In many ways Private Lives is an extraordinary play. The Twentieth Century equivalent of the Well-Made Play, it is elegance personified. The language is intelligent and delightfully witty. It's about the generation that was ravaged by World War I. He chose to write in a more familiar and recognizable style, with humor, wit, vivacity, and charm, but his characters express the same doubts and questioning with an elegance that is inevitably entertaining and astonishingly memorable." Along with Hart-Palumbo's insights, MST Executive Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden, who has a delicious cameo role in the show, offers, "It's just so brilliantly funny. I think we could all use a good laugh right now."
The French Institute Alliance Fran aise (FIAF), New York's premier French cultural and language center, today announced the 2019 Crossing the Line Festival, featuring 11 performances and a gallery exhibition from a geographically, generationally, and artistically diverse group of artists whose work transcends genres and boundaries. All performances are world, US, or New York premieres; they are united by their convention-breaking fearlessness as they confront topics from social injustice to personal demons. Many of the performances pay homage to legendary artists of our time and previous eras, while the theme of migration and its transformational effects on identity informs several others. The festival runs from September 12 to October 12. Ticket are available at crossingtheline.org.
The Broadway community mourns the loss of veteran General Manager, Producer and 2017 Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre recipient Alan Wasser, who passed away on April 14, 2019 at age 70. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of the Majestic, Marquis and St. James Theatres in New York for one minute on Monday, May 20 at exactly 6:45pm.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is pleased to celebrate an evening of exceptional songwriting at its 67th Annual BMI Pop Awards. In an event 22 years in the making,Sting, already a BMI Icon, will be honored for his enduring hit single “Every Breath You Take,” which has become the Most Performed Song in BMI's catalog of over 14 million musical works. The award ceremony will also celebrate multi-platinum GRAMMY Award-winning band Imagine Dragons with the BMI President's Award, and Martin Bandier, legendary music publishing executive, will be named a BMI Icon, the first time a music publisher has been given this honor. The private event will be hosted by BMI President and CEO Mike O'Neill and Vice President Worldwide Creative Barbara Cane and will take place on Tuesday, May 14th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Take a moment, grab your coffee, and catch up on the latest Broadway news!
The Bronx Museum of the Arts is pleased to announce its new exhibition and artist workspace at 80 White Street in Lower Manhattan, which will be known as The Block Gallery. The name was chosen in honor of the late Bronx Museum Executive Director Holly Block. It will welcome the first artist residents in January, 2019.
Sharon, a sheltered divorcee from Iowa takes in a roommate: Robyn, a free-spirited, mysterious, lesbian slam poet from the Bronx who is looking to completely change her life. As Sharon begins to uncover Robyn's secrets, while sharing music, books, and an occasional toke, she discovers a deep-seated desire to transform her own life. The Roommate is a subversive, absorbing comedy about what it takes to re-route
The Hunter Theater Project at Hunter College (President, Jennifer J. Raab) announced a two-week extension today for the critically acclaimed New York premiere of Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, directed by Richard Nelson, at the Frederick Loewe Theater (E. 68th Street between Lexington and Park Ave). Translated by Richard Nelson, Richard Pevear, and Larissa Volokhonsky, and directed by Nelson, UNCLE VANYA began performances on Friday, September 7 and was originally scheduled to run through October 14.
On Saturday night, September 22, Main Street Theater (MST) opened its 43rd Season with the Regional Premiere of Lauren Gunderson's The Book of Will. This compelling play tells the tale of how Shakespeare's First Folio came into existence thanks to the loyalty and love of his dear friends, particularly John Heminges and Henry Condell.
Was Dr. Martin Luther King correct in saying the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice? Even if we do learn from the past, are we still doomed to repeat some of it? Promethean Theatre Ensemble Artistic Director Brian Pastor says, "Friedrich Nietzsche once noted that 'when we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.' As Promethean begins its 13th season, we are reminded of one of our founding tenets: that we tell stories of the past to illuminate our present. The themes that we explore this season challenge us to craft a better tomorrow by taking our cues from the boldest voices of yesteryear."
Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab announced today the inaugural production of the Hunter Theater Project, the New York premiere of Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA at the Frederick Loewe Theater at Hunter College (E. 68th Street and Lexington Avenue), directed by Richard Nelson. Translated byRichard Nelson, Richard Pevear, and Larissa Volokhonsky. This production is the first time renowned Russian literature translators Pevear and Volokhonsky will have a work premiere in New York City, following the show's world premiere at The Old Globe in San Diego, California. Previews for UNCLE VANYA begin Friday, September 7. The production runs through Sunday, October 14, with an official press opening on Sunday, September 16. Tickets are on sale now.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is proud to announce Northwestern Mutual President Gregory C. Oberland as the newly elected Board President for a 2-year term. Oberland has been a trustee for five years prior to being elected Board President.
Traveling from Lisbon, Portugal on his first visit to Memphis and the South Main Arts District, Art Village Gallery is pleased to announce Mario Henrique's debut solo exhibition at the gallery, Somnium (Daydreams). The show will be on view June 29th through August 31, 2018, with a private viewing for media on Thursday, June 28 from 1pm to 4pm, and a public opening reception during Trolley Night on Friday, June 29 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm. The artist, arriving from Portugal, will be in attendance at both events.
On Monday, May 14, 2018, Third Street Music School Settlement (Third Street), the nation's longest running community school, will honor Grammy Award-winning Singer and Songwriter Rosanne Cash, Tony and Oscar Award-winner Joel Grey, and long-time Board Member and Award-winning Architect Byron Bell at its Annual Spring Gala. Graham Parker, President of Universal Studios Classical Music Labels, will serve as master of ceremonies and Lydia Fenet, Senior Vice President of Christie's Auction House will host the live auction. Members of the cast of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical also will perform.
Held at Capitale (130 Bowery) in New York City, the gala will bring together hundreds of luminaries from the arts, culture, education, media, business, finance and philanthropy worlds to pay tribute to the honorees for their contributions to and leadership in arts and music education. Funds raised through attendance, live and silent auction participation will help support Third Street scholarships and financial aid services.
With its roots in the settlement movement, Third Street today serves more than 5,000 New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds by providing high quality, accessible music and dance instruction in more than 25 instruments and voice. More than 75% of Third Street students receive financial aid or scholarships through the school's Partners program, which sends teaching artists into community centers and public schools throughout New York City. Alumni include well-known artists Bobby Lopez, Jessie Montgomery, Irving Caesar, among others.
This year's honorees join a roster of previous honorees that includes The Roots, Sting, Yoko Ono, Harold Prince, Philip Glass, and Audra McDonald. Rosanne Cash will be presented with Third Street's Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts and Joel Grey will receive Third Street's Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.
'Third Street is founded on the principles of artistry, diversity, and community. We believe music connects us and that it is crucial to support programs that enable accessibility to the arts for people of all backgrounds,' said Third Street Music School's Anna-Maria Kellen Executive Director, Valerie G. Lewis. 'We are proud to celebrate our 123rd Anniversary with music visionaries, Joel Grey and Rosanne Cash, along with a long-time supporter of Third Street, Byron Bell. They have been incredible advocates for the arts, fostering artistic creativity in their communities and beyond,' she said.
Gala Co-chairs are Jeannie Park and Larry Hackett, Kara Saxon and Amit Malhotra, and Kate and James Vanek. Anniversary Co-chairs include Beau Everett and Stephanie Goodman, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, Tatiana Serafin and Mick Kalishman, Felipe Toews and Yuu Fujita. Honorary Co-chairs include Barbara E. Field, Philip Glass and Harold Prince. Event sponsors include Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, Baldor Specialty Foods, Ernst & Young LLP, Putney, Twombly, Hall & Hirson LLP, Industry City, JD Carlisle Development Corporation, Steinway & Sons, and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
For more information visit thirdstreetmusicschool.org/gala or contact Katharine Nemeth at 212-777-3240 ext. 26 or gala@thirdstreetmusicschool.org. Tickets start at $500 per person and $5,000 per table.
About Third Street
Founded in 1894, Third Street Music School Settlement is the nation's longest-running community music school. Celebrating 123 years of service, Third Street works to enrich lives and communities by providing access to high quality music and dance instruction to students of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of artistic ability or socio-economic circumstances. As a pioneer of community arts education in the United States, Third Street today serves more than 5,000 students in our primary location on East 11th Street, and through partnerships with nearly 25 public schools and community centers throughout New York City.
Third Street alumni include violist Masumi Per Rostad of the acclaimed Pacifica String Quartet; Ray Chew, musician and music director of Dancing with the Stars and American Idol; Irving Caesar, composer of the 1920's hit 'Tea for Two'; Bobby Lopez, co-creator of the hit Broadway musical Avenue Q and Academy Award-winning writer of 'Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen and 'Remember Me' from Disney's Coco; Ingrid Michaelson, pop singer/songwriter with hits on the Top 40 charts; and Jessie Montgomery, recipient of the Sphinx Award. Visit http://www.thirdstreetmusicschool.org/ for more information, and follow Third Street on Instagram @3rdstreetnyc and twitter @Third_Street.
This April, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.
Particularly in light of the 2016 documentary I Am Not Your Negro, author and civil rights activist James Baldwin is garnering new attention and appreciation for his astute analyses of race, class, and sexuality in U.S. culture. Our reading group will take up his groundbreaking semi-autobiographical first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953). Attendees are invited to read this seminal text that brought mid-20th Century African-American literature out of the shadow of Richard Wright while deftly exploring the post-Civil War Great Migration, its southern roots, its religious inflections, and its generational tensions. The suggested edition is the most recent paperback (ISBN 978-0345806543). Traditional New Orleans fare of coffee and beignets at Muriel's Jackson Square with lively discussion to follow led by Festival favorite and Southern literary scholar Gary Richards. Seating is limited to 50 persons; pre-registration is required.
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, due to overwhelming demand, is adding a third performance on Thursday, December 28, at 7:00 p.m. The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to Music Hall with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert, the second film in the Harry Potter series. Previously announced, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will perform John Williams' unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen on December 29-30.
The Jewish Museum presents Marc Camille Chaimowicz: YOUR PLACE OR MINE..., the London-based artist's first solo museum exhibition in the United States. This large-scale survey presents Chaimowicz's work in painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, installation, furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, and wallpaper made between 1978 and 2018, including never before exhibited pieces and three new commissions. The exhibition is on view from March 16 through August 5, 2018.
Arturo Perez Torres's THE DRAWER BOY, the adaptation of Michael Healey's play, is everything you want a film to be. Meticulous in its construction, surprising in its development, dramatic in its content, and revelatory in its outcomes, the film evolves into a probing portrait of two aging friends, Angus (Stuart Hughes) and Morgan (Richard Clarkin) and the story that binds them. The film is one of the features at the Sedona International Film Festival during the week of February 25th.
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is once again offering audience members a dazzling, star-packed lineup of amazing shows, memorable concerts, insightful lectures and very special events during the months of March and April.
The Old Globe will present a free, one-night-only event, Barry Edelstein In Conversation with Richard Nelson, Richard Pevear, and Larissa Volokhonsky, supported by the Fuson Family, on Wednesday, February 14 at 5:30 p.m. Continuing his very popular interview series, Edelstein sits down with translator/director Nelson-a great American playwright, at once a poet of the stage and an innovator of theatrical form-and Pevear and Volokhonsky-the world's foremost translators of Russian literature, and perhaps our most influential thinkers about the art of translation. They will discuss the collaborative process behind this Uncle Vanya, as well as the art of translation and bringing the classics of the stage to life for a contemporary audience.
Videos