With over 40,000 fans in town for Elvis Week celebrating the life and career of the King of Rock 'n' Roll at Graceland, music fans and collectors in Memphis and around the world participated on site and online in hopes of going home with a piece of Elvis history at the third 'Auction at Graceland,' which brought over $950,000 last night. Presented by Graceland Auctions, the auction was the largest and most comprehensive auction yet held at the Graceland Archive Studio. All of the items in the auction were from third-party collectors and none of the items included in the auction came from the treasured Graceland Archives.
On this morning's TODAY, Kathie Lee's co-host, Hoda Kotb refected on Gifford's life and shares an update on how Kathie Lee is doing.
A panel of nationally recognized judges, including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winner, Rita Moreno; choreographer and Broadway dancer Michael Balderrama; director Michael Donovan; and producer, director and choreographer Andy Ferrara, announced the 2015 winners of The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors - formerly called The California High School Musical Honors - at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts. Sponsored by Children's Musical Theater San Jose and Broadway San Jose, a Nederlander Presentation, this yearly regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre in the greater California region.
In this taut 2013 theatrical adaptation of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's award winning-book, the apartheid regime's most notorious assassin and head of its death squad, Eugene de Kock (played by Matthew Marsh), sits opposite psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (played Noma Dumezweni) in Pretoria Central Prison in 1997. Gobodo-Madikizela is a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined to understand his actions. She questions de Kock, who is sentenced to two life terms plus 212 years for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud.
One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer.
The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors - formerly called The California High School Musical Honors - announced today the 2015 nominees who will compete in front of a panel of nationally recognized judges on Monday, June 1, 2015 at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts.
Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer.
Now, over 40 years later, Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1971 surveys the decisive decade that led up to that unauthorized exhibition at MoMA, bringing together approximately 125 of her early objects, works on paper, installations, performances, audio recordings, and films, alongside rarely seen archival materials. On view from May 17 to September 7, 2015, this is the first exhibition at MoMA dedicated exclusively to the artist's work.
In this taut 2013 theatrical adaptation of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's award winning-book, the apartheid regime's most notorious assassin and head of its death squad, Eugene de Kock (played by Matthew Marsh), sits opposite psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (played Noma Dumezweni) in Pretoria Central Prison in 1997. Gobodo-Madikizela is a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined to understand his actions. She questions de Kock, who is sentenced to two life terms plus 212 years for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud.
Marital strife has never been so wickedly fun -- or dysfunctional. Following two sold-out and critically acclaimed productions, Theatre Exile ends their 18th season with Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Plays and Players Theater (1714 Delancey Place). Pearce Bunting (Boardwalk Empire), Catharine Slusar, Emilie Krause and Jake Blouch take the stage in this cultural landmark that has been riveting audiences for over 50 years and ruthlessly tears down the facade of the American family. Previews begin on Thursday, April 16, 2015 and opening night is Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 8:00pm. The show runs for a total of 32 performances through Sunday, May 17, 2015. Tickets are on sale now for $10.00 to $40.00 at www.theatreexile.org or by phone (215) 218-4022.
The Public Theater announced additional casting today for the 2015 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, beginning Wednesday, May 27 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This summer will feature Shakespeare's late romances with THE TEMPEST, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and CYMBELINE, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. Jesse Tyler Ferguson will return to the Park this summer as Trinculo in THE TEMPEST, along with Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe teaming up again with Daniel Sullivan on CYMBELINE to play Posthumus Leonatus/Cloten and Imogen, respectively.
Minnesota Opera Music Director Michael Christie leads the world premiere performances of The Manchurian Candidate, today, March 7–15, 2015in the Ordway Music Theater. Christie is recognized as “ … a top-notch conductor of new works …” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Based on the novel by Richard Condon and directed by Kevin Newbury, The Manchurian Candidate traces the mysterious story of an American soldier decorated during the Korean War who is brainwashed into becoming an unwitting assassin in a conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government. This taut and suspenseful thriller is the highly anticipated second opera by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell, creators of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Silent Night.
Oh, what a story. Frankie Valli, who came to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is hotter than ever in the 21st century.
Nothing seems to scare the valiant little troupe Threepenny Theatre Company. What has it got to lose? So what if the budget allows for no more than a perfunctory set? So what if its selection of classics (i.e., MACBETH) hardly has the appeal of a crowd-pleasing musical? Relying on a commitment to quality of writing and performance, it has pulled off a real coup: A stunning production of Eugene O'Neill's warhorse of a classic, the autobiographical LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, produced posthumously and, in 1962, given classic cinema status by Director Sidney Lumet and brilliant performers Ralph Richardson, Katharine Hepburn, Dean Stockwell, and Jason Robards, Jr. (to whom O'Neill was as essential as Tennessee Williams was to Elizabeth Taylor). This particular warhorse, however, is of the Trojan variety, and Director Matt Crewse has tamed the beast with the aid of four performances that are nothing short of brilliant.
MINNEAPOLIS (January 26, 2015) – Minnesota Opera Music Director Michael Christie leads the world premiere performances of The Manchurian Candidate, March 7–15, 2015in the Ordway Music Theater. Christie is recognized as “ … a top-notch conductor of new works …” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Based on the novel by Richard Condon and directed by Kevin Newbury, The Manchurian Candidate traces the mysterious story of an American soldier decorated during the Korean War who is brainwashed into becoming an unwitting assassin in a conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government. This taut and suspenseful thriller is the highly anticipated second opera by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell, creators of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Silent Night.
Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent.
Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.
Bubbling with joy and 60s era music and dance, Hairspray is the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs. Tracy Turnblad is a teen whose life revolves around dancing on the Corny Collins TV show. Who knew that a teenybopper TV show could be a catalyst for integration? You can't stop the beat, and truth be told, you won't want to once the all-singing and dancing cast takes the stage.
The McCallum Theatre presents 'The New Christy Minstrels', with special guest star Barry McGuire for one very special performance, Sunday, November 16, at 3:00pm, Founded by Randy Sparks in 1961, the group's 1962 debut album, 'Presenting the New Christy Minstrels', won a Grammy, remained on the Billboard charts for two years, and scored a hit with 'This Land Is Your Land'. Their 1963 album 'Ramblin' was highlighted by the single 'Green, Green' which climbed the charts and became a hit single. In 2006, the California State Legislature honored The New Christy Minstrels with resolutions from both the Senate and Assembly. Randy Sparks was recognized for his fifty years in the recording industry, and the group was honored for their contributions to the music industry. In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels. I had the chance to chat with founder, Randy Sparks, about their upcoming return to The McCallum Theatre and a bit for the history of The New Christy Minstrels. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:
Tony Award nominee Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel), two-time Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry (Violet), Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Erik Altemus (Pippin) and Tony Award winner Lillias White (The Life) are the latest additions to The Actors Fund's one-night-only benefit concert presentation of the holiday classic MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL, set for Monday, December 15, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (524 W. 59th St.).
New Jersey Repertory Company, located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, will present the World Premiere of Angels and Ministers of Grace by Elaine Smith on October 23 through November 23, 2014. A poignant and compelling story of a close-knit, yet eccentric family's struggle to overcome life's ups and downs, Angels and Ministers of Grace captures the struggles that confront families today throughout the heartland and urban centers of America, and reveals the forces that threaten to destroy the American dream.
Walloomsac: A Roman Fleuve: ($20, ISBN: 978-1-937536-90-9, LCCN: 2014952145, 176pp, 6X9', October 2014; purchase on: CreateSpace, and Amazon; Kindle Edition: $2.99): If a novel is a work of prose of some length, this is a novel-but different in that it is more like life, which has no plots and does not reward virtue or punish vice, and in which characters appear and then, if the author doesn't kill them off, remain to the end. Life is messier than Tolstoy and Henry James were willing to admit. Here, in David R. Slavitt's farrago, one thing leads to another but without discernible direction until, at the end, there is a kind of resolution, a vision, however unreliable and approximate, of what the life of the speaker has been. It is a deeply thoughtful book but also laugh-out-loud funny. Like life, if we're lucky.
David R. Slavitt: educated at Andover, Yale, and Columbia, is the author of more than 115 books-novels, poetry, reportage, and translations. He was the movie reviewer for Newsweek in the sixties and was co-editor of the "Johns Hopkins Complete Roman Drama" as well as the "Penn Complete Greek Drama." Among his recent publications: "The Sonnets and Short Poems of Francesco Petrarch "(2012, Harvard University Press), Civil Wars (2013, Louisiana State University Press), "The Four Other Plays of Sophocles" (2013 Johns Hopkins University Press), and "The Crooning Wind: Three Greenlandic Poets" (New American Press 2013), and "Shiksa" (C&L Press). His version of "The Mahabharata" will be published in the spring by Northwestern University Press.
'David Slavitt has (herein) written a book about or for which it is impossible simply to write a blurb-a word, it might interest you to know, coined in 1907 by Gelett Burgess. (Did you think of a purple cow, just then?) The text itself is indescribably (deliciously?) itself. Like the Waloomsac River, it just keeps rolling along, taking the reader irresponsibly with it-laughing out loud again and again and again; marveling at its rapid wit (white water?), the wide breadths of its erudition, the dangerous shallows of its overt and covert cheekiness; marking the vertiginous depths of its, yes, wisdom. To make a long blurb short, I haven't had this kind of significant fun since I stayed up 'til dawn one night in 1962 breathlessly reading Pale Fire for the very first time.' ?R. H. W. Dillard on Walloomsac: A Week on the River
$20, Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937536904
$2.99, Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O4FRIXE
The Anaphora Literary Press was started as an academic press with the publication of the Pennsylvania Literary Journal (PLJ) in 2009. In the Winter of 2010, Anaphora began accepting book-length submissions. Anaphora has now published over 90 creative and non-fiction books. John Paul Jaramillo's collection of short stories received an honorable mention for the Latino Literacy Now's Mariposa Award Best First Fiction Book Award. Professors have taught from a few Anaphora books. Many Anaphora writers have scheduled readings at major bookstores. Anaphora books have also had several articles published about them in regional newspapers. PLJ has featured interviews with best-selling writers like Larry Niven, and Cinda Williams Chima, as well as interviews with the winners of the Sundance and Brooklyn Film festivals.
Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) will launch its 43nd (2014-2015) main stage performance season and its third year as Resident Ballet Company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts with A Midsummer Night's Dream Act I and Seasons tonight, September 20 at 7:30 pm andSunday, September 21 at 2 pm.
After two weeks stuck in the house with a bad back, it was time to venture out and see a play. BEEHIVE at the Virginia Samford Theatre was exactly the prescription I needed. High energy and fast paced, it made me forget about my troubles for awhile and focus on the great music of the 60's. From the beautiful giant jukebox set, to the talented musicians who make up the band, every aspect of this presentation is spot on.
The show really has no story line and although I am a believer in plays having a message and teaching us a lesson, there are those times you just want to be entertained by the music and smile with the cast. This offering makes you smile from start to finish and although I am in no shape to dance, makes you want to tap your toes and sing along, something the older ladies beside me certainly did a few times.
The first act began on this particular night with Tony Award winner Louise Beard crossing the stage with a giant dime to feed into the jukebox and begin the show. That first act is comprised of songs from 1960- 1962 and is loosely held together by the ladies telling tales of when they were preteens, daydreaming of boyfriends and being BFF's to the singers they idolize. But the major focus is always the music.
Act Two starts off strong with, in my opinion, the best number of the night. Alexis Marcus, far and away the youngest cast member, sings a sultry rendition of "The Beat Goes On", the old Sonny and Cher song. During the song she tells the history of 1963 and beyond, discussing the assassination of President Kennedy, the Civil Rights movement and the start of the war in Vietnam. Her sexy delivery of the song, juxtaposed with her wide eyed innocent view of some of our countries toughest times, makes for a thought provoking and beautiful presentation. I would have paid the ticket price and gotten out of the house again on a rainy night just to see that one performance. The rest of the second act continues on a tiny bit more serious note than the first due to the times it portrayed, although it is still focused on the music of the time.
My second favorite number of the night is sung by Joycelyn Whatley, a real life music teacher, who is one of the most amazing singers I have ever heard. She sings many memorable songs during the evening including some Aretha Franklin that was superb, but "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" stuck with me the most.
Carl Dean, who I know best as a talented choreographer, serves as director and choreographer for BEEHIVE. Although he has done some brilliant work as a director (last year's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at VST in particular) this current job seems like it should have been easy with so much talent singing and dancing on that stage. Kudos to him and everyone else who handles the technical side of the night. With so many different cues and so much background singing from offstage it could have been a technical mess. Instead, at least from the audience's perspective, it happens flawlessly.
After an extra long curtain call (I guess 7 divas need their applause) I hobbled back to my car, still sore but with a little more spring in my step. If you need a little fun in your life and a super entertaining night out, I highly recommend BEEHIVE, showing now through September 28 at Virginia Samford Theatre.
The United States premiere of the internationally acclaimed new work written and directed by Peter Brook and Marie-Helene Estienne, The Valley of Astonishment, featuring Kathryn Hunter (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Kafka's Monkey), Marcello Magni (Fragments), and Jared McNeill (The Suit), begins previews Sunday, September 14, at 7:30pm for an opening Thursday, September 18,at 7:30pm and a run through Sunday, October 5, at Theatre for a New Audience, Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place.
Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) will launch its 43nd (2014-2015) main stage performance season and its third year as Resident Ballet Company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts with A Midsummer Night's Dream Act I and Seasons on Saturday, September 20 at 7:30 pm andSunday, September 21 at 2 pm. Tickets from $29 (plus fees) may be purchased by calling The Smith Center Box Office at (702) 749-2000 or by visiting www.nevadaballet.org.
| 1962 | Broadway |
Broadway |
Videos
