Dinner with Friends 1999 - Articles Page 17

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of the new musical Wonderland about Alice, a children's book writer in Manhattan who is suffering through a creative block, estranged from her husband and alienated from her daughter. It takes a trip to a strange-yet-familiar Wonderland for her to regain her life's balance and again find the love and everyday magic that reside in us all - if we know how to look. With a book by Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy (The Civil War), lyrics by Jack Murphy, music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel, The Civil War), and directed by Gregory Boyd, Wonderland begins previews Friday, January 15, opens officially Wednesday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, February 14.

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota presents Pilobolus, the provocative dance company of today's art world, with adult programming on Friday, Feb 12 and a family-friendly version on Saturday, Feb 13.

Broadway leading lady and country singer Laura Bell Bundy spoke exclusively with BroadwayWorld recently about the upcoming release of her sophomore album, Achin' and Shakin' (Mercury Records, a division of Universal). A follow-up to her previous Dixie-flavored pop/rock Longing For A Place With Nobody Home, Achin' and Shakin' is a concept album - part soulful and sultry 'Achin' ballads and part upbeat and sassy 'Shakin' tracks. Says Bundy of the idea: 'Two records, one woman' is my motto.'

Theatre Under The Stars' Miss Saigon, at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts from February 9 - 21, 2010, announces a tenured cast of actors and actresses, many of whom have played their roles on Broadway and to international audiences around the world.

Court Theatre continues its 55th season with the Chicago Premiere of The Year of Magical Thinking written by Joan Didion and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell. The production will run January 14 - February 14, 2010 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press opening is Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:00 PM.

A Red Orchid Theatre closes its 2009-2010 season with Abigail's Party, written by Mike Leigh and directed by Shade Murray. The production will run February 12 - March 28, 2010 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells. Press opening is February 15, 2010 at 7:00 PM.

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of the new musical Wonderland about Alice, a children's book writer in Manhattan who is suffering through a creative block, estranged from her husband and alienated from her daughter. It takes a trip to a strange-yet-familiar Wonderland for her to regain her life's balance and again find the love and everyday magic that reside in us all - if we know how to look. With a book by Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy (The Civil War), lyrics by Jack Murphy, music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel, The Civil War), and directed by Gregory Boyd, Wonderland begins previews Friday, January 15, opens officially Wednesday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, February 14.

Court Theatre continues its 55th season with the Chicago Premiere of The Year of Magical Thinking written by Joan Didion and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell. The production will run January 14 - February 14, 2010 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press opening is Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:00 PM.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment, has announced, with Broadway In Chicago, casting for the Chicago production of Billy Elliot the Musical, beginning preview performances March 18, 2010 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.). Opening night is Sunday, April 11, 2010. The cast includes John Peter (J.P.) Viernes who joins the previously announced actors Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and Cesar Corrales in the role of ‘Billy'.

Theater for the New City is pleased to announce that Charles Busch's new comedy THE DIVINE SISTER will play a limited premiere showcase engagement at Theater for the New City's Cino Theater (155 First Avenue). The developmental production, directed by Busch's longtime collaborator Carl Andress (The Third Story; Die, Mommie, Die!) will play a limited engagement of 24 performances from Saturday, February 6 through Sunday, March 7.

Court Theatre continues its 55th season with the Chicago Premiere of The Year of Magical Thinking written by Joan Didion and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell. The production will run January 14 - February 14, 2010 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press opening is Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:00 PM.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced early casting for the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season. Daniel Sullivan will direct THE MERCHANT OF VENICE in rotating rep with THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. The repertory company will feature Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Solanio/Young Shepherd); Jesse L. Martin (Gratiano/Polixenes); Al Pacino (Shylock); Lily Rabe (Portia/First Gentlewoman); Ruben Santiago-Hudson as (Prince of Morocco/Leontes); and Max Wright (Old Gobbo/Old Shepherd).

Second Stage Theatre is pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed production of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY, has extended four weeks, through December 6. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY opened on Wednesday, October 7 and was originally scheduled to run through November 8.

Due to popular demand, the critically acclaimed production of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY, now playing at Second Stage Theatre, has extended a second time and will now close on January 3, 2010. The show, which is currently extended through December 6, will not be performed December 14 - 20 due to Smith's previous commitment to perform Hymn with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at City Center.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

The world premiere of Rajiv Joseph's (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) Gruesome Playground Injuries features Selma Blair (Hellboy, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, Storytelling, Legally Blonde, NBC's Kath & Kim) playing Kayleen and Brad Fleischer (Center Theatre Group's premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Broadway's Coram Boy, Off Broadway's Streamers) playing Doug.

Shubert Organization Chairman Philip J. Smith and President Robert E. Wankel have intervened in the ever growing public feud between Michael Feinstein's All About Me and Dame Edna: It's All About Me.

Australia's most honored, beloved, (and Tony-winning) housewife, Dame Edna Everage, is proud to welcome producers Robert G. Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group on-board her new Broadway extravaganza It's All About Me.

Australia's most honored, beloved, (and Tony-winning) housewife, DAME EDNA EVERAGE, is proud to announce her triumphant return to Broadway in IT'S ALL ABOUT ME, a glorious celebration of everything Edna. Performances for this extra special and very limited run engagement will begin on March 6 at a Shubert Theatre to be announced, with an opening set for March 23 according to The New York Times.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) has announced the New York premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy The Understudy, directed by Scott Ellis with Tony Award winner Julie White as 'Roxanne'.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced that the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season will present two Shakespeare plays in repertory giving audiences eight straight weeks of free Shakespeare. Under directors Daniel Sullivan and Michael Greif, the same company of actors will perform in both THE WINTER'S TALE and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE on rotating nights.

The world premiere of Rajiv Joseph's (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) Gruesome Playground Injuries features Selma Blair (Hellboy, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, Storytelling, Legally Blonde, NBC's Kath & Kim) playing Kayleen and Brad Fleischer (Center Theatre Group's premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Broadway's Coram Boy, Off Broadway's Streamers) playing Doug.

Second Stage Theatre is pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed production of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY, has extended four weeks, through December 6. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY opened on Wednesday, October 7 and was originally scheduled to run through November 8.