South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2009-10 Season with Putting It Together, a compilation of Stephen Sondheim songs, that the composer put together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, creating a narrative set at a cocktail party in an elegant Manhattan condo. The non-traditional musical, led by Broadway and television star Harry Groener, has a cast of five (a glamorous but slightly jaded couple, a starry-eyed younger couple and a savvy observer) who sing more than 30 songs that reflect their lives, lifestyles and moods of the moment. Some of the songs will be familiar, some less so, a few were even cut from their original musical scores, but they are all sophisticated, smart and drop-dead droll. All, in other words, Sondheim.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts Announces their upcoming events.
August 2009
Thursday, August 6 Music in the Grand Lobby
6-8 p.m. The Contrarian Ensemble
Main Street Theater - Chelsea Market presents the World Premiere Family Musical Ps and Qs: the ABCs of Manners July 5 - August 9, 2009
'I've wanted to do a piece about the importance of manners for years, but we couldn't find the right approach,' says Main Street Theater Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden.
WHY WON'T YOU LET ME BE GREAT!!! is a group show inspired by Kanye West's ground-breaking, 'Thom Yorke in the Strip Club' crossover pop album 808s & Heartbreak. Conceived by Brendan Kennedy and presented by Neal Medlyn and Catch in association with Performance Space 122, the evening-length performance will feature work by a vast array of downtown superstars showing pieces inspired by each song from the album, much as the Joffrey Ballet's (in)famous Billboards choreographed the songs of Prince.
Reprise Theatre Company will present a month-long Richard Rodgers Celebration October 2-November 2 in a variety of venues across Los Angeles. The series of concerts, symposiums, staged readings, screenings and cabarets will explore the diversity and scope of the work of one of the most important figures in the American Musical.
WHY WON'T YOU LET ME BE GREAT!!! is a group show inspired by Kanye West's ground-breaking, 'Thom Yorke in the Strip Club' crossover pop album 808s & Heartbreak. Conceived by Brendan Kennedy and presented by Neal Medlyn and Catch in association with Performance Space 122, the evening-length performance will feature work by a vast array of downtown superstars showing pieces inspired by each song from the album, much as the Joffrey Ballet's (in)famous Billboards choreographed the songs of Prince.
Victoria Wood is to direct a new version of her play Talent, a comedy with songs, previewing at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 17 September with press night on 23 September, and running until 14 November.
Main Street Theater - Chelsea Market presents the World Premiere Family Musical Ps and Qs: the ABCs of Manners July 5 - August 9, 2009
'I've wanted to do a piece about the importance of manners for years, but we couldn't find the right approach,' says Main Street Theater Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden.
Main Street Theater - Chelsea Market presents the World Premiere Family Musical Ps and Qs: the ABCs of Manners July 5 - August 9, 2009
'I've wanted to do a piece about the importance of manners for years, but we couldn't find the right approach,' says Main Street Theater Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden.
The Peace Center, in collaboration with Artisphere, is proud to present recording star Suzanne Vega at the Dow Brands Amphitheater on May 8th. Vega, who has sold over 7 million albums worldwide, is best known for her hit songs 'Luka' and 'Tom's Diner.'
One month after their classic songs debut as part of the score of the new hit musical comedy, ROCK OF AGES, two unparalleled rock stars - Tommy Shaw from STYX and Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon - will make their Broadway debuts as they perform their new single, 'Can't Stop Rockin', immediately following the evening performance on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th Street). The performance of the new song, co-written by Cronin and Shaw, celebrates the rockers recently announced CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 Tour, which kicks off on May 12th, presented by VH1 Classic and Rock Band.
The Peace Center, in collaboration with Artisphere, is proud to present recording star Suzanne Vega at the Dow Brands Amphitheater on May 8th. Vega, who has sold over 7 million albums worldwide, is best known for her hit songs 'Luka' and 'Tom's Diner.'
One month after their classic songs debut as part of the score of the new hit musical comedy, ROCK OF AGES, two unparalleled rock stars - Tommy Shaw from STYX and Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon - will make their Broadway debuts as they perform their new single, 'Can't Stop Rockin', immediately following the evening performance on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th Street). The performance of the new song, co-written by Cronin and Shaw, celebrates the rockers recently announced CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 Tour, which kicks off on May 12th, presented by VH1 Classic and Rock Band.
Columbia University announces the appointment of Melissa Smey as the new Director of Miller Theatre, effective immediately. Ms. Smey has been in the role of Acting Director of Miller since October 1, 2008.
'A half century into her career, folk icon Joan Baez is making a return of sorts-not to vintage material, but to songs that evoke the spirit and message of her defining early work...Baez has never sounded wiser, or more deeply human.' - The Boston Globe
Singer, musician, social activist, and goodwill ambassador Joan Baez has had a profound and durable influence on American and international music for 50 years. She celebrates that anniversary with a 2008 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for her 24th studio album, Day After Tomorrow, and a tour stop at Columbus' Southern Theatre.
Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater, has announced the 26-member Broadway cast of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Newcomers to the cast include Gavin Creel, Caissie Levy and Sasha Allen, who join the rest of the tribe, who are reprising their roles from Central Park last summer. HAIR begins preview performances on Friday, March 6 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, NYC) with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
'A half century into her career, folk icon Joan Baez is making a return of sorts-not to vintage material, but to songs that evoke the spirit and message of her defining early work...Baez has never sounded wiser, or more deeply human.' - The Boston Globe
Singer, musician, social activist, and goodwill ambassador Joan Baez has had a profound and durable influence on American and international music for 50 years. She celebrates that anniversary with a 2008 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for her 24th studio album, Day After Tomorrow, and a tour stop at Columbus' Southern Theatre.
Village Theatre KIDSTAGE Company Originals is back with a brand new musical production, created by the teens and adults of the KIDSTAGE Company. The characters, storylines, scenes, and songs are created through a process of improvisation and collaborative writing that aims to tell stories relevant to teens, with characters, conflicts, behaviors, and language reflective of the diversity of teens today.
Save As... asks the question: What happens when a popular advice blogger suddenly goes offline, leaving everyone - from the Queen Bee to the lovesick nerd - without a connection? Exploring the themes of faith, forgiveness, and healing, Save As... tells the story of high school senior Taylor and her best friend Natalie. After Taylor's brother and Natalie's soul mate, Jason, suddenly dies, Taylor decides to take over his advice blog in a misguided attempt to fix everything for everybody. Helped along by Jason's ghost-with the aid of the resident goth girl Elvira-the students of Taylor's school learn how to connect with each other again.
Bessie Award-winner and beloved downtown performer Okwui Okpokwasili spins a modern folktale. A daughter attempts to construct a coherent past out of her mother's cryptic signals and signifiers. Interweaving legacy and the loss of old tongues, rituals and original songs, and a good old attempt to get a grip, Pent Up sheds new light on traditional spells and third world brothels, and transforms every scratch & win ticket into a lucky one. Directed by Peter Born.
Okwui Okpokwasili has been developing Pent-up with Peter Born through workshops and residencies with 651 ARTS, P.S. 122 and Centre National de la Danse from 2006-2007. She was a collaborator and performer in Achill in Modern Wars and Death of Nations: Heimwehen at the FFT in Dusseldorf, Germany. Most recently she performed in Annie Dorsen's Democracy in America at P.S. 122. A Bessie Award recipient for her work in the final part of Ralph Lemon's Geography Trilogy, 'Come Home Charley Patton', she continues to collaborate with Ralph Lemon.
More about Performance Space 122
Performance Space 122 is New York's ultimate destination for cutting-edge theatre, dance, music, live art and cross-media. Founded in 1979, Performance Space 122 is dedicated to supporting and presenting artists whose work challenges the traditional boundaries of dance, theatre, music, and performance. Committed to exploring innovative form as well as material, P.S. 122 is steadfast in its search for pioneering artists from a diversity of cultures and points of view.
Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater, has announced the 26-member Broadway cast of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Newcomers to the cast include Gavin Creel, Caissie Levy and Sasha Allen, who join the rest of the tribe, who are reprising their roles from Central Park last summer. Currently in rehearsal at the Union Square Theatre, HAIR begins preview performances on Friday, March 6 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, NYC) with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
Bessie Award-winner and beloved downtown performer Okwui Okpokwasili spins a modern folktale. A daughter attempts to construct a coherent past out of her mother's cryptic signals and signifiers. Interweaving legacy and the loss of old tongues, rituals and original songs, and a good old attempt to get a grip, Pent Up sheds new light on traditional spells and third world brothels, and transforms every scratch & win ticket into a lucky one. Directed by Peter Born.
Okwui Okpokwasili has been developing Pent-up with Peter Born through workshops and residencies with 651 ARTS, P.S. 122 and Centre National de la Danse from 2006-2007. She was a collaborator and performer in Achill in Modern Wars and Death of Nations: Heimwehen at the FFT in Dusseldorf, Germany. Most recently she performed in Annie Dorsen's Democracy in America at P.S. 122. A Bessie Award recipient for her work in the final part of Ralph Lemon's Geography Trilogy, 'Come Home Charley Patton', she continues to collaborate with Ralph Lemon.
More about Performance Space 122
Performance Space 122 is New York's ultimate destination for cutting-edge theatre, dance, music, live art and cross-media. Founded in 1979, Performance Space 122 is dedicated to supporting and presenting artists whose work challenges the traditional boundaries of dance, theatre, music, and performance. Committed to exploring innovative form as well as material, P.S. 122 is steadfast in its search for pioneering artists from a diversity of cultures and points of view.
The 92nd Street Y announces casting for the 2009 season of Lyrics & Lyricists, the Y's legendary American Songbook series. Polly Bergen, Lucie Arnaz, Tom Wopat and Marilyn Maye are among the storied cast members who will sing the songs of Richard Rodgers, Ira Gershwin, Mel Torm?, DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, David Zippel and others. This is the first season curated by new series artistic director DEBORAH GRACE WINER, and her inaugural line-up of guest artistic directors - MARTIN CHARNIN, DAVID ZIPPEL, ROBERT KIMBALL, REX REED, and BILLY STRITCH.
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2008-09 season with John Guare's Rich & Famous, directed by John Rando (Urinetown, The Musical and Wedding Singer on Broadway) in its first major revival since its 1976 New York debut. From the ingenious mind of John Guare, who brought Six Degrees of Separation and The House of Blue Leaves to the American stage, this delicious dark comedy springs to life with twisted humor, rapid-fire dialogue, and outrageous plot twists. The revival script includes significant rewrites to the original text, as well as hilarious songs freshly scribed by Guare himself. In Rich and Famous, playwright Bing Ringling yearns to savor the sweet taste of celebrity, and he's hoping play number 844 will be his lucky break. But on opening night, he slips into a nightmarish phantasmagoria that shows him just how wrong things can go.
Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the funniest musical in the universe, will begin its final week of performances tomorrow at the Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street). The show will end its reign on Broadway Sunday, January 11 following the evening performance, after 1,574 performances (and 35 previews).
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