Mask 2008 - Articles Page 19

The Menier Chocolate Factory's record-breaking, sold out production of La Cage Aux Folles has begun rehearsals for its transfer to the West End for a strictly limited season at the Playhouse Theatre previewing from 20th October, with press night on 30th October.

Back in Pictures celebrates the songs that were originally written for the masterpieces of the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring music from Casablanca, Easter Parade, A Star Is Born, Pennies From Heaven, Disney, Meet Me In St. Louis, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, The Wizard of Oz and many more. Back in Pictures is showing at the Reprise Room, 245 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, New York, from April 7, 2008 through January 5, 2009.

There's a great pleasure in talking to veteran performers. They've been through it all and have many great stories to tell. Such was the case recently in a conversation with dancer/ singer/ actress/comedienne Mitzi Gaynor. This great lady starred in such Hollywood successes as THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS with Ethel Merman, THE JOKER IS WILD with Frank Sinatra, the re-make of ANYTHING GOES with Bing Cosby and Donald O'Connor, LES GIRLS with Gene Kelly and SOUTH PACIFIC with Rossano Brazzi. She also wowed television audiences in the 60's and 70's with a series of specials that captivated America and had schoolboys rushing home from sporting events to watch them. Without a doubt, Mitzi Gaynor was a show business phenomenon and she remains one today as she prepares for the public television airing of her new documentary called 'Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years.'

Under the new leadership of Artistic Director Henry Godinez and Managing Director Barbara Butts, the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University will kick off its 28th season in October with the Tony Award-winning musical 'Sweeney Todd' by Hugh Wheeler and Stephen Sondheim.

For the first time in its six-year history of providing audacious, high-quality theatrical experience to New York's most cutting-edge audiences, Williamsburg's Brick Theater is packaging six major productions under the umbrella of a single Mainstage Season. The Brick is also offering a variety of Season Ticket plans to ensure subscribers a first shot at its most exciting offerings to date.

As part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, BAM welcomes the return of U Theatre, one of Taiwan's most celebrated theater companies, in Meeting with Bodhisattva-a music-theater work that depicts an individual's journey toward becoming a Bodhisattva or 'enlightened being' in Buddhism. This U.S. premiere features a whirlwind of drumming, martial arts, Buddhist chanting, and Chinese operatic dance.

The Menier Chocolate Factory's record-breaking, sold out production of La Cage Aux Folles has begun rehearsals for its transfer to the West End for a strictly limited season at the Playhouse Theatre previewing from 20th October, with press night on 30th October.

National Headquarters presents its debut physical theatre performance 'ANGELUS NOVUS.' Conceived and created by Filipina-American Angeline Gragasin and directed by Richard Newman, 'NOVUS' is a stylish, rigorous, ultra-contemporary production inspired by the combined traditions of medieval pageantry and American historical re-enactments, as well as consumer culture

Lou Spisto, Executive Producer of the Tony Award-winning Old Globe, is pleased to announce the Theatre's complete 2009 Summer Season.

South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2008-09 Season with the World Premiere of its first commissioned musical: An Italian Straw Hat: A Vaudeville.

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce William Inge's Picnic directed by David Cromer. The production runs September 16-November 16, 2008, at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

On Friday, September 5, at 8pm the Midtown International Theater Festival Awards will take place. The MITF Awards will honor the best shows and performances from the recently completed Ninth Annual Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival, which took place from July 14-August 10 of this year.

South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2008-09 Season with the World Premiere of its first commissioned musical: An Italian Straw Hat: A Vaudeville.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party will present EXTRAVAGAINZA: THE SONGS OF HENRY GAINZA, Monday August 11th at 7:00 p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party will present EXTRAVAGAINZA: THE SONGS OF HENRY GAINZA, Monday August 11th at 7:00 p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Due to a scheduling conflict Allyce Beasley will not be able to perform in the upcoming Fringe Festival comedy, The Grecian Formula.

Veteran Chicago theatergoers will recall the long-running production of the musical called simply 'Phantom,' at the now-razed Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in southwest suburban Summit, Illinois. The show, written in the 1980s by composer/lyricist Maury Yeston and bookwriter Arthur Kopit as a follow-up to their Tony-winning musical 'Nine,'...

Followspot Entertainment in association with The Post Theatre Company will present the world premiere of the comedy 'The Grecian Formula', written by Carter Anne McGowan and directed by Mary Jo Lodge.

Las Vegas - The Cher Foundation is holding its 5th fund raising event for the Children's Craniofacial Association with all proceeds going to improve the lives of children who suffer from facial deformities.

Cameron Murray is the current artistic director for Keys Kids, as well as the drama/theatre instructor at Key West High. Daniel Bonnett is the founder of Keys Kids, and is currently teaching and performing in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Between them, they have staged over 50 shows for Keys Kids, including Peter Pan, Annie, Grease, 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The King and I, Bye, Bye Birdie, 101 Dalmatians and The Wizard of Oz.

It was announced today that Nicolette Hart (Rent) and Kate Rockwell (NBC's 'Grease: You're The One That I Want) will join the cast of LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL in May. Ms. Hart will take over the role of Brooke Wyndham on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 and Ms. Rockwell will perform the role of Margot starting Wednesday, May 14, 2008.

John Cudia will become only the 12th actor to take over the title role in the Broadway production's 20+ year history. Cudia has a 9-year history with the musical, having starred as The Phantom on the national tour. and previously playing Raoul on Broadway. The performance schedule for The Phantom of the Opera is Monday evenings at 8 PM, Tuesday evenings at 7PM, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM. Ticket prices range from $26.50 - $111.50. To order tickets visit telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.