A Christmas Memory 2014 - Articles Page 18

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announces the world premiere of The House that will not Stand, a historical comedic drama commissioned from award-winning poet-playwright and Oakland native Marcus Gardley. Sensuous, witty, heartbreaking, and uplifting - The House that will not Stand unearths a story about free women of color in 1836 New Orleans, where black Creole women entered into common-law marriages with affluent white men. When her wealthy lover mysteriously dies, Beartrice Albans' foundation of security hangs precariously by a thread. She is left to fend for her three unwed daughters in a world where freedom must be carefully negotiated. Told in a rich and lyrical river of words, this new play was developed through The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work. It's helmed by Patricia McGregor, whose many credits include the celebrated production of Spunk at California Shakespeare Theater. The House that will not Stand begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on Friday, January 31, opens on Wednesday, February 5 and runs through Sunday, March 16, 2014.

Broadway World's annual roundup of critic favorites includes Central Pennsylvania theatres and performers

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking to two of the hottest producers in Hollywood and on Broadway all about their recent smash hit December with the ratings bonanza of NBC's live presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC as well as the three-network tent-pole two-night TV event, BONNIE & CLYDE - the peerless Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Discussing all aspects of the unprecedented live presentation, Zadan and Meron outline the process of bringing the gigantic production to the small screen and grant us a vivid look behind the scenes of the big show. Additionally, Zadan and Meron comment on the social media frenzy that occurred during the 25+ million-viewed telecast as well as their reaction to criticism of country music superstar Carrie Underwood in the starring role, as well as their longstanding relationship with NBC in general. Plus, Zadan and Meron also clue us in on what elements they seek out in special events such as this as we look ahead to next year's confirmed major live musical - whatever could it be?! Besides all about THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Zadan and Meron also offer us the 411 on a number of other projects immediately upcoming in 2014 and far beyond, with a special focus on their just-announced Harvey Weinstein collaboration on a feature film version of Stephen Schwartz's beloved PIPPIN, as well as first news on a forthcoming original Beach Boys jukebox musical currently in development and preliminary information on the pilot for a new musical series inspired by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren titled SONGBYRD, set to shoot in January. All of that, reflections on last year's sensational Academy Awards broadcast hosted by the controversial Seth MacFarlane and a look ahead to this year's Zadan & Meron-produced Oscars show - set to be hosted by daytime queen Ellen Degeneres - as well as stories from their early years producing cabaret showcases and penning books on theatre as well as much, much more in this all-encompassing conversation with the most important men in movie musicals.

Ars Nova kicks off 2014 with Game Play, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production. Game Play, set to play 10 performances from January 29 - February 8, features original short plays and live music inspired by classic board game titles.

Today, we are spotlighting the absolute must-haves for the Broadway baby on Santa's shopping list - all of the very best theatre-related music, movies, events and more - well, at least sixteen or seventeen of them…

The Troubies' traditional holiday mashups are some of the company's most anticipated shows of the year. Past hits like A Christmas Westside Story (A Christmas Story with the music of West Side Story), Rudolph the Red Nosed ReinDOORS (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Doors), and The First Jo-el (the Nativity story via Billy Joel songs) have been unforgettable treasure troves of comedy fun.

Samantha Bond (Passion Play, Amy's View, Downton Abbey, Outnumbered) plays Muriel Eubanks, a glamorous divorcee looking for love in Beaumont-sur-Mer on the French Riviera and John Marquez (Privates On Parade, The Taming of the Shrew, Doc Martin) plays Andre Thibault, Beaumont-sur-Mer's Chief of Police.

On Saturday, December 7, TheatreWorks opened the Broadway musical 'Little Women' to an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd in Palo Alto, CA. After the performance, attendees emerged into the courtyard of the Lucie Stern Theatre to find snow - make with theatre magic! - followed by a champagne reception and meet-and-greet with the cast. Check out photos below by David Allen.

A new crop of local talent joins Goodman Theatre's artistic team for the 2013/2014 Season. The four Chicago-based writers named to the fourth season of the Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency program designed to support and develop new works-include Andrew Hinderaker, Gift Theatre ensemble member; Mickle Maher, cofounder of Theater Oobleck; Anne Garcia-Romero, a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists; and Laura Schellhardt, who oversees undergraduate playwriting at Northwestern University. A partnership with Chicago Dramatists, the Playwrights Unit meets twice per month with members of the Goodman's artistic team to discuss their plays-in-progress and provide feedback for one another. The program includes readings of the playwrights' works-in-progress at Chicago Dramatists in early 2014, and culminates in summer 2014 with staged readings of their completed works at the Goodman. Playwrights Unit alumni include Greg Allen, Alice Austen, Ike Holter and Christopher Oscar Peña (2012/2013 Season); Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, Elaine Romero and Martin Zimmerman (2011/2012 Season); and Seth Bockley, Lisa Dillman, Laura Jacqmin and Rohina Malik (2010/2011 Season).

This Christmas treat your family and friends to a gift that comes with applause - tickets to a show of their choice at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition NEXT <=> section of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run tonight, December 3 through 22, 2013.

Today we are talking to a familiar face to theatre fans who has appeared in a number of memorable roles on Broadway and elsewhere, in roles ranging from LES MISERABLES to THE FIX to A TALE OF TWO CITIES and beyond - the passionate and thoughtful Natalie Toro. Discussing many of the details in the painstaking process in bringing her spectacular new holiday-themed album to life, song selection to overall style and sound, Toro shares stories from the studio as well as from her own life, having spent the better part of the last year preparing, recording, mastering and now finally releasing the album to the world - along with a few music videos, too. Speaking of which, Toro shines a light on the talented guest stars and collaborators that appear on the release, including Jon Secada and Ryan Kelly, with whom she stars in the new music video for "Baby, It's Cold Outside". Additionally, Toro also casts a look back at some of her most celebrated roles to date and tells colorful tales from participating in the national tour of CATS, the American premiere of Dana Rowe and John Dempsey's THE FIX and the original Off-Broadway production of ZOMBIE PROM as well as LES MISERABLES on Broadway, A TALE OF TWO CITIES and more as well as illuminates her involvement with the recent workshop of the new musical by Dana Rowe and Michal Aman, FRIDA. Plus, Toro looks ahead to her holiday-themed Birdland show in promotion of JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS and much, much more!

Today we are talking to a terrifically talented and versatile stage and screen performer who has excelled in many arenas throughout her compellingly varied career - comedy, drama, stand-up, cabaret, jazz and beyond - the fiercely, fabulously idiosyncratic and ebulliently engaging Lea DeLaria. Espousing upon a wide range of topics and tracing her unique professional trajectory thus far, DeLaria sheds some light on a few of her most fondly remembered stage roles - revivals of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and ON THE TOWN on Broadway, as well as Off-Broadway turns in LITTLE FISH and PROMETHEUS BOUND included - as well as recounts her experiences participating in a handful of feature films, new and old, as well - including the recent Hallmark original movie musical DEAR DUMB DIARY. Most importantly, DeLaria recounts her experiences starring on the Netflix mega-hit series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK and offers a glimpse of the major impact that the pop culture lynchpin has had on her own life since its 2013 debut - while also preliminarily previewing what we can expect from Season Two, too. Plus, DeLaria reflects on her recording legacy, detailing the conception and production of some choice cuts from her many arresting albums - such as 'Broadway Baby', 'The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd', 'Puff' and 'Sleigh Ride' - as well as shares first news on her new album project, highlighting the music and lyrics of David Bowie. Additionally, DeLaria teases her upcoming scandalously titled series of holiday-themed shows at NYC cabaret hotspot 54 Below occurring in late December while also offering her candid perspective on favorite Christmas tunes and the season itself. All of that, FURTHER TALES OF THE CITY memories and much more in this engaging conversation with a true Broadway and Hollywood original.

Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit? Check out this list of options to help you have a festive month and bookmark this page for handy reference! (To be updated with new shows as announced).

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run December 3 through 22, 2013.

It's back! After a two-year hiatus, Cleveland Play House (CPH) is thrilled to announce the return of Festival of Trees! The Allen Theatre lobbies at PlayhouseSquare will play host to this beloved holiday tradition featuring a grand display showcasing dozens of trees exquisitely designed by a team of professional decorators. The magic and wonder of the season is in full swing at this truly unique event, which is FREE and OPEN to the entire community. With Presenting Sponsor Dominion East Ohio and the generosity of Cleveland's corporate and civic leaders, Festival of Trees will raise support for CPH's renowned artistic and educational programming, while making the season bright for the Northeast Ohio community.

Furthering its commitment to the intimate exploration of the human spirit through storytelling, Lantern Theater Company continues its 20th anniversary season with a world premiere adaptation of Dylan Thomas' beloved poem A Child's Christmas in Wales. Co-created by Lantern Artistic Director Charles McMahon and Philadelphia interdisciplinary artist Sebastienne Mundheim, the devised performance integrates Mundheim's well-known puppet sculpture work with Thomas' evocative language. The production is family-friendly for children 8 years and older and runs December 5, 2013 - January 5, 2014.

Today we are talking to one of the most exciting breakout stars from FOX's hit musical dramedy series GLEE all about his Broadway and Hollywood past, present and future while previewing what we can expect in the coming weeks at McKinley High and beyond - the one and only Darren Criss. Detailing the finer points of his upbringing as a musical theatre fan, Criss speaks about some of his early theatre roles and shines some light on his stint starring in the recent revival of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING in addition to musing on some roles he would like to take on in the future, near and far. Besides all about GLEE, Criss also opens up about his recent film projects such as GIRL MOST LIKELY, co-starring Kristen Wiig (available now) as well as first news and fascinating new details on HBO's hotly anticipated documentary centered on musical theatre master Stephen Sondheim, directed by longtime collaborator James Lapine, titled SIX BY SONDHEIM. Criss outlines his role in the new doc as well as shares stories from the set and sharing time with Sondheim himself, as well as Lapine and co-stars Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes and America Ferrerra as part of the film's 'Opening Doors' sequence. Additionally, Criss shares his foremost early influences, imparts his perspective on his unique place in the performing arts realm, reflects on his recent sold-out national tour and solo music projects as well as looks ahead to what's next. All of that, a generous helping of GLEE backstage dish and a tantalizing appetizer of what is to come as well as much, much more in this extensive chat with one of the most popular personalities in the performing arts.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Big local openings ('Miss Saigon,' 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Mary Poppins'), holiday fare like Menken's 'A Christmas Carol,' the return of 'We Three Lizas' and more, season announcements from MTC and LOW, plus the Season Of Concern CD and a BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards deadline!

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is always proud to bring live music into the lives of its community, and the coming holiday season will be no different. From Pops to Gospel and Celtic Woman, to the family-favorite Kid's Christmas and traditional Messiah and "Christmas with the ASO," there is a live holiday music experience for everyone. Seven holiday programs will make up this year's 2013 Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts series, December 5-31, 2013.

During the holiday season Performance Network Theatre presents a new take on the larger than life Broadway musical "Jerry's Girls", a revue of the work of Jerry Herman who wrote the music for shows such as "Hello, Dolly!", "La Cage Aux Folles", and "Mame". "Jerry's Girls" is directed by Carla Milarch and stars an all female cast including award-winning musical theatre actress, Naz Edwards, from November 14 - January 5, 2014 as well as a special New Year's Eve performance followed by a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are available now at performancenetwork.org, over the phone at 734-663-0681, or at the theatre at 120 East Huron in Downtown Ann Arbor.

3Arts is honored to announce the ten recipients of its 6th annual 3Arts Awards, presented to women artists, artists of color and artists with disabilities working in the performing, teaching and visual arts. The awards will be presented tonight, Monday, Oct. 21, by the 3Arts Board of Directors and Awards Host Committee in a celebratory gathering at the Museum of Contemporary Art. 3Arts has awarded over $1 million in total grants to more than 100 Chicago artists in the past six years.

Playwrights Horizons presents its New York premiere production of Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, a new play by Anne Washburn, with music by Obie Award winner Michael Friedman. Directed by Steve Cosson, the Obie Award-winning Artistic Director of The Civilians, Mr. Burns is being presented as the first production of Playwrights Horizons' 2013/2014 Season.

Coming off of a very successful 25th Anniversary Season, which had record-breaking ticket sales and new versions of SteppingStone Theatre¹s most popular and exciting plays, SteppingStone Theatre will be continuing that momentum into the new season with ground-breaking new productions, including four SteppingStone Theatre Originals.