On the Level 1966 - Articles Page 19

On April 12, 2010, the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor beloved stage, screen, and television actress Angela Lansbury with the company's first Stephen Sondheim Award. (The celebration was originally scheduled to take place on April 26, 2010). The award, established last year in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy. The 2010 Sondheim Award Gala is chaired by C. Daniel and Juliann Clemente; Honorary Hosts include actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Bernadette Peters, philanthropists Helen Henderson and Ted and Mary Jo Shen, and Congressman James Moran and LuAnn Bennett. The Sondheim Award Gala will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community outreach programs.

Producer Jeffrey Finn announced today that the upcoming, first-ever Broadway production of OLEANNA, the provocative drama by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles, has instituted a special post-show series for audiences during previews.

One of the most memorable shows in musical theatre history, Annie Get Your Gun is Irving Berlin's masterpiece, including some of the best songs ever written for the stage; unfortunately, it also has one of the creakiest books ever written to accompany those wonderful tunes. Although that script was updated and re-tooled for the 1999 Broadway revival, SCA decided to go with the older (probably from the 1966 revival), lamer and (we hate to say it) more racist version. It was not a good choice, particularly when the 1999 revival script is available; its judicious editing resulted in a tighter script and a quicker pace to make the show more palatable to contemporary audiences-especially in 2009.

Producer Jeffrey Finn announced today that the upcoming, first-ever Broadway production of OLEANNA, the provocative drama by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles, has instituted a special post-show series for audiences during previews.

The New York Philharmonic will receive a $10 million gift from Henry R. Kravis in honor of his wife, Marie-Josée Kravis, to endow its new Composer-in-Residence position, a major initiative of Alan Gilbert's tenure as Music Director, which begins this month.

The NYC400 is the first-ever list of New York City's ultimate movers and shakers since the City's founding?from politics, the arts, business, sports, science, and entertainment.

'Yesterday's Angel,' a series of films to celebrate the work of Natalie Wood, will be shown at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater August 19 through 25.

'Yesterday's Angel,' a series of films to celebrate the work of Natalie Wood, will be shown at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater August 19 through 25.

'Yesterday's Angel,' a series of films to celebrate the work of Natalie Wood, will be shown at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater August 19 through 25.

Today, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts officially launches a yearlong celebration of its 50th Anniversary with a commemorative ceremony in the Starr Theater at Alice Tully Hall. Hosted by renowned journalist and author Tom Brokaw, the program pays tribute to the many achievements and contributions of Lincoln Center, from the milestones of its past half century to the transformation of its campus.

OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, is proud to announce the 2009 recipients of the National Opera Trustee Recognition Award. In its second year, this award honors trustees of U.S. opera companies for exemplary leadership, generosity and audience building efforts on behalf of their respective opera companies. The 2009 National Opera Trustee Recognition honorees are Mr. John T. Cody, Jr. of The Dallas Opera, Mr. Richard Holland of Opera Omaha, Mrs. Beth Ingram of Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Mr. C. Guy Rudisill, III of Piedmont Opera. OPERA America is committed to recognizing strong trustee leaders, understanding the pivotal role they play in the success of opera companies and the vitality of the communities they serve. In acknowledging and celebrating the dedication of board members at the national level, the National Opera Trustee Recognition Program seeks to strengthen the relationships between opera companies and their trustees and to inspire exemplary service to opera companies across the United States. 'Presenting consistently high-quality opera requires a dedicated staff guided and supported by a strong board,' stated Marc A. Scorca, president & CEO of OPERA America. 'The value of dedicated board members who provide passion, vision and generous support cannot be overstated. We are pleased to be joined by Bank of America in recognizing the achievements of these trustees.'

Here it is - the year end 'holiday roundup' of books, which, by the way, make for a perfect gift...and an affordable one, that will last much longer than flowers, cookies or fruitcake (that no one wants anyway).

If you're a die-hard fan of classic American musicals, then grab your checkbook and a few supportive friends and buy your way to stardom at Victory Gardens Theater's 27th Annual Casting Auction, Saturday, November 15 at 6 pm at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Lincoln Center announced today an exciting series of artistic and educational events and initiatives to celebrate its forthcoming 50th anniversary, officially beginning with a ceremony to commemorate the institution's original groundbreaking in 1959 and ending with a campus-wide open house. The anniversary celebration coincides with the physical transformation of Lincoln Center, designed to make the campus a more open, accessible and vibrant urban destination. Ribbon cuttings will be held throughout the year as redevelopment projects are completed.

Mark N. Grant's new book explores the fall of a once-vital art form.