The Visit 1999 - Articles Page 34

On March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., The Collegiate Chorale appears with The New York City Opera Orchestra at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in a performance of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 Broadway operetta The Firebrand of Florence. The performance, led by guest conductor Ted Sperling, stars baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Anna Christy, baritone Terrence Mann, and soprano Victoria Clark. Krysty Swann, David Pittu and Patrick Goss complete the cast, and narration will be provided by Stage Director Roger Rees. Boasting a score by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by playwright and screenwriter Edwin Justus Mayer, The Firebrand of Florence had a short run on Broadway in 1945. The work was subsequently not heard for over a half-century until three presentations - Ohio Light Opera (1999), the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London (2000) and the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna (2000) - shed new light on the relatively obscure work. The performances were not only accepted, but widely acclaimed, thus giving hope for a new life in a new century. Variety's theater critic Steven Suskin says 'I have long believed that Firebrand in concert should be a dazzling delight.' Benvenuto Cellini, the great Florentine artist, is sentenced to hang, but he is pardoned when the duke realizes that he has not completed a previously commissioned sculpture. Freed, he is able to turn his attention to his favorite model (and object of his affections), Angela. The Duke also is interested in Angela. In a typical operetta plot, Cellini swashbuckles around the stage, keeping the Duke away from Angela, keeping himself away from the Duchess, and escaping yet another death sentence by fleeing to Paris, as the end of the show recapitulates the beginning.

The Signature Theatre has announced the complete cast for 'The Visit' the Kander and Ebb musical starring Chita Rivera and George Hearn.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces the cast for Christopher Durang's award winning comedy The Marriage of Bette and Boo directed by Walter Bobbie, featuring Terry Beaver (Father Donnally), Heather Burns (Emily Brennan), Victoria Clark (Margaret Brennan), John Glover (Karl Hudlocke), Julie Hagerty (Soot Hudlocke), Kate Jennings Grant (Bette Brennan), Adam Lefevre (Paul Brennan), Charles Socarides (Matt), Christopher Evan Welch (Boo Hudlocke).

Eric Schaeffer, artistic director of Signature Theatre, announced today that two-time Tony® winner George Hearn will join another two-time Tony® winner Chita Rivera for Kander & Ebb's musical The Visit - a highlight of Signature Theatre's national Kander & Ebb Celebration in the spring of 2008.

Michael John LaChiusa will be featured at The After Party on Friday, June 8th

Comic playwright Christopher Durang talks with BWW about musicals, politics, maturity, and the hits & misses of his career.

After the setbacks of 9/11, Broadway's economic impact on New York is on the rise

The Public Theaters Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Mara Manus announce the New York premiere of SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, a musical with words and music by Michael John LaChiusa.

Following its hugely successful 12 week run from November 2004, the International Tour of MAMMA MIA! which is currently in Estonia following a sold out season in South Africa, will go to Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, Zurich, Vienna and various German cities before returning to Edinburgh on 29th March 2005 for an 8 week season.