David Clarke - Page 43

Gaetano Donizetti was a tremendous influence on the operas of Giuseppe Verdi and laid the foundation for the popularity of Italian opera in the latter half of the nineteenth century. At Opera in the Heights, their rousing production of the tragic opera fully exposes audiences to why this opera has had such staying power and was popular enough to be performed almost once a season at New York City's Metropolitan Opera from 1903 until 1972.

When BOEING BOEING first landed on Broadway in 1965, it only ran for 23 performances. However, in 2008 the French Comedy, penned by Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans, was revised and re-opened on Broadway. This version fared much better, garnering positive reviews. Playhouse 1960 is producing the reworked script and showing audiences why this play is a favorite of audiences and theatre companies alike.

Donald Margulies has a lot to say about modern life in his 2009 drama TIME STANDS STILL. The multifaceted piece pins a savvy photojournalist against desires to start a family and leaves her questioning the true impact of her work. Likewise, the skillful acting that occurs on the stage at Main Street Theater - Rice Village leaves the audience with plenty to think and talk about on the car ride home.

Dan LeFranc is the winner of the 2010 New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award. The Regional Premiere of his SIXTY MILES TO SILVER LAKE, produced by Theater LaB, easily illustrates why he won such a prestigious award. It initially seems like a microcosm presentation of the affects of an ugly divorce on a modern American family; however, it becomes clear that SIXTY MILES TO SILVER LAKE is truly a macrocosm of modern American struggles.

After almost a decade of playing Frankie Valli in JERSEY BOYS on Broadway, Jarrod Spector took to the stage at 54 BELOW and gifted New York audiences with a cabaret concert that charts the progression of the popular tenor voice in music from the early 1900s to the present day. Recorded in November 2013, this cabaret performance is now immortalized on Broadway Record's release of Spector's album A LITTLE HELO FROM MY FRIENDS - Live at 54 BELOW.

Marc Camoletti's 1960 play BOEING BOEING was translated into English by Beverly Cross. The comedic piece found success in London, running for seven years in its original production, but it failed to capture American audiences. In 1991, it was named in the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world, and The Texas Repertory Theatre's sprightly production certainly indicates why it is so endearing.

Unable to see AMERICAN IDIOT in New York City, I am so happy that the Third National Tour finally brought the show to Houston, TX. This lively, youthful cast owns every moment of this explosive and exhilarating AMERICAN IDIOT, and I can't imagine any other cast performing this rollicking, raucous piece as well as they do. Every human on the stage gives this show everything they can, and the end result is something I'll cherish for years to come.

In anticipation of LES MISERABLES coming back home to Broadway, I've been listening to LES MISERABLES LIVE! DREAM THE DREAM (The 2010 Cast Album). The beautiful, exciting, and comprehensive recording was captured at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2009. For those curious about what they can expect from the new Broadway production, this recording serves as the perfect introduction to Chris Jahnke's new orchestrations.

On Saturday, April 26, TUTS is inviting Houstonians to enter a Prohibition-era speakeasy for their annual fundraising gala. This year's theme is "Broadway Empire.' Headlining the evening's entertainment is Broadway phenomenon and Tony Award winning musical theatre actress Laura Benanti. Recently, I chatted with Laura Benanti about her impressive career and the much-anticipated gala.

When it comes to tense and taut one-act dramas that play out in real time, one often thinks of playwright David Mamet. With an extensive resume of work I'm not familiar with, Johnna Adams' work in GIDION'S KNOT is just as intense and intriguing as any of the David Mamet plays I've experienced. Furthermore, GIDION'S KNOT is a timely drama filled to overflowing with relevant social commentary that makes the 75 minutes production all the more gripping.

On March 4, 2014, Chris Douridas and Larry Klein released a 12-track soundtrack for Showtime's hit series House of Lies with Strange Cargo/Manhattan Records. The soundtrack is a compilation of the best songs from the first three seasons and features Kim Cesarion's “Brains Out,” Thomas Dybdhal's “This Love is Here to Stay,” Kiko King and creativemaze's “Illusions of Time,” and Michael Kiwanuka's “It Always Comes Back Around.”

Early in February, I got my hands on the FROM BROADWAY WITH LOVE: A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR SANDY HOOK album. I was moved and impressed with how heartfelt the concert was. The outpouring of love from the Broadway community to the town of Sandy Hook, Connecticut was and still is monumental. In addition to releasing the CD and digital albums of the concert, Broadway Records released a DVD and Blu-Ray of the performance. Like the CD and digital albums, 100% of its profits from the DVD and Blu-Ray are going to support the Newtown-Sandy Hook community via the Newton-Sandy Hook Community Foundation.

Houston Grand Opera is presenting the World Premiere of A COFFIN IN EGYPT, a one-act chamber opera based on Horton Foote's play by the same title. Known for crafting touching sentimentality and riveting drama, Horton Foote's legacy is sure to be celebrated for centuries to come. However, this operatic adaptation of A COFFIN IN EGYPT browbeats audiences with nostalgic sentimentality and rarely moves us to feel anything.

If you have ever wondered what theatre by Chuck Palahniuk may be like, then ROME is definitely for you. If you're looking for interesting theatre that will give you plenty to mull over, then ROME is also for you. If you are looking for theatre that will discomfort you to the core of your being while making you laugh at things that you generally wouldn't laugh at, then ROME is for you too. All in all, the experimental ROME was a risk well worth taking.

Green Day took Broadway by storm with their hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT, which is more-or-less a stage adaption of their record-breaking album by the same title. The musical tells the story of three disillusioned young American men who look for meaning in modern American life. With only a week until the show hits Houston stages, I chatted with Cason Higgins, who plays the adventurous drug dealer St. Jimmy, about the rock musical.

In early January, Constantine Maroulis rocked Houston audiences as part of Tyce Green's Straight From New York Concert Series. His energetic and mesmerizing performance inspired me to seek out his debut solo album CONSTANTINE. Like the cabaret concert, the 2007 album expertly showcases Constantine Maroulis' rock zeal and indefatigable charisma.

Theater LaB Houston, known as Houston's premiere Off-Broadway Theater, is continuing its residency at Obsidian Art Space with with an exciting 2014 season. From March 26 - 30, the company is presenting the Regional Premiere of Dan LeFranc's SIXTY MILES TO SILVER LAKE. In anticipation of this new season, I recently spoke with director Linda Phenix about SIXTY MILES TO SILVER LAKE.

This new musical by Aaron Alon is still in the process of being made. Thunderclap Productions is working on filming the musical and there are still plans to bring the show to stage as well. With relevant and timely themes, an intriguing score, and remarkable talent behind every aspect of this musical, the HIGHLIGHTS FROM BULLY (Concept Cast Recording) is a great way for more people to be exposed to this musical and to support this important project.

Ever since it premiered on Broadway in 1973, Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, with a book by Hugh Wheeler, has been a favorite of musical theatre fans. The Michigan Opera Theatre was the first American opera company to present the piece in 1983, and other companies followed suit. It last graced Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) stages in 1999. Now, the musical, with an extraordinary set and gorgeous costumes by Isaac Mizrahi, is thrilling Houston audiences again with HGO's latest production of this American masterpiece.

In celebration of Stanton Welch's tenth anniversary as Artistic Director at Houston Ballet, the company is presenting a mixed repertory program that showcases his work as a choreographer. Across the three acts, audiences are treated to stunningly beautiful stage pictures, fascinating movement, and breathtaking feats of agility and poise. With their THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA program, Houston Ballet splendidly illustrates why Houston is truly to lucky to have Stanton Welch in our city.