Harmony Wheeler - Page 26

Refreshingly different from its film counterpart, the original Hairspray musical offers all the highs of the movie set to the thrill of live performance. The changes from stage to screen can both enhance and take away from the charm of a musical. In the case of Broadway by the Bay's production of Hairspray, audiences are treated to those special elements lost in the film. Of course, if you've never seen the movie version of the Tony Award winning show, allow me to introduce you to the high-spirited, catchy musical that will leave a smile on your face, a tune on your mind and a tap to your foot.

Capital Stage announces a change to its 2011-12 schedule. How I Learned to Drive, originally scheduled for a July/August run will open at the midtown theatre on May 19. The Sacramento premiere of Christopher Shinn's Dying City will move to the summer production dates, July 18 - August 12, 2012. 'We're changing the performance schedule of the these two productions to accommodate a scheduling conflict with one of our key artists,' explains Producing Director, Jonathan Williams.

The youth of NWAA bask in the bright lights as they perform Bring on Broadway for their Spring 2012 mainstage concert. Artistic director Paula Hawkins has put together a collection of medleys from Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, The Princess and the Frog, Wicked, Shrek and many other Broadway favorites. There is romance, twisted fairy tales and totally irreverent fun for audiences of all ages. The sounds of Jazz, Zydeco, Blues and Gospel will all contribute.

Inis Nua Theatre Company is finishing its season with the Philadelphia premiere of Enda Walsh's The Walworth Farce, a dark comedy by one of Ireland's most celebrated contemporary playwrights. The show runs May 8-27 at the Off-Broad Street Theatre at First Baptist Church. Opening night is Wednesday, May 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$25 and are available by phone at 215-454-9776 or online at www.inisnuatheatre.org.

To inaugurate its 10th anniversary season, Stolen Chair has partnered with Lady Mendl's Tea Salon to offer a unique theatrical experience, "tea theatre." Stolen Chair will pair its 15th original work, The Bachelors' Tea Party, with a classic 5-course tea service. Written by Stolen Chair's resident playwright, Kiran Rikhye, and directed by Jon Stancato, 'one of the most daring and imaginative directors of his generation' (Martin Denton, NYtheatre.com), the play is open to the press on April 15 (5pm). Stolen Chair veteran Liz Eckert (Stage Kiss and Kinderspiel) is joined onstage by Jody Flader (The Vineyard Theater's Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island).

Paul Gross, one of Canada's acclaimed actors, will lead the cast of Are You There, McPhee? a world premiere by John Guare at McCarter Theatre Center. Directed by Sam Buntrock, the production will run from May 4 through June 3, 2012. (Opening Night: Friday, May 11.)

The North Carolina Symphony takes concertgoers to River City, Iowa, this week when Resident Conductor William Henry Curry leads the orchestra and noted area actors in a semi-staged production of Meredith Willson's treasured Broadway musical The Music Man. The Pops Series performances take place at Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday, April 13-14 at 8:00 p.m. A matinee performance follows on Sunday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m.

Week Three of The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University's MFA Repertory Season (April 11 - 14) present scenes from Topdog/Underdog and Raised in Captivity, plus the one-act play, Brilliant Traces. Check out production photos below!

Darren Criss sings Should Be Dancin' in a sneak peek of next week's episode of Glee. Check out the video below!

The Daily Mail UK reports that Miranda Raison will star in Donmar Theatre's Physicists. The actress will play a physicist's wife and nurse in the stage version of Friedrich Durrenmatt's Cold War satire. Josie Rourke will direct the show, which begins rehearsals April 23 and starts performances May 31.

The Daily Mail UK reports that David Bedella will star as drag queen Arnold Beckoffin in Harvey Fierstein's new three-act play Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark, London, beginning May 30. Douglas Hodge will direct. Sara Kestelman will play Arnold's mother.

Jessica Phillips, star of Broadway's Leap of Faith, sat down with ABC News 10's What's the Buzz to talk about the show. Watch the video below!

SMASH star Megan Hilty recently visit off-Broadway's Pyscho Therapy. Check out the photos of her visit below!

A young pianist of astonishing virtuosity and imagination, Cuban-born Alfredo Rodriguez calls up images of legendary jazz pianists like Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and his compatriot Chucho Valdes. Schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana, Rodriguez's riveting artistry is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as by his Cuban and jazz roots.

THE X FACTOR is extending online auditions to Friday, April 27th. Solo artists and vocal groups have an additional two weeks to submit their online auditions. To audition online, auditioners should upload a thirty-second introduction and a one-and-a-half minute a cappella video performance to www.TheXFactorUSA.com.

Iconic funny man Bill Cosby, who has been making audiences laugh for decades with his keen insight into everyday existence, brings his signature comedy to the Treasure Island Theatre May 25 at 8 p.m.

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, premieres its production of The Beggar's Opera, the original source of The Threepenny Opera in less than three weeks. The production opens Friday, April 27 and closes Saturday, May 19. Performances are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., with an additional performance Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays, Thursdays or any other Tuesday.

Betty Cuningham Gallery announces an exhibition of models, maquettes and sculptures by Mia Westerlund Roosen, spanning her career from 1976- 2012. This will be the artist's third exhibition at the Gallery.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign with GrooveBox Studios, Go Comedy! Improv Theater is set to welcome back Robocop! The Musical May 31st with a new, professionally recorded score, original cast album and more.

Award-winning solo artist Mike Schlitt, in association with Son of Semele, has extended his solo-hit Jesus Ride through May 12. The production, which garnered "Outstanding Solo Show" at the New York Fringe in 2009, has been running at Son of Semele Theater since March 9 and will continue through mid-May playing Saturday evenings.