Jeff Dennhardt - Page 5

The Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project is proud to announce its 6th Annual Night of Alternative Theatre with Del Shores' SORDID LIVES, Monday, June 28, 2010 at the American Stage Theatre Company, 163 Third Street North, downtown, St. Petersburg. Proceeds from this event will benefit Metro Wellness and Community Centers; an organization that provides services to people living with HIV and AIDS.

Jeffrey Solomon's award-winning play Mother/Son was inspired by his Jewish mother's poignant, and often hilarious, journey out of the closet as the parent of a gay son. The story traces her evolution from grief stricken mother turning up at a support group for parents of gays, to marching with her son in a pride parade.

Theatre and television star Lea Michele recently sat down for a behind-the-scenes discussion on set of a commercial for Dove Hair Care Products. Michele discusses what it takes to get her ready for the character of Rachel Berry on the hit television show GLEE.

Tonight, 'Idol' learned who would make the top three. Last night's performances were some of the weaker ones we've seen this season, so it was a bit unclear as to who would head home before the night began. The results show featured a wide range of performances, from R&B star Fantasia Burrino to the rock styling of Daughtry and Bon Jovi, and were a great addition to an otherwise somber night.

The top four sang songs from the silver screen tonight on "American Idol." Film and music star Jamie Foxx served to mentor, the perfect choice, since he has clearly been able to succeed in both genres. Foxx coached the contestants on how to perform for an audience, as he told them they now cannot be just a contestant; it's time to take it to the next level and show the audience who they are as an artist. Foxx made a good point: it's important to be an individual, not just have the best vocals.

'Idol' kicked off tonight's results show with the top five singing a Frank Sinatra medley consisting of The Lady is a Tramp, It Was a Very Good Year, and Night and Day. The group sounded tight as usual. I was a big fan of the way the guys began the medley, bringing out Crystal Bowersox to sing the second verse of The Lady is a Tramp. Casey James sounded a million times better tonight than he did last night; perhaps he would have done better with a different song? The group sounded great and the solos seem to get better each week.

The contestants stepped out of their comfort zone tonight on a week featuring pure crooning, something surprisingly lacking from 'Idol' this season. Stage and screen star Harry Connick, Jr. mentored the contestants on the songs of Frank Sinatra, even going so far as to create the arrangements and orchestrations for each song, as well as joining the singers on stage as the pianist. It's nice to see a mentor who put such dedication into his work on 'Idol,' though it is not the least bit surprising that this dedication came from Connick, Jr., always the consummate musician as well as performer.

Estimated Weekend Movie Box Office: April 30 - May 2, 2010.

Helen Wagner, star of the hit soap-opera 'As the World Turns,' died on May 1st at the age of 91. Wagner was married to Broadway producer Robert Willey until his death in May, 2009.

Christopher Fitzgerald, Jenn Gambatese, Brad Oscar, Heather Ayers, and Ed Watts will be among those to participate in the invitation only reading of a new musical entitled AESOP AND COMPANY, taking place May 3rd at the York Theatre.

After a successful two-night run at the Jazz Standard in January, The Stryker / Slagle Band decided to strike while the fire was hot and headed back up to bassist Jay Anderson's Mountain Rest Studio in New Paltz, NY to lay down nine new original tracks as well as a cover of Thelonious Monk's 'Ruby My Dear.' This is the 3rd CD by the same quartet: Dave Stryker (guitar), Steve Slagle (sax), Jay Anderson (bass), and Victor Lewis (drums), that released The Scene to critical success in 2008. Their fifth CD as the Stryker / Slagle Band - Keeper captures the live energy and group dynamics of a band that has been honing their sound for over 20 years, always striving to push the music ahead.

Annually cited as the most popular supper club of its kind in Los Angeles, Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA is pleased to announce that Broadway musical theatre stars JANET KRUPIN, JANENE LOVULLO, and DOUG CARPENTER & JESSICA KEENAN WYNN will make their cabaret concert debuts during May, 2010.

Guntersville, Alabama, April 30, 2010 - The last live audition session for the Whole Backstage Theatre's 2010 TAKE THE STAGE amateur talent competition will be Saturday, May 8th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Whole Backstage Theater in Guntersville on Rayburn Avenue. The competition is open to amateur performers of all kinds ages 8 and up from Alabama and surrounding states, and will be presented June 3-6. Talent can be any type of amateur entertainment suitable for a family audience. Entrants can come and audition at any time during the period - no appointment is needed. Microphones and a sound system will be provided; a piano will be available for those who require one. Entry forms will also be available at the audition.

The Off-Broadway production of the play GANGPLANK by Ward Morehouse III has been extended through May 6th. The production was originally scheduled to end May 1st.

Ferndale is about to get Foxy as Code Foxy: Man Down returns to the beat at the Ringwald Theatre courtesy of Sweet Love Productions. The show will run late night on Friday and Saturdays at 10:30pm and Sundays at 5:30pm May 21 - June 6. Tickets ($10) are available online at www.whowantscaketheatre.com, by phone 248-545-5545 and in person at the Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodward Ave, Ferndale MI 48220. The box office opens 30 minutes before performances.

Star of Broadway hit 'Race' Emmy award winning actor Richard Thomas will announce the nominees for the 28th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards honoring excellence in dance and choreography on Stage and in Film at a by-invitation-only cocktail reception at famed celebrity watering hole Elaine's, 1703 Second Avenue (btw 88th and 89th Streets), Monday, May 3rd 2010, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

David Zwirner will present Edward Kienholz's (1927-1994) renowned installation Roxys, 1960-61. First exhibited at Los Angeles's Ferus Gallery in 1962, this significant large-scale assemblage represents the first of the artist's environmental installations, or 'tableaux' as he called them, and has been credited as being one of the earliest examples of what is now ubiquitously referred to as 'installation art.'

Twelve years, 300 readings, and 73 main-stage productions after New Jersey Repertory Company began carrying out its mission to develop new works for the American stage, the small, always bustling professional theater is taking one of its shows from its inconspicuous home base on lower Broadway in Long Branch to the number-one Off Broadway destination in New York City.

The multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre continues its 30th anniversary year with a Summer Season of exciting premieres of new plays from both emerging and already internationally renowned playwrights - together with a long overdue London rediscovery to celebrate the 150th birthday of J.M. Barrie.

Two backers of the original production of THE FANTASTICKS have reaped a 24,000-percent return on their original investment. The production, which began its run in 1960 and and closed in 2002, will still produce income for the family, Marjorie and Malcolm Gray, until 2020 based on the terms of the original contract, which states the backers will receive money for 18 years following the shows final performance.