Joseph Harrison - Page 19

In March 2011, when repertory performances of The Two Noble Kinsmen and Edward III open, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company will have produced the entire Shakespearean canon over its 25-year history.

This month, E.B. White's classic children's book Charlotte's Web hits the stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts. A celebration of compassion, friendship and ingenuity, this charming tale has captivated generations with its enduring story of the lengths to which friends will go to help each other. Adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, Charlotte's Web presents the adventures of that terrific pig Wilbur and his barnyard friends through the magic of puppetry.

"All you have to do is dream" - as the title song of the hit Broadway musical Dreamgirls tells us, and that is exactly what Trevon Davis, a Flint, MI native, did, leading him to the role of C.C. White in the latest production of Dreamgirls which plays Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre October 12 - 17, part of Broadway Across America - Atlanta's 2010 - 2011 season. Trevon, who attended Clark Atlanta University and was a finalist on MTV's Making the Band 4 and BET's Sunday Best, will return home to Atlanta to perform in the first professional production of Dreamgirls following the success of the recent hit movie. I had a chance to talk with Trevon about his career, the role of C.C. and the joys of performing as a "Dreamguy."

"Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition…" You would be hard pressed to find anyone out there who hasn't heard these iconic lyrics that start the classic Dolly Parton hit song, 9 to 5. The song (and the film) may be approaching their 30th anniversary, but the story has taken on brand new life in the form of a new musical (with music by Dolly Parton and book by Pat Resnick) and will be arriving at the Fabulous Fox Theatre September 28 - October 3, the second stop on the national tour. Directing and co-choreographing this reimagining of the recent Broadway production of 9 to 5: The Musical is Jeff Calhoun. Jeff took time out from his busy schedule to talk to us about 9 to 5, his vision for the show, and of course, working with the legendary Dolly Parton.

Reworking a classic story is not a new concept in the theatre world. Just ask the creators of Wicked or West Side Story. Taking something that audiences are already familiar with and turning it on its ear can be quite a task and is not without its challenges. First, there are the constant comparisons to the source material (or previous adaptations). Next, there is the daunting task to "reinvent" the plot and bring audiences on a fresh and new journey. But with the Alliance Theatre's premiere of Twist - an American Musical (a modern, American take on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist) they beat the odds and have created a magical tapestry of music, story and life that, even with a classic tale at its heart, feels like a something completely new.

A review of the fabulous Pageant: The Musical, the show with a little 'Something Extra' taking place at the 14th Street Playhouse through October 24th.

Christmas is in the air at the Center for Puppetry Arts! Preparations for its new upcoming holiday show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, have been in the works since earlier this year. Adapted and directed by the Center's Artistic Director, Jon Ludwig, the production is based on the beloved 1964 stop-motion animated special, and provides the audience with the opportunity to experience the timeless tale of Rudolph and his misfit friends in a whole new way: live on stage!

Theatre in the Square's Theatre for Youth production for the 2010-11 season, How I Became a Pirate, by Alyn Cardarelli and Steve Goers, is based on the award-winning, best selling children's book by the same title written by Melinda Young and illustrated by David Shannon. How I Became a Pirate opens Tuesday, September 14, at 10 a.m. on the Alley Stage. Tickets are available at the Box Office by calling 770-422-8369 or online at www.theatreinthesquare.com.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is teaming up with their neighbors in Atlantic Station and the Georgia State University College of Education Alumni Club to sponsor a Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive! In conjunction with the drive, the Center will host a very special evening with actor David Newell on Friday, September 10 from 8-9:00 p.m. as he takes a look back at his career as Speedy Delivery man Mr. McFeely on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

When the opening chords of a familiar Beatles tune drifts out of the doors of the Fabulous Fox Theatre on September 17th, passers by might just think they stepped back in time 40+ years to Liverpool, England. And if they come see RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles presented by Theater of the Stars September 17 - 19 they might just succeed in that time travel. RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles, a show that has been called "the next best thing to seeing The Beatles," boasts a repertoire of Beatles favorites, ranging from such beloved songs as "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Hey Jude" to classic hits including "Revolution" and "Come Together." Playing all those familiar songs, in the guise of George Harrison is Joe Bithorn who will be a part of the show when it returns to Atlanta. I caught up with Joe to learn a little more about his journey.

Best known for creating the role of Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast, Burke Moses has played some amazing leading roles during his theatrical career. In the upcoming Theater of the Stars production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, he has the opportunity once again to pick up the whistle of Captain Georg Von Trapp (he most recently played to role in the acclaimed Toronto production) and command a new brigade of Von Trapp children on stage at Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre. Broadwayworld.com had the chance to talk to Burke about this turn as the Captain, working with children, and the timelessness of this amazing Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.

When it comes to the Atlanta music scene, fans usually have numerous choices of concerts any given weekend to satisfy their musical cravings. But this weekend, Atlanta music and theatre fans alike will have the rare chance to experience the folk-pop stylings of a musical-theatre actress who, in support of the recent release of her solo album, Young Stellar Object, will bring her unique sound to the Atlanta area.