Leslie Fazin - Page 6

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul is hoping to inspire a new wave of talented artists with the release of AuditionBooth.com, the first full-service casting website that connects casting directors, managers and producers with hopeful stars. The site, co-founded by Abdul, allows members to record and upload their own unique video, which in turn can be screened by casting-decision makers searching for their next big talent. The site also features an 'open audition' section, currently sporting auditions to win a contest with singer and Broadway actress Jordin Sparks, be featured on the new dating show, 'What If?' or star in the web-based comedy series, 'Bag of Misfits.' Interested hopefuls can find advice on Abdul's blog, too, entitled 'Paula's Blog,' where she discusses topics ranging from audition do's and don'ts to succeeding in cities beyond Los Angeles and New York.

Alan Ayckbourn, winner of the 2010 Tony Award for lifetime achievement, has big plans lined up for 2011: the British playwright's newest and 74th play will begin tours throughout the UK starting next Spring. LIFE OF RILEY, which premiered in Scarborough, England, in September, will be directed by Ayckbourn himself. It will be sponsored by the Stephen Joseph Theatre Company. The cast and creative team have not yet been announced.

SculptureCenter is pleased to announce the publication of a new portfolio of photographs by: Leslie Hewitt, Marlo Pascual, Erin Shirreff, Kathrin Sonntag and Sara VanDerBeek. Central to a current dialogue around the relationship between sculpture and photography, these artists share an interest in the materiality of images and the way the photographic image affects the way we experience form. The portfolio is published in an edition of 50. Each print is approximately 16 by 20 inches and is numbered and signed by the artist. All proceeds from the sale of this edition will directly support SculptureCenter's exhibition program. The portfolio will be launched at SculptureCenter's Gala on December 8.

By 'POP'ular demand: an opening night reception of Edible Art featuring work by post-Pop icon Burton Morris and Pop Art sculpture by Tony winner John Lloyd Young will be held on Friday, November 19 from 5 - 8 PM at Hamilton-Selway Fine Art in West Hollywood.

The Hartt School Dance Division presents Hartt Dances on Friday, November 19, and Saturday, November 20, at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, November 21 at 3:00 PM at Lincoln Theater on the University of Hartford's West Hartford campus. Admission is $20, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups. Admission is free for University of Hartford students, faculty, and staff with current University ID. For tickets and information, contact the University of Hartford Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 1.800.274.8587, or visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

Anxious Gleeks awaiting the November 23 'Furt' episode can preview two songs, 'Marry You,' performed by the familiar New Directions group and 'Sway,' performed by Matthew Morrison's Will Schuester, both of which have been released as clips in the video here.

Stage and screen actress Anne Hathaway might star in an episode of GLEE; that is, if the producers of the hit-show agree to her story idea. Hathaway revealed her well-thought out plans on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, November 18, confessing that 'in my head I've cast myself in GLEE and I know which song I'd sing.'

This year, a six-year-long WQXR tradition will continue with a little help from WNYC - and a Tony Award winner, too. On Thursday, December 9 at 5pm, the annual WQXR reading of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL will take place in the station's live performance venue, The Greene Space. WQXR personalities, including Jeff Spurgeon and Midge Woolsey, will be joined by WNYC hosts, including Kurt Andersen and Jad Abumrad, in a version re-imagined for stage and directed by WQXR's Elliott Forrest. Stage and screen actor DAVID HYDE PIERCE will star in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

An Oklahoma tradition for over three decades, the Pollard Theatre in historic downtown Guthrie proudly presents their yearly classic, A Territorial Christmas Carol: An Oklahoma Tradition beginning Friday, November 26, 2010. An all-time best seller, A Territorial Christmas Carol continues to dazzle audiences and play to sold-out houses into its twenty-third year.

CAPA is seeking actors and actresses for major roles in the upcoming Off-Broadway production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding to be performed in the Cardinal Health Ballroom at the Lincoln Theatre January 20-30, 2011.

The Culture Project's IMAGINING HESCHEL, running now through November 28 at Cherry Lane Theater, has decided to cancel the opening night for its production, which began peformances on November 4. Allan Buchman, the founder and director of the Culture Project, decided the production would most likely not fare well under the critical eye, fearing that negative or mixed reviews would prevent the production from expanding regionally. Reports also indicate that rewrites to the play and changes to rehearsal schedules were still being managed late last week.

Houston Early Music presents a Renaissance musicale that is a must-see holiday event for Houston audiences. On Monday evening, December 13, Christ Church Cathedral will resonate with enchanting sounds and the musical imagery of early Christmas when world-acclaimed ensemble Ciaramella takes the stage.

The Huntington Theatre Company continues its 29th season with the world premiere of Bob Glaudini's Vengeance is the Lord's, directed by Peter DuBois.

The Broadway Boys will host the 5th annual BROADWAY SINGS FOR TOYS on December 20th at 7pm. The benefit concert for Toys for Tots will be held at Symphony Space's Thalia Theater and will celebrate the holiday season with exciting performances by The Broadway Boys as well as a host of Broadway favorites including...

An all-star cast will sing a concert of music from JAWBREAKER, a new musical based on the cult-classic film, on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 9pm at the Canal Room in New York City. Based on the 1999 film starring Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, Judy Greer and Rebecca Gayheart, JAWBREAKER: THE MUSICAL tells the Faustian tale of Satan-in-heels Courtney Shayne and her mean girl minions who play a nasty birthday prank on their picture-perfect bestie, asphyxiating her with a jawbreaker ball and accidentally killing her. When mousy Fern Mayo catches the flawless four tucking their dead friend back into bed, Courtney promises to make Fern popular in exchange for keeping their secret, implicating the innocent underling in their ill-fated cover up. With its mythic story, candy color fashions and bitch goddess role of Courtney Shayne, Jawbreaker was a natural to translate to the stage. At its core, Jawbreaker is about the lengths we go to belong, even if that means selling your soul for a taste of life with the beautiful ones. With a propulsive pop score that ranges from Lady Gaga-style synth pop to lush melodic ballads, Jawbreaker feels both timeless and today, presenting a mythic high school story that speaks to the teenager in us all.

Ladies, pick up your copy of People Magazine -- the steamy list of 100 sexiest men have been announced for 2010. Actor Ryan Reynolds tops the list, which also includes stage veterans Matthew Morrison, Jesse Williams and Jon Hamm. Other celebrities (who are sure to make you swoon) are Robert Downey, Jr., Vin Diesel, Jake Gyllenhaal, Drake and Justin Timberlake -- not to mention plenty more. Stage vets Hugh Jackman, Jude Law and Bradley Cooper also make another sexy list, which clearly needed a category of its own: the top 25 Sexiest Chests.

British singer Susan Boyle and Glee's newest addition, Darren Criss, are the frontrunners for Billboard's top charts this week. The Gift, Boyle's new album, which has sold 318,000 copies so far, currently sits at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Glee's rendition of Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream,' showcasing lead vocals from Criss, sold 214,000 copies, putting the song at the top of Billboard's Digital Songs chart.

Stray Cat Theatre presents LEARN TO BE LATINA by Enrique Urueta and directed by Ron May, Friday, December 3 through Saturday, December 18, 2010.

The Wendy Wasserstein Prize committee and administrator, the Theatre Development Fund, caused quite the stir this month when reports flourished that the $25,000 prize would not be awarded to an emerging female playwright this year. Out of 19 nominees, the panel stated that none could be deemed 'truly outstanding.'

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will present Knock Me a Kiss by Charles Smith at their home at Henry Street Settlement's Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall (466 Grand Street). Performances began November 11 with Opening Night set for Sunday, November 21. Performances continue through December 5 only. Chuck Smith directs a cast that features Erin Cherry, André De Shields, Gillian Glasco, Morocco Omari, Sean Phillips, and Marie Thomas. Knock Me a Kiss has set design by Anthony Davidson, costume design by Ali Turns, lighting design by Shirley Prendergast, and sound design by Bill Toles.