Get the latest news & discounts to your inbox for Classical Music theatre.
UNCLE VANYA With Gyllenhaal, O'Hare and Sarsgaard Opens 2/12 by BWW News Desk
- February 12, 2009 Classic Stage Company's upcoming new production of Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, starring Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare as Vanya, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Yelena and Peter Sarsgaard as Astrov, has set its official opening night for Thursday, February 12 at 7 pm, it was announced today by CSC Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen.
COLOR PURPLE, GREY GARDENS And More Come To Ordway by Gabrielle Sierra
- February 11, 2009 The Ordway Center For Performing Arts Announces their upcoming events for February and March 2009
FEBRUARY
Sunday, February 15, 2009 - 4pm
VocalEssence WITNESS
Celebrating the 90th anniversary of his birth, the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a concert dedicated to music inspired by his life and vision. Influenced by Dr. King, jazz legend Dr. Billy Taylor will perform his composition Peaceful Warrior, written for chorus, orchestra and jazz trio. Join us for this inspirational tribute to one of the greatest leaders of all time.
Tickets Now On Sale for Minnelli, Holliday, Grey & More Sing 'NEW YORK MOMENTS' with NY Philharmonic 4/20 by BWW News Desk
- February 10, 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.
Andre De Shields Stars In Solo Performance 2/9 by BWW News Desk
- February 09, 2009 In celebration of Black History Month, award-winning Broadway star Andr? De Shields will perform Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance for one show only on Monday, February 9, 2009, 7:30 PM, at SEIU District 1199, 310 West 43rd Street. Presented by Actor's Equity Association's EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Committee, the performance is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.
Conceived, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, Mine Eyes is directed by Alfred Preisser, Artistic Director, Classical Theatre of Harlem, where Mr. De Shields has frequently performed.
De Shields is Douglass in Free 'MINE EYES' Performance 2/9 by BWW News Desk
- February 09, 2009 In celebration of Black History Month, award-winning Broadway star Andre De Shields will perform Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance for one show only on Monday, February 9, 2009, 7:30 PM, at SEIU District 1199, 310 West 43rd Street. Presented by Actor's Equity Association's EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Committee, the performance is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Conceived, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, Mine Eyes is directed by Alfred Preisser, Artistic Director, Classical Theatre of Harlem, where Mr. De Shields has frequently performed.
LuPone and McDonald Led, Doyle Directed 'Mahagonny' Wins GRAMMY for Best Classical Album by Eddie Varley
- February 08, 2009 The LA Opera production of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny has won th GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Album.
The LA Opera production of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny premiered on PBS 'Great Performances' on Monday, December 17th, 2008.
BROADWAY BEARS XII 'Bear A Day On BWW' For BC/EFA: Day 2 - XANADU! by BWW News Desk
- February 08, 2009 Sure to out-do last year's collection, 40 one-of-a-kind BROADWAY BEARS - each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing some of the theater's most legendary performers and/or performances - will be put up for auction. BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a daily sneak peek of some of the wonderful creations that await you at BROADWAY BEARS XII, get ready to go 'all over the world' with the 'Broadway Bear' from XANADU!
chelfitsch Theater Companys: FIVE DAYS IN MARCH Runs 2/5-2/7 by Gabrielle Sierra
- February 05, 2009 Japan Society continues its electrifying 2008-09 Performing Arts Season with the North American debut tour of chelfitsch Theater Company: Five Days in March, as part of the current season theme Beyond Boundaries: Genre-Bending Mavericks.
This season's theme examinesartists and performances that expand the borders of conventional performing arts whether melding newtechnologies with age-old techniques, marrying the classical with the ultra-modern, weaving texts intodance and the fabric of space itself, or lacing stunning visual effects of light, video and design into liveperformance.
'RAGTIME' Opens At Astoria Performing Arts Center 2/5/09 by BWW News Desk
- February 05, 2009 Astoria Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce the production of RAGTIME, a musical directed by APAC's very own Artistic Director, Tom Wojtunik. Ragtime will play a 3-week limited engagement at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102). Performances begin Thursday, February 5th and continue through Sunday, February 22nd.
Andre De Shields Stars In Solo Performance 2/9 by Gabrielle Sierra
- February 04, 2009 In celebration of Black History Month, award-winning Broadway star Andr? De Shields will perform Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance for one show only on Monday, February 9, 2009, 7:30 PM, at SEIU District 1199, 310 West 43rd Street. Presented by Actor's Equity Association's EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Committee, the performance is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.
Conceived, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, Mine Eyes is directed by Alfred Preisser, Artistic Director, Classical Theatre of Harlem, where Mr. De Shields has frequently performed.
Composer Lukas Foss Dies At Age 86 by Gabrielle Sierra
- February 02, 2009 Composer Lukas Foss, died in his New York home this Sunday. He was 86.
His early works are neoclassical in style, using controlled improvisation and chance procedures with the twelve tone technique.
Some of his works are Piano Concerto Number 1, String Quartet Number 1, and the operas The Jumping Frogs Of Calaveras County and Griffelkin.
Foss was a professor of music at The University Of California and founded the Improvisational Chamber Ensemble. He later taught music and theory at Boston College.
Foster, Menken And More In American Songbook Week Four by Gabrielle Sierra
- February 02, 2009 Week four of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a hot new composer, Broadway's most popular ing?nue, a Disney film and Broadway composer in a rare concert appearance, and a celebration of the music of Richard Rodgers by an acclaimed guitarist/vocalist.
On February 18th, young composer Nico Muhly, who wrote the haunting score to the Oscar-nominated film 'The Reader', will collaborate with Thomas Bartlett, alternative folk/country artist Sam Amidon, and designer/illustrator Maira Kalman.
Thompson, Eisenberg, Rylance Lead The Cast Of OTHELLO by Reynard Loki
- February 02, 2009 Theatre for a New Audience and director, Arin Arbus, is set to present Othello. The show will feature John Douglas Thompson as Othello, Ned Eisenberg as Iago, and Juliet Rylance as Desdemona. Previews begin February 14 at 7 pm. The show opens February 22.
UNLV Presents Music Of Stephen Schwartz Concert On 1/31 by BWW News Desk
- January 31, 2009 The UNLV Performing Arts Center presents Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz in Concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 as part of the New York Stage & Beyond Series. Schwartz, an American musical theatre lyricist and composer, is a three-time Grammy Award winner; four-time Academy Award winner; and a nine-time Tony Award nominee. The revue includes songs from his works Wicked, Pocahontas, Godspell, and Pippin sung by veteran Broadway performers Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party), David Burnham (Wicked, Light in the Piazza), and Farah Alvin (Grease, Saturday Night Fever). The production is directed by Gordon Greenberg (Happy Days: The Musical).
PLAY Announces 1st Living Portrait Performance Series 1/30 by BWW News Desk
- January 30, 2009 Performers Leading Artistic Youth (PLAY) recently announced the launch of its first Living Portrait (LP) performance series, featuring a masterful journey through the lives of five African American legends, performed by classically-trained actor, Willie E. Teacher. Supported by its Broadway caliber of imagery and sound, LP inspires leadership, develops self-esteem and highlights the historical impact of these legends' contributions to our individual success. The first LP series, scheduled to debut Friday, Jan. 30 at The Harlem School of The Arts Theatre, includes the profiles of President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Jack Johnson, George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman.
'We're living in a very poignant time in history, where the dreams of our past leaders have become reality for our current leaders,' said LP actor, Willie E. Teacher. 'It is very critical educators are able to make that connection for children in a way that allows them to see how their current decisions impact the face of history for future generations. Living Portrait is no doubt a powerful and unique tool for educators to engage students in the process of learning.'
Willie E. Teacher is deeply committed to enriching the lives of urban youth through student-centered, theatrical performance-based interaction (PBI). He has spent 15 years developing and perfecting his techniques both on stage and in the classroom, including his role as Director of the Indiana Jones production at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Teacher holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from Brandeis University. Most recently, he has held lead roles in the acclaimed Off-Broadway play, Actor's Rap with playwright J. Kyle Manzay and the Tony award-winning production, Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, written by Melvin Van Peebles. Teacher also holds TV and movie credits, having appeared in the HBO movie, Life Support, starring Queen Latifah, as well as numerous appearances on ABC's All My Children.
RIOULT Presents THE GREAT MASS, Running 4/14-19 At The Joyce by Gabrielle Sierra
- January 29, 2009 RIOULT will present the world premiere of The Great Mass along with three acclaimed repertory pieces during its 2009 New York season, running April 14 - 19, at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. The Great Mass is a full-evening work set to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Mass in C Minor, and will be joined on the schedule by Mr. Rioult's Wien (1994), Views of the Fleeting World (2008) and Les Noches (2005). The season will include a Gala Fundraiser honoring two-time Emmy Award-winner Sonya Hamlin, president of Sonya Hamlin Communications, to be held at the Altman Building in Chelsea on Wednesday, April 15th (*formerly The Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre).
YOUNG COMPANY Returns With Its Fourth Year Of Classics 2/23 by Gabrielle Sierra
- January 28, 2009 Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Brian Kulick, Artistic Director and Jessica R. Jenen, Executive Director, will present the fourth year of its popular YOUNG COMPANY, which creates classical works specially tailored for young audiences. This season's production will focus on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, and will run from February 23 through March 6 at Classic Stage Company (136 East 13th Street). Columbia M.F.A. student actors will be featured in Shakespeare's most romantic play, in this thrilling interpretation ideal for all ages 12 and up. Directed by Tony Speciale, Romeo & Juliet will be presented in a 90 minute abridged version specifically geared toward student and family audiences. Tickets are $25, and $15 for Students/Seniors. Each child under 12 gets in free with one adult ticket.
Minnelli, Holliday, Grey & More Sing 'NEW YORK MOMENTS' with NY Philharmonic 4/20 by Eddie Varley
- January 28, 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.
PLAY Announces 1st Living Portrait Performance Series 1/30 by Gabrielle Sierra
- January 27, 2009 Performers Leading Artistic Youth (PLAY) recently announced the launch of its first Living Portrait (LP) performance series, featuring a masterful journey through the lives of five African American legends, performed by classically-trained actor, Willie E. Teacher. Supported by its Broadway caliber of imagery and sound, LP inspires leadership, develops self-esteem and highlights the historical impact of these legends' contributions to our individual success. The first LP series, scheduled to debut Friday, Jan. 30 at The Harlem School of The Arts Theatre, includes the profiles of President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Jack Johnson, George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman.
'We're living in a very poignant time in history, where the dreams of our past leaders have become reality for our current leaders,' said LP actor, Willie E. Teacher. 'It is very critical educators are able to make that connection for children in a way that allows them to see how their current decisions impact the face of history for future generations. Living Portrait is no doubt a powerful and unique tool for educators to engage students in the process of learning.'
Willie E. Teacher is deeply committed to enriching the lives of urban youth through student-centered, theatrical performance-based interaction (PBI). He has spent 15 years developing and perfecting his techniques both on stage and in the classroom, including his role as Director of the Indiana Jones production at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Teacher holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from Brandeis University. Most recently, he has held lead roles in the acclaimed Off-Broadway play, Actor's Rap with playwright J. Kyle Manzay and the Tony award-winning production, Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, written by Melvin Van Peebles. Teacher also holds TV and movie credits, having appeared in the HBO movie, Life Support, starring Queen Latifah, as well as numerous appearances on ABC's All My Children.
Anderson, Fuller, Nottage Participate In I'VE KNOWN RIVERS by Gabrielle Sierra
- January 27, 2009 On Monday Evening, February 23 at 7:00 PM, six New York theater institutions will participate in a special panel discussion featuring five current and upcoming Off-Broadway shows. Harlem Stage (150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street) will host producing companies Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater and Signature Theatre Company in an evening titled I'VE KNOWN RIVERS: A Conversation with Christina Anderson, Charles Fuller, Lynn Nottage & Liesl Tommy.
The event marks a unique collaborative effort between six New York theater institutions: a panel discussion in which five gifted African-American theater artists - all of whom have projects happening almost simultaneously at five of New York's most respected non-profit theaters - will discuss their lives, work, and current projects.
Moderated by actress Sabrina LeBeauf (Three Sisters, Classical Theatre of Harlem in partnership with Harlem Stage, February/March), the evening's four panelists will be Christina Anderson (author, Inked Baby, Playwrights Horizons, March/April), Charles Fuller (author, Zooman and the Sign, Signature Theatre Company, March/April), Lynn Nottage (author, Ruined, Manhattan Theater Club, January-March) and Liesl Tommy (director, The Good Negro, The Public Theater, March/April).
The event title comes from a poem by Langston Hughes, 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers.'
Violin Virtuosos BLACK VIOLIN Headline New Victory 3/11-22 by Gabrielle Sierra
- January 26, 2009 Violin virtuosos Black Violin (BV) to headline New York's oldest and most active theatre in the heart of the Broadway district from March 11- 22, 2009.
Combining a daunting array of musical styles and influences to produce a signature sound that is part maestro, part emcee, the group features two classically trained violinists and their DJ. With influences from Shostakovich and Bach to Jay-Z, Black Violin blends the classical with the modern and creates a sound that not only stimulates the senses but penetrates the soul.
Black Violin features Wil B on the viola and Kev Marcus the violin. Showtime at the Apollo champions, these musical magicians have toured and worked with artists from Alicia Keys to Aerosmith to Aretha Franklin and Tom Petty. From The Eagles to P. Diddy, Black Violin's true mission is to help under privileged kids get ahead through education and awareness.
The New Victory Theatre is the perfect place for Black Violin to showcase their unique live show that features intense violin duets intertwined with an entertaining flow of information that strives to educate and excite young minds.
New Victory's dedication to children's education and their families fits perfectly into Black Violin's commitment to enriching the lives of kids through music. Black Violin's Wil B says, 'We understand the influence we have over kids that's why we want to give back. We want to help them think outside of the box.'
King's LINES Ballet Returns to the Joyce 5/10 by Eddie Varley
- January 26, 2009 Alonzo King's LINES Ballet will perform a special New York City engagement May 5 - 10, 2009 at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street). The acclaimed company is returning to the Joyce with a new program of work from the gifted choreographer featuring: 'Rasa', an exhilarating and transformative work set to tabla master Zakir Hussain's rhythmic beat and another New York Premiere tba. Tabla music began as dancing music, in Northern Indian courts in the early 1700s, and its hypnotic intensity and complex rhythms convey the strong feeling that they are meant to move the body. There is an enthralling quality to the cyclical, accentual repetitions of rhythms. Zakir Hussain, son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha, has created music with an array of artists from the Karnatic tradition of Southern India, the international Silk Road Project, and Western drummers. He is the preferred accompanist for many of India's classical musicians and dancers. He began touring before he was twelve, and has received numerous awards including a Grammy for his collaborative album, Planet Drum. This is his third collaboration with Alonzo King. The tabla, with its rich texture of rhythmic patterns, is the main form of percussion in the Hindustani music of North India. The tabla bridges folk, semi-classical, and classical Hindustani music genres, and was intrinsic to the lost dances of the tawaif-s, who performed in 18th-century courts.
Marni Nixon Replaces Ailing Howes in Encores! MUSIC IN THE AIR by Eddie Varley
- January 25, 2009 Marni Nixon has joined the upcoming Encores! presentation of Music in the Air, she replaces Sally Ann Howes who had to drop out due to an illness. Marni Nixon, is known in the popular world as the singing voice behind the stars of West Side Story, The King and I and My Fair Lady. An accomplished singer in her own right, she has has sung opera, classical song and appeared on Broadway. Ms. Nixon worked with Lehmann in a production of Ariadne auf Naxos at the Music Academy of the West and considered her a friend. Besides her singing career, Marni Nixon is also an actress, recently nominated for an Ovation award. She gives master clases throughout the country in musical theater and classical song. She was last seen on Broadway in NINE and The Dead. Music in the Air, a rarely seen 1932 musical, will be directed by Gary Griffin with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Michael Lichtefeld. The production runs for five performances at City Center, West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Production dates are February 5th through the 8th.
Hartford & NY Signature to Team to Present Foote's 'Orphans' Home Cycle' by Eddie Varley
- January 22, 2009 THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE, a world premiere production of nine plays by Horton Foote that have been newly adapted by the Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award-winning playwright into a three-part theatrical event, will be co-produced in the 2009-2010 season by Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) and Hartford Stage (Michael Wilson, Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Managing Director).
The productions will be directed by Michael Wilson and performed at Hartford Stage from August 27, 2009 to October 17, 2009 and at Signature Theatre Company, from October 29, 2009 to April 11, 2010. Each part of the three part cycle will be staged individually as well as in repertory and one-day marathons. Audiences may choose to see the individual parts or the entire trilogy. THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE encompasses nine newly adapted plays by Mr. Foote, together for the first time. Mr. Foote, 92, is actively adapting each of the full-length plays, some previously produced and others never before seen, into one epic cycle.
Ken Lavigne Makes His NY Debut At Carnegie Hall On 1/22 by BWW News Desk
- January 22, 2009 Following concert tours across Canada and the US, tenor Ken Lavigne, Canada's acclaimed crossover classical singer will make his New York debut in Ken Lavigne in Concert on Thursday, January 22nd (8PM) at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage --154 West 57th Street). Presented by Goodnight Gracie Entertainment and accompanied by the acclaimed 51 piece New York Pops Orchestra, Mr. Lavigne's exciting blend of classical tenor sound with modern style will showcase to New York audiences his singular vocal talent, which has been met with ovations across Canada.