Frank Russell

Meet the Cast of LEMPICKA, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 19, 2024

Performances begin tonight, March 19, at the Longacre Theatre for Lempicka, the new musical celebrating the true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka.  Meet the cast of Lempicka here!

LEMPICKA On Broadway Adds Beth Leavel, Amber Iman And More To Principal Cast
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 17, 2024

At a special event at Sotheby's, the new principal cast of Lempicka, the sweeping new musical portrait celebrating the gripping true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka, was announced.

Rubicon Theatre Company to Present Kander & Ebb Musical Revue THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Directed By Wren T. Brown
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 7, 2023

Rubicon Theatre Company will present 'THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND,' a Kander & Ebb Musical Revue directed by Wren T. Brown. Get all the details about the opening night on December 9th at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura!

Chicago's 24th Annual Englewood Jazz Festival Begins September 14
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2023

Long an annual tradition, Live the Spirit Residency presents the free 24th Englewood Jazz Festival.

Chicago's 24th Annual Englewood Jazz Festival Set For Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Aug 16, 2023

Long an annual tradition, Live the Spirit Residency presents the free 24th Englewood Jazz Festival on September 14, 15, and 16, 2023 at Hamilton Park and Cultural Center at 513 W 72nd St.

Billy Dean Releases New Recording 'In Fairness To You'
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 6, 2023

Billy Denk is a Chicagoland guitarist, synthesist, and composer, a regular on the scene who is bringing a new level of smooth to his fans with his latest recording 'In Fairness To You,' which is the focus single from his album In Praise of Shadows.

Christine Allado, George Blagden, Hannah Elless & More to Star in Workshops of New Musical BENNY & JOON
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 31, 2022

As it prepares for an expected UK premiere, two 75-minute first-look workshop performances of Benny & Joon will take place at 5pm on Monday 14 November and 3pm on Tuesday 15 November. Tickets go on sale today at The Other Palace with £10 seats available to the public.

Recent Merger Expands Princeton Symphony Orchestra Board Of Trustees
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 6, 2021

Recently elected Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Board of Trustees Chair Stephanie Wedeking notified fellow Trustees, board advisors, and staff this week of the July 31 legal closing finalizing the merger of the orchestra and The Princeton Festival.

New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce Announces New Executive Director and 2021 Board of Directors
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 18, 2020

The New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce (NORBCC) has announced that LaVerne Toombs will lead the organization as the new Executive Director. Ms. Toombs brings over twenty years of experience in local and federal government, nonprofit, public relations and marketing, fundraising, grant writing, and business development.

RUBICON GOES RETRO Series Continues With 2 AM AT THE SANDS: SAMONSKY SINGS SINATRA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 14, 2020

The Rubicon Goes Retro series continues July 20 through 22 with 2 AM AT THE SANDS: SAMONSKY SINGS SINATRA, a concert starring Broadway leading man and Ventura native ANDREW SAMONSKY backed by a nine-piece swing band conducted by KEVIN SURACE.

BWW Review: LINDIWE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Rachel Weinberg - Nov 19, 2019

Steppenwolf's world premiere production of LINDIWE, a collaboration between ensemble member Eric Simonson and acclaimed South African music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, finds the most success in its musical moments. The production, co-directed by Simonson and Jonathan Berry, features new music from Ladysmith Black Mambazo to tell the love story of the titular Lindiwe and her boyfriend Adam. It helps that the narrative focuses on Lindiwe's experience as a singer touring with Ladysmith Black Mambazo-and, indeed, the group literally accompanies her at several moments throughout the production. Lindiwe explains that she never goes anywhere without her 'guys,' as she affectionately refers to them. Thus, Ladysmith Black Mambazo functions as a kind of Greek chorus underscoring the romantic storyline at the play's center. The conceit also allows for the play to utilize the group's original music.

Photo Flash: Take a Look at Steppenwolf's World Premiere Production of LINDIWE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2019

Steppenwolf's world premiere production of Lindiwe, written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY® winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is now on stage. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal For LINDIWE At Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 25, 2019

Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY® winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Is Back At Steppenwolf, This Time Singing The Blues
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 23, 2019

Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

LINDIWE Featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo Now In Rehearsals
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2019

The rehearsal room was electric as artists came together today for the first day of Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of Martin Scorsese's THE IRISHMAN?
by Stephi Wild - Sep 28, 2019

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese's THE IRISHMAN, an epic saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Let's see what the critics are saying...

Steppenwolf Announces Casting for First Half of 2019/20 Season
by Julie Musbach - Jul 23, 2019

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces casting for the first four productions of the 2019/20 season featuring previously announced ensemble members Audrey Francis, Tim Hopper, Caroline Neff, Yasen Peyankov and Karen Rodriguez, and the return of Steppenwolf regulars including Michael Patrick Thornton, Cedric Young and Keith Kupferer, along with dozens of Chicago-based actors and an exciting debut by South African stage and screen star Nondumiso Tembe.

BWW Review: QUEEN OF THE MIST, Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
by Gary Naylor - Apr 12, 2019

Queen of the Mist is a curious musical about the nearly forgotten woman who was first to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and who lived to tell her story - the problem was that few wanted to hear it the way she told it.

Full Casting Announced For Firebrand Theatre's QUEEN OF THE MIST
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2019

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to announce full casting for its Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine), direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster.

MAC'S 2018 Lakeside Pavilion Free Outdoor Summer Series Includes Three New Components
by Julie Musbach - Jul 6, 2018

McAninch Arts Center, located at 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage (COD), presents the 2018 Lakeside Pavilion Free Outdoor Summer Series. Programming runs July 12-Aug.10 and includes a Thursday evening Family Movie Series, the Thursday evening WDCB Live Jazz Concert Series and a Friday evening Pop Music Series. One of the highlights of the Friday evening series promises to be the July 20 New Philharmonic pops concert, which will be broadcast on Facebook Live for the second year in a row.