Pamela Williams

If you're a fan of watching uber-talented people NAIL a Broadway show that rivals professional productions anywhere, than you may TOTALLY be missing out if you don't already have a seat to a nearly SOLD OUT run of Cutting Edge Theatre's production of The Color Purple. The capacity crowd sat with anticipation among the authentic rustic, earthy timber slats, transporting us back in time to travel on an emotional and spiritual journey with these classic, beloved characters. Adapted from Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller and Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated film, this readapted stage musical has a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues. This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, Brittney James-Crayton an African-American woman in the American South from the early to mid-20th century.

RD Armstrong, an accomplished Los Angeles poet who founded Lummox Press in 1998, will read from his new book of poetry entitled Orphaned Words- Forgotten Poems from a Haphazard Life at Teatro Paraguas on Sunday, May 13 at 4:00 pm.

Beginning at 4 p.m., three hours before the main awards show, the pre-telecast ceremony announced awards in 70 additional categories, including Best Musical Theater Album. In other theatre-related news, Safe & Sound (From The Hunger Games) by T Bone Burnett, Taylor Swift, John Paul White & Joy Williams beat SMASH's Let Me Be Your Star by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman for Best Song Written For Visual Media .

The Off-Broadway premiere of BASIC TRAINING, a new comedy created by and starring Kahlil Ashanti officially opened last night, October 13th. BASIC TRAINING is a hilarious story based on one soldier's outrageous experience in the U.S. Air Force and will play the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow St. at 7th Avenue, 1 block south of Christopher Street). Performances began September 26th.