I'm almost certain I've said this before about a Coyote Stageworks production - but it bears repeating! 'Run, don't walk' to the box office to see this highly polished, highly entertaining and anything but 'high brow' musical comedy before it's too late. I offer a few critical thoughts below, in addition to heaps of praise -- but nothing to impede you from running out and spending a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the theatre with an absolutely irresistible quartet of actors. Founder and Artistic Director, Chuck Yates, has once again assembled a 'dream team' of actors, directors and designers who deliver at every turn. The Andrews Brothers is all fluff, to be sure, but it is presented with such panache, polish and style that the diversion from anything with more depth is just what the doctor ordered. I can't think of a better description than a very old-fashioned word - 'delightful'! It was absolutely delightful. I LOVED THIS SHOW and you will too.
Tradition is a tricky beast. There are those who would leave it as a dusty, living museum exhibit. Then there are others who see further, into thepossibility of tradition, a line that runs through history all the way to the present. They're the ones who respect the past but aren't going to be hidebound by it, who make it a very vital part of now. People like KiT, who've transformed the old tambu music of Curacao into the 21st-century phenomenon of Tambutronic (Jiga Musica; US release: today, January 14, 2014).
Tradition is a tricky beast. There are those who would leave it as a dusty, living museum exhibit. Then there are others who see further, into thepossibility of tradition, a line that runs through history all the way to the present. They're the ones who respect the past but aren't going to be hidebound by it, who make it a very vital part of now. People like KiT, who've transformed the old tambú music of Curaçao into the 21st-century phenomenon of Tambutronic (Jiga Musica; US release: January 14, 2014).
I recently sat down to chat with Jane Lapotaire in her dressing room at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as she prepared for a matinee performance of Richard II. As we talked, Lapotaire chortled over a greeting card (sent by a long time actor friend) that featured a spotted pig wearing a crown. Lapotaire explained the joke: the pig was a Gloucester Old Spot--a sly reference to Lapotaire's role as the Duchess of Gloucester in the production of Richard II currently playing to sell-out crowds.
54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Robin De Jesus in Crush to Crushed last night and continues again tonight, November 25, 2013 at 9:30pm. Join Robin for an eclectic evening of pop, rock, Spanish, soul and Broadway music, all centered around a certain four letter word. Love's amazing, love sucks, we all want it and rarely do we feel like we get enough. Two time Tony Award nominee Robin De Jesus (In the Heights, La Cage aux Folles, Rent) discusses crushes, loves, break ups, hook ups, sex ed and some of his mother's best kept secrets about lust. Be prepared for lots of tangents, non-sequiturs, Adderall and of course laughs. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from his show below!
Marin Theatre Company continues its 2013-14 Season with a holiday production of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carolby Tom Mula, who was inspired to rehab A Christmas Carol, the annual theatrical standby, after performing the role of Scrooge onChicago stages for nearly a decade. Due to brisk ticket sales, MTC has extended this 'thoroughly charming holiday treat' (Daily Herald) by eight performances. Directed by Jon Tracy, who helmed last year's hit It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and featuring actorsKhris Lewin (A Steady Rain), Rami Margron (debut), Nicholas Pelczar (The Whipping Man) and Stacy Ross (God of Carnage), the production will run during the holiday season for 36 performances, from November 21 through December 22. Opening night is Today, November 26. Based in Mill Valley, MTC is a 47-year old professional nonprofit theater that is a destination for exhilarating performances, inspired new American plays and powerful theatrical experiences.
54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Robin De Jesus in Crush to Crushed on November 24, 2013 and November 25, 2013 at 9:30pm. Join Robin for an eclectic evening of pop, rock, Spanish, soul and Broadway music, all centered around a certain four letter word. Love's amazing, love sucks, we all want it and rarely do we feel like we get enough. Two time Tony Award nominee Robin De Jesus (In the Heights, La Cage aux Folles, Rent) discusses crushes, loves, break ups, hook ups, sex ed and some of his mother's best kept secrets about lust. Be prepared for lots of tangents, non-sequiturs, Adderall and of course laughs.
Marin Theatre Company continues its 2013-14 Season with a holiday production of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol by Tom Mula, who was inspired to rehab A Christmas Carol, the annual theatrical standby, after performing the role of Scrooge onChicago stages for nearly a decade. Due to brisk ticket sales, MTC has extended this 'thoroughly charming holiday treat' (Daily Herald) by eight performances. Directed by Jon Tracy, who helmed last year's hit It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and featuring actorsKhris Lewin (A Steady Rain), Rami Margron (debut), Nicholas Pelczar (The Whipping Man) and Stacy Ross (God of Carnage), the production will run during the holiday season for 36 performances, from today, November 21 through December 22.
The lemon room @ ZajacStudio is delighted to welcome Lena Hill as she makes her cabaret debut accompanied by LA favorite musical director Cassie Nickols. The evening includes tunes ranging from the legit standards of Rogers & Hammerstein to the newest showstoppers from recent Broadway seasons. This diverse set of songs gives Lena a chance to show a voice that has no limits, a shimmery and vibrant head voice to a belt that could peel paint off the walls!
The lemon room @ ZajacStudio is delighted to welcome Lena Hill as she makes her cabaret debut accompanied by LA favorite musical director Cassie Nickols. The evening includes tunes ranging from the legit standards of Rogers & Hammerstein to the newest showstoppers from recent Broadway seasons. This diverse set of songs gives Lena a chance to show a voice that has no limits, a shimmery and vibrant head voice to a belt that could peel paint off the walls!
Marin Theatre Company continues its 2013-14 Season with a holiday production of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carolby Tom Mula, who was inspired to rehab A Christmas Carol, the annual theatrical standby, after performing the role of Scrooge onChicago stages for nearly a decade. Due to brisk ticket sales, MTC has extended this "thoroughly charming holiday treat" (Daily Herald) by eight performances. Directed by Jon Tracy, who helmed last year's hit It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and featuring actorsKhris Lewin (A Steady Rain), Rami Margron (debut), Nicholas Pelczar (The Whipping Man) and Stacy Ross (God of Carnage), the production will run during the holiday season for 36 performances, from November 21 through December 22. Opening night is Tuesday, November 26. Based in Mill Valley, MTC is a 47-year old professional nonprofit theater that is a destination for exhilarating performances, inspired new American plays and powerful theatrical experiences.
Today, October 21 marks the release of HERE/AFTER: Songs of Lost Voices, a two-CD set of recent songs and music by Jake Heggie, 'the finest American art song composer of his generation' (John von Rhein, Classical Review), to texts by the Grammy Award-nominated Gene Scheer. The generous PentaTone Classics collection features more than two hours of music from the composer and librettist of the operas Moby-Dick and Three Decembers, with performances by some of the foremost exponents of their work, including soprano Talise Trevigne, mezzo Joyce DiDonato, tenor Stephen Costello, baritone Nathan Gunn, flutistCarol Wincenc, and the Alexander String Quartet. Recorded at LucasFilm's Skywalker Ranch and produced by Grammy Award-winner Steve Barnett,HERE/AFTER seeks to give voice to silenced individuals whose stories deserve to be heard, including victims and survivors of 9/11 (Pieces of 9/11) and the great French sculptor Camille Claudel (Camille Claudel: Into the Fire). The composer explains that he and Scheer set out to capture 'the hope and newness that can come from grief,' and, as the Associated Press recently recognized, HERE/AFTER succeeds in transmuting 'memories of grief into survivor songs - some of them surprisingly joyous.' Video trailers featuring excerpts from five of the songs may be viewed here.
Little Angel Theatre presents one of Shakespeare's most bloodthirsty tragedies. Following their previous collaborations with The RSC on Venus and Adonis and The Tempest, experience the clawing ambition and sweeping hysteria of Macbeth in this gripping new puppetry production, staged at the intimate Little Angel Theatre, Islington.
I sat down with the phenomenally talented couple, Mike Hartman and Lauren Klein to discuss romance on and off the stage, the impact of theater in their lives, and taking on such iconic and challenging roles!
October 21 marks the release of HERE/AFTER: Songs of Lost Voices, a two-CD set of recent songs and music by Jake Heggie, “the finest American art song composer of his generation” (John von Rhein, Classical Review), to texts by the Grammy Award-nominated Gene Scheer. The generous PentaTone Classics collection features more than two hours of music from the composer and librettist of the operas Moby-Dick and Three Decembers, with performances by some of the foremost exponents of their work, including soprano Talise Trevigne, mezzo Joyce DiDonato, tenor Stephen Costello, baritone Nathan Gunn, flutistCarol Wincenc, and the Alexander String Quartet. Recorded at LucasFilm's Skywalker Ranch and produced by Grammy Award-winner Steve Barnett,HERE/AFTER seeks to give voice to silenced individuals whose stories deserve to be heard, including victims and survivors of 9/11 (Pieces of 9/11) and the great French sculptor Camille Claudel (Camille Claudel: Into the Fire). The composer explains that he and Scheer set out to capture “the hope and newness that can come from grief,” and, as the Associated Press recently recognized, HERE/AFTER succeeds in transmuting “memories of grief into survivor songs – some of them surprisingly joyous.” Video trailers featuring excerpts from five of the songs may be viewed here.
Little Angel Theatre presents one of Shakespeare's most bloodthirsty tragedies. Following their previous collaborations with The RSC on Venus and Adonis and The Tempest, experience the clawing ambition and sweeping hysteria of Macbeth in this gripping new puppetry production, staged at the intimate Little Angel Theatre, Islington.
