Alexis Hightower News

Beloved Broadway star Norm Lewis continues a growing tradition of celebrating the holidays in the best of ways at Feinstein's/54 Below to capacity houses filled with fans who would do anything to NOT miss this show.

Tomorrow night, December 17th, Norm Lewis opens the latest incarnation of his holiday residency, titled NAUGHTY AND NICE, at Feinstein's 54 Below. This is his 5th consecutive year and looks to be a sellout, as always. It's always a highlight of the holiday season and you can expect a lot of new music this year, as they've dug deep to celebrate the 5th year.

BIRTH!  One word. One half of soul-singing duo, The Black-Ups, performance artist James Jackson, Jr. is turning 40. What better way to celebrate than to round up the troupes and throw a legendary BIRTH Anniversary Party.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival welcomed back Anthony Rapp, as he lead the staged reading of Shawn Cody's epic fantasy THE WATER DREAM directed by Jim True-Frost. Performances ran July 10 & 11 at The Pershing Square Signature Center, The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre (480 West 42nd St.), and waas produced by Royal Family Productions. Check out a look back at the show, featuring Rapp, J. Robert Spencer, Karmine Alers, and more!

The New York Musical Theatre Festival welcomes back Anthony Rapp to the festival as he stars in the staged reading of Shawn Cody's epic fantasy THE WATER DREAM directed by Jim True-Frost. The event will take place tonight, July 10 and the 11th at The Pershing Square Signature Center, The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre (480 West 42nd St.). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.nymf.org. This event is being produced by Royal Family Productions.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival welcomes back Anthony Rapp to the festival as he stars in the staged reading of Shawn Cody's epic fantasy THE WATER DREAM directed by Jim True-Frost. The event will take place on July 10 & 11 at The Pershing Square Signature Center, The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre (480 West 42nd St.). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.nymf.org. This event is being produced by Royal Family Productions.

THE WATER DREAM SUMMER PARTY!, with live rock and contemporary music theatre performed by Anthony Rapp (RENT) with Doug Chapman, Alexis Hightower, Justin Hines, Emily Otto & Kris Rogers under the musical direction of Emily Otto (Southern Comfort, Stolen Chair), will take place on Saturday June 30, 2012 8-10 PM at The Irish Rogue, 356 West 44th Street - Upstairs. There will be a live auction. Proceeds go towards the New York premiere of The Water Dream in 2013.

The Water Dream is set to be the finale of Shakespeare & Co.'s Studio Festival of Plays on Monday September 5th, 2011. THE WATER DREAM will star Anthony Rapp (RENT), Karmine Alers (RENT), and Erik Lochtefeld (METAMORPHOSES, CANDIDE. The production will be directed by Bill Barclay with music direction by Emily Otto. This staged reading will take place at 70 Kemble Street Lenox, MA 01240.

The Water Dream is set to be the finale of Shakespeare & Co.'s Studio Festival of Plays on Monday September 5th, 2011. THE WATER DREAM will star Anthony Rapp (RENT), Karmine Alers (RENT), and Erik Lochtefeld (METAMORPHOSES, CANDIDE. The production will be directed by Bill Barclay with music direction by Emily Otto. This staged reading will take place at 70 Kemble Street Lenox, MA 01240.

Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes proudly welcomed a packed house at the benefit performance of Broadway in the Berkshires on Monday, August 15th at 6:00pm in the Company's Founders' Theatre. The event raised over $60,000, which will go towards Shakespeare & Company's internationally-acclaimed Education and Training Programs. Producer and Company member, Deborah Grausman (actor and founder of Berkshire Musical Theater Workshop) assembled an all-star cast and first-rate creative team for this spectacular, one-night event. Broadway's Chip Zien (Into the Woods-the original Baker, Les Miserables, The Country Girl, People in The Picture, Falsettos, Grand Hotel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boys from Syracuse, etc.) was the host. Director Sam Scalamoni (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lestat) and Music Director Paul Staroba (A L ittle Night Music, Next to Normal , Grey Gardens ) headed up the creative team.

Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes proudly announces the benefit performance of Broadway in the Berkshires Monday, August 15th at 6:00pm, Founders' Theatre, 70 Kemble Street , Lenox , MA . Proceeds will go to Shakespeare & Company's internationally-acclaimed Education and Training Programs. Producer and Company member, Deborah Grausman (actor and founder of Berkshire Musical Theater Workshop) has assembled an all-star cast and first-rate creative team for this spectacular, not to be missed, one-night event. Broadway's Chip Zien (Into the Woods-the original Baker, Les Miserables, The Country Girl, People in The Picture, Falsettos, Grand Hotel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boys from Syracuse, etc.) will host. Director Sam Scalamoni (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lestat) and Music Director Paul Staroba (A Little Night Music, Next to Normal, Grey Gardens) will head up the creative team.

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical featuring whale puppets and an aquarium of real water. It's the story of an overly critical mythologist who, through facing loss and falling in love, becomes an artist: the author of an awe-inspiring myth.

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical featuring whale puppets and an aquarium of real water. It's the story of an overly critical mythologist who, through facing loss and falling in love, becomes an artist: the author of an awe-inspiring myth.