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.'
Alliance Theatre News
by Robert Diamond -
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.
by Reynard Loki -
To coincide with the World Premiere of the 2008 Kendeda GPC winning play, Julia Brownell's Smart Cookie, Atlanta's finest actors and directors will present a first look at the 2008 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition finalists. This is an intimate chance to hear works by some of America's most interesting up-and-coming writers.
by BWW News Desk -
A new gospel version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's ground-breaking score comes to Atlanta... Experience Jesus Christ Superstar as you've never seen it before - as gospel choirs raise the roof off Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
by BWW News Desk -
Dallas Theater Center, in association with SMU Meadows School of the Arts, presents In the Beginning, an adaptation of the first 10 chapters of the Book of Genesis, featuring the newly announced DTC acting company, and directed by artistic director Kevin Moriarty. In the Beginning runs Jan. 21-Feb. 15 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Presenting familiar stories from Genesis - the creation of the world, Adam and Eve in Eden, jealousy and murder among brothers, the world's destruction by water - In the Beginning offers a fresh retelling of age-old tales interspersed with engaging dialogue taken directly from conversations with local community members and respected religious scholars about the text. 'In the Beginning does not present a single, definitive interpretation of the stories we find in Genesis,' Moriarty says. 'Rather, it is a reflection of the conversations we've had with people of faith throughout our community about the text and the personal truths and insights they've found through their own explorations into these stories.'
by Reynard Loki -
26 Miles, a world premiere by Quiara Alegr?a Hudes (directed by Kent Gash) will be performed at the Alliance Theatre from March 20 to April 12, 2009.
by Reynard Loki -
Based on Cartoon Network's animated television series created by Andre Benjamin and Tommy Lynch and adapted and directed by Rosemary Newcott, Class of 3000 Live will be performed from March 6 to March 29, 2009.
by Reynard Loki -
Smart Cookie, by Julia Brownell and directed by Jeremy B. Cohen will be performed at the Alliance Theatre from January 30 - February 22, 2009. The show contains Teenage Sexuality, Thematic Elements (Abortion), and Adult Language (parents: call the box office for specific details). Meet Cookie. In between crafting her impeccable social image, you might catch her at the spa, avoiding carbs at New York?s best restaurants, or giving her husband?s money to the MET. As you can imagine, she?s very busy ? until one day a visit from her prep school son and his foreign exchange girlfriend changes everything. This year?s Kendeda winner is a sly, wicked comedy about the power of surprise to help us become the people we never realized we wanted to be
by Reynard Loki -
iSondheim: A Musical Revue, a world premiere in honor of America's greatest living composer of musical theatre will run at the Alliance Theatre from April 15 to May 10, 2009.The revue features music and lyrics by Stephan Sondheim, and orchestrations by Michael Starobin. iSondheim is is directed by James Lapine and is based on a concept by David Kernan. Stephen Sondheim?s work revolutionized the Broadway musical with such wide-ranging hits as West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods. This unique mixed-media musical revue, interspersed with commentary from the legendary composer, was developed by his longtime collaborator James Lapine (last at the Alliance to direct The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). Be among the first to experience this celebration of the power of creativity in the American musical theatre. The box office is open Monday - Friday from 10 am to 8 pm and Saturday - Sunday 12 pm to 8 pm. For more information call the box office at: 404.733.5000. Now in its 40th season, Atlanta?s nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre, recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award?, is the leading professional resident theatre of the Southeast, creating the powerful experience of shared theatre for diverse people on two stages for youth and adult audiences.
by Gabrielle Sierra -
Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the World Premiere of What You Will, a BRT original interpretation of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night from February 10 through March 1, 2009. A daring and bold take on the classic comedy that combines the language of Shakespeare with contemporary rhythms and movement, What You Will is conceived and co-directed by BRT Artistic Director Keith Baker and Donald Byrd, acclaimed choreographer of Broadway's The Color Purple and Artistic Director of Seattle's Spectrum Dance Theater. Music direction and original music by hip hop producer Justin Ellington completes the marriage of text, high-energy movement and heart-pounding music. What You Will begins previews February 10, opens February 12, and closes March 1, 2009. Tickets are $29 - $37, with $10 student tickets, and are available by calling the Box Office at (215) 785-0100 or visiting the theatre at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, with information online at www.brtstage.org. [A full performance schedule follows on page 4.] In this new interpretation, Shakespeare's original text is heard with a distinctively contemporary American voice as the worlds of modern urban and classical theatre are fused. In What You Will (Shakespeare's full title for the play was Twelfth Night, Or What You Will), the social center of Illyria is Club 12th Night - a place where pranks and disguises, playful games and folly rule. A shipwrecked woman stumbles into the club, beginning a chain of events leading to an astonishing conclusion. Mistaken identities, intrigue, music, a beautiful heiress, drunken partiers, and a spiteful servant merge with a hip-hop rhythm in Shakespeare's enchanting tale of revelry and love.
by Gabrielle Sierra -
The Alliance Theatre will host a red carpet event for the Opening Night of the new musical Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL. In attendance will be actor Ben Vereen, nominated for a Tony Award for his portray of Judas in the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Among others, also in attendance will be Grammy-winning country artist Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Earl Klugh (Grammy-winning jazz guitarist and composer) and actress Jasmine Guy. The red carpet arrivals will be hosted by KISS 104.1 FM's Veronica Waters. After the show, guests will enjoy a reception at Shout Restaurant in Midtown. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 Experience the hit musical as you never have before - as gospel choirs raise the roof off our Alliance. Throw your hands together and rejoice in a vibrant explosion of beloved music that puts the power of praise back into the gospels. This new gospel version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's ground-breaking score will move you to new heights, with an inspirational new beat to classics like 'I Don't Know How to Love Him,' 'Everything's Alright' and 'Could We Start Again Please.' With the largest cast on the Alliance Stage since The Color Purple, this revolutionary celebration of life will leave you singing for days.
by Robert Diamond -
Returning to Cleveland after acclaimed performances in The Color Purple on Broadway and Gone with the Wind in London?s West End, NaTasha Yvette Williams takes the stage in the lead role of The Cleveland Play House production of Mahalia: A Gospel Musical. Since 1997, when she performed in The Play House production of (I Could) Stop On a Dime and Get Ten Cents Change, Williams has also played in several Broadway national tours and performed her gospel music all over the world. Kent Gash, Associate Artistic Director of The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA, is directing Williams in this musical tribute to the most celebrated gospel singer of all time. Mahalia: A Gospel Musical begins in the Bolton Theatre at The Cleveland Play House on Friday, January 30 and runs through Sunday, February 22, 2009. Tickets are on sale now at The Cleveland Play House box office by calling 216.795.7000 ext 4 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Mahalia: A Gospel Musical is presented in promotional partnership with Time Warner Cable and The Kulus Foundation. The media sponsor for Mahalia: A Gospel Musical is 107.3 FM The Wave WNMV.
by Gabrielle Sierra -
YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the east coast premiere of LYDIA by OCTAVIO SOLIS, directed by JULIETTE CARRILLO at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street, at York Street) beginning February 6 through February 28. Opening Night is Thursday, February 12. LYDIA features music composed by Chris Webb; sets by Andrew Boyce; costumes by Amanda Seymour; lighting by Jesse Belsky; sound design, additional music, and arrangements by David Molina; voice and dialect by Beth McGuire; fight direction by Rick Sordelet; dramaturgy by Matt Cornish; and stage management by Donald E. Claxon. The cast of LYDIA includes Carlo Alb?n, Christian Barillas, Stephanie Beatriz, Armando Dur?n, Catalina Maynard, Onahoua Rodriguez, and Tony Sancho.
by Robert Diamond -
Dallas Theater Center, in association with SMU Meadows School of the Arts, presents In the Beginning, an adaptation of the first 10 chapters of the Book of Genesis, featuring the newly announced DTC acting company, and directed by artistic director Kevin Moriarty. In the Beginning runs Jan. 21-Feb. 15 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Presenting familiar stories from Genesis - the creation of the world, Adam and Eve in Eden, jealousy and murder among brothers, the world's destruction by water - In the Beginning offers a fresh retelling of age-old tales interspersed with engaging dialogue taken directly from conversations with local community members and respected religious scholars about the text. 'In the Beginning does not present a single, definitive interpretation of the stories we find in Genesis,' Moriarty says. 'Rather, it is a reflection of the conversations we've had with people of faith throughout our community about the text and the personal truths and insights they've found through their own explorations into these stories.'
by BWW News Desk -
The full cast and creative team details for The Alliance Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL was recently announced. Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL, a reconceived version of the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber musical will be directed by Susan V. Booth and is set to run January 14-February 22, with an opening on January 21.
by Eddie Varley -
The Directors Guild of America announced the Guild's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Documentaries and Commercials for the year 2008. Kenny Leon, received a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Miniseries nomination for the TV version of A Raisin in the Sun.
by BWW News Desk -
Signature Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, an outrageous satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion in America's celebrity-obsessed culture. Three-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Holly Twyford portrays the brash, fast-talking agent Diane, whose client Mitchell (Matthew Montelongo) has a chance to make it big if he only stays in the closet. When Mitchell starts to fall for a charmingly sweet male escort (Ivan Quintanilla) with a needy girlfriend (Casie Platt), Diane's plans may unravel. But nothing derails this ?ber-agent in her pursuit of power and money as she skillfully and hilariously manipulates all within her reach. Written by Douglas Carter Beane, it's Hollywood at its juiciest. The Little Dog Laughed runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from January 13 to March 8, 2009.
by Gabrielle Sierra -
The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program presents Maxim Gorky's Philistines in a fresh new version by Andrew Upton, the co-artistic director of Australia's Sydney Theatre Company and an acclaimed adaptor of Russian plays.
by Gabrielle Sierra -
A new gospel version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's ground-breaking score comes to Atlanta... Experience Jesus Christ Superstar as you've never seen it before - as gospel choirs raise the roof off Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
by Gabrielle Sierra -
South Coast Repertory starts off the New Year with the World Premiere of You, Nero, a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed. Commissioned by SCR, You, Nero imagines a meeting during the declining years of the Roman Empire between Scribonius, a put-upon playwright, and Emperor Nero, the all-powerful, narcissistic arbiter of art. The Roman romp stars Danny Scheie as Nero and John Vickery as Scribonius. Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and directed by Sharon Ott,You, Nero will run from Jan. 4 through Jan. 25, 2009 on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Low-priced previews are available from Jan. 4 through Jan. 8. Opening night is Jan. 9. Press night is Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:45 p.m. Tickets to You, Nero may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.
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