Andre De Shields News

I think it's important to report right from the outset that several times during The Public's outdoor production of Euripides' ancient Greek drama, The Bacchae, I looked down to discover that I was involuntarily tapping my toes to Philip Glass' new score. It's not that the master minimalist had peppered the centuries-old text with a collection of Jerry Hermanish showtunes, but that the tandem work of Glass' scoring for synth, brass and percussion and Nicholas Rudall's brisk, modern-sounding translation produced an irresistible give-and-take between speech and tone. No mere incidentals, Glass' airy, elongated pitches, frequently lush and at times strikingly accented, carry equal weight as the spoken words; echoing, answering back, subtextualizing and, most importantly, pushing the production toward its inevitable climax. If the composer's contribution is the 90-minute evening's most memorable, that's not to discredit the rest of director JoAnne Akalaitis' always interesting (if sometimes lacking for passion) production.

After founding the Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) and serving as the company's Artistic Director and Executive Director for the past eleven seasons respectively, Alfred Preisser and Christopher McElroen will depart the Off-Broadway theatre this November.

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE starring Tony Award nominee André De Shields will open at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta on October 28th. David Mamet's dark comedy will run through November 15th. The cast also features Ariel Shafir.

The Working Theater, the Off-Broadway theater company whose recent offerings include the acclaimed productions of the plays KING OF SHADOWS, EXIT CUCKOO, TABLE TOP and I AM A MAN, has announced new interim leadership as its Artistic Director for the past three years, Connie Grappo, departs the company to pursue other projects.

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE starring Tony Award nominee André De Shields will open at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta on October 28th. David Mamet's dark comedy will run through November 15th. The cast also features Ariel Shafir.

The 2009 Vivian Robinson/Audelco Recognition Awards, which recognize for Excellence in Black Theatre, have been announced. Now in thier 37th year, the awards will be presented at a ceremony at the HarlemStages/Aaron Davis Hall on Monday, November 16 at 7pm.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall, will run through August 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The official press opening took place last night, Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. Performances of Shakespeare in the Park will be Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm.

The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall, will run through August 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The official press opening took place last night, Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. Performances of Shakespeare in the Park will be Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm.

The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall, will run through August 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park with an official press opening on Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. Performances of Shakespeare in the Park will be Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm.

Two-Time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role of 'The Wiz' in the original Broadway production (1975), caught the ENCORES! production of 'The Wiz' last night and visited the members of the cast backstage.

The Classical Theater of Harlem (CTH) presents the Off-Broadway premiere of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe by Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner, directed by CTH Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Alfred Preisser. Performances will begin June 12th and run through July 19th only at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues).

The Classical Theater of Harlem (CTH) will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe by Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner, directed by CTH Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Alfred Preisser. Performances will begin June 12th and run through July 19th only at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues).

The Classical Theater of Harlem (CTH) presents the Off-Broadway premiere of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe by Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner, directed by CTH Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Alfred Preisser. Performances will begin June 12th and run through July 19th only at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues).

The Classical Theater of Harlem (CTH) will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe by Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner, directed by CTH Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Alfred Preisser. Performances will begin June 12th and run through July 19th only at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues).

Multiple Drama Desk and Tony Award winning actor/writer Harvey Fierstein was host for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony. BroadwayWorld's cameras were there for the post-awards celebration in the press room.

The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were held tonight, Sunday, May 17, 2009 in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Drama Desk nominees received their official Nomination Certificates at a cocktail reception on Friday, May 1st at Il Bastardo restaurant, 191 Seventh Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets).

Impressionism may have closed, but André De Shields' plate is filling fast. This Sunday, May 17, André has been asked to present two categories at the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards, 'Outstanding Music in a Play' and 'Outstanding Choreography.'

The 23rd ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION was a great success with $3,402,147 being raised this year by the 58 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, 23 editions of the Annual Easter Bonnet Competition have raised nearly $39 million for BC/EFA.

The 23rd ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION was a great success with $3,402,147 being raised this year by the 58 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, 23 editions of the Annual Easter Bonnet Competition have raised nearly $39 million for BC/EFA.