Ben Bagley News

What does it really mean to be a father? Absolutely nothing, at least according to The Myth of the Father, a new comedy written by Lawrence Hennessy and directed by Deb Barry, scheduled to run as a part of The Late-Night Series at the Players' Ring Theatre in Portsmouth from today, July 18 through July 27.

What does it really mean to be a father? Absolutely nothing, at least according to The Myth of the Father, a new comedy written by Lawrence Hennessy and directed by Deb Barry, scheduled to run as a part of The Late-Night Series at the Players' Ring Theatre in Portsmouth from July 18 through July 27. Based on Hennessy's Doctoral Thesis of the same name, The Myth of the Father takes aim at the theory of, "essentialism," the idea that there are certain parental functions which can only be performed by men or women. But don't worry, whenever the temptation to be taken seriously arises, there is plenty of word play, satire, and slapstick to keep things ridiculous.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Based on the beloved, classic short story by O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi: the Musical rings in a magical holiday season at The Players' Ring in Portsmouth. This original adaptation for the stage written by David Mauriello with music and lyrics by Robert Johnson, is a production of Awareness UNlimited of Stratham, and is directed by Deb Barry. Musical direction is shared by David Moore and Sabrina Avedisian. The show runs for ten performances from November 21 through December 1.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Tune in this Wednesday, October 16th, 2013 at 12:35 PM (ET) to join in the celebration with 'Mr. Showbusiness' on Jimmy Ferraro's THEATRE CHAT AND THIS 'N THAT, broadcasting live on WWJB -- regionally and nationally on the world wide web: www.wwjb.com/pages/4395150.php. This week's guest is legendary Broadway, television, film star, and author Kaye Ballard.

Don't let this summer end without seeing 'America's Favorite Original Boy Band'! Olney Theatre Institute presents a limited return engagement of Forever Plaid today, August 24 through September 15 on Olney Theatre Center's Historic Stage.

Broadway legend Barbara Cook returns to Segerstrom Center to celebrate her 85th birthday year with a performance in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall tonight, April 13 at 8 p.m.

Broadway legend Barbara Cook returns to Segerstrom Center to celebrate her 85th birthday year with a performance in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Saturday April 13 at 8 p.m.

Barbara Cook returns to Carnegie Hall to celebrate her 85th birthday tonight, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. with a special performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

On September 25th, music legend Barbara Cook released an all new recording, Loverman, her latest from DRG Records. Loverman is a brilliant departure from Ms. Cook's traditional Broadway repertoire, featuring a large collection of jazz and standards. On October 18th, Ms. Cook will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration her 85th birthday with Ted Rosenthal and Lee Musiker and a few surprise guests.

Today, September 25th, music legend Barbara Cook releases an all new recording, Loverman, her latest from DRG Records. Loverman is described as 'a brilliant departure from Ms. Cook's traditional Broadway repertoire, featuring instead a large collection of jazz and standards.' In addition to the release of Loverman, on October 18th Ms. Cook will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration her 85th birthday.

On September 25th, music legend Barbara Cook releases an all new recording, Loverman, her latest from DRG Records. Loverman is somewhat of a departure from Ms. Cook's traditional Broadway repertoire, featuring instead a large collection of jazz and standards. In addition to the release of Loverman, on October 18th Ms. Cook will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration her 85th birthday.

Barbara Cook returns to Carnegie Hall to celebrate her 85th birthday on Thursday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. with a special performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

On September 25th, music legend Barbara Cook releases an all new recording, Loverman, her latest from DRG Records. Loverman is described as 'a brilliant departure from Ms. Cook's traditional Broadway repertoire, featuring instead a large collection of jazz and standards.' In addition to the release of Loverman, on October 18th Ms. Cook will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration her 85th birthday.

Despite being completely busy preparing for the concert staging of A TOUCH OF VENUS, Paul Hope, Artistic Director and Founder of Bayou City Concert Musicals, took a break from his busy schedule to talk to me about his innovative and charitable organization. Since it's inception, Bayou City Concert Musicals has been providing Houston audiences with well-produced and lauded performances of often-neglected musicals. Continuing to grow an ever-increasing loyal audience and fan following, I asked Paul Hope to tell me more about Bayou City Concert Musicals and the shows they choose to produce.

The COLUMN AWARDS Board of Directors and the Executive Director/Producer announced today that Tony Award winner and Kennedy Center Honoree Chita Rivera will be the Co-host for the 13th Annual COLUMN AWARDS Gala.

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, presents the Chicago premiere of John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair, directed by Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

The COLUMN AWARDS Board of Directors and the Executive Director/Producer announced today that Tony Award winner and Kennedy Center Honoree Chita Rivera will be the Co-host for the 13th Annual COLUMN AWARDS Gala.