Brenda Bell News

As long autumn shadows cast their spell across Greenwich Village, the days grow shorter and the nights grow restless and long, enticing the Headless Horseman to realize his lonely, faithful quest. Sleepy Hollow, an original musical by Michael Sgouros and Brenda Bell, which begins previews on September 20th at The Players Theatre in New York City's Greenwich Village, reveals a haunting deeper than the woods of the hollow. Its shadows are cast from the darkness of the human soul. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

There is no place like New York! With a city this rich in culture, scandal and diversity, the possibilities for theatrical reenactment are endless. The Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival encourage playwrights to mine this precious resource by offering an annual NYC-themed festival each June. Celebrating its 4th year, "Only in New York" opens Thursday, June 5 and runs for three weeks. Each week four original short plays, by four separate playwrights will be presented and a "Best of the Week" production will be selected by judge and audience vote.

In 1837 Hans Christian Anderson wrote his most beloved tale 'The Little Mermaid'. 177 years later she is still swimming her way into the hearts of young and old. On February 16th, Literally Alive Children's Theatre will open their musical adaptation of this classic tale with books and lyrics by Brenda Bell and music by Michael Sgouros at the Players Theatre located at 115 MacDougal Street (between Bleeker and West 3rd) in Manhattan. Their adaptation is true to the original story by Hans Christian Andersen, unlike the Disney version, which has a different ending. 'We tell the story in its original form' says Artistic Director Brenda Bell, 'We believe that the true ending shows children that every wish has a price and that love comes with many sacrifices.'

Michael Sgouros, composer and percussionist, has been nominated for an Innovative Theatre Award - Outstanding Original Music for Hollow the musical which premiered at the historic Players Theatre in September 2012. The production ran for 9 months and is currently on hiatus until September 21 of this year when it will take the stage again at the Players Theatre.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents its 12th annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival from May 29-June 3. Minnesota's signature arts festival for children and families-and one of the only of its kind in the nation-features artists hailing from all around the globe, telling stories about different cultures through the uniting power of the performing arts. The Flint Hills International Children's Festival will highlight five headlining artist groups making their mark internationally through extraordinary puppetry, dance, music and theater performances.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents its 12th annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival from May 29-June 3. Minnesota's signature arts festival for children and families-and one of the only of its kind in the nation-features artists hailing from all around the globe, telling stories about different cultures through the uniting power of the performing arts. The Flint Hills International Children's Festival will highlight five headlining artist groups making their mark internationally through extraordinary puppetry, dance, music and theater performances.

STONE SOUP, which opened September 18th at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, features music by Michael Sgouros, book and lyrics by Brenda Bell. Set in Revolutionary War America, two lost soldiers stumble upon the 'perfect' village while searching for food and shelter.

Now in its sixth year, the FringeNYC Encore Series gives theatre lovers another chance at seeing some of the Festival's favorite shows.

The 6th Annual FringeNYC Encore Series has announced dates & Venues for shows running September 9 - 26th at The Players Theatre & SoHo Playhouse.

The new musical 'Phantom of the Opera' at the Players Theatre in the West Village features, as one would expect, some very familiar characters from the 1911 novel by Gaston Leroux. What one might not expect is the intriguing use of dance which adds visual texture and depth to the production. Choreographer Stefanie Smith elegantly balances the use of traditional ballet and modern dance with grace and skill.

An intimate production based on the original novel by Gaston Leroux opens April 30th in the West Village

An intimate production based on the original novel by Gaston Leroux opens April 30th in the West Village

If the Shoe Fits- Literally Alive Theatre's New Musical Production of 'Cinderella' Strides into the Players Theatre in Style

If the Shoe Fits- Literally Alive Theatre's New Musical Production of 'Cinderella' Strides into the Players Theatre in Style

The second annual edition of 1st Irish, a five-week-long all-Irish theatre festival coordinated by Origin Theatre Company, runs from September 1 to October 4.

The second annual edition of 1st Irish, a five-week-long all-Irish theatre festival coordinated by Origin Theatre Company, runs from September 1 to October 4.

Literally Alive Theatre's new musical, 'Treasure Island', with music by Michael Sgouros, book and lyrics by Brenda Bell, will open February 11th and run through May 10th at the Players Theatre located at 115 MacDougal Street (between West 3rd and Bleecker) in the West Village. The production, which is based on the classic novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883, celebrates courage, adventure, and as the character Dr. Livesey says 'the wisdom of youth'. The story follows the tale of Jim Hawkins, played Peter Pan-style by Meg Lanzarone, as a young lad whose life changes forever the day a mysterious old sea captain stubbles into his parents inn. Jim meets suspicious sea men including Black Dog and the blind man Pew, all of whom are after just one thing - the old captains treasure map!

Literally Alive Theatre's new musical, 'Treasure Island', with music by Michael Sgouros, book and lyrics by Brenda Bell, will open February 11th and run through May 10th at the Players Theatre located at 115 MacDougal Street (between West 3rd and Bleecker) in the West Village. The production, which is based on the classic novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883, celebrates courage, adventure, and as the character Dr. Livesey says 'the wisdom of youth'. The story follows the tale of Jim Hawkins, played Peter Pan-style by Meg Lanzarone, as a young lad whose life changes forever the day a mysterious old sea captain stubbles into his parents inn. Jim meets suspicious sea men including Black Dog and the blind man Pew, all of whom are after just one thing - the old captains treasure map!