Brian Brooks News

Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by multiple Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor with original music composed by Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning Elliot Goldenthal, opens tonight, November 2, at the Theatre's newly-named building, Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

The Joyce Theater (Linda Shelton, Executive Director), the nation's largest theater devoted to modern dance, announced today programming for its 2014 Spring / Summer Season featuring extraordinary companies, including Joyce debuts and highly anticipated engagements such as a festival of all Brazilian dance, and Wendy Whelan's NYC premiere of Restless Creature.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced that Ben Stiller's highly anticipated adaptation of James Thurber's classic short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty which also stars Stiller alongside Kristen Wiig, will make its World Premiere tonight, October 5 as the Centerpiece Gala presentation for the 51st New York Film Festival (September 27 - October 13).

The Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, announces an outstanding array of dance from around the world that will grace its stages this season. Paul Organisak, Executive Director, comments 'Pittsburgh Dance Council is pleased to continue to present some of the finest companies whose diversity of artistic expression and culture are certain to captivate, challenge and entertain you during the 2013-2014 Season. With a focus on delivering new and fresh experiences and international flair, the Dance Council brings a snapshot of contemporary dance and performance.'

This production was a curious one - while there were several excellent performances of the evening, the show was almost hindered due to poor technical decisions riddled throughout the show.

Joseph V. Melillo, executive producer of the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, presents the 2013 Next Wave Festival. The festival runs from today, September 17 through December 22 and comprises opera, theater, music, and dance productions in the institution's three mainstage venues: the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, the BAM Harvey Theater, and the BAM Richard B. Fisher Building.

Single tickets go on sale today, September 13, for Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by multiple Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor with original music composed by Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning Elliot Goldenthal, at the Theatre's newly-named building, Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

Firehouse Staged Reading Series presents O, HANNIBAL by Kurt Brighton, running today, September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2013.

Firehouse Staged Reading Series presents O, HANNIBAL by Kurt Brighton, running September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2013.

Randy James' all male dance company, 10 Hairy Legs, is featured as part of The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College's Major Artist Series on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 3:00 pm.

Firehouse Theater and Theatre Out Denver present 'Next Fall' running August 30 through September 28 at the John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University, 7653 East First Place, Denver, CO. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 8 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 Adult; $18 for Students/seniors; $15 on September 9 and are available by calling 303-562-3232. For more information, go to www.firehousetheatercompany.com.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced tickets will go on sale today, August 23, for an outstanding season of performances including Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Cabaret Series, and Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents presentations.

The Chicago Dancing Festival has announced the programming schedule for its seventh season. Co-produced by internationally renowned choreographer and native Chicagoan Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, this 'Free-to-All' Festival is set to take place today, August 20 - 24, featuring top ballet, modern, ethnic and rhythmic dance companies from Chicago and across the country.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced tickets will go on sale, August 23, for an outstanding season of performances including Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Cabaret Series, and Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents presentations.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the 35 films that will comprise the main slate of official selections for the 51st New York Film Festival

Wendy Whelan, whom The New York Times has called 'America's greatest contemporary ballerina,' has danced with New York City Ballet for 29 years. With the company, she has mastered Balanchine's neo-classical repertory, dance classics such as Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake and created works with many of today's leading choreographers. Having reached the height of her field, Whelan, now 46, is embarking on a groundbreaking journey at an age when most ballerinas simply retire from the stage. She has launched Wendy Whelan New Works Initiative, which begins with Restless Creature, a suite of four duets, each with its own distinct style and artistry, created by and danced with Kyle Abraham, Joshua Beamish, Brian Brooks and Alejandro Cerrudo. The work will tour to nine cities this spring including New York, London and Boston from March 18-July 26.

The world premiere of Wendy Whelan's Restless Creature, an evening-length suite of dynamic contemporary duets, will take place at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in the historic Ted Shawn Theatre, August 14-18. Each with his own unique style and artistry, the four contemporary choreographers of Restless Creature: Kyle Abraham, Joshua Beamish, Brian Brooks, and Alejandro Cerrudo, will perform alongside 'America's greatest contemporary ballerina' (Claudia La Rocco, The New York Times) only at Jacob's Pillow this summer.

Spike Jonze's HER, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde and Scarlett Johansson will make its World Premiere as the Closing Night Gala presentation for the upcoming 51st New York Film Festival

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today that Ben Stiller's highly anticipated adaptation of James Thurber's classic short story THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its 2013-2014 season with New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013, Wednesday, December 11 through Sunday, December 15, 2013 in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater and features Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by the Senior Class, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division. Next season's innovative choreographers are Juilliard alumnus Takehiro Ueyama (1st Year Dancers); Brian Brooks (2nd Year Dancers); and Juilliard alumnus Darrell Grand Moultrie (3rd Year Dancers).