Dear Readers, I hope you've all fared well over the holidays and had a good time with your families. It's been a tumultuous year with lots of great theater for us to take in. And so I'm pleased to share with you some of the best things I saw this past year and the ones that I felt worthy of getting my Critic's Choice Awards for 2015. So settle in and allow me to expound on all the amazing I saw over the year. The envelope please.
Today in 1938, The Cradle Will Rock opened at the Windsor Theatre. Originally a part of the Federal Theatre Project, it was directed by Orson Welles, and produced by John Houseman. The show was recorded and released on seven 78-rpm discs in 1938, making it the first cast album recording. Following the impromptu opening and a brief run at the Venice Theatre (later renamed the New Century Theatre) in July 1937, the production reopened on January 3, 1938, at the Windsor Theatre under the auspices of the new Mercury Theatre Company. It played a total of 108 performances.
Signature Theatre presents WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from tonight, December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.
GYPSY, often lauded by critics as the greatest American musical, is the latest in the award-winning Broadway Re-Imagined series produced collaboratively by Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latte Da.
Westfield San Francisco Centre, the city's premier destination for world-class fashion, entertainment, and dining, will kick off the holiday season on today, Nov. 19
Signature Theatre has announced the cast of WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.
ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is proud to present its 40th annual production of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. A CHRISTMAS CAROL is directed by incoming Artistic Director John Langs with current Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with Gregory Award-winning actor Charles Leggett who will debut in the role of Scrooge.
New Century Theatre Company, hot off their Gregory Award win for Theatre of the Year, has once again shown why they're one of the best in town with their truly affecting production of "Festen". Where other companies might have put on a passable show, New Century Theatre Company gives a gripping and sometimes disturbing production showing off the insane amounts of talent they have at their disposal.
Rehearsals started this week at The 5th Avenue Theatre for the exultant classic musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, the iconic show sweeping Seattle for the holidays. Boasting such beloved songs as 'Do Re Mi,' 'My Favorite Things,' 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen,' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain,' this production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music will be presented as only The 5th can do, complete with a sensational live orchestra, stunning costumes, and incredible sets. Under the direction of David Bennett and with choreography by Trina Mills and music direction by Kat Sherrell, this musical will feature an exuberant all-local cast of fresh faces and favorite performers that includes Anne Allgood as the Mother Abbess, joining the previously announced David Pichette as Max Detweiler and Jessica Skerritt as the Baroness Elsa Schraeder, with Hans Altwies as Captain Georg von Trapp and Kirsten deLohr Helland as Maria.
Could this young guy have ever dreamed that the President of the United States would call a musical he wrote an example of the kind of creativity needed to teach history to our kids?
New York City Center presents Irving Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN: IN CONCERT starring Megan Hilty tonight, October 27, and tomorrow, October 28, at 7:30pm. Tonight's performance is part of City Center's annual Gala.
Gloucester Stage proudly presents the world premiere of Lucas Baisch's A Measure of Normalcy from tonight, October 22 through November 1 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA.
Gloucester Stage proudly presents the world premiere of Lucas Baisch's A Measure of Normalcy from October 22 through November 1 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA.
New Century Theatre Company (NCTC) closes out its first season at 12th Avenue Arts with a powerhouse family drama adapted by David Eldridge from the Danish film The Celebration. The Company has wanted to produce Festen for many years and it will be NCTC's biggest production yet. Festen will be directed by Tony Award nominee Wilson Milam and the cast will feature the work of ten Company Members.
A Contemporary Theatre is thrilled to present the imaginative dark comedy of MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY by Anne Washburn (The Internationalist, A Devil At Noon, and The Small). Spanning several years to several decades after the end of the world, survivors must begin again to create a new society. As the survivors bond by recounting the popular 'Cape Feare' episode of The Simpsons, the story evolves into its own mythos.
New York City Center adds second performance of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun: In Concert starring Megan Hilty on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30pm. The previously announced performance on October 27 is part of City Center's annual Gala.
Three years after starring in the Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Megan Hilty returns to City Center as Annie Oakley in this concert staging of Irving Berlin's classic 1946 musical. Hilty will be joined by a Tony-honored cast including Andy Karl, Chuck Cooper, Judy Kaye, Brad Oscar, and Ron Raines.
A Contemporary Theatre is thrilled to present the imaginative dark comedy of MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY by Anne Washburn (The Internationalist, A Devil At Noon, and The Small). Spanning several years to several decades after the end of the world, survivors must begin again to create a new society. As the survivors bond by recounting the popular "Cape Feare" episode of The Simpsons, the story evolves into its own mythos.
Long before the devil wore Prada -- 20 years ago, in fact -- the story of the irrepressible Diana Vreeland first commanded the stage of the Globe in a world premiere in 1995. Oscar and Tony Award winner Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King, Lost in Yonkers) now brings 'The Empress of Fashion' back in FULL GALLOP. Written by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson and directed by Andrew Russell, FULL GALLOP runs now through October 25, 2015, with opening night tonight, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
Even if you are not glued to the boob tube watching the latest exploits of the Real Housewives of wherever, you'll find much to laugh at and with in this local parody of the popular TV series.