Charlie Thurston News

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

Trinity Repertory Company held its 2018 Project Discovery Gala, which supports education programs at Trinity Rep, on November 14. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, and a live auction, the event raised more than $85,000. The event was co-chaired by resident actors Rebecca Gibel and Charlie Thurston with Barbara and Larry Schoenfeld, and Ken Sigel and Sarah Kelly. Resident actor Joe Wilson, Jr. served as emcee and auctioneer.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at CYRANO at Goodspeed! Check out all new photos below! Led by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage as Cyrano alongside film actress Haley Bennett as Roxanne and film and TV actor Blake Jenner as Christian, the cast of this bold new musical includes Tom Riis Farrell, Damon J. Gillespie, Patrick Kerr, Laith Nakli, Gayle Samuels, Claire Saunders and Charlie Thurston.

It is an instantly recognizable story. Skilled writer and romantic Cyrano de Bergerac crafts beautiful prose but can't let himself be loved due to insecurities about his looks. This classic story is being brought to life in a new and exciting way at the Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre with music by members of the Grammy Award-winning band, The National, and a stellar cast and creative team. Playing the character of Le Bret is Damon J. Gillespie who is just off a starring role on the TV show Rise. I had the pleasure of speaking with Damon and learning about his experience with this new twist on a classic tale.

Casting of Goodspeed Musicals' Cyrano is complete. Film and TV actor Blake Jenner will play Christian. He joins previously announced Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who will play Cyrano alongside film actress Haley Bennett as Roxanne in this bold new musical.

Led by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage as Cyrano alongside film actress Haley Bennett as Roxanne and film and TV actor Blake Jenner as Christian, the cast of this bold new musical includes Tom Riis Farrell, Damon J. Gillespie, Patrick Kerr, Laith Nakli, Gayle Samuels, Claire Saunders and Charlie Thurston.

Casting of Goodspeed Musicals' Cyrano is complete. Film and TV actor Blake Jenner will play Christian. He joins previously announced Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who will play Cyrano alongside film actress Haley Bennett as Roxanne in this bold new musical.

Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company announces the casting for its 2018-19 season as well as the addition of Daniel Duque-Estrada, the latest member to its resident acting company.  Leading the announcement of this season's cast is The Arthur P. Solomon and Sally E. Lapides Artistic Director, Curt Columbus. "What makes Trinity Rep truly great and truly unique is our resident acting company.  These are some of the best theater artists working on stage today, and we are so fortunate that they are living and working here in Rhode Island.  Each of them brings a fresh perspective to these classic works, and I can't wait for audiences to see them."

Trinity Repertory Company (TRC) punctuates the conclusion of its 2017-18 performance calendar with a definite exclamation mark. RAGTIME, now playing at TRC's upstairs Chace Theatre, is a season's best production both for the company and for the arts community statewide.

Trinity Rep closes out its 2017-18 Season with the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, which was written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Under the direction of Artistic Director Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep's production examines how the musical, which is set in 1906, reflects the country's current political and social climate. Based on the celebrated 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, the musical tackles race, women's rights, immigration, and workers' rights. Ragtime runs April 26 - May 27 in Trinity Rep's Elizabeth and Malcom Chace Theater, with press opening on Monday, April 30 at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $25. More information can be found at www.trinityrep.com/ragtime.

Trinity Rep closes out its 2017-18 Season with the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, which was written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Under the direction of Artistic Director Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep's production examines how the musical, which is set in 1906, reflects the country's current political and social climate. Based on the celebrated 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, the musical tackles race, women's rights, immigration, and workers' rights.

Trinity Rep's Othello is macho, engaging and spirited

Trinity Repertory Company presents Othello directed by Whitney White.  Performances run February 15 - March 18, 2018. Tickets are on sale by phone at (401) 351-4242, online at www.TrinityRep.com, or in person at the theater's box office at 201 Washington Street, Providence.

Trinity Repertory Company will open William Shakespeare's Othello in February. This production continues Trinity Rep's long tradition of generating productions of Shakespearean plays that are relevant and accessible to adult and student audiences throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Under the direction of Brown/Trinity Rep MFA alumna Whitney White '15, the powerful play will explore military themes, as well as the friendships and relationships that form the basis for the legendary story of betrayal and jealousy. The play runs approximately two hours and 20 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Othello runs February 15 through March 18, with press opening on Monday, February 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $25. More information can be found at www.trinityrep.com/othello.

Trinity Repertory Company announces its 2017 Project Discovery Gala Flights of Fancy, which celebrates and supports education programs at Trinity Rep. The event will be held in Warwick's Textron Airplane Hangar and will feature cocktails, light dinner, fun and laughter, plus a live auction and a Shakespeare cabaret performed by Trinity Rep resident actors. Flights of Fancy is co-chaired by Alison & Larry Eichler and Suzanne & Ira Magaziner. The event committee includes Richard Beretta, Martha Douglas-Osmundson, Rebecca Gibel & Charlie Thurston, Laura Harris, Sally Herreid, Heidi Keller Moon, Kibbe & Tom Reilly, and Barbara & Larry Schoenfeld.

Trinity Repertory Company announces its 2017 Project Discovery Gala Flights of Fancy, which celebrates and supports education programs at Trinity Rep. The event will be held in Warwick's Textron Airplane Hangar and will feature cocktails, light dinner, fun and laughter, plus a live auction and a Shakespeare cabaret performed by Trinity Rep resident actors. Flights of Fancy is co-chaired by Alison & Larry Eichler and Suzanne & Ira Magaziner. The event committee includes Richard Beretta, Martha Douglas-Osmundson, Rebecca Gibel & Charlie Thurston, Laura Harris, Sally Herreid, Heidi Keller Moon, Kibbe & Tom Reilly, and Barbara & Larry Schoenfeld.

Cleveland Play House opens 2017-2018 with entertaining Shakespeare in Love

"I will have poetry in my life.  And adventure.  And love. Love above all." The Cleveland Play House produces the Academy Award-winning romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love, complete with swordfights, secret trysts, and backstage drama.