Chris Peterson News

Westport Community Theatre presents its Summer 2013: Superstition one-act play festival. FREE to all tonight, July 12, and tomorrow, July 13 at 8 PM. Jointly produced by Westport Community Theatre and Milford's Eastbound Theatre.

GYPSY is the penultimate stage mother musical, but it's also a look at the decline of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque during the depression, and it's ultimately a look at how the famous stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, made her debut in show business. Jules Styne (composer), Stephen Sondheim (lyricist), and Arthur Laurents (book) have constructed a sturdy classic that's interesting to watch at a time when reality television has essentially revived the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, and all the baggage that comes with that. Stray Dog Theatre continues their stellar season with a rousing production of this popular standard.

In this endearing play, writer John Cariani introduces us to the people of northern Maine, their life experiences, their feelings, and their love stories. As the northern lights hover in the sky, the residents of Almost, Maine find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. The play consists of nine vignettes, all of which take place simultaneously on a snowy mid-winter evening, at a time when the town's denizens are experiencing 'magical moments.' The audience will recognize aspects of their own lives and relationships as the scenes unfold.

The season two premiere of LAB RATS, the hit bionic comedy series that has ranked as Disney XD's #1 series since its 2012 premiere, will be presented TODAY, FEBRUARY 25 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD.

The season two premiere of LAB RATS, the hit bionic comedy series that has ranked as Disney XD's #1 series since its 2012 premiere, will be presented MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD.

CHRISTMAS BELLES, a delightful Holiday Comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, is the next offering of the season at Broadway Onstage Live Theatre when it opens tonight, November 30. Running Todays and Saturdays at 8pm through December 22, the production will also be offered during two special 2pm Sunday Matinees on Sunday, December 9 and Sunday, December 16.

CHRISTMAS BELLES, a delightful Holiday Comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, is the next offering of the season at Broadway Onstage Live Theatre when it opens on Friday, November 30. Running Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through December 22, the production will also be offered during two special 2pm Sunday Matinees on Sunday, December 9 and Sunday, December 16.

There's something lovably crass about THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL that makes it a very wild ride, indeed. As an audience, we're accustomed now to the tell-all, show-all, behavior that's seen on daytime (and some times night time)television, especially if you watch Jerry Springer or others of his ilk. Really, these characters ring true enough that they virtually shine in this arena, if only for the length of this crazy quilt of trailer-hood that mixes in a liberal dose of modern Americana. Stray Dog Theatre's latest production throws a helluva lot of jokes against the wall, and luckily, most of them stick.

Disney XD has ordered a second season of its #1 series 'Lab Rats,' a sci-fi comedy about a teenager who lands the ultimate wish fulfillment when he gets three super-human step-siblings; it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Birders take note: The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) in Langley will present an evening of BirdNote stories centered around Whidbey Islanders who care about wild birds and their fragile habitats. Enjoy an evening of BirdNote radio stories augmented with photography, jazz, art-inspired by the birds and the people and places of Whidbey. This evening will feature Bird Note Executive Producer Chris Peterson and Producer John Kessler (host of KPLU's All Blues), music by Trio Nouveau, Kate Wright, and David Licastro with photography by Craig Johnson.

Disney XD will premiere the live-action comedy series LAB RATS tonight from 8:30 - 9:30 pm/et. In the series, 14-year-old Leo is sent plummeting into a secret underground lab in the basement of the home he shares with his inventor stepdad, Donald Davenport, his mom, Tasha, and Eddy, the 'smart house' computer, where he discovers three teen super-humans -- Adam, Bree and Chase.

Powered by its biggest yearly ratings ever, Disney XD will premiere more original content with 'Lab Rats,' a comedy series about a teenager and his newfound 'siblings,' a trio of super-human teens, who together must navigate typical high school and -- not so typical -- bionic glitches.

Birders take note: The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) in Langley will present an evening of BirdNote stories centered around Whidbey Islanders who care about wild birds and their fragile habitats. Enjoy an evening of BirdNote radio stories augmented with photography, jazz, art-inspired by the birds and the people and places of Whidbey. This evening will feature Bird Note Executive Producer Chris Peterson and Producer John Kessler (host of KPLU's All Blues), music by Trio Nouveau, Kate Wright, and David Licastro with photography by Craig Johnson.

URINETOWN is a satirical musical based on the idea that an ecological disaster could create a situation whereby individuals have to pay for the opportunity to eliminate their wastes in public amenities. If that sounds like an odd concept, you're right, it is. And, with it's grungy atmosphere and grimy costuming, it might seem unappealing. But, Urinetown works because it makes fun of itself, and the conventions of musical theatre, while actually managing to communicate a potent message about conserving our resources and being socially responsible. There's also the clever, dense lyrics and engaging melodies of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann. Stray Dog Theatre's current production is excellent and because of it drawing sell-out crowds the run has been extended.

Powered by its biggest yearly ratings ever, Disney XD will premiere more original content with 'Lab Rats,' a comedy series about a teenager and his newfound 'siblings,' a trio of super-human teens, who together must navigate typical high school and -- not so typical -- bionic glitches.

Pete Townshend and the Who's seminal rock opera classic TOMMY comes to the stage of the Tower Grove Abbey courtesy of Stray Dog Theatre adorned in steam punk fashion and scenic design. It's an exhilarating show powered by solid performances, a tight band, and engaging direction that never lets the pace slow for a moment. This is one of the few evenings of theatre that left me feeling goosebumps up my spine as the cast took their bows. A definite must see experience!

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) today announced the formation of Midtown Direct Rep, a new theater company in residence comprised of a group of accomplished theater artists who call Maplewood/South Orange home.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) today announced the formation of Midtown Direct Rep, a new theater company in residence comprised of a group of accomplished theater artists who call Maplewood/South Orange home.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) today announced the formation of Midtown Direct Rep, a new theater company in residence comprised of a group of accomplished theater artists who call Maplewood/South Orange home.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) today announced the formation of Midtown Direct Rep, a new theater company in residence comprised of a group of accomplished theater artists who call Maplewood/South Orange home.