Craig Smith News

From Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 June, Walsall Operatic Society (WOS) return to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to stage HELLO, DOLLY!

Nickelodeon and the LEGO Group today announced the all-new high-stakes CG-animated comedy series LEGO(R) City Adventures will premiere on Saturday, June 22, at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT). A rollercoaster ride of fantastic fun, the series (10 episodes) depicts the funny, smart, and dynamic slices of life within the sprawling and diverse LEGO City community, following the absurd and action-packed adventures of its residents. Premieres continue Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

West Bromwich Operatic Society return to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this month with their production of the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, CATS from 14 - 18 May.

Something really special is happening in Nyack. Last year, the over gentrification of an East Village block resulted in relocation of long-time resident company the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble. After 15 seasons, the renowned, ground-breaking company found itself homeless. To its profound credit, it has managed to continue to produce in spite of its new 'vagabond' status in the city. However, the company's leadership was another story.

A vibrant, well-cast production that truly brings the beloved classic to life.

You might not be familiar with the latest Dutch Apple production, Lucky Stiff. The 1988, Off-Broadway show might best be described as 2 parts Weekend at Bernie's, 1 part Brewster's Millions, with a splash of The Bucket List thrown in for good measures. Those who appreciate broad, farcical comedies will also probably enjoy this show.

No matter how one defines their mid-life crisis or what kind of havoc it wreaks, the Alhambra Theatre & Dining is turning it into a laugh-out-loud celebration. With a balanced look at the 'joys' of growing older, through a cast of three men and three women, Mid-Life...The Crisis Musical strikes a chord with anyone regardless of age, but also touch on the sentimental wisdom that the later years afford us.  The Alhambra's second theatrical title of 2019 open February 20 through March 24, 2019.  

In late 2009, the Alhambra Dinner Theater was purchased by a group of Jacksonville business people as a way to save the iconic theater from closing permanently. What set out to be a short journey and a labor of love, turned into a passion for Craig Smith and Theatre Partners, LLC as they kick off their tenth season at the helm of what is now the Alhambra Theatre & Dining - the longest running dinner theater in America. The Alhambra, as it is more commonly known locally, will launch its 52nd season on January 11 with the Broadway and pop culture hit, Godspell.

When you stay busy helping others, yours, too, will be a wonderful life.

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, a nonprofit ensemble theatre company now in its 15th season, announces the appointment of Leo Lion as Associate Artistic Director effective January 1, 2019.

Prior to the kick off of Sunday's Jacksonville Jaguars game against the Washington Redskins, the cast of the Alhambra Theatre & Dining's Elf…the Musical will perform the National Anthem. Elf…the Musical is the current production at the nation's longest-running dinner theater, which opened in Jacksonville in December of 1967. This is the first time in the Alhambra's rich 51-year history to perform at an NFL game. The Alhambra cast will take to the field at approximately 12:57 PM on Sunday, December 16 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.

    The Dutch Apple's production of A Christmas Carol is a great piece of festive entertainment.  Although it doesn't set out to reinvent the story in any significant way, many audience members will  appreciate the tradition and familiarity that it brings.

The classic novel A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a holiday favorite. Whether in book form, as a film, or on the stage, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit never fails to tug at the heart-strings and remind us about the things that are really important. Scrooge is helped along his journey from heartless miser to a kind and generous man by the ghosts of Christmas present, past, and future. A Christmas Carol opens at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre on November 15th, and we had a chance to hear about the production from Theresa Walker, Timothe Bittle, and Alicia McGinty, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, respectively.

The sci-fi and action anime film The Laws of the Universe-Part I, a sequel of The Laws of the Universe-Part 0, took the number one spot at the box office this weekend in Japan. (Oct 13-14, source: Kogyo Tsushinsha ) The October 12th premiere was simultaneous in the US and Japan. Earlier this month in Los Angeles, the film also won the Special Jury Animation Award at the Awareness Film Festival 2018.

Cantata Singers 55th season begins on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 8pm in New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall with J.S. Bach's cantata BWV 140, "Wachet auf," and the first complete performance of John Harbison's Sacred Trilogy.

In August of 2009, the then-named Alhambra Dinner Theatre was all but shuttered and on the edge of extinction. In came Jacksonville native Craig Smith and his business partners to purchase the nation's longest-running dinner theater and return the community's cultural gem to glory.

Summer school has never been so much fun as Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) unveils its Comic-Con Class of 2018! With 15 of the Studio's fan-favorite series making their way to Comic-Con International: San Diego, WBTVG's graduating class this year will be as epic as ever.

Greenville Little Theatre (GLT) presents a tale as old as time, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, playing June 1-24.

Lifeforce in Later Years, a New York based non-profit that deploys community volunteers and resources to help senior age at home, held it's 7th Gala Fundraiser on May 7th at the Columbia Low Library Rotunda.

Batman and the whole Gotham gang, finally get the Anime treatment when they are whisked away to medieval Japan in Batman Ninja, now available on Digital and out on Blu-ray Steelbook, DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack on May 8th. Fans of both American comics and Japanese Anime genres are in for a particular treat as this is the Dark Knight in his most eye-popping, action-packed, ingenious and visually-mesmerizing adventure yet! It's a fantastic collaboration between the best of the best which results in a flawless piece of astounding cross-genre cinematic art.