Daniel Le News

Today, the St. Louis Symphony announced its 2013-2014 season, the orchestra's 134th since its founding in 1880 and the ninth led by Music Director David Robertson. The 2013-2014 classical subscription series is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors and runs from September 20, 2013 through May 11, 2014.

On December 5th, 2011, The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences launched The International Emmy Kids Awards, a new competition and stand-alone ceremony, solely dedicated to recognizing excellence in children's television programming produced and initially aired outside of the United States. The inaugural awards ceremony took place tonight, February 8, 2013 at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, in New York.

Back by popular demand, Well-Strung: The Singing String Quartet, will return to play a limited three-week engagement (February 28-March 16) at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater (10 West 64th Street - located in the YMCA).

The Theatre School at DePaul University proudly presents LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY, based on the book by Gary D. Schmidt, adapted by Cheryl L. West, and directed by John Jenkins, as the second piece in the 2012-2013 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series. This production opens today, January 19, and runs through Saturday, March 2, 2013, at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin Theatre.

The Theatre School at DePaul University proudly presents LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY, based on the book by Gary D. Schmidt, adapted by Cheryl L. West, and directed by John Jenkins, as the second piece in the 2012-2013 Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series. This production opens Saturday, January 19, and runs through Saturday, March 2, 2013, at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin Theatre.

Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre continues their Eleventh Season with Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART, winner of three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play. A searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man's lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Set in the early 1980's, Larry Kramer's TONY award-winning drama THE NORMAL HEART follows Ned Weeks, a gay activist enraged at the indifference of public officials and the gay community. While AIDS ravages New York City, he confronts the personal toll of AIDS when his lover dies of the disease. This production is rated R for Very Strong Adult Language and Adult Themes.

Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre continues their Eleventh Season with Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART, winner of three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play. A searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man's lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Set in the early 1980's, Larry Kramer's TONY award-winning drama THE NORMAL HEART follows Ned Weeks, a gay activist enraged at the indifference of public officials and the gay community. While AIDS ravages New York City, he confronts the personal toll of AIDS when his lover dies of the disease. This production is rated R for Very Strong Adult Language and Adult Themes.

Broadway Barre, a monthly event hosted by Kate Pazakis (South Pacific, South Park), happened last night, October 22. This month's special guests were Euan Morton (Taboo), Audra Mae (Recording Artist), Jimmy Ray Bennet (Nuclear Family), Todd Buonopane (30 Rock, Grease), and from the Book of Mormon National Tour: Michael Buchanan (The Addams Family, Cry Baby), Marisha Wallace (Rent, Sistas!), JR Bruno (West Side Story), Daniel Le Claire (Hairspray), and Samantha Marie Ware (The Lion King, Rent). In the video below, the company of Book of Mormon sings Rent's 'Seasons of Love' with solos by Kate Pazakis, Shane Scheel, and Marisha Wallace.

Broadway Barre, a monthly event hosted by Kate Pazakis (South Pacific, South Park), will be presented this month on October 22 at 8PM. This month's special guests are Euan Morton (Taboo), Audra Mae (Recording Artist), Jimmy Ray Bennet (Nuclear Family), Todd Buonopane (30 Rock, Grease), and from the Book of Mormon National Tour: Michael Buchanan, Marisha Wallace, JR Bruno, Daniel le Claire, and Samantha Marie Ware.

After a marathon concert on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, during which six emerging period-instrument ensembles presented their best music-making in 20- to 25-minute sets in Early Music America's first Baroque Performance Competition, a panel of judges drawn from the front ranks of the early music community awarded the Grand Prize - a cash award of $3,000 and bookings on four prestigious early music concert series - to Pallade Musica. The winning ensemble demonstrated its prowess, during the concert at Corpus Christi Church in New York City, in music by 17th-century Italian composers.

The West Coast Premiere of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, officially opened September 12 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Broadway World TV's Los Angeles Correspondent and Co-Producer Michael Sterling and Co-Producer Jerry Evans of JLE Media, Inc. were on hand for the red carpet festivities which included such celebrities as Jason Alexander, Rosanna Arquette, Simon Baker, Eric Balfour, Justin Bartha, Beth Behrs, Juie Bowen, Cher, Don Cheadle, Viola Davis, Heather Graham, Laura Dern, Jonathan Groff, Daryl Hannah, Kathy Griffin, Marica Gay Harden, John Hawkes, Lisa Kudrow, Diane Ladd, Tobey Maquire, Bill Maher, Garry Marshall, Julia Ormand, Dermot Mulroney, Carl Reiner, Parker Posey, Jane Seymour, and Alicia Silverstone. Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone were also in attendance. The much anticipated run of THE BOOK OF MORMON will continue through November 25, 2012.

The West Coast Premiere of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, is now playing a strictly limited 12-week engagement through November 25, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The official opening night gala is this week, Wednesday September 12 at 7pm. Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner stars as Elder Cunningham and Broadway star Gavin Creel stars as Elder Price. Featured in THE BOOK OF MORMON are Samantha Marie Ware as Nabulungi, with Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi. Check out photos of the National Tour cast onstage below!

On September 14-15 at 8:00 pm, the NITWITS will once again amaze Newnan Theatre Company audiences with their on-the-spot improvisations.

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launched earlier this month in Denver, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner stars as Elder Cunningham, along with Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi. View photos below!

Let's see what the Denver critics had to say...

Theatre-Hikes produces Streeterville by G. Riley Mills and Ralph Covert, a 100-year-old story about class warfare and occupying land, at three Chicago-land, outdoor venues, tonight, August 18 and August 19 at 1PM at North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago IL), August 26 at 4 p.m. at City of Blue Island at MetroSouth Park at York and Western in Blue Island, and September 1 and 2 at 1PM at Pullman State Historic Site (11057 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago).

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver today, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver tomorrow, August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. In the video below, Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker Chat with In Focus' Eden Lane about creating their first Broadway musical, and launching the tour. Gavin Creel talks about his first visit to Denver, a new appreceation of touring, and reveals his thoughts about taking on a role orginated by a close friend.

Hilarity and hijinks ensue as the characters in Thornton Wilder's romantic comedy The Matchmaker. Head to New York for adventure and find love instead. The production, directed by Chris Abrahamand and set in the opulence of the Victorian period, began performances for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Festival Theatre on May 12. In the video below, Geraint Wyn Davies talks about his character, Malachi Stack, in the festival's 60th season production of The Matchmaker!

Theatre-Hikes produces Streeterville by G. Riley Mills and Ralph Covert, a 100-year-old story about class warfare and occupying land, at three Chicago-land, outdoor venues, August 18 and 19 at 1PM at North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago IL), August 26 at 4 p.m. at City of Blue Island at MetroSouth Park at York and Western in Blue Island, and September 1 and 2 at 1PM at Pullman State Historic Site (11057 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago).