David Hunt News

On Monday, November 16, Silver Hill Hospital will hold its sixth annual fall Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. This year's Giving Hope Gala will honor renowned psychologist Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., and former patient and longtime Silver Hill Hospital supporter Jonny Podell. Comedian Colin Quinn will serve as the evening's Master of Ceremonies.

Written by James Reach, adapted from the 1955 teleplay by Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame, PATTERNS, takes an insightful look at corporate politics, examining just how much it takes for an individual to crack in order to succeed financially. Directed with great skill and insight into human foibles and behavior by Jules Aaron (one of Los Angeles' most honored directors, the recipient of over thirty awards for his work, directing over 250 stage and television productions), with a brilliant cast and design team at Theatre 40, the play depicts the emotional wreckage that corporate culture can inflict on individuals to bring them into the fold.

 The St. Charles Singers' final concerts of the 2014-15 season will feature famous choral arrangements of folk songs from the British Isles and North America in performances at 7:30 p.m. today, June 13, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, Ill.   Over the course of two different concert programs, the acclaimed professional chamber choir, conducted by its founder and music director Jeffrey Hunt, will perform all 25 works from the two-volume collection 'Folk-Songs for Choirs.' These are traditional songs from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the United States, and Canada, arranged for unaccompanied mixed choir by noted British composers. The volumes were edited by renowned contemporary English choirmaster and composer John Rutter and published by Oxford University Press.

 The St. Charles Singers' final concerts of the 2014-15 season will feature famous choral arrangements of folk songs from the British Isles and North America in performances at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, Ill.   Over the course of two different concert programs, the acclaimed professional chamber choir, conducted by its founder and music director Jeffrey Hunt, will perform all 25 works from the two-volume collection "Folk-Songs for Choirs." These are traditional songs from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the United States, and Canada, arranged for unaccompanied mixed choir by noted British composers. The volumes were edited by renowned contemporary English choirmaster and composer John Rutter and published by Oxford University Press.

Silver Hill Hospital has announced three new board members, and the appointment of four existing board members to new positions, including the appointment of a new Board of Directors Chair. Comprised of twenty-one members, the Silver Hill Board of Directors advises on Hospital fiduciary responsibilities, organization and planning. It also represents the community's interests in the Hospital's operations and ensures the Hospital fulfills its nonprofit mission of service. 

Martin Thompson directs Rupert Holmes' intriguing murder mystery ACCOMPLICE at Theater 40 with reverence to actors and what they go through to put on a play as well as to put up with each other. The first act seems like a fairly normal British offering with four characters all seemingly trying to outdo each other to gain control of the two husbands' mutual business by having affairs with each other in every possible combination. A particularly shocking revelation just prior to intermission will have you wondering just who is the accomplice trying to assist the perpetrator in getting away with murder.

I've never quite understood why Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit's "Nine" is so under produced regionally. It's fun, flirty and sexy with some of the most stunningly beautiful songs that unfortunately too few are familiar with. It could be that in order to produce it correctly you need one killer ensemble of women (and Guido of course) who can handle the piece. Well, as is their way, Showtunes Theatre Company has taken this underdone gem and dusted it off and thankfully found that stellar ensemble to tackle it in their current concert version. Too bad it's only for two performances.

Seattle-based SHOWTUNES Theatre Company wraps their 15th year with a fun, sexy concert version of the Tony award winning musical Nine.

Grammy Award-winning choral director Craig Hella Johnson will guest conduct the St. Charles Singers in a concert program titled “Inspired” at 8 p.m. tonight, March 7, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles.

Seattle-based SHOWTUNES Theatre Company wraps their 15th year with a fun, sexy concert version of the Tony award winning musical Nine.

Grammy Award-winning choral director Craig Hella Johnson will guest conduct the St. Charles Singers in a concert program titled “Inspired” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles.

BWW:UK joins the cast for a gala screening of the Into The Woods movie in London.

Strengthen up those smiling and laughing muscles because the insanity of one of my favorite holiday show alternatives is back with "Ham for the Holidays: Fear the Bacon" over at ACT. And let me tell you, they have upped their game and outdone themselves. My cheeks are still aching from all the laughter as they turned in one of their best holiday shows to date.

Now in its 16th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook will continue to expand its scope in celebrating the best in American singing and songwriting, beginning with a free opening night concert in the David Rubenstein Atrium on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Live From Lincoln Center, the Emmy Award-winning program broadcast nationally on PBS stations, will shoot two of the first week's concerts by Broadway stars Norm Lewis and Billy Porter in The Appel Room. These performances will be broadcast nationally in the Spring of 2015.

Following the news that Broadway's Once will be closing, the West End production announced it will close on March 21, 2015. Irish pop superstar Ronan Keating will be joining the London production November 17 and will remain for the rest of the musical's run.

The World Premiere of AFFLUENCE by playwright Steven Peterson is a pitch-dark comedy that may cause one to reflect on the true meaning of wealth. The play was the winner of the 2013 Julie Harris Playwright Award of the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild, now onstage at Theatre 40 through October 20, directed by Larry Eisenberg and produced by David Hunt Stafford, their first stage collaboration in their 40 year friendship. What took you two so long to create such a fine piece of theater?

The first ever Wilma Awards, in association with Freedom Bar Soho will take place on Friday afternoon, 7th November 2014 at an exclusive invite-only ceremony at Freedom Bar in Soho, hosted by Tim McArthur.

Judy Ann and her 8-piece band led by Jim Fisher will bring to life the classic Judy Garland catalog of songs for one show only at7:00pm on Monday, September 8, 2014 at Boxley's Jazz Club & Restaurant in North Bend, Washington (http://www.boxleysplace.com/web/directions.html). Tickets available at http://www.valleycenterstage.org/index.html or by calling 425-831-5667.

Today (29 August 2014), the producers of Once announce that Jill Winternitz will be continuing in the role of Girl opposite the previously announced Ronan Keating as Guy. Keating will be joining the Olivier award-winning musical on 17 November 2014, with press night on Tuesday 25 November 2014. Once is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre to 4 July 2015.

The setting is Paris in the 18th Century with THE GAMESTER performed in rhymed couplets. But don't let the timeframe, language or fabulous costumes fool you. This story of true love, schemes, casual lusts, machinations, treachery and too many casinos feels as modern as today. After all, haven't we created whole cities and casinos galore aimed to pull in gamblers night and day? And don't we have Gamblers Anonymous for those who simply cannot stay away?