Debbie Allen News

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota presents American Ballet Theatre's ABT II on Sat, Oct 9 at 8:00 pm at Northrop.

Fame star and sometimes So You Think You Can Dance choreographer will direct an episode of the CW's Hellcats, according to E! Online. Reportedly, Allen will incorporate a large musical dance number into the episode.

Reworking a classic story is not a new concept in the theatre world. Just ask the creators of Wicked or West Side Story. Taking something that audiences are already familiar with and turning it on its ear can be quite a task and is not without its challenges. First, there are the constant comparisons to the source material (or previous adaptations). Next, there is the daunting task to "reinvent" the plot and bring audiences on a fresh and new journey. But with the Alliance Theatre's premiere of Twist - an American Musical (a modern, American take on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist) they beat the odds and have created a magical tapestry of music, story and life that, even with a classic tale at its heart, feels like a something completely new.

On September 1, 2010 The Alliance Theatre opened Twist for its Atlanta debut. Inspired by Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, and in the rich musical tradition of Jelly's Last Jam, this heart-warming musical brings award-winning director/choreographer Debbie Allen (Fame) back to the Alliance, following her hugely successful Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (winner of the 2010 Olivier Award for Best Revival). The production runs through October 3, 2010

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum, resurrected the infamous flop musical CARRIE for an Equity reading that had a notoriously short 3 night, 5 performance run on Broadway in 1988. The reading took place on November 20, 2009. The hope is to bring 'Carrie' and her supernatural powers back to the Broadway stage.

The Alliance Theatre's 2010-11 Season kicks off with Twist - an American musical, inspired by the Dickens' classic Oliver Twist, set in New Orleans in 1928. There, while the Roaring 20s dance their way down Bourbon Street, an orphan in search of home finds family in the most unexpected of places. Twist is the story of the emotional struggle of an orphan, whose father was a black song-and-dance man and whose mother was a southern white aristocrat, seeking a place to belong and a family to love while guided by a fierce yearning for home.

On September 1, 2010 The Alliance Theatre opened Twist for its Atlanta debut. Inspired by Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, and in the rich musical tradition of Jelly's Last Jam, this heart-warming musical brings award-winning director/choreographer Debbie Allen (Fame) back to the Alliance, following her hugely successful Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (winner of the 2010 Olivier Award for Best Revival). The production runs through October 3, 2010. Check out the newly-released production photos below!

The first national tour of the current Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Omaha. WEST SIDE STORY will be presented at the Orpheum Theater October 19 - 24, 2010 by Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

The Alliance Theatre will be presenting several events in the upcoming weeks, including: Twist and Midtown Block Party. Additional infortmation is listed below.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic's Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock closes his first season of jazz programming at the Hollywood Bowl with a triumphant celebration of his 70th birthday. Hosted by talk show giant Tavis Smiley, The all-star line-up includes special guests India.Arie, Juanes, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Terence Blanchard, Jack DeJohnette, Alex Acuña, Zakir Hussain, Paulinho DaCosta, Niladri Kumar, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and the Imagine Project Band.

Travel to New Orleans 1928 for a triumphant story of love conquering adversity and of finding family in the most unexpected places. The Alliance Theatre is proud to bring Twist to the stage for its Atlanta debut.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic's Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock closes his first season of jazz programming at the Hollywood Bowl with a triumphant celebration of his 70th birthday. Hosted by talk show giant Tavis Smiley, The all-star line-up includes special guests India.Arie, Juanes, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Terence Blanchard, Jack DeJohnette, Alex Acuña, Zakir Hussain, Paulinho DaCosta, Niladri Kumar, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and the Imagine Project Band.

The Alliance Theatre's 2010-11 Season kicks off with Twist - an American musical, inspired by the Dickens' classic Oliver Twist, set in New Orleans in 1928. There, while the Roaring 20s dance their way down Bourbon Street, an orphan in search of home finds family in the most unexpected of places. Twist is the story of the emotional struggle of an orphan, whose father was a black song-and-dance man and whose mother was a southern white aristocrat, seeking a place to belong and a family to love while guided by a fierce yearning for home.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced initial casting today for the concert version of Paul Simon's THE CAPEMAN, running August 14-16 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the concert version of Paul Simon's THE CAPEMAN, running August 14-16 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Ivan Hernandez completes the cast as Salvador Agrón. All performances for the three night concert version of THE CAPEMAN will be at 8 p.m. Free tickets will be distributed the day of the show.

The Equal Employment Opportunities Committees of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced the 8th Annual Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards, recognizing performers and arts organizations who, through their work and activism, have fostered diversity within the entertainment and news media industries and their communities.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the concert version of Paul Simon's THE CAPEMAN, running August 14-16 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Ivan Hernandez completes the cast as Salvador Agrón. All performances for the three night concert version of THE CAPEMAN will be at 8 p.m. Free tickets will be distributed the day of the show.

North Coast Repertory Theatre is proud to present The San Diego Premiere of a two-time Tony Award winning musical. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, directed by Rick Simas

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced initial casting today for the concert version of Paul Simon's THE CAPEMAN, running August 14-16 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. All performances for the three night concert version of THE CAPEMAN will be at 8 p.m. Free tickets will be distributed the day of the show.

Fresh from her Broadway run of Hair, Annaleigh Ashford returned to the Broadway at Birdland concert series with the musical magic of James Sampliner, on Monday, July 12. Annaleigh dazzled the packed house with popular classics by everyone from Doris Day to Janis Joplin. With an emphasis on the sounds of the 60's and 70's, Ashford and Sampliner performed 'It's Magic,' 'Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters,' 'Beautiful,' 'When I'm 64,' and many more. BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of her performance, and backstage prep, below.