Divine News

Acclaimed actress and cabaret artist Joan Ryan performed her show An Evening with Joan Ryan at Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City on Saturday, November 3.

Opening on November 9, Hart House Theatre presents a retelling of classic tale by Canadian icon Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad. Directed by a vigorous new talent, Michelle Langille, featuring a lead performance by powerhouse actor Amanda Cordner, and supported by an all-female ensemble of emergent talent, The Penelopiad is sure to be an empowering tour de force.

The British Museum presents a new display that will explore present and ancient perspectives on the territories, landscapes and borders of the Middle East. While the first acknowledged borders were natural, human society replaced these with man-made borders that have led to inevitable conflict throughout history. This new Asahi Shimbun display, No man's land, brings together a selection of objects separated by over four thousand years that embody human's inability to exist comfortably within agreed borders.

On December 7 and 8 at 7:30 PM, the legendary Fresh Tracks Performance and Residency Program at New York Live Arts will showcase the work of their five selected emerging choreographers: Emma Rose Brown, J. Bouey, Liana Conyers, Collin Ranf, and Dolores (Lola) Sanchez.

Seven-time Grammy® winning saxophonist/bandleader  Paul Winter will present his 39th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Three towering talents play a cast of thousands in this new comedy by the writer of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit The 39 Steps as Patrick Barlow's The Messiah transfers to London's The Other Palace from Monday 3rd December - Saturday 5th January 2018.

Broadway heartthrob Aaron Lazar, currently starring in the smash hit musical Dear Evan Hansen at the Ahmanson Theatre, will make his Los Angeles concert debut in his show Broadway to Hollywood for one performance only at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood on Monday, November 19, at 8:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents.

Lance Wiggins is a dedicated music artist who performs in the genres of Pop and R&B. He has released his first EP entitled 'Road Restless,' and by doing so, he has established a large following in social media, additionally due to his passion for music to inspire, encourage and uplift others. Earlier this fall he applied to be featured as a music artist in The Showcase Tour. He was accepted as one of the featured artists on the tour, and is scheduled to appear at the 440 Nightclub, in Raleigh, North Carolina on November 20, 2018. The Showcase Tour of 2018 launches on November 8th, in Denver, Colorado at The Black Box. Additional cities which are a part of The Showcase Tour include Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Northcote, Australia; Orlando, FL; Sydney, Australia; Coral Gables, Florida; Jonesboro, Georgia; London, United Kingdom; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; West Haven, Connecticut; Queens, New York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Indianapolis, Indiana; Vancouver, Canada; Midlothian, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, MI; Montreal, Canada; Toronto, Canada; Oakland, California; Los Angeles, CA, concluding the with the final destination of The Showcase Tour in Phoenix, AZ on December 14th at the venue, The Blooze. Talented music artists still have time to apply to be considered to perform in front of a live audience via The Showcase Tour through November 22, 2018. The aforementioned cities are listed in the sequence of the dates for each venue. On November 20th in Raleigh, music artist Lance Wiggins will perform his song, 'In God We Trust.' According to Wiggins, 'In God We Trust' is a song he wrote to remind and encourage people to trust God, and God only because He is the way.' Continuing, 'this song discusses important reminders, encouraging people to stick together and encourage one another, and to be kind, because kindness matters.' Concluding, 'people should realize that one can make their struggles become their successes when they rise above any obstacles presented and put one's faith in God.'

Fresh off their triumphant debut at Feinstein's/54 Below in New York City, Branden & James-the "powerhouse cello and vocal duo" (The Fight Magazine)-head to the West Coast with their show, The Broadway Covers Project.

Southern California's Verdi Chorus will cap off their 35th anniversary season with their Fall 2018 concert PASSIONE! OPERA! The two performances at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica on November 10 and 11 will feature four guest artists: soprano Julie Makerov, mezzo soprano Janelle DeStefano, tenor Todd Wilander and baritone Gabriel Manro. I had the chance to quiz two-time Grammy Award-winning baritone Gabriel Manro on his love for singing, the technical aspects of singing opera vs. musical theatre and his recent onstage proposal.

The second production of the new Jewish Theatre's 2018-19 season is the entertaining comedy, An Act of God. Directed by NJT Artistic Director Edward Coffield, the show runs November 29 - December 16.

Patriq James' graceful portrayal of Jesus Christ in Lipscomb University Theatre's production of Godspell - now onstage in Collins Alumni Auditorium on the school's Nashville campus - shines like a beacon in the very center of the show, providing the very heart of every story told by director Scott Baker's 17-person cast. But if James provides the show's heart, it is perhaps the members of Baker's ensemble, which includes a deft blending of experienced student actors with an assortment of newcomers to their company, who provide its soul.

Just because a work is new doesn't mean that it isn't able to honor the classic sources that paved the way for its creation. This idea is underscored in the Ragamala Dance Company's elegant and well-executed performance of Written in Water, which relies on the ancient Indian board game Paramapadam (a precursor to Snakes and Ladders) and Hindu mythology to craft the performance's three movements. Even though the performance could benefit from more dynamic shifts in tonality, the overall effect is gorgeous and precise.

Today, GODIVA announced the arrival of its 2018 Holiday Collection - inclusive of high-quality, decadent chocolate offerings that are perfect for seasonal gifting as well as personal indulging. In celebration of the most wonderful time of the year, GODIVA is introducing an exciting selection of beautifully-designed, indulgent chocolate treats using premium Belgian chocolate and the finest ingredients. GODIVA's master Chef Chocolatiers have created bite-sized chocolate offerings that are inspired by iconic and decadent holiday desserts from around the globe. The new Holiday Desserts Collection is designed to look like "mini-cakes" that are reminiscent of sweet treats that are enjoyed with family and friends during the holiday season. Each piece boasts a distinguished filling and is encased in the finest Belgian chocolate to satisfy holiday cravings.

The Oratorio Society of New York has the distinction of having performed Handel's Messiah every Christmas season since 1874, and at Carnegie Hall every year the hall has been open since 1891 - qualifying the OSNY's annual rendition of the holiday classic as a New York tradition of the highest order.

Award-winning Aussie cabaret star Catherine Alcorn will be performing her widely acclaimed show The Divine Miss Bette at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood on Thursday, November 8, at 8:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents. 

The Court Theatre is bringing the most loved rock musical to the stage in their summer production of Jesus Christ Superstar.  

Acclaimed actress and cabaret artist Joan Ryan will be performing her show An Evening with Joan Ryan at Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City on Saturday, November 3, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents.