FST is pleased to announce the final extension of the longest running Cabaret show in FST history, American Pie. The show is now extended through May 10, completing a record-breaking 19 week run.
Originally from Oklahoma, Broadway superstar Kelli O'Hara has been thrilling New York audiences as Anna Leonowens in Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of THE KING AND I. While she is busy putting the final touches on this cherished, classic role before the critics take their seats for opening night, I am exploring her charismatic solo albums WONDER IN THE WORLD, a collection of classic tunes arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr., and ALWAYS, a collection of music from Broadway shows and gifted musical writers.
The worldwide smash-hit musical BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will be rocking the Civic Arts Plaza this weekend, March 12-15. February 3rd marks the 56th anniversary of 'the Day the Music Died', as Don McLean called the death of Buddy Holly in the song 'American Pie.' But this musical proves that the music, like Buddy's legacy, lives on.
As the world remembers the 56th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens, The Tobin Center shared the life and death of Buddy Holly in a very special February 3rd commemoration.
The worldwide smash-hit musical BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will be rocking the Civic Arts Plaza March 12-15. February 3rd marks the 56th anniversary of "the Day the Music Died", as Don McLean called the death of Buddy Holly in the song 'American Pie.' But this musical proves that the music, like Buddy's legacy, lives on.
If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.
Chinless Productions and Eric & Christine Kovac present the World Premiere of an unauthorized parody, LOST THE MUSICAL: WE HAVE TO GO BACK, written by Steven Christopher Parker and Steven Brandon, musical direction by DeReau K. Farrar, choreography by Heather Ashleigh Rivers and directed by Steven Brandon. LOST THE MUSICAL: WE HAVE TO GO BACK will run through Sunday, October 26 at the Lillian Theatre, 1076 N. Lillian Way. (at Santa Monica Blvd., one block west of Vine) in Hollywood. Below, check out the first scene from the show, which includes an alternate version of Don McLean's American Pie!
Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental artists of our time, thrilling sold-out audiences throughout the world. He returns to the Spencer Theater stage with his dynamic band, Luna Negra at 8 p.m. tonight, July 26, sharing his many evocative tunes.
Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental artists of our time, thrilling sold-out audiences throughout the world. He returns to the Spencer Theater stage with his dynamic band, Luna Negra at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26, sharing his many evocative tunes.
Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its' air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. For two and a half weeks, Signature's intimate cabaret venue hosts an eclectic mix of Signature favorites, DC-area stars, and some of New York's most exciting performers. The cabaret series runs today, July 9 through July 26, with a different performance each night.
Celebrating the vast grape growing and wine producing industry in southern New Mexico, as well as the state's booming microbrews, the Spencer unveils the first Spencer Wine & Brew Festival at the theater today, July 5 from 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. Various wineries and breweries will provide pours at booths set throughout the hall and arts & crafts vendors will also be on site, as will a selection of edibles including gourmet sliders & sides, fruit & cheese plates will be available for purchase. Live jazz music performed by the sizzling ensemble Straight Up Jazz of Albuquerque, and Spanish guitar with area favorite Tomas Vigil, also sets the mood for a day of popping good fun.
Local singer and actor Jerome Elliott presents Up In Flames at the Arthur Newman Theater at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 2 PM. Up in Flames is Elliott's seventh original cabaret show since 2008, following such critically acclaimed shows as Bat Out of Jersey, A Dry Heat, Crawling Back to Broadway, and Sweet Nerd of Youth. Audiences can expect Elliott's trademark witty repartee as he performs a program of "songs so hot, they're cool!" His longtime accompanist and collaborator Charlie Creasy will join him onstage, with a special appearance by Keisha D, Elliott's duet partner for the past two years.
Celebrating the vast grape growing and wine producing industry in southern New Mexico, as well as the state's booming microbrews, the Spencer unveils the first Spencer Wine & Brew Festival at the theater on Saturday, July 5 from 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. Various wineries and breweries will provide pours at booths set throughout the hall and arts & crafts vendors will also be on site, as will a selection of edibles including gourmet sliders & sides, fruit & cheese plates will be available for purchase. Live jazz music performed by the sizzling ensemble Straight Up Jazz of Albuquerque, and Spanish guitar with area favorite Tomas Vigil, also sets the mood for a day of popping good fun.
The biggest challenge in personalizing a tribute show is when the set list is structured to tell a story about the performer's life. Those songs better be good, that life better be interesting, and that storytelling patter better be clever, humorous, and self-deprecating or an audience (let alone a reviewer) will tune you out quicker than a liberal accidentally hitting FOX News on the remote. I recently saw two different shows at The Duplex from enchanting young women performers—Carly Ozard and Nikki MacCallum--who deftly managed to weave their love of a singer (Bette Midler for Ozard) or a songbook (Kander & Ebb for MacCallum) into a tale of life journey and personal growth to produce charming and entertaining shows.
To witness an entire audience on its feet, joyfully clapping, singing, and dancing into the aisles, one might have imagined rocking at Woodstock rather than in picturesque college town of Brunswick, ME. But, indeed, the exuberance and energy that filled the Pickard Theatre on the Bowdoin campus was a tribute to the triumphant production of The Buddy Holly Story with which Maine State Music Theatre opened its 56th season.
The jukebox musical which recounts the last three years in the life of rock legend Charles Hardin 'Buddy' Holly is, in many ways a perfect vehicle to showcase this company's strengths and its new optimistic and visionary artistic direction. Buddy features a largely youthful and hugely talented cast of music theatre singer-actor-musicians, dazzlingly production values, and demonstrates the company's ability to forge an intense connection with its audience.
Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its' air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. For two and a half weeks, Signature's intimate cabaret venue hosts an eclectic mix of Signature favorites, DC-area stars, and some of New York's most exciting performers. The cabaret series runs July 9 through July 26, with a different performance each night.
Clive Davis, Dr. Luke, Colbie Caillat, Brian Tyler (film music composer of 'Iron Man 3,' 'Thor: The Dark World,' 'Fast Five') and music and entertainment industry giants committed to fighting cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases will take part in the 10th anniversary of Songs of Hope