The public is invited to a once-in-a-lifetime conversation with legendary Grammy and Academy Award winner Richard M. Sherman (The Jungle Book) on Sunday, September 15 at 11am. Boston Globe Arts Editor Rebecca Ostriker leads the conversation with Sherman about his astonishing career and achievements that will include performances of his classic, unforgettable songs. More information at huntingtontheatre.org/Sherman.
Five world premiere plays and three new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences received Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee and are among the 166 nominations in 36 categories announced for Chicago Equity theatrical productions opened between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tonight's Fall Theater Preview Party, the three big local premieres, upcoming: 'Spamalot' and two new works, 'Death Boogie' and 'The Old Man And The Old Moon,' plus a 'Schoolhouse Rock Live' milestone, the Dramatists Guild conference and more!
The Jungle has arrived in Boston! Rehearsals at the Huntington Theatre Company begin today for the world premiere adaptation of The Jungle Book. The production, wholly reimagined for the stage by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Candide) is based on Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling's 1893 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and Walt Disney's 1967 animated film. Zimmerman's adaptation is a music-and movement-filled adventure of young Mowgli's coming-of-age in the animal kingdom featuring the movie's best-loved songs in wholly new Indian-inspired arrangements. Legendary Academy Award and Grammy winner Richard M. Sherman - whose numerous songwriting credits with brother Robert B. Sherman include the motion pictures The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The AristoCats - collaborates on this production, providing Music Director Doug Peck access and permission to adapt songs that Sherman and his brother wrote for the film, plus never-before-heard material. Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli with Indian dance consultant Hema Rajagopalan combine elements of classical Indian dance forms with jazz, tap, and more to enhance the storytelling.
The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) revealed today the complete schedule for the 24th Annual Fall Festival, 88 events which will explore the theme of Animal: What Makes Us Human, Oct. 13 on the Northwestern Universitycampus, Oct. 20 on the University of Chicago campus, and Nov. 1-10 at venues across Chicago. This year's presenters include political consultant and former Senior Advisor to President Obama David Axelrod, revolutionary chef, restaurateur, and TV personalityRick Bayless, celebrated author of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Eating Animals Jonathan Safran Foer, Tony Award-winning choreographer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient Bill T. Jones, 59 Grand Slam title-winning tennis player Martina Navratilova, critically-acclaimed director of Boys Don't Cry and the upcoming film remakeCarrie Kimberly Peirce, Boardwalk Empire and Man of Steel actor Michael Shannon as a featured performer in White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, author of A Series of Unfortunate EventsLemony Snicket (Daniel Handler), and many more.
Actress Anjali Bhimani is quite possibly Mary Zimmerman's biggest fan. After working with Zimmerman many times, Ms. Bhimani raves about the successful director's notoriously organic, inspiration-led process. She is clearly in love with the Zimmerman method.
Rehearsals began Tuesday for Animal Crackers, the first production of Center Stage's 2013-14 Season. This classic American musical comedy is set to feature City Paper Best Actor Bruce Nelson as Groucho Marx playing the ineffable Captain Spaulding. Under the direction of Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones-who previously directed Center Stage's smash production of A Skull in Connemara-Animal Crackers begins previews on September 4 and runs through October 13.
The Denver Center Theatre Company will begin selling single tickets to the upcoming 2013/14 season today, August 5.
In advance of its world premiere musical production The Jungle Book, Huntington Theatre Company teams up with Zoo New England in August for Jungle Book Days at the Zoo. Families are invited to visit the Franklin Park Zoo today, August 3 and the 31st and Stone Zoo on August 24 for Jungle Book-themed fun and activities including zookeeper encounters where visitors can learn more about some of the animals featured in Kipling's stories, a scavenger hunt through the zoo among the exhibits, interactive storytelling by Huntington teaching artists, face painting, a coloring contest, and more.
The Glimmerglass Festival, Central New York's opera and musical theater company, has announced its 2014 season.
In advance of its world premiere musical production The Jungle Book, Huntington Theatre Company teams up with Zoo New England in August for Jungle Book Days at the Zoo. Families are invited to visit the Franklin Park Zoo on August 3 and 31 and Stone Zoo on August 24 for Jungle Book-themed fun and activities including zookeeper encounters where visitors can learn more about some of the animals featured in Kipling's stories, a scavenger hunt through the zoo among the exhibits, interactive storytelling by Huntington teaching artists, face painting, a coloring contest, and more.
The 10-play season includes four exhilarating world premieres selected from the 2013 Colorado New Play Summit. Karen Zacarias' adaptation of Helen Thorpe's book Just Like Us, Catherine Trieschmann's comedy The Most Deserving, Matthew Lopez's heartfelt The Legend of Georgia McBride and Marcus Gardley's adaptation of Homer's epic poem, black odyssey, will all take to the stage to dazzle Denver audiences. Also selected for the season is a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, an adaptation of a Marx Brother's script, Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece, a powerful and poignant love story and the return of a Christmas classic.
Playing at 99% of capacity and poised to become the best selling musical in Goodman Theatre history, The Jungle Book recently extended by popular demand through August 18-marking the first time that three extension weeks have been added to a production in the Goodman's home on Dearborn Street. Now the show's success in Chicago might mean more productions internationally for the new Disney musical, however similarities to The Lion King might keep it from Broadway for a while.
TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, has finalized casting for three of the four productions of its 2013-14 season, as the company embarks upon its most ambitious season ever with major revivals (A Raisin in the Sun, The Normal Heart and the musical Juno), a new play (The How and the Why), and a pioneering partnership with the Chicago Commercial Collective and Broadway In Chicago to remount a previous hit show (To Master the Art).
Goodman Theatre continues its partnership with Chicago Public Library by presenting Stage Chemistry lessons at select branches, as part of each location's ongoing programming. These sessions are a part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "Summer of Learning" (through August 10), which encourages young people to participate in activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). The Stage Chemistry lessons focus on the physics of lighting in the Goodman's production of The Jungle Book (now through August 18).
Playing at 99% of capacity and poised to become the best selling musical in Goodman Theatre history, The Jungle Book extends by popular demand through August 18-marking the first time that three extension weeks have been added to a production in the Goodman's home on Dearborn Street. "A colorful, musically vibrant, family friendly show" (Variety), Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman's world premiere stage musical adaptation was critically hailed "eversurprising, winningly whimsical" (Chicago Sun-Times), "classy, sophisticated, visually beautiful" (Chicago Tribune) and "breathlessly entertaining" (Daily Herald). The full 31-member company-19 cast and 12-member band-remains intact for the seven additional performances. Family friendly pricing for The Jungle Book starts at $27, with tickets ranging to $125 (subject to change); discounts available for subscribers, students and military. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org, call312.443.3800, or come to the Goodman box office (170 N. Dearborn). The production runs approximately two hours (including one 15-minute intermission) and is for adults and families with children 6+.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney is currently working on a live-action adaptation of its 1967 classic, THE JUNGLE BOOK. Justin Marks (The Raven) has signed on to write the script. Based on Rudyard Kipling's 1894 short stories, the story is curently being told on stage at Chicago's Goodman Theatre.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' reviews, 'Oklahoma!' on the radio, Broadway In Chicago's Park preview, 'Hedwig' and 'Rooms' rock, Team StarKid is back, community theater in Glenview, a children's musical in Mundelein, plus the 'Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout' July 10th!
Goodman Theatre's world premiere of Disney's The Jungle Book opened tonight, July 1, and runs through August 11, 2013. Let's see what the critics had to say...
Goodman Theatre's world premiere of Disney's The Jungle Book began previews on June 21 (opening night is July 1) and, with a second extension week just added, now runs through August 11. The show opens tonight, July 1 and you can check out highlights below!
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