Frances News

Song Of Capitulation

Yesterday, Playbill broke the news that the critically acclaimed graphic novel THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER by Jen Wang will be the next project for husband-wife team Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who previously worked together on the music for Disney's Frozen, Coco, and Frozen 2. Robert is a two-time EGOT winner -- he is the youngest to win the award, to have won it in the shortest amount of time, and to have won it more than once. He broken out with his work co-writing Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon.

The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary is thrilled to announce the return of their ultimate re-sale extravaganza, a?oeReflections on Style, Eyeing Elegance with 2020 Vision.  This sold-out Chic Boutique, runway show and luncheon will be held at River Oaks Country Club on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

Spectrum Originals, in partnership with Paramount Network, head South with a new gothic mystery series PARADISE LOST, led by Josh Hartnett and Bridget Regan. The 10-episode series, from Paramount Television Studios and Anonymous Content, will drop Monday, April 13 ad-free exclusively on Spectrum's On Demand platform.

The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance at Austin presents UTNT (UT New Theatre), March 4-13, 2020 in multiple locations throughout the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. Established in 2007 by nationally renowned playwright Steven Dietz, UTNT (UT New Theatre) is an annual showcase of newly developed works for the American stage from playwrights of the Department of Theatre and Dance's master of fine arts program and Michener Center for Writers. Now in its thirteenth year, UTNT brings to the stage compelling works by ascending playwrights.

Shea's Performing Arts Center has announced the 2020 a?" 21 Season at Shea's Smith Theatre featuring Buffalo-based Second Generation Theatre and O'Connell & Company. The Smith 2020-21 season includes musical favorites, a regional premiere, and great comedies.

Coming off a phenomenal year of black films, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) is raising the bar, and set to give movie-goers a 11-day marathon of offerings from around the Diaspora. PAFF is celebrating its 28th anniversary in grand style with a string of highly-anticipated films, which includes a comedy by the multi-hyphenated host and entertainer Nick Cannon; a feature, executive produced by NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal; plus, a special screening of the action-packed series, “Queen Sono,” out of South Africa, presented by Netflix; and to cap it all off … a film about a wedding! This year's theme is “20/20 Vision,” kicking off the decade with a fresh lens and solidifying its commitment to tell diverse stories with a global, luminous view.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat, in collaboration with the Greenfield Foundation, has selected New York-based artist Jennifer Packer as the winner of the 2020 Greenfield Prize, given this year in the field of visual art. Packer will receive a six-week residency at the Hermitage and a $30,000 commission for a new work, which will premiere in Sarasota in 2022 with the Hermitage's presenting partner, The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

Fault Line Theatre (Aaron Rossini, Producing Artistic Director) will present the world-premiere of Twenty Twenty: a play, written by Alix Sobler and directed by Aaron Rossini as the mainstage production for their 10th anniversary season. Twenty Twenty was commissioned and developed by Fault Line Theatre and will play the Paradise Factory (64 East 4th Street) from October 23 - November 21, 2020.

Three Rivers Music Theatre's production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY opens on Friday at The Philmore on Broadway. This is TRMT's first production back at The Philmore after their acclaimed sold-out run of CABARET in 2018. This production marks the Fort Wayne debut of renowned theatre director and artist, Beth Turcotte.

In this version, Count Dracula is not an obvious outlier with fangs and pale skin, but a charming fellow you'd never suspect is spreading the acceptance of patriarchal attitudes and gender roles through his seductive bites.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday night, February 20, Broadway Sessions will welcome cast members from Ain't Too Proud and more!

For over half a century Jordan Charney has been a forceful presence in the world of entertainment as a performer, writer, director and teacher.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director) with Wolfgang Novogratz announce the limited engagement at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street) of Ronan Noone' play THE ATHEIST playing Friday, February 28th, Saturday, February 29th, and March 1st. Tickets for the show are $20.00. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Actors Fund - the national organization that has provided a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals since 1882. Tickets may be purchased via Brown Paper Tickets at https://wolfgang4theactorsfund.bpt.me or via link on urbanstages.org

Chester Theatre Company (CTC) has announced its upcoming season which includes its first-ever World Premiere commission, and a New England Premiere that will kick off the season which begins on June 18.

Chester Theatre Company (CTC) has announced a season that includes its first-ever World Premiere commission, and a New England Premiere that will kick off the season on June 18.

Chichester Festival Theatre's Festival 2020 has today been unveiled by Artistic Director Daniel Evans and Executive Director Kathy Bourne.

BEDLAM has announced the return of its critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE, directed by Eric Tucker.

Complete casting has been announced for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Sister Act, which begins rehearsals today.