Frank Lloyd News

Today we are talking to a three-time Laurence Olivier Award-winning actress who has made a major mark on the West End with her peerless string of richly varied performances - ranging from premiere UK productions of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and PASSION to LADY IN THE DARK, RAGTIME and THE WOMAN IN WHITE, as well as her various solo engagements, who now also excels as a director of theatre and opera, as well - the gifted Maria Friedman. Discussing all aspects of the recent West End production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's anomalous musical experiment MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG - cited by the master himself as the best production of the show to date - and now the fantastic Fathom film presentation of it arriving in movie theaters nationwide (and around the world) on October 23. Detailing the finer points of the reverse-chronological tale of show business ambition and its effects on friendships and relationships, Friedman paints a vivid portrait of her process in bringing the emotionally bracing and musically thrilling stage show to the big screen byway of this passionately played, dramatically captivating and incredibly detailed film preservation. Additionally, Friedman also sheds some light on participating in the Haymarket Theatre production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG herself as an actress nearly twenty years ago and the effect, if any, that experience has had on her perception of the dense and fiercely idiosyncratic musical now, as a director of the piece. Plus, Friedman also touches upon some of her most celebrated roles to date in other Sondheim shows as well as abundantly imparts her deeply held appreciation and affection for his work and personal friendship in her own life, citing his elemental influence on MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG as well as her career in general. All of that and much, much more awaits!

Actor Judd Nelson will be the guest of honor and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Iowa Independent Film Festival on Saturday, October 26 at the Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel in Mason City, Iowa.

The Phoenix, the new theatre company founded by long-time PICT artistic director and founder Andrew Paul and Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre founder and former director of theatre initiatives at the August Wilson Center, Mark Clayton Southers, will debut with a four week run of Joe Penhall's provocative, caustically funny, Olivier Award-winning play Blue/Orange. The production will star acclaimed actors David Whalen, Sam Tsoutsouvas, and newcomer Rico Parker, with direction by Andrew Paul and scenic design by Mark Clayton Southers. Blue/Orange, sponsored by founding Phoenix Board Member and noted arts philanthropist Richard E. Rauh, plays November 1-23, 2013 at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh.

The Guggenheim Museum has announced its Fall 2013 Family Programs. Fall programs for families, kids, and teens are presented in conjunction with the exhibitions Robert Motherwell: Early Collages on view now and Christopher Wool, opening on October 25.

Dallas Theater Center Board of Trustees Chair Rebecca Fletcher and Managing Director Heather Kitchen are thrilled to announce the successful completion of DTC's "Bringing the Wyly Theatre to Life" Advancement Campaign. The campaign was designed to support a bold vision for DTC's future, which began with the Theater's move to the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center in 2009.

Writers Theatre continues its 2013-14 season with the Midwest Premiere of Port Authority by Conor McPherson, directed by William Brown. The production runs October 29, 2013 - February 16, 2014 at 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The press openings are November 6 and November 7, 2013 at 7:30pm.

Dallas Theater Center has announced the regional premiere of Clybourne Park, running in rotating rep with A Raisin in the Sun, to launch the theater's 55th season. Clybourne Park will be directed by DTC Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell. Clybourne Park begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance tonight, October 4 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

The Guggenheim Museum has announced its Fall 2013 Family Programs. Fall programs for families, kids, and teens are presented in conjunction with the exhibitions Robert Motherwell: Early Collages on view now and Christopher Wool, opening on October 25.

The Joffrey Ballet kicks off its 2013-14 'Masters of Dance' season with a special addition to its home engagement line-up, a one-weekend-only program titled 'Russian Masters' celebrating the centennial of Vaslav Nijinsky's ground-breaking 1913 ballet Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring), alongside George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante and two works byYuri Possokhov, the Chicago Premiere of Adagio and the return of his 2011 Joffrey commission, Bells. These four powerful works by Russian choreographers and composers are presented in four performances only in the Joffrey's home venue, the historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago at 50 E. Congress Parkway, today, September 19 - 22.

AnDa Union makes their return to ASU Gammage after a world tour showcasing the power and magic of Mongolian traditions and culture. AnDa Union's inspiration lies within old and forgotten songs, drawing on a repertoire of music that had all but disappeared. Tickets are on sale for the October 10 performance at asugammage.com or at the ASU Gammage Box Office.

Dallas Theater Center launches its 2013-14 season with A Raisin in the Sun. Tre Garrett of Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre will make his directorial debut at DTC with this Tony Award-winning play. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance tonight, September 13 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. announces the return of Kathy Rabon, CFRE, CFRM, as Chief Development Officer of Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater.

World renowned installation artist, musician and innovator WILLIAM CLOSE has traveled all over the world, amazing audiences with his unique, one-of-a-kind and entirely original musical instruments. WILLIAM--who's created over 100 new types of instruments--returns with a new full-length album, BEHIND THE VEIL, out today, September 3 on all digital retailers.

Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty is pleased to announce two new members of DTC's Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company - Daniel Duque-Estrada and Alex Organ.

Happy Medium Theatre has announced the first adventure of its 5th season! They are teaming up with Boston native (but now Chicago-based) Krista D'Agostino on a brand new work called For the Falls by Emily Dendinger (Hideous Progeny, Swimming After Dark).

Verismo Opera Theater, a professional opera company based in Chicagoland's Oak Park, Illinois, is preparing a production of Verdi's masterpiece “La Traviata” staged in 1915 Oak Park. The sets, costumes and atmospheric elements will all reflect the signature style of world-renowned architect and Oak Park native Frank Lloyd Wright.

Happy Medium Theatre has announced the first adventure of its 5th season! They are teaming up with Boston native (but now Chicago-based) Krista D'Agostino on a brand new work called For the Falls by Emily Dendinger (Hideous Progeny, Swimming After Dark).

Dallas Theater Center has announced the regional premiere of Clybourne Park, running in rotating rep with A Raisin in the Sun, to launch the theater's 55th season. Clybourne Park will be directed by DTC Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell. Clybourne Park begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Friday, October 4 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

The Michael Schimmel Center for the Performing Arts at Pace University today announced its 2013|2014 Pace Presents Season, under the Executive Direction of Martin I. Kagan, is a world-class performing arts series with an emphasis on music superstars from around the globe, charismatic and innovative dance performances, stunning opera stars in recital and spectacular contemporary cabaret. The Pace Presents season begins on September 21 with a big band tribute to the late, great lounge legend Esquivel from Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica, culminating onJune 1 with the reunion performance of Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham'sdance/theatre piece From the Horse's Mouth.

A series as eclectic as it is refined; ASU Gammage's Beyond Series is like no other in the country. For 22 years, this carefully curated performing art series brings world-class artists into the community by presenting evocative and compelling work along with connecting to Valley residents through engaging Cultural Participation programs such as artist residency programs and master classes. Single tickets are now on sale as of today, Monday, August 19 and are available by calling 480-965-3434 or at the ASU Gammage Box Office.