Ginger News

Today we salute the man behind the music and lyrics of many of the most popular songs of the 20th century, Cole Porter.

It's another busy theater week in Tennessee, and in Nashville there are an extra 50,000 to 100,000 country music fans jamming up traffic and increasing wait times at local restaurants, thanks to CMA Music Fest, which natives and longtimers will remember as Fan Fair. So while you're steering clear of our version of Broadway in downtown Nashville, which will be teeming with more people than you can shake a stick at (as my mama would say),  you should instead make reservations to see some local talent onstage at some of the shows included in our Critic's Choice column today!

The Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF) is delighted to announce today the four recipients of its 2015 CDF Lab Artist Awards. Each Chicago-based artist will receive $15,000 as well as 12 months of mentorship and peer support. Choreographers Baraka de Soleil, Jamal "Litebulb" Oliver, Benjamin Holiday Wardell, and Sara Zalek were selected by an esteemed panel comprised of local and national dance leaders, artists, scholars and arts administrators, following a rigorous, two-round application process. Each grantee was identified as being within a key moment in their artistic development, demonstrated a clear vision, a solid body of work, a compelling line of inquiry, and a firmly grounded work ethic.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) on June 19 - 21, 2015.

Amy Schumer was recently awarded the 'trailblazer' award at the 2015 Glamour Magazine Awards. Below watch the comedian tell it like it is in her hilarious acceptance speech shared on GMA.

Is there anything more magical or more transformative than live theater? Honestly, I can't think of anything which can take you from the depths of despair to the fanciful heights of imagination so quickly - and there certainly is no art form in which things can change so capriciously or quicker, either for good or bad.

It's another busy weekend of new shows opening and many others continuing to delight audiences, with ACT 1's Dog Sees God and Street Theatre Company's Dogfight both opening tonight, while two shows that opened yesterday will continue to treat audiences to some especially wonderful music. Plus, there's a whole slate of shows being performed at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse, a revival of Osborne & Epplers' Southern Fried Nuptials down in Woodbury at the Arts Center of Cannon County, and John Chaffin's Cliffhanger enters its final weekend at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. Go to the theater, young man (and woman) and let yourself be transported to a whole new world of magic and enchantment!

The Muny announced today the cast for its production of Oklahoma! (August 10 -16) directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcher will restage Ms. Stroman's choreography.

The singer stopped by this morning's GOOD MORNING AMERICA to give an exclusive sneak peek at the new music video for 'Cheyenne.'

John Cusack portrays Beach Boy legend Brian Wilson in the new film 'Love and Mercy.' The actor stopped by Good Morning America to talk about the singer's struggle with drug addiction and mental illness.

Jenny Norris Light plays Sarah Brown, with Michael Maupins as Sky Masterson, Hallie Long as Miss Adelaide and Brian Best as Nathan Detroit in The Larry Keeton Theatre's eagerly anticipated production of the classic Broadway music Guys and Dolls. Directed by Ginger Newman (who doubles as musical director as well), with choreography and staging by Cary Street, the musical that introduced the theatrical standards 'Bushel and a Peck,' 'Adelaide's Lament' and 'Luck Be A Lady Tonight' to Broadway audiences runs at the Keeton Theatre tonight, June 4, through June 20.

On this week's GOOD MORNING AMERICA, Tinashe performed her new hit single 'All Hands on Deck'. The 22-year-old will tour this summer with Nicki Minaj.

VILLA NOVA E RESTAURANT in Pelham, presents Kimberly Faye Greenberg in Fabulous Fanny: The Songs and Stories of Fanny Brice. In this intimate 'Fanny Brice' solo show, Kimberly shares her extensive research not as another tribute, but to personally reveal Fanny's heart and humor, soul and song. Look into the life and relationships of the legendary Fanny Brice, greatest Jewish singing comedienne of her time and inspiration for the musical "Funny Girl."

Pearl Vodka is refreshing its look and flavor profile for summer, introducing updated packaging and launching three new flavors. The brand's new contemporary look includes a new beveled glass inset bottle, a redesigned label, an embossed metal closure as well as a new neck label which will more prominently feature the flavor of the product. "Pearl Vodka's new packaging better reflects the brand's taste - classic, clean and ultra-smooth," says Ashley Ulkus, brand manager at Luxco. "The new bottle and closure is more aligned with the high quality of the product and the new labels create a streamlined and eye-catching look, which we believe will allow for better display presence, both on and off premise and in home bars." The brand is also introducing three new flavors - Lime Basil, Strawberry Basil and Vanilla Bean - made with natural flavors. "Consumers are looking for more herbaceous flavors for their cocktails and these unique flavors fill a gap in the current offerings," says Ulkus. Strawberry Basil is a refreshing mix of red, ripe juicy strawberries with a subtle touch of garden-fresh basil for a taste that celebrates the season. Try it over ice with lemonade, club soda and a splash of fresh lime. Lime Basil brings together the zest of a lime and the alluring aroma of fresh basil, the perfect combination of citrus and herbs for a refreshing spirit. Try it over ice with lemon-lime soda, grapefruit juice and a splash of sweet and sour mix. Vanilla Bean combines the smooth delicate vanilla bean flavors found in ice cream with hints of butterscotch and chocolate for a delicious flavor. Mixes well with coffee, cream, ginger beer and cola. "The Lime Basil and Strawberry Basil flavors will provide a point of differentiation for Pearl Vodka, as our research shows that is what our consumers are seeking," says Ulkus. "These flavors were inspired by the growing popularity of infusing vodka with fruits and herbs and will provide the base for refreshing cocktails this summer." The newly-released flavors will be a part of Pearl's reinvented Party Packs - a 12-pack sampler of the brand's most popular flavors as well as Pearl Black. The brand is increasing its social media presence as well by launching @PearlVodka on Instagram, in addition to its Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter engagement. The brand's redesigned website, PearlVodka.com, has fresh new recipes and a convenient product locator to help consumers find the brand in their local area. In addition, consumers will be able to purchase more Pearl Vodka branded items, such as lip balm, tank tops and shirts, from the website. In addition, fans will be able to enter a sweepstakes, via text message, Facebook or mail, to win a bar cart prize pack, which also includes a bar accessory set, Pearl copper mugs and infusion jar, and a Visa gift card and recipe book this summer. Consumers will also see innovative point of sale displays, in a clamshell design, to encourage new flavor experimentation. "Our new POS displays will stand out to consumers and encourage them to try Pearl and possible a flavor they haven't tried before," says Ulkus. "We want to continue to engage with the brand's consumers and help them discover Pearl Vodka." For more information on Pearl Vodka and additional recipe inspiration, visit pearlvodka.com. About Pearl Vodka Made with soft winter wheat and pure Canadian Rocky Mountain water, Pearl Vodka is expertly crafted in micro batches, distilled five times and filtered for ultimate smoothness. The result is a classic, clean and ultra-smooth award-winning vodka. Unlike any other, Pearl satisfies a taste for adventure within every flavor and every cocktail. About Luxco Luxco, Inc. is a leading producer, importer and marketer of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, where it is headquartered, it is owned and operated by the Lux family. Its portfolio of brands include: Juarez Tequila & Triple Sec, Pearl Vodka, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Arrow Cordials, El Mayor Tequila, Ezra Brooks & Rebel Yell Bourbons, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky, St. Brendan's Irish Cream, Salvador's Cocktails, Yago Sant' gria and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company, visit www.luxco.com.

On Sunday, June 31, 2015, New York City Ballet offered the sweet, the mundane, and the historical. If I were a lyricist I could write a song about this, but since my iambic pentameter is almost non-existent, and my Stephen Sondheim thesaurus nowhere to be found, I guess I'll have to push forward in everyday prose.

Eric & Barbara returned last night to Metropolitan Room for six nights this month with a swinging summer cocktail of lazy days, blue skies, & exotic lands in SHOULDER SEASON and BroadwayWorld was there.

The 7pm event includes an author presentation and moderated Q+A, plus book signing and meet-and-greet. This evening with Rita Mae Brown will be held at the Music Hall Loft at 131 Congress Street, in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

No matter what the calendar says, we're in early summer already - insofar as theater in Tennessee is concerned, at least - and there are four new shows opening this week that should command your attention. Along with a number of shows that are continuing their runs (like John Chaffin's Cliffhanger at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre), you have plenty of diverse and intriguing onstage offerings to keep you in the relative, air-conditioned comfort of a darkened theater. We've done the necessary research, made the calls to the people-in-the-know and have included the dates, the phone numbers and the websites to make it as easy as possible for you to buy tickets and go show some support for the arts while indulging in the magic of live theater…

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) partner on 'Dreamnight' at the L.A. Zoo for Children's Hospital patients and their families in a private event made possible by Munchkin, the evening's Presenting Sponsor, on Friday, June 5, 2015. 

 MNM Productions today announced the talented and experienced cast for the upcoming production of the award-winning musical SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, which will run for 10 performances July 30 through August 9 at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach, and for five performances August 13-16 at the Kravis Center's Rinker Playhouse in West Palm Beach.