Hoffman News

We're heading into the final week of voting for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Dallas Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Vote today to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

mages of award-winning comedian Rob Brydon performing his brand new show, Rob Brydon - Songs and Stories are released today.

This January, Lincoln Center presents a plethora of music and dance events across the campus. David Rubenstein Atrium continues its 10th anniversary year with free, eclectic live performances every Thursday. The 2019-20 season of LC Kids (October 5a?"June 7, 2020) is in full swingwith free and ticketed events developed for toddlers, children, and teenagers stepping into young adulthood; and American Songbook begins its latest season with artists performing Broadway, folk, classical, and more. 

M Productions presents HYGGE featuring countertenor Jeffrey Palmer and pianist Irena Portenko on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 7:30pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Together they will explore the concept of 'hygge' – a Nordic word for 'cozy' – through music. This eclectic program features a selection of arias and art songs by Handel, Debussy, Schubert, and more. The evening's program also includes new settings of traditional Irish and Icelandic melodies, an original a cappella arrangement of a piece by Huang Ruo, the New York premiere of a solo piano work by 17-year-old composer Benjamin Araujo, and piano duo works by Piazzolla, Chaminade, and Rachmaninoff featuring special guest artist Zachary Hoffman. This concert will mark the Carnegie Hall debut of Jeffrey Palmer. Generously supported by the Inez S. Bull Foundation.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater will host a 25th Anniversary AlumniJam every Monday night in January. These four events will showcase 15 alumni playwrights who will revisit past productions and share new never-before-seen work. Participating writers include Bill Bowers, Jessica Dickey, William Francis Hoffman, Xavier Galva, Basil Kreimendahl, Michael Laurence, Jessica Litwak, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, Matt Pepper, Tim Pickney, Diana Oh, Dael Orlandersmith, Jose Rivera, Cori Thomas, and Jonathan Tolins. These writers represent some of New York's greatest voices-Pulitzer finalists, Obie winners, and Academy Award nominees-who have shaped Off-Broadway theater over the last quarter century.

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Long Island Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers and commentators covering New York theater for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway, announced important dates for its annual honors and the 2019-20 theater award season.

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best of the best that he saw onstage in the Tampa Bay area in 2019.

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??LA playwright/filmmaker Julien Nitzberg announced here today the complete cast of his new work for the theater, FOR THE LOVE OF A GLOVE, AN UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL FABLE ABOUT THE LIFE OF MICHAEL JACKSON AS TOLD BY HIS GLOVE. The 12 person cast and 20 original, life sized puppets will revisit the thrilling years of Motown and the rise of the Jackson 5, portraying the myriad of people who influenced young Michael and his brothers, including a stable of Motown artists, Dick Clark, Brooke Shields, and Donny Osmond.

Marina Costa-Jackson was born to sing. She will demonstrate that in her role debut as Tatyana in Seattle Opera's upcoming production of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin. The casting is appropriate, as she has performed in Russia with her sisters, as well as with the late Russian superstar baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.

An initial roster of artists and performers have been announced for the inaugural YI Love New York YiddishFest. Produced by the Yiddishkayt Initiative (YI) (Avi Hoffman, Producing Artistic Director) and Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Artistic Director), the nine-day festival celebrates the legacy of the Yiddish language and its impact on entertainment and culture with readings, concerts, film screenings, lectures, panel discussions, and famous personalities in the world of Jewish culture from December 21-29. Tickets for all events are available online at www.yiddishfest.org.

Robert Galinsky's celebrated solo show The Bench, has received praise in both NYC and LA with extended sold out runs over the past three years. Last year STAGE Network filmed The Bench, directed by Tyler Milliron. On Saturday, December 21 Galinsky will host a benefit screening of his film to benefit City Kids. The event will be held at The East Village Playhouse (340 East 6th Street), doors will open at 6:30 and the screening will begin at 7 PM. There is a suggested donation of $20, RSVP is required by clicking here.

Harry Connick Jr. is making his official return to Broadway tonight with the opening night of Harry Connick, Jr. - A Celebration of Cole Porter. To celebrate, we're looking back at his turn in Broadway's On a Clear Day You Can See Forever opposite Tony winner Jessie Mueller. Check out this video to get a peek inside the show's opening night festivities, including a special peek at Jessie's first time ever meeting Harry's former co-star Kelli O'Hara!

The Television Academy Foundation today announced nominees for the 40th College Television Awards, which recognizes and rewards excellence in student-produced programs annually, as well as the recipient of the 2020 Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship.

'Grease is the word' at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts from January 8th through March 15th! Travel back to the 50s and join Rydell High's senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding 'Burger Palace Boys' and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking 'Pink Ladies' in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. The incredible music, lyrics, and book were written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs. The production will also include some of your favorite songs from the movie, as special licensing has been arranged.

On December 8th, The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene premiered The Sorceress (Di Kishefmakherin), a magical, musical Yiddish fantasy starring an innocent young heroine, her dashing fiancé, a devious stepmother, and a scheming witch that takes its audience into a world of illusion, intrigue, and suspense. Among the opening night guests were Jana Robbins and Haley Swindal. 

The critically-acclaimed revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will be receiving an original cast recording, to be released by Ghostlight Records. THE NEW LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS OFF-BROADWAY CAST ALBUM, produced by Alan Menken, Will Van Dyke, Frank Wolf, and Michael Mayer a?" and executive produced by Kirdahy, Ahrens and Arnold a?" will be released on December 20, 2019 digitally and will be available on all streaming platforms. A physical CD will be released at a future date to be announced.

Discover the evolution of Barbra Streisand's film career, from stage beginnings to her unforgettable performances in movie musicals. Dive into our guide for a detailed look at her cinematic journey of singing and dancing on screen from Funny Girl to Yentl & more.

Fast forward to the afternoon of December 8th, 2019 in Seattle when I was utterly charmed by Pacific Northwest Ballet's faithful yet fresh production of Mr. B's venerable holiday staple, staged by Judith Fugate with PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal and Garielle Whittle.