Ike Ball News

Northrop and The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University Present Women of Substance at Gallim Dance Sat, Oct 12, 8:00 pm at The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University

Songwriter Tori Amos and playwright Samuel Adamson teamed up with director Marianne Elliot to bring a new musical to the stage. After five years, The Light Princess has come to the National Theatre. The musical opened last night, Oct 9, starring Rosalie Craig as Princess Athea. The Light Princess also stars Amy Booth-Steel as Piper, Nick Hendrix as Prince Digby, David Langham as Flowers, Hal Fowler as King Ignacio, Ben Thompson as Zephyrus, and Kane Oliver Parry as Llewelyn. The Light Princess was designed by Rae Smith, who also desgined War Horse.

With its Mediterranean cruise season in full swing through the fall, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is highlighting 10 top destinations that are springboards for new excursions in Southern Europe. From exclusive, only-to-Crystal Boutique Adventures that explore the arts to full days of athletic pursuits, nearly 100 brand new Crystal Adventures are available this season in both popular and up-and-coming destinations throughout Spain, France, Italy, the Adriatic, the Canary Islands, and more. The Crystal Adventures are offered on 25 Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailings from July through December, with savings of up to $4,200 if booked by August 30.

One of the tricks to great satire, and great comedy in general, is the ability to play it straight. The ability, or talent, of acting as if what's happening is perfectly normal. As if the zany craziness is just another typical day, nothing out of the ordinary. There is much zaniness to be had, and a lot of playing it perfectly straight, to hilarious effect, in 2nd Story Theatre's production of The Murder Room. 2nd Story is spending the hot summer months showcasing some cold blooded murderers. The two plays they are showcasing in repertory, Mousetrap and The Murder Room, are prime examples of their type. One, Mousetrap, is a taught, suspenseful whodunit, written by the master of mystery herself, Agatha Christie. The other, The Murder Room, is a spot-on spoof of murder mysteries just like the one it shares a stage with. As dark, suspenseful and tense Mousetrap is, The Murder Room is equally hilarious and endlessly fun.

I have to admit, at first I thought I was being lied to when I was told that Stephen King and John Mellencamp collaborated on a musical. I mean, I love the musical CARRIE, but I've never thought of Stephen King writing as fodder for musicals. Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued. I simply couldn't hide my excitement about getting the opportunity to listen to the concept album-like soundtrack for GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY, a musical with a Book by Stephen King, Music and Lyrics by John Mellencamp, and Musical Direction by T Bone Burnett. With one listen, it was more than apparent that the bluesy, folk-rock music on the disc expertly captures Americana in a sinister and foreboding way.

Author Jean-Pierre Breton takes readers nearly 20 years into the future, to a world where civilization is threatened by an unforeseen alien invasion, in his new science fiction fantasy novel, "The Unexpected War: Life after Death" (published by iUniverse).

Spring will bring a trio of striking productions to Houston Grand Opera, starting with the return-by-popular-demand of the world's first mariachi opera - Cruzar la Cara de la Luna ('To Cross the Face of the Moon'). Cruzar - an HGO commission that the company premiered to acclaim in 2010, with the Houston Chronicle calling it 'a multicultural winner' - will run today, March 22-24 at the Wortham Theater Center. Next up is HGO's new production of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (April 18-May 5), conducted by the company's music and artistic director, Patrick Summers, and starring two of today's greatest Wagnerian singers: soprano Nina Stemme as Isolde and tenor Ben Heppner as Tristan, both in their company debuts.

Ruben Olmo presented his first work as head of Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia and showed why he is one of the most original and creative minds in any genre of dance today.

Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents New Zealand dance company, Black Grace, under the direction of choreographer and founder Neil Ieremia, on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at 8:00 p.m., at the Byham Theater. Black Grace will present several works on this tour including Pati Pati, Objects and Amata. The program also includes a piece from Ieremia's new full length work, VVaka*.

With NUTCRACKER SUITE & SPICY, a critic learns Trix are for kids.

Raw/Cooked, a major series of exhibitions of work by under-the-radar Brooklyn artists, made possible with support from Bloomberg, will continue at the Brooklyn Museum for a second season, to be launched with a presentation of work by Bedford-Stuyvesant-based artist Duron Jackson, on view today, November 16, 2012, through February 10, 2013.

Raw/Cooked, a major series of exhibitions of work by under-the-radar Brooklyn artists, made possible with support from Bloomberg, will continue at the Brooklyn Museum for a second season, to be launched with a presentation of work by Bedford-Stuyvesant-based artist Duron Jackson, on view November 16, 2012, through February 10, 2013.

Photographer Bob Carey's much anticipated compilation of self-portraits in a tutu is now available. Ballerina, a hard cover 9 x 12 book with a foreword by Amy Arbus, showcases color photographs and back-stories about the journey behind the images. The captured images present both impertinent playfulness and vulnerability, themes that run thoughout much of Carey's work. The project has taken Carey from Italy to Times Square, and he hopes to turn the photos of himself into an inspirational force behind breast cancer awareness. Net proceeds from the sale of Ballerina will go directly to The Carey Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Carey and his wife Lindato provide support to women diagnosed with breast cancer and their family members.

Photographer Bob Carey's much anticipated compilation of self-portraits in a tutu will be available September 2012. Ballerina, a hard cover 9 x 12 book with a foreword by Amy Arbus, showcases color photographs and back-stories about the journey behind the images. The captured images present both impertinent playfulness and vulnerability, themes that run thoughout much of Carey's work. The project has taken Carey from Italy to Times Square, and he hopes to turn the photos of himself into an inspirational force behind breast cancer awareness. Net proceeds from the sale of Ballerina will go directly to The Carey Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Carey and his wife Lindato provide support to women diagnosed with breast cancer and their family members.

This past Wednesday, The National Ballet of Canada celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a gala event at The Four Seasons Centre for the Arts. The evening embraced a 'Diamond' theme, with gorgeous tutus on display throughout the centre showcasing designs from all over the world. Guests were invited to watch highlights from the Ballet's impressive repertoire and then had a gala dinner and dance on the stage of the Centre. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.

Ben Folds and The Civil Wars will collaborate with Nashville Ballet artistic director/CEO Paul Vasterling on a pair of original dances to be performed by the company's dancers during the upcoming Ballet Ball to be held Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Houston Grand Opera crossed the Atlantic to open the season at the illustrious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris with the first-ever Mariachi opera, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (To Cross the Face of the Moon).

Having commissioned the world's first Mariachi opera and premiered the work to great acclaim last season, Houston Grand Opera crosses the Atlantic with its pioneering creation for season-opening performances September 23-27 at the illustrious Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.