Irving Berlin News

For the first time since opening, Dr. Phillips Center has curated four weeks of holiday fare, including a smashing Broadway musical, a holiday-themed country concert and a variety show starring comedian Jane Lynch. The line-up also includes several performances of Orlando Ballet's The Nutcracker - including two afternoon family shows - and the Orlando Philharmonic's Home For the Holidays.

The Naples Players (TNP), the oldest and premier theatre in Naples, celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. TNP's ETC Readers Theatre presents 'What Happens in the Theatre', an evening of original one-act plays, on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the Tobye Studio Theatre. An evening of one acts that gives a behind-the-scenes look at life in the theatre and all the hijinks that goes with it.

Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for November 5, 2018, to help you plot your course through the end of the year...

What better way to leave behind the turmoil of the modern world than by indulging in a bright, shiny new musical burnished with the warm glow of nostalgia and featuring a score by the inimitable Irving Berlin? We can't imagine anything more fun - or more timely, for that matter - than a couple of hours or more spent in the audience of Cumberland County Playhouse to experience the company's latest musical treat: Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center is pleased to present the regional premiere of Cardboard Piano by Whiting Award-winning playwright, Hansol Jung, in partnership with Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) . Directed by Tom Bruett, this "deeply moving new play" (Courier Journal) is a sweeping tale of love, redemption, and the ongoing fight for international LGBTQ rights. 16-year old Chris just wants to find a safe place to live with the girl she loves- not an easy task in 1999 Uganda. Determined to be together, Chris, the daughter of American missionaries and Adiel, a local girl, meet in the village church to marry in secret. When the war outside the church walls breaks its way into their sanctuary in the form of a wounded child-soldier, all three lives become tied together forever. Cardboard Piano is a riveting testament to the power of the past to shape the future, and the bonds of love, family, and forgiveness.

The Cher Show begins previews tonight, Thursday, November 1, 2018 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

The producers of IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, have announced casting for the National Tour.

Rehearsals have begun for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of the beloved musical Annie, which plays this holiday season from November 23 - December 30, 2018. The 5th is excited to introduce Visesia Fakatoufifita of Tacoma, WA, and Faith Young of Kent, WA, who make their 5th Avenue Theatre debuts alternating the title role.

Meet the cast of the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, based on the film from Universal Pictures, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, and book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge. Performances Wednesday, November 21, 2018, and will continue through Sunday, December 30, 2018, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ).

Direct from starring in the hit Broadway musical A Bronx Tale-written by Chazz Palminteri and directed by Robert De Niro-San Francisco Bay Area native Bobby Conte Thornton brings his acclaimed concert, Blame It On My Youth, to Feinstein's at the Nikko on Friday, January 11 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, January 12 at 8 p.m.

With the holiday season fast approaching Arena Stage is readying their annual Gold Standard Musical. This year it's the classic ship shape Cole Porter musical from 1934, Anything Goes. The production begins performances on November 2nd and plays through December 23rd in the Fichandler space.

Looking into the future, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for October 29, 2018, to help you plot your course through the end of the year...

For its first Pops Series performance of the 2018 / 2019 season, the NAC Orchestra is paying tribute to the famous composer / lyricist team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II by performing some of their most beloved songs in the newly renovated orchestra shell of the National Arts Centre. Led by conductor Maestro Jack Everly, the NAC Orchestra was in fine form, providing music not only from Rodgers & Hammerstein's most popular musicals, but delivering some lessor known melodies, such as the overture to the 1961 film, Flower Drum Song. Two choirs, the Calixa-Lavallee Ensemble and the Ewashko Singers, provided beautiful harmonies to complement the guest vocals. The three featured vocalists, handpicked by Maestro Everly, were Laura Osnes, Ben Crawford and Ted Keegan. All three were simply spectacular, with the twice Tony-nominated Osnes channeling Julie Andrews in the opening number, 'The Sound of Music', and again in 'My Favorite Things'.

Broadway Records today announced Immigrant Dreams, with Essential Voices USA (Judith Clurman, conductor) featuring Tony winners Randy Graff and Brian Stokes Mitchell, is now available

In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center is pleased to present the regional premiere of Cardboard Piano by Whiting Award-winning playwright, Hansol Jung, in partnership with Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) . Directed by Tom Bruett, this "deeply moving new play" (Courier Journal) is a sweeping tale of love, redemption, and the ongoing fight for international LGBTQ rights. 16-year old Chris just wants to find a safe place to live with the girl she loves- not an easy task in 1999 Uganda. Determined to be together, Chris, the daughter of American missionaries and Adiel, a local girl, meet in the village church to marry in secret. When the war outside the church walls breaks its way into their sanctuary in the form of a wounded child-soldier, all three lives become tied together forever. Cardboard Piano is a riveting testament to the power of the past to shape the future, and the bonds of love, family, and forgiveness.

 The most popular group in the history of the McCallum Theatre (30 sold-out shows and counting!) returns for six spectacular shows, Tuesday, November 20, through Sunday, November 25. Whether this is your first time or thirty-first, The TEN Tenors will dazzle you with their vocal prowess and delight you with their choreography and Australian humor. They will be performing new songs and classics, and some Holiday music, too.  Don't miss the "Vocal Thunder from Down Under!"

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director), recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is proud to announce casting and creative team for Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, based on the film from Universal Pictures, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, and book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge. Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn will begin performances Wednesday, November 21, 2018, and will continue through Sunday, December 30, 2018, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Irving Berlin's Holiday. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2018-2019 season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Downtown commuters riding the Metro Transit Bus Line and Commuter Trains will have something fun to wake up to on their way to work on Thursday, October 24!

Self-described as "a group of down-to-earth Aussie blokes" - and known the world over for their unmistakable charm, camaraderie, and vocal power - The TEN return for a one-of-a-kind holiday show. "Just wait until you hear what ten tenors can do…their unique mix of the traditional and unconventional offers a fresh and highly-original take on the staid traditions of opera" (New York Times). Having performed alongside Andrea Bocelli, Andre Rieu, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush, Rod Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Willie Nelson, and Christina Aguilera, an evening with The TEN Tenors "generates pure electricity and undeniable drama" (Los Angeles Times).