I must admit to smirking a bit when, only a few minutes into Israel's Gesher Theater Company's stage adaption of Isaac Bashevis Singer's Enemies: A Love Story, the main character removed his clothing and started soaking in a bathtub, contributing to the odd trend that has hit New York stages in the past couple of seasons of plays and musicals featuring nude (or almost nude or suggested nudity) bathtub scenes. (Bonnie and Clyde, Macbeth, Sleep No More, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Nance, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, Through The Yellow Hour, Nice Work If You Can Get It… Have I missed any?)
By Disney standards the year and a half run of the original Broadway production of The Little Mermaid was a bit of a disappointment. In theory, a competently created musical based on the hit animated film would probably run for a year and a half based on the title recognition alone. My opinion of that show was higher than most of my colleagues. I enjoyed it, but mostly for the vaudevillian pleasure of seeing a cast of terrific Broadway performers each getting a star turn or two. But after some script revisions and a whole new visual concept, director Glenn Casale's production of the new Mermaid that just opened at Paper Mill is a well-crafted, delightfully designed and performed charmer.
SCHLEMIEL THE FIRST is a giddy delight, with songs and laughs barreling along at a frenetic pace. Based on the play by Isaac Bashevis Singer (conceived and adapted by Robert Brustein), this Klezmer musical (composed by Hankus Netsky and Zalmen Miotek, with lyrics by Arnold Weinstein) is guaranteed fun from start to finish, and The New Jewish Theatre has put together an exceptional production that is well worth your time and attention.
The first time Alan Kaufman met Ginsberg, in the early '70s, the younger writer was an undergraduate at Queens College and heard that the poet would be reading at Columbia and rushed over to hear him. Later, Kaufman worked with Ginsberg throughout the '90s, occasionally traveling with him to conferences abroad. In Kaufman's memoir, Drunken Angel, he featured Allen Ginsberg as a mentor and friend.
Theater for the New City presents 'The Upper Lip,' an adaptation by playwright/director David Willinger of William Saroyan's forgotten 1951 novel, 'Rock Wagram.' The piece has its premiere run tonight, May 2 to 19, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. The running time is 1:30. Critics are invited on or after May 4.
Theater for the New City presents 'The Upper Lip,' an adaptation by playwright/director David Willinger of William Saroyan's forgotten 1951 novel, 'Rock Wagram.' The piece has its premiere run May 2 to 19, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM. The running time is 1:30. Critics are invited on or after May 4.
Thirty years after it came out, the movie Yentl will be made into a musical starring just one actress: Vera Mann. The one-woman musical will premiere in October and tour the Netherlands until January 2014.
Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the lineup for the 98th consecutive season of Cleveland Play House, the third in its new state-of-the-art theatres at PlayhouseSquare in downtown Cleveland. Two world premieres and great American music highlight the eclectic and contemporary 2013-14 Season. 'Nowhere else will patrons get such a wide variety of entertainment and at such a high level of quality,' reflects Bloom.
Beginning in May, The Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation will hold its inaugural International Arts Festival in New York City. The Festival's mission is to introduce and promote global cultural activity and exchange of ideas, aiming to enlighten and engage audiences through performing and visual arts, educational programs and events. Tickets for each of the festival's shows are available at ticket box offices and at www.cherryorchardfestival.org. Group tickets, student discounts, VIP tickets and festival subscription packages are available by calling Festival's office at 1.800.349.0021 or e-mailing info@cherryorchardfestival.org.
The award-winning J*Company Youth Theatre, a program of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, has announced the musical theatre line up for its 20th Anniversary Season.
Theater For The New City, executive director Crystal Field, will present DIGITAL DILEMMAS, a new musical comedy about our obsession with digital devices, October 4 - 21, at the Theater For The New City, 155 First Avenue (at 10th Street). The production features book & lyrics by Tom Attea, music by Arthur Abrams, direction by Mark Marcante, and chorography by Angela Harriell.
The award-winning J*Company Youth Theatre, a program of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, has announced the musical theatre line up for its 20th Anniversary Season.
The National Yiddish Theatre - Folksbiene stages a tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, tonight, June 12 at 7:30pm. The gala concert, with performances by the Broadway actor and Israeli singer Dudu Fisher, Jay Black of Jay and the Americans, Klezmatics star Lorin Sklamberg, and the actor-singers Eleanor Reissa, Lori Wilner, Robert Abelson, Dani Marcus, and Rebecca Garfein, among many others, celebrates the wide-ranging impact of Yiddish culture on other popular cultures.
Acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Artistic Director Michael Boyd will receive the Samuel H. Scripps Award at Theatre for a New Audience's Spring Gala Celebrating Shakespeare's 448th Birthday. The celebration, tonight, May 7, is at the Powerhouse at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street.
Acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Artistic Director Michael Boyd will receive the Samuel H. Scripps Award at Theatre for a New Audience's Spring Gala Celebrating Shakespeare's 448th Birthday. The celebration, Monday, May 7, is at the Powerhouse at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street.
The National Yiddish Theatre - Folksbiene stages a tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, on Tuesday June 12 at 7:30pm. The gala concert, with performances by the Broadway actor and Israeli singer Dudu Fisher, Jay Black of Jay and the Americans, Klezmatics star Lorin Sklamberg, and the actor-singers Eleanor Reissa, Lori Wilner, Robert Abelson, Dani Marcus, and Rebecca Garfein, among many others, celebrates the wide-ranging impact of Yiddish culture on other popular cultures.
On Sunday, April 1, the hometown of California cuisine hosts a day of "Delicious Fictions" featuring Golden Globe Award-winner Jill Eikenberry and Emmy Award-nominee Michael Tucker.
Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director, proudly announces the world premiere production of Unreachable Eden, a historical drama written and directed by Barbara Kahn, co-directed by Robert Gonzales, Jr., with music by Arthur Abrams. Featuring Zina Anaplioti, Christopher Comeaux, Ben Davis, Claire Epstein, Robert Gonzales, Jr., Gusta Johnson, Franco Pedicini and Steph Van Vlack. Set design by Mark Marcante. Costume design by Carla Gant.
On Sunday, April 1, the hometown of California cuisine hosts a day of "Delicious Fictions" featuring Golden Globe Award-winner Jill Eikenberry and Emmy Award-nominee Michael Tucker.
An innovative production of YENTL, with new music composition by singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, will premiere at Asolo Repertory Theatre on January 20th , 2012.
