J. Warren News

I saw an AMERICAN IDIOT in Kansas City, and I LIKED it. Produced by Padgett Productions, AMERICAN IDIOT explodes onto the stage at The Black Box in Kansas City, Missouri. With only a short run of four days, it begins to give hope to the theater-starved residents that maybe live theater is beginning to return to the metro area. The invigorating and at times moving punk rock musical opened on August 19 and runs through August 22.

The Grammy Award and two-time Tony Award-winning hit musical Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, based on the multi-platinum album, boldly takes the American musical where it's never gone before. This high-octane show includes every song from Green Day's album, American Idiot, as well as several songs from its follow-up release, 21st Century Breakdown. 

What do you do when some Bozo commits murder? You go see the newest show being offered by Padgett Productions, CLOWN BAR, at Immersive KC (formerly Prohibition Hall) in Kansas City. The hilarious campy comedy written by Adam Szymkowicz runs Friday and Saturday nights through July 20. This 65-minute production is riddled with sidesplitting humor, musical numbers, and hilarious choreography.

I am a big fan of campy rock musicals and what's not to like with EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL. Hilarious, wonderful music, appropriate scenery, fabulous talent, and a talking moose. Throw in a half dozen zombies and you have the makings of a wonderful night at the theater. That's what Padgett Productions delivers with EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL which opened Friday, June 7 and runs through June 22 at Prohibition Hall in Kansas City. The outrageous musical comedy written by playwright and lyricist George Reinblatt features music composed by Reinblatt, Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, and Melissa Morris.

Get ready for a rabble rousing, foot stomping, silly, thrilling local community theater premiere, when the monster Broadway hit ROCK OF AGES takes the stage at The Barn Players: November 8th through November 18th at The Arts Asylum: 1000 East 9th Street, (off Harrison Street), Kansas City, MO 64106.

Get ready for a rabble rousing, foot stomping, silly, thrilling local community theater premiere, when the monster Broadway hit ROCK OF AGES takes the stage at The Barn Players: November 8th through November 18th at The Arts Asylum: 1000 East 9th Street, (off Harrison Street), Kansas City, MO 64106.

Pegasus Theatre presents The Cuban and the Redhead, a new musical about Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, with book, music and lyrics by Robert Bartley and Danny Whitman. Tickets are on sale now.

Shot at historical sites-including a 16th century English mansion and the old house of Charlie Chaplin and his mother-Susu is a classic British psychological thriller with a stylish international twist from first-time writer/director Yixi Sun.

The Kavinoky Theatre, a professional theatre on the campus of D'Youville College, continues its 38th season with Benny Anderson & Bjorn Ulvaeus' Mamma Mia! (story by Catherine Johnson).

The Kavinoky Theatre, a professional theatre on the campus of D'Youville College, continues its 38th season with Benny Anderson & Bjorn Ulvaeus' Mamma Mia! (story by Catherine Johnson).

Karena Johnson, Artistic Director of Hoxton Hall, today announces full cast for the world premi re of Oranges and Elephants, the first production in the venue's all-female spring season Female Parts. The musical centres on two rival female gangs in Victorian London blending Music Hall, Fairground and Musical Theatre storytelling.

Theatre Three will host a special, one-night-only benefit concert to raise money to offset medical expenses for local theatre artist Derek Whitener. The concert will take place on Today, January 24, 2017, at 7:30 PM on Theatre Three's Norma Young Arena Stage. Tickets are free, but a cash donation is suggested. All donations will go directly to Derek Whitener and his family to pay for medical expenses and loss of income. Theatre Three is located in The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh Street, Suite 168, Dallas, TX 75201.

Theatre Three will host a special, one-night-only benefit concert to raise money to offset medical expenses for local theatre artist Derek Whitener. The concert will take place on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at 7:30 PM on Theatre Three's Norma Young Arena Stage. Tickets are free, but a cash donation is suggested. All donations will go directly to Derek Whitener and his family to pay for medical expenses and loss of income. Theatre Three is located in The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh Street, Suite 168, Dallas, TX 75201.

Casa Mañana Theatre continues their 2015-2016 Season with RENT February 27-March 6. Tickets are on sale now.  Scroll down below to watch a special performance on WFAA 8 ABC!

Casa Mañana Theatre continues their 2015-2016 Season with RENT February 27-March 6. Tickets are on sale now.

This time of year faithful pilgrims travel to Bethlehem. My pilgrimage this year was accidental and secular. During a whirlwind trip to Manhattan, I happened upon The Workshop Theater on West 36th Street in Manhattan, a place where great plays are born. Their Sundays@ Six program, in the Jewel Box Theater is free to the public and requires no tickets or reservations.

Buffalo musicians of all types will unite on the Kleinhans stage for one night in September.

The Angel Roofs of East Anglia: Unseen Masterpieces of the Middle Ages Michael Rimmer [ISBN 9780718893699] A masterly historical and photographic exploration of a much neglected form of English figurative sculpture, the angel roofs that still adorn many of the late medieval churches of East Anglia.

BUFFALO, NY -Buffalo musicians of all types will unite on the Kleinhans stage for one night in September. On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Buffalo Philharmonic will present 'Soundwave,' featuring Buffalo bands The Albrights and Babik and works by contemporary rock-inspired composers and songwriters Mason Bates, Adam Schoenberg, and Sufjan Stevens. BPO Associate Conductor Stefan Sanders will be on the podium. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students. An after-party features Verve Studios dancers and a DJ. Admission includes a complimentary slice of pizza and a beverage. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.