James Armstrong News

The ASIA AMERICA YOUTH SYMPHONY (AAYS) will premiere its first ever, 'Music On Canvas'. DAVID BENOIT, Music Director and Conductor, will lead the prestigious AAYS in a performance of Gershwin's classic 'An American In Paris' while young artists from RYMAN ARTS create inspired artworks live on stage to the music.

Pasadena Playhouse, State Theatre of California, continues their exciting partnerships with Caltech Theatre and the USC School of Dramatic Arts this Spring, with MACH 33: The Caltech|Pasadena Playhouse Festival of New Science Driven Plays, presented by Caltech Theater and Pasadena Playhouse May 9 -11 and the New Works Festival Year 3 May 17-18, presented by USC School of Dramatic Arts and hosted by Pasadena Playhouse. These plays are part of Playhouse community programming. Danny Feldman is the Producing Artistic Director of Pasadena Playhouse.

Climbing the corporate ladder has always been easy for some and difficult for others. This somewhat-dated story, given how the 'Me Too' movement has changed the male-female office environment these days, follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called 'How To Succeed In Business' to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the company 'Yes' men, backstabbing co-workers who want to succeed by causing you to fail, sexy secretaries looking for love and marriage, high-level executives who use their power to seduce sexy secretaries in private offices and at office parties, office-wide caffeine addiction, and, of course, true love.

A father and son reunion is at the center of Mending Fences, a human drama that is relevant to anyone who has ever been a son, daughter, or parent -- which includes us all. Written by Norm Foster, one of North America's most produced playwrights, and directed by longtime Little Fish Theatre Company Member Madeleine Drake, the fourth show of LFT's 2018 season with leave audiences with a uniquely cathartic theatrical experience.

A father and son reunion is at the center of Mending Fences, a human drama that is relevant to anyone who has ever been a son, daughter, or parent -- which includes us all. Written by Norm Foster, one of North America's most produced playwrights, and directed by longtime Little Fish Theatre Company Member Madeleine Drake, the fourth show of LFT's 2018 season with leave audiences with a uniquely cathartic theatrical experience.

HFC's Black Box Theatre will begin productions in May in the former home of the college's Virtual Theatricality Lab. (VTL).

During the Persian Gulf War, playwright Robert Rosenbaum recalls wondering what would happen if the Iraqis ever attacked our home turf, specifically Brooklyn, New York, where he lived at the time.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jenna Esposito in Memories Are Made Of This: A Centennial Celebration of the Life and Music of Dean Martin on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 9:30 p.m.

Each summer, the Torrance Theatre Company opens its season with a musical production at the James Armstrong Theatre. This year, it's SISTER ACT, the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg as disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, who witnesses a murder and is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent! Featuring original music by Tony (and eight-time Oscar) winner Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The Torrance Theatre Company production is directed by Jim Hormel with musical direction by Bradley Hampton, and choreography by Christopher Albrecht, and features an outstanding live orchestra who knows how to rock the house! The production features a cast of 30 actors from all over Southern California, starring Ashley Elizabeth Crowe as Deloris who transforms herself into Sister Mary Clarence. Crowe will grab your attention every moment she is on stage with her booming voice and over-the-top energy.

The World Premiere of James Armstrong's farce Capital will have a Champagne Opening Celebration on Thursday, March 23 at the Detroit Repertory Theatre at 8:30 PM. Opening Nights at the Rep are always full of camaraderie and celebration. This one will be no different. Guests are invited to join in a Champagne toast in the elegant lobby gallery of the Theatre after the show with the cast, crew and playwright who will be flying in for the Opening Night of his play. Tickets are still the lowest prices for professional theatre in the region at $17 advance or $20 day of performance, and may be purchased online at detroitreptheatre.com  or by calling (313) 868-1347. Capital will run Thursdays through Sundays until May 14, 2017. More information may be found at detroitreptheatre.com.

ANN, written and performed by Emmy® Award winning actress Holland Taylor, is a one woman portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas. Richards' persona was as big as the state itself and just as colorful. Originating at the Galveston Grand Opera, the show has played to sold-out audiences across Texas, winning critical acclaim in Chicago, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and on Broadway at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater where she won the Outer Critic's Circle Award for Best Solo Performance. ANN has returned to ZACH Theatre in a production directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein. The evening starts out as a commencement address and through flashback covers Richards youth through to her post Governor years. What is revealed is an in depth portrait of this amazing woman who was fighting for the same things that still ring true in our current political arenas. What is also revealed is just how much we need a woman like Ann Richards today and how sorely she is missed.

Now onstage by the Aerospace Players through February 6, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN tells the story of sharpshooter Annie Oakley (Julie Hinton, a natural comedienne who perfectly inhabits the role) and her romance with Frank Butler (Stephen Cathers). Unfortunately, Cathers has no chemistry whatsoever with Hinton, and try as she might to entice him, their romance seems implausible and totally unbelievable. Without two solid leads who really appear to be in love, or at least attracted to each other physically, the musical lacks the spark needed to fuel the plot.

Back by popular demand, City Theatre's ISLAND SHORTS returns to Key Biscayne for a limited engagement of only three performances in the Island Room of the Key Biscayne Community Center on February 5, 6 and 7, 2016.

Abingdon Theatre Company announces that San Francisco-based playwright Jordan Ramirez Puckett will receive its 2015 Christopher Brian Wolk Award for her play RESTORE. A presentation of the award and staged reading of the play is set for Monday, December 14, at 7:00pm in the June Havoc Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, in Manhattan.

The Millersville University Percussion Ensemble is excited to perform two lively percussion concerts on Thursday, November 19, and Sunday, November 22 at the Winter Center located at 60 W. Cottage Avenue, Millersville.

Millersville University instructor and internationally accomplished percussionist James Armstrong will perform Caribbean and West African influenced repertoire at the Winter Center on Sunday October 11, 7:30 PM. He will be joined by regional artists Danny Stuber (piano), Mike Vitale (bass) and John Peifer (drums) in this presentation of latin and jazz standards and arrangements. Extensive fieldwork and collaboration with local musician masters in West Africa, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States have rendered Armstrong a specialist in Haitian, Cuban, and West African based folkloric drumming.  The Winter Center is located at 60 W. Cottage Avenue, Millersville.

THE MUSIC MAN with Book. Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson continues to be one of the most-loved American musicals of all time, regularly performed on stages across the country. What really makes the Aerospace Players production a joy to behold is the intricate and extremely varied choreography designed by Angela Asch who also portrays Zaneeta "Ye-Gods" Shinn to perfection. Director John Woodcock is to be commended for making sure each of the ensembles members, and there are many of all different ages, get a moment in the spotlight during the show either with a line during the many ensemble numbers or a featured spot while dancing.

Millersville University's Department of Music presents two back to back percussion concerts tonight and tomorrow, April 24 & 25 at the Winter Center located at 60 W. Cottage Avenue, Millersville.

Millersville University's Department of Music presents two back to back percussion concerts on Friday & Saturday, April 24 & 25 at the Winter Center located at 60 W. Cottage Avenue, Millersville. The first concert on Friday, April 24 at 7:30 pm titled World Percussion Concert will feature the West African Music and Dance Ensemble as well as the Millersville University Percussion Ensemble and will include music from various countries like Guinea, Ghana, Cuba and South Africa. The performance will be directed by Professor James Armstrong.

James Armstrong, professor and instructor of percussion at Millersville University, will lead a faculty recital, "Works for Percussion and Beyond," at the Winter Center of Millersville University on Oct. 5, at 2:30 p.m. The Winter Center is located at 60 W. Cottage Ave, Millersville. The recital is open to the public.