James Wilson News

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces a cast of award-winning actors to bring new life to Chicago's beloved holiday musical THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, running tonight, November 26 through December 28, 2014.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Dee Snider's Christmas show starts, and 'First Wives Club' and 'N' get their stars. Patsy Cline comes round again, as do the Q Brothers and 'Christmas Schooner.' Peeps gear up for 'Into The Woods,' 'Phantom' inspires television, and 'Billy Elliot' dances into movie theaters and into the Drury Lane Oakbrook!

I have to admit that I was very excited when I read that veteran actor Michael Winther would be returning to Center Stage to star in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL. It was Director David Schweizer who asked Winther to come to Center Stage for the role of Dan. Schweizer also directed Winther back in 2007 when he played the role of Dromio in BOYS FROM SYRACUSE along with Manu Narayan and Paolo Montalban. Winther became friends with Narayan when the two both worked on Broadway at the same time, Narayan was the star of BOMBAY DREAMS at the Broadway Theater and Winther was down the street at the Winter Garden in MAMMA MIA! Winther related it was Narayan who called him up last year to take Narayan's place in San Paolo, Brazil to perform in the KIezmer musical THE NIGHT IN THE OLD MARKET PLACE. So Winther spent ten days in Brazil along with another actress from the BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, Charlotte Cohn.

Well, that was rather lovely. But then anything that features light mockery of John Barrowman, time-travel arms and a cease and desist letter from Steven Moffat (amongst other things) in just over an hour is always going to be an enjoyable experience.

An official launch reception for accomplished photographer Tina Freeman's new book Artist Spaces, New Orleans will be held at the Ogden Museum of Art in New Orleans on Wednesday, October 29, from 6-8 pm. Few artists have the luxury of separate work and living spaces, thus work and life often end up compressed into a singular personal environment. Artist Spaces provides a comprehensive portrait of the city's artists and their relationship to space.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces a cast of award-winning actors to bring new life to Chicago's beloved holiday musical THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, running November 26 through December 28, 2014. Press opening is Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:30pm.

The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation's premier member organization of independent storytellers, announced today the nominees for the 24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards by IFP.

Wesley College will present a fully staged production of Puccini's Suor Angelica at Epworth United Methodist Church (19285 Holland Glade Road in Rehoboth) on Friday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 26, at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for students. For ticket reservations, please contact Dr. James Wilson (302) 736-2466; james.wilson@wesley.edu.

The Arches' annual festival of new work by Scotland's most exciting performance makers is back, featuring artists brought together by a shared determination to subvert and surprise.

The award-winning musical comedy I Need A Doctor: The Whosical will run at The Leicester Square Theatre 28th October - 2nd November 2014 following their successful spring tour 2014 and Edinburgh Fringe 2013/2014. For more details please visit http://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/whats-on/comedy

The Arches' annual festival of new work by Scotland's most exciting performance makers is back, featuring artists brought together by a shared determination to subvert and surprise.

WHAT does it take for a man to pull himself back from the brink of death? It's a question explored in the Aussie pub rock musical Merry Go Round, premiering at Belmont's Latvian Centre Theatre this October.

Following two hugely successful runs at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, To Kill a Mockingbird will return to London from 24 June until 25 July 2015 at the Barbican, at the end of the forthcoming UK tour. Robert Sean Leonard is thrilled to reprise the role of Atticus Finch exclusively at the Barbican. Tickets are now on sale to Barbican Red and Orange Members.

It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence...if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

The award-winning musical comedy returns to Edinburgh Fringe 2014 following its spring tour in an all-new regenerated format.

Eligibility and award category designations for the productions under consideration this season were determined by the Drama Desk board of directors with recommendations from the nominating committee. Because of the abundance of great work throughout the season, the Board also authorized the increase in the number of nominees allowed in select categories.

Great Music at St. Bart's will present the American Premiere of James MacMillan's Since it was the Day of Preparation on Sunday, May 4 at 2:30 pm.

Since Katya Virshilas and Pasha Kovalev teamed up as a professional dance couple on the hit BBC television show Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, they have wowed audiences with their beautiful Ballroom routines and sexy Latin dances. After two years of sell-out shows in Swindon, the duo have returned to the Wyvern Theatre for three nights from Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 April.

Academy Award winners Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez ('Let It Go' from Frozen) and two-time Emmy and Golden Globe Nominee Fran Drescher (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella; 'The Nanny') will announce the nominations for the 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM at 54 Below (254 W. 54th Street), it was announced today by Gretchen Shugart, CEO of TheaterMania.com and Isa Goldberg, Drama Desk President.