Jennifer Hughes News

Every once and a while, when a new season is announced, I find a show in the lineup that I can help but anticipate seeing. For me, that happened when Iowa Stage announced they would be doing 'A Bright New Boise' as part of their 2023 season. It wasn't a show I was familiar with, but it was a plot I was going to be able to relate to. That was due to the show taking place at a Hobby Lobby. I have not worked for Hobby Lobby, but I did work retail for a few years, so going in, I was excited to see another look at the retail working experience. What I got was so much more.

Before the Pandemic, one of the shows I was looking forward to seeing was Iowa Stage's production of 'Sweat' by Lynn Nottage. At that time, the excitement for me was being able to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning play. I didn't realize how powerful and impactful the play would be for me. I didn't realize how I would see my family members on stage in words being said by each of the characters. While the play was delayed multiple times due to Covid, it couldn't be more timely today.

If hotels rooms could tell stories, what stories might they tell? Would they be stories of love or heartbreak, or something completely different? If you've ever thought of those questions, or are looking for a fun, entertaining night of theatre, then Des Moines Playhouse's production of 'Plaza Suite' is the right show for you. On Friday, July 16, the show opened to a packed tent as part of the Playhouse's summer Tent series. And from the audience's reactions, this was just the comedy they needed this summer.

Iowa Stage Theatre Company (ISTC), central Iowa’s home for award-winning theater that inspires, enlightens and entertains, is partnering with Iowa PBS (IPBS) to present viewers throughout the state with a new production of a holiday classic. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a theater adaptation by Joe Landry of the beloved holiday classic film.

On Friday afternoon, Boston Baroque learned that, due to the current COVID-19 situation, New England Conservatory made the decision to close Jordan Hall to outside organizations for the entire 2020-2021 concert season. 

Boston Baroque has introduced its first-ever period string chamber ensemble, the X-tet. The inaugural performances will take place on March 20th at 6:30pm and 8:30pm in the intimate acoustics of Fraser Performance Studio at WGBH in Boston. A unique opportunity to hear Boston's most celebrated musical artists performing in a chamber setting, the group's premiere program will feature masterworks by Haydn and Mozart.

One of the great things theatre can do is start a conversation on topics that may not be the most comfortable to talk about. Sometimes it prompts a conversation, and other times it leaves you to ponder what your thoughts are on an issue. In Iowa Stage's and Kingman Row Entertainment's joint production of a?oePrivate Passage,a?? it asks the audience to do both on an issue that has been featured heavily in the news lately. That issue is women's reproductive rights.

Having Shakespeare done outside is something that is not new to Des Moines and the surrounding area. These productions have been thrilling for both the audience and people involved in the show. Getting to participate in a few outdoor Shakespeare productions was one of my favorite memories of college. I've also enjoyed getting the opportunity to watch a few as well. This idea formed a partnership with the Repertory Theatre of Iowa, now Iowa Stage, and The Salisbury House to do a show each summer on the grounds of the Salisbury House. I was excited last year when I heard that their partnership was going to stage an outdoor production of William Shakespeare's darkest tragedy's Macbeth.

The Virtual Stage is thrilled to present a brand new, immersive and spine-tingling theatrical adventure with ALIEN CONTAGION: RISE OF THE ZOMBIE SYNDROME, tonight, October 6, through November 1, 2015 at a top-secret location in Vancouver.

The Virtual Stage is thrilled to present a brand new, immersive and spine-tingling theatrical adventure with ALIEN CONTAGION: RISE OF THE ZOMBIE SYNDROME, October 6 - November 1, 2015 at a top-secret location in Vancouver.

The Fall 2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances- presented THE HOUSEWIVES' CANTATA on October 21. Two performances remain, on October 22 and 23.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced preliminary casting for its upcoming Fall 2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.

This year's red carpet season got off to a shaky start as a strike derailed the glamour in Los Angeles and New York. South Florida shows the nation how to get it right as the 32nd Annual Carbonell Award nominations were released today along with details of the awards ceremony, which is one of the most anticipated events of the theatrical season. The Carbonell Awards, sponsored by The Law Firm of Broad & Cassel, P.A., will take place Monday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Amaturo Theater of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of the critically acclaimed Tony-winning musical, The Light in the Piazza, will end its run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street) this Sunday, July 2

Cast members from The Light in the Piazza will perform in concert in 'Piazza Party' at Birdland on Monday, June 5

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com will present the cast of The Light in the Piazza in 'Piazza Party' at Birdland on Monday, June 5

Cast members of The Light in the Piazza will appear at Joe's Pub on Monday, February 6th in a one-night-only cabaret performance titled The Lights of the Piazza.

Katie Clarke, Patti Cohenour, Aaron Lazar and other cast members from the hit musical will perform at Joe's Pub on February 6th as The Lights of the Piazza