John Alexander News

Emotional arias and powerful choruses have the audience rejoicing in the victory of 'Judas Maccabaeus,' as Pacific Symphony opens the holiday season with the rare opportunity to hear Handel's jubilant oratorio. With all of the drama and flair of his operas, the Baroque composer masterfully tells of the Israelites' rich journey from hardship to triumph. One of peace, harmony and faith, the story of Judas Maccabees forms the basis for the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, and is often defined as history's first war for religious freedom.

Orange County, Calif.—Nov. 21, 2013—Emotional arias and powerful choruses have the audience rejoicing in the victory of “Judas Maccabaeus,” as Pacific Symphony opens the holiday season with the rare opportunity to hear Handel's jubilant oratorio. With all of the drama and flair of his operas, the Baroque composer masterfully tells of the Israelites' rich journey from hardship to triumph. One of peace, harmony and faith, the story of Judas Maccabees forms the basis for the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, and is often defined as history's first war for religious freedom. For this performance, Pacific Chorale's Artistic Director John Alexander leads the orchestra, chorale and esteemed vocal soloists Lauren Snouffer, soprano; Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano; I-Chin Feinblatt, alto; Thomas Cooley, tenor; William Berger, baritone; and The All American Boys Chorus for an inspiring and rousing musical experience.

Cygnet Theatre, in collaboration with Playwrights Project, has announced that it will present the second annual Playwrights in Process: New Play Festival. Cygnet Theatre has long been committed to celebrating human stories through the medium of live theatre. In addition to presenting four readings of new plays, the three-day festival will include workshops for audiences, playwrights, and theatre artists.

Emergent Arts presents 'The UFO Show IV (Unidentified Funny Objects): The Pirate Edition', an evening of standup, storytelling and original songs, for two nights, tonight and tomorrow, September 19 and 20 at 8pm at The Mix Studio Theatre, 8 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Professional comedian and former Ann Arbor Police Detective Khurum Sheikh will M.C. both nights.

Emergent Arts presents 'The UFO Show IV (Unidentified Funny Objects): The Pirate Edition', an evening of standup, storytelling and original songs, for two nights, September 19 and 20 at 8pm at The Mix Studio Theatre, 8 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Professional comedian and former Ann Arbor Police Detective Khurum Sheikh will M.C. both nights.

Massive downpours and one of the worst East End traffic tie-ups in recent memory proved no match for the most eagerly anticipated event of the season, the second edition of Art Southampton, presented by Art Miami.

Guild Hall, the visual and performing arts center on eastern Long Island, recently honored the recipients of the 28th Academy of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Awards: John Alexander for Visual Arts; Walter Isaacson for Literary Arts; Nathan Lane for Performing Arts and Mickey Straus, who received the Special Award for Leadership and Philanthropy. Marshall Brickman was the Master of Ceremonies with special guest presenters: Ken Auletta, Alec Baldwin, Jack O'Brien and Lorne Michaels. The awards were presented during a benefit dinner on Monday, March 4 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. BroadwayWorld has photos from the starry gathering below!

Diversionary Theatre announces the addition of Justin Love, a new musical fantasy, to complete its 2013 roster of mainstage productions. Joining the currently running West Coast premiere of Birds of a Feather (through March 3, 2013) and the San Diego premiere of the literary romp, The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabbler (March 28 - April 28, 2013), will be the West Coast premiere of Charles Busch's hilarious spoof The Divine Sister (May 23 - June 30, 2013), directed by Glenn Paris, and the world premiere farce She-Rantulas From Outer Space (October 24 - November 17, 2013), by Phil Johnson and Ruff Yeager. By popular demand, Diversionary will also bring back its twisted take on holiday tradition Scrooge in Rouge (December 5 - 29, 2013).

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced its calendar of performances for the 2013 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Details below!

Timeless melodies paired with a choir of heavenly voices celebrate the beauty and revelation of the season during Pacific Symphony's performance of Handel's "Messiah," now a cherished Orange County tradition. Rejoice to thundering trumpets, triumphant timpani and the spine-tingling "Hallelujah" chorus as Pacific Chorale's Artistic Director John Alexander leads the orchestra, Pacific Chorale and esteemed vocal soloists Kiera Duffy, soprano; Jane Shim, mezzo-soprano; Norman Shankle, tenor; and Stephen Morscheck, bass. Handel's radiant masterpiece conjures a feeling of joy that reminds audiences of the peace in humanity-a message of inspiration to all. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, "Messiah" takes place today, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Timeless melodies paired with a choir of heavenly voices celebrate the beauty and revelation of the season during Pacific Symphony's performance of Handel's "Messiah," now a cherished Orange County tradition. Rejoice to thundering trumpets, triumphant timpani and the spine-tingling "Hallelujah" chorus as Pacific Chorale's Artistic Director John Alexander leads the orchestra, Pacific Chorale and esteemed vocal soloists Kiera Duffy, soprano; Jane Shim, mezzo-soprano; Norman Shankle, tenor; and Stephen Morscheck, bass. Handel's radiant masterpiece conjures a feeling of joy that reminds audiences of the peace in humanity-a message of inspiration to all. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, "Messiah" takes place Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

St. Malachy's - The Actors Chapel will present a star-studded musical extravaganza with The Voices United Choral Festival on Monday, November 12 at 7:30 at NY's legendary Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway). Over 600 performers will gather under the direction of the internationally celebrated conductor Eric Knapp with the evening being hosted by famed author Raymond Arroyo and featuring special performances by Broadway's Ryan Silverman (more to be announced).

Five-time Academy Award-winner and renowned composer John Williams returns to the Hollywood Bowl stage to lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a weekend of his movie music and accompanying film clips in John Williams.

Five-time Academy Award-winner and renowned composer John Williams returns to the Hollywood Bowl stage to lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a weekend of his movie music and accompanying film clips in John Williams.

Culture at the crossroads in Belle Époque France will be explored at the ninth annual Bard SummerScape festival, which once again features a sumptuous tapestry of music, opera, theater, dance, film, and cabaret, keyed to the theme of the 23rd annual Bard Music Festival.

To enrich its immersion in the music of Belle Époque France, Bard SummerScape 2012 presents the first staged revival in the United States of The King in Spite of Himself (Le roi malgré lui) by Emmanuel Chabrier in its original 1887 version.

Pacific Symphony ends its season with Beethoven's crowning achievement, the Symphony No. 9, "Choral," featuring "Ode to Joy." The concert, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, features a fusion of orchestra and voices that includes Pacific Chorale and four world-class opera singers; plus, two timely works by Frank Ticheli: "Rest" (world premiere version for strings) and "Radiant Voices" provide a stunning prelude.

Pacific Symphony ends its season with Beethoven's crowning achievement, the Symphony No. 9, "Choral," featuring "Ode to Joy." The concert, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, features a fusion of orchestra and voices that includes Pacific Chorale and four world-class opera singers; plus, two timely works by Frank Ticheli: "Rest" (world premiere version for strings) and "Radiant Voices" provide a stunning prelude.

BBC AMERICA's Dramaville presents US premiere of WHITE HEAT, starring ensemble cast including Sam Claflin, Claire Foy and MyAnna Buring. WHITE HEAT, the next instalment of BBC AMERICA's Dramaville, charts the lives of seven friends from 1965 through to present day.

BBC AMERICA's Dramaville presents US premiere of WHITE HEAT, starring ensemble cast including Sam Claflin, Claire Foy and MyAnna Buring. WHITE HEAT, the next instalment of BBC AMERICA's Dramaville, charts the lives of seven friends from 1965 through to present day.