John Kennedy News

Martin Carr has announced today's release of his acclaimed new album. NEW SHAPES OF LIFE is available now via Hamburg, DE's Tapete Records.

Songfinch, a personalized gifting company specializing in music, partners with Susan G. Komen to produce an original soundtrack of eight songs to uplift people living with breast cancer and supporters everywhere.

Crucible reminds us of the good old bad old days of church extremism and Congressional blacklists along with a warning for today.

Sarasota Opera has joined forces with six opera companies nationwide to create a new commissioning initiative entitled Opera for All Voices: Stories of our Time. This new venture is committed to telling wide-ranging stories that resonate with audiences regardless of age or prior experience with opera. Selected works will be co-commissioned and co-produced with other participating companies including Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Minnesota Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Seattle Opera.

At a press conference held May 30 in the lobby of the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 235 nominations for the 38th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.

Troubling premise

Festival General Director Nigel Redden has announced the program for the 41st annual Spoleto Festival USA, taking place May 26 through June 11, 2017, in Charleston, South Carolina. "On the heels of a hugely exciting 40th season, this year's Festival promises to build on that momentum, with even more dance and theater performances than in previous years," says Redden. "Charleston's rich history in the arts comes alive during each Festival, and we will explore that history and add to it again in 2017."

Following sold-out single launch shows in London and Salford, Manchester's Shaking Chains have shared a new music video for 'Drunk No More', taken from their AA-side single, due April 21st via Concrete Recordings.

ENTRANCE (aka Guy Blakelsee) is excited to release his brand new video for standout lead single “Always The Right Time.”

Abingdon Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Tony Speciale, presents the world premiere of CHESS MATCH NO. 5, conceived and directed by Anne Bogart, with text arranged by Jocelyn Clarke from the words of John Cage.

John Kennedy feared that the United States would descend into chaos if the people lost their faith in government and turned to autocrats for leadership.

Abingdon Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Tony Speciale, presents the world premiere of CHESS MATCH NO. 5, conceived and directed by Anne Bogart, with text arranged by Jocelyn Clarke from the words of John Cage.

Festival General Director Nigel Redden announced today the program for the 41st annual Spoleto Festival USA, taking place May 26 through June 11, 2017, in Charleston, South Carolina. "On the heels of a hugely exciting 40th season, this year's Festival promises to build on that momentum," says Redden. "Charleston's rich history in the arts comes alive during each Festival, and we will explore that history and add to it again in 2017."

Abingdon Theatre Company will present two world-premiere plays and a new musical in the June Havoc Theatre as part of its 2016-2017 Season of new works by established and emerging writers, marking the first full season programmed by Artistic Director Tony Speciale.

Saillant's roster includes another sustainable project entitled Rock It Green Television, date of debut TBA. The Famous Landmark Rock located in New York City's Central Park, will be the setting for the new YouTube TV series 'Rock It Green'

After a nationwide search, Sarasota Opera is proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been commissioned to compose Sarasota Youth Opera's next world premiere. Ms. Peter's opera, Rootabaga Country, which is being written now and will have its premiere in November 2017, was selected over 12 other submissions. This will be the sixth opera commissioned by the Sarasota Youth Opera program.

After a nationwide search, Sarasota Opera is proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been commissioned to compose Sarasota Youth Opera's next world premiere. Ms. Peter's opera, Rootabaga Country, which is being written now and will have its premiere in November 2017, was selected over 12 other submissions. This will be the sixth opera commissioned by the Sarasota Youth Opera program.

Mr. Toole, a new play written by award-winning playwright Vivian Neuwirth made its World Premiere at The Midtown International Theatre Festival on July 21st. Set against the backdrop of New Orleans, this play is a deeply personal reflection on the life of John Kennedy Toole, author of the Pulitzer Prize Winning, 'A Confederacy of Dunces.' The play was inspired by Vivian's time as a student of Mr. Toole's at St. Mary's Dominican College in New Orleans. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The 17th Annual MIDTOWN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, runs today, July 16, through August 7, 2016 at The WORKSHOP'S MAIN STAGE & JEWEL BOX, 312 W 36TH STREET.