Karen Olivo News

Lynn Nottage's critically acclaimed world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, has extended a second time, for two weeks through June 12 at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43rd street). Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com. BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK opened to critical acclaim on Monday, May 9th. Elisabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post called the play, "A DAZZLING, WILDLY ENTERTAINING COMEDY ABOUT RACIAL IDENTITY IN HOLLYWOOD" and Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News dubbed it, "AN ENORMOUSLY ENTERTAINING COMEDY." Terry Teachout of the Wall Street Journal called Vera Stark, "A SHARP-TOOTHED, INGENIOUSLY CONSTRUCTED COMEDY," while Roma Torre of New York 1 News raved, "BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK IS AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF WORK - A LAUGH RIOT IN THE FIRST HALF FOLLOWED BY SCINTILLATING SOCIAL COMMENTARY IN THE SECOND -- IT ALL ADDS UP TO AN INCOMPORABLE GEM!" BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK features Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award-nominee Daniel Breaker, Tony Award-nominee David Garrison, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Kevin Isola, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, and Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo. In this new comedy, Lynn Nottage draws upon the screwball films of the 1930's to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood. BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is a seventy year journey through the life of Vera Stark (Sanaa Lathan), a headstrong African-American maid and budding actress, and her tangled relationship with her boss, a white Hollywood star (Stephanie J. Block) desperately grasping to hold on to her career. When circumstances collide and both women land roles in the same Southern epic, the story behind the cameras leaves Vera with a surprising and controversial legacy scholars will debate for years to come.

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, opens tonight, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com. BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK features Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award-nominee Daniel Breaker, Tony Award-nominee David Garrison, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Kevin Isola, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, and Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo. Let's see what the critics had to say!

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, and opened last night, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

While older plays can often be interpreted to suit modern tastes and standards, films serve as permanent records of the public attitudes of their times; particularly when considering the ways ethnic minorities were portrayed.  Many a fine film from long ago can contain moments that strike the modern eye as racist, even in cases where the intention was to be racially sensitive.  In the case of black actors from early Hollywood, we can admire the talent of the likes of Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, Butterfly McQueen and Stepin Fetchit and say they opened door for others, but many have argued that their success came from demeaning their race as a whole by taking the types of roles that were within the white viewers' comfort zones.

Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, already extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre, opens tonight, May 9. Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Arthur Laurents, who passed away Thursday night at age 93.

With Annie returning to Broadway in 2012, Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City was pleased to present the first of several Annie-themed master classes on April 17th. 25 eager and very talented young ladies participated in a full day of triple threat training, including scene study, song interpretation, and learning choreography from a production number in the show.

Although still in previews, Lynn Nottage's world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, has extended one week through May 29 at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43rd street). Directed by Jo Bonney, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009. The production will officially open on Monday, May 9. For ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

The New York Times reports today that Will Swenson (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hair) will direct independent feature film adaptation of Carol Lynn Pearson's play 'Facing East.' Pearson is also writing the screenplay. The play centers on a family's struggle to come to terms with their Morman faith after losing their gay son to suicide. The subject mater is not far from Swenson's heart, as he witnessed similar struggles within his own childhood Mormon community. Say Swenson of the project: 'Getting through my own adolescence as a young Mormon was challenging as it was, but watching my best friend struggle with his identity as a gay teenager was heartbreaking.'

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, ‘This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

Lorna Luft joins Bway stars Karen Olivo, Heather Headley and Ashley Brown in a tribute concert at Carnegie Hall.

Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut, The New York Pops remembered Hollywood icon Judy Garland with a song-for-song re-creation of the 1961 performance that is referred to by so many as 'the greatest night in show business history'. Under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, Broadway luminary Ashley Brown, Grammy Award winner Heather Headley and West Side Story star Karen Olivo took the stage in this vibrant revival of the historic concert, which features signature Garland favorites, such as 'Over the Rainbow', 'The Trolley Song', 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and 'The Man That Got Away'.

Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut, The New York Pops remembers Hollywood icon Judy Garland with a song-for-song re-creation of the 1961 performance that is referred to by so many as 'the greatest night in show business history'. Last night, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, Broadway luminary Ashley Brown, Grammy Award winner Heather Headley and West Side Story star Karen Olivo take the stage in this vibrant revival of the historic concert, which features signature Garland favorites, such as 'Over the Rainbow', 'The Trolley Song', 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and 'The Man That Got Away'.

Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut, The New York Pops remembers Hollywood icon Judy Garland with a song-for-song re-creation of the 1961 performance that is referred to by so many as 'the greatest night in show business history'. Tonight, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, Broadway luminary Ashley Brown, Grammy Award winner Heather Headley and West Side Story star Karen Olivo take the stage in this vibrant revival of the historic concert, which features signature Garland favorites, such as 'Over the Rainbow', 'The Trolley Song', 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and 'The Man That Got Away'.

Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut, The New York Pops remembers Hollywood icon Judy Garland with a song-for-song re-creation of the 1961 performance that is referred to by so many as "the greatest night in show business history".

On March 11th, 2011 the New York Pops pays tribute to the late Judy Garland in a special concert at Carnegie Hall. The show will play homage to her famous 1961 concert at the same location, and features Broadway stars Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo. All week we are speaking with the people involved in this special night, and today we are talking to Judy Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft, about her involvement in the concert and what she remembers of that famous night in 1961.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will conclude its 32nd season with the World Premiere of ALL NEW PEOPLE, a new comedy written by Zach Braff.

On March 11th, 2011 the New York Pops pays tribute to the late Judy Garland in a special concert at Carnegie Hall. The show will play homage to her famous 1961 concert at the same location, and features Broadway stars Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo (as well as special guest Lorna Luft) All week we are speaking with the people involved in this special night, and today we are talking with Karen about her role in the concert and what she is looking forward to this season on Broadway.

On March 11th, 2011 the New York Pops pays tribute to the late Judy Garland in a special concert at Carnegie Hall. The show will play homage to her famous 1961 concert at the same location, and features Broadway stars Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo (as well as special guest Lorna Luft) All week we are speaking with the people involved in this special night, and today we are talking with Ashley Brown about Judy Garland, returning to Broadway in Mary Poppins and what comes next.

On March 11th, 2011 the New York Pops pays tribute to the late Judy Garland in a special concert at Carnegie Hall. The show will play homage to her famous 1961 concert at the same location, and features Broadway stars Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo (as well as special guest Lorna Luft) Conductor Steven Reineke talks with BWW about the show.