Kate Douglas News

Founding Executive Director Kathy Evans announced the 19 writers and 9 new musicals selected for development at this summer's Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. 

Theater Oobleck's "Baudelaire in a Box" project, a seven-year adaptation of Charles Baudelaire's scandalous 19th-century classic "Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil)" as an epic illustrated song cycle, culminates this summer with "Closed Casket: The Complete, Final and Absolutely Last Baudelaire in a Box." The 15-hour festival presentation of the complete cycle is timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Baudelaire's death. "Closed Casket" will be presented Aug. 4 to 6 at Links Hall at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Avenue in Chicago.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 32 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2017 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 18 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) presented the Women of Note concert series, celebrating female, queer and trans artists who are changing the landscape of musical theatre, on Monday, August 1 at The Duke on 42nd Street. Featuring dynamic sounds and incredible performers, this one-night-only concert event showcased even more artists than last year in two back-to-back performances. BroadwayWorld has photos from the show below!

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) has announced the performer lineup for the Women of Note concert series, celebrating female, queer and trans artists who are changing the landscape of musical theatre. Featuring dynamic sounds and incredible performers, this one-night-only concert event will showcase even more artists than last year in two back-to-back performances.  Women of Note will take place at The Duke on 42nd Street (229 W. 42nd Street) on Monday, August 1 with two separate lineups at 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are available now at www.nymf.org/tickets.

On Thursday, June 16th Third Rail Projects will celebrate the 200th performance of their critically acclaimed production of THE GRAND PARADISE, a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience in which visitors travel to a tropical paradise. Performances take place at The Grand Paradise, a venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn custom-built for the production, where it opened on January 30th and became one of Off-Broadway's biggest hits of the season.  A post-performance celebration will follow the 200th performance on June 16th. The general public is invited to stop by Bushwick's newest Tiki Bar sensation The Shipwreck Lounge at The Grand Paradise (383 Troutman Street), beginning at 9:30pm. Grab a tasty tropical beverage and hang out with cast and company members all evening as they celebrate this milestone.

Third Rail Projects announces a second extension of their critically acclaimed production of THE GRAND PARADISE, a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience in which visitors travel to a tropical paradise. Based on a concept by Tom Pearson, it is directed, designed, written and choreographed by Zach Morris, Tom Pearson, and Jennine Willett in collaboration with The Company and produced in association with Bill Caleo and Zach Stern. Performances take place at The Grand Paradise, a venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn custom-built for the production, where it opened on January 30th and became one of Off-Broadway's biggest hits of the season. Performances will now run through September 4, 2016 on a new summer schedule.

Third Rail Projects announces the extension of their critically acclaimed production of THE GRAND PARADISE, a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience in which visitors travel to a tropical paradise. Based on a concept by Tom Pearson, it is directed, designed, written and choreographed by Zach Morris, Tom Pearson, and Jennine Willett in collaboration with The Company and produced in association with Bill Caleo and Zach Stern. Performances take place at The Grand Paradise, a venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn custom-built for the production. Performances will now run through May 29, 2016.

Third Rail Projects follows up its critically acclaimed, long-running production of THEN SHE FELL with the World Premiere of THE GRAND PARADISE, a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience in which visitors travel to a tropical paradise. Based on a concept by Tom Pearson, it is directed, designed, written and choreographed by Zach Morris, Tom Pearson, and Jennine Willett in collaboration with The Company and produced in association with Bill Caleo and Zach Stern. Performances take place at The Grand Paradise, a venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn custom-built for the production. Preview performances begin January 28 with an official opening date of January 30, 2016.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 36 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2016 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 19 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration. BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Goodspeed has announced its 2016 participants. Scroll down for details!

KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY, with music and lyrics by Todd Almond, featuring Almond and rock icon Courtney Love, began performances with three previews Thursday, October 15, 2015, through Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m., and opened last night Sunday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. Check out photos below!

KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY, with music and lyrics by Todd Almond, featuring Almond and rock icon Courtney Love, begins performances with three previews tonight, October 15, 2015, through Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m., and opens Sunday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. The show, which is a special DouglasPlus event, will run through November 8. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show from this year's PROTOTYPE Festival in NYC!

KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY, with music and lyrics by Todd Almond, featuring Almond and rock icon Courtney Love, begins performances with three previews Thursday, October 15, 2015, through Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m., and opens Sunday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. The show, which is a special DouglasPlus event, will run through November 8. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show from this year's PROTOTYPE Festival in NYC!

In anticipation of its upcoming five-year anniversary, The Ume Group will present "Dream Dances," its first in-residence feature-length performance at Grace and St. Paul's Church this March.

Artemisia, A Chicago Theatre announces its 2014 Fall Festival of Staged Readings. Performances will be held September 19 & 20and September 26 & 27 at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 925 W. Diversey in Chicago. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. today and Saturday nights and at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Each night a new play is performed and is free to the public.

Artemisia, A Chicago Theatre announces its 2014 Fall Festival of Staged Readings. Performances will be held September 19 & 20and September 26 & 27 at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 925 W. Diversey in Chicago. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Each night a new play is performed and is free to the public.

Artemisia, A Chicago Theatre announces its 2014 Fall Festival of Staged Readings. Performances will be held September 19 & 20and September 26 & 27 at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, 925 W. Diversey in Chicago. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Each night a new play is performed and is free to the public. Donations are encouraged and walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are available beginning August 1 at artemisatheatre.org.

The Imaginary Menagerie, the cabaret stage show, concludes its yearlong residency at The McKittrick Hotel with a grand cabaret on Wednesday, December 18th at 10:30PM in The McKittrick's clubroom, The Heath.

12 - 15 December, Pontine Theatre premieres A New England Christmas at Pontine's West End Studio Theatre. The program, underwritten by Chris Dwyer & Michael Huxtable. Co-Artistic Directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers unveil original adaptations of two heart-warming Christmas stories set in New England: Captain Eli's Best Ear by Frank Stockton, a yarn about two salty, old sea captains who decide to keep Christmas together; and The Romance of a Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggin, a story about far-flung families reunited by the lure of a Christmas with the 'folks back home.' These charming 19th century holiday stories-not to mention punch and cookies-are sure to evoke the holiday spirit! The soundtrack includes traditional melodies, many of them played and recorded by Strafford, NH's Jeffrey Zohler.

12 - 15 December, Pontine Theatre premieres A New England Christmas at Pontine's West End Studio Theatre. The program, underwritten by Chris Dwyer & Michael Huxtable, includes two 19th century stories which take place in New England villages. The Romance of a Christmas Card, by Kate Douglas Wiggin, and Cap'n Eli's Best Ear, by Frank Stockton. The soundtrack includes traditional melodies, many of them played and recorded by Strafford, NH's Jeffrey Zohler. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 4:00 and Sunday at 2:00. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased in advance at -- www.pontine.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door (cash & checks only) a half-hour prior to each performance, based on availability. Pontine's 2013-14 Season is supported by grants from the NH State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Pontine's West End Studio Theatre is located at 959 Islington Street in Portsmouth NH. The theatre is not visible from the street. Look for the big 959 on the signpost at the head of the drive. Pontine's West End Studio Theatre is fully accessible with easy private parking. For information, contact Pontine --info@pontine.org -- (603) 436-6660.