Kevin Murphy News

Baritone Thomas Hampson will step into one of his favorite roles, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, for a Lyric Opera of Chicago production led by Sir Andrew Davis (tonight, Oct 15-Nov 9). Also this month, on October 18th, Hampson will give one of his acclaimed SONG OF AMERICA recitals in Akron, Ohio, with longtime colleague Kevin Murphy.

Baritone Thomas Hampson will step into one of his favorite roles, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, for a Lyric Opera of Chicago production led by Sir Andrew Davis (Oct 15-Nov 9). Also this month, on October 18th, Hampson will give one of his acclaimed SONG OF AMERICA recitals in Akron, Ohio, with longtime colleague Kevin Murphy.

Individual tickets for Minneapolis Musical Theatre's (MMT) Reefer Madness and Sunset Boulevard go on sale at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 5. These productions, featured on MMT's 2013 Season and directed by their artistic director Steven Meerdink, are being presented as part of a new partnership between MMT and Hennepin Theatre Trust at the New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Reefer Madness is a raucous musical comedy about the perils of marijuana which runs February 1-24, 2013. Sunset Boulevard is the Broadway hit based on the Oscar-winning movie about faded glory and thwarted ambition which runs May 31-June 23. For tickets and information visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or aboutmmt.org, or call 1.800.982.2787.

The Frick Collection presents its 74th season of classical music concerts in the elegant setting of the Music Room.

Emmy-winning actress Brittany Allen (All My Children) has been cast in a recurring role in Syfy's upcoming series DEFIANCE. Allen will play Tirra, a troubled employee of the town madam, Kenya (Mia Kirshner).

The comedians of Mystery Science Theater 3000 are coming back to select movie theaters nationwide, as they take on another awesomely bad piece of cinema with RiffTrax Live: BIRDEMIC on Thursday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT (and tape delayed 7:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT). Audiences will enjoy the wise-cracking commentary of Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett of RiffTrax.com, while being treated to the all around horribleness of this so-bad-it's-good modern 'thriller' - just in time for Halloween.

NCM® Fathom Events and RiffTrax present “RiffTrax Live: MANOS' THE HANDS OF FATE in theaters for only one night tonight, August 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT and tape delayed 7:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. The BIC preview concert in Millennium Park, concerts by Barbra Streisand, Olivia N-J and Levi Kreis, 'Man Of La Mancha,' 'Dreamgirls,' 'A Class Act' and so much more!

Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads a program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet at 8 p.m. tonight, Aug. 7, in all-French repertoire including Debussy's Two Nocturnes and La mer; and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major and Piano Concerto in D Major for the Left Hand. Thibaudet, who has appeared as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras, was recently inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. The concert also features a ticket and dining package for a special price of $75.

Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads a program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, in all-French repertoire including Debussy's Two Nocturnes and La mer; and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major and Piano Concerto in D Major for the Left Hand. Thibaudet, who has appeared as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras, was recently inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. The concert also features a ticket and dining package for a special price of $75.

From touchdown to takeoff, Syfy is planning an all-out assault in order to give fans their first introduction to the visionary transmedia experience DEFIANCE at San Diego Comic-Con 2012.

From touchdown to takeoff, Syfy is planning an all-out assault in order to give fans their first introduction to the visionary transmedia experience Defiance at San Diego Comic-Con 2012. Defiance, a partnership between Syfy and Trion Worlds, unites, for the first time, a television series and a Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) game, which will debut in April 2013. In addition to Defiance, Syfy will also showcase original series Alphas, Being Human and Warehouse 13 with star-studded panels. Convention-goers will get their first 'taste' of Defiance as Syfy transforms Hard Rock Hotel San Diego restaurant, Maryjane's into Defiance Café where fans can 'Watch. Play. Eat.' and completely immerse themselves in the world of the show and game.

It's supposed to be 108 degrees in the Nashville area by week's end, which means stepping outside will likely leave you melted, quite literally and figuratively. But if you do have to venture out of doors, perhaps a trip to the theater is a good idea…it'll be dark and cool (with any luck, the AC will be working-and you know which theaters we're talking about) and you'll be entertained, perhaps even transported to another world. Or not. In the meantime, we present you with installment number four of Music City Confidential-our continuing effort to create a sense of community and build up some enthusiasm and excitement for the live theater industry here in our alarmingly sweaty region. So, press on, gentle readers and catch up on the latest adventures of the theaterati…

NCM® Fathom Events and RiffTrax present “RiffTrax Live: MANOS' THE HANDS OF FATE in theaters for only one night on Thursday, August 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT and tape delayed 7:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT.

MTG is now looking for production staff members for its Summer 2012 production of REEFER MADNESS.

Hard-hittin' New Britain starts bong-hittin' with REEFER MADNESS at Hole in the Wall.

DefianceTM, the revolutionary transmedia event launching in Spring 2013, has commenced production on the series pilot in Toronto, ON. An unprecedented partnership between Syfy and Trion Worlds, DEFIANCE is the first-ever convergence of television and Massive Multiplayer Online gaming, featuring an interconnected world and storylines that will co-exist on both platforms.

Coming off Syfy's most watched First Quarter ever in total viewers, Adults 18-34 and key women demos, Syfy and Chiller President Dave Howe today ignited the imagination of the advertising community by unveiling the next phase of the channel's largest original programming slate in history.

The Brown Paper Box Co. presents Reefer Madness! The Musical, the One-Night-Only 4/20 Staged Reading, April 20, 2012 at Stage 773. Based on their four-time BroadwayWorld.com Award-nominated run, The Brown Paper Box Co. presents Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney's award-winning spoof, REEFER MADNESS! THE MUSICAL, as a staged reading. This one-night-only performance is Friday, April 20, 2012 at Stage 773 (1225 West Belmont Ave.) at 11:30pm. Tickets and information can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org.