Kurt Weill News

Threshold Stage Company swings for the fences boldly presenting a very rare opportunity to see Bertolt Brecht's seminal masterpiece 'The Threepenny Opera' directed and choreographed by Spotlight Award winner Kelli Leigh-Ann Connors.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the seventh season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative (AOI) with four world premieres from January 11-13, 2019, in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. A comprehensive commissioning program that originates and develops new works, the American Opera Initiative provides rare opportunities for emerging composers and librettists to partner and write for the opera stage. The Initiative encourages and ensures the future of contemporary American opera through development, mentorship, and performance, with works based on American themes and stories. Since its inception, the annual program has commissioned 28 chamber operas, with some going on to future productions around the country; notables include this summer's successful production by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis of An American Soldier, an AOI commission in 2014, and Opera Omaha's and Miller Theater's new productions of AOI's 2018 commission, Proving Up.

On Saturday, August 18, 2018, I attended the 8pm performance, Program B, of the Sarasota Ballet, at the Joyce Theater. Iain Webb, former dancer with both the Sadler's Wells and the Royal Ballet of London, dancing lead roles, took over the directorship of the Sarasota Ballet in July 2007. This program included pieces by Christopher Wheeldon and Sir Frederick Ashton.

Kurt Weill's 'Lost in the Stars' brings a moving tale of South Africa to the Union Avenue Stage.

Before the curtain even went up on the Sarasota Ballet on August 16, 2018, at the Joyce Theater, I was wondering if all the disruptions in the auditorium were a harbinger of things to come.

Sydney based indie ensemble make their Melbourne debut with a bold new devised adaptation of Brecht's The Threepenny Opera.  

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

The Cape Playhouse very proudly presents, South Pacific, the award winning Broadway musical. Starring Becky Gulsvig, Mike McGowan, Tim Rogan, Shea Renne, Michael Thomas Holmes, and Yvonne Strumecki; and directed by Michael Rader. One of Rogers and Hammerstein's most beloved scores, South Pacific runs August 7-18, 2018.

For two nights only, stage and screen stars Melissa Errico and Ryan Silverman reunite on the 54 Below stage to sing some dazzling love songs, in every sense of the word, in A Broadway Romance. I was fortunate to get the chance to talk to them about everything from what to expect in 'A Broadway Romance', and how they got their start in theatre, to what keeps them coming back to the stage, parenthood, and more in the interview below!  

PTP/NYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, proudly presents its 32nd repertory season, its 12th consecutive in New York City, in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Previews began on July 10 for a July 17 opening with performances continuing through August 5.

The Cape Playhouse very proudly presents, Altar Boyz, the award-winning Off-Broadway musical. Starring, Coby Getzug, Austin Colby, David Barnes, Anthony Fortino, and Ben Chavez; and directed by Jason Sparks. Destined to rock the masses of all denominations, Altar Boyz runs July 24-August 4, 2018.

PTP/NYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, proudly presents its 32nd repertory season, its 12th consecutive in New York City, running July 10 - August 5, 2018 in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Now in its sixth year, Brooklyn Opera Works (BOW), founded in 2013 by Artistic Director Lina Tetriani, proudly features emerging stars in opera, theater, and dance. During its Summer Vocal Arts program, BOW hosts three productions at the BMS Playhouse: a fully produced opera, an original work of music, theater and dance for children, and the annual A Brooklyn Cabaret. BOW is dedicated to making opera into a living art form that challenges and engages diverse contemporary audiences.

Juilliard's Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Zeger, announces its 2018-19 season of opera and vocal arts performances. Highlights of the upcoming season include three mainstage operas: Britten's The Turn of the Screw featuring Juilliard singers and the Juilliard Orchestra, conducted by Steven Osgood and directed by John Giampietro, on November 14, 16, and 18 in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater; Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, featuring Juilliard singers and period-instrument ensemble Juilliard415, conducted by Avi Stein and directed by Mary Birnbaum, on February 20, 22, and 24 in Juilliard's Willson Theater; and Mozart's Don Giovanni, featuring Juilliard singers and the Juilliard Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Colaneri and directed by Emma Griffin, on April 24, 26, and 28 in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

PTP/NYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, proudly presents its 32nd repertory season, its 12th consecutive in New York City, running July 10 - August 5, 2018 in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Bridge Records is issuing the first complete recording of Marc Blitzstein's signature creation, the opera The Cradle Will Rock.  The new recording features Blitzstein's original 1937 orchestrations and was recorded live at Opera Saratoga in July 2017. The performance features a stellar cast including Ginger Costa-Jackson as Moll; Keith Jameson as Harry Druggist; Christopher Burchett as Larry Foreman; Audrey Babcock as Mrs. Mister; and Matt Boehler as Mr. Mister.

Bridge Records is pleased to be issuing the first complete recording of Marc Blitzstein's signature creation, the opera The Cradle Will Rock. The new recording features Blitzstein's original 1937 orchestrations and was recorded live at Opera Saratoga in July 2017. The performance features a stellar cast including Ginger Costa-Jackson as Moll; Keith Jameson as Harry Druggist; Christopher Burchett as Larry Foreman; Audrey Babcock as Mrs. Mister; and Matt Boehler as Mr. Mister. The production is conducted by John Mauceri with direction by Lawrence Edelson. The two-disc set also includes a rare recording of Marc Blitzstein discussing the opera's opening night in 1937.

Bridge Records will be issuing the first complete recording of Marc Blitzstein's signature creation, the opera The Cradle Will Rock. The new recording features Blitzstein's original 1937 orchestrations and was recorded live at Opera Saratoga in July 2017. The performance features a stellar cast including Ginger Costa-Jackson as Moll; Keith Jameson as Harry Druggist; Christopher Burchett as Larry Foreman; Audrey Babcock as Mrs. Mister; and Matt Boehler as Mr. Mister. The production is conducted by John Mauceri with direction by Lawrence Edelson. The two-disc set also includes a rare recording of Marc Blitzstein discussing the opera's opening night in 1937.

New Artistic Director of the Kurt Weill Fest in Dessau will be Jan Henric Bogen. The 35 years old cultural manager, who studied law and musicology, will program the festival for the first time for its edition in 2020. The Festival was founded in 1993 and takes place each year around the birthday of Kurt Weill on March 2nd in Dessau.

Not only was the premise intriguing, then, but the treatment, and particularly the talent Stillpointe brought to this performance, seemed quite promising. As hard as it often was to work out exactly what was being said and sung, the characters certainly had the capacity to intrigue us.