The Steppenwolf saga gets a new treatment in the world premiere of Steppenwolf - a musical retelling. Written and composed by 21-year-old Dutch protege Jochem le Cointre (class of 2016), The first ever staged adaptation of Hermann Hesse's classic novel, originally published in Germany in 1928, the show features a 15-piece chamber orchestra; an ensemble of students from The New School's College of Performing Arts; a cast of New York City actors and singers, including several from The New School's Mannes School of Music, School of Drama, and Lang Theater; and dancers from the renowned Martha Graham Dance Company. Choreography is by Tadej Brdnik, the former principal dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company. Two performances will be staged on May 11 & May 12, 2016 at 7pm at The Auditorium at The New School, 66 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011. Tickets are free (first come, first seated) and can be reserved by visiting EventBrite.
Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta announced today that tickets for the National Tour of IF/THEN, which was named the "Best Musical of the Year" by New York Magazine, will go on sale Sunday, May 22. IF/THEN will perform a limited one week engagement from August 9-14 at Atlanta's Fox Theatre to close the 2015/2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta Series.
I am enormously thrilled that Strathmore took this one on. It's not the kind of event the largely classical venue usually presents and I hope to see more risk-taking in the future. The pieces offer up stories that need to be heard, and there's no denying the music and performers are first rate.
This weekend, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance (PTAMD) concluded its 2nd season at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center with both old and new choreography. Since the company made its shift from their former name, Paul Taylor Dance Company in 2014, Mr. Taylor has developed a new initiative: To present his own classics and premieres, while presenting great works in the history of modern dance and outstanding works by today's leading choreographers. Another integral part of Mr. Taylor's vision is for the dances to be accompanied by live music, thus sparking the partnerships with the renowned Orchestra of St. Luke's. This particular season seems to be just the beginning of preserving not only his legacy, but the essence of American modern dance.
The 34th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievements in dance on Broadway and in film, takes place on Monday, May 16, 2016.
The National Tour of IF/THEN, which was named the 'Best Musical of the Year' by New York Magazine, will perform a limited engagement at Detroit's Fisher Theatre, March 29 - April 10, 2016.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Rolando Sanz and Strathmore, in association with Bruce Cohen, Robb Nanus and David Bloch will present the world premiere of I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk, a musical celebration of two American icons, for a two-night engagement on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland).
See Paul Taylor American Modern Dance at Lincoln Center through April 3rd. The programs presented this season feature repertory dances, two premieres by Taylor and pieces by Martha Graham, Donald McKayle, Doug Elkins and Larry Keigwin. The show we attended was spectacular.
It's interesting to me that IF/THEN is billed as 'a new musical'. It's the use of the word 'new' that I find puzzling. The concept certainly isn't an original one, having been explored on the big screen in the films Blind Chance (1981) and its sort-of remake, Sliding Doors (1998). And, even though neither of those movies were musicals, they both featured the idea of having their lead traverse optional story lines, with Blind Chance even offering up three different scenarios for its protagonist to experience. But, this show is new in the sense that it explores contemporary trends, with the caveat that some audiences may not find much to identify with, and it features a wonderfully fresh and tuneful score (music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey). All of that just might be enough to make this show worth seeing. Because it does feature a talented cast who have the ability to pull off these roles and the memorable songs provided with considerable conviction. But, the trickery seems a bit cloying at times, and the show does seem to drag at over 2 ½ hours. I guess, like our heroine, Elizabeth, I'm straddling the fence too, at least when it comes to my opinion.
Tonight, March 15, Broadway's AN AMERICAN IN PARIS welcomes a new star -- Garen Scribner -- who will also be traveling with the show's upcoming national tour this fall.
Just in, Broadway's AN AMERICAN IN PARIS has announced new stars for its leading lineup, who will also be traveling with the show's upcoming national tour this fall.
The National Tour of IF/THEN, which was named the 'Best Musical of the Year' by New York Magazine, will perform a limited engagement at Detroit's Fisher Theatre, March 29 - April 10, 2016.
Original Broadway Cast member Jackie Burns (If/Then, Wicked, Hair), Tamyra Gray (American Idol Season One Finalist, Rent), and Matthew Hydzik (Side Show, West Side Story, Grease), will join Original Broadway Cast member Anthony Rapp (Rent, Six Degrees of Separation, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) and the rest of the previously announced cast in the National Tour of IF/THEN, playing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre March 15 - 27.
Original Broadway Cast member Jackie Burns (If/Then, Wicked, Hair), Tamyra Gray(American Idol Season One Finalist, Rent), and Matthew Hydzik (Side Show, West Side Story, Grease), will join Original Broadway Cast member Anthony Rapp (Rent, Six Degrees of Separation, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) and the rest of the previously announced cast in the National Tour of IF/THEN, starting tomorrow,Wednesday, January 27 at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas.
In addition to Idina Menzel's predictably powerhouse vocals, IF/THEN features a stellar performance by LaChanze. She is a non-stop engine of energy, delivering one knockout song after another and acting up a storm. Janine DiVita stands out as well as a talent to watch.
Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that tickets for the Minneapolis debut of the national tour of If/Then, named the "Best Musical of the Year" by New York Magazine, will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016.
As expected, Tony Award winner and Broadway superstar Idina Menzel drew thunderous applause a mere second into the the start of IF/THEN's opening night performance at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre last Wednesday night. It's no stretch then to say that her mere existence in this very same role she herself originated in the original Broadway production seems, above everything else, to be the immediate draw to the recently launched national tour now on stage at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a four week engagement through January 3, 2016. The bonus? She is joined onstage by her original co-stars LaChanze, Anthony Rapp, and James Snyder!
