Lee David News

Producers Darlene Kaplan, Laura Janik Cronin and Scott Newsome, in association with Alec Seymour, present the Off-Broadway premiere of The Stone Witch, a play by Shem Bitterman (A Death in Colombia, Influence).  Performances begin Monday, March 12, 2018 for an open-ended engagement atThe Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).  Opening Night is Sunday evening, March 25, 2018 at 6:30PM.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2018 - 2019 Season, "Home Sweet Home." American Blues' 33rd Season will include the Chicago Premieres of On Clover Road by Steven Dietz, directed by Halena Kays and The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne, directed by Kurt Johns; Flyin' West by Pearl Cleage, directed by Chuck Smith; the 17th annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film, directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside; and The Spitfire Grill - a musical book, lyrics, and music by James Valeq & Fred Alley, music directed by Malcolm Ruhl.

The Warner Theatre will welcome Scotty McCreery to the Main Stage on Thursday, March 15 at 8 pm. Opening the show is Texas-based duo, Waterloo Revival. After a five year wait and a multitude of life changes, the country music star will release his new album Seasons Change on March 16 which includes his smash hit song 'Five More Minutes.'

Cameron Mackintosh today announced that from Monday 30 April Elana Martin will play 'Ellen' and Aicelle Santos will play 'Gigi' in the current UK tour of his acclaimed production of Boublil and Schonberg's legendary musical MISS SAIGON. They join Red Concepcion as 'The Engineer', Sooha Kim as 'Kim', Ashley Gilmour as 'Chris', Ryan O'Gorman as 'John' and Gerald Santos as 'Thuy'. At certain performances 'The Engineer' is played by Christian Rey Marbella, and 'Kim' is played by Joreen Bautista.

Coyote StageWorks, the Coachella Valley- based award-winning Actors' Equity professional theater company will conclude its 2018 theatrical season with a production of "The Cocktail Hour," a straight-up comedy about a family on the rocks. The play will star Lee Bryant, Jeffrey Jones, Chuck Yates, and Yo Younger, and will be directed by David Youse. "The Cocktail Hour" is a witty and perceptive play by A.R. Gurney that tells the story of a playwright who returns to his family home in 1970's upstate New York, bringing with him a new play, which he has written about his family. He wants to obtain their permission to proceed with production, but his very proper and wealthy parents are cautious and his sister is upset about how minor her role is in the play.

Meadow Brook Theatre's 2018-2019 season promises to please with a Michigan Premiere, a hilarious comedy, and a nostalgic musical sure to take you on a trip back in time! "This is going to be an amazing season," said Cheryl Marshall, Managing Director.  "We're so excited to kick off our 53rd Anniversary with a great event this summer and such a wonderful line-up of shows!'

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced today a one-week extension for the world premiere of KINGS, written by Sarah Burgess and directed by Thomas Kail. Part of The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work at 425 Lafayette Street and the 50th Anniversary of HAIR, KINGS officially opens on Tuesday, February 20 and will now run an additional week through Sunday, April 1.

The Warner Theatre will welcome Scotty McCreery to the Main Stage on Thursday, March 15 at 8 pm.After a five year wait and a multitude of life changes, the country music star will release his new album Seasons Change onMarch 16 which includes his smash hit song 'Five More Minutes.'  

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian Pacific American artistic work, celebrates THE COMPANY WE KEEP, its 52nd Anniversary season with the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. Recognizing the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft, the gala fundraiser takes place on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Hilton Universal City. Proceeds benefit East West Players' educational and artistic programs.

Wahlburgers, the better burger restaurant brand founded by Chef Paul Wahlberg along with brothers Donnie Wahlberg and Mark Wahlberg, has launched the Impossible Burger, now available nationwide throughout all participating Wahlburgers locations. The Wahlburger Impossible Burger is a 100% meatless option that is made entirely from plants and includes a four ounce patty, smoked cheddar, lettuce, caramelized onions, chili spiced tomatoes and Paul's signature, house-made Wahlsauce.

Boston Court Performing Arts Center presents a reimagined modern take of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire (February 15 - March 25, 2018; press opening, February 24). The community panels and discussions have been announced for this radical re-envisioning of Streetcar which will feature a multicultural cast and modern setting, pushing on the play's present-day relevance. This selection of panel discussions and post-show Illuminations will allow for a deep discussion on A Streetcar Named Desire and its many prevalent themes, especially in regards to this production, which is presented within a contemporary and urban environment, highlighting the pertinence of the play for our divided America.

Producers Darlene Kaplan, Laura Janik Cronin and Scott J. Newsome, have announced, today, the cast and creative team for the Off-Broadway premiere of The Stone Witch, a play by Shem Bitterman (A Death in Colombia, Influence). Performances begin Monday, March 12, 2018 for an open-ended engagement at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Opening Night is set for Sunday evening, March 25, 2018 at 6:30PM.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) will begin previews on Tuesday, January 30 for the World premiere of KINGS, written by Sarah Burgess and directed by Thomas Kail, part of The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work at 425 Lafayette Street and the 50th Anniversary of HAIR. KINGS will run through Sunday, March 25 with an official press opening on Tuesday, February 20. Continuing The Public's mission to make great theater accessible to all, The Public's First Performance Free for All continues this fall; free tickets to the first preview on Tuesday, January 30 will be available beginning January 23, via TodayTix mobile lottery.

Boston Court Performing Arts Center presents a reimagined modern take of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire (February 15 - March 25, 2018; press opening,February 24). This radical re-envisioning of Streetcar will feature a multicultural cast and modern setting, pushing on the play's present-day relevance.

Coyote StageWorks, the Coachella Valleybased award-winning Actors' Equity professional theater company will kick off its 2018 theatrical season with a production of Dirty Blonde, a popular three-character comedy about the legendary Mae West, starring Steve Gunderson, Bets Malone, and Larry Raben, and directed by James Gruessing. The production will run February 2 11, 2018 with nine performances at the Annenberg Theater in the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The Public Theater has announced complete casting today for the world premiere of KINGS, written by Sarah Burgess.

Luna Stage has announced SoloFest 2017, opening December 8th and continuing through December 17th.

Producer/director Victor Wisehart has announced that two-time Helen Hayes Award-winner and star of Every Little Step Natascia Diaz along with stars of Arena Stage's The Pajama Game Britney Coleman (Babe) and Tim Rogan (Sid) will headline 'Holidays, Hearts, And Home,' a one-night-only benefit concert to raise money to provide relief efforts to Puerto Rico.

Houston Grand Opera's annual white-tie fundraiser, this year chaired by Drs. Liz Grimm and Jack Roth, returnsApril 14 with the 2018 Opera Ball, An Evening in Old Hollywood featuring a special guest appearance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Lee Roth, who will perform a rare, private mini-set of hits. Always a highly anticipated event on Houston's social calendar, Opera Ball, to be held at The Post Oak at Uptown Houston, brings together many of the city's movers, shakers, and tastemakers for an unforgettable evening in support of Houston Grand Opera. For the young professional crowd, the Encore Party will offer a chic, late-night celebration that tops off Opera Ball. Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah are chairmen of the Encore Party.

WW reported yesterday, former teen icon, David Cassidy, who rose to stardom on the 1970's musical sitcom THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, has passed away at the age of 67. Today we look back on his successful career on TV and stage.