Lee Gregory News

Once upon a midnight dreary (sorry, 'Raven'), Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' was perhaps the favorite of his short stories adapted as horror films for mid-20th century audiences. These days, 'Usher' may be more familiar as the subject and title of the Philip Glass-Arthur Yorinks opera, which takes a more psychological but nonetheless chilling approach to the story. A new production opens at Chicago Opera Theatre (COT) on February 23, after a premiere at the Long Beach Opera (LBO) on January 27, and marks the start of Andreas Mitisek's tenure as COT's General Director. Not surprisingly, Vienna-born Mitisek, who also conducts the opera, heads both companies.

Two American artistic pioneers - Edgar Allan Poe, the 'father of the modern mystery' and Philip Glass, the face and sound of 21st century American music - meet at 1:00 PM today January 19, 2013, when Long Beach Opera (LBO) presents Deep into the Darkness at the Art Theater of Long Beach. Deep into the Darkness is the perfect introduction to LBO's 2013 season opener, Glass' THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER. Based on Poe's classic horror story, this haunting opera explores the dark places nightmares begin.

Two American artistic pioneers - Edgar Allan Poe, the 'father of the modern mystery' and Philip Glass, the face and sound of 21st century American music - meet at 1:00 PM on Saturday January 19, 2013, when Long Beach Opera (LBO) presents Deep into the Darkness at the Art Theater of Long Beach. Deep into the Darkness is the perfect introduction to LBO's 2013 season opener, Glass' THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER. Based on Poe's classic horror story, this haunting opera explores the dark places nightmares begin.

Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher, a gothic horror story which blurs the line between the real world and the supernatural, opens Chicago Opera Theater's 2013 Season, titled "Power of Love, Love of Power." This is Andreas Mitisek's inaugural season as General Director of Chicago Opera Theater since assuming the position in June 2012. Glass' haunting 1987 score for Edgar Allan Poe's macabre masterpiece, with lyrics by Arthur Yorinks, provides the perfect backdrop for this nightmarish journey to the edge of madness. The Fall of the House of Usher, taking place at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, runs for four performances only: Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, February 24 at 3 p.m., Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets go on sale Monday, January 21.

Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher, a gothic horror story which blurs the line between the real world and the supernatural, opens Chicago Opera Theater's 2013 Season, titled "Power of Love, Love of Power."

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, a gothic horror story which blurs the line between the real world and the supernatural, opens Long Beach Opera's 2013 BORDERLINE Season. Glass' haunting 1987 score for Edgar Allan Poe's macabre masterpiece provides the perfect backdrop for this nightmarish journey to the edge of madness.

Tonight, April 30th at 9:30pm Outer Critics Circle nominee Chester Gregory performs My Story Pt. 1 at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street. Directed by Shaun Derik, featuring pianist Brian Whitted, Gregory describes My Story Pt.1 as 'An intimate evening sharing my story to music, with just a piano.'

On Monday, April 30th at 9:30pm Outer Critics Circle nominee Chester Gregory performs My Story Pt. 1 at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street. Directed by Shaun Derik, featuring pianist Brian Whitted, Gregory describes My Story Pt.1 as 'An intimate evening sharing my story to music, with just a piano.'

Lee Summers' Just A Piano Concert Series celebrates its' sixth year at the Triad Theatre. Since 2006 The Just A Piano Series has presented top artists. The list includes Broadway Stars, such as Roz Ryan, Norm Lewis, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Tituss Burgess, Alton White, Chester Gregory, Shoshana Beane, Julie Reiber, Jerry Dixon, Kevin Anthony, Aisha DaHaas, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Rhett George, Marva Hicks along with Tony Award Winners like Adriane Lenox, LaChanz, Melba Moore and Lillias White, Grammy Winners and Nominees such as Caron Wheeler and Ryan Shaw, guest TV and Film stars such as Mario Cantone and more. Featured pianists include Shelton Becton, Brian Whitted, Zane Mark, Timothy Graphenreed, Michael Mitchell, Jo Lynn Burks, Ray Leslee, Onaje Allen Gumbs and many more! Guest directors have included Tamara Tunie, Leonard Joseph, Leslie Dockery and more!

Renowned actresses Amy Irving and Sian Phillips are appearing as the beautiful Desiree Armfeldt and Madame Armfeldt, her mother, with acclaimed baritone Ron Raines as Desiree's former lover, in Opera Theatre's new production of A Little Night Music directed and designed by Isaac Mizrahi.

Disturbingly dark and awesomely foreboding, evil is certain to lurk behind the walls of the House of Usher. Springing from the fertile imagination of legendary American author Edgar Allan Poe, and re-created now as an opera by the wildly expressive Philip Glass, Nashville Opera's production of The Fall of the House of Usher represents a courageous leap of artistic faith for the company's creative brain trust. And with its mesmerizing staging conceived by director John Hoomes and production designer Barry Steele, Nashville Opera soars - bringing a brilliant production to the stage of the James K. Polk Theatre at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Shocking and riveting, provocative and challenging, this opera leaves its audience stunned and spent, grateful to have witnessed an artistic triumph of such extraordinary proportions.

Nashville Opera will present the Tennessee premiere of renowned American composer Phillip Glass's The Fall of the House of Usher.

Nashville Opera will present the Tennessee premiere of renowned American composer Phillip Glass's The Fall of the House of Usher.

Nashville Opera will present the Tennessee premiere of renowned American composer Phillip Glass's The Fall of the House of Usher.