Leslie Uggams News

Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 25th Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition categories, the Festival presents films in five out-of-competition sections to be announced tomorrow. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival runs January 15-25 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah.

The Signature Theater Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) production of 'THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER,' by Leslie Lee, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, won nine AUDELCO Awards at a ceremony held in New York City on Monday, November 17. 'THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER' was the first production in Signature's 2008-2009 season, dedicated to the work of the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

McCarter Theatre Center announces casting for 28th ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF CHARLES DICKENS'A CHRISTMAS CAROL.'

At its yearly coast-to-coast gala honoring excellence in casting, the Casting Society of America announced the New York award-winners at the 24th Artios Awards® held at Caroline's on Broadway on November 10, 2008.

Pittsburgh CLO's production of A Musical Christmas Carol will make musical memories once again at the Byham Theater from December 5 - 21. The talented cast will feature returning audience favorites as well as several new faces, including previously announced Pittsburgh native Tom Atkins as Scrooge.

Feinstein's at Lowes Regency has announced additions to their upcoming winter lineup.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces final casting for the special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009.

Asolo Repertory Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards announces the full cast for the theatre's upcoming production of Barnum the musical.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004. The official Opening Night will be Saturday, December 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004.

The Broadway League held its first-ever Schoenfeld Vision for Arts in Education Award benefit to raise funds for the NYC Schools Blueprint for the Arts program and The Broadway League's educational initiatives at a Gala honoring Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of the Shubert Organization and Joel Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education on Monday, October 6th at the Waldorf Astoria.

The Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) was featured on National Public Radio this weekend in a story discussing this season's dedication to the works of the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The feature includes interviews with James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Associate Artist for the season and director of 'The First Breeze of Summer.

Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that their production of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER has been extended by popular demand one week from Sunday, September 28th to Sunday, October 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is the first production of the 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The show began performances on August 5th and opened August 21st at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

The Broadway League has announced its first two award recipients - including Gerald Schoenfeld (for whom the award is named) and New York City Department of Education chancellor, Joel Klein.

While it may take a village to raise a child, an impressive team of award-winning celebrities along with The Juilliard School, New York State Governor David A. Paterson, and other notables have taken the lead to collaborate in support of students of color at Juilliard via a scholarship benefit concert honoring legendary Juilliard alumnus, Luther Henderson, Mr. Henderson, who died in 2003, was a gifted American arranger, composer and orchestrator with an extraordinary talent for creating music for choreographic movement.

Tony Award Nominee Andrea McArdle talks about her role in Les Miz and sharing the stage with her daughter.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, in association with TPTE LLC, will present the New York premiere of TO PAINT THE EARTH, music by Jonathan Portera and words by Daniel Frederick Levin, directed by Michael Bush (Stormy Weather, Based on a Totally True Story), as part of the 5th Annual NY Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Performances will run September 22nd-Oct 1st.

'Spreadin' Rhythm Around' will take place on Monday, October 6, 2008, 7:30PM, a benefit gala concert directed by George C. Wolfe featuring Nancy Wilson, The Canadian Brass Quintet, Savion Glover, Leslie Uggams and others.

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER has been extended for a second time by popular demand after receiving glowing reviews and playing to sold out houses since beginning performances on August 5th. The limited engagement, initially slated to conclude Sunday, September 28th, will now run through Sunday, October 19th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is the first production of the 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The show opened August 21st at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

New York Director Michael Unger has created a new professional networking website for performers, casting directors, and agents, auditionconnection.com