Lisa Brown News

The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra returns to Carnegie Hall on Saturday, October 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m. Its all-original music draws inspiration from China's 5,000 years of civilization, with its rich array of dynasties and peoples, and breathes new life into themes and musical styles from ancient times. Classical works from the European tradition complement each concert.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the world premiere of Imaginary Comforts, or The Story of the Ghost of the Dead Rabbit, written by Daniel Handler and directed by Tony Taccone. The new play begins previews on Thursday, October 5 and the show runs through Sunday, November 19. Individual tickets begin at $30 and can be purchased online at berkeleyrep.org or by phone, 510 647-2949. Press night will be on Thursday, October 12.

Announced today by the Board of Directors of Toronto Fringe, Kelly Straughan will be leaving her post as Executive Director of Toronto Fringe effective July 28th, 2017 to become the Artistic/Executive Director of Workman Arts.

The Ensemble Theatre Act One Young Professionals kick off their sixth annual poetry event entitled: Drama-try: A Dramatic Night of Poetry, Saturday, April 22, 2017, 7:00pm - Midnight at The Ensemble Theatre 3535 Main St. Houston, TX 77002.

Wesleyan University has announced the distinguished members of its inaugural Hamilton Prize Selection Committee. The all-star committee, made up of Wesleyan alumni, will choose the first-ever recipient of the university's newly established Wesleyan University Hamilton Prize for Creativity-a four-year full-tuition scholarship that will be awarded to the incoming Wesleyan student of the Class of 2021 whose creative written work is judged to best reflect the originality, artistry and dynamism embodied in Hamilton: An American Musical.

This weekend, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Steve Baruch and the partners at Feinstein's/54 Below generously threw Broadway favorite, Laura Benanti, a baby shower! 

Hudson Booksellers, a brand unit of travel retailer Hudson Group and one of the most prominent book retailers in the country, has announced its list of the Best Books published in 2016. Hudson Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dufry AG of Basel, Switzerland, operates over 950 stores in 83 airports and transportation terminals in North America, including 80 full-service bookstores and hudsonbooksellers.com.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) welcomes Daveed Diggs, the breakout star and breakneck rapper who took home the 2016 Tony Award for his portrayals of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway blockbuster Hamilton, tonight, September 10 at 7 p.m.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) welcomes Daveed Diggs, the breakout star and breakneck rapper who took home the 2016 Tony Award for his portrayals of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway blockbuster Hamilton, on Saturday, September 10 at 7 p.m. 

Broadway Producers John N. Hart, Jr. and Hal Luftig are hosting this year's summer gala at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. Players Ball: Caribbean Magic Edition is on Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30 pm.

The Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA) will host its 39th annual Decorators' Show House fundraiser at Oak Acre in Guilford, located at 4309 North Charles Street in Baltimore City from Sunday, April 26 through Sunday, May 17. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the three-story stately home and view 22 elegant spaces designed by Maryland's leading interior designers. The Decorators' Show House is an annual fundraiser produced by the Baltimore Symphony Associates, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's (BSO) volunteer organization.

The Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA) will host its 39th annual Decorators' Show House fundraiser at Oak Acre in Guilford, located at 4309 North Charles Street in Baltimore City from Sunday, April 26 through Sunday, May 17. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the three-story stately home and view 22 elegant spaces designed by Maryland's leading interior designers. The Decorators' Show House is an annual fundraiser produced by the Baltimore Symphony Associates, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's (BSO) volunteer organization.

Bestsellers, trend-setters, celebrities, visual wizards, and storytellers converge at BAM in three wide-ranging, one-night-only events in the winter of 2015. Filmmaker Miranda July discusses her debut novel with Lena Dunham; legendary cartoonists Matt Groening and Lynda Barry compare storyboard ideas; and authors Neil Gaiman and Daniel Handler present a no-holds-barred evening of camaraderie.

With school dismissed, it's time for pure pleasure reading. Emily's Blue Period by Cathleen Day, illustrated by Lisa Brown (reviewed below), will send youngsters scurrying for scraps of wrapping paper, crayons and paintbrushes to make their creations. For additional inspiration, dip into Lois Ehlert's The Scraps Book.

The Stratford Festival is celebrating the 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare all season long, with five Shakespeare productions on its stages and a series of more than 20 special events at the Forum.

Paul Gross, Steven Page and Hawksley Workman are headlining the Stratford Festival Forum's Shakespeare Slam tonight, April 23, at Toronto's Koerner Hall. This celebration marking Shakespeare's 450th birthday will be hosted by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, and will showcase the Festival's 2014 season theme of Madness: Minds Pushed to the Edge.

Paul Gross, Steven Page and Hawksley Workman are headlining the Stratford Festival Forum's Shakespeare Slam on Wednesday, April 23, at Toronto's Koerner Hall. This celebration marking Shakespeare's 450th birthday will be hosted by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, and will showcase the Festival's 2014 season theme of Madness: Minds Pushed to the Edge.

Wreath Interpretations celebrates its 31st anniversary with more wreaths than ever before. A holiday custom at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, this show puts a contemporary spin on the traditional symbol that has roots in antiquity. The exhibition opens to the public on Thursday, December 5 and remains on display through January 9, 2014. Among the exhibitors are fine artists, designers, and horticulturalists.

Performance Network Theatre is selling out performances to "Good People" by David Lindsay-Abaire and has decided to extend the run an extra week with a 7:30pm performance on April 4, a 3pm and 8pm performance on April 6, and a final performance at 2pm on April 7, 2013. "Good People" - a 2011 Tony Nominee for Best Play - is studded with a cast of good friends and all-star talent.