Parents often ask me where they can find 'family-friendly' shows to see, and judging by the small audience in attendance at the Edison Theatre for the Black Rep's terrific production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (by the award-winning duo of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty), they're unaware of the wonderful works that are out there just aching to be discovered. This fairytale (hence the play in the title on the standard 'Once upon a time' opening you often find in those types of stories) is simply delightful, and filled with a slew of catchy Caribbean-influenced songs that make up the score. I think it's truly a crime that this under-appreciated presentation is coming to a close this weekend, and I challenge anyone reading this review to get out and see it. You will certainly not be disappointed, in fact, you'll probably fall in love with it in the same way that my son and I did.
Few directors and choreographers can get the sort of performance Kathleen Marshall drew out of Sutton Foster in the 2011 revival of ANYTHING GOES; few can get them to keep going, to push through an eight-minute act closer, with hefty tapping and belting. Fewer still can stitch it all up into one of the most rousing, palpitation-inducing musical moments in decades.
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will open the regional premiere of A Man of No Importance directed by Arvada Center Artistic Producer, Rod A. Lansberry in the Main Stage Theater tonight, April 28, running through May 17, 2015. A Man of No Importance will feature live music played by Colorado's legendary Irish-folk band Colcannon.
The full list of winners are announced today in the inaugural Also Recognised Awards, the new audience-voted, industry accolade set up by theatre commentators Mark Shenton and Terri Paddock to celebrate lesser-known but equally worthy talent in fields overlooked by other awards bodies. Over a month's voting, more than 15,000 people took part.
The Visit, the final musical ever by legendary Tony Award-winning duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, celebrated its opening last night, April 23, 2015 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). The cast is led by Tony Award winners Chita Rivera as Claire Zachannassian and Roger Rees as Anton Schell, with George Abud as Karl, Jason Danieley as Frederich Kuhn, Matthew Demingas Louis Perch, Diana Dimarzio as Annie Dummermut, Tony Award nominee David Garrison as Peter Dummermut, Rick Holmes as Father Josef, Tom Nelis as Rudi, Chris Newcomer as Jacob Chicken,Mary Beth Peil as Matilde Schell, Aaron Ramey as Otto Hahnke, Elena Shadow as Ottilie, Timothy Shew as Hans Nusselin, with John Riddle and Michelle Veintimilla.
BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out photos from the red carpet theatre arrivals below!
Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, the Tony Award winner for Best Director of a Musical for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, will anchor Hartford Stage's 2015-16 season from May 12-June 5, 2016, with the world premiere of a new musical, Anastasia, inspired by the real life Royal Anastasia Romanov and the enduring mystery of her true identity.
The 6th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony will be presented Monday, June 1, 2015 beginning at 5 p.m. at Playwrights Horizons (416 West 42nd Street) and hosted by writer and performer, Lisa Kron.
Veteran independent film distributor Richard Abramowitz announced that his company Abramorama, will release LUCKY STIFF in New York City on July 24th. The Orchard will compliment the theatrical release by making the film available to all U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite and digital platforms for a simultaneous day and date release.
Prospect Theater Company is pleased to announce its 2015 annual gala, a Concert Evening Celebrating Women Making Musicals. This special one-night-only event will be held on Saturday, May 16 with an 8pm concert performance featuring Broadway and Prospect stars.
Books (and talking animals and congressional bills and a tin man and a toy china rabbit) come alive at Children's Theatre of Charlotte in the 2015-16 season, with a lineup that includes adaptations of some of the most popular titles and fairy tales, including three productions making their world premiere.
According to an Equity casting notice, a staged reading of the new musical version of ANASTASIA -- featuring book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens -- will be held on June 12, 2015. Tony winner Darko Tresnjak is set to direct the project, along with musical director Tom Murray.
The Playwrights Horizons world premiere of IOWA, a new musical play written by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear, Somewhere Fun), music by Todd Almond (Stage Kiss at PH, Kansas City Choir Boy, The Tempest, On the Levee) and lyrics by Mr. Almond and Ms. Schwartz, opens tonight, April 13, 2015.
On May 3, 2015 at 2pm, New York Theatre Barn (Theatre Barn) presents its exclusive Spring Benefit - a one-time only presentation of Gotta Dance: A Choreography Conversation at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will open the regional premiere of A Man of No Importance directed by Arvada Center Artistic Producer, Rod A. Lansberry in the Main Stage Theater on April 28, running through May 17, 2015.
Today, April 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm, Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) presents BEYOND BROADWAY: COMPOSERS GO CHORAL at the DiMenna Space for Classical Music, 450 West 37 Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues), New York City.
The Old Globe recently announced that due to ticket demand, the hilarious Buyer & Cellar, which starts previews tonight, April 4, will now play through Sunday, May 10! Broadway veteran David Turner (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Arcadia, Sunday in the Park with George) will star in Jonathan Tolins's (The Twilight of the Golds) acclaimed Off Broadway hit, directed by Ron Lagomarsino (The Last Night of Ballyhoo, My Favorite Year, 'Homefront,' 'Ravenswood').
The Old Globe today announced that due to ticket demand, the hilarious Buyer & Cellar, which starts previews this Saturday, April 4, will now play through Sunday, May 10! Broadway veteran David Turner (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Arcadia, Sunday in the Park with George) will star in Jonathan Tolins's (The Twilight of the Golds) acclaimed Off Broadway hit, directed by Ron Lagomarsino (The Last Night of Ballyhoo, My Favorite Year, "Homefront," "Ravenswood").
The President of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) J.L. 'Lynn' Singleton is pleased to announce PPAC's 38th Broadway Season, featuring the Taco/White Family Foundation Broadway Series and the Encore Series.
