Lynn Lane News

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) consistently brings the best the opera world has to offer to Houston stages. Time and time again, they cast operas with incredible talent and put on productions that are visually stunning as well. Their latest production of RIGOLETTO is no exception. Everything that makes performances at HGO exciting was perfectly in place. The auditorium was buzzing with excitement about the show, the cast was vocally impressive and on point, and the orchestra was playing with all the gusto and pizzazz that Giuseppe Verdi's darkly toned score requires.

Houston Grand Opera is kicking off 2014 with the most harrowing and exhausting evening of opera I have ever experienced, and as an audience member I couldn't be more thrilled. If you're simply looking for entertainment, you'll be better off seeing RIGOLETTO (the other opera being performed in repertory with THE PASSENGER this January at Houston Grand Opera). However, if you're searching for a cerebral, gripping, and altogether emotional experience, then Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) US Premiere of Mieczyslaw Weinberg and Alexander Medvedev's THE PASSENGER delivers everything you're wanting and so much more.

Giuseppe Verdi's 1871 opera AIDA is a worldwide phenomenon. It has been adapted into several films, Elton John and Tim Rice adapted it into a Broadway musical with the same title, and, as of 2007, New York City's Metropolitan Opera has given over 1,100 performances of the opera, making it their second most frequently produced work. Oozing with spectacle and pageantry, Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) current production of the beloved opera is a spellbinding and sumptuous beginning to their new season.

Stark Naked Theatre Company's production of William Shakespeare's MACBETH has been on everybody's lips for weeks, even months, now. As soon as the show was announced a gentle hum of excitement began, and turned into a blistering roar by last night's opening night performance. Co-Executive Directors Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin set the bar high for intimate, independent theatre and consistently surpass audiences' expectations with their astounding productions. Their MACBETH is no different as it splendidly thrilled and delighted last night's eager audience with ease.

Mildred's Umbrella is closing their 2012-2013 season with the Houston premiere of the moody and atmospheric formula bending genre play RAVENSCROFT by Don Nigro. The 1991 drama serves as the basis for THE MANOR, a 1999 film with Peter O'Toole, and introduces audiences to Inspector Ruffing, a man challenged with trying to decipher the truth through his interviews with five duplicitous women at Ravenscroft Manor. We watch as Ruffing tries to solve the possible murder of Patrick Roarke, who took an unfortunate headfirst dive down that main stairwell in the middle of the night.

York Theatre Company presents the musical I'm a Stranger Here Myself, written and performed by Mark Nadler with Franca Vercellonion accordion, Jessica Wright on violin and directed by David Schweizer. It opened last night and you can check out photo coverage below!

In a blazing Labor Day finale to Rite of Summer's 2012 season, Todd Reynolds, 'New York's reigning Jazz and Classical Violinist' (The New Yorker), and fiddle-player of choice for avant-gardists everywhere, has assembled a stellar cast of characters to explore the vortex where bluegrass, electronica, minimalism and classical music swirl. Featuring music of glass harmonica virtuoso Jonny Rodgers, avant-bluegrass guitarist Jordan Tice (The Jordan Tice Trio), and the singular percussionist Mathias Kunzli, currently on tour with Regina Spektor. This will take place on Colonels' Row tonight, September 3rd.

In a blazing Labor Day finale to Rite of Summer's 2012 season, Todd Reynolds, 'New York's reigning Jazz and Classical Violinist' (The New Yorker), and fiddle-player of choice for avant-gardists everywhere, has assembled a stellar cast of characters to explore the vortex where bluegrass, electronica, minimalism and classical music swirl. Featuring music of glass harmonica virtuoso Jonny Rodgers, avant-bluegrass guitarist Jordan Tice (The Jordan Tice Trio), and the singular percussionist Mathias Kunzli, currently on tour with Regina Spektor. This will take place on Colonels' Row on Monday, September 3rd.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency welcomed back Linda Eder in her new show "Songbirds," which pays tribute to the great ladies of music including Lena Horne, Etta James, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Eva Cassidy and more. The engagement will run through March 17 at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and brings you photo coverage below!

Jim Brochu, author and star of ZERO HOUR, Off-Broadway's newest hit, will celebrate the life and career of theatre legend Zero Mostel on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle (1972 Broadway at 66th Street). The event is free to the public.

Peter Filichia, Sheldon Harnick, Louise Hirschfeld, Mrs. Burton (Lynn) Lane, Kurt Peterson, and Frances Sternhagen will join ZERO HOUR writer and actor Jim Brochu for a discussion on Broadway star Zero Mostel. Ths discussion will take place on December 9th at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes and Noble.

Peter Filichia, Sheldon Harnick, Louise Hirschfeld, Mrs. Burton (Lynn) Lane, Kurt Peterson, and Frances Sternhagen will join ZERO HOUR writer and actor Jim Brochu for a discussion on Broadway star Zero Mostel. Ths discussion will take place on December 9th at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes and Noble.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; W. David McCoy, Chairman of the Board) will honor Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with the 18th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 23rd.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; W. David McCoy, Chairman of the Board) will honor Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with the 18th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 23rd. The award will be presented to them by Alice Hammerstein Mathias, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein II.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; W. David McCoy, Chairman of the Board) will honor Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with the 18th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 23rd.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; W. David McCoy, Chairman of the Board) will honor Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with the 18th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 23rd. The award will be presented to them by Alice Hammerstein Mathias, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein II.

On April 28 the US Postal Service unveiled a postage stamp bearing the image of renowned lyricist Yip Harburg.