Macy News

In anticipation of the gala 30th anniversary celebration of The First Night Awards, Tennessee's best and brightest in live theater were revealed tonight as First Night's Top Ten of 2018 - reviewer and critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual recognition for theater in the Volunteer State - were announced during a Facebook Live presentation from Nashville.

dick clark productions and ABC today announced performances from chart-topping artists Lauren Alaina, Bazzi, Kane Brown, Camila Cabello, Ciara, Halsey, Shawn Mendes, Weezer and a collaboration from Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina have been added to the lineup for the West Coast celebration of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2019." These artists join previously announced West Coast host, multi-platinum music superstar Ciara, and performers Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Foster the People, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai and Charlie Puth, as well as a performance by Macklemore with Skylar Grey presented by Planet Fitness and a special collaboration from The Chainsmokers featuring Kelsea Ballerini. Airing just after midnight, Post Malone will perform from a stop on his current tour in Brooklyn, NY, marking the first television performance of the New Year. America's biggest celebration of the year will take place on MONDAY, DECEMBER 31 beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST on the ABC Television Network.

To sum up the Goodman Theatre's pairing of holiday productions this season: it was the best of humanity; it was the worst of humanity. While Tiny Tim's blessings and Scrooge's transformation warm hearts nightly in the Goodman's Albert Theatre, across the lobby in the Owen Theatre is a much different scene: a sardonic sendup of Christmas commercialism as told by Crumpet, an elf in Macy's Santaland. Based on the essay by humorist David Sedaris, which propelled him to fame when he performed it on NPR in 1992, Joe Mantello's one-man stage adaptation of THE SANTALAND DIARIES stars Matt Crowle and is directed by Steve Scott.

Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the late Chicago Sinfonietta Maestro Paul Freeman had a dream when he founded what is now the nation's most diverse orchestra more than three decades ago: to provide a space for diversity, inclusion, and acceptance in the world of music. Celebrate the birth and life of Dr. King with Chicago Sinfonietta as it presents its signature annual MLK Tribute Concert, featuring the conducting talents of Chicago Sinfonietta Assistant Conductor Kedrick Armstrong and Charleston Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Kellen Gray, both graduates of the Chicago Sinfonietta's industry-leading Project Inclusion professional development program. Chicago Sinfonietta will perform Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 3 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave in Chicago.

Broadway Dreams and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization announced today that two-time Grammy Award-winner Isabel Leonard, Broadway vet Eden Espinosa, and Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly will join the cast of the previously announced 70th Anniversary gala concert celebration of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning musical triumph, South Pacific. The evening will take place on Monday, December 10, 2018 at The St. Regis New York (2 E 55th Street) and will serve as a fundraiser for Broadway Dreams, a not-for-profit performing arts training organization with global reach. Tickets for the event start at $1,000 and can be purchased at broadwaydreams.org/event-tickets.

If there's anything more magical than a Christmas show at Christmas time, I don't know what it is. The theatre is pretty special all year long, but when you add in a little sprinkle of Christmas magic, it becomes something even better. Artistic Synergy of Baltimore (ASoB) understands this principle fully, meaning their choice of the classic MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET directed by Melissa Broy Fortson, provides the perfect evening for anyone looking to experience some holiday fun.

Based on the memoir of award-winning comedic author David Sedaris, this hilarious one-man-show takes us back to ye olden days when he was one of Santa's Elves at Macy's Department Store. In this one-act play the struggling writer, who chooses the elf name 'Crumpet,' weaves an unbelievable tale of drunken Santas, lascivious actors, and combative parents. Come laugh, drink and be merry with your friends at the Wells Theatre. This late night holiday treat for adults is sure to make your spirits bright!

Linda Perry and Dolly Parton, have been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for “Girl in the Movies,” Dumplin' in the 'Best Original Song - Motion Picture' category. In addition to producing the Netflix film Dumplin' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Perry penned the music and lyrics for “Girl in the Movies” with Parton.

This holiday season, Goodman Theatre presents The Santaland Diaries-David Sedaris' 'vivid, hilarious portrait of family Christmas with his deft combination of wicked humor and scalpel-sharp observation' (Chicago Magazine). Adapted by Joe Mantello and directed by longtime Goodman Artistic Associate Steve Scott, this 'theatrical stocking stuffer' (Chicago Reader) is perfect for those who prefer their eggnog spiked. Chicago favorite Matt Crowle makes his Goodman debut in a solo performance as the strapped-for-cash struggling actor who takes a job as 'Crumpet,' an elf at Macy's Santaland-and his hilarious observations are more naughty than nice. The Santaland Diaries appears November 30 - December 30 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is December 6 at 7pm) in the Goodman's Owen Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); tickets ($15-45; subject to change) go on sale today by telephone 312.443.3800 or online GoodmanTheatre.org/Santaland. For 'mature elves' only.

Elf The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy's enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf.

Two of NYC's most beloved underground acts join forces to bring a monthly, intimate evening of entertainment to the legendary Slipper Room. Charming troubadour and raconteur Corn Mo brings his patented combination of original songs, quirky, off-kilter anecdotes, and charisma, framed by The Love Show Dancers' dance performance, burlesque, and saucy surprises! Trivia contests entertain questions charaded by the Love Show Dancers with prizes of insignificant worth! Our special guest is Chris Rozzi, the Peter Sellers of New York City!

Stephanie Klemons (Hamilton, If/Then, In the Heights), Associate Choreographer of Hamilton and Founder of Katie's Art Project, releases first holiday album on December 14 featuring Broadway's Marcus Paul James (RENT, In the Heights) original song, 'Best Time of Them All' in support of Katie's Art Project.

The historic Drexel Theatre today announced the lineup for its 2019 America's Greatest Films series, made possible through a generous gift from PNC Bank. Launched in 2017 as a thank you to the community, the series offers free screenings of some of the nation's most beloved classic films on the first Tuesday of each month with a pre-screening introduction and post-screening Q&A.

Two of NYC's most beloved underground acts join forces to bring a monthly, intimate evening of entertainment to the legendary Slipper Room. Charming troubadour and raconteur Corn Mo brings his patented combination of original songs, quirky, off-kilter anecdotes, and charisma, framed by The Love Show Dancers' dance performance, burlesque, and saucy surprises! Trivia contests entertain questions charaded by the Love Show Dancers with prizes of insignificant worth! Our special guest is Chris Rozzi!

You will want to join in the fun with every catchy number full of sparkly, jolly, twinkly charm and pizzazz.

Highlights From SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE'S Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che

Further casting has been announced for the original London company of Sara Bareilles' Tony Award-nominated musical Waitress. Marisha Wallace will play Becky alongside Laura Baldwin as Dawn, with Peter Hannah as Earl and David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter. The four new principals will join the previously announced Katharine McPhee who will make her West End debut starring as Jenna, having played the role on Broadway earlier this year.

As This Is The Week That Is plays through the month of December,1812 Productions will present a special two-night-only staged reading of David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries. A modern comedy classic about the author's time as a Macy's Christmas elf, this special event stars David Bardeen in his 1812 Productions debut.

Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, including a number of holiday season offerings to put you in the Christmas spirit, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for December 3, 2018, to help you plot your course through the beginning of a new year...

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Indianapolis Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.