Marilyn News

When there is a sick child in a family, says playwright Anne Marilyn Lucas, an entire family revolves around the child's illness.  In 2016 more American lives were taken by drug overdoses than were lost in the Vietnam War, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and deaths increased by 10.7%, to 72,000, the following year. 

This week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond

La Femme Theatre Productions presents the revival of Tennessee William's A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, directed by Austin Pendleton.

Most times when Billy Stritch is at the keyboard he is WITH somebody. Liza, Tony, Marilyn (Maye), Linda (Lavin), Christine (Ebersole), Klea (Blackhurst), Ann Hampton Callaway and of course Jim Caruso. Every major music performer has at one time or another availed themselves of Billy's unique creativity as their pianist,arranger, vocalist, or conductor.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, opens its 2018/19 season with August Wilson's Radio Golf, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. Radio Golf runs August 30 - September 30, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 7:30pm.

San Francisco Opera today announced a cast change for Gaetano Donizetti's Roberto Devereux, opening September 8 and running for six performances through September 27. Romanian-American baritone Andrew G. Manea will perform the role of the Duke of Nottingham, replacing Artur Rucinski who has withdrawn due to lung injuries sustained in a serious bicycling accident involving a car in his native Poland. He is expected to make a full recovery. Rucinski deeply regrets having to withdraw but looks forward to returning to San Francisco Opera in the future.

Morgan Neville's documentary about children's TV host Fred Rogers, Won't You Be My Neighbor?, will begin the International Documentary Association's annual curated screening series on September 12th, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Chocolate Factory Theater (www.chocolatefactorytheater.org) continues its Thirteenth Anniversary season with the premiere of Spaces and Tones, a new performance by Melanie Maar. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance at (212) 352-3101 or www.chocolatefactorytheater.org.

"There's nothing formal about this but this dress." Kennedy Davenport's aside, just several minutes into her August 23 performance of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO KENNEDY DAVENPORT at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, couldn't have been truer. And, to put it in RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE speak, that informality represented both the top and the bottom of the performance--- though, rest assured, nobody was in danger of elimination.

Hershey Felder brings his wildly acclaimed one-man show, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin to 59E59 Theaters. The production, featuring music and lyrics by the great American songwriter Irving Berlin, book by Hershey Felder and directed by longtime Felder collaborator Trevor Hay, will play from August 24 through October 28, 2018.

Shattered Globe Theatre is pleased to launch its 2018-19 season with Chris Hannan's new stage adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's masterful novel CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. SGT Ensemble Member Louis Contey* directs an ensemble of eleven actors in this rich interpretation of one of the world's great literary treasures, playing September 6 - October 20, 2018 at SGT's resident home Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Shattered Globe Theatre is pleased to announce casting for Chris Hannan's new stage adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's masterful novel CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. SGT Ensemble Member Louis Contey* directs an ensemble of eleven actors in this rich interpretation of one of the world's great literary treasures.

The Marsh San Francisco presents Irma Herrera's solo show Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?, a new work that weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. When giving her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, she often gets the "where are you from?" question. The assumption: that she is a foreigner. Irma's family has been in South Texas for generations, and the award-winning social justice activist, lawyer, and journalist thinks of herself as American as apple pie. Irma's notes from American history and laugh out-loud humor invite audience members to consider what it will take for everyone to get along. Post-show talkbacks, featuring experts in everything from civil liberties to laws related to baby naming, will be offered throughout the run.

The Cheyenne Civic Center serves up Cocktail Hour: The Show, by New York City-based company Ballets with a Twist, on Friday, November 2, at 8pm. See the Mai Tai, Martini, Manhattan and more come to life in this electrifying floorshow-to-stage spectacle.

Lee Roy Reams (Tony nominee for 42nd Street), Jane Summerhays (Tony nominee for Me and My Girl), Diane J. Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Neva Small (Fiddler on the Roof), and Don Johanson (Jelly's Last Jam) have joined the 40th Anniversary concert of BALLROOM, the 1978 Tony nominated musical, at Feinstein's/54 Below today, September 4th at 7:00pm.

Critically-acclaimed playwright Richard Wesley will be the special guest during the 16th Annual Black and Latino Playwrights Conference at Texas State University on September 3-9.

San Francisco Opera celebrates the opening of its 96th Season with the annual San Francisco Chronicle Presents Opera in the Park on Sunday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m. The free concert in Golden Gate Park features vocal artists and conductors from the Company's fall season performing with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in a program of arias, duets, popular songs and orchestral favorites. San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock serves as master of ceremonies for the afternoon.

Vivian Lee is a musical raconteur. An evocative vocal instrument and impressive technique are certainly part of her package, but the jazz singers we prize are musical storytellers. On “Let's Talk About Love,” Vivian Lee spins eleven memorable tales. Ms. Lee and her musical collaborators, including pianists Brenden Lowe and Joe Gilman, bassist Buca Necak, and drummer Jeff Minnieweather, offer the type of cohesive, group interplay that only comes from playing together on a consistent basis. When that happens, it's as if the musicians are breathing in sync. Accordingly, the rhythm section provides the perfect magic carpet for Ms. Lee's musical peregrinations. She has been recognized as one of the premiere jazz artists in Sacramento and this recording shows why audiences so appreciate her talent.