Mark McCullough News

This moving drama follows a strong-willed widow and her teenage daughter in World War II as they flee from Rome to provincial Ciociaria in a vain attempt to find safety. Starring as Cesira is Italian soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci, who has garnered outstanding reviews throughout Europe and for her rare North American performances. Of a recent recital at Lincoln Center, The New York Times wrote, “The extraordinary Italian soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci has concentrated her career in Europe. Each appearance she makes in America. . . is coveted by opera fans familiar with her intelligent and charismatic artistry.” Antonacci has previously appeared with San Francisco Opera in the title role of Ermione (1992) and as Adalgisa in Norma (1998).  Completing the cast are soprano Sarah Shafer, who created the role of Mary in the Company's 2013 world premiere of The Secret Garden, as Cesira's daughter Rosetta; tenor Dimitri Pittas as Michele, a young intellectual who becomes close to both mother and daughter, making his Company debut in the role; and baritone Mark Delavan as the devious Giovanni.

CONSENT, a new play written and directed by David Rhodes (Rites of Privacy, The Road to Skye) will premiere at The Black Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street), it was announced today by producers Michael T. Cohen, Robin Reinach, Andrew Baron Cohen and Ben Feldman. CONSENT begins a limited engagement on June 2nd with opening night set for June 11th.

As reported last night, Broadway's ever-evolving REBECCA scandal continues, with press agent Marc Thibodeau having been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull $2.25 million from the musical, a move that forced the project to a halt.

In the latest legal news from Broadway's ever-evolving REBECCA scandal, Deadline writes that press agent Marc Thibodeau has been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull $2.25 million from the musical, a move that forced the project to a halt.

Arthur Miller's 1953 play THE CRUCIBLE is a classic of the American theater, and dramatizes one of the greatest failings of the American, or rather pre-American, judicial system. During the infamous Salem witch trials of the late 17th Century, twenty people were put to death for the crime of witchcraft, following a long history of the execution of 'witches' in Europe. Arthur Miller explores the larger themes of this horrible incident through a very personal story of one affected family, making the play at once intimate and epic. Despite being over 60 years old, the themes of religious fanaticism, mob mentality, and persecution of people who are different are sadly as current as they were during the McCarthy era when the play was written. The Guthrie's grand production of this classic with a cast chock-full of talent is truly something to behold.

Rising Alternative today announced that San Francisco Opera's critically acclaimed production of SHOW BOAT will be screened in movie theatres across the country this summer. San Francisco Opera's production of the Broadway classic, which features music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, opened in June of 2014, and is directed by theater and opera director Francesca Zambello.

DALLAS, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is preparing to whisk audiences away to the Latin Quarter of Paris for the blockbuster opera of the season: Giacomo Puccini's 1896 masterpiece, LA BOHÈME, based on Henri Murger's newspaper serial-turned-novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème.

(WASHINGTON)—Washington National Opera (WNO), led by Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, today announced its 60th anniversary season, one that highlights classic, contemporary, and American works. The 2015-2016 season includes a new-to-Washington staging of Bizet's Carmen, the world premiere of a newly revised version of Appomattox by composer Philip Glass and librettist Christopher Hampton, a revival of WNO's charming holiday production of Hansel and Gretel, the company premiere of Kurt Weill's Lost in the Stars in a gripping production from Cape Town Opera, and WNO's first complete staging of Wagner's extraordinary four-part Ring Cycle, with a world-class cast under the direction of Francesca Zambello and featuring the WNO Orchestra conducted by WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin. Highlights from the 2015-2016 season will be performed by the WNO Orchestra and special guests at a free preview concert on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 6 p.m. as part of the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic presents the West Coast premiere of Unsuk Chin's daring Alice in Wonderland at Walt Disney Concert Hall, today and Saturday, February 27 and 28, at 8 pm.

Poulenc's music is almost hard to believe; romantic without sweetness, contemporary without alienating, and among the extraordinary composers repertoire this epic opera stands out as a remarkable achievement, and this season Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello has designed a beautiful production to accompany it. That and some of the most impressive vocal power on display anywhere in the city makes the Kennedy Center's latest operatic offering an absolute joy to the senses.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic presents the West Coast premiere of Unsuk Chin's daring Alice in Wonderland at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Friday and Saturday, February 27 and 28, at 8 pm.

DALLAS, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is preparing to whisk audiences away to the Latin Quarter of Paris for the blockbuster opera of the season: Giacomo Puccini's 1896 masterpiece, LA BOHÈME, based on Henri Murger's newspaper serial-turned-novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème.

THE METROMANIACS, the sparkling new comedy by David Ives playing at the Lansburgh Theater, has added performances, extending the run through March 15, 2015.

THE METROMANIACS might not be Moliere but it is a delicious romp thanks to the expert direction by Shakespeare Theatre Company artistic director Michael Kahn and playwright David Ives. Ives new comedy in English is taken from a rediscovered farce, LA METROMANIE by Alexis Piron. If the winter weather has got you down, I urge you to get tickets to THE METROMANIACS for disguises and ruses and verse-ical abuses. Kahn and Ives third collaboration as director and playwright/adapter - after THE LIAR and THE HEIR APPARENT - have struck gold again finding high art in the silliness of lesser known French comedies.

Continuing the successful partnership between Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Venus in Fur playwright David Ives, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) presents The Metromaniacs, the third installment in Ives's series of rediscovered French comedy masterpieces.

Continuing the successful partnership between Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Venus in Fur playwright David Ives, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) presents The Metromaniacs, the third installment in Ives's series of rediscovered French comedy masterpieces.

DALLAS — The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the five phenomenal mainstage productions of the 2015-2016 Season, “Seeking the Human Element,” to be presented in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District.

The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the five phenomenal mainstage productions of the 2015-2016 Season, “Seeking the Human Element,” to be presented in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Centerlocated in the Dallas Arts District.

The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the five phenomenal mainstage productions of the 2015-2016 Season, “Seeking the Human Element,” to be presented in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District.

As BroadwayWorld last reported in October, Rebecca producer Ben Sprecher is still working to bring the much-delayed musical to Broadway in Fall 2015. Fans need wait no longer for a taste of what the show will sound like though! Audio selections of 'Last Night,' 'She's Invincible,' 'I'll Never Forget Her Smile,' 'Free Now,' and 'Rebecca' have just been posted on the show's official website. CLICK HERE to check out clips featuring Lisa O'Hare, Pia Douwes, Sierra Boggess and Julian Ovenden.