Mark Twain News

This holiday season, Goodspeed Musicals will be a designated drop spot for Button Up Connecticut's annual winter coat collection during the entire run of A Connecticut Christmas Carol. Button Up Connecticut provides an easy way to make a big difference to people all across the state.

Upcoming this weekend - Van Eaton Galleries will host the largest Disneyland and Walt Disney World auction - “A History of Disneyland & Walt Disney World” auction event will take place at Van Eaton Galleries over two days, this Saturday, December 7, 2019 and this Sunday, December 8, 2019 beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. The collection to be offered includes over 1,500 rare items which trace the history of the iconic theme parks and Walt Disney's vision from inception to present day. It is the single largest Disney-related auction Van Eaton Galleries has hosted to date. Many of the items are coming to auction for the very first time. From the earliest documents and conceptual pieces marking the very inception of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, to the extraordinary theme park props, ride vehicles, audio-animatronic figures, hand-painted attraction pieces, very rare early documents, remarkable memorabilia, signs, and more. The depth of rarity of the items to be offered at auction exceeds any expectations of auctions past.

Let's face it: You probably have enough stuff. While deals on vacuums and toothbrushes can feel satisfying in the moment, wouldn't you rather get tickets to an unforgettable theatrical experience? That's where we come in. This Cyber Monday (i.e. today!) deals on theater tix are so good they feel like a steal. Whether it's a show you've been planning to see forever, or a deal that's just too good to pass up, today's the day to buy those tickets.

Playhouse Theatre Academy classes are perfect for ages 4-18, along with classes for adults, to explore theatre and hone their skills in acting, comedy/improvisation, and storytelling.

     'Here in Friendship Village, we give out time and time again that Christmas isn't going to be just shopping and just an exchange of useless gifts,' begins Calliope Marsh in Zona Gale's story 'Human,' about an unusual event at the post office, two nights before Christmas in 1910.

Goodspeed Musicals presents A Connecticut Christmas Carol - the musical treat infused with Connecticut flavor by LJ Fecho and Michael O'Flaherty. Perfect for the holidays, A Connecticut Christmas Carol, the family-friendly take on the Dickens classic, will return to The Terris Theatre December 4 - 28, 2019. 

David Hirata has got quite a lot to offer with his multi-layered 'A Box Without a Bottom (Soko-nashi Bako).' He combines elements of a magic show with his own personal narrative as he also tells the surprising history of Japanese magicians in 19th-century America, all in a tight 55 minutes. It's a tall order, and Hirata largely succeeds. The idea for the show came to Hirata, a lifelong magic nerd, when he learned that the first Japanese person given a passport to leave Japan for the US was magician Namigoro Sumidagawa in 1866.

Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals Company, announced today that Neil Simon (posthumously), TDF Accessibility Program, and Aleshea Harris are the 2019 recipients of the 4th Annual Samuel French Awards. The Awards, which are accompanied by a donation from Concord Theatricals of $15,000, were created by Samuel French to acknowledge the great work and unparalleled passion of theatre artists, as well as applaud significant contributions to the industry.

Van Eaton Galleries has announced the largest Disneyland and Walt Disney World auction ever to be hosted by the renowned auction house. “A History of Disneyland & Walt Disney World” auction event will take place at Van Eaton Galleries over two days, Saturday, December 7, 2019 and Sunday, December 8, 2019 beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. The collection to be offered includes over 1,500 rare items which trace the history of the iconic theme parks and Walt Disney's vision from inception to present day. It is the single largest Disney-related auction Van Eaton Galleries has hosted to date. Many of the items are coming to auction for the very first time.  From the earliest documents and conceptual pieces marking the very inception of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, to the extraordinary theme park props, ride vehicles, audio-animatronic figures, hand-painted attraction pieces, very rare early documents, remarkable memorabilia, signs, and more. The depth of rarity of the items to be offered at auction exceeds any expectations of auctions past. 

Leonard Soloway's Broadway, a new documentary produced and directed by Jeff Wolk (After Louie; Last Glimmer of Day) will be available for purchase on Amazon as well as on demand and digitally beginning tomorrow, November 12. The film premiered on November 4th at The Landmark on 57th Street.

Rubicon Theatre Company has just extended the company's acclaimed, sold-out production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which now continues through November 17, 2019. Directed by Kirby Ward, with a company of 24, the production runs Wednesdays through Sundays in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District at the company's home at 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA  93001.

The Santaland Diaries comes to First Presbyterian Theater, 300 W. Wayne Street, Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21a?"both shows at 7:30 pm.

Acclaimed late night TV host, comedian, best-selling children's author and car enthusiast Jay Leno is still known as the 'hardest working man in show business.' Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) will present an evening of comedy with the late night star on Friday, December 6 at 8 pm at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts.

Deadline reports that stage and screen legend Carol Burnett will reprise her role in the upcoming Spectrum Original 'Mad About You' revival. Burnett plays Theresa Semple, Jamie (Helen Hunt)'s mom.

 The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announced today that three-time Golden Globe nominee Ellen DeGeneres will receive the Carol Burnett Award. The beloved household name is the second recipient to be honored with the accolade, the first having been its namesake, Carol Burnett. DeGeneres will accept the honor at Hollywood's Party of the Year® on Sunday, January 5, 2020 airing LIVE coast-to-coast from 5:00-8:00 p.m. PT/8:00-11:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

Goodspeed Musicals has announced this year's cast of A Connecticut Christmas Carol - the musical treat infused with Connecticut flavor by LJ Fecho and Michael O'Flaherty. Perfect for the holidays, A Connecticut Christmas Carol, the family-friendly take on the Dickens classic, will return to The Terris Theatre December 4 - 28, 2019. This production is supported in part by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Masonicare at Chester Village and GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corporation.

Beginning this Monday, November 4th at The Landmark at 57th Street (657 W. 57th Street), Leonard Soloway's Broadway, (www.LeonardSolowaysBroadway.com) a new documentary produced and directed by Jeff Wolk (After Louie; Last Glimmer of Day) will premiere from November 4-7. It will then be distributed digitally by 1091 to digital platforms including iTunes, On Demand, and DVDs will be available on Amazon  beginning on November 12. The film will also screen at several film festivals around the country prior to its digital distribution. Tickets for the New York premiere can be purchased here: https://www.landmarktheatres.com/new-york-city/the-landmark-at-57-west/film-info/leonard-soloways-broadway?attributes=983

An innovative immersive production, in which orchestra musicians step on stage to perform with the cast and an in-the-round configuration, highlights Rubicon Theatre Company's evocative, atmospheric production of 'Big River.' With a score by country music's Roger Miller, 'Big River' won 7 Tonys in 1985. The cast features Broadway veterans Josey Montana McCoy, David Aron Damane, and, in a special appearance, Renn Woods as Alice.

An interview with Beverly and Kirby Ward, producers and directors of the new production of 'Big River' at the Rubicon Theatre Company.

Casting is complete for the November 8 edition of Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs' Staged Reading Series.