Mary Ann News

Over two weekends in January, twelve intrepid groups of musical travelers will be transported eight centuries back in time to experience The Play of Daniel in the unique environs of The Cloisters Museum and Gardens, the branch of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Concerts at The Cloisters will present The Play of Daniel in the Fuentidueña Chapel at The Cloisters - 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, in Manhattan - Fridays through Sundays, today, January 11th-13th and 18th-20th, 2013, with two performances each day, at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $75.

South Bend Civic opens the 2013 season with a special bonus presentation- Tea at Five by Matthew Lombardo, a one-woman show about the legendary silver screen icon Katharine Hepburn portrayed by SBCT leading lady Mary Ann Moran under the direction of Kevin Dreyer.

ADAM KANTOR (Rent) and BETSY WOLFE (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) will co-star in the highly anticipated revival of JASON ROBERT BROWN's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Second Stage Theatre. The beloved two-character musical, which has received more than 500 regional productions and 3,000 performances around the world, is returning to New York City after eleven years in an all-new staging directed by Mr. Brown. THE LAST FIVE YEARS will begin previews on Thursday, March 7 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm.

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing March 30 - May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Today we are talking to a breakout Broadway star who has made a name for himself with memorable turns in this century's revivals of Rodgers & Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG, Stephen Sondheim's PACIFIC OVERTURES and Stephen Schwartz's GODSPELL on Broadway as well as turns in Schwartz's WICKED and Jonathan Larson's RENT in addition to his lauded work on the brand new Broadway-bound tuner ALLEGIANCE, co-starring Lea Salonga and George Takei - and, of course, his easily identifiable uniform-outfitted Warbler on Fox's hit musical dramedy series GLEE - the passionate and gifted Telly Leung! Besides taking a look back at many of his best-loved and most well-remembered roles to date, in this career-spanning conversation Leung and I also dissect the finer points of his new solo album, I'LL COVER YOU, as we look ahead to the splashy release party on December 2 at 54 Below, and he outlines his initial inspiration for the creation of it and recounts the recording process for the unique genre-crossing release. Plus, Leung generously shares some truly thrilling backstage stories involving luminaries such as Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Neil Patrick Harris and more as well as shares his infectious enthusiasm for future endeavors, near and far - after a well-earned vacation in January, that is. All of that and much, much more awaits!

The 1940's Radio Hour, a musical comedy by Walton Jones (based on an idea he hatched with Carol Lees,) takes you on a trip to Christmas season, 1942. Members of the "Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade," are preparing a final holiday broadcast for the troops fighting World War II. It's getting close to airtime at WOV in New York City, and the zany group is coping with backstage drama that threatens to botch their broadcast. Will they be ready in time?

Over two weekends in January, twelve intrepid groups of musical travelers will be transported eight centuries back in time to experience The Play of Daniel in the unique environs of The Cloisters Museum and Gardens, the branch of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Concerts at The Cloisters will present The Play of Daniel in the Fuentidueña Chapel at The Cloisters - 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, in Manhattan - Fridays through Sundays, January 11th-13th and 18th-20th, 2013, with two performances each day, at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

This winter, North American dance enthusiasts with an appreciation for classic house music with a modern twist will be able to experience their fresh sounds in the flesh via their debut tour launching December 5 in Brooklyn, NY.

Young Filipino pianists recently performed live on ABS CBN News Channel's "Mornings@ANC" to promote their concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Sunday, November 18 dubbed "Forte@40," the Piano Teachers' Guild of the Philippines' (PTGP) 40th anniversary fundraiser concert.

Two heartwarming holiday productions will come to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage at Mercer County Community College this November and December. Perfect entertainment for the whole family. The fun starts with the hilarious Christmas tale, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. Then, join the Kelsey Players as they present their annual holiday musical, 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Photos from both productions inside!

The 1940's Radio Hour, a musical comedy by Walton Jones (based on an idea he hatched with Carol Lees,) takes you on a trip to Christmas season, 1942. Members of the "Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade," are preparing a final holiday broadcast for the troops fighting World War II. It's getting close to airtime at WOV in New York City, and the zany group is coping with backstage drama that threatens to botch their broadcast. Will they be ready in time?

Good Music at 221B presents the Nov 12th and 13th readings of Dust and Shadow, featuring the talents of Mitch Jarvis (Rock of Ages) as Sherlock Holmes, J.D. Daw (Forever Plaid) as Dr. John H. Watson, Meggie Cansler (Finian's Rainbow) as Mary Ann Monk, Kevin Massey (Memphis) as Constable Bennett, George Merrick (South Pacific) as Inspector Lestrade, Jesse Swimm (Mary Poppins) as Leslie Tavistock, DC Anderson (Phantom of the Opera) as George Lusk, Beverly Ward (Billy Elliot Tour) as Mrs. Hudson, Claybourne Elder (Bonnie & Clyde) as Stephen Dunleavy, and Ethan Major (Billy Elliot) as Sean Hawkins.

Two heartwarming holiday productions will come to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage at Mercer County Community College this November and December. Perfect entertainment for the whole family. The fun starts with the hilarious Christmas tale, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. Then, join the Kelsey Players as they present their annual holiday musical, 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Photos from both productions inside!

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) Broadway production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood begins previews tonight, Friday, October 19th at 8:00PM. The Mystery of Edwin Drood stars Stephanie J. Block, Will Chase, Gregg Edelman, Jim Norton, and Chita Rivera with Andy Karl, Jessie Mueller, Betsy Wolfe, Nicholas Barasch, Peter Benson, and Robert Creighton. Check out the just-released commercial for the show below and meet the cast with videos of them from past productions!

All good things must come to an end: after Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Hi-Definition Radio Inc., and Concertus Manila's latest import, Andrew Lloyd Webber's mega musical 'The Phantom of the Opera,' made a big stir in town, these theater producers - who also brought 'Cats,' 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Stomp' to the country ¬- have to finally drop the final curtain on 'The Phantom…' on Sunday, October 14 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) main theater. Tickets are sold out.

When it comes to the subject of transracial adoption, it would be nice to think that any child is better off with two loving and supportive parents of a different race than with nothing permanent at all, but in Bennett Windheim's challenging play, Normalcy, which deals specifically with the issue of white parents adopting black children, there is a passionate argument presented that claims such an act will inevitably cause serious damage for the child.

The Warner Studio will feature a range of thought-provoking and exciting works: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, End Days, The Cherry Orchard, and Perfect Mendacity. Plus a special fundraising bonus show to lead off the season - Tea at Five, a one-woman show about the legendary silver screen icon Katharine Hepburn to be portrayed by SBCT leading lady Mary Ann Moran.

Theatre East is presenting "Normalcy" by Bennett Windheim, Off Broadway at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 416 West 42nd Street (Theatre Row), NYC. Benard Cummings directs the new play. The limited engagement opens on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm. The first of a series of talk-backs during the run begins this Friday, September 7th with Rita Taddonio, LCSW and a representative from Spence-Chapin. Future talk backs with the author, the producers and director, as well as experts in the respective field of this emotionally charged play will be announced.

Theatre East presents "Normalcy" by Bennett Windheim, Off Broadway at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 416 West 42nd Street, NYC. Benard Cummings directs the new play. Previews begin for the limited engagement today, August 31 and the opening is Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm. For this opening of its 2012-13 season, there will be a series of talk-backs throughout the run, with the author, the producers and director, as well as experts in the respective field of this emotionally charged play.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, Mass., presented Carmel's Candy Store: The Sweet Songs of Carmel Dean at Mr. Finn's Cabaret. Carmel's Candy Store featured BSC artists and Broadway regulars Carmel Dean (BSC's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Broadway: American Idiot), Lisa Howard (BSC and Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Alysha Umphress (BSC's Funked Up Fairy Tales; Broadway: American Idiot) and Michael Winther (BSC's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick; Broadway:33 Variations/Mamma Mia!). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the concert below!