Melinda Sullivan News

As California continues to remain a?oeSafer at Homea?? and follow social distancing guidelines, The Music Center announced today that its 32nd annual Music Center Spotlight Grand Finale (Spotlight) performance will take place as a virtual event and benefit, premiering on May 30, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on The Music Center's website at musiccenter.org/spotlightfinale.

Flying Over Sunset is currently in rehearsals! The musical, with a book and direction by James Lapine, music by Tom Kitt, and lyrics by Michael Korie, features choreography by Michelle Dorrance, and stars Carmen Cusack, Harry Hadden-Paton, Erika Henningsen, Jeremy Kushnier, Emily Pynenburg, Michele Ragusa, Robert Sella, Laura Shoop, Atticus Ware, and Tony Yazbeck. Aria Braswell, William Colin, Danny Gardner, Kate Marilley, Tony Roach, and Michael Winther understudy various roles.

For all her sexy coolness though, her performance was right out front, bold, daring, and original... Coasting somewhere between the jazz of today and the pop world of the 60s, her amalgamation in sounds was perfect for the 2020s. In fact, her stylings ran such the amazing gamut from jazz, to swing, to pop, and even to the Broadway, BUT, because those stylings were so rooted in the vocalizations to be found in the works of great jazz artistes of days gone by, we have to say this lady is one of a NEW generation of great jazz singers.

Rehearsals are currently underway for Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical FLYING OVER SUNSET. FLYING OVER SUNSET, with a book and direction by James Lapine, music by Tom Kitt, and lyrics by Michael Korie, will star Carmen Cusack, Harry Hadden-Paton, Tony Yazbeck, Erika Henningsen and more!

Chicago's own Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) returns to the Auditorium Theatre's landmark stage on Saturday, February 29, 2020, following its lauded 2019 performance at the theatre.

See the full schedule of events coming up The Auditorium Theatre now through May 5, 2020.

Just in time for the holidays, The Joyce Theater Foundation (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) welcomes the return of the always-thrilling Dorrance Dance for three weeks of merriment and cheer. With a festive world premiere capping off each evening of three mixed-bill programs, Michelle Dorrance and her collaborators will play The Joyce Theater from December 17-January 5. Tickets, ranging in price from $10-$105, can be purchased at www.Joyce.org, or by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at West 19th Street. For more information, please visit www.Joyce.org.

The Auditorium Theatre announces the commission of American Traffic, a new work for Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) created by acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, and MacArthur a?oeGenius Granta?? recipient Michelle Dorrance and celebrated collaborator Melinda Sullivan.

 Linda Shelton, Executive Director of The Joyce Theater Foundation, announced today the New York City dance organization's programming for its Fall '19 Winter '20 season, the first in collaboration with The Joyce's new Director of Programming, Aaron Mattocks. With dance styles from contemporary and modern to street and social, and traditional movement from Argentina, India, Spain, Samoa, and beyond, The Joyce continues to lead the way in international dance presentations while nurturing and supporting artists from all disciplines at every stage of their careers. The New York City organization, one of the world's largest presenters of dance, is especially excited to announce that live music will be featured during each and every engagement from the start of the season through the end of 2019. Fall '19/Winter '20 at The Joyce will be a true celebration of diversity in dance with programs and styles that encompass the wide range of aesthetic interests of both its artists and audiences.

The Colburn School continues its 2017-2018 season with diverse performances that bring together today's most renowned artists with extraordinary Colburn School faculty and students in programs on campus and throughout the community.

December 19, 2017 kicked off the season of award-winning tapper, Michelle Dorrance and her internationally-acclaimed company, Dorrance Dance, at The Joyce Theater in New York City. Michelle Dorrance and Dorrance Dance are known for pushing the limits of what tap can do, while staying true to its history and traditions. The company's highly anticipated return to the Joyce stage proved not to be a disappointment!

Now entering its 28th year, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) announces more 2018 visiting artists. Joining the 2018 BTP Summer Institute is Caroline O'Connor, born in Oldham, Lancashire England. At age 10, O'Connor was named Australian Irish Dance Champion and went on to train at the Royal Ballet School in London, until Anthony Warlow (Australian musical theatre actor) pointed her in the direction of musical theatre. She made her Broadway debut as Velma Kelly in Chicago, and played Mabel in Mack & Mabel, which earned her an Olivier award nomination. Currently, O'Connor is on Broadway for the musical, Anastasia as Countess Lily Malevsky at the Broadhurst Theatre.

Now entering its 28th year, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP), a program described by Playbill as The world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students , announces some of the 2018 visiting faculty, including BTP's own successful alumni. BTP faculty range from professional dancers and choreographers to voice coaches and directors.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. will welcome back to its stage MacArthur Foundation Genius Fellow Michelle Dorrance and her internationally renowned company Dorrance Dance from December 19 to 31.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. will welcome back to its stage MacArthur Foundation Genius Fellow Michelle Dorrance and her internationally renowned company Dorrance Dance from December 19 to 31.

Legendary Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winning artists Quincy Jones and Mel Brooks were honored Sunday, March 19 at the Geffen Playhouse's 15th annual fundraiser, Backstage at the Geffen, which honors the accomplishments of leaders in the artistic community and supports the theater's mission to produce original, quality works and engage the community in the live arts.

American Soul/R&B singer Freda Payne and Grammy Award nominee B. Slade, who brought down the house during the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts' co-production of For The Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem, bring their signature vocal styles to The Wallis for special one-night-only concerts in The Sorting Room on January 7 and 8, respectively. The Sorting Room, an exciting new intimate space for live performance, temporarily transforms The Wallis' Lovelace Studio Theater into a 150-seat nightclub that offers Los Angeles audiences the opportunity to see some of the best established and upcoming talent in cabaret, comedy, live contemporary music, dance performance and more, now through January 14.

The Sorting Room-an exciting new intimate space for live performance-is launching in December at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts through January 14, 2017. Transforming the Lovelace Studio Theater into a 150-seat custom-built space, The Sorting Room will offer Los Angeles audiences the opportunity to see some of the best and upcoming talent in cabaret, comedy, live contemporary music, dance performance and more, delivering a unique, personal experience.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announces the full schedule and new artist additions to the lineup for WelcomeFest, a two-day celebration of the performing arts taking place Saturday, September 10 from 2pm - 10pmand Sunday, September 11 from 10am - 2pm. 

In anticipation of the new 2016/17 Season, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts will throw open its doors and welcome the community for a two-day celebration of the performing arts. WelcomeFest will showcase many of the upcoming 2016/17 season's artists and other Los Angeles-based performers bringing their work to the Beverly Hills campus. WelcomeFest takes place Saturday, September 10 from 2pm - 10pm and Sunday, September 11 from 10am - 2pm. All performances and activities are free to the public. For complete listing of events and up-to-the-minute information, please visit TheWallis.org/WelcomeFest or join the WelcomeFestFacebook event. Detailed timeline and schedule for the weekend to be announced in early September.