Michael Brown News

With a song list comprised partially of holiday numbers, partially of high points in his Broadway career having nothing to do with Christmas, and partially of--I don't know, how would you categorize “Fever” in this context?--Norm Lewis is making his debut at Feinstein's/54 Below this week (9:30 shows continue tonight and tomorrow night) in a show called 'Norm Lewis Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas,' directed by veteran Broadway actor/singer/dancer Richard Jay-Alexander.

Norm Lewis finished his Feinstein's/54Below 5 night run last night, on Christmas Eve. Norm's show, NORM LEWIS WISHES YOU A SWINGIN' CHRISTMAS, played to packed houses and the venue had an amazing week, with Michael Feinstein also making his debut at the newly namesaked club, doing the 7:00 P.M. shows and Norm conquering the 9:30 slot. By the way, Mr. Feinstein plays through the 30th, while Norm enjoys his Christmas Holiday and then can find him at the Smith Center in Las Vegas, on New Year's Eve with friends Patina Miller, Capathia Jenkins, Eric Bergen and Clint Holmes.

Sundance Institute announced today its full lineup of 72 short films that will leave a lasting impact on audiences long after the lights go up at their screenings at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, January 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Sundance and Ogden, Utah.

Author Ken Dye released a new book, Michael Brown, Jr. didn't have to die, which compiles data and reports from multiple sources about the shooting death of Michael Brown, Jr. on August 9, 2014 by Darren Wilson, a police officer of Ferguson, Missouri. Dye weaves all the conflicting accounts of the incident into one analysis and identifies opportunities which could have averted the situation and much of the destructive aftermath.

Actor's Express will kick of 2016 with an electrifying production of the eight-time Tony Award winner and Sondheim masterpiece Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Rehearsals started this week at The 5th Avenue Theatre for the exultant classic musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, the iconic show sweeping Seattle for the holidays. Boasting such beloved songs as 'Do Re Mi,' 'My Favorite Things,' 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen,' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain,' this production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music will be presented as only The 5th can do, complete with a sensational live orchestra, stunning costumes, and incredible sets. Under the direction of David Bennett and with choreography by Trina Mills and music direction by Kat Sherrell, this musical will feature an exuberant all-local cast of fresh faces and favorite performers that includes Anne Allgood as the Mother Abbess, joining the previously announced David Pichette as Max Detweiler and Jessica Skerritt as the Baroness Elsa Schraeder, with Hans Altwies as Captain Georg von Trapp and Kirsten deLohr Helland as Maria.

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will present the New York Premire of The Minstrel Show Revisited, a reworking of Donald Byrd's 1991 Bessie Award-winning dance/theater production that takes a satirical look at the derogatory song and dance tradition of minstrelsy and illuminates the lingering scars of racial, religious and sexual bigotry.  There will be a free a post-show discussion and Q&A with artists from Spectrum Dance Theater after each performance.

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will present the N.Y. premiere of The Minstrel Show Revisited, a reworking of the Tony-nominated Donald Byrd's 1991 Bessie Award-winning theatrical confrontation of America's cultural racism, running tonight, October 28, through October 30, 2015.

Crossroads Theatre Company is taking part this week in 'Every 28 Hours,' an examination of black lives in America through drama with a focus on last year's events in Ferguson, Mo. The weeklong event in St. Louis is a collaborative project of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) and the One-Minute Play Festival. Its title refers to a widely shared statistic: Every 28 hours in America, a black person is killed by police.

The 50th season of Lincoln Center's Great Performers series and the sixth season of its White Light Festival commence on October 14 with tenor Mark Padmore and pianist Paul Lewis in the first of three highly-anticipated Schubert song recitals.

The 50th season of Lincoln Center's Great Performers series runs from tonight, October 14, 2015 through June 4, 2016.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce the cast for the SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE and the SONGWRITERS CABARET at the 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16. Both events take place at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). In person registration for industry members will be available on Thursday at 9:30 AM at New World Stages (340 West 50 Street). (Please note the admission process for each event in the individual descriptions.)

This week FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Craving a show after the show? FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is bringing its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551. FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event:

The UofSC Department of Theatre and Dance will present the provocative drama Stop Kiss, this weekend, October 8-11, 2015 at the Lab Theatre.

Performances of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM and select Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 7 PM. Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased online at actors-express.com or by calling 404-607-7469. The Actor's Express production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is sponsored by Stephen Michael Brown.

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will present the N.Y. premiere of The Minstrel Show Revisited, a reworking of the Tony-nominated Donald Byrd's 1991 Bessie Award-winning theatrical confrontation of America's cultural racism, runningOctober 28 - 30, 2015. The Minstrel Show Revisited questions and critiques the 19th Century black-faced entertainment genre whose legacy is still felt today and continues to play a significant role in cultural stereotyping. Beyond the Stage, a series of pre-and post-show conversations, will be held each evening.

Pittsburgh CLO presents the CLO Cabaret premiere of ALTAR BOYZ, tonight, September 24, through December 20. This heavenly cast includes Pittsburgh CLO alumni Mike Greer as Luke and Mason Alexander Park as Mark, as well as exciting newcomers Michael Brown, Carter Ellis and Javier Manente. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars in action below!

The UofSC Department of Theatre and Dance will present the provocative drama Stop Kiss, October 8-11, 2015 at the Lab Theatre.

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will present the New York Premire of The Minstrel Show Revisited, a reworking of Donald Byrd's 1991 Bessie Award-winning dance/theater production that takes a satirical look at the derogatory song and dance tradition of minstrelsy and illuminates the lingering scars of racial, religious and sexual bigotry.  There will be a free a post-show discussion and Q&A with artists from Spectrum Dance Theater after each performance.