In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning actress and singer Lena Hall about Guns N' Roses' 1987 debut album 'Appetite for Destruction.' They also discuss Axl Rose, Cats, Billy Porter, 'Legally Blonde,' Patti LuPone, 'Evita,' Donna Summer, 'Tarzan,' 'Kinky Boots,' Jimi Hendrix, 'Rent,' Janis Joplin, Damon Daunno, Jeff Buckley, David Bowie, and My Little Pony. Lena talks about her unique artistic journey, from growing up in the ballet world, to singing in the rock band The Deafening, to winning a Tony Award for her portrayal of Yitzhak in the acclaimed Broadway revival of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.' In 'Hedwig,' Lena performed alongside John Cameron Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, and Darren Criss, before stepping into the title role herself for the National Tour.
Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA; Jeffrey Horowitz, Founding Artistic Director) will present the New York premiere of celebrated American playwright Will Eno's Gnit, inspired by Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt (originally published in 1867). Directed by Eno's frequent collaborator, the Obie and Lortel Award-Winner Oliver Butler (Eno's 2014 The Open House and the 2018 revival of Thom Paine (based on nothing), starring Michael C. Hall, both at Signature Theater, and 2019's The Plot at Yale Rep; Heidi Schreck's Tony Award-nominated What the Constitution Means to Me).
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) has announced complete casting of the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
Montalvo Arts Center brings the hit public radio show Selected Shorts to Saratoga live on stage as part of its Carriage House Concert Series. Conceived in 1985, Selected Shorts is a weekly public radio show with a simple premise: take great stories by well-known and terrific writers and have them performed by actors of stage and screen. Today, its podcast consistently ranks as one of the most popular NPR shows on iTunes. From fiction to classic and beyond, the stories of Selected Shorts are brought to life by actors from stage, screen, and television. At Montalvo, Selected Shorts will include special guests David Strathairn and Jane Kaczmarek, and others to be announced, presenting Unexpected Encounters, an evening of funny, moving readings about unlikely connections.
From December 11th-22nd, Theatre in the Park will be presenting their 45th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing the show's playwright, Ira David Wood III, who is not only back directing this year, but he'll also be alternating the role of Ebenezer Scrooge with his oldest son, Ira David Wood IV.
The board of the Hermitage Artist Retreat in the United States announced today that the organisation has chosen Andy Sandberg as its Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2020. Sandberg succeeds Bruce Rodgers, who is retiring after serving as the Hermitage's Executive Director since 2005. Sandberg, an accomplished director, writer, and Tony Award-winning producer whose national and international career has been committed to new work and artist development, was selected following an extensive national search. In his new role, Sandberg will be responsible for overseeing the organisation's operations, artistic programs, administration, and strategic plan.
The board of the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida announced today that the organization has chosen Andy Sandberg as its Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2020. Sandberg succeeds Bruce Rodgers, who is retiring after serving as the Hermitage's Executive Director since 2005. Sandberg, an accomplished director, writer, and Tony Award-winning producer whose national and international career has been committed to new work and artist development, was selected following an extensive national search. In his new role, Sandberg will be responsible for overseeing the organization's operations, artistic programs, administration, and strategic plan.
The Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical Chicago celebrates its 23rd Broadway anniversary tomorrow, Thursday, November 14th. The production is now playing at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).
Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the world premiere of THE PLOT by Will Eno, directed by Oliver Butler, November 29-December 21, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Thursday, December 5.
The Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at the South Orange Performing Arts Center hosts JUST DANCEa??, a new exhibition by the prominent photographer, Steve Vaccariello from November 14, 2019 a?" January 19, 2020. A reception open to the public will take place on Thursday, November 14, 5-8 p.m.
The wait is finally over for the 10th anniversary of United Solo. With its most ambitious lineup yet, United Solo will once again unite solo performers from six continents in the heart of New York's theatre district. Over 130 productions will be presented at this year's United Solo, the largest festival of its kind in the world, celebrating its first decade of taking solo theatre to new heights. With up to five performances each day until November 24 at Theatre Row, this year's robust selection of one-person shows will attract thousands of theatregoers. Over 20 performances have sold out in advance, with more expected to follow. The festival will grant additional performance dates to its most popular productions. In addition to performances, United Solo also offers Master Classes with world-famous theatre creators and recognized experts, including acclaimed director Austin Pendleton, who will give his Master Class on October 8, with more Master Classes to follow.
Michael C. Hall stopped by 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' to take a shot at explaining the complicated plot of In the Shadow of the Moon and his cameo as the world's best bowler in Documentary Now! and vividly describes his first NYC apartment. Watch the video below!
Netflix has released the first trailer for IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON, starring Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbine, Rudi Dharmalingam, Rachel Keller and Michael C. Hall.
United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, is proud to present the nominees of the 2019 United Solo Special Award. The Special Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding solo performers. These are artists who create captivating performances outside the United Solo Festival and have brought the art of solo theatre to new heights. It is United Solo's mission to provide a platform to solo artists who are committed to creating solo theatre that focuses on the uniqueness of the human being. These artists have pushed the boundaries of solo theatre in unique ways and the Special Award will honor an artist whose work in the last year deserves particular recognition. Previous recipients of the Special Award include Anna Deavere Smith (2010), Patti LuPone (2011), John Leguizamo (2012), Fiona Shaw (2013), Billy Crystal (2014), James Lecesne (2015), Staceyann Chin (2016), Michael Moore (2017), and Renée Taylor (2018).
Aspen Film is proud to announce the program for its 40th Anniversary Filmfest, which will showcase top filmmaking from across the globe at Aspen's Wheeler Opera House and Metropolitan's Isis Theatre from September 23-29, 2019, and a weighty lineup of documentaries at the Crystal Theater in Carbondale from September 27-29, 2019. In addition to screenings of highly anticipated fall previews and award-winning features and documentaries, panel discussions with special guests punctuate the week-long festival, which celebrates 40 years of Independent by Nature.