Michael Korie News

Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of American Lyric Theater, announced today the national expansion of the company's core initiative, The Composer Librettist Development Program (CLDP). Through the use of newly acquired HD teleconferencing technology, gifted emerging artists with an interest in writing for the opera stage will be able to participate in the CLDP, regardless of where they live in the country.

American Lyric Theater presents the next installment in its popular series, The Living Libretto, at the National Opera Center, Wednesday February 6th, 2013. Featuring guest actors from the Broadway and off-Broadway stage, each event is the culminating reading of extensive libretto workshops conducted for new operas currently being written by ALT Resident Artists.

Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Christine Ebersole made her Celebrity Series of Boston debut at Sanders Theatre with an intimate cabaret performance that brought much-needed warmth to a cold January night. The former "Not Ready for Prime Time" player on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is now the toast of Broadway and Harvard Square.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) has been awarded two grants of $15,000 each from OPERA America's THE OPERA FUND for Repertoire Development. Announced earlier today by OPERA America, the grants are for two operas in development at ALT: La Reina by composer Jorge Sosa and librettist Laura Sosa Pedroza; and The Long Walk, by composer Jeremy Howard Beck and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann based on Brian Castner's critically acclaimed book of the same name.

Fort Worth Opera (FWOpera) announced today a call for submissions for its second annual Frontiers new works showcase to be held during the 2014 Fort Worth Opera Festival. A pioneering leader in the production of contemporary opera, FWOpera launched Frontiers in the 2012-2013 season. One of the only programs world-wide designed to seek out unproduced works by up-and-coming composers from North, South, and Central America, the showcase provides composers and librettists a platform by which to gain exposure for their pieces in a live performance environment while also affording them valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, including artistic directors of opera companies, artist managers, classical music publishers, funding organizations, and conductors.

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim has announced its spring 2013 season. Since 1984, the performing-arts series has championed new works and offered audiences unprecedented access to leading creators and performers. Each intimate, 80-minute performance uniquely combines artistic creation and stimulating conversation and takes place in the Guggenheim's Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, 285-seat Peter B. Lewis Theater, where new reserved seating is now offered. A reception for the audience and artists follows most programs. Described by the New York Times as "a popular series devoted to shedding light on the creative process," Works & Process is produced by founder Mary Sharp Cronson. Past performance highlights can be viewed at youtube.com/worksandprocess.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) announces that the live recording of its first commissioned opera, The Golden Ticket, a comic opera by Peter Ash and Donald Sturrock based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is set for release from Albany Records on Amazon.com and on CD today, December 1, 2012.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) announces that the live recording of its first commissioned opera, The Golden Ticket, a comic opera by Peter Ash and Donald Sturrock based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is now available for pre-order from Albany Records on Amazon.com. The Golden Ticket will be officially released on CD this December 1, 2012.

Playwrights Horizons' production THE WHALE, the New York premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise), is directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage) and opens tonight, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Today in 2006, Grey Gardens opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it ran for 307 performances. Grey Gardens is a musical with book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie, based on the 1975 documentary of the same title about the lives of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale ('Big Edie') and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale ('Little Edie') by Albert and David Maysles. The Beales were Jacqueline Kennedy's aunt and cousin, respectively. Set at Grey Gardens, the Bouviers' mansion in East Hampton, New York, the musical tracks the progression of the two women's lives from their original status as rich and socially polished aristocrats to their eventual largely isolated existence in a home overrun by cats and cited for repeated health code violations.

The new musical FINDING NEVERLAND just premiered in Leicester on September 22, and according to the New York Times, lead producer Harvey Weinstein is looking to bring the show to Broadway in the 2013-14 season.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons recently announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice this evening, October 22.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons has announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice on Monday evening, October 22.

The new musical FINDING NEVERLAND just premiered in Leicester on September 22, where it will run through October 13. The cast features Julian Ovenden as James Barrie, Rosalie Craig as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Liz Robertson as Mrs DuMaurier, and Clare Foster as Mary Barrie together with a cast of 20 and a live orchestra. Let's see what the critics had to say...

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that tickets are on sale for A Civil War Christmas, written by Paula Vogel and directed by Tina Landau. Performances of this holiday-themed work begin Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 7pm at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm. A Civil War Christmas is scheduled to run through Sunday, December 30.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) begins accepting entries today, Wednesday, October 3, for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to the New York premiere of THE WHALE, a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise), directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage). Due to the overwhelming response to Playwrights Horizons' 2012/2013 season, all productions are now playing longer runs to accommodate the larger subscription base. The limited engagement of THE WHALE, originally announced through Sunday, November 18, will now play through Sunday, December 2.

The new musical FINDING NEVERLAND just premieredin Leicester on September 22, where it will run through October 13. The cast features Julian Ovenden as James Barrie, Rosalie Craig as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Liz Robertson as Mrs DuMaurier, and Clare Foster as Mary Barrie together with a cast of 20 and a live orchestra. Below, we bring you just-released production shots from the new musical!

Previews begin Friday, October 12 for the Playwrights Horizons' production of THE WHALE, the New York premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise). Directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage), the production has an Opening Night set for Monday, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The new musical FINDING NEVERLAND just premieredin Leicester on September 22, where it will run through October 13. The cast features Julian Ovenden as James Barrie, Rosalie Craig as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Liz Robertson as Mrs DuMaurier, and Clare Foster as Mary Barrie together with a cast of 20 and a live orchestra. Below, we bring you photos from opening night, as well as a special sneak peek of the new musical!