Mike Ladd News

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announces the world premiere of The House that will not Stand, a historical comedic drama commissioned from award-winning poet-playwright and Oakland native Marcus Gardley. Sensuous, witty, heartbreaking, and uplifting - The House that will not Stand unearths a story about free women of color in 1836 New Orleans, where black Creole women entered into common-law marriages with affluent white men. When her wealthy lover mysteriously dies, Beartrice Albans' foundation of security hangs precariously by a thread. She is left to fend for her three unwed daughters in a world where freedom must be carefully negotiated. Told in a rich and lyrical river of words, this new play was developed through The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work. It's helmed by Patricia McGregor, whose many credits include the celebrated production of Spunk at California Shakespeare Theater. The House that will not Stand begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, January 31, opens on Wednesday, February 5 and runs through Sunday, March 16, 2014.

The Public Theater begins performances for the 10th Anniversary of the world-renowned UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL on Wednesday, January 8. A highly-anticipated program of The Public Theater's winter season, the 2014 UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL will include artists from across the U.S. and around the world, including 600 HIGHWAYMEN, Lola Arias, Edgar Oliver, tg STAN, SKaGeN, Andrew Ondrejcak, John Hodgman, Sekou Sundiata, Roger Guenveur Smith, Toshi Reagon, and Reg E. Cathey who has joined the cast of FEAST. Check out a first look at the productions!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announces the world premiere of The House that will not Stand, a historical comedic drama commissioned from award-winning poet-playwright and Oakland native Marcus Gardley. Sensuous, witty, heartbreaking, and uplifting - The House that will not Stand unearths a story about free women of color in 1836 New Orleans, where black Creole women entered into common-law marriages with affluent white men. When her wealthy lover mysteriously dies, Beartrice Albans' foundation of security hangs precariously by a thread. She is left to fend for her three unwed daughters in a world where freedom must be carefully negotiated. Told in a rich and lyrical river of words, this new play was developed through The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work. It's helmed by Patricia McGregor, whose many credits include the celebrated production of Spunk at California Shakespeare Theater. The House that will not Stand begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on Friday, January 31, opens on Wednesday, February 5 and runs through Sunday, March 16, 2014.

California Shakespeare Theater has announced it will conclude its 2013 season with one of Shakespeare's rarely-performed gems, A Winter's Tale. Directed by Patricia McGregor and choreographed by Paloma McGregor, the sister team responsible for last season's critical and popular hit, Spunk, A Winter's Tale plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from tonight, September 25 through October 20.

California Shakespeare Theater concludes its 2013 season with one of Shakespeare's rarely-performed gems, A Winter's Tale. It plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from September 25 through October 20.

Cuban-born pianist and composer Roberto Fonseca's new album Yo will be released August 27 on Concord Jazz. In celebration Fonseca will tour the U.S. with Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, as well as performing his own headlining shows along the way. See below for album tracklist and tour dates.

Cuban-born pianist and composer Roberto Fonseca's new album Yo will be released August 27 on Concord Jazz. In celebration Fonseca will tour the U.S. with Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, as well as performing his own headlining shows along the way. Please see below for album tracklist and tour dates.

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the longest operating performance venue in lower Manhattan, in partnership with Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), presents blessing the boats: the remix, a re-imagining of an original play written and performed by Sekou Sundiata, performing today, June 27-29 at 8pm and June 30 at 3pm at TPAC, Theater 2 (199 Chambers Street). This performance has been co-commissioned by LMCC and BMCC, presented as part ofBlink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited, a citywide retrospective produced by MAPP International Productions, and as part of the River To River Festival 2013.Tickets are FREE, but first come, first served - box office opens 45 min. prior to curtain.

First come, first served - box office opens 45 min. prior to curtain blessing the boats: the remix is a re-imagining of Sekou Sundiata's acclaimed solo theater work, blessing the boats. Director Rhodessa Jones revisits Sundiata's story of life-threatening illness and recovery as told through the unique interplay of three poet/performers: Will Power, Carl Hancock Rux, and Mike Ladd. These compelling voices revive Sundiata's incisive writing, finding the universal in the particular and exploring the ritual, humor and compassion of his play. This remix encompasses language, music, and visual projections of healing and hope.

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the longest operating performance venue in lower Manhattan, in partnership with Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), presents blessing the boats: the remix, a re-imagining of an original play written and performed by Sekou Sundiata, performing on June 27-29 at 8pm and June 30 at 3pm at TPAC, Theater 2 (199 Chambers Street).

Round House Theatre concludes its 2013 Bethesda season with the area premiere of Becky Shaw, which runs tonight, May 29 thru June 23. Patricia McGregor makes her Round House directing debut with this comedy by Gina Gionfriddo, which was an Off-Broadway smash hit as well as aPulitzer Prize finalist. Opening night is Monday, June 3, 2013.

Round House Theatre concludes its 2013 Bethesda season with the area premiere of Becky Shaw, which runs May 29 thru June 23. Patricia McGregor makes her Round House directing debut with this comedy by Gina Gionfriddo, which was an Off-Broadway smash hit as well as aPulitzer Prize finalist. Opening night is Monday, June 3, 2013.

As part of its 40th Anniversary year, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) unveils the 2013 edition of the annual River To River Festival, Downtown's completely free summer arts festival. This year's edition takes place June 15-July 14 and presents a diverse collection of music, dance, theater, visual art, film and unique participatory experiences by both renowned and breakout artists from New York City and beyond.

Haitian singer Emeline Michel celebrates the release of her latest CD, Quintessence, which has been five years in the making, with a glorious display of Creole soul March 8 and 9 at Harlem Stage. Two Haitian writers of note featured on the new recording will perform alongside Michel: novelist Edwidge Danticat and legendary storyteller Jean-Claude Martineau will read their poetry and recite stories about the power of their nation's spirit, backed by a 12-piece band. Classically-trained Haitian tenor James Germain also shares the spotlight, displaying fresh and unexpected aspects of Haiti's diverse culture.