Monique News

Macha Theatre/Films presents a reimagined version of Garbo's Cuban Lover written and produced by Odalys Nanin, directed by Ivonne Coll and Nanin, a suspenseful dramedy that explores the glamorous and secretive lives of the most celebrated divas of Hollywood's Golden Age: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, and their love affairs with the enigmatic Mercedes de Acosta. New scenes, plus music and images of the time period have been added to the latest version of this well-received play. July 20 - August 25. Opens Sat. July 20, at 8pm, plays Sun. July 21 at 3pm & Sun. July 28 at 3pm & 7pm. August shows: Thursdays at 8pm; Sundays at 3pm. Tickets: $35; Opening $40; Tickets/info: www.machatheatre.org or (323) 960-4429. Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood 90069

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); Prowess by Ike Holter (July 21 at 7:30pm); and Ninth Man Out by Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

Macha Theatre/Films presents a reimagined version of Garbo's Cuban Lover written and produced by Odalys Nanin, directed by Ivonne Coll and Nanin, a suspenseful dramedy that explores the glamorous and secretive lives of the most celebrated divas of Hollywood's Golden Age: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, and their love affairs with the enigmatic Mercedes de Acosta. New scenes, plus music and images of the time period have been added to the latest version of this well-received play. July 20 - August 25. Opens Sat. July 20, at 8pm, plays Sun. July 21 at 3pm & Sun. July 28 at 3pm & 7pm. August shows: Thursdays at 8pm; Sundays at 3pm. Tickets: $35; Opening $40; Tickets/info: www.machatheatre.org or (323) 960-4429. Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood 90069

ABC received 45 nominations for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards this morning, including nods for Kerry Washington and Connie Britton, both for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

I have to admit, at first I thought I was being lied to when I was told that Stephen King and John Mellencamp collaborated on a musical. I mean, I love the musical CARRIE, but I've never thought of Stephen King writing as fodder for musicals. Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued. I simply couldn't hide my excitement about getting the opportunity to listen to the concept album-like soundtrack for GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY, a musical with a Book by Stephen King, Music and Lyrics by John Mellencamp, and Musical Direction by T Bone Burnett. With one listen, it was more than apparent that the bluesy, folk-rock music on the disc expertly captures Americana in a sinister and foreboding way.

Shakespeare Orange County begins its 2013 summer season with Shakespeare's TWEFLTH NIGHT or WHAT YOU WILL, July 19 - August 3, 2013 with a preview tonight, July 18, 2013. Directed by Thomas F. Bradac and Alyssa Bradac, TWELFTH NIGHT performs at the Festival Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, California.

Philippine Stagers Foundation or Stagers ('Cory ng Edsa,' 'Joe, The Filipino Rock'sical') celebrates the 150th birth date of Andres Bonifacio, one of the Philippines' greatest heroes, in 'Bonifacio: Isang Sarsuwela.' The new musical's world premiere is set Friday, July 19, at Tanghalang Pasigueño.

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); Prowess by Ike Holter (July 21 at 7:30pm); and Ninth Man Out by Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., is pleased to introduce "Schiffer Fashion Press" (SFP), a new imprint of fashion-related books for reference, design, and technique. Building on Schiffer Publishing's long history of producing books used by fashion designers, educators, and fashion enthusiasts, the SFP imprint's mission is to provide inspiration, historical reference, and instruction to all areas of the fashion community. SFP features a diverse selection of topics, such as contemporary fashions, fashion accessories and jewelry, vintage fashions and textiles, military and aviation uniforms, and design and construction techniques.

Presented by Target expands the talent line-up for day and night events at the two-day celebration of Hispanic entertainment, culture and community. Mexican superstar, actress and singer Maite Perroni will kick off the promo tour for her first solo album with a performance at the Alamodome on Saturday, August 31. Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, Noel Torres, Carla Teresa Mauri, Lucia Navarro and Sebastien De La Cruz join an all-star lineup of day and nighttime talent at Festival. Previously announced acts performing at the Alamodome include Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Fernandez, Demi Lovato, Wisin y Yandel, 3Ball MTY, Frankie J, Kat Dahlia, and more. Set for Labor Day weekend (Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1) in San Antonio, Texas, FESTIVAL PEOPLE EN ESPANOL Presented by Target offers free open-to-the-public daytime activities at The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and a mix of live performances each evening at the Alamodome.

Shakespeare Orange County will begin its 2013 summer season with Shakespeare's TWEFLTH NIGHT or WHAT YOU WILL, July 19 - August 3, 2013 with a preview on July 18, 2013. Directed by Thomas F. Bradac and Alyssa Bradac, TWELFTH NIGHT performs at the Festival Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, California.

After a very successful round of auditions held on 6 and 13 June, contestants are now preparing for the next step in their road to stardom. The successful contestants took to the stage for the HEATS at Roselands from Monday 1 to Friday 5 July. The contestants performed one act each in front of a panel of judges made up of industry professionals Mitchell Hicks, Jaz Flowers, Kirk Webeck, Luda Kroita, Monique Montez, Aric Yegudkin, Shane Stepien, Flip Simmons, Rebecca Tapia. The Grand Final Saturday 6 July will be judged by PJ Clarke, Danni Da Ros and Leanne Cherney.

This summer, New Mexico is inviting visitors to experience authentic adventure through a different lens with the help of www.newmexico.org/filmtrails, a new travel planning resource created by the state's tourism department. Using special itineraries, film history and lore, travelers can plan trips based on popular movies and TV series shot in New Mexico. The most recent of these, Disney's 'The Lone Ranger' (due in theaters nationwide July 3), features scenes filmed in various locations across the state.

Julianne Hough knows how to wear a peplum! We've seen so many lately and I don't think they are going anywhere fast. But it's very refreshing to see a sort of rocker/edgy peplum look happening. It's an unexpected twist on a very ladylike silhouette. Leave it to Hough to take a classic shape and step it up a notch in a way no one else has - well Hough and Monique Lhuillier!

Goodman Theatre's world premiere of The Jungle Book opens on July 1 and, with a second extension week just added, now runs through August 11. Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman reimagines Walt Disney's 1967 animated hit into a wholly original new work for the stage, drawing from both the film as well as Rudyard Kipling's 1894 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and featuring original Indian-inspired music and dance. As previously announced, 10-year-old Akash Chopra makes his Chicago debut as young 'man cub' Mowgli, who comes of age with the help of the anthropomorphic singing and dancing jungle animals; joining him in the role at select performances is Roni Akurati, who most recently appeared at the Goodman as Tiny Tim in the 2011 production of A Christmas Carol. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

Vincent M. Tanada, Philippine Stagers Foundation's (PSF) artistic director and writer/director of the theater company's latest production, 'Bonifacio: Isang Sarswela,' tells entertainment journalist Robert Silverio that 'Bonifacio,' which is a tribute to Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), is Tanada's darkest play so far.

The critically acclaimed PULSE ENSEMBLE THEATRE, celebrating its 24th season, and Artistic Director Alexa Kelly are pleased to present the 9th season of Harlem Summer Shakespeare with free performances of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, directed by Kelly. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW will play a four-week limited engagement in the glorious Amphitheatre in Riverbank State Park (679 Riverside Drive @ 145th Street). Performances begin Wednesday, July 10 and continue through Sunday, August 4. Opening Night is Thursday, July 11 (8 p.m.).

OPEN REHEARSAL READINGS TODAY, JUNE 15-16 The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE (Mark Brokaw, Artistic Director) announces the creative teams and casting for the two original book musicals, The Last Queen of Canaan, with music by Jacob Yandura and book and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik, and Mrs. Hughes, with music and lyrics by Sharon Kenny and book by Janine Nabers, which will be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 4-16. The residency culminates with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, today, June 15 and the 16th, 2013.

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Prowess by Ike Holter (July 20 at 2pm); Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); and Ninth Man Outby Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

FrostArt (The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at FIU) introduces two new exhibitions, both of which feature art as a tool to establish identity: How we see ourselves and how we perceive others, now and in the past. The two exhibitions, Six Degrees of Separate Nations: Ebony G. Patterson and Peterson Kamwathi, and Borders of Paradise: In the Eyes of Explorers, will have an opening reception today, June 8, 2013, at the Frost Art Museum, from 6pm-8pm. The wine and hors d'oeuvres reception is open to the public and free of charge.