Oliver Smith News

Northrop at the University of Minnesota reopens today, April 4, 8:00 pm with its Northrop Inside Out Grand Reopening Gala. The opening night gala features American Ballet Theatre, America's National Ballet Company performing the classic romantic ballet Giselle with live orchestra, a post-performance dessert and champagne reception, and Northrop Inside Out After Dark dance party featuring a live DJ and special performances.

Northrop at the University of Minnesota reopens on April 4, 8:00 pm with its Northrop Inside Out Grand Reopening Gala. The opening night gala features American Ballet Theatre, America's National Ballet Company performing the classic romantic ballet Giselle with live orchestra, a post-performance dessert and champagne reception, and Northrop Inside Out After Dark dance party featuring a live DJ and special performances.

Unger and Madison are at it again! Florence Unger and Olive Madison, that is, in the female version of Neil Simon's hilarious contemporary comic classic. Instead of the poker party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. And the Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the two Constanzuela brothers. But the hilarity remains the same in director Mark Shepard's delightful production, February 14 through March 9 at the Novato Theater Company, 5420 Nave Drive in Novato.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 26th annual presentation of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition and America's #1 Nutcracker, in a 23-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, tonight, December 6 - 28, 2013.

CHICAGO (November 12, 2013) – The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 26th annual presentation of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition and America's #1 Nutcracker, in a 23-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, December 6 – 28, 2013.

The Guardian writes that a new collection of letters by famed composer Leonard Bernstein -- Nigel Simeone's Leonard Bernstein Letters, set to debut next month -- reveal the composer's 'hostility' for WEST SIDE STORY book writer Arthur Laurents. Bernstein even considered walking away from the project, according to one of the letters.

New York City Center is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Fall for Dance Festival with a very special season, beginning with two free evenings of dance at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, hosted by The Public Theater, on September 16 and 17 (rain date, September 18). The Festival will continue at City Center from September 25 - October 5 with performances by 20 acclaimed dance companies and artists from around the world, including three new works from today's most exciting young choreographers, commissioned by New York City Center in celebration of the tenth anniversary.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents The Sound of Music, with Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Directed and Choreographed by Jonathan Stahl with Musical Direction by Leo Carusone, the production runs now through August 11, 2013. BroadwayWorld has new photos of the cast onstage below!

One of the world's best loved musicals, based on the memoir of Maria Von Trapp; The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Maria is a young, aspiring but quirky, nun whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life. Thus, she is sent off to be the governess to Captain von Trapp's seven troublesome children. Unlike previous governess', Maria becomes friends with the children due to their mutual love of music. She fills the lives of the Von Trapp children with 'The Sound of Music' and captures the heart of their stern and lonely father. But, will their harmonious lives be torn apart when their beautiful homeland is ravaged by war? Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning musical delights audiences with the uplifting story and an irresistible score: 'Climb Every Mountain,' 'Do-Re-Mi,' 'Edelweiss' and 'My Favorite Things.'

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, with Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Directed and choreographed by Jonathan Stahl with musical direction by Leo Carusone, the production runs now through August 11, 2013. Press Opening: June 20, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

One of the world's best loved musicals, based on the memoir of Maria Von Trapp; The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Maria is a young, aspiring but quirky, nun whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life. Thus, she is sent off to be the governess to Captain von Trapp's seven troublesome children. Unlike previous governess', Maria becomes friends with the children due to their mutual love of music. She fills the lives of the Von Trapp children with "The Sound of Music" and captures the heart of their stern and lonely father. But, will their harmonious lives be torn apart when their beautiful homeland is ravaged by war? Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning musical delights audiences with the uplifting story and an irresistible score: "Climb Every Mountain," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss" and "My Favorite Things."

In an homage to Broadway great Jerome Robbins, the NYC has performed three short Robbins compositions: 'Interplay', 'Fancy Free', and 'I'm Old Fashioned'. The results aren't perfect, but Robbins's unique talents are finely displayed.

Since Fashion Eyewear started out in 2008, the company has grown every year. Specialising in designer glasses, sunglasses and prescription sunglasses Fashion Eyewear has made quite a name for itself this year.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker in a 22-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, December 7 - 27, 2012.

ABT Opening Night Gala at City CenterAmerican Ballet Theatre's Opening Night Gala at New York City Center on Tuesday, October 16 celebrated the 70th anniversary of Agnes de Mille's Rodeo with a special tribute to the ballet's premiere. First performed by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo on October 16, 1942 at the Metropolitan Opera House, de Mille's groundbreaking Western ballet features a unique combination of ballet and Broadway-style dancing set to Aaron Copland's famous score.

American Ballet Theatre's 2012 Fall season at New York City Center opens Tuesday evening, October 16 for seven performances including the World Premiere of a new work by Alexei Ratmansky, a revival and repertory, October 16-20. Principal Dancers for the New York City Center engagement include Roberto Bolle, Herman Cornejo, Marcelo Gomes, Julie Kent, Veronika Part, Xiomara Reyes, Polina Semionova and Cory Stearns.

Roland Auctions of New York City will be selling the estate of legendary playwright, director, and screenwriter, Arthur Laurents on Saturday, June 2, 2012. Mr. Laurents, whose credits include West Side Story, Gypsy, La Cage Aux Folles, Hallelujah, Baby and The Way We Were, amongst many others, had a long and distinguished career, both on Broadway and in Hollywood. See photos below for sample pieces available as well as as list of items slated to be auctioned.

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Columbus, opening at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday, April 17. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Columbus, opening at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday, April 17. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

The tour of the Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Philadelphia. WEST SIDE STORY performs at the Academy of Music through April 8 as part of the Broadway Season, presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization.