Patrice Bell News

The modern African-American cabaret quartet presents a set of classic jazz standards

On March 28, 2009, any number of other things may have happened, but for some cabaret fans, the date marks the first performance by the cabaret group BENDING THREADS. In an area where groups come and go, that they've stayed together performing for four years and are still going strong is a prime indication that something is working - as are their 2010 and 2011 nominations for Best Group and Best Musical Director from Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presents its fourth annual TheaterJam, a one-day festival featuring the work of many of the company's favorite playwrights, actors and directors. The brainchild of playwright Dael Orlandersmith, the all-day event will take place at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (224 Waverly Place - off Seventh Avenue South between West 11th & Perry Streets) tonight, June 2nd.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presents its fourth annual TheaterJam, a one-day festival featuring the work of many of the company's favorite playwrights, actors and directors. The brainchild of playwright Dael Orlandersmith, the all-day event will take place at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (224 Waverly Place - off Seventh Avenue South between West 11th & Perry Streets) on Sunday, June 2nd. Doors will open at 1:30pm. There is a $10 suggested admission charge (cash only) for all day entry - and includes one free beer. There will be a raffle drawing for amazing prizes. Patrons are free to come and go as they please and attend any - or all-of the festival's many offerings. All proceeds will benefit Rattlestick's upcoming 2013-14 season.

The musical adaptation of the 1967 animated feature film, THE JUNGLE BOOK, is a sheer delight, perhaps best viewed through the eyes of a child. And, the first production I ever took my young son to see was this same show a few years back. But, he was so small he didn't really remember it that well. So, the opportunity to see it again afforded me the perfect chance to reacquainted him with its many charms. Stages St. Louis's presentation didn't disappoint, providing a crisply paced production that fully captured my son's attention and imagination once again.

Stages St. Louis presents Disney's The Jungle Book June 20 through July 1 at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade through a new partnership between Stages St. Louis and Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis. Check out the production photos from the show below!

Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA), the company's professional training school, has announced its Spring 2012 schedule of classes now open for enrollment. ESPA will offer new classes including Musical Theater Repertoire, Dialects Intensive, Advanced Scene Study: Chekhov in a Contemporary Climate, Musical Theater Collaboration, Directing and Producing for Film, Singing for the Non-Singer, and Solo Performance. New instructors Kelly AuCoin, Jack Doulin, Judy Gold, Daniel Goldstein, and Brian Lowdermilk will join returning faculty members Liz Duffy Adams, David Adjmi, Karen Braga, Bekah Brunstetter, Keith Bunin, Denis Butkus, Kara Lee Corthon, Jane Guyer Fujita, Jackson Gay, Randy Graff, Adam Gwon, Josh Hecht, Lila Rose Kaplan, Kait Kerrigan, Cynthia Mace, Cheri Magid, Rogelio Martinez, Winter Miller, Edwin Sanchez, Julian Sheppard, Saviana Stanescu, Caridad Svich, Daniel Talbott, Richard Topol, Ken Urban, Francine Volpe, Kim Weild, Sheri Wilner, and Primary Stages Literary Manager and Director of ESPA Tessa LaNeve, Associate Artistic Director Michelle Bossy, Artistic Director Andrew Leynse, and Founder and Executive Producer Casey Childs.

This spring, Site-Specific Directing returns to the curriculum along with a new class, Advanced Scene Study: Sarah Ruhl/Sarah Kane at Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA). The two worked together this week to present scenes from Sarah Kane in the East Village.

Bending Threads will present Seasons of Change: A Cabaret Show on Friday, November 20th at the Duple. It will be the company's third new production. The doors open at 6:30pm, with a 7:00pm performance.

Bending Threads will present Seasons of Change: A Cabaret Show on Friday, November 20th at the Duple. It will be the company's third new production. The doors open at 6:30pm, with a 7:00pm performance.