Peter Nigrini News

The only negative thing I'll say about Fela!, the Off-Broadway docu-musical inspired by the life of Nigerian political activist and musical revolutionary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is that it never engaged this martini-swilling Manhattanite who entered the theatre unschooled in the culture and politics of the protagonist's homeland. The professionalism, exuberance and entertainment value of the piece is undeniable and I imagine many of my dear readers would have a terrific time visiting 37 Arts these days. But unless you're going in with a full knowledge of and an emotional attachment to its controversial subject, you may find, save for a well done moment late in the game, there is little dramatic pull to the proceedings to sustain interest for its two and a half hours. An audience full of fans of this internationally known artist who died in 1997 might understandably be thrilled by Fela! but while its potent message of the power of music to combat oppression is certainly universal, it took a review of the text's stage directions and a bit of Googling for this neophyte to get a fuller picture of the life and culture on display.

The New York Post's Cindy Adams talks with Dolly Parton about her upcoming Broadway musical, '9 To 5' and also remembers her friend, the late Ron Silver in her Post column today, both entries are more than worth a read.

9 To 5: The Musical begins previews on Broadway Tuesday, April 7, 2009, and opens Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the world premiere of Fyodor Dostoevsky's NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND, adapted by Bill Camp and Robert Woodruff, based on a translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, March 20-April 11 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street, at York Street). Opening night is Thursday, March 26.

To celebrate the opening of the box office for 9 To 5: The Musical at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets) the show's producers have announced a special two for $95 ticket offer. Between 9am and 5pm on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3, pairs of tickets purchased at the box office will cost $95. This special offer of two tickets for $95 is only valid at the box office on Monday, March 2, 2009 and Tuesday, March 3, 2009.

To celebrate the opening of the box office for 9 To 5: The Musical at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets) on Monday, March 2, 2009, the show's producers have announced a special two for $95 ticket offer. Between 9am and 5pm on Monday, March 2, pairs of tickets purchased at the box office will cost $95. This special offer of two tickets for $95 is only valid at the box office on Monday, March 2, 2009.

To celebrate the opening of the box office for 9 To 5: The Musical at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets) on Monday, March 2, 2009, the show's producers have announced a special two for $95 ticket offer. Between 9am and 5pm on Monday, March 2, pairs of tickets purchased at the box office will cost $95. This special offer of two tickets for $95 is only valid at the box office on Monday, March 2, 2009.

To celebrate the opening of the box office for 9 To 5: The Musical at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets) on Monday, March 2, 2009, the show's producers have announced a special two for $95 ticket offer. Between 9am and 5pm on Monday, March 2, pairs of tickets purchased at the box office will cost $95. This special offer of two tickets for $95 is only valid at the box office on Monday, March 2, 2009.

Nature Theater of Oklahoma - the company whose most recent Obie Award-winning work, NO DICE, enjoyed rave reviews, an extended run and sold-out houses with Soho Rep last season - will conclude Soho Rep's 2008-2009 Off-Broadway season with the U.S. premiere of RAMBO SOLO fresh from its lauded European tour. Previews begin March 19 prior to an official press opening of March 21 at Soho Rep (46 Walker Street).

Nine-time Obie Award-winning Soho Rep (46 Walker Street) will present a full slate of new works representing a diverse array of contemporary theater artists during the company's 2008-09 season, beginning with the New York premiere of English playwright Sarah Kane's BLASTED starting October 2, it has been announced by Sarah Benson, artistic director of Soho Rep.

Soho Rep's production of Nature Theater of Oklahoma's No Dice will add three performances, extending the it through January 4.

One of the most unusual and anticipated events of the theatre season Off-Broadway takes place in December when Soho Rep presents the New York debut of No Dice, the newest work by Nature Theater of Oklahoma

One of the most unusual and anticipated events of the theatre season Off-Broadway will take place in December when Soho Rep presents the New York debut of No Dice, the newest work by Nature Theater of Oklahoma -- one of the companies breaking whole new ground and generating much excitement in downtown theatre -- previewing December 6 prior to its official press opening December 8 at 66 White Street

No Dice, conceived directed by Nature Theater of Oklahoma founders Pavol Liska & Kelly Copper will premiere off-Broadway with Soho Rep previewing December 6 prior to its official press opening December 8.