I don't know opera, and I don't believe I had ever heard the name Maria Callas before seeing Theater Latte Da's MASTER CLASS. But I have been educated. I now know that Maria Callas was one of the most talented, dedicated, and fascinating artists of the 20th century. Her paintbrush was her voice, her canvas was the stage, her creation was opera. She sacrificed everything for her art, and had very strong opinions about what art is and what it isn't. She shared those opinions in a series of master classes at Julliard in the early '70s. Playwright Terrence McNally used those classes as the backdrop against which to tell the story of who this woman was in his 1996 Tony-winning play. Her attitude towards art may not lead to the healthiest and happiest of lifestyles, but it does in some cases lead to some exquisite art, both in her singing, and in this magnificent production by Theater Latte Da.
The dog-days of summer don't slow things down at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Artistic Director Davis McCallum recently announced the appointment of a new Associate Artistic Director/Director of Education, Sean McNall. In addition McCallum also announced a number of special performances planned for the fall.
RENT gets me every time. Seeing it for the 14th time is just as thrilling, emotional, and epic as the first time I saw it 17 years ago. I can't even put into words why it has such a strong grip on my soul. It's just such a beautiful message of love, hope, community, and life, made all the more poignant by creator Jonathan Larson's untimely passing. Lyric Arts' new production is truly beautiful; the cast is energetic and talented, the sets and costumes have that cool rock show vibe, and the staging is different enough to make it feel fresh and original, but similar enough to the Broadway version to feel familiar to RENTheads like me. RENT is a brilliantly written piece of music-theater, and Lyric Arts has done Jonathan Larson proud. I can think of no higher praise.
Theater Latte Da announces their 2014-2015 season. Check below for details. Season 17 includes a play with music, two musicals, a poignant holiday classic and a new work series--AND features some of the top talent in the Twin Cities. The curtain goes up on October 8. You won't want to miss a note! Purchase your season subscription now by visiting latteda.org/subscribe or by calling 612-339-3003.
The Playwrights' Center has announced the 2014-15 recipients of its McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships: costume designer Mathew LeFebvre; actor, director and choreographer Austene Van and actor Sally Wingert.
Children's Theatre Company recently opened its production of SHREK THE MUSICAL and Shrek himself, Reed Sigmund, shared his insights on all things green, smelly and loving his life as an actor in Minneapolis.
Acclaimed director Peter Rothstein (Cabaret, Theatre Latte? Da) will bring a magnetic Shrek the Musical to life on CTC's UnitedHealth Group Stage beginning today, April 22. With a seasoned cast including Reed Sigmund, Autumn Ness and Ansa Akyea, incredible scenic and costume designs, choreography by Michael Matthew Ferrell and Tony-nominated music, Shrek is an ogre-sized musical with an equally big soul, sure to delight everyone from the very young to the young at heart.
Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced ten mainstage productions in his final season at the helm of the world renowned theater, culminating 20 years of remarkable leadership. The 2014-2015 lineup includes first-time Guthrie productions of plays by A.R. Gurney, Anne Washburn and Sarah Ruhl, three productions directed by Dowling, including a beloved Shakespeare comedy and iconic masterpieces by Arthur Miller and Sean O'Casey, the Guthrie debut of visionary writer and director Mary Zimmerman, as well as an all-American musical slated for summer.
Acclaimed director Peter Rothstein (Cabaret, Theatre Latte? Da) will bring a magnetic Shrek the Musical to life on CTC's UnitedHealth Group Stage beginning April 22. With a seasoned cast including Reed Sigmund, Autumn Ness and Ansa Akyea, incredible scenic and costume designs, choreography by Michael Matthew Ferrell and Tony-nominated music, Shrek is an ogre-sized musical with an equally big soul, sure to delight everyone from the very young to the young at heart.
As Theater Latte Da's OUR TOWN heads into the final week, trumpet player turned leading man, David Darrow, reminds us that he's much more than a pretty set of abs. He's actually just a normal guy who likes to act and is somehow making it work in this town.
Overwhelming early popularity and a Twin Cities All-Star cast has led to strong ticket sales for Shrek the Musical, prompting a one-week extension to the run. Shrek the Musical is based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Peter Rothstein directs the production, which runs for all ages April 22 through June 15.
2014-2015 at Children's Theatre Company is a season of dreams fulfilled. There are stories of transformational beauty, three fabulous musicals and an interactive, on-your-feet adventure through the undiscovered depths of the theatre. CTC will also present renowned artists and some of the most tender and poetic characters to ever tread our stages. Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius describes his excitement about each show, and the thrill of merging theatrical splendor with the body, blood and soul of some of the Twin Cities' best artists. Brosius says, "This is a season of surprising worlds and actors who will touch your heart and create characters you will never forget. It is a journey into lands you've never been to and lives you will never forget."
Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced its stellar and far-ranging new 2014-2015 Thrivent Financial Broadway on Hennepin season, featuring Broadway's hottest Tony Award-winning shows, five Minnesota premieres and many classic favorites. Making their local debuts are Kinky Boots, winner of six 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Pippin, the 2013 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival and the record-breaking hit Motown The Musical. The season runs from August 2014 through August 2015 at the historic Orpheum, State and Pantages Theatres.
A collaboration by Theatre Latte Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust, as a part of the Broadway Re-Imagined series, has high production values, top local talent and a story that retains relevance more than 40 years after it first premiered.
Tyler Michaels, the Emcee in the upcoming Theatre Latte Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust production of CABARET, is hoping his performance will be unique and one to remember--and after chatting with BroadwayWorld.com, we think he will definitely succeed.
Cabaret, in a provocative staging directed by the nationally acclaimed Peter Rothstein, continues the Broadway Re-Imagined series, a collaboration between Theater Latte Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. This production of Kander and Ebb's groundbreaking musical also features a stellar cast showcasing such local talent as Sally Wingert, just named the Star Tribune's 2013 Artist of the Year, Jim Detmar, Tyler Michaels, Kira Lace Hawkins and Sean Dooley. Cabaret runs today, January 15-February 9, 2014 at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.
Cabaret, in a provocative staging directed by the nationally acclaimed Peter Rothstein, continues the Broadway Re-Imagined series, a collaboration between Theater Latte Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. This production of Kander and Ebb's groundbreaking musical also features a stellar cast showcasing such local talent as Sally Wingert, just named the Star Tribune's 2013 Artist of the Year, Jim Detmar, Tyler Michaels, Kira Lace Hawkins and Sean Dooley. Cabaret runs January 15-February 9, 2014 at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis. Tickets are on sale now at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling 1.800.982.2787 and in person at the State Theatre Box Office.
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