Plenty News

At Joe's Pub, the eclectic collective of entertainers offers something for almost everyone, in a parade of approaches that ranges from sincere to oh my dear --- a mixed bag to be sure. Even though uneven, the odds are that most would find reason to smile and happily hop into the hipster heyday melee.

The internationally-known standup who first brought his Jewish-focus material Off-Broadway in 2018 with STRICTLY UNORTHODOX arrives at the SoHo Playhouse with a show inspired by his friendship and professional collaboration with Muslim standup Imran Yusuf. Having spent a great deal of time traveling together from gig to gig, Yusuf had a lot of questions about Judaism, and their conversations prompted Blaker to examine how to explain his faith to a goy.

The Canadian Opera Company's HANSEL AND GRETEL, directed by Joel Ivany, is a spectacularly detailed production; unfortunately, the sheer amount of things happening at every moment overwhelms the gorgeous music and talented cast.

Seanan McGuire's award-winning series Wayward Children is one such series. Every book is a delight, something original to be cherished and held. Some are terrifying and bleak, while others are full of wonder and whimsy. Readers finish these books and wish there truly were other words to explore so they don't have to go back to the mundane.

John Cameron Mitchell, the co-writer and original star of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, revives the songs and stories of Hedwig for THE ORIGIN OF LOVE TOUR.

Welcome to the Met, AGRIPPINA: It's about time. Handel and his librettist, Vincent Grimani, knew that certain stories are timeless--like corruption in government--and this one has plenty of twists and turns...and even some belly laughs. It was the perfect piece for an ingenious director, Sir David McVicar, and a spectacular singing actress, mezzo Joyce DiDonato, aided and abetted by conductor Harry Bicket and the Met's perfectly Baroque pit band. The result was an unusual combination for early music: great music and great fun. I suppose that's why it became such a big hit for Handel.

Hale Centre Theatre's U.S. premiere of Baz Luhrmann's STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL dazzles on its Centre Stage following productions in Australia and on the West End. The direction, choreography, lighting, set, and costumes--all created specifically for Hale Centre Theatre's new production--are beyond fabulous.

Director Billy Ensley has lured a bevy of seasoned Charlotte musical stars to a fine looking Matthews Playhouse production of MAMMA MIA! - and he has found a sensational newcomer to ignite the action.

Native Gardens will open Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP). The show will run in the Howard Drew Theatre from Feb. 14 through March 15. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Winter in New York City is not known for being particularly steamy (though the unseasonably mild weather this year gives one reason to pause), but there is always Complexions Contemporary Ballet's season at the Joyce Theater to turn up the heat to a feverish, sweltering boiling point! For the 26th season, the company revived recent seminal works -- Bach 25 and Woke -- alongside favorites spanning from 1994 to a brand new solo in Essential Parts, which acted as a 'Greatest Hits' compilation for the ever-evolving, always revolutionary dance troupe. This year also marked the World Premiere of their latest exploration of the full canon of a particular musician's oeuvre -- Love Rocks featuring the music of the iconic Grammy-winning rockstar, Lenny Kravitz. For patrons unable to attend all programs, FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome is understandable, but for those who are highly familiar with the group's work or only getting their first taste, Program C -- which featured the latter two mentioned -- was the most delectable sampling of Complexions offerings old and new. The fascinating thing about such juxtapositions is that, in seeing the latest creations from 2020 side-by-side with choreography premiered in the early 1990s, it is remarkable to note how the level of innovation, depth of emotion and current relevance remains the same. It's a reminder that timeliness and timelessness can coexist, given the right mediums and masters. The genius of legendary Co-Founders, Co-Artistic Directors Desmond Richard and Dwight Rhoden (also the Principal Choreographer) cannot be underestimated. Indeed, it has not. They have both achieved phenomenal success and longevity, been lauded as trailblazers and received numerous accolades from peers, critics and audiences alike since they burst on the dance scene. It's no wonder that they have utilized the music of David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar and Lenny Kravitz to tell their stories through bodies in motion -- they are rockstars themselves!

Lyric Opera of Kansas City General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced the company's 2020-2021 season. It features four mainstage productions, including The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, both of which are being performed on a Lyric Opera of Kansas City stage for the first time. Two all-time favorites known for incomparable melodies - Verdi's beloved La traviata and Bizet's passionate Carmen - round out the extraordinarily diverse season. The Kansas City Symphony Orchestra will accompany all performances at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Find biographies of the casts and creative teams at Lyric Opera of Kansas City and find high-resolution photos here.

Award winning Box of Tricks theatre company recently announced plans for a UK Tour of their latest production The Last Quiz Night on Earth an immersive, innovative new play by Alison Carr.

Following its phenomenal success on Broadway and in the West End, multi-award-winning musical Once sets off on its first ever UK tour in 2020, hitting the Belgrade Theatre from 10-14 March.

The Lowry today announces a new cohort of artists who will be supported by its prestigious Artist Development Programme over 2020.

In a?oeClaywoman,a?? the in-character improviser Michael Cavadias portrays a 500 million-year-old extraterrestrial in love with planet earth, who says she'll keep on coming as long as there is an earth to visit. Interviewed by celebrity guests who ask about where she is from and why she has been visiting earth for so long, a?oeClaywomana?? is satire-improv presented by Kevin Malony's TWEED Theaterworks.

Seth Rudetsky and Patina Miller share some backstage stories as well as some of her backstory on the way to becoming an incredible stage and screen actress. In between, she sang a few songs at a nearly peerless level.

Penobscot Theatre Company is hoping you'll join them during the area's school vacation week this February for a theatrical day camp. The series, to be held at their education space at 51-A Main Street in Bangor, is for children aged 4-14 and will take place February 17-21.

Look out, look out, look out! With Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan slated to join the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors as Seymour, Slate is criticizing the production's casting of actors who are seen as 'too hot' to take on the iconic role. Now, Jeremy Jordan himself has taken to social media to respond to the criticism, posting a series of photos to show a different side of himself. Check them all out!

Millennial matchmaker and comedian Emma Vernon has created plenty of successful blind dates on her matchmaking improv show In A World: The Dating Show, and now she is ready for her next challenge: to make two strangers fall in love... on stage, on the first date.