President Obama News

The U.S. Senate issued a unanimous consent confirmation of Rocco Landesman as the next Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts yesterday. In his first sit-down interview since his nomination by President Obama, Landesman spoke to The New York Times about the road ahead as NEA Chairman.

Celtic Thunder is embarking on their 2009 North American Tour and will return to the Fox Theatre on Sunday, November 1 at 3 p.m.

Woodshed Collective will present the world premiere of The Confidence Man, conceived by Woodshed Collective, written by Paul Cohen (winner of the 2008 NYCFringe best playwright award), and inspired by Herman Melville's1857 novel about a riverboat con man, beginning Tuesday, September 1 and playing free to the public on the ship Lilac, a decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard vessel docked on the north side of Pier 40, at the intersection of West and Houston streets on the Hudson River.

Two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will return to Birdland (315 West 44 Street, NYC) to in October of this year.

Two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera has released a statement in response to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

President Obama today named 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. America's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

This blog was first created for the purpose of entertainment reporting and opining, however, with the passing of Walter Cronkite, I felt it necessary to pay respect to one of the most honorable news reporters to grace television screens. He was not an entertainer ? unlike many delivering the news today. Cronkite told the news as it happened...

Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Arizona Theatre Company has received a one-time grant of $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. Arizona Theatre Company is one of four arts organizations in the state to have received a grant from the Recovery Act. This grant helps preserve key positions in our Education staff in Tucson and Phoenix, allowing the company to continue its education programs throughout the State of Arizona.

America?s preeminent commissioning organization?has revolutionized the practice of music commissioning by reviving the role of the individual patron. An entire body of new musical work has been created, thanks to dozens of private citizens and music lovers across the country, who are often motivated by a desire to mark an occasion or honor a person.

America?s preeminent commissioning organization?has revolutionized the practice of music commissioning by reviving the role of the individual patron. An entire body of new musical work has been created, thanks to dozens of private citizens and music lovers across the country, who are often motivated by a desire to mark an occasion or honor a person.

Idiots of Ants make a welcome return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with their third brand new full-length show. In the few short years that they have been working together Ben, James, Andrew and Elliott have been at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary sketch comedy shows.

Appearing in her only Australian performances, musical theatre legend Bernadette Peters will headline the festival, performing in the Festival Theatre on 6 and 7 June.

The New York Times is reporting that President Obama and his wife, Michelle, plan to visit New York City tomorrow, Saturday, May 30th and take in a Broadway show, the August Wilson play 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' at the Belasco Theater on West 44th Street. The news of the First Couple's visit was revealed to The Times by three theater executives who had been informed of the First Family's plans.

Appearing in her only Australian performances, musical theatre legend Bernadette Peters will headline the festival, performing in the Festival Theatre on 6 and 7 June.

Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch issued the following statement on President Barack Obama's nomination of Rocco Landesman to serve as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts:

President Obama said, ?This impressive group of people will add valued voices to my administration as we work to tackle the many challenges our nation faces. I am grateful for their decision to serve, and I am confident they will work hard as we put our country on a path towards prosperity and security.?

Five theaters and two individuals have been selected to participate in the ninth round of the New Generations Program/Future Collaborations initiative. This round of recipients is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group (TCG).

Theatre503 presents David Harewood as Martin Luther King in The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, directed by James Dacre.

Now in its ninth year, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Adelaide Festival Centre) promises to dazzle audiences when it opens on 5 June, 2009 under the new Artistic Directorship of Adelaide born entertainer David Campbell. Campbell will oversee the festival over the next three years.