Queen Mother News

Ryan O'Neal (author, Both Of Us: My Life With Farrah), Tracy Morgan ('30 Rock'), Bethenny Frankel (author, Skinny Dipping) and musical guests Lady Antebellum and B.o.B. are among the featured guests APRIL 30 - MAY 4 on THE VIEW

I was intrigued as soon as I heard that Director Eve Muson was bringing the show to a professional company. My sense was that Muson felt she could build a better product on the same platform of stars, costume and set. She was right. The end product is a modern historical tragedy that obviously speaks directly to contemporary racial and gender issues but also past them to the human condition, as all great tragedy does.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) continues its popular "Baroque Conversations" with a program featuring three Bach sonatas performed by LACO Music Director and keyboardist Jeffrey Kahane and three LACO principals on Thursday, April 19, 2012, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Kahane, who celebrates his 15th anniversary as LACO music director, performs the Viola da Gamba Sonata in G major, BWV 1027 with Principal Cello Andrew Shulman; the Oboe Sonata in G minor, BWV 1030b with Principal Oboe Allan Vogel; and the Violin Sonata in E major, BWV 1016 with Concertmaster Margaret Batjer. Kahane shares his insights into the music from the stage and invites questions from the audience. A complimentary pre-concert wine reception for ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), concludes its 19th season with "Las Meninas," playwright Lynn Nottage's account of the seduction of Louis the XIV's queen, Marie-Therese, and the consequences of her scandalous relationship with Nabo, her African servant. Nottage weaves an imaginative tale based on a fascinating but forgotten time in history that examines truths about women and race. Eve Muson, who helmed last season's "Speech & Debate," directs a large cast in this rarely produced play. "Las Meninas" opens April 18 with a limited run through May 6, 2012, in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) on the campus of HCC.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) continues its popular "Baroque Conversations" with a program featuring three Bach sonatas performed by LACO Music Director and keyboardist Jeffrey Kahane and three LACO principals on Thursday, April 19, 2012, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Kahane, who celebrates his 15th anniversary as LACO music director, performs the Viola da Gamba Sonata in G major, BWV 1027 with Principal Cello Andrew Shulman; the Oboe Sonata in G minor, BWV 1030b with Principal Oboe Allan Vogel; and the Violin Sonata in E major, BWV 1016 with Concertmaster Margaret Batjer. Kahane shares his insights into the music from the stage and invites questions from the audience. A complimentary pre-concert wine reception for ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), concludes its 19th season with "Las Meninas," playwright Lynn Nottage's account of the seduction of Louis the XIV's queen, Marie-Therese, and the consequences of her scandalous relationship with Nabo, her African servant. Nottage weaves an imaginative tale based on a fascinating but forgotten time in history that examines truths about women and race. Eve Muson, who helmed last season's "Speech & Debate," directs a large cast in this rarely produced play. "Las Meninas" opens April 18 with a limited run through May 6, 2012, in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) on the campus of HCC.

The Night of a Thousand Gowns celebrating the LGBT community - the colorful cross-dressing segment of that community -took place on Saturday, March 31 in New York City. In its twenty-six year history, the Court has donated over a million dollars to worthy LGBT, HIV/AIDS and youth enrichment related causes. This year the Night of a Thousand Gowns raised important funds to benefit PFLAG NYC and New Alternatives. BWW was there to cover this event. Check out the red carpet photos below!

As Playful Productions and Michael Alden previously announced, THE KING'S SPEECH will open tonight, 27 March, at Wyndham's Theatre.

It was a smash-hit movie starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, and draws on a royal true story. Emma Fielding would be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated about playing Elizabeth, Duchess of York, eventual Queen, and then Queen Mother.

Playful Productions and Michael Alden have announced that the of UK tour of THE KING'S SPEECH will transfer to Wyndham's Theatre on 22 March, with an opening night on 27 March. This announcement confirms rumours reported on Broadway World over the past two weeks. The production will also be opening on Broadway in Fall 2012. The world premier production of the original play by David Seidler took place on Friday 10 February at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and continues on tour around the UK until 17 March.

Over the last ten years Independent Shakespeare Co. has grown to become one of L.A.'s best-loved summer events. Thousands of children and adults attended their 2011 summer of Free Shakespeare in Griffith Park, which included a HAMLET that had audiences raving. That production is now playing in ISC's Atwater Studio starring the company's managing director, David Melville. David and I sat down to discuss how playing Hamlet has changed for him over the years, as well as what the future holds, and how he learned to play the ukulele. And that's a story that will surprise you.

According to TVLine.com, Oscar nominated actress Barbara Hershey will appearing in an upcoming episode of the ABC drama series ONCE UPON A TIME in the role of the mother of the Evil Queen.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), noted for discovering and showcasing stellar young artists early their careers, presents the dynamic and uniquely talented 21-year-old violinist Nigel Armstrong in a Mozart (Mostly) program led by LACO Principal Cello Andrew Shulman, in his LA conducting debut, on Saturday, January 21, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and Sunday, January 22, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall.

SHOWTIME will be available in 60 million households for a Free Preview Weekend from Friday, January 6 through Sunday, January 8. Viewers across the country will have the opportunity to sample the premium network's award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD™ and SHOWTIME On Demand®.

Russell will appear alongside Gareth Gates, Kerry Ellis, Oliver Thornton and Brenda Edwards in the Biblical-inspired musical Children of Eden, by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz and John?Caird, which is being revived in the West End for one night only in a spectacular star-studded charity gala at the Prince of Wales?Theatre on Sunday 29 January.

Kwanzaa is a week-long African American holiday observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, which focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self improvement. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase, "matunda ya kwana" which means, "first fruits" in Swahili. On Friday, Dec. 30, African Burial Ground National Monument will celebrate Kwanzaa and would like you to join us.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), noted for discovering and showcasing stellar young artists early their careers, presents the dynamic and uniquely talented 21-year-old violinist Nigel Armstrong in a Mozart (Mostly) program led by LACO Principal Cello Andrew Shulman, in his LA conducting debut, on Saturday, January 21, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and Sunday, January 22, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall.

Kwanzaa is a week-long African American holiday observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, which focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self improvement. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase, "matunda ya kwana" which means, "first fruits" in Swahili. On Friday, Dec. 30, African Burial Ground National Monument will celebrate Kwanzaa and would like you to join us.

Gracye Productions is set to present THE ASPHALT CHRISTMAS this holiday season.

SHOWTIME will be available in 60 million households for a Free Preview Weekend from Friday, January 6 through Sunday, January 8. Viewers across the country will have the opportunity to sample the premium network's award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD™ and SHOWTIME On Demand®.