Richard Little News

On Saturday, January 11, I had the pleasure of seeing THREE PIGS at the Downtown Cabaret Children's Theatre in Bridgeport, CT.   This was an excellent start to a new decade of theatrical experiences!  The stellar cast brings their A game to this Chris Gensur adaptation of this classic children's tale. 

On Stage At Kingsborough, a leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to present its Spring 2020 season featuring world class artists from around the globe.On Stage At Kingsborough brings high caliber performing arts to Southern Brooklyn, with a diverse roster of artists spanning multiple genres including cabaret, dance, music, and family programming.

Concord Theatricals has announced that it has secured exclusive worldwide licensing rights to Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk's new musical The Mad Ones. The show is now available for licensing at: samfren.ch/PerformMadOnes

From November 21st-24th, Judson Theatre Company will be presenting a production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actor Alan Campbell, who will be starring in the role of Sir Wilford Robarts.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Have you heard of her? Maybe not (I know I hadn't before last night). But even if you're unfamiliar with her, you're more than likely familiar with one of the many artists she's influenced. Artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Little Richard to name just a few. But that's kind of the point of the show, a?oeShout Sister Shout!a??, currently playing at the Seattle Rep. A show that tells the story of the a?oeGodmother of Rock n' Rolla??, and how we need to recognize these artists that have been whitewashed and mansplained from history. But even beyond that, you want to catch this for the insanely powerful performance of Carrie Compere as Tharpe, who will have you rockin' in your seat as she tears the roof off the Rep.

The Segal Centre has another hit on it's hands with the North American Premiere of the pop/rock musical, MYTHIC. Directed by Brian Hill, this energetic production has already been extended through November 24, 2019.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actress and singer Bridget Everett about Prince's legendary 1984 album Purple Rain. They also discuss Bread, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, Little Richard, Lillias White, The Life, Tina Turner, Kiki & Herb, Murray Hill, Allison Janney, Brooks Ashmanskas, RuPaul, karaoke, lowbrow brilliance, and finding solace in music. Bridget talks about growing up with six siblings and how she found her way from Kansas to New York's electrifying downtown scene. Bridget can be seen in a number of TV shows such as Inside Amy Schumer, Lady Dynamite, Unbelievable, and Camping, as well as the upcoming AJ and the Queen on Netflix.

Felicia Collins of CBS Orchestra, Vernon Reid and Corey Glover from Living Color, Mark Rivera from The Billy Joel Band/Ringo Starr Band, Lee Finkelstein of The Blues Brothers Band, Shannon Conley, Danny Keane, Militia Vox, Queen V, Sophia Ramos, Jann Klose, Frank Gilchrest, Alec Shantzis, Bruce Edwards, Frank Gravis, Scott Yahaney and WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE WILL STOP BY...

This winter season, spend time with loved ones while enjoying uplifting, warm-hearted holiday entertainment courtesy of the Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC). This year's Winter Holiday Series includes shows that will delight audiences of all ages featuring A Classical Christmas with the Boulder Philharmonic; Twas the Night Before Christmas; Judy Collins; Masters of Illusion; and Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock & Roll. Tickets for each show are on sale now at the VPAC box office (970-845-8497; www.vilarpac.org). The VPAC is located under the ice rink in Beaver Creek Village (68 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek, Colorado).

Following a successful and crowd-pleasing 2019 engagement, Neil Berg is back with another lineup of hits! Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock & Roll Part 3 comes to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 8 pm. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 17 at 10 am.

A native from Longview TX, finds himself living a reality while bringing others along on the ride to mass exposure. Dedrick Weathersby, a Longview High School graduate embarks on another stop apart of his National 'Night Train' tour. This stop will lead him and the cast up North to beautiful South Lake Tahoe. Dedrick was welcomed to Valhalla Resort with a SOLD OUT audience. Some patrons uttered, 'I been waiting for this show all summer'.

The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse kicks off their inaugural 2019-2020 Concert Series with The Return: Beatles Tribute Band playing October 14, 15 & 16, 2019.

Stroll Down Penny Lane is a live performance with beautiful accompanying films of the music of the most iconic songwriter of our age: Paul McCartney. The show includes songs spanning McCartney's career - from early influences, to the Beatles, through the Wings period, and beyond. You'll also hear songs that have never been performed in concert - anywhere, by anyone!

New musical theater works will have their Manhattan debut as Josh Franklin's friends Christopher Sieber and Caitlin Kinnunen and more from Broadway gather in concert at The Green Room 42.

The Atlas Performing Arts Center introduces the Arts for Young Audiences program, a series of concerts and events designed for children 1-8 years old and their families.

The impetus behind ROCK AND ROLL MAN: THE ALAN FREED STORY was not the Freed family. Gary Kupper was approached by Larry Marshak, with whom he had worked for many years, about a third party's desire to do a story about Alan Freed as a 'jukebox musical'. The intention was that Kupper might be able to write a couple of songs for the piece. Kupper realized that Freed's story is a classic one. A rise and fall and then redemption story that can't be told as a jukebox musical because Alan Freed wasn't a singer. He feels that a jukebox musical would have cheated the story. This is the story of this man, and the story of Rock-and-Roll. That notion gave birth to the 'book musical'. In 2011, Kupper started writing original songs and sometime later, the team started writing the script. Freed's son, Lance, stepped-in and helped to secure the rights to the Rock-and-Roll classics. They have combined the music of the era with storytelling. They admit it's both risky and tricky and has never really been done to the extent that it is in this show. Thirty to thirty-five original songs were written, most of which were thrown out. A little more than a dozen are in the current iteration of the show.

There is a lot to like packed into this production directed by Randal Myler. The action is well paced and well-staged. The use of turntables, tiering, and scrims are particularly effective elements of the scenic design by Tim Mackabee. The choreography by Brian Reeder, and costumes designed by Leon Dobkowski present a feast for the eyes. The entire 19-members of the cast deliver in acting, singing, and dancing. It would be an oversight not to call out the performance of Richard Crandle. His portrayal of Little Richard is brassy, sassy, and all kinds of Woooooooo. The audience is noticeably energized when Crandle is on stage and few wish he would 'shet-up' as if that were even remotely possible.

The Award-winning band The Bluejays return to Worthing to take you on a jiving journey through the fabulous fifties. Featuring stars of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, Dreamboats & Petticoatsand Million Dollar Quartet, The Bluejays - Rock and Roll Revolution will be at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre on Friday 30 August at 7:30pm.

Here is Rydell High's senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding 'Burger Palace Boys' and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking 'Pink Ladies' in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head 'greaser' Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their 'Summer Nights' as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as 'Greased Lightnin',' 'It's Raining on Prom Night,' 'Alone at the Drive-In Movie' recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions place Grease among the world's most popular musicals. Performances are June 28th thru July 7th at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215. For tickets or more information, visit: https:www.imaginecolumbus.org

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield