Ronald Reagan News

Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev go head-to-head in Blind Date, a new play by Rogelio Martinez directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls. Today, Falls announced his cast for the world-premiere production, which features as characters some of the figures who shaped the political landscapes of the 1980s and beyond.

Thirty-two years after the discovery and 20 years after the blockbuster movie, the Titanic story is still evolving in unexpected ways and now, National Geographic, from executive producer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron, premieres Titanic: 20 Years Later With James Cameron

The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) has announced 50 nominees in five categories for its Class of 2017: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performing Arts, Public Service and Sports. Public voting is now underway online at njhalloffame.org/2017-nominees.

Frederica von Stade has been described by The New York Times as one of America's finest artists and singers and is known around the world through television appearances on PBS specials and Live from Lincoln Center. As a mezzo-soprano, she performed many of her great roles at the Metropolitan Opera, and has also sung with many leading American opera companies. Additionally, she is well known in Europe for productions at Teatro alla Scala, the Royal Opera Covent Garden, the Paris Opera and the Vienna State Opera. She has made more than 60 recordings and has received six Grammy nominations, the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Italy's Premio della Critica Discografica and many other accolades. In 1983 she was honored with an award at The White House by former President Ronald Reagan for her contribution to the arts. In 1998, she was appointed as an officer of L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, which is France's highest honor in the arts.

Michigan's longest running, nonprofit, professional theatre, the Detroit Repertory Theatre will hold its Annual Black Tie Awards Night and Homecoming Celebration and Performance on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm. The Black Tie is the Annual Major Fundraiser for the Theatre. Funds raised help keep the Detroit Repertory Theatre producing its diversity centered productions and support its many outreach programs that provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the uninitiated and the physically, mentally, economically and socially challenged, proving the power of diversity acting in unity.

Cruel Intentions: The Musical has turned the 90s nostalgia level up to eleven.

Part history lesson, party fantasy, all-around study of when the American dream goes disastrously wrong, NextStop Theatre's aim is ambitious with Assassins and they not only hit the target, they nail the bullseye.

Barter Theatre announced its 2018 Season lineup during an exclusive preview event featuring select excerpts from various productions. The event revealed details of more than 15 diverse shows planned for 2018.

On a sweltering day late last month, I amble into the Casey's General Store convenience mart in Darlington, Wisconsin, population 2,316. I'm carrying a plastic bag of teabags in my back pocket, a need for hot water, and the hope of striking up conversation with the cashier. Darlington is the county seat of Lafayette County, one of several counties in Southwestern Wisconsin that hadn't supported a Republican for President since Ronald Reagan. That is until November 8, 2016, when folks turned out to support Republican nominee Donald Trump, helping to swing Wisconsin, and the election, in his favor. I'm updating my solo show The Real Americans, which is based on travels through small-town and rural America, so I'm curious to know why folks here went for Trump. The Real Americans is having a revival at The Marsh in San Francisco through October 28 before it opens a seven-week run at Mosaic Theater in Washington D.C. starting November 10.

The World Premiere of Rich Rubin's topical comedy about salmon and human relationships, Swimming Upstream, will have a Champagne Celebration on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the Detroit Repertory Theatre at 8:30 PM. Opening Nights at the Rep are always full of camaraderie and celebration. This one will be no different. Guests are invited to join in a Champagne toast in the elegant lobby gallery of the Theatre after the show with the cast and crew. Tickets are still the lowest prices for professional theatre in the region at $17 advance or $20 day of performance, and may be purchased online at detroitreptheatre.com or by calling (313) 868-1347. Swimming Upstream will run Thursdays through Sundays until December 23, 2017. More information may be found at detroitreptheatre.com.

The mystery of what motivates a person to murder for political reasons plays out in Hayes Theatre Co's latest perfectly crafted production ASSASSINS.

The first and second day of the third-annual ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival at Boulder at the Main Boulder Public Library, September 15 and 16, featured 29 sessions that covered topics ranging from Slumdog Millionaire and Spotlight to climate change, sexuality, Russia and North Korea.

The exciting cast have now been announced for the first London revival in over 20 years of Insignificance by two-time Olivier Award winner Terry Johnson.

Chasing Jack is the new riveting drama from author John S. Anastasi, previously represented Off-Broadway with Would You Still Love Me If starring Kathleen Turner. Audience members can sit in the General Courtroom Gallery for $20 or be closer in the Jury Box for $25 and be part of the action!

Director Cambrian James' fast paced, delightful Kiss and Tell gave this grumpy critic more laughs than she has experienced in a good long time - and the rest of the Hale's opening night audience was right there with her.

Teased hair, neon mesh and parachute pants galore - The Wedding Singer at the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Syosset is a jubilant trip back to the '80s.

What is there to be said about Angels in America that hasn't already been said? Some would argue that it has passed into the literary canon and is no longer relevant; due to the Reagan-era time frame and a story tied to a health crisis now long forgotten. And yet, the LGBT rights, AIDS epidemic, and drug addiction addressed in this work tread far from thinly veiled plot devices and storylines. This play is just as important now (if not more so) as it was back in 1991. Heartbreaking and conscientious, this contemporary classic is anything but irrelevant in the wake of alarming current events. And Meredith McDonough's production Actors Theater is ample proof of how meaningful this show truly is.