Scott Smith News

The Renaissance Theatre will present Broadway's biggest celebration of the music of the '80s on March 7-8 and 14-15, 2020 with its production of Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages is part of the Richland Bank Broadway Series.

SHOWTIME has released the trailer and key art for the upcoming docu-series LOVE FRAUD, premiering on Friday, May 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series marks the first foray into episodic television for Emmy winners and Academy Award(R) nominees Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. LOVE FRAUD had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the first time in the festival's history a television series screened on opening night.

Wayne Reid and Judge Charles D. Gill today announced, “Death by Cop: A Call for Unity!” that will seek to connect a community of readers with a message of positivity and togetherness. Reid, a self-published author, intends to open a positive dialogue around police and community relations by trying to remove the color of skin as basis for this topical conversation. This book will attempt to transform the conversation around law enforcement relations and bring the world closer through reading and discovery.

Today, SHOWTIME Documentary Films announced upcoming titles from its 2020 slate from preeminent documentarians, including LOVE FRAUD from Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing, THE TRADE from Matthew Heineman, THE LONGEST WAR from Greg Barker, Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon, KINGDOM OF SILENCE from Alex Gibney, Rick Rowley and Lawrence Wright, and THE KINGMAKER from Lauren Greenfield. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc., at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour.

Works selected across the Indie Episodic, Shorts and Special Events sections of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival were announced today, underlining Sundance Institute's commitment to showcasing bold independent storytelling regardless of form, format or length.

Rachel Izen is to make history as the first actres in the UK to play Ebenezer Scrooge in a new adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol'.

The Renaissance Theatre will present its third production in the 2019-2020 Richland Bank Broadway Series with a fully staged production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder on November 16-17 and 23-24, 2019.

Dezart Performs 2019/2020 season launch party gives insight into the company.

The Blue Hill Troupe, New York City's only philanthropic musical theater group, will kick off its 96th season with The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a crowd-pleasing interactive whodunita?'based on Charles Dickens's final, unfinished novela?'that invites the audience to help solve a hilariously madcap murder mystery. One audience member in particular may have a distinct advantage: the show's composer, lyricist, and book writer, Rupert Holmes (honored with Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score of a Musical when the show premiered on Broadway in 1985), who will attend the show at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, and give a talk-back following the performance.

The only other musical written by Rent composer Jonathan Larson, tick, tick...Boom!, opens at the Bridge House Theatre this evening. The show is semi-autobiographical, based on Larson's own career. Set in 1990s New York, it follows the complex life of Jon, a 'promising' young composer, approaching 30 and with no idea where his life and career are heading. This thought-provoking yet funny show is packed with great songs, and is just as relevant today.

Dezart Performs presents SQUEEZE MY CANS: Cathy Schenkelberg's acclaimed one-woman show chronicling her journey into-and-out-of Scientology for tow performances only, October 7 and 8.. A benefit for Dezart Performs and the Scott Smith Scholarship Fund, the performances will take place in a special one-time partnership at the Desert Rose Playhouse.

Prepare yourself for a slice of musical theatre heaven with an entire evening of Jerry Herman music and lyrics.  SHOWTUNE  delivers everything that its title promises and then some!  No lyric is left unsung in this top-notch retrospective of Herman's phenomenal career in songwriting. Familiar tunes from such illustrious titles as 'Hello Dolly!', 'Mame' and 'La Cage Aux Folles' will be stuck in your head long after this charming show ends. 

On Monday, June 10 nearly 250 people gathered at the Tribeca Rooftop for the HB Studio Gala celebrating the centennial of its long-time master teacher, the two-time Tony Award winning actress Uta Hagen, whose 100th birthday is Wednesday, June 12.

Zions Bank in partnership with Spike150, CRWDA and Ogden Musical Theatre presented Gold Mountain, written by 2017 ASCAP Foundation's Cole Porter Award recipient Jason Ma as a series of semi-staged concert performances at the Regent Street Black Box at The Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City and in partnership with Ogden Musical Theatre, at the historic Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden, May 8 - May 11.

HB Studio, one of New York's oldest acting studios, will celebrate the legacy of Uta Hagen, long-time HB Studio master teacher, with the UTA HAGEN AT 100 GALA, on Monday, June 10 at Tribeca Rooftop (2 Desbrosses Street).  The evening will begin at 6pm with cocktails, followed by a dinner at 7pm. 

Los Angeles-based band JEMS will release their debut self-titled album on May 17 (pre-order). In anticipation of Friday's release date the album is streaming in full at Buzzbands LA. About the album Buzzbands LA says, 'JEMS (out Friday) has a lot to offer. 'Right on Time' speaks to yielding to the power of love while maintaining one's own identity. The organ-drenched 'Like Myself' reinforces the notion of taking a stand and finding a truth outside somebody else's “jurisdiction.” Album opener 'Take Me Back' longs for a simpler time — not out of nostalgia but as way of reconnecting with a spirit of freedom uncluttered by compromise. Oh, and JEMS crosses the finish line with a spot-on cover of 'Helplessly Hoping.'' JEMS have also announced a Los Angeles record release show coming up on May 18 at The Hotel Cafe. Tickets are available HERE and all upcoming shows are listed below. 

Los Angeles-based band JEMS will release their debut self-titled album on May 17 (pre-order). Today the band shared, 'Right On Time,' the latest single from the forthcoming release withThe Bluegrass Situation. About the song the band told The Bluegrass Situation, ''Right on Time' is a true trio song. We wrote it together recounting our individual experiences with love igniting a spark in a dark or lost time. We have all experienced being on the right side of timing with respective relationships. The song sets a scene that begins in a somewhat slumbered state and steadily builds to an awakening that nature and the movement of the world is sometimes on our side. We love the way we get to share the storytelling of this song musically and lyrically as three individual but connected women.'

Jason Ma and his company of Asian American actors are currently in rehearsal at different venues around Salt Lake City for the upcoming semi-staged concert presentations of his new musical Gold Mountain, which has sold out its Salt Lake City run. Those hoping to catch one of the Spike 150 celebration performances can see this original musical in nearby Ogden.

Los Angeles-based band JEMS will release their debut self-titled album on May 17 (pre-order). This week the band revealed the latest single from the album 'Like Myself.' The track premiered this week at AudioFemme along with an exclusive interview with the band. 'Like Myself' can also be shared at SoundCloud. JEMS have also announced a Los Angeles record release show coming up on May 18 at The Hotel Cafe. Tickets are available HERE. 

Bonnaroo organizers announced today the 2019 'Ready to Roo' tour.  Set to launch on March 18 in Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago and Tampa, 'Ready to Roo' will make stops in 14 cities across the country with more than 35-pop-up events created to bring the spirit of the festival to the hometowns of fans and those interested in learning more about the Bonnaroo experience.