Simmons News

Town Theatre opens its centennial season with the classic production West Side Story - one of the most powerful love stories of all time. Beautiful melodies like 'Tonight,' 'Maria' and 'Somewhere' are juxtaposed with fierce and fiery dancing in 'America' and The Dance at the Gym. Town's production coincides with the 100th birthday of Jerome Robbins, director/choreographer of the original Broadway production of the show.

Energized by the yearlong celebration of his 50th Showbiz Anniversary, iconic pop singer, Engelbert Humperdinck feels the urge to start his next decade on a celebratory note as well. Coming hot on the heels of his first album of original material in over a decade, the acclaimed The Man I Want to Be, Engelbert decided to launch the next chapter of his illustrious career on October 12, 2018 by surprising the fans with Warmest Christmas Wishes, a brand-new Christmas album – his first in almost forty years.

Oscar® nominee Hugh Jackman stars as the charismatic politician Gary Hart for Academy Award®-nominated director Jason Reitman in the new thrilling drama The Front Runner. The film will be released in select cities on November 16, 2018 and everywhere on November 21, 2018.

The 62nd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® today announces its full programme, featuring a diverse selection of 225 feature films from both established and emerging talent. This 12-day celebration of cinema illustrates the richness of international filmmaking, with films to delight and entertain audiences, and also films that probe and interrogate issues of significance.

Casting has been announced for the Indianapolis return of Disney's THE LION KING, which will leap onto the stage at Old National Centre from September 12 for a limited three week engagement through September 29.

The American Songbook Association (ASA) is proud to present its first Annual Gala, The Joint Is Jumpin'!, a joyous celebration of contributions to the American Songbook by Black songwriters and notable singers. The ASA will also present its first annual Lifetime Achievement Award to singer Marilyn Maye. The award will be presented to Maye by her longtime friend, fashion designer, Bob Mackie. The event takes place at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42nd Street, New York City, on September 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Tickets, available by going to www.americansongbookassociation.org, are $150, $125 and $45.

Originally conceived by playwright Young Jean Lee, it was performed as spoken word broken up by punk rock songs about pain and death. Somehow performer Alli Villines has turned it into a ukulele folk festival! But I ask dear reader, what could be more punk rock than a collection of named ukuleles played without an ounce of irony whatsoever?

The American Songbook Association (ASA) has announced its first Annual Gala, The Joint Is Jumpin'!, a joyous celebration of contributions to the American Songbook by Black songwriters and notable singers. The ASA will also present its first annual Lifetime Achievement Award to singer Marilyn Maye. The award will be presented to Maye by her longtime friend, fashion designer, Bob Mackie. The event takes place at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42nd Street, New York City, on September 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Tickets, available by going to www.americansongbookassociation.org, are $150, $125 and $45.

On Saturday, August 25, the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth, Tanglewood pulled out all the stops for The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood concert commemorating the legacy of a man who was one of its most remarkable alumni and one of its most important faculty members and significant champions for half a century.

Playhouse Theatre Academy is a theatre school offering recreational classes and pre-professional training for both children & adults.  All programs, classes and workshops will now be held at the beautiful 224 EcoSpace which is conveniently located for anyone in Greater Hartford area or beyond.   Registration is now open for fall and year-round classes.  

Universal Open Rocket League – NBC Sports Group and FACEIT's annual esports tournament – culminates this weekend at NBC Sports Group's International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., as the top Rocket League players in the world compete in a 2v2 tournament for a $100,000 prize pool.

 Tickets for the first two productions of Pioneer Theatre Company's 2018-2019 season, and the theatre's add-on productions, are now on sale to the general public.

Calling all TV fans, the Tribeca TV Festival is back on the big screen bringing audiences together to discover new series and be the first to see favorite new season premieres. The 2nd Tribeca TV Festival will celebrate unforgettable storytellers who have shaped what 'peak TV' is today and introduce new voices in episodic storytelling. Over four days at Spring Studios in New York City, each event will feature a conversation with the stars and creators of favorite and soon-to-be-favorite shows. The 2018 Tribeca TV Festival will take place September 20-23. Tickets go on sale today, August 22, at 11am ET at tribecafilm.com/TVFestival.

The Casper Events Center, Casper Star-Tribune Communications, and Townsquare Media are pleased to present the 14th Annual Wyoming Women's Expo at the Casper Events Center on Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22.

Playing at the Lyric Studio on the Square, the hit musical comedy brings serious comedic and vocal chops to a hysterical and ridiculous plot - conveyed by what would traditionally be the most no-nonsense characters ever: a group of 5 nuns of the Little Sisters of Hoboken.

Few other animals inspire such passion, excitement and fear as the Wolf. They're mysterious, intelligent, protective and loyal, and Animal Planet's all-new series spotlights one group's unique mission to rescue and care for these creatures. WOLVES AND WARRIORS follows U.S. Navy veteran Matt Simmons and Dr. Lorin Lindner, the husband and wife team behind Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC), a private sanctuary that rescues wolves and wolf-dog hybrids whose lives are threatened by poachers, illegal breeders and other perils. Episodes document high risk rescues and rehabilitation efforts undertaken by Matt and Lorin, who are joined by combat veterans working to overcome the traumas of war. WOLVES AND WARRIORS premieres Sat., Sept. 1 at 10PM ET/PT.

HAK premieres in New York City as a part of HB Studio Rehearsal Space Residency. After being staged in several cities in Europe and Turkey, HAK will be performed in English for the first time.

Today, DJ/producer Marshmello andBritish band Bastille unveiled the new single 'Happier.' By turns poignant and exhilarating, 'Happier' (Astralwerks) acknowledges the uncomfortable truth that loving someone sometimes requires we step aside so they can find happiness. Bastille frontman Dan Smith penned the song with Steve Mac (Ed Sheeran, Liam Payne, P!nk).

The National Civil Rights Museum (NCRM) will host an award-winning lineup of spoken word artists at its Drop the Mic Poetry Slam and Poetry Symposium on August 17 - 18. Both events are free and open to the public and are designed to stimulate youth participation in modern community dialogue and grassroots activism centered on the social justice legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.