Syracuse University News

You loved him as the father on TV's "The Wonder Years." Now meet him in a new role: The Godfather.

Each year, the New York Landmarks Conservancy recognizes distinguished New Yorkers who have made extraordinary contributions to the City and honors them as Living Landmarks at a gala in the fall. This year The New York Landmarks Conservancy will honor Ann L. Buttenwieser, Joel Grey, Robert I. Grossman, MD, William vanden Heuvel (Lew Rudin Award), Mary Wells Lawrence, and Brooke Shields on November 14, at the Plaza. The special celebration will be hosted by Living Landmark Liz Smith.

Opera Exposures will celebrate National Opera Week by presenting a FREE recital honoring the legendary American soprano Elinor Ross today, Oct. 27, at 4:30 PM in The Music Hall at The Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island.

After a wildly successful extended run last spring, Urban Stages (France Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Peter Napolitano, Producing Associate) will remount their production of Greg Kalleres' biting comedy HONKY - a NY TimesCritics' Pick! Directed by Luke Harlan, HONKY will begin its performances on October 22 and open on Sunday, October 27 through November 17, 2013 at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street). Tickets will be $40 ($25 during previews) and will be available at www.Smarttix.comor by calling 212.868.4444.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has chosen Abrams Artists Agent Beth Blickers, OBIE and Drama Desk Award-winning actress Donna Lynne Champlin, Tony Award and Drama Desk Award-nominated actor Hunter Foster, Tony Award and Drama Desk Award-nominated composer and lyricist Amanda Green, Tony Award-nominated director Thomas Kail, Associate Producer of the Old Globe Eric Louie, Outer Critics Circle-nominated director and choreographer Josh Prince, Tony Award and Drama Desk nominated actor and writer Tony Sheldon, Tony Award-nominated and Grammy-winning composer Lucy Simon, and two-time Tony Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris to serve as the Grand Jury of this year's Next Link project.

Opera Exposures will celebrate National Opera Week by presenting a FREE recital honoring the legendary American soprano Elinor Ross on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 4:30 PM in The Music Hall at The Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island. The musical performance, titled Puccini and Duke Ellington, will feature sopranos Natalie Bergeron and Alicia Waller and tenors Carl Rosenthal and former professional football player Ta'u Pupu'a. Also performing will be the famous Chris Gillespie Quartet, who perform regularly at Bemelman's Bar in the Hotel Carlyle and a surprise guest who will not be identified until the day of the performance. They will be accompanied on piano by Mary Pinto. Dwight Owsley, Opera Exposures' Artistic Advisor and a well known New York bon vivant, will moderate the program, offering his unique and entertaining musical insights. The recital is being produced by Edna Greenwich, Founder and President of Opera Exposures.

ANTHEM, presented by The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company based on the acclaimed Ayn Rand novel, announced that Alan Dershowitz, lawyer, jurist, author, and political commentator will be participating in a talkback following the 8pm performance on Friday, October 29th. ANTHEM playsat the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street).

As part of our Philippe Dodard: Modernity in Haitian Contemporary Art exhibition, Community Folk Art Center will be hosting the writing workshop, "The Creative Process: How to Get Published as an Emerging Literary Artist" featuring Haitian author Elsie Augustave on October 23rd. On the following day, October 24th, Augustave will give a reading and signing copies of her latest book The Roving Tree in the Jacquet Education Commons at the Syracuse University School of Education.

ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery has announced the appointment of Annie Lareau as the Interim Artistic Director. This announcement completes the Management team at ArtsWest as they move forward after a period of re-branding and identity strengthening.

Taye Diggs recently received the Arents Award from his alma mater, Syracuse University. The George Arents Award is Syracuse University's highest alumni honor, presented annually to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields. Below, watch interviews with many of Taye's colleagues and friends, including his wife and fellow Broadway star Idina Menzel, plus the man himself!

It's Saturday, and that means it's time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' round-up. Today's photos come from the casts of SOUL DOCTOR, KINKY BOOTS, Goodspeed's THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS at Paper Mill, THE JUNGLE BOOK at Huntington, TOP HAT in the West End, THE BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS in Manila, Philippines, the national tours of ELVIS LIVES and HELLO, DOLLY! and more!

Broadway favorite Josh Young, who is currently starring as 'Che' in the national tour of EVITA, recently opened Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. To hear the Tony nominee's rendition, click below!

Thom Fogarty** will direct LILLIAN SMITH BEING HEARD, written and performend by Lulu Fogarty*, which will be presented November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16, 2013 at 7pm by the 360 Repertory Company (260REPCO) in THE LOFT at Judson Church. This intimate production of Lulu Fogarty's exciting one woman show, will include a Special Appearance byLorna Hampson*. Music by "Blue" Gene Tyranny. Video by Anja Hitzenberger. Lighting and Stage design by Thom Fogarty.

ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff will give a keynote address at Disney's first-ever 'Veterans Institute' workshop on November 14, 2013.

Opera Exposures will celebrate National Opera Week by presenting a FREE recital honoring the legendary American soprano Elinor Ross on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 4:30 PM in The Music Hall at The Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island.

Community Folk Art Center will be hosting an evening with critically acclaimed musician Daniel Roumain on Friday, October 18th at 7pm. The concert titled, "Hear Haiti Here," will be held as part of our highly anticipated concert series, A Journey Through Music of the African Diaspora (JMAD).

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment have announced that the North American Tour of the five-time Tony Award nominated musical SISTER ACT will begin its second year of performances. The tour opened on October 2, 2012 at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre and is still rocking the rafters across the country. SISTER ACT opened to stellar reviews and continues to receive them across the country.

Erica most recently toured internationally with 'Hair' the musical. Off-Broadway credits include 'National Pastime' and 'Odyssey'. Other favorites: Audrey in 'Little Shop of Horrors', Hermia in 'A Midsummer Nights Dream', and Columbia in 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'. A musical theatre grad from Syracuse University, when not performing she hosts karaoke and works at piano bars in NYC.

Ben is thrilled to be taking part in NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation!  Recent graduate of Syracuse University's Musical Theatre program.  Regional credits include Fiddler On The Roof (Barrington Stage), and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Syracuse Stage).   Let's do this!