Tazewell Thompson News

Can opera be a medium for social commentary and change? I've been thinking about this lately--or, more accurately, yet again--since attending a preview of the new Jeanne Tesori-Tazewell Thompson opera, BLUE, which was part of the Guggenheim Museum's fascinating Works & Process series. The performance of excerpts and roundtable with its creators were part of preparations for the work's world premiere this summer at the Glimmerglass Festival.

Chicago Opera Theater's Orli and Bill Staley Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya and Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson General Director Ashley Magnus today announced the plans for the company's 47th season, to include productions of two exciting contemporary operas, a Chicago premiere by Rachmaninov, and the company's second world premiere commission. Yankovskaya will conduct each of these Chicago Opera Theater (COT) productions.

Twenty-eight performers selected to compete for a chance to win top prizes of $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000; total prizes to exceed $75,000; an all-star team of musical theater, opera, and Kurt Weill experts to adjudicate semifinals and finals.

Actors Theatre of Louisville announces the 2019-2020 Season, beginning in September, with exciting work from Idris Goodwin, Fiasco Theater, Sarah DeLappe and Tazewell Thompson. Season ticket packages are now on sale and available at ActorsTheatre.org.

Washington National Opera (WNO) announces initial casting for its 2019 WNO Gala, celebrating local entrepreneur John J. Pohanka for his outstanding contributions to the organization. The Gala concert on Saturday, May 18, 2019, in the Kennedy Center Opera House features Evan Rogister leading theWNO Orchestra and an array of musical stars in his inaugural performance as WNO's Principal Conductor. Headlining the concert is renowned American soprano and Grammy® Award-winner Christine Goerke, joined by Washingtonian bassSoloman Howard. In demand by major opera houses around the world including Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House Covent Garden, WNO audiences will remember Goerke's heroic feat of stepping in last minute to take over the role of Brunnhilde during the company's first ever complete Ring Cycle in 2016. Howard, a former Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist, is the recipient of the 2019 Marian Anderson Vocal Award and most recently performed in Aida at The Met and Don Carlo with LA Opera.

Twenty-eight performers selected to compete for a chance to win top prizes of $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000; total prizes to exceed $75,000; an all-star team of musical theater, opera, and Kurt Weill experts to adjudicate semifinals and finals.

A season filled with unforgettable music, riveting stories, thrilling singers from around the world, and stirring productions goes on sale by subscription Friday, January 25, at 10am. Six new and new-to-Chicago productions including three Lyric premieres and three performances of the Ring cycle will engage and entertain audiences from late September 2019 through June 2020.

Lyric Opera announced its 2019/2020 season, and theater lovers (like myself) will find some particular highlights to enjoy in the upcoming season.

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, presents The Glimmerglass Festival: Blue by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 7:30pm.

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, presents The Glimmerglass Festival: Blue by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompsonon Monday, February 11, 2019 at 7:30pm.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is pleased to announce its spring 2019 season. Since 1984 the performing arts series has championed new works and offered audiences unprecedented access to leading creators. Programs explore the artistic process through stimulating discussions and riveting performance highlights. Each 70-minute program takes place in the intimate Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Peter B. Lewis Theater. Additional information is available at worksandprocess.org.

92Y announces more cast names and new creative team members for Lyrics & Lyricists 2019. Under the helm of L&L producer Ted Chapin, the series brings artists from theater and beyond to present original revues featuring award-winning Broadway and cabaret performers illuminating the American Songbook.

92Y announces more cast names and new creative team members for Lyrics & Lyricists 2019. Under the helm of L&L producer Ted Chapin, the series brings artists from theater and beyond to present original revues featuring award-winning Broadway and cabaret performers illuminating the American Songbook.

Back by popular demand, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will present a talk at The Glimmerglass Festival on July 26 at 4 p.m.

Syracuse Stage – Central New York's premier professional theatre in residence at Syracuse University – is bringing an intense world premiere play Possessing Harriet to its loyal audience base. The historical play, meticulously researched and written by award-winning local playwright and Syracuse Stage's associate director Kyle Bass, is realized in a thought-provoking and emotional production beautifully directed by Tazewell Thompson.

Syracuse Stage continues the 2018/19 season with a world premiere production "Possessing Harriet," Oct. 17 - Nov. 4.

Named for the groundbreaking African American contralto, the Marian Anderson Vocal Award recognizes a young American singer in opera, oratorio, or recital repertoire with outstanding promise for a significant career. Washington National Opera (WNO) named bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as the 2018 recipient earlier this year and is pleased to present him in concert today, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $39.

Named for the groundbreaking African American contralto, the Marian Anderson Vocal Award recognizes a young American singer in opera, oratorio, or recital repertoire with outstanding promise for a significant career. Washington National Opera (WNO) named bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as the 2018 recipient earlier this year and is pleased to present him in concert on Thursday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $39.

Jenne Vath and Steven Hauck join the cast of THE DRAGON GRISWYND, Carrie Robbins' playful and poignant fairy tale for all ages. The one-act will have its world premier in the Community Space Theater at The Theater for the New City, Crystal Field (Artistic Director), as part of the 2018 Dream Up Festival, committed to wide-ranging, original theatrical visions. THE DRAGON GRISWYND is based on a story by RD Robbins.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie announce the 2018/19 season lineup for the company's 69th season. The season reflects Arena Stage's commitment to championing diverse voices and producing work that is politically and socially relevant.