The Audience (i) News

Director Patrick Burke trained at?The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Onstage at the Group?Rep:?A Christmas Carol,?Inspecting Carol,?Sherlock's Last Case,?Hotel Paradiso, Awake and Sing,?Boeing Boeing,?Don't Dress For Dinner,?That Lovin' Feelin',?A Nice Family Christmas, Lost In Yonkers,?A Midsummer Night's Dream,?Romeo & Juliet, and Rumors.  When did you get interested in puppets and puppetry?

Getting over the seedy scenery and the pre-recorded orchestra, I found Theatre Charlotte's THE PRODUCERS more politically incorrect - and nearly as enjoyable - as the previous three times I've seen this Mel Brooks romp.

Today HADESTOWN's Jewell Blackman speaks with BroadwayWorld about making her Broadway debut in a show that encourages us to persevere, even if the odds are stacked against us. 

Following its acclaimed 2018 national tour, C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert starring Max McLean as C.S. Lewis has eleven performances at The Broad Stage Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 21 (press opening is Friday, July 12). The play is presented in Santa Monica by Fellowship for Performing Arts, the producers of The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce.

Actors Louise Jameson and Thomas Mahy are currently starring in Philip Ridley's play Vincent River at Trafalgar Studios. We caught up with them to hear about their characters, their love for theatre, and why the play has special resonance in post-Brexit London.

Say what you want about Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber but at least he's consistent. Consistently borrowing from others as is evident in the most recent offering from the Paramount Theatre, 'his' musical version of the 2003 movie 'The School of Rock'. And while it has adorable kids, absolutely shredding it with their vocals and musical chops on stage, it also has utterly forgettable and repetitious songs (at least the ones actually written by Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater) and a lead who takes mugging to a whole new, annoying level.

The audience I saw it with often exploded with laughter.

Musician extraordinaire Hershey Felder will be presenting HERSHEY FELDER: A PARIS LOVE STORY at the Wallis Annenberg beginning May 24, 2019. A PARIS LOVE STORY will focus on Impressionist composer Claude Debussy, known for his masterpieces La Mer, Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune, of course, Claire de lune. I had the wonderful opportunity ask Hershey a few inquiries in the midst of his world premiering in Mountain View.

Radio giant Howard Stern reveals he suffered a serious health scare and talks about retirement, his relationship with President Trump and more in an interview with Tracy Smith for CBS SUNDAY MORNING to be broadcast Sunday, May 12 (9:00 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.

On Friday, April 26 the Diavolo Space became the final home to the 2019 LA Dance Festival. A relaxed setting, with limited seating, and no AC, 'LA Dance is hot, it's cookin,' joked the Festival Producer, Deborah Brokus. Brokus introduced the Fringe portion of the evening and referred to Southern California as the birthplace for modern dance hinting at Martha Graham and Isabella Duncan. Brokus said LADF is 'looking to bring the community together.' With raffles, snacks and drinks, and 'Arts in LA' support buttons the evening of dance began.

Dear Readers, I am not the intended audience for 'The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical', currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and if you're over the age of twelve and a musical theater aficionado like me, I suspect it's not for you either. However, if you are indeed a pre-teen or younger or a parent looking for something to thrill your kids or maybe even give them an introduction to theater, this may be perfect for you. Because of that, we're going to have two reviews in one here. One to point out why I think it appealed to kids and one to explain why I couldn't leave the theater fast enough.

42nd Street, the iconic Broadway masterpiece and winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1980, is tap-dancing its way onto the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center's Little Theater stage in Charleston, WV from April 26th, 2019 through May 11th, 2019 courtesy of the talented performers and crew of the Charleston Light Opera Guild.

At Broadway's Imperial Theatre, toes are tapping and hands are clapping as audiences hum along to the hits of The Temptations. The story of the legendary musical group is told in Ain't Too Proud, a brand new musical that follows their extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Before Cruel Intentions brings 90s tune's and cocaine crosses to Louisville, Taylor Pearlstein who plays Kathryn, took the time to answer a few questions.

On stage, Jay O. Sanders' Cyrano spends a lot of time speaking through Christian. This time, Sanders speaks for himself.

Another TV star joins the cast for this summer's Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester.

Wasatch Theatrical Ventures brings Arthur Miller's classic ALL MY SONS to the Lounge Theatre beginning April 6, 2019. A staple of the Los Angeles Theatre community, director/actor/designer Gary Lee Reed helms this ironically timely tale of defective aircraft tragedies. Gary spent a few moments to answer some of my quizzing questions.

The 2019 National tour of Lincoln Center Theater's production of FALSETTOS has already begun in San Francisco, with its next stop the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles (beginning April 16, 2019). I was afforded the most opportune chance to chat with Nick Blaemire in between shows at the SHN Golden Gate in San Francisco. A produced Broadway writer at the early age of 23, Nick now portrays shrink/husband/step-dad/friend Mendel, the connecting link between FALSETTOS's myriad of characters created from the fertile meetings of the artistic minds of William Finn and James Lapine.

The second and third repetition is ultimately what will establish a piece as an addition to the repertoire...

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, under the direction of Glenn Edgerton, is one of the most accomplished dance companies in the United States today. After an international career with the Joffrey Ballet and later at the Nederlands Dance Theater 1, both as dancer and artistic director, Edgerton brings unique skills to his position. It shows in his company's performances--serious, accomplished and professional--a real mark that the company is a cut above the rest.