The Martins News

On Monday, May 8 the Theater People podcast welcomes Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert. Ebert is currently starring alongside Harvey Fierstein in the critically acclaimed gay history play Gently Down the Stream which was written by Martin Sherrman (BENT, THE BOY FROM OZ). Gently Down the Stream plays at the Martinson Theater at The Public Theater through May 21st.

Ionesco's absurd theatre brought to life in a handsome production that is full of wit and humour, but never loses its avant garde character.

Firehouse Theatre presents Eugene Ionesco's anti-play THE BALD SOPRANO on a non-stop loop for twenty-four hours. Beginning Friday, April 21 at 7pm, each performance will begin every hour on the hour and will continue through Saturday, April 22 at 6pm, when the twenty-fourth consecutive performance will close the marathon. Six actors have accepted the challenge to perform Ionesco's absurdist masterpiece twenty four times in a row -- no breaks or intermissions. And, to make it really exciting, in each iteration of the show the six actors will rotate into different roles.

The Lake Effect Fringe Festival kicks off its 5th season of bringing new theatre to West Michigan all through the month of February on Wednesday, February 1 and 2, 2017 at 8:00 pm with a performance by Shadblow Theatre, reprising their production of Anatomy of Gray, by Jim Leonard. A coming of age story that is relatable to all. Its themes of community, family, questioning faith, fear of the unknown, acceptance, and love speak to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The play's ensemble driven story-telling, sometimes delightful and sometimes devastating emotional depth, as well as its often presentational style allows this play to truly connect to its audiences. The story follows fifteen-year-old June Muldoon, her mother, the colorful townsfolk of Gray, Indiana, and the mysterious doctor who crash lands in the center of the "most boring town in the world." Seeking to raise questions about what it means to be a part of this incredibly diverse world, the heart of this play touches on themes relevant to all. Fast-paced clever staging, beautiful lyrical narration, and a small but talented nine person ensemble, this play offers a compelling story in an immersive setting that is sure to offer a lot of laughs and a few tears. 

Not long ago best-selling author and media personality, Lynne Martin and her husband Tim began a conversation which ultimately led to a life where "mastering retirement" was not a cliche. 

Multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Bill Gaither will present the Gaither Christmas Homecoming music spectacular at Giant Center today, December 1 at 7:00 p.m.

The Public Theater has announced the 2017 Spring Public Forum line-up, featuring an exciting series of one-night-only events and expanded audience engagement programming to explore the ideas and themes presented on The Public Theater's stages.

Multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Bill Gaither will present the Gaither Christmas Homecoming music spectacular at Giant Center on Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m.

Curio Theatre Company continues its 11th Season with an updated take on Eugene Ionesco's, The Bald Soprano. This adaptation is by Tina Howe. Charlotte Northeast directs. This absurdist classic runs tonight, December 2, through December 19. Opening night is Friday, December 4 at 8 p.m. 

Curio Theatre Company continues its 11th Season with an updated take on Eugene Ionesco's, The Bald Soprano. This adaptation is by Tina Howe. Charlotte Northeast directs. This absurdist classic runs December 2-19. Opening night is Friday, December 4 at 8 p.m.. Curio shows typically run on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8 p.m. schedule.  The first preview is on a Wednesday. Tickets cost $15-$25 per person. Tickets and more information are available online at www.curiotheartre.org.

There may be no better way to chase the gloom of an unseasonably chilly and wind-whipped evening in NYC than to watch New York City Ballet's delightfully varied quintuple-bill entitled "Americana X Five". On October 2nd 2015, with Hurricane Joaquin's approach bringing on a gusty downpour, I was among the lucky dancegoers at the Koch Theater in Lincoln Center who enjoyed one of the best programs the company has offered in a long time. If you'll be in town through October 7th, don't miss the chance to see the works of four very different choreographers set to the equally wide-ranging works of a talented handful of American composers.

New York City Ballet's 'Swan Lake', which opened the 2015 fall season with performances from September 22nd to 29th, is a testament to the old adage that goes 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' In creating this iteration of one of the most beloved staples in ballet's classical canon, Artistic Director Peter Martins and his colleagues tinkered mercilessly with everything from the choreography to the costumes and sets. The dancing on the evening of Friday, September 25th when I saw the production was gorgeous and the story line was suitably moving, but those positive aspects didn't make up for the other glaring flaws. Not only that, but the orchestra was definitely not in fine fettle. Tchaikovsky's glorious score deserves better.

Candid memories of a 'lovely' Broadway original!

Young Jean Lee's new drama may actually be a satire.

Burbage Theatre Company presents Eugene Ionesco's The Bald Soprano, directed by Alex Duckworth. Often called the father of the Theater of the Absurd, Eugene Ionesco wrote groundbreaking plays that are simultaneously hilarious, tragic, and profound. Now his classic one acts The Bald Soprano and The Lesson are available in an exciting new translation by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Tina Howe, noted heir of Ionesco's absurdist vision, acclaimed by Frank Rich as 'one of the smartest playwrights we have.'

It's been a couple of years since playwright Deanna Jent's FALLING debuted here in St. Louis, and since then it's been published, and gone on to receive rave reviews on both coasts. FALLING's impact has been a wonderful thing to witness from afar, and so it's especially nice that we get the opportunity to revisit the play in Mustard Seed Theatre's current production. This was challenging and rewarding must-see theatre when I reviewed it in 2011, and I can assure you that my opinion is even stronger. This is a powerful piece that raises a number of important questions.

Balanchine once said, "See the music, hear the dance". The audience at the Koch Theater on the afternoon of February 22nd 2014 had the opportunity to do exactly that when the works of three very different choreographers brought treasured violin concertos to life. Kudos to Concertmasters Arturo Delmoni and Kurt Nikkanen, who offered admirable solo violin performances.

Fort-Worth-based platinum recording artist Toadies have teamed up with Texas brewers Martin House Brewing Company (MHBC) for the release of Rubberneck Red.

The year is 1927. During the Harlem Renaissance, a rich black vaudeville family, 'The Martins', finds itself torn between the sacred and the profane. A story of love, envy, wealth, fame, betrayal and redemption, 'The Exchange' will return in a theatre and film adaptation via Josiah Theatre Works.

The year is 1927. During the Harlem Renaissance, a rich black vaudeville family, 'The Martins', finds itself torn between the sacred and the profane. A story of love, envy, wealth, fame, betrayal and redemption, 'The Exchange' will return in a theatre and film adaptation via Josiah Theatre Works.