Just a few weeks ago I was dodging a falling chandelier at the Orpheum's staging of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA; at the 'Phantom Event' held prior to the play, I was reminded of all the physical (as well as fiscal) requirements for properly staging this production. I kept thinking, 'How many small, financially strapped towns would breathe a sigh of relief if the proceeds from such a production were to come their way?' Well, that's one extreme of theatre. Tonight I was exposed to the opposite; Circuit Playhouse's production of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' allegorical THE FANTASTICKS reminded me of Thornton Wilder's minimalism in the staging of OUR TOWN. If musicals like PHANTOM and LES MISERABLES are the 'central air' of theatre, THE FANTASTICKS is rather like a quaint little oscillating fan. Yet, its breeze can be refreshing.
For the first time in Australia, renowned playwright Craig Wright's The Pavilion will be presented by Melbourne's Boutique Theatre company 30 October - 14 November at the Abbots- ford Convent.
Theatre of NOTE continues its 2014 season with the West Coast premiere of BANSHEE,written by Brian C. Petti and directed by James R. Carey. BANSHEE will open tonight, October 3 at 8pm and run through Saturday, November 1 at Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd (just north of Sunset) in Hollywood.
The Harold Clurman Playwrights Division, a program of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, has announced the results of its search for ten-minute plays with social impact. In early 2014, the division sought plays that address issues of the environmental crisis or global violence against women and girls. Over sixty plays were received. Seven of them will be read on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 7pm as part of the Harold Clurman Festival of the Arts, an annual event that highlights the relationship between art and social activism. The cast will be comprised of studio alumni and faculty. The selected plays and authors follow:
Wagner College Theatre opens their 2014-15 Season with one of America's great musicals, Hello, Dolly! from October 1-12. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the musical's Broadway premiere, the Wagner production is directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Norb Joerder (WCT's Little Women) with musical direction by James Higgins (WCT's The Drowsy Chaperone).
Tandy Cronyn will star in THE TALL BOY, a play by Simon Bent based on the short story 'The Lost' by Kay Boyle. It is directed by Bruch Reed, based on original staging by David Hammond. It will be presented tonight, Sept. 24 and November 2 at Theatre Row as part of United Solo Theatre Festival
STAGES St. Louis has announced that the box office sensation, Always... Patsy Cline at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza will continue tonight, September 18th to October 12th.
Our Town opened the 50th season of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre on Friday September 12 at the Spencer Theater located on the campus of the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Thornton Wilder wrote the 1938 classic and winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama that has weathered time to remain one of the most popular plays of all time.
Theatre of NOTE continues its 2014 season with the West Coast premiere of BANSHEE,written by Brian C. Petti and directed by James R. Carey. BANSHEE will preview Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27, and will open on Friday, October 3 at 8pm and run through Saturday, November 1 at Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd (just north of Sunset) in Hollywood.
The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the world-premiere of Ned and Sunny: A Hartford Love Story. The play, written by Hartford-based playwright, Jacques Lamarre, tells the story of Edward 'Ned' Roberts and Ann 'Sunny' Thorsen, arts enthusiasts who meet in 1938 through the Mark Twain Masquers, marry, and establish a foundation to support the arts in the Greater Hartford region.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company announces its 2014-2015 ReDiscovery Series with a selection of five plays by significant women playwrights of the early 20th Century, directed by local D.C. directors. The first reading to kick off the series will be Chains of Dew by Susan Glaspell, directed by Holly Twyford, on Monday, September 15.
Children's Playhouse of Maryland, in residence at CCBC Essex, hosts its 8TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA from 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m., today, Sept. 6 in the College Community Center Theatre at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. a silent auction and raffles. At 7:30 p.m., the CPM cast presents a special preview performance of HELLO, DOLLY! - CPM's first musical production for its fall 2014 season. A buffet reception will follow the performance. Tickets are $25 and available through the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-ARTS (2787).
Kansas City Repertory Theatre will open its 50th anniversary celebration with the Kansas City premiere of David Cromer's Our Town, an enduring American story which examines the everyday lives of an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century. Our Town, one of the greatest American plays written by Thornton Wilder, the three-time Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and novelist will be directed by David Cromer, MacArthur Foundation 'genius' grant recipient and director of KC Rep's 2009 production of The Glass Menagerie which received national and local critical acclaim. This co-production with UMKC Theatre will feature redesigned seating at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus. The show will run tnight, September 5 through 28th.
For the first time in over 22 years, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) is pleased to announce it will produce the bright, brassy Broadway adventure, HELLO, DOLLY! on its Main Stage. The production will enjoy previews from tonight, September 5 - 11, 2014 with grand opening festivities taking place Today, September 12.
Black Box Operations is pleased to announce the appointment of Kaitlin McCarthy to serve as its first Administrative Director after a month-long search. The Administrative Director will serve as the liaison between the Capitol Hill community and the new theatre facilities opening at 12th Avenue Arts later this year.
Tandy Cronyn will star in THE TALL BOY, a play by Simon Bent based on the short story 'The Lost' by Kay Boyle. It is directed by Bruch Reed, based on original staging by David Hammond. It will be presented Sept. 24 and November 2 at Theatre Row as part of United Solo Theatre Festival
'Hello, Andrea!' That's what audiences will be saying with much enthusiasm when Broadway's legendary star Andrea McArdle returns to The Media Theatre as the iconic Dolly Levi in "Hello Dolly" in spring 2015. McArdle, who wowed audiences and theatre critics alike with her memorable performance as "Mame" in 2013, will take on her second Jerry Herman musical in Media April 15-May 17.
