Tom Jones News

Classic Pop Acts and a Trio of National Symphony Orchestra Performances Hit the Wolf Trap Stage as July Draws to a Close

Dennis Parlato, seen on Broadway in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Sound of Music and The Graduate, will assume the role of El Gallo in Off Broadway's The Fantasticks from July 13 through August 2, 2009 while Lewis Cleale, who normally plays the role, appears in Camelot at The Muny.

Rubicon Theatre Company has announced the cast and creative team for the World Premiere of THE BEST IS YET TO COME: THE MUSIC OF CY COLEMAN, which began previews July 9 at Rubicon's intimate 200-seat home at 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. The show continues Wednesdays through Sundays through August 2, 2009.

In preparation for the opening of the theater's renovated complex in Southwest D.C., Arena Stage has undertaken ARENA RESTAGED-a two-year festival of American voices. Part Two will continue the remarkable exploration of American work and provide the theater with necessary time to move into the new Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in time for the Fall 2010 opening.

Color symbolism is a literary device that is hammered home by high school English teachers around the country. Students are encouraged to ponder why Jay Gatsby reaches out to the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock and what Robert Frost meant when he wrote about two roads diverging in a yellow wood. Why did these authors choose the colors green and yellow? What did they mean?

Repertory Philippines celebrates the golden anniversary of THE FANTASTICKS by mounting its own production at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City July 3-16.

The critically acclaimed open mic series, Big Night Out is bigger and better than ever! Billed as a delicious gathering for the musical community, Big Night Out is a unique and supportive environment for performers and composers of all backgrounds to come together and perform the music that they love. Hosted by The Fabulous Jennifer Wren, who made her cabaret debut in 2006 with her revue Love, Rainbows and All at Don't Tell Mama, and resident Musical Director William 'Bill' Zeffiro, singers are encouraged to try out new material, sing the roles that they aspire to play, sing the roles they will never play, or just show off for the joy of it.

The League of Professional Theatre Women, a non-profit organization committed to promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre, is pleased to announce its new slate of officers. These women will serve as leaders of the League for a two-year term, from July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2011.

Fresh from his acclaimed stint as Jordan 'Bick' Benedict in the Signature Theatre's production of Michael John LaChiusa's Giant, Lewis Cleale has returned to the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He previously played the role from September 2008 through March 2009. Addi McDaniel will join the cast as Luisa on Monday, June 29, 2009. They replace, respectively, Bradley Dean and Ramona Mallory.

Leaving the security of the corporate world for a career in the arts may sound wonderful and soul-fulfilling, but when push comes to shove, taking that step is not as easy as it sounds, as clearly shown in John Kearns' comic drama RESIGNATIONS. Directed by Erin Smiley, the show will begin performances at 440 Lafayette Studios on June 11th as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) has announced the New York premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy The Understudy, directed by Scott Ellis with Tony Award winner Julie White as 'Roxanne'.

Theatre impresario and Broadway producer Shelly Gross passed away on June 19, 2009, in West Palm Beach, Florida, after a long illness. With a career that spanned over fifty years, he created an unprecedented number of theatre operations around the country, produced shows for Broadway & National Tours and presented a who's who of legendary performers including everyone from Judy Garland to Bruce Springsteen. He was 88 years old.

As she engineers one of the most exciting late-career surges ever seen, the unstoppable Marilyn Maye pays tribute to the great wordsmith Johnny Mercer in a brand new show that opened at the Metropolitan Room on Friday June 12th. Maye, in her sixth Metropolitan Room show (and eighth engagement) since she her triumphant return to New York in late 2006 (after a 16-year Gotham hiatus), premiered 'Mercer the Maye Way,' which plays a total of 9 times through June 21.

Fresh from his acclaimed stint as Jordan 'Bick' Benedict in the Signature Theatre's production of Michael John LaChiusa's Giant, Lewis Cleale has returned to the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He previously played the role from September 2008 through March 2009. Addi McDaniel will join the cast as Luisa on Monday, June 29, 2009. They replace, respectively, Bradley Dean and Ramona Mallory.

Hal David, Chairman/CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF), today announced that Maxyne Lang will receive the Abe Olman Publisher Award to be presented at the 2009 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards 40th Anniversary gala, slated for Thursday, June 18th, at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.

As she engineers one of the most exciting late-career surges ever seen, the unstoppable Marilyn Maye pays tribute to the great wordsmith Johnny Mercer in a brand new show that opens at the Metropolitan Room on Friday June 12 at 7:30pm.

Lamb's Players Theatre is kicking off the summer season with a re-imagined production of the beloved musical The Fantasticks. The wonder and romance-filled musical plays June 5 - July 26 at Lamb's Players Theatre in Coronado, with an opening night for media on June 12 at 8:00pm.

Thin Air Theatre Company summer season at the Butte Theater 139 E. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek, starts June 5.

Lynda Carter, best known for her starring role as TV's 'Wonder Woman' celebrated the release of her new CD, 'At Last' at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble store on Tuesday June 9th.

Thin Air Theatre Company producers are gearing up for a new year at the Butte Theater 139 E. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek. The news season starts June 5. The Fantasticks - June 5-Sept. 26 The Fantasticks, a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, the world's longest-running musical, for 42 years. Tickets: $15.75 Adult; $13.75 Senior; $9.75 Children; $12.75 for groups of 20+ See butteroperahouse.com for schedule and to buy tickets.