Willy News

Kicking the 2016-17 season off with a bang, City Theatre presents Hand to God by Robert Askins, September 24 - October 16, 2016 on the Main Stage.

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, presents the World Premiere of Man in the Ring by Michael Cristofer, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell.

Gene Wilder, star of WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - which will soon grace Broadway in a new musical adaptation - and Mel Brooks films such as THE PRODUCERS, BLAZING SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, died today, August 29, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.

Our universal need to be remembered is the underlying theme of a behind-the-scenes baseball comedy by Ken Levine, an Emmy Award-winning writer (Cheers, M*A*S*H, The Simpsons), acclaimed sportscaster and former host of Dodger Talk. Andrew Barnicle directs the world premiere of Going... Going... GONE! for an Oct. 1 opening at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Hollywood.

On Sundays September 4 and 11 at 7 pm, Emergent Arts' 'Stage Time' variety show returns to Ypsilanti at The Madhouse, 1436 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti 48198, featuring the best and brightest talent the state has to offer, followed at 8:30 pm by Emergent Arts' own UNclub Open Mic. Tickets to 'Stage Time' at 7 pm are $10 suggested donation at the door or on-line at www.emergentarts.com. Admission to UNclub Open Mic at 8:30 is by suggested $5 donation at the venue.

Vintage Theatre presents 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka' September 16 through October 30, at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) opens its 40th season with Calixto Bieito's bold staging of Georges Bizet's Carmen, the largest production the company has mounted in its four decades. Set in the arid earthiness of post-Franco Spanish North Africa, Carmen is a powerful account of a defiantly free-spirited woman and her obsessive lover. With the familiar story and iconic score that opera buffs and casual opera-goers alike know and love, BLO's Carmen opens September 23 for four performances through October 2. The run marks the company's debut at the Boston Opera House whereCarmen will be the first professional opera produced at the venerable theater since 1991.

The award-winning team behind the Olivier Award-nominated smash hit Alice's Adventures Underground and The Game's Afoot, in association with gastronomic wunderkinds Bompas & Parr, are delighted to announce further menu details and casting for Dinner at the Twits, a gloriously gruesome interactive theatrical dining experience from 4 September - 30 October at The Vaults, London.

Barbara Streisand, one of the most beloved stars of stage and screen in history, teams up with comedic actor Seth MacFarlane in this unlikely duo for a beautiful rendition of 'Pure Imagination,' from the 1972 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Check out a sneak peek of the process below, and make sure to catch Streisand on her current tour across the country!

With former Tennessee Titan Eddie George, Jenny Littleton of The Doyle and Debbie Show, founding Rep actor Jackie Welch, a collection of audience favorites, and some intriguing new faces added to the mix, Nashville Repertory's five-show season for 2016-17 tackles the many dimensions of love: commitment, dilemma, risk, joy, and disappointment.

Willy Jay LaBlanc, a retiree from Boeing Corporation, pilot, researcher of Green Energy power plants, devoted writer and author has completed his new book 'The Son of Man': a religious and controversial work about the contents of the Bible and their validity to historical accounts.

To celebrate the 25-year anniversary of her platinum release String of Pearls, iconic Australian singer-songwriter Deborah Conway will perform the entire album as well as launch her new album, Everybody's Begging, with long-time collaborator Willy Zygier, in two special concerts at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), on 9 September 2016, with a second concert now added on 10 September due to popular demand.

Opening on August 26 and running through September 24 is 'Death The Musical II: Death Takes a Harmony', by Scott A Eckert, a follow up to his 2009 musical hit, 'Death: The Musical,' which also premiered at The Pocket and was the winner of the DFW Theater Critics Ward and Column Award for best new play. With its 'melodies bright and fast... lyrics wickedly witty' (The Dallas Observer), it 'provided a dandy showcase for his clever lyrics and twisted sense of humor' (The Dallas Voice). 

WRITE OUT LOUD - an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading short stories aloud for a live audience, is excited to collaborate with San Diego organizations Celebrating 100 Years of Roald Dahl - on Sunday, September 18th in Balboa Park from 10am - 5pm.

The summer theatre season in Des Moines is officially wrapping up, which means an impressive fall season is ready to launch. Whether you're a fan of classics, have children to please, or want something a little edgy, you will be pleased with one of the many shows offered in the Des Moines Metro.

Film and TV actor David Levi is ready for the challenge the part of 'Happy' in Death of a Salesman brings. Ernest Barzaga has created a platform where young artists like him can use Arthur Miller's masterpiece as a way to express their own angst.

The factory is almost open! Producers for Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle, just announced the show will begin performances Tuesday, March 28, 2017 and officially opens Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).

Three big musicals and an Arthur Miller classic will be released in November.

Broadway star Allie Trimm is in concert with composer Daniel Dunlow. Enjoy an evening of new music from Dunlow's piano and Trimm's voice. Allie Trimm is a Broadway veteran recognized for her performance in Jason Robert Brown's 13 The Musical. Dunlow is an actor, singer, writer known for his viral YouTube videos and his work around the country and on the New York stage and screen. Come enjoy an evening of two redheads making beautiful music with special surprise guests.

Redtwist Theatre is pleased to announce its 13th Season! 'Home is where the HURT is' examines the fabric of family relationships. How do we live in the present when the future is looming? How far will we go to reach our potential and make our dreams a reality? And will that help or hurt the ones closest to us?