lan Johnson News

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

Patricia Watt, Executive Producer of the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, has announced the first group of Presenters for the 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, In addition to Len Cariou and Brian Stokes Mitchell who will co-present the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary, dancer, choreographer, teacher and star of stage, film and television Jacques D'Amboise, additional presenters include Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Charlotte D'amboise, Christopher D'amboise and Karen Ziemba.

In celebration of the company's 40th Anniversary, The Music-Theatre Group (Diane Wondisford, Producing Director) presented 'Music-Theatre Jam,' a one-time-only happening featuring a treasure-trove of material from their past productions on April 9th in DUMBO.

In celebration of the company's 40th Anniversary, The Music-Theatre Group (Diane Wondisford, Producing Director) has announced plans for their "Music-Theatre Jam," a one-time-only happening featuring a treasure-trove of material from their past productions, to take place on Saturday, April 9th at 10 Jay Street, 9th Floor in DUMBO at 6:00 p.m.

In celebration of the company's 40th Anniversary, The Music-Theatre Group (Diane Wondisford, Producing Director) has announced plans for their "Music-Theatre Jam," a one-time-only happening featuring a treasure-trove of material from their past productions, to take place on Saturday, April 9th at 10 Jay Street, 9th Floor in DUMBO at 6:00 p.m.

On Friday, February 10, 2010 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South, NYC), a gala evening will be held to benefit the Center for Contemporary Opera (CCO). The evening celebrates the success of CCO's 2010-2011 season and will feature performances by CCO artists, such as Amy Burton and special guest performers from the Frost Opera Theater from The University of Miami (Florida).

On Friday, February 10, 2010 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South, NYC), a gala evening will be held to benefit the Center for Contemporary Opera (CCO). The evening celebrates the success of CCO's 2010-2011 season and will feature performances by CCO artists, such as Amy Burton and special guest performers from the Frost Opera Theater from The University of Miami (Florida).

A free reading of the rock n roll fable THE CURE will be presented Dec. 13 at 7 PM at Roy Arias Theater in Manhattan.

A free reading of the rock n roll fable THE CURE will be presented Dec. 13 at 7 PM at Roy Arias Theater in Manhattan.

On Sunday, March 28, 2010, Broadway's Ann Harada, Christine Toy Johnson, Raymond J. Lee, Deborah Lew, Jose Llana and Ann Sanders will sing in A HELLUVA TOWN, a concert to benefit the documentary film, TRANSCENDING - THE WAT MISAKA STORY and celebrate the release of the DVD. The concert, directed by Tony Award winner Michele Pawk with musical direction by Marco Paguia, will feature songs from the 1946-47 Broadway season.

On Sunday, March 28, 2010, Broadway's Ann Harada, Christine Toy Johnson, Raymond J. Lee, Deborah Lew, Jose Llana and Ann Sanders will sing in A HELLUVA TOWN, a concert to benefit the documentary film, TRANSCENDING - THE WAT MISAKA STORY and celebrate the release of the DVD. The concert, directed by Tony Award winner Michele Pawk with musical direction by Marco Paguia, will feature songs from the 1946-47 Broadway season.

Olney's luscious production of Camelot, described by The Washington Post as "compelling" and "resonant," has been extended for two weeks, to January 17, 2010. DC Theatre Scene calls Camelot "rip-roaring, ideal holiday entertainment."

How to handle a musical is evident in a Lerner and Lowe Musical.

Winner of four Tony Awards, the classic Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot follows the journey taken when unexpected passion and betrayal upend the world of an idealistic king, his beloved queen, and a virtuous knight.

Olney's luscious production of Camelot, described by The Washington Post as "compelling" and "resonant," has been extended for two weeks, to January 17, 2010. DC Theatre Scene calls Camelot "rip-roaring, ideal holiday entertainment."

Winner of four Tony Awards, the classic Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot follows the journey taken when unexpected passion and betrayal upend the world of an idealistic king, his beloved queen, and a virtuous knight.

The fall temperatures may be getting colder, but the DC area theatre scene is heating up with many musicals, including a new "intimate" production of a 1927 American classic, a Tony-Award Winning family saga, and so many choices - well - take a look for yourself at what this diverse theatre community has to offer in November. This is a great time to celebrate the upcoming holidays with your family, so bring the kids, grandparents, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins to see that Orphan girl and her dog, a Disney heroine, and enjoy an early Christmas, and many more shows to bring in the cheer and joy of the holiday season. We have so much to be thankful for this month, so come to our nation's capital and celebrate the joy of theatre with us!

Winner of four Tony Awards, the classic Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot follows the journey taken when unexpected passion and betrayal upend the world of an idealistic king, his beloved queen, and a virtuous knight.

Towne Centre Theatre of Brentwood continues its 2009 season with its upcoming production of Dearly Beloved, by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. The comedy is set in a small Texas town and centers around a catastrophe-stricken wedding day.

Towne Centre Theatre of Brentwood continues its 2009 season with its upcoming production of Dearly Beloved, by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. The comedy is set in a small Texas town and centers around a catastrophe-stricken wedding day.