It's Time to Dance 1943 - Articles Page 5

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of Lerner & Loewe's Brigadoon - New York City Center 2017 Cast Recording in physical, digital and streaming formats on Friday, December 7. Brigadoon has book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Released to celebrate both the 70th anniversary of the original production of the show and the Alan Jay Lerner Centennial, the recording is based on the New York City Center Annual Gala Production, which was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with Jack Viertel serving as artistic advisor. Brigadoon stars Kelli O'Hara, Patrick Wilson and Stephanie J. Block, and features the Encores! Orchestra led by Music Director Rob Berman

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater's stage from November 28 - December 30, 2018 for a milestone season. During the Company's Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration, Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey's 32 extraordinary dancers during this five-week holiday engagement that will elevate a legacy of excellence in artistry with premieres by some of today's most revered and prolific choreographers, including world premieres by Rennie Harris and Ronald K. Brown; a company premiere by Wayne McGregor; a new production of by Robert Battle; the return of a recent premiere by Jessica Lang, and special performances of rarely seen works by Alvin Ailey himself.

In honor of New York City Center's 75th Anniversary Season, the institution is presenting a program of visual art commissions for the first time in its history. One of three commissioned works, artist and educator Nina Robinson offers her latest project, a series of portraits entitled Home, on display to the public in the through-block passage adjacent to City Center. The exhibition features a variety of artists to whom City Center provides an artistic home including, Victoria Clark, Robert Fairchild, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Robinson is joined by architect Jorge Otero-Pailos and conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner as part of this special visual art program.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the Kenny Barron Quintet for two performances on November 3, 2018 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the Los Angeles Times calls Barron "one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and Jazz Weekly calls him "The most lyrical piano player of our time." For his return to the Center's Jazz Series, Barron brings his quintet, which includes Mike Rodriguez, trumpet; Dayna Stephens, tenor saxophone; Kiyoshi Kitagawa, bass; and Jonathan Blake, drums.

St. Ann's Warehouse's reimagined production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma, directed by Daniel Fish, is running now through November 11. Let's see what the critics are saying...

Fittingly, Palm Canyon Theatre has opened their 2018/2019 season with the classic Oklahoma!, deemed by many to be the foundation of the modern musical theatre. Originally appearing on Broadway in 1943, it is the first collaboration of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II, was a blockbuster hit in its original run, and has been filmed, revived, toured, and produced time and again in schools and theatres around the world. However, it's been quite a spell since it has been available to local theatregoers. PCT's production, under the direction of Derik Shopinski, is reverent to the original work, blessed with some amazing voices, boisterously staged, and absolutely delighted the audience on its opening weekend.

I'm probably not the only person catching their first professional production of Oklahoma! with the Denver Center Theatre Company. While the first Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration has been performed plenty since its Broadway premiere in 1943, the DCPA's production is unique-nearly the entire cast is comprised of African-American performers.

Oh, what a beautiful production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, directed by Michael Hamilton with choreography by Dana Lewis, musical direction by Lisa Campbell Albert, and orchestral design by Stuart M. Elmore. In fact, Stages St. Louis knocks it clear out of the pasture with this final show of their 32nd season.

In TO DAD WITH LOVE, A TRIBUTE TO BUDDY EBSEN; Kiki Ebsen pays tribute to her father in the best way she knows how - singing and story-telling. Kiki graciously walked me through some of her vivid memories of growing up the child of a famous father, a most popular figure of 1960s television, known to weekly TV viewers as Jed Clampett of The Beverly Hillbillies.

 Last year, the four members of the Cranberries – Dolores O'Riordan, Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan, and Fergal Lawler – came together to plan a 25 th Anniversary box set release for their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, one of the definitive indie albums of all time. Following Dolores' untimely death in January this year, the remaining band members have decided to go ahead with the album's expanded 25 th Anniversary Edition box set, which is set for global release on October 19 by Island/UMe in 4CD and digital audio formats. On the same date, a 2CD Deluxe package pairing the remastered album with session outtakes, B-sides, the band's debut EP, and early demos will be released, as well as digital and vinyl editions of the remastered album, including a 180-gram black LP and a limited edition color LP.

When Alvin Ailey and a small group of African-American modern dancers first took the stage in 1958, appearing at New York City's 92nd Street Y, the engagement was for one night only—but it turned out to be the start of a new era in the performing arts. Mr. Ailey became one of the groundbreaking greats in African American history, while the work of his Company grew beyond the limits of the stage to encompass education at all levels, community outreach and cultural diplomacy. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater now embodies six decades of achievement, celebrating the human spirit with performances that unite and inspire all.

Pittsburgh CLO welcomes the Tony-Award Winning 2017 Best Musical Revival HELLO, DOLLY! to the 2019 Summer Season, starring Broadway Legend BETTY BUCKLEY as Dolly Gallagher Levi! This exciting National Tour will round out Pittsburgh CLO's 73rd season of Broadway's best here in Pittsburgh. Season Tickets are now available to new and renewing subscribers, who can reserve seats for an entire summer of fun and entertainment. Packages are available online or by calling 412-281-2822.

This is not shaping up to be a good year for Oscar Hammerstein II, American musical theatre's most important writer, who spent the first half of the 20th Century not only making significant strides to convert the genre from loosely assembled entertainments into respected and influential pieces of dramatic art, but was also a leading voice in promoting progressive values through his books and lyrics for such musicals as SHOW BOAT, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE KING AND I.

'There is something so simple, so wholesome about the story and the characters. When Curly made his entrance on opening night at the St. James Theatre in 1943 and sang 'Oh, what a beautiful morning,' the whole audience took a huge sigh of relief. There in the midst of war was a breath of optimism and that beautiful music.' And, indeed, when the speaker, actor Stephen Mark Lukas makes the same entrance seventy-five years later on the stage of the Ogunquit Playhouse in the company's new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic Oklahoma, the entire audience reacts in exactly same way. With a smile as expansive as the territory and a voice as luminous as the bright morning about which he sings, Lukas establishes immediate affection and rapport for the character of Curly, as does his co-star, the lovely, radiant Taylor Quick.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay homage to the glittering world of Hollywood musicals with Mad About Musicals!, a special month of programming celebrating timeless movie musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain and Cabaret. TCM is once again partnering with Ball State University and Canvas to offer a free online multimedia course tied to this programming special about the history of the musical genre and its evolution with cultural and technological shifts. Enrollment is open until June 17 and fans can sign up for the course at musicals.tcm.com.

National Sawdust, the artist-led nonprofit incubator and venue, announces June 2018 as Hildegard Month at the Williamsburg space that serves as a dynamic home for artists and new music of all kinds. Named for the influential medieval composer Hildegard von Bingen and celebrating the contribution of women and gender non-binary artists to music of all genres, including contemporary classical music, the Hildegard Month festivities center around the June 12 concert featuring premieres from Hildegard Competition winners Emma O'Halloran, X. Lee, and Kayla Cashetta performed by The Refugee Orchestra under the baton of Lidiya Yankovskaya.

New York City Center is sure to be a singular sensation this fall!

Ghostlight Records has announced it will record the New York City Center production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical Brigadoon, for a new cast recording to be released this fall. Brigadoon has book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Starring Kelli O'Hara, Patrick Wilson and Stephanie J. Block, the show features The Encores! Orchestra, led by Music Director Rob Berman. The cast headed into the recording studio this week. Check out some shots below of the making of the Brigadoon cast recording!

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced it will record the New York City Center (Arlene Shuler, New York City Center President & CEO) production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical Brigadoon, for a new cast recording to be released this fall. Brigadoon has book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Starring Kelli O'Hara, Patrick Wilson and Stephanie J. Block, the show features The Encores! Orchestra, led by Music Director Rob Berman. The Annual Gala Production was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with Jack Viertel serving as artistic advisor. The album is being produced by Kurt Deutsch, Lawrence Manchester, Rob Berman and Emily Altman.

Ryan Landry mines the Old West and Old Hollywood for his new Gold Dust Orphans springtime musical. It's a fast ride on a runaway train with more kicks than a buckin' bronco. Old Orphans and new rally around Director Robin JaVonne Smith, stepping into the big boots of the late, beloved Larry Coen, and she hits the bullseye. Don't let a team of wild horses keep you from BROKELAHOMO!

75 years ago T.S. Eliot published Four Quartets, a poetic meditation on time and memory that is widely regarded as his crowning achievement. Now, to celebrate this milestone anniversary, Bard SummerScape 2018 presents the world premiere of Four Quartets, the first authorized dance performance ever to be based on Eliot's modernist masterpiece. A SummerScape commission, the new work is an interdisciplinary collaboration that draws on the talents of three of today's most potent artistic voices. Since making her acclaimed festival debut at SummerScape 2015, Pam Tanowitz has been recognized as "one of the most formally brilliant choreographers around" (New York Times), with honors including a Bessie Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the prestigious 2017 Cage Cunningham Fellowship.

New York City Center today announced a studio series of master classes and conversations with artists and other guests as part of the ¡Adelante, Cuba! Festival. This celebration of the rich and vibrant artists of Cuba begins Sunday, April 22, with an evening of music and conversation at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC & WQXR featuring jazz giant Arturo O'Farrill, tap artist Ayodele Casel, and trumpet player Yasek Manzano Silva. Offering an up-close look at the work of these inspiring artists, the festival also includes intimate conversations, held in City Center's studios, exploring the Cuban American Songbook and what it means to be an Afro-Latin artist today. Master classes for advanced students and professionals will be hosted by dancer Carlos Luis Blanco of Acosta Danza and choreographer Ronald K. Brown (City Center Choreography Fellow), and Arturo O'Farrill and Yazek Manzano Silva will deconstruct Afro-Latin jazz in a master class open to the public to observe.

New York City Center today announced a studio series of master classes and conversations with artists and other guests as part of the ¡Adelante, Cuba! Festival. This celebration of the rich and vibrant artists of Cuba begins Sunday, April 22, with an evening of music and conversation at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC & WQXR featuring jazz giant Arturo O'Farrill, tap artist Ayodele Casel, and trumpet player Yasek Manzano Silva. Offering an up-close look at the work of these inspiring artists, the festival also includes intimate conversations, held in City Center's studios, exploring the Cuban American Songbook and what it means to be an Afro-Latin artist today. Master classes for advanced students and professionals will be hosted by dancer Carlos Luis Blanco of Acosta Danza and choreographer Ronald K. Brown (City Center Choreography Fellow), and Arturo O'Farrill and Yazek Manzano Silva will deconstruct Afro-Latin jazz in a master class open to the public to observe.

Spain's finest dancers and musicians returned to New York City Center for a celebration of flamenco that is stirringly authentic while challenging the conventions of the form. The 2018 Flamenco Festival line-up included performances by Ballet Nacional de España, Compañía Eva Yerbabuena, and Ballet Flamenco Jesús Carmona

New York City Center today announced a studio series of master classes and conversations with artists and other guests as part of the ¡Adelante, Cuba! Festival. This celebration of the rich and vibrant artists of Cuba begins Sunday, April 22, with an evening of music and conversation at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC & WQXR featuring jazz giant Arturo O'Farrill, tap artist Ayodele Casel, and trumpet player Yasek Manzano Silva. Offering an up-close look at the work of these inspiring artists, the festival also includes intimate conversations, held in City Center's studios, exploring the Cuban American Songbook and what it means to be an Afro-Latin artist today. Master classes for advanced students and professionals will be hosted by dancer Carlos Luis Blanco of Acosta Danza and choreographer Ronald K. Brown (City Center Choreography Fellow), and Arturo O'Farrill and Yazek Manzano Silva will deconstruct Afro-Latin jazz in a master class open to the public to observe.