Ragtime 2012 - Articles Page 6

This May, the Milwaukee Ballet stages Artistic Director Michael Pink's World Premiere full-length ballet Mirror, Mirror. With Pink's innovative genius and darker, dramatic perspective on the fairy tale Snow White, Pink enlisted Todd Edward Ivins for the ballet's costume and set design. The pair collaborated several years ago under Milwaukee Rep's Artistic Director Mark Clements for the theater company's sellout musical, Cabaret (2010), while Ivins and his designs were instrumental in the success of Ragtime (2013) and the contemporary vision seen on stage in Shakespeare's Othello (2012). The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse became a familiar place in Milwaukee where the pair could contemplate their reinvention of a beloved fairy tale.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Sound Of Music' and 'The Wizard Of Oz' live, a local 'Ragtime' and 'Avenue Q,' premieres of 'Juno' and 'The Next Thing,' 'Hit The Wall' and 'Waa-Mu' return, CCT announces two world premieres, and Illinois has its high school musical theater champs--plus even more!

Tony-Nominated Director Randal Myler and multi-talented Music Director Dan Wheetman return to Lone Tree Arts Center (LTAC) to create a new vision for Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn after setting the bar high with Hank Williams: Lost Highway last spring and John Denver Holiday Concert in 2012. Returning to the roots of Mark Twain's classic American folktale, this production of Big River focuses on the talent and voices of the cast as they each become storytellers.

'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,' winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, opens at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre tonight, April 23 and play through June 1, 2014.

Olivier Award nominees, Graham Bickley (Ragtime, Miss Saigon, Follies) Sophie-Louise Dann (Lend Me a Tenor, Sunday in The Park With George, Gay's The Word) and Issy van Randwyck (Fascinating Aida, Kiss Me Kate, A Little Night Music) join West End lead Arvid Larsen (Eurobeat, Jesus Christ Superstar) in the new version of Closer Than Ever, the legendary musical by Richard Maltby, Jr and David Shire. This revised version of the Off-Broadway hit receives its European premiere in a brand new production directed by Tony Award winning Maltby himself (Miss Saigon, Starting Here Starting Now, Ain't Misbehavin').

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents ONCE ON THIS ISLAND from the Tony Award-winning creators of Ragtime. A timeless legend filled with joy, heartache, and adventure, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, winner of the Oliver Award for Best New Musical, boasts a score pulsing with irresistible Caribbean beats by Tony Award-winner Stephen Flaherty, with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. TheatreWorks Artistic Director Robert Kelley will direct this uplifting musical, which takes its story from a book by Rosa Guy, in turn inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid.' Choreographed by award-winning director, choreographer, and actor Gerry McIntyre, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND plays today, March 5-30, 2014 (press opening March 8) at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto.

Yesterday Artistic Director Mark Clements announced Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Season. 'Next season will offer strong stories that are substantive pieces of theater that are both enlightening and entertaining,' said Clements. 'The season includes two exciting world premieres, after all the terrible things I do and Five Presidents. We will also continue the tradition that I started upon my arrival by including a musical on our main stage - the first production in the Quadracci Powerhouse will be the award-winning musical, The Color Purple. Audiences responded so enthusiastically to last year's production of Ragtime, I believe they are in for another treat with The Color Purple.'

The March broadcasts of The New York Philharmonic This Week - the weekly radio series of concerts and recordings by the New York Philharmonic, hosted by Alec Baldwin - begin with Music Director Alan Gilbert leading the Philharmonic in the World Premiere of The Marie-Josee Kravis Composer-in-Residence Christopher Rouse's Prospero's Rooms; Bernstein's Serenade (after Plato's "Symposium"), with Joshua Bell as soloist; and Ives's Symphony No. 4 with representatives of the New York Choral Consortium. The following week Alan Gilbert and Assistant Conductor Case Scaglione will lead the Philharmonic in a performance of Stravinsky's Ragtime for 11 Instruments; Shostakovich's Tahiti Trot; Copland's Clarinet Concerto featuring Associate Principal Clarinet Marc Nuccio; and Wynton Marsalis's Swing Symphony (Symphony No. 3) featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

The Smith Center announced today that single tickets for The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will go on sale today, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents ONCE ON THIS ISLAND from the Tony Award-winning creators of Ragtime. A timeless legend filled with joy, heartache, and adventure, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, winner of the Oliver Award for Best New Musical, boasts a score pulsing with irresistible Caribbean beats by Tony Award-winner Stephen Flaherty, with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. TheatreWorks Artistic Director Robert Kelley will direct this uplifting musical, which takes its story from a book by Rosa Guy, in turn inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid.' Choreographed by award-winning director, choreographer, and actor Gerry McIntyre, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND plays March 5-30, 2014 (press opening March 8) at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets and information the public may visit www.theatreworks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

The Smith Center announced today that single tickets for The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will go on sale Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.

Voting is now underway for San Antonio! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

'There's nothing from 'Les Miz,' nothing from 'Miss Saigon'; but we get to touch on 'Allegiance' (Higher) and 'Ragtime' (Back To Before),' Broadway star and Tony winner Lea Salonga shares a glimpse of her repertoire for 'Playlist,' her 35th anniversary concert as a performer.

Victory Gardens Theater kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Co-World Premiere of Appropriateby Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Gary Griffin. Appropriate is presented in association with Actors Theatre of Louisville and was developed, in part, by IGNITION 2012. Appropriate runs November 8-December 8, with the press performance on November 15, 2013, at Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Casting has been announced for the national tour of 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,' winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, which will open at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on April 23 and play through June 1, 2014. (Preview on April 22.) The tour, accompanied by a 23-piece orchestra, is set to launch at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre this November.

Mary J. Davis presents DISASTER!, written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, at St. Luke's Theatre beginning today, October 14, and opening Monday, November 4. DISASTER! is a musical based on 1970's disaster movies with a score consisting of 1970's pop, rock and disco hit songs. Directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Disaster! previously ran in 2012. For more information, visit www.disastermusical.com.

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment have announced that the North American Tour of the five-time Tony Award nominated musical SISTER ACT will begin its second year of performances. The tour opened on October 2, 2012 at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre and is still rocking the rafters across the country. SISTER ACT opened to stellar reviews and continues to receive them across the country.

Mary J. Davis will present DISASTER! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, at St. Luke's Theatre starting on October 14, opening Monday, November 4. DISASTER! is a musical based on 1970's disaster movies with a score consisting of 1970's pop, rock and disco hit songs. Directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Disaster! previously ran in 2012.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Ragtime, the sweeping musical which will kick off The Rep's 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season in the Quadracci Powerhouse theater.

Trustus Theatre is beginning its 29th season with Ragtime (The Musical) an epic show based on the distinguished novel by E.L. Doctorow. The show features a cast of 31 talented performers, one of the largest in Trustus history. Ragtime (The Musical) opens on the Thigpen Main Stage tonight, September 13th at 8:00pm, and runs through Saturday, October 5th, 2013. Get a sneak peek at the cast below!

Over one week in late September, brass quintet music-from courtly dances to ragtime tunes-will ring out from scenic gardens and overlooks throughout the five boroughs. For a fourth year, the annual St. Luke's Subway Series will bring free concerts across New York City while collecting food donations for City Harvest. This year's program, Brass Gardens, will be performed exclusively in outdoor venues, allowing the music to mix with nature, and offering audiences a relaxed and unique concert experience.

Trustus Theatre is beginning its 29th season with Ragtime (The Musical) an epic show based on the distinguished novel by E.L. Doctorow. The show features a cast of 31 talented performers, one of the largest in Trustus history. Ragtime (The Musical) opens on the Thigpen Main Stage Friday, September 13th at 8:00pm, and runs through Saturday, October 5th, 2013. Get a sneak peek at the cast below!

Trustus Theatre is beginning its 29th season with Ragtime(The Musical) an epic show based on the distinguished novel by E.L. Doctorow. The show features a cast of 31 talented performers, one of the largest in Trustus history. Ragtime (The Musical) opens on the Thigpen Main Stage Friday September 13th at 8:00pm, and runs through Saturday October 5th, 2013. Tickets may be purchased at www.trustus.org.

Songwriter and Playwright Michael Mitnick (Fly By Night, Animal House) comes to Joe's Pub at The Public for a one-night concert of his songs on September 9th at 9:30 PM. Described as 'his first public concert in 30 years,' Mitnick will be joined by a four-piece band and an ensemble of Broadway performers including Santino Fontana (Billy Elliot, Cinderella), Adam Riegler (Addams Family), Will Connolly (Once), Austin Durant (War Horse), Peter Friedman (Ragtime), Jessica Grove (A Little Night Music) and more. Directed by Daniel Goldstein, Music Directed by Alvin Hough, including some songs written with Will Connolly, Kim Rosenstock, Simon Rich, and Massive Attack.

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC), recipient of the 2012 Caffe Cino Fellowship Award from the Innovative Theatre Foundation, has announced their 13th season will include a world premiere play by Sandy Rustin (Rated P (for Parenthood)) THE COTTAGE, directed by Adam Dannheisser (Rock of Ages, resident director), and Rodgers and Hammerstein's ALLEGRO, directed by Artistic Director Tom Wojtunik. APAC's performance venue is located at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd), in Astoria, Queens. In the meantime, APAC's Board of Directors is in the midst of a search to find a new Executive Director, visit apacny.org for more information.