Sundance Sets 2016 Lineup of U.S., World Competition Films
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 2, 2015
Offering a first look at the year ahead in independent film, culture and new ideas, Sundance Institute announced today the 65 films selected for the U.S. Competition, World Competition and out-of-competition NEXT category set to premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, January 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. Films that have premiered in these sections include Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station,Whiplash, Blackfish, The September Issue, The Cove, An Education, Animal Kingdom, Precious, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Obvious Child, Tangerine and Escape from Tomorrow.
BWW Review: South Coast Repertory Revisits Beth Henley's Grand ABUNDANCE
by Michael L. Quintos - Nov 9, 2015
It was 25 years ago when South Coast Repertory first staged the World Premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley's dark comedy ABUNDANCE. Fast forward to 2015, and Orange County's Tony Award-winning regional theater saw it fitting to once again revisit the property in a brand new production now viewed through 21st Century eyes, that has been beautifully directed by SCR Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson. The play continues performances in Costa Mesa through November 15.
BWW Review: ALADDIN Diamond Edition DVD is 'Treasure Trove of Musical Theatre Goodies
by Matt Tamanini - Oct 13, 2015
In 1989, Disney revitalized both animation and musical theatre for generations to come with their Academy Award-winning film THE LITTLE MERMAID. They followed up that success with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in 1991, which won another two Oscars, and then in 1992 they again broke the animated mold with ALADDIN, which took home two more trophies. Not only did these three films reinvigorate the nearly dead genre of animated musicals, but ALADDIN specifically inspired decades of films that were not only enjoyable to kids, but were also funny on another level that kept adults entertained as well.
AMERICAN IDIOT, HEATHERS, and More Headline New Line Theatre's 25th Anniversary Season
by Sally Henry Fuller - Aug 23, 2015
New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," celebrates its 25th anniversary season of adult, alternative musical theatre, with a new, expanded line-up, a brand new theatre, and a very special thank-you to the St. Louis community -- '25 for 25.' At the Thursday preview performance for each show this season, New Line will set aside 25 tickets, and the first 25 people in line at the box office at 7:00 pm will each get a ticket for 25 cents (one ticket per person).
BWW Review: Gen Y's Florida Premiere of HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL is 'So Very' and So Much More
by Matt Tamanini - Aug 17, 2015
There is something killer going on in Orlando's theatre scene, and I mean that in the best possible way. Since debuting with a production of CABARET in January, Gen Y Productions has staged thrilling Florida premieres of two of New York's most buzzed-about new works, a risky proposition for a theatre company looking to build an audience. In June, it was a mesmerizing production of Pulitzer Prize-winner THE FLICK (read BWW's review), and now it is the devilishly entertaining HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL. The show runs through August 23rd at The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and after attending last week's Opening Night, I think it is safe to say that Gen Y is quickly becoming my favorite theatre company in Central Florida.
NE-YO, Ariana Grande, Fall Out Boy and More Will Lend Voices to WE LOVE DISNEY Compilation Album; Hits Shelves October 2015!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 14, 2015
In a unique collaboration between Verve Records and Walt Disney Records, the two esteemed labels have teamed up to present the compilation album WE LOVE DISNEY, which will be released on October 30th. The compilation features the hottest artists from across the pop, rock, R&B, and country worlds delivering their own unique interpretations of classic Disney songs. The album was produced by multi-platinum, 16-time Grammy Award-winning producer and Verve Music Group Chairman David Foster. The 12 artists to be featured are...
Pittsburgh CLO's GYPSY Opens Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 10, 2015
Join one-of-a-kind mother, Rose, and her two talented daughters as they search for fame in Pittsburgh CLO's production of GYPSY, tonight, July 10, through July 19 at the Benedum Center. This entertaining musical is complete with memorable performances, mother-daughter struggles and the hardships of show business life, all while set during the infamous vaudeville era.
New Duncan Sheik/Kyle Jarrow Work & More Set for NAMT's 27th Annual Festival of New Musicals
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 6, 2015
National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced the line up of new musicals for their 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Registration for Industry members is free and now open at www.namt.org/festival.
Pittsburgh CLO's GYPSY Opens 7/10
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 2, 2015
Join one-of-a-kind mother, Rose, and her two talented daughters as they search for fame in Pittsburgh CLO's production of GYPSY, July 10-19 at the Benedum Center. This entertaining musical is complete with memorable performances, mother-daughter struggles and the hardships of show business life, all while set during the infamous vaudeville era.
June at Bookworks Features A WORD WITH WRITERS, Deborah Harkness and More!
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2015
Bookworks kicks off summer with a slate of events that will please all types of readers in June. The highlight of the month is June 13th's A Word with Writers literary fundraiser for the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation at the KiMo Theater. This installment features New Mexico writers Mira Jacob and Kirstin Valdez Quade, both young fiction writers who've garnered praise for their new debut collections.
Jenny Schwartz's IOWA Opens Tonight at Playwrights Horizons
by BWW News Desk - Apr 13, 2015
The Playwrights Horizons world premiere of IOWA, a new musical play written by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear, Somewhere Fun), music by Todd Almond (Stage Kiss at PH, Kansas City Choir Boy, The Tempest, On the Levee) and lyrics by Mr. Almond and Ms. Schwartz, opens tonight, April 13, 2015.
IOWA Begins Previews Tomorrow at Playwrights Horizons
by BWW News Desk - Mar 19, 2015
Previews begin tomorrow, today, March 20 for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) world premiere of IOWA, a new musical play written by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist Jenny Schwartz (God's Ear, Somewhere Fun), music by Todd Almond (Stage Kiss at PH, Kansas City Choir Boy, The Tempest, On the Levee) and lyrics by Mr. Almond and Ms. Schwartz. Directed by two-time Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll (Red Dog Howls, Middletown, What Once We Felt; next season's Antlia Pneumatica at PH), the musical play will be the fifth production of the theater company's 2014/2015 Season.
Broadway Babies - Meet the Broadway Class of 2015, Spring Edition!
by BWW Special Coverage - Mar 22, 2015
In the coming months, Broadway will welcome a fresh crop of productions- many of which will mark the Broadway debuts for a slew of talented actors. Whether they are fresh faces or established stars, these Broadway babies will soon take their very first bows on some of the grandest stages in the world.