Chicago 1979 - Articles Page 13

Stephen Sondheim's macabre musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street receives its highly anticipated San Francisco Opera premiere in a production featuring a cast of notable operatic stars and performed with Sondheim's original score for the lyric stage.

Before iTunes and Spotify came along, I used to collect every original cast CD of any Broadway or West End musical that I could lay my hands on, including foreign language cast recordings. By far, my largest collection of non-English cast CDs consists of Japanese cast recordings, many of which were released by Gekidan Shiki (Shiki Theatre Company). Over the last five decades, Shiki has mounted Japanese-language productions of Applause (1972), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), West Side Story (1974), A Chorus Line (1979), Evita (1982), Cats (1983), The Phantom of the Opera (1988), Crazy For You (1993), Beauty and the Beast (1995), The Lion King (1998), Aspects of Love (1999), Mamma Mia! (2002), Aida (2003), The Little Mermaid (2013), The Sound of Music (2013), Wicked (2013) and Aladdin (2015).

Gay roles on Broadway may be more than acceptable in 2015, but what kind of judgement was passed on such roles in the '70s? Regardless, Richard Gere didn't feel unsafe when he played gay in the original Broadway production of BENT in 1979.

Merit School of Music invites the public to experience Stringtacular, a free concert today, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Benito Juarez Community Academy, 1450-1510 W. Cermak Avenue, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.

Merit School of Music invites the public to experience Stringtacular, a free concert on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Benito Juarez Community Academy, 1450-1510 W. Cermak Avenue, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.

In an era teaming with bands led by virtuoso guitarists and fronted by a singer with killer pipes, British rockers Rainbow stood head and shoulders above the crowd.

ESPN's longtime broadcaster, versatile host and highlights maven Chris Berman will be inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame today, May 5, at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA has been extended by popular demand through Sunday, May 17 at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. Hackford, best known for his films An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Devil's Advocate,.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton are excited to announce the main company's 2015-16 season performances in Chicago. Tickets to four engagements at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 East Randolph Street, are available immediately as a Season 38 subscription; single tickets will go on sale in August 2015.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the U.S. premiere production of The Herd, a deftly comic play by Rory Kinnear. Directed by ensemble member and Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, the cast features ensemble members Francis Guinan, John Mahoney, Molly Regan and Lois Smith with Cliff Chamberlain and Audrey Francis. The Herd premiered at London's Bush Theatre in 2013. The Herd begins previews tonight, April 2, 2015 (Opening night is April 12, 2015; Press performances are April 11 at 3pm and April 14 at 7:30pm) and runs through June 7, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder announces the star cast for the Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS AND KEELY, 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA.

?American Players Theatre (APT) announces its 36th Summer Season, June 6 to October 18, 2015, a diverse lineup of eight classical and contemporary plays in repertory that includes the work of two visiting Chicago directors: Derrick Sanders, founding artistic director of Congo Square Theatre Company, makes his APT debut directing The Island by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona in APT's intimate 200-seat Touchstone Theatre; and Jeff Award winner William Brown returns to direct Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire in APT's flagship 1148-seat outdoor amphitheater Up the Hill.

NBC Sports Group presents five NHL matchups this week on NBC and NBCSN, highlighted by an Original Six Wednesday Night Rivalry showdown between Milan Lucicand the Boston Bruins and Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN. In addition, NBC presents the NHL Game of the Week on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET, when T.J. Oshie and the St. Louis Blues host Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder announces the star cast for the Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS AND KEELY, 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA.

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage stalwart who has lit up Broadway and beyond for more than three decades since her debut in William Finn's IN TROUSERS - the one and only Mary Testa. Discussing all aspects of her exemplary new album created in collaboration with acclaimed orchestrator Michael Starobin, HAVE FAITH, Testa imparts the impetus behind the concept album and outlines what motivated the wildly eclectic song choices included on the release - ranging from the Beach Boys, Prince and Aerosmith to Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, Jill Sobule and many more. Furthermore, Testa eloquently describes the fascinating and compelling theme upon which the album is based - the journey of a soul through life; ostensibly a search for faith - and relates the sonic experience to her own spiritual pursuits. Additionally, Testa clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming promotional concert appearances alongside Starobin in support of the album, as well, kicking off with a concert at Barnes & Noble next week along with a series of shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Reflecting on the various ways in which she has seen the theatre transform over the course of her career thus far, Testa also sheds some light on many of her most celebrated roles to date, including IN TROUSERS, THE RINK, XANADU, 42nd STREET, MARIE CHRISTINE, SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, QUEEN OF THE MIST, GUYS & DOLLS, A NEW BRAIN, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LUCKY STIFF, CHICAGO, WICKED and more. All of that, playing Barbara Bush in FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE and much, much more with one of Broadway's most reliably entertaining and endlessly inventive regulars.

Anthony Freud, 55, became general director in October 2011. In addition to directing the company's artistic and business operations, he has begun an in-depth strategic planning process with the Board of Directors, conceived of and launched the Lyric Unlimited initiative, and is forging important new relationships with a variety of other cultural organizations. Freud is the fourth general director in Lyric's 58-year history. Carol Fox, the company's founding general director (1954-80), was succeeded by Ardis Krainik (1981-97), who in turn was succeeded by William Mason (1997-2011). Mason is Lyric's first general director emeritus.

Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

Perseverance Theatre (PT) presents the smash hit Chicago with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chicago is based off of the Maurin Dallas Watkins play, Chicago. Chicago runs on the Perseverance Theatre Mainstage tonight, November 7 - December 7, 2014.

Perseverance Theatre (PT) presents the smash hit Chicago with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chicago is based off of the Maurin Dallas Watkins play, Chicago. Chicago runs on the Perseverance Theatre Mainstage November 7 - December 7, 2014.

Chicago Dramatists is proud to announce the addition of five new members to its esteemed list of Resident Playwrights. This group of talented writers includes Kristiana Colon, MT Cozzola, Steven Peterson, Robert Tenges, and Scott Woldman. Previous Resident Playwrights have included Tina Fey (30 Rock), Rick Cleveland (Mad Men), Rebecca Gilman (Spinning into Butter), Lydia R. Diamond (Stick Fly), Keith Huff (A Steady Rain), and Roger Rueff (The Big Kahuna).

Following a sold-out Jeff Award-winning initial run at Chicago Dramatists, a Broadway production starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, Keith Huff's 'A Steady Rain' comes to Glen Ellyn's McAninch Arts Center's, 425 Fawell Blvd. in the intimate Playhouse Theatre for a limited run, this weekend, Oct. 24-26.

Following a sold-out Jeff Award-winning initial run at Chicago Dramatists, a Broadway production starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, Keith Huff's 'A Steady Rain' comes to Glen Ellyn's McAninch Arts Center's, 425 Fawell Blvd. in the intimate Playhouse Theatre for a limited run, Oct. 24-26.

1979 was the year that introduced the world to the Sony Walkman, Donna Summer's "Last Dance" won the Oscar for Best Song, "The Dukes of Hazard" and "Dallas" dominated the small screen and Bo Derek made her famous jog on the beach in the film "10". It was also the year that the Chippendales began gyrating their way into the hearts and laps of women everywhere. By putting a new twist on an old profession, the striptease, the Men of Chippendales, one of the most exclusive fraternities in the world, became the first all-male dance troupe for women.

New York City Center's 11th annual Fall for Dance Festival will feature free performances in Central Park and 24 acclaimed dance companies and artists from around the world, in six unique programs in September and October 2014. In keeping with the Festival's commitment to make dance accessible to everyone, the Festival will kick off with two FREE evenings of dance at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, in association with The Public Theater, today and tomorrow, September 12 and 13 (rain date, September 14) and will continue at City Center from October 8 - October 19 with all tickets at $15. The Festival's many free pre-show events will include dance lessons and panels by choreographers, artists and dance educators. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, September 14 at 11 a.m.

Film and stage legend and two-time Tony Award winner Lauren Bacall, passed away last week (first reported by TMZ) at the age of 89. The legendary actress suffered a massive stroke and died at home (New York City's famous Dakota Building) according to a family member. BroadwayWorld remembers the legend below.