The King and I Revival 1985 - Articles Page 14

Marin Theatre Company, in association with Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, will stage August Wilson's Fences, the 1950s entry into his Century Cycle (also known as his Pittsburgh Cycle) - a decade-by-decade exploration of the black experience in 20th century America. Directed by Derrick Sanders, the Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award-winning play will feature veteran film and television actor Carl Lumbly as Troy Maxson, Steven Anthony Jones, the artistic director of Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, as Jim Bono and award-winning actor, playwright and director Margo Hall as Rose, as well as Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Eddy Ray Jackson as Cory, Adrian Roberts as Gabriel, Tyee Tilghman as Lyons and two Marin City youths - Jade Sweeney, who attends Willow Creek Academy, and Makaelah Bashir, Bayside Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy - splitting the role of Raynell.

Mitch Leigh passed away today at age 86. Leigh was born in 1928 in Brooklyn, NY. He came from a humble background with little theatre experience. However, while in his early 30s, Leigh received his big break- he was asked to compose the score for Man of La Mancha.

Perhaps the most controversial opera of the 20th century makes its Southern California debut when Long Beach Opera (LBO) stages John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer on March 16 and March 22 at the Terrace Theater in downtown Long Beach. This powerful and unsettling work chronicles the 1985 hijacking of the Mediterranean cruise ship Achille Lauro by Palestinian terrorists and the murder of disabled Jewish-American passenger, Leon Klinghoffer. LBO's production is a partner presentation of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 'Minimalist Jukebox' Festival.

The Royal Shakespeare Company will tour Henry IV Parts I and II, Shakespeare's celebrated history plays, to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich, Salford, Bradford, Bath and Canterbury between September - November 2014. The productions will take to the road after a season at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon between March - September 2014, and before playing at the Barbican in London between November 2014 - January 2015.

Today in 1985, the second Broadway revival of THe King and I opened at the Broadway THeatre, where it ran for 191 performances. The King and I is the fifth musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The story deals with the experiences of the British schoolteacher, who is hired as part of the King's drive to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict through much of the play, as well as by a love that neither is able to express. The musical premiered on March 29, 1951 at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

'How is it possible that one minute I'm a wife, and the next I'm a discard?'-Changing Spaces, Nancy King Nancy King's new novel, 'Changing Spaces,' focuses on a runaway soon-to-be-divorced Midwestern wife who gets a 'makeover' in New Mexico. King explained in a recent phone interview that the plot was sparked by her encounters with three mature women on the brink of divorce: 'First there was a woman at a party who said to me, 'That was before I lost my life...' referring to her divorce. Her husband of 40 years had left her to marry a younger woman. A week later, another friend showed up in tears because her husband wanted out of their 40-year marriage so he could marry his secretary.' By the time she read an Op-Ed about a woman who had written a book about the joys of being a stay-at-home-wife, and whose husband now wanted out after 40 years, Nancy King knew she was on to something. Into this familiar scenario, King injected a 'What if?' What if a Midwestern 60-year old woman woke up as she always did, made love with her husband of 40 years, and several hours later, learned her husband had fallen for a younger woman and wanted a divorce-and what if she hit the road and ended up in the healing bear-hug that is Santa Fe, New Mexico? 'Hey, ya got the Santa Fe idea. No need to be who you were. Be who you want to be.' -Changing Spaces, Nancy King In 2001, King moved from the East Coast 'and never looked back.' The decision to leave friends and job would have been bold for anyone, but since 1985, King has been living with a rare form of leukemia known as Hairy Cell. 'When I realized I had a chronic disease with no cure, I made the decision that it was not going to run or ruin my life. I focus on what I can do; not what I lost or what I used to be able to do. Even when I don't feel well, I force myself to walk or hike or play tennis because I always feel better afterward.' The unsinkable Nancy King has trekked Thailand, hiked the Grand Canyon, and 'run people 50 years her junior into the ground,' according to one friend. 'She overcame the odds of a disastrous diagnosis.' 'Laura tried on outfit after outfit, hoping toalter her personality from the outside in.She practiced taking bigger steps...' -Changing Spaces, Nancy King Why Santa Fe? King didn't even take a moment to reply: 'The nature around Santa Fe is spectacular. Many people find it has a magical energy that renews and regenerates. Even those born in New Mexico talk about this area's special energy, nature, culture.' According to King, newcomers often experience difficulties at first. 'It's as if Santa Fe were trying to spit them out. Those who manage to survive their initial problems often experience personal transformations that they couldn't have articulated before coming.' Nancy King also authored the novels, Morning Light, A Woman Walking and The Stones Speak, which was optioned for a film and won first place in the New Mexico Presswomen's Communications Contest. She has facilitated international arts-based healing workshops, which she detailed in her non-fiction book, Dancing with Wonder: Self-Discovery through Stories. 'One theme that runs throughout my writing is an exploration of the need to reconnect with the disconnected Self after trauma,' King said. 'I'm interested in what happens when characters realize their old lives and ways no longer serve them.' What helps the most when living with illness or a life out of balance? 'Having a sense of humor about every aspect of life. And good friends.' Just as in 'Changing Spaces' where Santa Fe women form a circle of care around the stranger in their midst, King's friends have seen her through the best and the worst. 'When a nurse expressed concern that I don't have family here to support me while I undergo treatments, I told her. 'Don't worry. My friends are the best support network in the world.' This book is available in all formats from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Plain View Press and Nancy King's website (nancykingstories) where you can also read reviews, excerpts from all her fiction and nonfiction books, as well as check out her workshops and public appearance calendar. 'Changing Spaces' will have its New Mexico launch in Santa Fe at Collected Works (Feb. 7 at 6pm); Albuquerque at Bookworks (Feb. 11 at 7pm); and Taos at Moby Dickens (April 19 at 2pm). Nancy King will talk on the 'Healing Effects of New Mexico on Trauma' and sign her book. ISBN: 978-1-891386-43-5-51895 Paperback and all e-book formats Pages: 256 Price: $15.50 Release Date: Jan. 1, 2014 Publisher: Plain View Press

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

The extraordinary four decade-plus recording career of seminal Texas blues-rocking guitar legend Johnny Winter, who celebrates his 70 th birthday on February 23, 2014, will be commemorated with the release of True To The Blues: The Johnny Winter Story.

With the Broadway Fall season in full swing, and a constant need for replacements, there is a solid group of performers making their Broadway debuts this Fall. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!

The Joyce Theater (Linda Shelton, Executive Director), the nation's largest theater devoted to modern dance, announced today programming for its 2014 Spring / Summer Season featuring extraordinary companies, including Joyce debuts and highly anticipated engagements such as a festival of all Brazilian dance, and Wendy Whelan's NYC premiere of Restless Creature.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 44th season with the first play of 'The Ed Bullins Project' - two revivals from his 'Twentieth Century Cycle of Plays' - IN THE WINE TIME, to be followed by The Fabulous Miss Marie this spring. In The Wine Time, directed by Mansoor Najee-Ullah, will begin performances tonight, October 25th at Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street), continuing through November 24th. Opening Night is set for Thursday November 7th.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 44th season with the first play of 'The Ed Bullins Project' - two revivals from his 'Twentieth Century Cycle of Plays' - IN THE WINE TIME, to be followed by The Fabulous Miss Marie this spring. In The Wine Time, directed by Mansoor Najee-ullah, will begin performances October 25th at Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street), continuing through November 24th. Opening Night is set for Thursday November 7th.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 44th season with the first play of 'The Ed Bullins Project' - two revivals from his 'Twentieth Century Cycle of Plays' - In The Wine Time, to be followed by The Fabulous Miss Marie this spring. In The Wine Time, directed by Mansoor Najee-ullah, will begin performances October 25th at Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street), continuing through November 24th. Opening Night is set forThursday November 7th.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 44th season with 'The Ed Bullins Project' - two revivals from his 'Twentieth Century Cycle of Plays' - In The Wine Time and The Fabulous Miss Marie. Bullins, winner of the prestigious NY Drama Critics' Circle Award and OBIE Award for The Taking of Miss Janie, has greatly influenced American theatre, especially Black theatre. His work, characterized by disdain for ineffective political rhetoric as a substitute for action, most often examines the lives of Black people in the inner city. In 1968, Clive Barnes, writing in the New York Times called Bullins 'a welcome addition to the ranks of New York playwrights.' Four years later, Barnes added 'Bullins writes the way Charlie Parker played: It is all so easy and effortless. It sounds improvised, and yet it doesn't sound improvised, simply because it is the improvisation of formality.' Today, Bullins is regarded as a seminal force in the American theater.

Arion Productions, in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre, presents the first London production in more than 25 years of AS IS by William M. Hoffman. Directed by Andrew Keates, the cast features: Jordon Bernarde, Tom Colley, John Hastings, Tom Kay, Clare Kissane, David Poynor, Paul Standell and Anna Tierney.

Yoshi's San Francisco has announced its updated calendar for club and restaurant through September 1, plus new shows through November 2013. Details below!

The first London production since the 1987 UK premiere of William M. Hoffman's As Is opens at the Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 6 August 2013 directed by Andrew Keates.

Long Beach Opera's Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek announces the company's 2014 plans to produce five rarely performed 20th and 21st century, “Out Of Bounds,” operas. The new season includes the Southern California premieres of Duke Ellington's “street opera” Queenie Pie and John Adams' controversial The Death of Klinghoffer; An American Soldier's Tale, Kurt Vonnegut 's provocative remake of Igor Stravinsky'sThe Soldier's Tale paired with Wynton Marsalis' jazz-driven A Fiddler's Tale; and a reprise of LBO audience favorite, David Lang's haunting The Difficulty of Crossing a Field. Three of the five composers–Adams, Marsalis and Lang–are actively contributing to today's music scene, while Stravinsky and Ellington made indelible marks on 20th century music.

Happy Birthday Yul Brynner! His best-known role remains that of King Mongkut of Siam in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical The King and I which he played 4,525 times on stage over the span of his career. He appeared in the original production and later touring productions as well as a 1977 Broadway revival, London Production in 1979 and another Broadway revival in 1985. He also appeared in the film version for which he won an Academy Award as Best Actor and in a short-lived TV version (Anna and the King) on CBS in 1972. Brynner is one of only nine people who have won both a Tony Award and an Academy Award for the same role.

Arion Productions, in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre, presents the first London production in more than 25 years of AS IS by William M. Hoffman. Directed by Andrew Keates, the cast features: Jordon Bernarde, Tom Colley, John Hastings, Tom Kay, Clare Kissane, David Poynor, Paul Standell and Anna Tierney.

Three world premieres, seven productions in all, are scheduled for the 10th season at the Douglas. The works range from a new rock musical to a sweeping new drama to a masterful interpretation of the works of Beckett, plus the bonus option of The Second City's one-of-a-kind Christmas show. In addition, three Los Angeles solo artists will be presented in the popular DouglasPlus program, and will represent CTG in the Radar L.A. festival.

Last month, the Broadway community gathered together to celebrate the life and show business legacy of beloved Broadway performer Kevin Gray at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The Majestic Theatre held a special place for Mr. Gray, having starred there in The Phantom of the Opera, first as Raoul and later as The Phantom. Titled A Celebration of the Life of Kevin Gray, the memorial tribute, you can the full event below.

Southwark Playhouse announces its Autumn 2013 season, including: the UK Premiere of Beau Willimon's Farragut North; the first major revival in over 30 years of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's The Love Girl and the Innocent; and the world premiere of Timberlake Wertenbaker's Our Ajax. Details below!

Yoshi's San Francisco announces updated calendar for club and restaurant through July 7, 2013.

Beginning in July 2013, the Alley Theatre will produce Agatha Christie's The Hollow during its popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. Under the direction of Gregory Boyd, the Alley's resident company of actors will bring to life the colorful cast of characters in Agatha Christie's The Hollow.