Broadway Veterans Round Out Cast of Arena Stage's Reimagined OLIVER!
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 28, 2015
Molly Smith directs her 30th production as Artistic Director of Arena Stage with a gritty and relevant take on the Tony Award-winning musical Oliver!, blending the chaotic worlds of 19th-century Victorian London with 2015 London. Smith's new in-the-round staging infuses a modern edge to the classic musical about an innocent orphan thrown into the dark world of double-dealing thieves and conmen, highlighting the disparity between classes and dangerous life on London's streets today. Featuring a remarkable score including 'You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,' 'Consider Yourself,' 'Where is Love?' and 'Food, Glorious Food,' Oliver! runs October 30, 2015-January 3, 2016 in the Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.
BWW Interview: Our Kinda Girl- Cristin Milioti Opens Up About Her Joe's Pub Concerts, Life on the Bg Screen, Return to the Stage & More!
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 9, 2015
On July 12-13 (9:30 & 7:30PM) Cristin Milioti will return to Joe's Pub after numerous sold out concerts, including the prestigious Lincoln Center's American Songbook. Cristin is known for her dramatic, comedic, and musical work on stage, television and in film, but best known for starring as 'Girl' in the Broadway smash hit musical ONCE, for which she won a Grammy Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
On film, Milioti was most recently seen in Martin Scorsese's THE WOLF OF WALL STREET playing Jordan Belfort's (Leonardo DiCaprio's) wife, Teresa Petrillo. Milioti also played Tracy McConnell aka 'The Mother' on CBS's hit comedy, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, and most recently joined the cast of season two on FX's Golden Globe-winning drama, FARGO. Last fall she starred in the NBC comedy, A TO Z.
She's busy preparing for her new concert, but she checked in with BroadwayWorld earlier this week to update us on her life on the big screen, her upcoming return to the stage, and so much more. Check out the full interview below!
Judy Collins & More Added to This Summer's Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 18, 2015
Lincoln Center Out of Doors one of the country's longest-running, free, summer outdoor festivals opens its 45th season on July 22, 2015. A range of concerts, dance performances, family events, related film screenings, talks, and an exhibition will be presented across three weeks, from July 22 - August 9.
BSO to Partner with Andris Nelsons to Launch CLASSICAL LIVE on Google Play
by Matt Smith - Jun 16, 2015
The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons have entered into a new partnership to create Classical Live, a unique initiative that offers a new paradigm for the distribution of live recordings of classical music available only on Google Play Music. Classical Live will offer participating orchestras—the BSO, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, and Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra—an opportunity to release up to four live concert recordings each season for download exclusively on Google Play Music with the first recordings to be made available at music.google.com or classical-live.com beginning on June 15.
InDepth InterView: Alfred Molina Talks The Actors Fund Tony Awards Viewing Party, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Upcoming Roles & A Career Retrospective
by Pat Cerasaro - Jun 1, 2015
Today we are talking to a world renowned stage and screen star who has excelled in playing a dizzying array of recognizable characters onstage and onscreen over the course of his unique and diverse career - the affable Alfred Molina. Besides discussing his many upcoming endeavors, Molina points out the importance of The Actors Fund in Los Angeles and highlights his participation in the upcoming LA Actors Fund Tony Awards Viewing Party, which will be held on June 7, and reflects on some of his fellow honorees, as well. Offering news on many of his current and forthcoming projects, Additionally, Molina also looks back at some of his most memorable roles to date ranging from his work with Paul Thomas Anderson on both BOOGIE NIGHTS and MAGNOLIA to his recent rapturously reviewed indie hit LOVE IS STRANGE co-starring John Lithgow to the Joe Orton stage-to-screen adaptation PRICK UP YOUR EARS and much more. Besides of all of that, Molina also comments on his time spent on stages around the world, notably Broadway headlining the most recent revival of Golden Age classic FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, as well as outlines some future roles he would like to pursue onstage, as well. All of that and much, much more with one of Broadway and Hollywood's very best!
THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG Plays MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, Now thru 6/7
by BWW News Desk - May 29, 2015
When an accomplished Broadway composer connects with a talented young lyricist, their professional success seems like a sure thing. But as the partnership gets personal, life gets complicated. Join Pierrot Productions for the Neil Simon classic 'They're Playing Our Song,' coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre Fridays, tonight, May 29 and June 5, 2015.
THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG to Play MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, 5/29-6/7
by BWW News Desk - May 11, 2015
When an accomplished Broadway composer connects with a talented young lyricist, their professional success seems like a sure thing. But as the partnership gets personal, life gets complicated. Join Pierrot Productions for the Neil Simon classic "They're Playing Our Song," coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre Fridays, May 29 and June 5, 2015.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Presents THE SOUND OF A MODERN SYMPHONY, 5/15-17
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2015
BNY Mellon Grand Classics: The Sound of a Modern Symphony highlights the power and range of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on May 15-17 under the baton of British conductor Michael Francis. This program features the Pittsburgh Symphony premiere of Mason Bates' Alternative Energy and the orchestral world premiere of Jake Heggie's The Work at Hand, a Pittsburgh Symphony co-commission for principal cellist Anne Martindale Williams.
Jess Goldstein, Douglas W. Schmidt & More to Receive 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 3, 2015
Tony Award-winning costume designer, JESS GOLDSTEIN (currently represented on Broadway with Jersey Boys and On the Town), and scenic designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT are among the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Goldstein was selected to receive the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Schmidt will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.
Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill to Appear at Coachella Valley Rep's 2015 Luminary Luncheon, 2/25
by BWW News Desk - Feb 12, 2015
The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre has announced that stage, screen, and television performers Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill will be the special guest artists at their February 25th Luminary Luncheon at 12:00 noon. In order to accommodate its growing patronage, this month's Luminary Luncheon will be held at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower Medical Center.
STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 2/11/15- THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 11, 2015
Today in 1979, They're Plaing Our Song opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1082 performances. With a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and music by Marvin Hamlisch, the musical is based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager- a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist, but initially the match is not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain. They're Playing Our Song is essentially a two-character show. Vernon and Sonia are the sole characters on stage; each character has a three-person Greek chorus acting as their inner voices, and there are no big production numbers.
InDepth InterView: Mary Testa Talks New Album HAVE FAITH, Upcoming Concerts & Reflects On Theatre Career
by Pat Cerasaro - Jan 2, 2015
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.
BWW Reviews: Young Singers Peddie, Dirksen, Block and Lowe Are No Longer Waiting to Join the Shining New Lights of Cabaret
by Billie Roe - Nov 22, 2014
Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.