Music in the Air Revival 1951 - Articles Page 2.6

Crafting a musical theater hit is a lot like alchemy - the ancient study focused primarily on creating gold from baser elements - and oftentimes no matter the ingredients, directors never quite achieve the outcome for which they strive. But in the case of director/choreographer Everett Tarlton's production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate (now onstage at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre through March 7), he has crafted something so special that it essentially defines the theatrical gold standard.

Juilliard Dance, under the leadership of Alicia Graf Mack, opens its season with New Dances: Edition 2018 featuring four world-premiere dances by innovative choreographers Marcus Jarrell Willis (whose dance features the first-year class); Nelly van Bommel (featuring the second-year class); Juilliard alumnus Peter Chu (featuring the third-year class); and Stefanie Batten Bland (featuring the fourth-year class). Each choreographer works with one of the classes for the semester creating the new work; all Juilliard's dancers participate in the New Dances program.

Talented cast knows how to some some laughs.

This fable of a musical lacks passion and is rather bland.

WFMT and The Studs Terkel Radio Archive invite audiences into the history books with the new podcast Bughouse Square with Eve Ewing. Inspired by the legacy of the inimitable 20th century broadcaster and oral historian Studs Terkel, and supported by hours and hours of tape from the Studs Terkel Radio Archive, the podcast revisits historical figures and events once explored by Terkel-now unpacked for the 21st century. And there is no better guide to lead audiences through decades of American letters and culture than series host Eve Ewing, the prolific writer, scholar, and cultural organizer.

Encompass New Opera Theatre will present the world premiere of Anna Christie with music by Edward Thomas set to a libretto by Joseph Masteroff, beginning on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 8pm, running through Sunday, October 21, 2018, at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (at 55 Lexington Avenue, entrance on 25th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenues). 

Following last year's critically acclaimed release of 'Lost West End Vintage' (highlighted in The Sunday Times as an "Essential New Release') Stage Door Records are pleased to continue the album series with 'Lost West End Vintage 2', released and available in stores from today.

John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff's Tony-winning masterpiece, Cabaret, opens at The Gateway on August 3, (Previews begin August 1) featuring unforgettable songs like "Maybe This Time," "Two Ladies," "Don't Tell Mama," and the title song, "Cabaret." Ticket prices range from $59-$89 per show with Previews starting at $49. Student discounts and group rates are available.  For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website TheGateway.org, tickets on-line or through the box office at 631-286-1133.

Following last year's critically acclaimed release of 'Lost West End Vintage' (highlighted in The Sunday Times as an "Essential New Release') Stage Door Records are pleased to continue the album series with 'Lost West End Vintage 2' to be released on July 27th 2018.

Despite its flaws, it's hard not to enjoy GUYS & DOLLS. The music is infectious, and the characters are memorable. This production isn't perfect, nor is it a rendition of the old classic; some attendees are bound to be startled or surprised by the modern twists. But if you know what you're getting going in, this show is worthy of your time and the ticket price. For families of all ages who want to have fun without a ton of thought, go!

A Red Orchid Theatre presents a special summer engagement of Victims of Duty by Eugene Ionesco and directed by Shira Piven. Victims of Duty runs July 11 - August 5, 2018 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago. Press performances are scheduled for Saturday, July 14 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay homage to the glittering world of Hollywood musicals with Mad About Musicals!, a special month of programming celebrating timeless movie musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain and Cabaret. TCM is once again partnering with Ball State University and Canvas to offer a free online multimedia course tied to this programming special about the history of the musical genre and its evolution with cultural and technological shifts. Enrollment is open until June 17 and fans can sign up for the course at musicals.tcm.com.

Sherlock star Amanda Abbington and Sunset Boulevard leading man Danny Mac are the first stars to be announced for the UK premiere of the musical A Little Princess by Tony-nominated composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (Big Fish,The Addams Family, The Wild Party).

To answer the most burning question for many: Yes, Broadway's Kelli O'Hara can sing opera, acquitting herself nobly and well in the company of “real” opera singers and filling the huge Met Opera without a mike. (FYI: She did study opera herself in her early days.) She brought theatrical pizzazz and was a great partner, as the maid, Despina, for the wonderful, resonant British baritone Christopher Maltman (Don Alfonso) as the co-conspirators of the piece, in director Phelim McDermott's manic production.

Mikaela Bennett with NYFOS; photo by Karli Cadel On February 27 at 8:00 p.m., New York Festival of Song and Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center present a new program devised by Steven Blier, entitled, simply, PROTEST. A cast of young, diverse and brilliant singers that includes Mikaela Bennett who just wowed the world in Michael Gordon's opera Acquanetta at the Protoype Festival performs songs by a panorama of composers, from Marc Blitzstein and Joni Mitchell to Randy Newman and Mohammed Fairouz. (View the complete program below.)

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) have announced final casting for Lythgoe Family Panto's ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH.

Jerome Robbins, world renowned for his work as a choreographer and director of ballet and theater, film and television, would have been 100 years old on October 11, 2018. In honor of his life and legacy, The Jerome Robbins Foundation, partnering with other institutions across the country and around the world, will celebrate his centennial year through Spring 2019.

There is a new vision of heaven tap-dancing its way through my brain replete with beautiful showgirls and handsome chorus boys performing a show-stopping version of George and Ira Gershwin's I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise from An American in Paris, the sumptuous musical now onstage at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall through Sunday, November 5 and, quite frankly, if that is not what paradise will look like should I arrive there after my untimely demise, I will simply refuse to stay. For if paradise isn't the gorgeous and glittery, utterly theatrical vision supplied by this altogether splendid production, I'll say to hell with it (and me, I suppose), because surely paradise is set to a lush and memorable Gershwin score. Anything else is simply a poor facsimile of the real thing. Est-ce que tu comprends?

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) have announced final casting for Lythgoe Family Panto's ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH.

Thousands of souls have their final resting place in Altadena's Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery but, once a year in the fall, the living invade the domain of the dead. That's when Unbound Productions' WICKED LIT takes over the grounds and creates a site-specific theatrical experience based on classic and original horror stories. It is unlike any other kind of theatre or Halloween event you've ever seen and it is seriously the coolest thing you can do in Southern California. Ask anyone who's done it.

September 14 marks the launch of O17, the first edition of Opera Philadelphia's new annual season-opening festival. Featuring seven operatic happenings, six city venues, three world premieres, many already sold-out performances, and one superstar Festival Artist, this twelve- day immersion will transform the City of Brotherly Love into an urban stage for diverse audiences to gather and connect through the shared experience of opera (Sep 14-25). O17 shines a contemporary light on the genre, tackling daring subject matter, offering cutting-edge takes on the classics, and providing extraordinary artists with the chance to create their most imaginative and inspired work.

Strikingly refined yet pleasingly grounded and altogether delightful, the gorgeous 2015 Broadway musical stage adaptation of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS---inspired by the Academy Award-winning 1951 movie musical of the same name---is a sweepingly lush, dance-centric production that combines the high-brow sophistication of classical ballet with the pure exuberance and emotional highs and lows of musical theater. The resulting hybrid? Absolutely beguiling. The national tour production continues its 'S'wonderful' Orange County debut through May 7, 2017.

The National Tour of the Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I brings its parade of adorable children, a pair of star-crossed lovers, an imperial ruler, and a strong-willed, warm-hearted educator to the Boston Opera House through April 23rd. One of the grande dames of the 1950s, THE KING AND I retains its exalted place in the R & H pantheon, thanks to the artistry of Director Bartlett Sher, a songbird by the name of Laura Michelle Kelly, and a flawed King of Siam for our times, Jose Llana.

SRO Theatre Company is proud to announce its plans to produce a documentary film on John Schmidt, a 95-year-old former member of the company whose life experiences include performing on Broadway, pole vaulting at OSU, WWII, frequent appearances on WOSU radio and television, being inducted into the OSU Sports Hall of Fame, and managing his Schmidt family tree farm in Bainbridge, Ohio. SRO is using the crowd-funding platform GoFundMe to finance My Name is Johnnie Schmidt, the working title of the project, which will include a wealth of information on John's life based on interviews with the still-vibrant senior and Upper Arlington native, as well as rarely-seen footage and photos of his notable life and career. Our goal is to premiere the finished work in the fall.

La MaMa presents Magis Theatre Company's CALDERON'S TWO DREAMS a unique opportunity to see Pedro Calderon de la Barca's two versions of his classic LIFE IS A DREAM written forty-two years apart, (1635 and 1677) in one sitting. Directed by George Drance and Kelly Johnston, performances of begin February 10th at The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa with opening set for Monday, February 13.