A Wonderful Life Revival 2006 - Articles Page 10

Based in the Bay Area, Stevens wears many hats

At first glance, the musicals THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES may not seem to have much in common. The settings couldn't be more different - the rural South in the early 20th century, a modern day high school, and a drag club in 1970s France. But since I happened to see them all on the same weekend, I couldn't help but draw parallels between them. All three musicals all speak to themes of beauty, identity, self-worth, and having the courage to be who you really are, despite what the world is telling you. In THE COLOR PURPLE, a young, poor, black woman is told that she's ugly and worthless, but after a lifelong journey she arrives at a place of strength and self-love. CALVIN BERGER sets the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac in a modern high school, where a young man feels that his large nose prevents him from getting what he wants in life and chooses to hide behind the handsome popular guy, both of whom eventually learn it's better to be loved for who you are. Finally, in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a middle aged man who feels more comfortable dressed as a woman is asked by his own son to hide who he is, but confidently declares 'I am who I am!' Another thing these three musicals have in common is that they can all currently be seen on Twin Cities stages featuring talented local casts. Read on for more details on each, pick one that suits your fancy, and go see a local musical that just may inspire you to love you you really are!

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

Bucks County Playhouse opens up its stage to the star power talent with the National Tour of BALLROOM WITH A TWIST tonight, November 4th. Audiences are invited to experience the unique and live thrill of witnessing pros from Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance move together now all on one stage at the Playhouse.

Bucks County Playhouse opens up its stage to the star power talent with the National Tour of BALLROOM WITH A TWIST this November 4th. Audiences are invited to experience the unique and live thrill of witnessing pros from Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance move together now all on one stage at the Playhouse.

Marin Alsop leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in the BSO premiere ofShostakovich: Notes for Stalin, a Symphonic Play by Playwright in Residence Didi Balle. This special Off the Cuff performance onFriday, November 14 at 8:15 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and Saturday, November 15 at 7 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall dramatizes Shostakovich's harrowing life during Stalin's murderous reign in 1930s Russia, and features actors Jered McLenigan, Richard Poe and Tony Tsendeas. Please see below for complete program details.

The next edition of their three-time Emmy-nominated HBO Family Documentary Special will be Joshua Bell: A YoungArts MasterClass. Filmed in New York City and London, the program features internationally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell as he mentors, travels, and performs alongside nine talented young string musicians.

Life is Beautiful festival-goers seeking a never-before-seen production will experience a special collaboration between the internationally acclaimed show, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage, and members of Southern Nevada's premier professional symphony, The Las Vegas Philharmonic. On the closing afternoon of the festival's three-day celebration of music, food, art and learning, the two organizations will come together in a one-of-a-kind showcase of artistic creativity and expression.

The 10th Annual Global Smarties Awards Gala, which will take place Wednesday, October 1 at the Highline Stages in NYC, is set to be a wonderful celebration of the companies that are trailblazers within the mobile space, conquering and disrupting the industry.

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, tonight, September 24, through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 5PM.

The next edition of their three-time Emmy-nominated HBO Family Documentary Special will be Joshua Bell: A YoungArts MasterClass. Filmed in New York City and London, the program features internationally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell as he mentors, travels, and performs alongside nine talented young string musicians.

Celebrate the publication of Bernstein Meets Broadway: Collaborative Art in a Time of War (Oxford University Press) at Barnes and Noble, 86th Street & Lexington Avenue, New York City, on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 7PM.

Hands on a Hardbody is a new rock musical about 10 Texans whose new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end and armed with nothing but hope and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In this hard-fought contest, only one winner can drive away with the American dream.

EMMY Award-Winner Bruce Vilanch stars in a staged reading of RUBBLE, a new comedy by 4 time EMMY Award-Winning 'The Simpsons' writer, Mike Reiss at The Provincetown Theater. 'The Sopranos' star and Broadway veteran Jerry Adler also joins the cast. The staged reading of RUBBLE will be directed by James Valletti for one night only to benefit The Provincetown Theater. All proceeds go directly to support The Provincetown Theater.

Hands on a Hardbody is a new rock musical about 10 Texans whose new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end and armed with nothing but hope and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In this hard-fought contest, only one winner can drive away with the American dream.

Debbie Reynolds – actor, singer, dancer, author, champion for the preservation of the artifacts of film history and for the understanding and treatment of mental illness – has been named the 51st recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest honor:

From September 4-14, 2014, Houston Ballet launches its 45th season with the company premiere of John Neumeier's three-act ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream. The ballet is based on Shakespeare's lighthearted play of the same name and follows the hijinks and hilarity that ensues when a well-intentioned plan with a love potion goes awry. Created in 1977, A Midsummer Night's Dream has served as Mr. Neumeier's calling card, being seen as one of his most joyous and popular creations. Houston Ballet is the first American ballet company to perform the famous work and it is the first piece by Mr. Neumeier to enter the Houston Ballet repertoire.

April 26, 2014 marks the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. In honor of this milestone in world culture, Houston Ballet will present dance interpretations of great Shakespearean works by choreographers from three continents: a lavish new production of Romeo and Juliet by Stanton Welch; the company premiere of John Neumeier's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and a revival of John Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew.

Michael Sterling celebrated the 8th anniversary of his popular Supper Club, Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, on Monday, June 9th, continuing a tradition he began in 2006 to honor his dear friend and mentor, Rosemary Clooney. Sterling promised her that he would make sure future generations would be able to hear the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook in LA. A man of his word, he has presented over 600 shows since closing his doors at his original venue at Vitello's and opening at The Federal in 2012.

I was encouraged to see so many students in the audience experiencing this required reading masterpiece in a whole new light.

Nicolet High School just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin had a very special performance of MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM over the weekend. While the show itself was extraordinary, as extraordinary is the school's theater director, Mr. Ken Miller. Mr. Miller marked his final production at Nicolet High School. After 32 years as an example of hard work and dedication to the drama program, Mr. Miller will retire. Students gathered from years gone by to be a part of the final show and honor this man. Many great things were said about him.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies,will return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with four different programs for a two-week 15-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater June 11 - 22, 2014. Today, Artistic Director Robert Battle announced repertory for the season, highlighted by a world premiere from Robert Moses - a first-time collaboration with the Company - new productions of Hans van Manen's Polish Pieces and David Parsons' signature work Caught, along with the company premiere of Asadata Dafora's groundbreaking 1932 solo Awassa Astrige/Ostrich. Ailey's acclaimed dancers will perform in diverse repertory including encore performances of 2013-14 season premieres and new productions such as Wayne McGregor's Chroma and an "Ailey/Ellington" program, as well as favorites like Alvin Ailey's American masterpiece Revelations.

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Joe Masteroff, John Kander and Fred Ebb's Tony winning musical Cabaret, starring Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming and Golden Globe-winner Michelle Williams, begins previews tomorrow, Friday March 21. Cabaret officially opens on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street). This is a 24-week limited engagement. Scroll down to learn more about the full company, plus watch a TV spot for the production below!

The award-winning 'The Trip to Bountiful' starring Carol Mayo Jenkins will play on the Clarence Brown Mainstage February 20 - March 9, 2014. The heartwarming play tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who yearns to return to her home in Bountiful, Texas one last time, against the wishes of her overprotective son and domineering daughter-in-law. Written by one of America's greatest writers, Horton Foote, 'The Trip to Bountiful' is an unforgettable portrait of a woman with incredible strength and dignity,

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE presents the world premiere of THESE PAPER BULLETS!, a modish ripoff of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, adapted by Rolin Jones, with songs by Billie Joe Armstrong, and directed by Jackson Gay, March 14-April 5 at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 20.