A strong ensemble is crucial in most any play, especially when dealing with commedia dell'arte as each performer takes on typical archetypes which when combined create a solid show. Assuming, that is, there are no weak links. Luckily with STAGEright's current commedia production of "I Gelosi" the ensemble here is quite strong. Furthermore David Bridel's play goes beyond a simple commedia and delves into a potential history of one of Europe's most famous commedia troupes and creates an intriguing and heartfelt piece about the power of theater.
Czech born Thomas Stoppard is a Jewish British playwright who escaped from his birth country in 1939, just before the Nazi occupation. Living, in England, he has gained a reputation as one of modern English language's greatest playwrights. The recipient of an Academy Award and four Tony Awards, it is generally agreed by theatre analysts that 'Arcadia,' a production of which is now on stage at Mamai Theatre, is one of the western world's greatest plays.
Jim Dale's career as an actor grew out of his success as a music hall performer and musician. He put those music hall skills as a wit, singer, musician, and physical comedian to work in performances of William Shakespeare's many clowns and fools.
The newly formed Santa Cruz Shakespeare is proud to present its inaugural summer repertory season starting with previews on July 1 and playing through August 10, in the Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Tickets are available online at www.santacruztickets.com.
The Camden Fringe returns this summer for a 9th consecutive year, and the 2014 festival will be the biggest yet with over 200 different productions taking part.
FoolsFURY, 'one of the brightest stars of the San Francisco experimental theater scene' (San Francisco Arts Monthly), is pleased to announce the program for the fifth FURY Factory festival of ensemble theater, July 6 - 20, 2014.
The newly formed Santa Cruz Shakespeare is proud to present its inaugural summer repertory season starting with previews on July 1 and playing through August 10, in the Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Tickets are available online at www.santacruztickets.com.
Original choreography, clever comic bits, and a strong supporting cast add spark to North Shore Music Theatre's ANYTHING GOES, Cole Porter's fizzy screwball shipboard romance that finds itself somewhat at sea while trying to stay afloat in the round.
Colleen Petrucci's production at the Byham Theatre brings the zany, anything-can-happen edge that Dr. Seuss himself preferred. But does the show work as a show?
Zurich Meets New York: A Festival of Swiss Ingenuity presents 'Dieter Meier: 'Out of Chaos' - U.S. CD Release Concert' on Sunday, May 18, 7:30 pm at Le Poisson Rouge, NYC.
Fiasco Theatre's production of Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona, delights and impresses. Lighthearted and gay (as in 'keenly alive and exuberant'), the six-member ensemble's streamlined presentation of the tale is filled with chuckles and bubbles, buffoonery and romantic jests.
The throw-everything-against-the-wall-and-pray-for-laughs approach to low comedy is a staple of live theater, and certainly, of William Shakespeare's plays. None play would seem to invite a shtick-fest - beg for one even - than the hugely ridiculous THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. At the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, alas, Kent Gash's free-for-all staging of Errors exposes the play's lameness rather than celebrates its lunacy. For ninety non-breezy minutes, every actor on that stage is mugging (or frugging) his or her collective buns off. Some of the players are quite deft and, indeed, the production has its share of laughs. Too often, though, the jokes don't land, the pace slows and the endeavor is dead in the water.
Dieter Meier is the legendary voice behind the Swiss electronic pop pioneers Yello, renowned for the '80s underground hits 'Oh Yeah' (featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off and, most recently, The Simpsons and South Park) and 'Race' (Billboard's Hot 100). Singer, musician, conceptual artist, experimental filmmaker, professional poker player, organic farmer and entrepreneur, Meier is now launching his first solo album, featuring his latest musical project, Out of Chaos. For this sole New York appearance, he sings electro-chansons in an 'art-act' backed by some of today's best Swiss jazz musicians.
It's tough to decide what I like more, a great production or a great new theater. Thankfully, I got both during my recent trip to Texas State San Marcos Department of Theatre and Dance. Their current production of Anything Goes is stunning, as is the new Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre.
The young, relatively new, City Shakespeare Company is offering a 90-minute modern take on Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE now through April 12, but the well-intentioned effort produces mixed results.
Once more, with feeling! This year's SDO Valentine offering, Donizetti's 1832 comic masterpiece, 'Elixir of Love,' echoed last season's midwinter love fest, the composer's 'Daughter of the Regiment.'
With an Elvis impersonator, drag queens and an assortment of other lovable characters, this is one show with such a unique plot that you have to see it to believe it!
We speak with Broadway legend, Cleavant Derricks on his rich history in theatre; new, challenging role at the Denver Center; and love of sci-fi.
Samantha Bond (Passion Play, Amy's View, Downton Abbey, Outnumbered) plays Muriel Eubanks, a glamorous divorcee looking for love in Beaumont-sur-Mer on the French Riviera and John Marquez (Privates On Parade, The Taming of the Shrew, Doc Martin) plays Andre Thibault, Beaumont-sur-Mer's Chief of Police.
Les Miserables opened on October 9th in Toronto, kicking off the 50th Anniversary Season for Mirvish Productions and marking the long-awaited Canadian return of the mega musical. The new '25th Anniversary Production' has been receiving rave reviews, and is Broadway bound in March of 2014. BWW has been bringing readers coverage featuring many of the cast members as we discuss the importance of Les Miserables and of this new production to Canadians.
Today we're talking with the deliciously dynamic duo who take on the despicable roles of The Thenardiers - Cliff Saunders and Lisa Horner. They bring a unique flavour to the roles, portraying the characters darker than I've ever seen them while still getting some of the biggest laughs of the show.
This December, Chicago's acclaimed Spectacle company Redmoon presents the 15th Annual Winter Pageant featuring collaborators The Happiness Club of Chicago, Kalapriya Dance, Indonesian Dance of Illinois, Pineapple Dance Studio, Mexican clown artist Fernando Cordova Hernandez, aerialist Helena Reynolds and surf-rock band The San Andreas Fault. The approximately 50-minute-long production is directed by John Musial and Will Bishop with Redmoon Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri and choreographed by Pranita Jain. Redmoon's Winter Pageant takes place at the company's Pilsen home at 2120 S. Jefferson Street, tonight, December 13-15 and 20-22 (Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 4 pm & 7 pm, Sundays at 1:30 pm & 4 pm). Press night will be opening night, Friday, December 13.
I recently had the honor and privilege of taking my six-year-old niece to her first ballet. It was Ballet West's The Nutcracker, a perfect choice for any child excited about the holiday season, ballet, and performing. The story of The Nutcracker dates back to 1816 and was written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Tchaikovsky wrote the score and The Nutcracker first premiered on Sunday, December 18, 1892. Since then, it has grown wildly in popularity and is considered a holiday tradition for many people.
It's the age-old story: young D'Artagnan (Will Haden) arrives in Paris looking for adventure and to pursue his father's place as one of the king's special guard. He is befriended by The Three Musketeers, Athos (Thomas Brazzle), Porthos (Anthony J. Goes) and Aramis (James Jelkin) and soon finds himself in the middle of swashbuckling swordfights, treason and romance.
This December, Chicago's acclaimed Spectacle company Redmoon presents the 15th Annual Winter Pageant featuring collaborators The Happiness Club of Chicago, Kalapriya Dance, Indonesian Dance of Illinois, Pineapple Dance Studio, Mexican clown artist Fernando Cordova Hernandez, aerialist Helena Reynolds and surf-rock band The San Andreas Fault. The approximately 50-minute-long production is directed by John Musial and Will Bishop with Redmoon Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri and choreographed by Pranita Jain. Redmoon's Winter Pageant takes place at the company's Pilsen home at 2120 S. Jefferson Street, December 13-15 and 20-22 (Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 4 pm & 7 pm, Sundays at 1:30 pm & 4 pm). Press night will be opening night, Friday, December 13.
CHICAGO (November 13, 2013) – This December, Chicago's acclaimed Spectacle company Redmoon presents the 15th Annual Winter Pageant featuring collaborators The Happiness Club of Chicago, Kalapriya Dance, Indonesian Dance of Illinois, Pineapple Dance Studio, Mexican clown artist Fernando Córdova Hernández, aerialist Helena Reynolds and surf-rock band The San Andreas Fault. The approximately 50-minute-long production is directed by John Musial and Will Bishop with Redmoon Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri and choreographed by Pranita Jain. Redmoon's Winter Pageant takes place at the company's Pilsen home at 2120 S. Jefferson Street, December 13-15 and 20-22 (Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 4 pm & 7 pm, Sundays at 1:30 pm & 4 pm). Press night will be opening night, Friday, December 13.
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