Melody 1933 - Articles Page 1.8

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

Underscore Theatre Company will present its 6th annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, created to showcase and support the growing field of musical theatre creators from Chicago and beyond. The 2020 Festival features full productions of eight new musicals, plus two pay-what-you-can staged readings and a showcase of 10-minute musicals. The Festival will be performed simultaneously on two stages from February 3 - 23, 2020 at The Edge Theater: the Broadway (5451 N. Broadway) and the Off Broadway (1133 W. Catalpa Ave.) in Chicago Edgewater neighborhood. Each full production will receive at least five performances during the Festival. Tickets are currently available at www.cmtf.org. The press 'Sneak Preview,' featuring a sampling of songs from the 2020 Festival, is Monday, February 3 at 8 pm.

It feels in many ways poetic that both the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the 200th anniversary of Walt Whitman's birth fall on the same year. That's precisely where The Bearded Ladies Cabaret comes in. The Philadelphia-based experimental cabaret troupe is part of La MaMa's STONEWALL 50 celebrations, joining a group of LGBTQ+ artists from around the globe. The Beards' contribution is the New York premiere of their CONTRADICT THIS! A BIRTHDAY FUNERAL FOR HEROES, which---spoiler alert---starts as a birthday party for 'much-lauded homo poet' Walt Whitman and descends into a trial, taking on Whitman's problematic political views, our imperfect heroes, and cancel culture as a whole.

In celebration of both Gay Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of Noel Coward's knighthood, Robert Rodi looks back on the British icon's legendary career, trailblazing style, enduring influence-and above all his songs. Coward's songs have been covered by artists from Judy Garland to Rufus Wainwright, and rival Cole Porter's for emotional range and irresistible melody.

Alexei Ratmansky's Shostakovich Trilogy returns to San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) May 7-12, closing the Company's 2019 Repertory Season at the War Memorial Opera House. Called a "fascinating, thrilling, bewilderingly ambiguous evocation of life in Shostakovich's Russia" (The New York Times), and simply, "a masterpiece" (San Francisco Chronicle), Shostakovich Trilogy is Ratmansky's homage to the composer, using three of his full-length works: the Symphony No. 9, Chamber Symphony, and Piano Concerto No. 1.

Since 2010, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) has hosted the {Re}HAPPENING inspired by John Cage's 1952 Theatre Piece No. 1, an unscripted performance at Black Mountain College considered by many to be the first Happening. The annual {Re}HAPPENING brings together dozens of contemporary artists whose work responds to and extends the legacy of Black Mountain College visionaries such as John Cage, David Tudor, Merce Cunningham, M.C. Richards and Robert Rauschenberg. The 2019 {Re}HAPPENING celebrates the influence of non-western music on such legendary artists by showcasing contemporary musicians who continue the legacy of experimental music within a global context. As part of the international Merce Cunningham Centennial Celebration, BMCM+AC will juxtapose these contemporary performances and installations alongside projections of historic Cunningham dance footage, including Variations V, a collaboration with John Cage and fellow BMC faculty Stan VanDerBeek.

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.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is once again offering audience members a dazzling, star-packed lineup of amazing shows, memorable concerts, insightful lectures and very special events during the months of March and April.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is pleased to announce the much-anticipated addition to its 2017-2018 Season, which already includes an impressive line up of leading contemporary theatre titles. In addition to the five titles previously announced, ETC will present the regional premiere of Larry Parr's His Eye is on the Sparrow, the powerful, heartbreaking, and uplifting account of the legendary Ethel Waters, who overcame a spirit-breaking childhood and racial injustice to become a legendary jazz and blues singer, Broadway pioneer, and Oscar-nominated actress. Playing April 24-May 19, 2018, this musical biography will feature celebrated local actress and Ensemble Theatre veteran Torie Wiggins in the leading role, singing some of Waters's most famous songs, including 'Stormy Weather,' 'Black and Blue," and 'This Joint is Jumpin'.' Sharing the stage in telling Ms. Waters's remarkable story is pianist Scot Woolley.

Hiball Events and the Palmer House Hilton present this special evening that will revisit the glitz and glamor of the historic Empire Room. Spend the evening with vocalists Sam Fazio and Kimberly Gordon, along with a 6-piece band, to hear the music made famous by performers of the room like Bobby Darin, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. After the show, guests can stay for dancing in one of the last great rooms in the city.

Hatikvah, the national anthem of Israel, is a very powerful song that deeply moves the Jewish heart (and anyone for whom Israel is dear). The evolution of this song into the national song of Zionism is a fascinating topic, in and of itself.

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues." 

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues."

On Her Shoulders is pleased to present staged readings of two short plays and poetry selections by May Miller, directed by Mary E. Hodges on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Legendary American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's masterwork Merrily We Roll Along is revisited in a new production under the direction of Tony Award nominee Michael Arden (Spring Awakening) set for the Bram Goldsmith Theater stage at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from tonight, November 23, through December 18.

Legendary American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's masterwork Merrily We Roll Along is revisited in a new production under the direction of Tony Award nominee Michael Arden (Spring Awakening) set for the Bram Goldsmith Theater stage at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts from November 23 through December 18.

A century's worth of treasures emerge from the shadows of both memory and history in this new CD, OUT OF THE SHADOWS: REDISCOVERED AMERICAN ART SONGS, out on digital Sept. 2 and physical CD on Sept. 9, 2016.

A century's worth of treasures emerge from the shadows of both memory and history in this new CD, OUT OF THE SHADOWS: REDISCOVERED AMERICAN ART SONGS, out on digital Sept. 2 and physical CD on Sept. 9, 2016.

The WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL and the ELENA ZANG GALLERY would like to cordially invite you to a special presentation and reveal of the artwork for its official 2016 poster by renowned artist Mary Frank, today July 16 at 3pm, at the Elena Zang Gallery, 3671 NY-212, in Shady, NY.

The WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL and the ELENA ZANG GALLERY would like to cordially invite you to a special presentation and reveal of the artwork for its official 2016 poster by renowned artist Mary Frank, on Saturday July 16 at 3pm, at the Elena Zang Gallery, 3671 NY-212, in Shady, NY.

'Tis the Season with Brian Stokes Mitchell is THE highlight of this holiday season.

Entering its seventh season in 2015-16, CONTACT!, the Philharmonic's new-music series, will extend its reach across New York City through a new partnership with National Sawdust (formerly Original Music Workshop), a new, non-profit, state-of-the-art music venue opening in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in October 2015.

Entering its seventh season in 2015-16, CONTACT!, the Philharmonic's new-music series, will extend its reach across New York City through a new partnership with National Sawdust (formerly Original Music Workshop), a new, non-profit, state-of-the-art music venue opening in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in October 2015.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts welcomes the Lunar New Year - The Year Of The Sheep - with an immersive and festive welcome with Pre-Concert Cocktails, a Benefit Concert and Imperial Dinner and Chinese Feast. This black-tie extravaganza tonight, January 31 will take place in the Bram Goldsmith Theater, the Jim and Eleanor Randall Grand Hall and the Promenade Terrace. The Honorary Chair is Wallis Annenberg; the co-chairs are Linda May and John Bendheim.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts welcomes the Lunar New Year - The Year Of The Sheep - with an immersive and festive welcome with Pre-Concert Cocktails, a Benefit Concert and Imperial Dinner and Chinese Feast. This black-tie extravaganza on Saturday, January 31 will take place in the Bram Goldsmith Theater, the Jim and Eleanor Randall Grand Hall and the Promenade Terrace. The Honorary Chair is Wallis Annenberg; the co-chairs are Linda May and John Bendheim.