The Show is On 1937 - Articles Page 12

Growing up should be this much fun! Join Tommy Stohlgren, his four irreverent brothers and friends in an old neighborhood in Oakland, California for eight days in 1964. 'It's a story based on actual events,' Stohlgren said, 'as well as I can remember them fifty years later. My brothers and friends think it was a comically accurate re-telling, and that matters most to me.' Stohlgren's autobiographical gem traces his transition from a sweet Catholic school kid to a skeptical smart-ass. We laugh along side him as he finally notices girls, and gets tossed from religion class. After an hour-long lecture that 'God is All-loving and All-merciful' from 'Sister Mary-something (the names have been changed to protect the innocent), young Tommy reaches a logical conclusion, 'If God is all-loving and all-merciful, there could be no Hell!' Needless to say, the nuns at St. Theresa's Catholic School are not pleased. Then, Stohlgren begins to question everything about his faith-based upbringing. He stumps a young priest in confession, and botches his first and only Mass as an altar boy. With a lot of help and sketchy philosophical advice from his wild brothers, with whom he shares one bedroom, Tommy fully develops a strong conflict with authority, abandons his ancestral religion, and becomes an evidence-based learner, and later, a scientist - laughing all the way! Today, Dr. Stohlgren, a globally renowned scientist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, teaches ecology and critical thinking. Although Stohlgren has worn Hawaiian shirts every day for thirty years, he approaches the topic of critical thinking with some seriousness. 'It's amazing to me how many teens and adults believe in ghosts, Bigfoot, ESP, UFOs, the Devil, and other mythical beings, for which there is no evidence,' Stohlgren says. 'I follow the advice of comedian George Carlin (1937- 2008), who said, 'Don't just teach your children to read...Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.' However, it's the humor in the book that steals the show. The scenes with five uncontrollable boys in the cramped bedroom, around a tiny kitchen table, and the same Catholic school are uproariously funny. Different shenanigans in the book are compassionate, caring, awkward, disgusting, and illegal - a true coming of age story! Stohlgren laughs, 'Despite the book being available for several hours now, there has been no official response from the Vatican!' The Kindle version of the book can be ordered for $1.99. The screenplay also available.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The Sound of Music' is one of those mainstays of the American Musical Theater canon that has endured over the years. Pretty much anyone with a passing interest in musical theater has seen it in some form whether the Julie Andrews film, countless stage productions or even the recent live broadcast on TV (which I like to pretend never happened). And why has the show endured for over 55 years? Because it's simply a well written show. But the problem I find with most productions (especially that one that didn't exist) is the performers sing the well-written songs well but the character and thus the story is lost. Well that is not the case with the current production at the 5th Avenue Theatre which had so much character and story in addition to the beautiful voices that I almost felt like I was seeing the show for the first time.

On March 18, 2016, The Metropolitan Museum of Art invites the public to celebrate the opening of The Met Breuer with three days of special programs inaugurating its new space dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

The Old Globe today announced a major milestone in an ongoing transformation of its institutional structure-the formation of its Department of Arts Engagement, along with the appointment of a new Director of Arts Engagement, Freedome Bradley-Ballentine, whose arrival in San Diego concludes a thorough nationwide search. Bradley-Ballentine will lead the Globe's work of forging new and deeper bonds with all the constituencies the Globe serves -- and aspires to serve -- in the region.

Tina Fabrique plays a 1937 Virginia farmer with an unusual labor force.

CANTON, OHIO (September 8, 2015) - Two organizations that focus on excellence will join together to present a one-of-a-kind concert event, today, October 15, 2015 at 8:00pm. 'Soundtracks of the Gridiron', narrated by Gold Jacket Lynn Swann and performed by the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will be produced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This exciting night will feature some of the greatest music of America's most popular sport and will take place in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall (2323 17th Street NW, Canton). Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann will conduct the orchestra.

 The world premiere of THE ETERNAL SPACE, a new play written by Justin Rivers and directed by Mindy Cooper, will begin performances at New York City's Theatre Row on November 13, 2015. 

The University of Washington School of Drama launches their 75th Anniversary Season with Marc Blitzstein's infamous musical The Cradle Will Rock. Directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, this all-school production features the talents of the school's students, alumni, and faculty, as well as members of the larger theatre community.

In the American theatrical cannon, there is perhaps no play more beloved than George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. The cherished comedy has been one of the most enduring works on American stages since its debut in 1937, and Church Street's Mad Cow Theatre Company has brought a charming production to Orlando through October 25th. Directed by David Russell, the original madcap family comedy still carries as many life lessons as it did nearly 80 years ago, all the while providing a laugh a minute. While there is a layer of subtext seemingly missing from this production, it is nonetheless thrilling to see such an incredibly talented cast dive head first into these delightfully bonkers characters.

The Hole in the Wall Theater (HITW) in New Britain, CT is proud to announce OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck, the first production of its 2015-2016 season.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' is very ok, as are 'Side Show,' 'Triassic Parq' and 'Next To Normal,' 'The Revel' and 'One Brain More' join Super September, and 'Cupid' keeps his heart on. Porchlight has 'Babes In Arms' and a 'New Faces' series, 'Irving Berlin' and 'Elf'plan to light up the holidays, and 'The Wiz' gets replaced by 'Xanadu!'

The Hole in the Wall Theater (HITW) in New Britain, CT is proud to announce OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck, the first production of its 2015-2016 season.

The word 'disco' is synonymous with one band… The Bee Gees. In late 1970s America, no other band captured the essence of popular music quite like the three brothers from Manchester, England. Their unforgettable three-part harmonies and iconic beats became the soundtrack of a generation.

CANTON, OHIO (September 8, 2015) - Two organizations that focus on excellence will join together to present a one-of-a-kind concert event, on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 8:00pm. 'Soundtracks of the Gridiron', narrated by Gold Jacket Lynn Swann and performed by the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will be produced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This exciting night will feature some of the greatest music of America's most popular sport and will take place in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall (2323 17th Street NW, Canton). Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann will conduct the orchestra.

When the United States government takes action to close a pro-labor musical, a little-known actress lets her voice be heard.

The theatre/dance piece is inspired by the life of Pearl S. Buck.

Pearl (www.PearlTheShow.com), a new American-Chinese dance-theatre spectacular, inspired by the life of Pearl S. Buck, the first woman to win both the Nobel and the Pulitzer Prizes, will have its world premiere at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for 4 performances only, August 27-30th. The story, focusing on the substantial influence Pearl had on both Chinese and Western cultures, will be brought to life through new choreography by Daniel Ezralow (Ezralow Dance Company, MOMIX, Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony, Academy Awards), a new score composed by Jun Miyake (collaborations with Robert Wilson, Pina Bausch, David Byrne and Oliver Stone) dazzling visuals and a company of 30 American and Chinese dancers.

Recognized for the 1987 cult classic “Barfly,” accomplished actress Roberta E. Bassin, is today experiencing a surge, as she prepares to appear in Showtime's hit crime drama “Ray Donovan,” set to air Sept. 6 as well as in the upcoming films “The Petal Pushers,” “Shovel Buddies.”

A rare original TV musical comes to DVD at last!

One of Hollywood's most famous leading ladies and three members of Congress working to bring home military working dogs join American Humane Association's president and CEO as special guests on the latest episode of 'Be Humane with Dr. Robin Ganzert' on Pet Life Radio.

The Old Globe's presentation of Kiss Me, Kate, the classic musical comedy featuring a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter, begins tonight, July 1, on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

The complete cast and creative team have been announced for The Old Globe's presentation of Kiss Me, Kate, the classic musical comedy featuring a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter.

Today, Betty Buckley, Van Patten's co-star on EIGHT IS ENOUGH shared her thoughts with BWW on the passing of her friend

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2015 with an impressive assembly of classics, cult favorites, and beloved films. The 2015 series will run today, June 5-August 9 at the historic Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) and will feature 29 films over nine weeks (no films scheduled for the week of the Fourth of July).

The Collegiate Chorale announces that Ron Rifkin will join the cast of the US Premiere of Kurt Weill's The Road of Promise tonight, May 6, 2015 at 8pm and May 7, 2015 at 7pm at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10019.