BWW Interviews: Jacquelyn Piro Donovan Talks THE WIZARD OF OZ
by David Clarke - Feb 22, 2014
In no time at all, Houstonians will be able to click their heels and follow the yellow brick road to The Hobby Center to see TUTS' presentation of the National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE WIZARD OZ. In anticipation of the musical landing in Houston, I spoke with Jacquelyn Piro Donovan who plays Miss Gulch and The Wicked Witch of the West about the show and her career.
BWW Reviews: WICKED at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
by Oliver Oliveros - Feb 13, 2014
It was an all-consuming rebirth in color as cascades of lush and textured emerald lights sprung to life in an intense surge from the heart of the stage, as a map of Oz, especially rigged as a stage curtain for the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) Main Theater, raised to unravel a fantastic tale: One told in the Philippine premiere of the blockbuster megamusical WICKED.
2014 Brits Off Broadway Festival to Run 4/1-6/29
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 10, 2014
The critically acclaimed Brits Off Broadway festival, host to the UK's most innovative and provocative theater in New York City, returns for its 9th season of New York premieres of new British theater. Presented by 59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer), Brits Off Broadway launches on Tuesday, April 1 and runs through Sunday, June 29. The single ticket prices range from $25 - $70 ($17.50 - $49 for 59E59 Members). Tickets to Brits Off Broadway go on sale on February 28, with a special pre-sale for 59E59 Members beginning February 21. Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org. For more information on Brits Off Broadway, visit www.59E59.org or www.britsoffbroadway.com.
Michael Praed Stars in THE WHITE CARNATION at Jermyn Street Theatre, Beg. Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Feb 4, 2014
Following a critically acclaimed and sell-out run at the Finborough Theatre, the first production in sixty years of R. C. Sherriff's supernatural drama, The White Carnation transfers for a limited three week run to Jermyn Street Theatre, opening tonight, 4 February 2014 (Press Night: Thursday, 6 February 2014 at 7.30pm). The show stars Michael Praed (Design for Living - West End, Robin of Sherwood, Dynasty) who joins the existing superlative Finborough Theatre cast, which includes acclaimed newcomer Daisy Boulton and Benjamin Whitrow (Mr. Bennet in BBC's Pride and Prejudice).
Wicked Brings Down the House at Orpheum
by Caroline Sposto - Jan 31, 2014
I used to believe the cyclone that dropped Dorothy's house on Munchinkland was a random disaster. Thanks to novelist Gregory Maguire, I now know better. Last night, when Director Joe Mantello brought this splendidly-imagined backstory to life on stage at the Orpheum, it once again brought down the house.
Publishers Newswire Announces Its Newsest BOOKS TO BOOKMARK List
by BWW News Desk - Jan 29, 2014
Publishers Newswire (PNW), an online resource established in 2004 for small publishers, as well as lesser known and first-time book authors, today announced its latest semi-annual 'Books to Bookmark' round-up. This list of 21 new books is from the second half of 2013 which may have been missed due to not originating from major New York book publishers, or 'big name' authors.
Barter Theatre's DON'T CRY FOR ME, MARGARET MITCHELL to Open 1/31
by Tyler Peterson - Jan 23, 2014
Barter Theatre opens its 2014 Season next week with a comedy that goes behind the scenes of one of the greatest movies of all time. 'Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell' is the true story of how three sleep-deprived men (and one very overworked secretary) had just seven days to save the movie "Gone With the Wind." Can they rewrite an entire movie script in one week - before they all go bananas?
Michael Praed to Star in THE WHITE CARNATION at Jermyn Street Theatre from Feb 4
by BWW News Desk - Jan 7, 2014
Following a critically acclaimed and sell-out run at the Finborough Theatre, the first production in sixty years of R. C. Sherriff's supernatural drama, The White Carnation transfers for a limited three week run to Jermyn Street Theatre, opening on Tuesday, 4 February 2014 (Press Night: Thursday, 6 February 2014 at 7.30pm). The show stars Michael Praed (Design for Living - West End, Robin of Sherwood, Dynasty) who joins the existing superlative Finborough Theatre cast, which includes acclaimed newcomer Daisy Boulton and Benjamin Whitrow (Mr. Bennet in BBC's Pride and Prejudice).
Vancouver Opera Lights Up Dark Winter Days With ALBERT HERRING, Now thru 12/5
by BWW News Desk - Nov 30, 2013
The busybodies of proper English village life are brilliantly skewered in Benjamin Britten's devastatingly satirical Albert Herring, onstage at Vancouver Opera for four performances only. Fast-paced, effervescent and musically clever, this sparkling 1950s-style company premiere is a scrumptious treat for Vancouver audiences.
Vancouver Opera Lights Up Dark Winter Days With ALBERT HERRING, 11/30 - 12/5
by Rosie Hertzman - Nov 6, 2013
The busybodies of proper English village life are brilliantly skewered in Benjamin Britten's devastatingly satirical Albert Herring, onstage at Vancouver Opera for four performances only. Fast-paced, effervescent and musically clever, this sparkling 1950s-style company premiere is a scrumptious treat for Vancouver audiences.
BWW Reviews: Rising Cabaret Star JENNIFER SHEEHAN Makes Audience Love Her in Cafe Carlyle Debut
by Stephen Hanks - Oct 24, 2013
Some people, especially some cabaret reviewers and cabaret fans, might think it's lazy or a copout or both for a performer to keep recycling previous shows. But when the Café Carlyle comes a'callin' you: A) May not have enough time to create a totally new show or B) Want to pitch the big game with your best stuff or C) All of the above. Since I only started reviewing cabaret in late 2010, I missed the Laurie Beechman Theatre debut of Jennifer Sheehan's 2009 show You Made Me Love You: Celebrating 100 Years of the Great American Songbook, and missed it again when she brought it to the Metropolitan Room in 2010. So I, for one, am not complaining that she dusted off the critically praised set again (with the new slug 'Timeless Classics and New Treasures' from said Songbook show) for her debut last Saturday night at the prestigious Café Carlyle. Sheehan may have been booked for the room's new 10:45 late night series and not the prime time slot, but at least the Carlyle is giving opportunities to exciting young cabaret performers like Sheehan (and Marissa Mulder, who will make her debut at the room on November 7). With You Made Me Love You, Sheehan made everything old new again-at least for me.
BWW Reviews: Webber's Touring WIZARD OF OZ Touches Down in L.A.
by Michael L. Quintos - Oct 1, 2013
What do you do for an updated stage adaptation of arguably one of cinema's much-beloved motion pictures of all time? Well for theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Jeremy Sams, you populate the show with over-the-top, more cartoonish characters and snarky, audience-winking dialogue. Oh, yeah, and add a few new songs from Webber and his frequent collaborator, lyricist Tim Rice, too. The touring company plays the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through October 6.
Gary Buchanan Announces Release of 'Come Fly With Me'
by Robert Diamond - Sep 28, 2013
In 'Come Fly With Me: The Adventures of My Life' (published by Balboa Press), author Gary Buchanan's new biography, readers move through the years of Buchanan's life as recalls a wondrous journey through moments long past.
Gary Buchanan Announces Release of 'Come Fly With Me'
by Robert Diamond - Sep 28, 2013
In 'Come Fly With Me: The Adventures of My Life' (published by Balboa Press), author Gary Buchanan's new biography, readers move through the years of Buchanan's life as recalls a wondrous journey through moments long past.