Talking With 1982 - Articles Page 5

Needham native Gerard Alessandrini has been practicing the craft of parody professionally for nearly four decades, ever since FORBIDDEN BROADWAY debuted in New York in 1982. Numerous iterations later, he has pointed his pen at perhaps the biggest target on Broadway, the award-winning juggernaut, Hamilton, and its creative genius, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Following its 2016 premiere and successful run at the Triad Theater in New York, Huntington Theatre Company presents the extended Boston engagement of the national tour of SPAMILTON: AN AMERICAN PARODY on its Wimberly Stage in the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

Shane Richie will play 'Archie Rice' in a brand-new production of John Osborne's The Entertainer - chosen as one of the greatest plays of the 20th century by Michael Billington.

One of the most intriguing pop music partnerships of the eighties makes it's return – RICK WRIGHT, one of the founder members of PINK FLOYD and who played keyboards on their multi-million selling albums joined forces with DAVE (formerly DEE) HARRIS, best known to music fans as the former singer and guitarist with electro-funk band Fashion. The two, collectively known as ZEE's version of their album, IDENTITY is to be released this year. The album which was recorded at Wright's home studio and Utopia Studios in North London in 82 / 83, utilizes the Fairlight Computer, which has the ability to recreate the sound of any musical instrument.

Queen & Adam Lambert Debut Brand New Rhapsody Touring Show Next Year

Alcon Television Group, a division of Alcon Entertainment, has partnered with Adult Swim and Crunchyroll to produce and distribute a new anime series inspired by the critically acclaimed Oscar-winning movie BLADE RUNNER 2049.

American Blues Theater announces the addition of five new Ensemble members and one new Artistic Affiliate to the Blues family. Joining the Ensemble is director, designer and Associate Producer Elyse Dolan, who directed several works in past Ripped and Blue Ink festivals; designer Jared Gooding, lighting designer of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; actor Philip Earl Johnson, who is slated to appear in the upcoming Chicago premiere of Steven Dietz's On Clover Road; director Chuck Smith, director of the recent American Blues production of Pearl Cleage's Flyin' West; and actress and playwright Wandachristine, who won many awards for her solo performance Beauty's Daughter. Actor Zachary Stevenson has been named an Artistic Affiliate. Stevenson recently made his Chicago debut as 'Buddy Holly' in American Blues Theater's Joseph Jefferson Award-winning musical Buddy - the Buddy Holly Story, in which he also won a Jeff Award for Performance in a Musical.

Tom Petty's career-spanning box set, An American Treasure, enters the Billboard Top 200 chart at #9, marking his 13th top 10 album, and it is the #1 Rock Album. The collection is available for purchase HERE. 

The video for “Gainesville”—a previously unreleased song on the Tom Petty career-spanning box set An American Treasure—is premiering today. “Gainesville” was recorded in 1998 during Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' Echo sessions, and the video was directed by Brantley Gutierrez and produced by Michael W. Abbott with Subtractive Inc. Watch HERE.

The 25th annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival will fill the streets of downtown Bloomington, Indiana with sights and sounds from around the globe (September 27-30, 2018).  Thirty international artists, free large-scale art installations, and events for all ages will fill 14 downtown Bloomington venues with palpable energy and an eclectic blend of global sound and spectacle. Venues range in style from the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater, to contemplative church settings, to pavement-quaking outdoor dance tents and even a pop-up 360° video-immersion space. Music genres span continents and cultures, including Colombian marimba, Hawaiian hula, Malian desert groove, high-energy Congolese soukous, Swedish folk rock, contemporary American string music, and more.  A complete list of artists is available below or at lotusfest.org.  All-inclusive, weekend, and single-day passes are available for online, phone, and walk-up purchase via the BCT Box Office.  

Paul McCartney's Egypt Station (Capitol Records) has entered the Billboard 200 at #1, making it the third Non-Beatles/Wings McCartney effort to top the U.S. chart and Paul's first Stateside #1 since 1982's Tug Of War. Earning  153,000 equivalent album units, Egypt Station is Paul's first solo album to enter the chart at #1. Since beginning a new and profound direction on his creative journey with the 1970 release of his debut solo album, McCartney, Paul has sold over 100 million albums and singles worldwide.

Famed country music artist and Broadway star Gary Morris announces that famed actor/raconteur Wilford Brimley will make a special appearance in a benefit concert for Morris's injured niece and other victims of domestic violence. Gary Morris and Friends: A Benefit for Heather also will feature Tucson native Lisa Morales and other artists on Friday, Aug. 24 at 8:00 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Tickets start at $35 and are available at $50, which includes a CD and $100, which includes a CD and meet-and-greet pass through the Rialto box office (520-740-1000, www.rialtotheatre.com).

Today's subject Ann Hould-Ward is both a Tony and Drama Desk Award winning costume designer. Her work isn't limited just to the theatre by any means. Besides contributing designs for such legendary Broadway productions as Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George (co-design with her mentor Broadway legend Patricia Zipprodt), her work has also been seen with many dance and opera companies all over the world.

Famed country music artist and Broadway star Gary Morris will make a rare Tucson appearance in a benefit concert for his injured niece and other victims of domestic violence. Gary Morris and Friends: A Benefit for Heather will feature Tucson native Lisa Morales and other artists on Friday, Aug. 24 at 8:00 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Tickets are $100, which includes a CD and meet-and-greet pass; $50, which includes a CD; and $35 for balcony seats through the Rialto box office (520-740-1000, www.rialtotheatre.com).

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announces Flat Is Beautiful: The Strange Case of Pixelvision, August 10-16. 

36 years ago, on April 2, 1982, Argentine forces invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands in an attempt to establish the sovereignty it claimed over them. On April 5th, just three days later, Britain responded and the ensuing 74-day conflict claimed 904 lives, including 3 civilians, as well as wounded thousands more.

On September 28, Reprise Records will release An American Treasure—a career-spanning Tom Petty box set. The 60-track set unveils dozens of previously unreleased recordings, alternate versions of classic songs, rarities, historic live performances and deep tracks that spotlight Tom's remarkable depth and evolution as a revered and tremendously influential songwriter, recording artist and performer. An American Treasure marks the first release of Tom Petty music since the artist's tragic passing in October 2017.

Grammy-winning Country Music Artist Lee Greenwood will celebrate the 4th of July in his native Southern California, with a concert performance at 7:30 pm on the Paddock Stage at the San Diego County Fair. Greenwood, who is also set to Grand Marshall the fair's parade, called for unity among all Americas in a recent statement:

Premiere of documentary play about the former First Lady takes us back to those saner days of yesteryear, when a Republican forced from office in ignominy was replaced by a decent man who tried to heal the nation. Betty Ford may have been her husband's greatest asset in the two short years they resided in the White House, but her impact rippled through the country for much longer.

The full cast for the World Premiere of "AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN - THE MUSICAL" is officially announced. Emma Williams will play 'Paula Pokrifki', Jonny Fines is 'Zack Mayo', Ray Shell as 'Foley', Ian McIntosh as 'Sid Worley' and Jessica Daley as 'Lynette Pomeroy'.

Make Music Day, the annual global celebration of music occurring each June 21, today announced its full schedule of over 4,500 free outdoor concerts, music lessons, jam sessions and other exciting music-making events - with more to come - in more than 80 U.S. cities. The all-day musical celebration on the summer solstice, which brings people of all styles, ages and skill levels together to make and enjoy music, has become a worldwide phenomenon observed by hundreds of millions of people in 800 cities in 120 countries. U.S. cities hosting major celebrations include New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Hartford, Madison, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Salem (OR) and Nashville. Additionally, major buildings and landmarks in participating U.S. cities will turn orange in honor of Make Music Day.

Alan Menken (Music) and Howard Ashman's (Lyrics and Book) cult classic musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is presented with polish by Rockdale Musical Society.

Dance to Unite raised more than $120,000 in support of the non-profit organization's expanding free after-school dance and education programs at their 5th Annual Benefit: Lead the Way on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 6:30pm at the Manny Cantor Center, located on the Lower East Side at 197 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002.

Make Music Day, the annual global celebration of music occurring each June 21 and featuring more than 4,500 free outdoor concerts, music lessons, jam sessions and other exciting music-making events in 80 U.S. cities, today announced its updated schedule of events. The all-day musical celebration on the summer solstice, which brings people of all styles, ages and skill levels together to make and enjoy music, has become a worldwide phenomenon observed by hundreds of millions of people in 800 cities in 120 countries. U.S. cities hosting major celebrations include New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Hartford, Madison, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Salem (OR) and Nashville.Additionally, major buildings and landmarks in participating U.S. cities will turn orange in honor of Make Music Day.

Omaha, Nebraska is teeming with talent. And once in awhile you come across a person who is more than a performer in the spotlight; she is a light. Camille Metoyer Moten is a singer, actress, author, and inspirational human being. She will appear in her own show at the Omaha Community Playhouse on June 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm and on June 10 at 2:00 pm.