A Place at the Table 2000 - Articles Page 4

Only 90s kids will remember...That's the line, the bait, the hook that reels the audience into Death Throes by Gillies, Croft and Lui at The Blue Room Theatre. Harriet Gillies, Julia Croft and Joe Lui fell in 'artistic love' with one another at The Blue Room some time ago and decided to collaborate on a project together. Their polyamorous collab has borne something strange and unusual, something challenging, unflinching, raw, sweaty and fun.

Ford Theatres presents an immersive experience: Last Whispers - Oratorio for Vanishing Voices, Collapsing Universes and a Falling Tree, on Friday, June 14 at 8:00pm. Last Whispers is simultaneously a spatially-designed sound composition and a film -- an invocation of languages that have gone extinct and an incantation of those that are endangered.

The energetic Theatre Prometheus has skillfully mounted a timely production of 14, a play by Jose Casas in the 30-seat Caos on F Street space. Inspired by the deaths of 14 Mexican migrants in the desert bordering the USA and Mexico back in May 2001, Casas' play takes an unsparing look at the situation that has, of course, become worse 18 years later. He does it not by writing the stories of those who died (though he honors them by name); rather his characters live near the border, some in Mexico, others in Arizona, Texas, and California. Their stories combine to illuminate many facets of America's current argument/conversation about who gets to come into this country. The stalwart cast of four play 16 very recognizable people, each with opinions about and connections to that border. By concentrating on ordinary lives, Casas avoids politics and spotlights human behavior. Spending time with these 16 people is more informative than a long article in The Washington Post, as entertaining as reality TV, and frequently moving.

There are plays that win a multitude of awards back in the day and become the 'must see' event for the mainstream. It becomes the talk of the town and if you are lucky enough to get to see it, you are one of the fortunate and can proclaim bragging rights. 'Proof' by David Auburn is one those plays that lives up to the hype and eighteen years later, still is riveting and thought-provoking.

Today, Croatian mainstay Outlook Festival complete their line-up, announcing Mala & The Outlook Orchestra (rhythm section) as an addition to the already hefty opening concert. While Kingston revolutionary lyricist Kabaka Pyramid, bassline heroine Flava D and DJ Zinc (who has straddled the world of jungle and house for over two decades) all join for the main festival. Bristol based Black Butter originators My Nu Leng & Dread MC also add to an already heavyweight line up as the festival says goodbye to 10 whole years at Fort Punta Christo - this year's edition is set to be the best yet.

Actress/singer/vocal coach Susan Edwards Martin, Lady Blues in Torch Song Trilogy on Broadway and star of many other musical shows, recently premiered her solo cabaret show at Upstairs at Vitello's. I reviewed the show and she was sensational.* She is taking the show to Feinstein's 54/Below in New York on March 23. Edwards Martin also has created an original show about the optimistic way she lives her life called, 'Unlimited! You'll Have the Time of Her Life!", that had a spectacular one night presentation and is currently waiting in the wings for a full production. Busy, busy, busy, Edwards also recently performed with Musical Theatre Guild as the lead in Minnie's Boys to rave reviews. Ms. Edwards Martin sat down and discussed her career thus far, and about the story behind Unlimited! You'll Have the Time of Her Life! and her latest cabaret show. Before we start to look back I always ask a few less relevant questions about musical theatre.

John Vanderslice is returning with his first album in six years, The Cedars, due out April 5, and today he shared a new single, 'Will Call,' a song that he calls his biggest departure yet. Consequence of Sound premiered the track today, writing, 'this new track uses slightly off kilter electronic elements to create a feeling that teeters between grace and anxiety. With The Cedars inspired by the natural beauty of Vanderslice's land in Northern California, the slow pulsing sine waves rolling under scattered bells and keys translate the terrain into a hypnotic soundscape.' Vanderslice also shared his inspirations for the song, which include Sonoma and Los Angeles, and a couple of his current favorite artists, Spirit of the Beehive and JPEGMAFIA.

The Music Institute of Chicago hosts its 2019 Anniversary Gala on Monday, May 20 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Street, celebrating its history as one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation with a festive evening highlighted by the presentation of the Dushkin Award to acclaimed jazz trumpet player, bandleader, composer, and educator Wynton Marsalis.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly presents the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner and Tony nominee for Best Play: SWEAT, penned by one of today's foremost playwrights, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage. Directed by Nicole A. Watson, this poignant new drama humanizes the U.S. labor crisis and its impact on Reading, Pennsylvania. SWEAT previews February 6 and 7, opens February 8 and runs through April 13 in rotating repertory in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 

The intimate, indoor Event Gallery at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will host 1969 Woodstock festival alum, John Sebastian on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Reserved seating tickets will go on-sale to the general public on Thursday, December 20th at 10:00 a.m. at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org

Sundance Institute announced today the eight members of the inaugural class of the Momentum Fellowship, a full-year program of deep, customized creative and professional support for writers, directors, and producers from underrepresented communities working across documentary and feature filmmaking, episodic content, and virtual reality, who are poised to take the next step in their careers.

Internationally renowned quintet Canadian Brass brings their Grammy-winning music in two performances of "Christmas Time is Here" to the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage, Saturday, Dec. 1, at 4 and 8 p.m. A free MAC Chat will take place one hour prior to curtain time for each performance.

Hartford Opera Theater will offer New in November 9, a collection of short operas and opera excerpts. This opera festival will play Sunday, November 18 (7pm) at The Cathedral House at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford, CT. Tickets are available now at https:// www.hartfordoperatheater.com as well as at the door; $10 students and seniors and $20 general admission.

Glimmerglass Film Days will explore the theme “Passages” in Cooperstown November 8-12.  A program of Otsego 2000, Film Days features 32 films, 26 filmmakers and special guests, panels, receptions with local food and drink, a companion art exhibit, a pop-up bookstore, a free film for kids, and guided hikes.   

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) in celebration of its 50thseason, will present The Algonquin Kid, a musical revue about growing up in the Algonquin Hotel, written by Michael Colby.

When I read that Studio Theatre would be presenting playwright Steven Levenson's IF I FORGET I was very excited. Why? Levenson won a Tony Award for his great book for hit musical DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Then I read the play won the Drama Desk Award for Best Off-Broadway play at the Roundabout Theatre in New York (see their informative study guide). Then when I saw what the play was about I really got excited.

It has often been said that the work-a-day world is made up of blood, sweat and tears. Perhaps that is most true for blue collar workers who find themselves laboring with their hands, especially in factories where those on the line are required to stand for hours on end doing repetitive work with little hope of any real recognition or promotion into management. Such is the case of the characters in Center Theatre Group's production of SWEAT, the 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage, now at the Mark Taper Forum through October 7, 2018.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) has named Oskar Eustis as the first recipient of its new honor, The Gordon Davidson Award, which will be bestowed annually by SDCF to recognize a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the regional theatre nationally. The presentation of the award will take place on Saturday, September 22, at the Center Theatre Group's Annex/ Gordon Davidson Rehearsal Hall, in a by-invitation-only event.

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

GRAMMY® Award-winning, acclaimed alternative rock luminaries, The Smashing Pumpkins today kick off their Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ. Produced by Live Nation, the tour is the band's first in nearly 20 years to feature founding members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha. Longtime Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Jack Bates, and keyboardist Katie Cole will also take part, as the band moves to a three guitar lineup to better emulate the signature tones and textures of their albums. The band will perform at arenas all across North America this summer with support coming from indie rock band Metric. Tickets for the band's upcoming live dates are available at www.smashingpumpkins.com, LiveNation.com, and via the Live Nation App. A complete list of upcoming Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour dates can be found below.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists. Members of the 2017/2018 Playwrights Unit include Sam Collier, Ricardo Gamboa, Isaac Gomez, Kristin Idaszak and Nigel O'Hearn. Free, one-time-only readings take place July 14-18 at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); to make a reservation call 312.443.3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org/PlaywrightsUnit. Availability is extremely limited.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists.

The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival will host an auction of locally donated artworks and other items as part of its Annual Dinner celebration on Today, June 2, 2018.