The Castle 2008 - Articles Page 20

Four-time Tony Award winner Tom Stoppard returns to the Alley with Rock ?n' Roll, winner of London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play. It's August 1968, and Russian tanks are rolling into Prague. Jan, the Czech student, lives for rock music, Max, the English professor, lives for Communism, and Esme, the flower child, is high. By 1990, the tanks are rolling out, the Stones are rolling in and idealism has hit the wall.

The Willows Theatre Company brings back the ?80s (as if they?d ever left) with its production of The Wedding Singer, the musical comedy based on the hit 1998 film that starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The musical version has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, with book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. Ryan Weible directs the Willows Theatre production, with choreography by Gia Solari-Welch, and music direction by Tim Hanson. Ryan Drummond stars as the wedding singer, Robbie Hart, with Sarah Aili as his gal Julia. The Willows production runs May 11 ? June 14 at the Willows mainstage, 1975 Diamond Boulevard in Concord.

Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).

The Canadian Smash Hit the Sound of Music is now offering fantastic dinner and overnight accomodation packages for those wanting to see this excellent production!

Among those on hand to celebrate 2008's the best of the best in the lavish world of mystery and illusion at the Avalon Hollywood (1735 N. Vine, Hollywood, CA 90028) for The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. 41st Annual Awards Show were Zach Quinto, Florence Henderson, Jeff Probst, Mac King, Erin Murphy, Gay Blackstone, Max Maven, Mike Caveney, Larry Wilmore, Christina Hendricks, and host, Broadway, television and motion picture star Neil Patrick Harris.

How The Entertainment Industry Can Be A Force For Good was the topic of the Fifth Annual PIRATES (Print Interactive Radio & Television Educational Society) Special Event at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences this year.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) has announced the 10 members of the 2009 Emerging Writers Group, the second season of an annual program that targets playwrights at the earliest stages of their careers and nurtures their artistic growth by providing necessary resources and support. The 10 writers were selected from more than 400 applicants. The 2009 Emerging Writers are J. Julian Christopher, D.S.A. Deen, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Bridget Kelso, Mona Mansour, Vickie Ramirez, Jordan Seavey, Alena Smith, Kevin Christopher Snipes, and Lauren Yee.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) and Druid will reteam in presenting Academy Award? winner and four-time Tony Award? nominee Martin McDonagh's play THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, directed by Tony Award? winner Garry Hynes, following an acclaimed UK tour.

Just in time for the Purim season, Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre will perform its 'The Historye of Queen Esther, of King Ahasverus & of the Haughty Haman' from February 21 to March 7 at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater of the West Side Y, located on West 64th St. just West of Central Park West, Manhattan. The production features modernist marionettes and those from the Czech Puppetry repertoire and is recommended for family audiences.

Cameron Mackintosh has been honoured for his contribution to musical theatre at this year's South Bank Show awards. The Awards other big winners included: Film This Is England Comedy Gavin and Stacey (BBC Three) TV Drama The Mark of Cain (Channel 4) Theatre Saint Joan at the National Theatre Pop Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare Literature Mohsin Hamid: The Reluctant Fundamentalist Classical Music Traced Overhead: The Musical World of Thomas Ades at the Barbican Visual Arts Andy Goldsworthy at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park Opera The Turn of The Screw at the ENO Dance Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company: Programmes 1 and 2 at Sadler's Wells Literature Mohsin Hamid: The Reluctant Fundamentalist Arts Council England - decibel Award Daljit Nagra: Look We Have Coming To Dover Outstanding Achievement Award JK Rowling

Verdi's popular masterpiece Rigoletto returns to the repertory on January 24 with baritone Roberto Frontali making his Met role debut as the hunchback jester and conductor Riccardo Frizza in his company debut. They are joined by Aleksandra Kurzak as Gilda and Giuseppe Filianoti as the Duke of Mantua, both of whom are also singing their roles for the first time at the Met. Viktoria Vizin makes her Met debut as Maddalena, and Mikhail Petrenko sings his first Sparafucile with the company. Georgian bass George Gagnidze makes his Met debut on January 27 in the title role and sings the following five performances through February 12. Piotr Beczala, whose performances as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor last fall drew wide acclaim, sings the Duke on February 12. A second run of performances begins April 1 and features the first Met Gilda of Diana Damrau, who earlier this season created a sensation with her interpretation of the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor. She will be partnered with Joseph Calleja as the Duke and Roberto Frontali as Rigoletto. Frontali returns for the April performances which run through April 17. Tamara Mumford sings Maddalena and Raymond Aceto is Sparafucile in the April cast. About the performers

Atlantic Theater Company and Druid are proud to announce a four week extension of Martin McDonagh's hit dark comedy THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, which will now play through Sunday, March 1st, 2009 Off Broadway at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).

Sam Mendes directs a transatlantic company of actors in a double-bill of classic works for The Bridge Project's inaugural 2009 season, which pairs a new version of The Cherry Orchard by Tom Stoppard with The Winter's Tale. A formidable transatlantic company and creative team will mount these two new productions for seven internationally renowned theaters. Simon Russell Beale leads the British/American cast, playing Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard and Leontes in The Winter's Tale. He is joined by Sin?ad Cusack as Madame Ranevskaya and Paulina, Richard Easton as Firs and Old Shepherd, Rebecca Hall as Varya and Hermione, Josh Hamilton as Yasha and Polixenes, Ethan Hawke as Trofimov and Autolycus, and Paul Jesson as Gaev and Camilo.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) and Druid are proud to reteam in presenting Academy Award? winner and four-time Tony Award? nominee Martin McDonagh?s play THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, directed by Tony Award? winner Garry Hynes, following an acclaimed UK tour.

MEDIA CITY BALLET OF LOS ANGELES Natasha Middleton, Artistic Director Presents Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Classic Holiday Ballet, 'The Nutcracker' A Magical Ballet Performance for Children and Adults Choreographed and Directed By Natasha Middleton Pre-Show Mini-Concert By The Taft High School Vocal Ensemble Directed by Tom Pease The Alex Theatre; 216 North Brand Blvd.; Glendale, CA Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) and Druid are proud to reteam in presenting Academy Award? winner and four-time Tony Award? nominee Martin McDonagh?s play THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, directed by Tony Award? winner Garry Hynes, following an acclaimed UK tour.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) and Druid will reteam in presenting Academy Award? winner and four-time Tony Award? nominee Martin McDonagh's play THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, directed by Tony Award? winner Garry Hynes, following an acclaimed UK tour.

Infused with the familiar music of Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker,' Nickelodeon presents a contemporary twist on the holiday classic in the new The Wonder Pets! prime-time special, 'Save the Nutcracker!,' premiering Monday, Dec. 8, 8:00 - 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Media City Ballet of Los Angeles, Natasha Middleton, Artistic Director, Choreographer and Director will present a magical production of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," featuring a cast of 70 award-winning dancers, visual illusions, special effects and aerialists. A pre-show mini-concert featuring singers from the Taft High School Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Tom Pease, will be presented 15 minutes prior to each performance of the ballet. Performances will be given at the Alex Theatre, 216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91203 on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Television and theatre actress Elmarie Wendel will serve as producer.

MEDIA CITY BALLET OF LOS ANGELES Natasha Middleton, Artistic Director Presents Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Classic Holiday Ballet, 'The Nutcracker' A Magical Ballet Performance for Children and Adults Choreographed and Directed By Natasha Middleton Pre-Show Mini-Concert By The Taft High School Vocal Ensemble Directed by Tom Pease The Alex Theatre; 216 North Brand Blvd.; Glendale, CA Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Emerging Artists Theatre presents 13 new plays in three Series as part of their 2008 Fall EATfest. Series B includes 6 new short plays by Eric Appleton, Lisa Romeo, Andrew Rosendorf, Greg Frier, John A. Donnelly, and Sara Jeanne Asselin.

The Armonk Players Present LEND ME A TENOR by Ken Ludwig.

The Armonk Players Present LEND ME A TENOR by Ken Ludwig.

Neil Patrick Harris, Penn & Teller, JoAnne Worley, Tippi Hedren, Richard Sherman, and Magic Castle co-founder's Milt Larsen and Irene Larsen were all on hand Friday, October 24th, 2008 for the unveiling of the refurbished Star on the Walk of Fame dedicated to the earliest and still often most recognized illusionist of stage and screen - MR. HARRY HOUDINI.

Daily Variety is reporting that the international stage hit Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage could be making itself a home on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre after current resident Hairspray takes its final bow. While no official plans have been confirmed, inside word is that 'Dancing' looks to be eyeing the space for it's Rialto bow. There is no word on an exact date for a Broadway opening, but insiders predict a Fall 2009 start for the film to stage tuner.