What We Wanted 2017 - Articles Page 1.8

As Maestro Ermanno Florio steps down after 32 seasons, Australian Conductor Simon Thew will be appointed as Houston Ballet's Music Director and Chief Conductor. BroadwayWorld got the chance to speak with Simon Thew about his worldly career, his experience with the Houston Ballet, and his goals for the future of the Houston Ballet.

Two new play commissions were announced by the independent publishing company Stage Partners, with the goal of engaging professional playwrights to create inspiring new works especially for school theatre programs.

Will Berger is a renaissance man on a mission.  When he's not lecturing on classical music and opera, or writing the commentaries for the Metropolitan Opera Radio on Sirius, or co-hosting the live Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts, or producing (and writing) the broadcasts' Met Opera Quiz, or writing books (Wagner Without Fear (1998), Verdi With a Vengeance (2000), Puccini Without Excuses (2005), all published by Random House) he's writing the libretto for a new Jazz Metal Opera!  

GRAMMY-winning quartet Third Coast Percussion will tour their GRAMMY-nominated program, PERSPECTIVES, across California and Albany, NY in April 2024. The program celebrates the extraordinary depth and breadth of percussion music.

Today’s subject Psalmayene 24 is someone we can aptly classify as the whole package when we talk about artists in the DC theatre community. He is an accomplished writer/actor/performer and educator whose work has been enjoyed by audiences of all ages over the years. Currently Psalmayene 24 is the director of Arena Stage’s current Power Play entitled Tempestuous Elements. The show is currently playing in the company’s Fichandler space through March 17th.

Tracked during the early winter months of 2023 over a 10-day period, the Plunge sessions were nothing short of joyous. Joined by a group of his closest friends and collaborators (including Liam Kazar, Sean Mullins, El Kempner of Palehound and Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief), Evian set out with a wide-open approach. 

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has produced a brand-new blues musical about Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball in the big leagues. “Catching the Moon: The Story of the Young Girl’s Baseball Dream,” tells the story of the baseball legend in her formative years when she was known as the resilient and determined Marcenia Lyle, and how one random act of kindness propelled her to greatness.

The complete cast has been revealed for the American premiere of The Welkin, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Sarah Benson at Atlantic Theater Company. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

When it comes to concerts, Audra McDonald says she’s learned to choose a song list that really appeals to her. And she’s done just that for her current tour, which will bring her to Symphony Hall for her eighth appearance with the Celebrity Series of Boston, this time with an orchestra of local musicians, on February 27.

Houston Ballet’s season is continuing with a return of artistic director Stanton Welch’s CINDERELLA. BroadwayWorld Houston had the chance to speak with Mónica Gómez, one of the ballerinas portraying Cinderella in Houston Ballet's 2024 production. She gave some insight into what makes this reindition of the Cinderella story so timely and special.

The Tank has announced the cast and creative team for the  World Premiere of Three Scenes in the Life of a Trotskyist, written by Andy Boyd (Occupy Prescott) and directed by Jake Beckhard (What Else is True?), one of the Spring 2024 Core Productions for their  20th Anniversary season.

On Shadow Wright pens five originals including “Root of Mercy,” “Circling,” “This Way,” “Sparrow” which features Angelique Kidjo and “Your Love” with Meshell Ndegeocello. She showcases along with her own works singular renditions of songs by Cole Porter, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Sandy Denny, Candi Staton, Toshi Reagon, and Caitlin Canty.

Teaming up again with producer Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, of Montreal, Kishi Bashi), the group delves into the early days of marriage and newfound motherhood while reflecting on the relationships that have made them who they are now. The album masterfully melds influences ranging from infectious synth-pop.

Russian Troll Farm: A Workplace Comedy by Obie Award winner Sarah Gancher, will now play until March 3, 2024, at Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15th Street).

Ballet Hispánico School of Dance is offering spring adult classes, available now! Learn more bout the classes and see how to register.

Sacramento is brimming with new works in theatre this month, and one play that I am particularly looking forward to is by former Sacramento-based playwright James Van Eaton. The premiere of his Oscar Wilde-inspired An Honest Apology will be performed at FreeFall Stage beginning with their annual Valentine’s Day Dessert on February 14th. BroadwayWorld spoke to James about feminism, video games, and all things Wilde.

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) has announced the return of its quintessential play development series, Test Flight, back with four up-and-coming Northeast Ohio playwrights. Learn more here!

She co-produced Don't Forget Me with Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris) at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, writing eight of its 10 songs with him and penning two alone. Shawn Everett (Brittany Howard, The War on Drugs) mixed. The album was mastered by Emily Lazar (Beck, Coldplay), who has mastered all of Rogers' albums to date.

Refracted Theatre Company has announced its 2024 season, featuring the Chicago premiere of Laura Winters' dark comedy CORONATION, and more!

San Diego Opera’s most recent production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni is an example of how opera companies hope to attract younger audiences while coping with rising costs and smaller budgets. The pandemic hasn’t been kind to the arts. The National Endowment for the Arts has reported that stage performances joined oil drilling/exploration and air transportation “as the steepest-declining areas of the U.S. economy in 2020.” And opera, which had already been experiencing shrinking audiences, was the hardest hit of all the arts. Smaller companies are struggling to stay in business. Even New York’s Metropolitan Opera had to dip into its reserves this season for $40 Million.

From February 2nd to 18th, fortunate theatregoers can witness the world premiere of Into the Side of a Hill by award-winning playwright James Anthony Tyler at Flint Repertory Theatre.

Jean Butler's 'What We Hold' (North American Premiere) at Irish Arts Center is a physical, cultural, and emotional journey through the history of Irish dance. This celebrated work brings together seven generations of dancers to celebrate the past, connect the present, and look to the future.

 The New York Pops will celebrate the hits of Motown on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall joined by guest artists Bryan Terrell Clark and Valisia LeKae.

The album features the new single 'Freedom' and Rakei has also confirmed a UK & EU tour for 2024. In a triumphant return to the city where he cut his teeth, Rakei's UK and EU tour in support of his new album includes a second night added to his sold-out headline show at Royal Albert Hall. Watch the music video now!

The Brother Brothers release new single 'The Illinois River Song' and tease forthcoming album, 'The January Album.' The Brother Brothers kicked off the year with a new headline tour that has brought them through Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City with upcoming stops including Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.