Broad Comedy 2017 - Articles Page 7

Emmy® and Tony®-winning, Academy Award®-nominated actress and animal advocate Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie) joined actress June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie), Craig Ferguson (The Craig Ferguson Show), and Whitney Cummings (Unforgettable) to bring the laughs to 'Wait Wait...Don't Kill Me-2!,' a night of unforgettable comedy and entertainment benefiting Voice For The Animals Foundation (VFTA) on Friday, April 27 at 8:00 p.m. at Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Eli and Edythe Broad Stage. The evening of wit and entertainment (inspired by the popular NPR weekly program “Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me”) hilariously spotlighted animal news, views and other topical animal events. Presented by Honeysweet Creative, this tenth annual fundraiser was hosted by actor Paul Scheer (The League). All proceeds go to support VFTA as they continue their fight for creating respect and empathy for animals through education, rescue, legislation and advocacy.

Hulu is turning to author, comedian and blogger Lindy West for its next comedy according to The Hollywood Reporter reports.

Lisa Jane Vanderpump, philanthropist, entrepreneur and television star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules, will receive the Lily Tomlin Award at “Wait Wait...Don't Kill Me-2!,” a night of unforgettable comedy and entertainment benefiting Voice For The Animals Foundation (VFTA) at the Broad Stage Theatre in Santa Monica on Friday, April 27. The Lily Tomlin Award recognizes the achievements of a remarkable individual whose exceptional actions make a real difference in the world of animal welfare.

Parson's Nose Theater (PNT), the acclaimed classical comedy theater company, closes their 2017-18 season with "Clearly Classic: Shakespeare's Twelfth Night". "Clearly Classics" is a new PNT series which includes a 15-minute introduction to a classic play's characters, language, and themes, enhancing its enjoyment for today's audience. This is an original 90-minute adaptation by Artistic Director, Lance Davis.

Comedy Central today released its 2018-2019 development slate, including two series pick-ups and five pilot orders. The slate is headlined by orders for sketch series Alternatino with Arturo Castro and stand-up series This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was announced by Sarah Babineau and Jonas Larsen, executive vice presidents and co-heads of talent and development, Comedy Central.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced programming for its 2018-2019 theater season. The upcoming season not only exemplifies the Kennedy Center as a home for the best theater productions from Broadway and around the world, but also reinvigorates the Center's commitment to self-producing world-class theatrical work at the nation's performing arts center.

Theatre production company Parity Productions has released its monthly list of Qualifying Productions for April-their popular directory of New York City shows in which the individual creative teams have 50% of the roles filled with women and transgender artists (directors, designers, and playwrights).

Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Executive Director, Angela Lee Gieras, has announced plans for the organization's 2018 Gala, A Fearless Fete. This year's Fete, Live from Kansas City … It's Saturday Night, features performances by internationally-acclaimed comedy troupe, The Second City and resident comedian at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Seth Herzog. The annual fundraising event, hosted this year by Leo and Yvette Morton, takes place on Saturday, May 19 at 7 pm at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus.

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Ars Nova production of the Obie Award winning play Small Mouth Sounds, written by Bess Wohl and directed by Tony nominee  Rachel Chavkin (Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812). In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six wildy dissimilar runaways from city life embark on a week-long silent retreat. Guided by an unseen guru and pledging a vow of silence, these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd. Both contemplative and funny, Small Mouth Sounds is a cleverly conceived and sharp observation of the pursuit of wellness and the achingly human need to connect.  Small Mouth Sounds will preview on March 13 and opens on March 14, 2018. The show will run for 24 performances through April 1, 2018 at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale starting at $25 at philatheatreco.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.

LA's own Impro Theatre continues their residency at The Edye at The Broad Stage, presenting a different style of their signature improvisation for one weekend, each month.  From the darkest corners of reality to the land of the unexplained Twilight Zone UnScripted is a completely improvised show in the style of classic 60's sci-fi television shows. Enter a dimension of pure imagination as the company starts with audience suggestions and creates new and completely improvised episodes at every performance, March 16 - 18. 

Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and Broadway in Columbus (BIC) are proud to announce the Broadway musical HAMILTON will play its premiere Columbus engagement to anchor the 2018-19 PNC Broadway in Columbus season. The six-show season, supported in part by PNC, offers four productions never before seen in Columbus including a two-week engagement of Disney's Aladdin, The Play That Goes Wrong, Finding Neverland, and of course, HAMILTON. The season also includes the 2017 Tony-winning Best Musical Revival Hello, Dolly! starring Broadway legend Betty Buckley as Dolly Gallagher Levi, and the 20th anniversary touring production of RENT.

Kick it with Comedy Central at the annual SXSW Festival in Austin as the brand hosts panels, shows at Esther's Follies and holds a Backyard Bash, a two-day event with free beer, food and festivities for the fans.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents Bedlam, the acclaimed New York based theatre company, with a fresh kinetic look at two plays with four actors, playing 49 characters in William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw's most famous creations, side by side, Hamlet and Saint Joan, in repertory April 5 to 15 at The Broad Stage. This engagement will be the company's West-Coast debut.

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Ars Nova production of the Obie Award winning play Small Mouth Sounds, written by Bess Wohl and directed by Tony nominee Rachel Chavkin (Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812). In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six wildy dissimilar runaways from city life embark on a week-long silent retreat. Guided by an unseen guru and pledging a vow of silence, these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd. Both contemplative and funny, Small Mouth Sounds is a cleverly conceived and sharp observation of the pursuit of wellness and the achingly human need to connect. Small Mouth Sounds will preview on March 13 and opens on March 14, 2018. The show will run for 24 performances through April 1, 2018 at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale starting at $25 at philatheatreco.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.

Connecticut women attend Voices Festival in DC; Playwright Initiative at Ivoryton; International Women's Day Readings at Westport

Fresh from her hugely successful debut show 'What Would Beyonce Do?!', star of Comic Relief and Live at The Apollo, Luisa Omelan will bring the cream of UK stand-up talent to Birmingham this February for a one-off comedy bonanza with 100% of all proceeds donated to Helena's Hospice Foundation.

LA's own Impro Theatre continues their residency at The Edye at The Broad Stage, presenting a different style of their signature improvisation for one weekend, each month.  February brings Chekhov UnScripted. For each performance Impro will create a full-length play, in the style of the great Russian master.  Starting with audience suggestions, each performance will feature characters dreaming of a different life, all the while dealing with the everyday unpredictability of feeling love, disillusionment and the certain catastrophe that is the comedy of life! LA Weekly called Chekhov UnScripted a "Pick of the Week," adding, "You don't have to be a Chekhov aficionado to appreciate this entertaining and clever mock-up of his art."

Annenberg Center Live presents the best in contemporary children's entertainment for its 33rd annual Philadelphia Children's Festival, May 17 through 19. Top artists from Philadelphia and beyond will showcase dance, theatre, music, magic, spoken word, and more over the three days of family-friendly festivities that will close the Annenberg Center's 2017-18 season. In addition to staged performances, the outdoor PlazaMania encompasses a host of interactive activities by local arts partners, face painting, balloon animals, performers, food trucks, and special guest appearances (perennial favorite, the Phillie Phanatic!).

POP UP THEATER, INC. presents the second play in their 2017-2018 season, PIZZA MAN, written by Darlene Craviotto, directed by Jamie Lou and produced by Grafton Doyle & Melanie Weisner. PIZZA MAN will preview on Wednesday, January 24 & Thursday, January 25 at 8pm and will open on Friday, February 2 at 8pm and runs through Saturday, February 24 at The Loft in Hollywood, 5426 Flemish Lane, Los Angeles 90029.

Written by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Anne Occhiogrosso, Centenary Stage Company's mainstage theatrical season continues in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with Reza's 1998 Tony Award and 1996 Olivier Award winning comedy Art from February 16 through March 4.  "Wildly funny, naughtily provocative…" says the NY Post, it all begins when Serge buys an expensive painting by a celebrated artist.  A white canvas with white diagonal lines.  Old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to hilariously batter one another over various slights and failures.  Art is a hilarious exploration of the very notion of what constitutes art while examining the meaning of friendship.  'Anyone looking for a play that is funny, sophisticated, stylish, stimulating and moving should go to 'ART'.' (Independent, London).

An evening of song and swing awaits local music lovers as Philadelphia Theatre Company presents "The Summer Club: A Big Band Valentine's Day." Cupid shoots his arrow down music's memory lane this February 14th as audiences are transported to an era when clubs were hot, everyone dressed up and martinis came straight up. Take the Lead Dance Project will have everyone swinging in the aisles with free dance lessons before the show. Champagne cocktails will be pouring at the bar and Asher's Chocolates will provide a sweet treat to remember the night. This one-night only event takes place at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad). Doors open at 6:00pm, with showtime at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale for $25 to $69 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.  

Adventure! Undiscovered alien cultures! Lots of laughter. As part of the Seattle Emerald City Comic Con celebrations, UP Improv is excited to present Seattle Experimental Theater's original unscripted comedy- Where No Man Has Gone Before, a fully improvised parody of the original Star Trek TV series. Join the crew of the enterprise as they beam down to an alien planet (defined by audience suggestion). But are the aliens friend or foe? Tensions rise as the crew and ship are put in unforeseen danger.

Comedy Central Finishes January As #1 Entertainment Network in Cable Across Total Day Among Millennial Men

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Calamity Jane concert starring Sara Jean Ford, comes to Feinstein's/54 Below, the 28th Annual Ovation Awards are held tonight, and more!