My One and Only 1983 - Articles Page 4

Forty years ago, the Fountain Theatre presented the groundbreaking comedy/drama, Last Summer at Bluefish Cove by Jane Chambers, one of the first playwrights to depict love between women as happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. I decided to speak with the play’s director Hannah Wolf about the history and importance of the play, the challenges of presenting it outdoors, how she was selected to direct it, about the characters who make up the story, and why its message of acceptance speaks to the new generation of theater goers just as it did for those who saw Jean Smart in the original 1983-85 Fountain Theatre production.

If there is a Heaven on Earth, Barth Grayson Farms in Bald Knob could possibly be it. At approximately 1,000 acres, give or take a few hundred, this land has it all: walking trails, a gorgeous 8-acre lake, vegetable gardens, herds of frolicking deer, and rolling hills that cater to the multitudes of music lovers that visit the area.  

This month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Alison Bechdel’s “Dykes to Watch Out For,” the award-winning cartoonist’s iconic comic strip that ran from 1983 - 2008, was released as an episodic podcast in partnership with Audible today, led by a queer cast in time for Pride Month.

Michael Feinstein is about to once again burnish his long-held reputation as a leading interpreter of the music of the iconic composer and his lyricist brother – the team responsible for songs like “Fascinating Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “The Man I Love,” and many more – when he brings “Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?” to Boston’s Symphony Hall, May 31–June 1, and Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, on July 18.

What started in 1983 as just a six-week engagement at the Imperial Palace, Legends in Concert became the longest-running show in Las Vegas history. Come join the celebration of four decades of legendary entertainment with over 22,000 performances and counting for a once in a lifetime concert event. 100 percent live vocals in this tribute to the greatest women of music.

The next production to take The Actors' Gang stage is The Darkness: Goddess Revealed, written and performed by Nick Gillie and directed by Dwain Perry. Presented as a special co-production in partnership with Black University and Okan Entertainment, the story is told through the perspective of three vastly different characters (played by Gillie) who enter the afterlife and meet sacred female beings called The We. But have they gathered to hear the new arrivals’ life stories or have a more spiritual lesson in mind? I was curious to hear about the genesis of the play, more about the characters, the purpose of The We in the storyline, and Nick Gille’s personal involvement with Black University.

BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is currently accepting applications to the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop for librettists and first-year composers and lyricists. The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning workshop is a free weekly program where lyricists and composers collaborate with peers to develop and cultivate their skills under the guidance of experienced instructors and veteran guest lecturers. 

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has announced the complete principal casts, creative teams, and events planned for the previously announced summer season.

The Pulitzer Prize Board has just announced that English, by Sanaz Toossi has won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other finalists included: On Sugarland by Aleshea Harris and The Far Country by Lloyd Suh.

Acclaimed guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli celebrates his new album Stage & Screen with album release concert on Friday, June 2 at Scullers Jazz Club.

Acclaimed guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his debut album with a collection of classic songs from Broadway and Hollywood, Stage & Screen, with a new album via Palmetto Records. It features songs spanning nearly a century, given new life by Pizzarelli, bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson.  Pizzarelli is celebrating with performances at Birdland this week.

'40 years ago, Peridance was born,' says Igal Perry, Founder and Artistic Director of Peridance Center and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. '...I had two students, one investor, my family, and a dream.' Perry, speaking onstage at NYU Skirball Theater, celebrated the Legacy Festival commemorating 40 years of dance making, educating, collaborating, and innovating. The Legacy Festival concludes a week-long run of six different programs compiling works by internationally acclaimed choreographers. 'It's only fitting to have such a sensational lineup of events to celebrate this momentous anniversary,' says Perry. 'We couldn't be more excited to welcome audiences old and new to celebrate with us.'

Five-time Grammy Award winning artist H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson) has joined the Broadway producing team of Here Lies Love, ahead of the groundbreaking new musical's Broadway debut this summer.

With Marjorie Prime currently running at the company's home base in South London and Funny Girl on Broadway, the Menier Chocolate Factory announced forthcoming programming for 2023. Learn more about the lineup here!

Winner of 11 Tony Awards, the hit Broadway musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES returns to Sydney next week at the State Theatre from 19 April for six performances only.

54 BELOW presents JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW on Tuesday June 13th, 2023 at 7pm. Harnar and Rybeck made their cabaret debuts together at Palsson's Supper Club (now The Triad) on June 13th, 1983.

This month, the reader question was: Which Broadway theaters have been demolished/repurposed and when/why?

La MaMa will present the first-ever revival of Evelyn Brown (A Diary), a lost work by the celebrated playwright María Irene Fornés (1930–2018).

One might think it difficult for a performing arts group to have many new experiences after performing 77 seasons - not so for the exuberant Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, who have celebrated a season of firsts - their first season in 3 years with a full, in-person audience; the first season with new Music Director Elizabeth Schulze, and the first season with Ludek Wojtkowski as their new Concertmaster.

Cabaret Darlings Barbara Bleier and Austin Pendleton return to Pangea with some OLD FRIENDS!

What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is helping you pick what to see next by rounding up our top recommended theatre each month. Coming up off-Broadway this April is the return of a long-running musical, a debut play by a bestselling author, and more. 

The Temptations and The Four Tops will perform as part of the SERVPRO of Chesterfield After Hours 2023 Season at the River City Sportsplex in Midlothian, VA on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM. A limited number of Early Bird General Admission tickets will be available for $21 until March 30th while supplies last. 

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has announced the exciting, new comedy Tales From The Guttenberg Bible, a sparkling narrative written by and starring film star Steve Guttenberg, will be the season finale of Bay Street's 2023 Mainstage Season, following the postponement of Terrence McNally's Master Class.

Hennepin Theatre Trust President and CEO Mark Nerenhausen has announced his retirement. After an accomplished, more than 50 year-long career in performing arts center leadership and, most recently, positioning Hennepin Theatre Trust for its next era by securing the full titles to the historic Orpheum, State and Pantages theatres, Nerenhausen plans to retire in September 2023.