The Who's Tommy 1993 - Articles Page 12

Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist and rock icon Pete Townshend attended the revival production of his seminal rock opera TOMMY at the Stratford Festival in Canada last night and joined the cast onstage for the curtain call.

Des McAnuff was invested into the Order of Canada at a ceremony presided over by the Governor General in Ottawa this morning. The Stratford Festival extends heartiest congratulations to Mr. McAnuff, who was Artistic Director from 2008 through 2012, and is currently directing Tommy, a musical based on the album by The Who, which he helped composer-lyricist Pete Townshend create.

Twenty years after its Broadway premiere, Tommy returns to the stage in a new production helmed by its co-creator and original director, Des McAnuff. The spectacular musical that swept the Tony Awards in 1993 starts previews on Saturday, May 4, at the Avon Theatre.

As previously announced, John O'Hurley will star as King Arthur. Also starring will be Michelle Ragusa as The Lady of the Lake, Kevin Cahoon as Historian, John Scherer as Sir Robin, David Hibbard as Patsy, Chris Hoch as Sir Lancelot, Ben Davis as Sir Dennis Galahad, and Tally Sessions as Dennis' Mother/Sir Bedevere. Joining them will be broadcast legend Bob Costas as The Voice of God.

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) has announced Willy Russell's (Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine) BLOOD BROTHERS, musical staging by Christine O'Grady, musical direction by Julianne B. Merrill, and directed by Tom Wojtunik. BLOOD BROTHERS will play a limited engagement at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102. Entrance on 30th Road.) Performances begin tonight, May 2 and continue through Saturday, May 18.

The Public Theater announced another two week extension today for the world premiere musical HERE LIES LOVE, with concept and lyrics by David Byrne, music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, and choreography by Annie-B Parson. Directed by Alex Timbers, HERE LIES LOVE began performances on Tuesday, April 2 and has been extended twice due to high demand. The new 360 degree musical will now run through Sunday, June 2 in The Public's LuEsther Theater, with an official press opening on Tuesday, April 23.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for His Girl Friday, adapted by John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation, House of Blue Leaves) from the Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play The Front Page and the Columbia Pictures film His Girl Friday. Directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley (Glengarry Glen Ross, Memphis), the production will kick off the 2013/2014 season, running May 28 - June 30 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) has announced Willy Russell's (Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine) BLOOD BROTHERS, musical staging by Christine O'Grady, musical direction by Julianne B. Merrill, and directed by Tom Wojtunik. BLOOD BROTHERS will play a limited engagement at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102. Entrance on 30th Road.) Performances begin Thursday, May 2 and continue through Saturday, May 18.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced a two week extension today for the world premiere musical HERE LIES LOVE, with concept and lyrics by David Byrne, music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, and choreography by Annie-B Parson. Directed by Alex Timbers, HERE LIES LOVE begins performances on Tuesday, April 2 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, May 5. It will now run an additional two weeks through Sunday, May 19.

Prolific LA songwriter/musician Bob Beland, who has been active in the music industry since the early 1970's, has decided to make available free for public listening his entire back catalog on Soundcloud. This also includes his recent critically acclaimed album release 'Mar Vista'; a collection of songs written by Bob between 2010 and 2012 and it's instrumental companion EP, 'Forward & Backworks,' both recorded at his home studio in Los Angeles, Wrong Way Works. Says Bob, “'Mar Vista' for me is kind of a throwback to the old Buffalo Springfield records and their eclectic unpredictable nature. 'Forward & Backworks' is a concept for orchestra that includes two pieces also found on 'Mar Vista.'”

Lilith Fair alum Catie Curtis arrives at The Barns at Wolf Trap to deliver her lyrically charged, pop-infused folk-rock anthems.

The Barns at Wolf Trap Welcomes a Folk-Rock Goddess, a New World Roots Trio, and the Return of a Classical Jazz Legend. All shows are at The Barns at Wolf Trap 1635 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182

Jeffrey Finn, Tony Award nominated Broadway producer, was just presented The Commercial Theater Institute's Robert Whitehead Award for 'outstanding achievement in commercial theatre producing' at a reception at Sardi's Restaurant yesterday, March 6. Check out photos from the ceremony below!

According to the New York Post, Tommy Mottola is diving headlong into the Broadway business with plans to produce a musical adaptation of SUPER FLY and a to-be-revealed 'celebrity' centered show, in addition to his previously announced production of A BRONX TALE, directed by Robert De Niro.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM) year-long Kurt Weill Festival resumes this month with a dynamic new production of the iconic musical The Threepenny Opera. Composed by Kurt Weill with book and lyrics by dramatist Bertolt Brecht (adapted into English by Marc Blitzstein), The Threepenny Opera weaves the riveting tale of notorious bandit and womanizer Macheath ('Mack the Knife') and his seedy companions in London's underworld. Weill's innovative score invented a new form of musical theatre, leading the way for such shows as Chicago and Cabaret.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM) year-long Kurt Weill Festival resumes this month with a dynamic new production of the iconic musical The Threepenny Opera. Composed by Kurt Weill with book and lyrics by dramatist Bertolt Brecht (adapted into English by Marc Blitzstein), The Threepenny Opera weaves the riveting tale of notorious bandit and womanizer Macheath ('Mack the Knife') and his seedy companions in London's underworld. Weill's innovative score invented a new form of musical theatre, leading the way for such shows as Chicago and Cabaret.

IN THE MOOD, a retro 1940's musical revue, comes to Jacksonville's Times-Union Center's Moran Theater for one performance only on Saturday, February 23rd at 7:00PM! More than a concert, IN THE MOOD is a Big Band Theatrical Swing Revue featuring the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, and other greats of the 1940's!

Writers Guild and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tony Kushner has been chosen to receive the WGAW's 2013 Paul Selvin Award for his adapted screenplay for Lincoln. Named after the late Selvin, who served as counsel to the Guild, the award is given to the WGA member whose script best embodies the spirit of the constitutional and civil rights and liberties, which are indispensable to the survival of free writers everywhere. Kushner will be recognized, along with other honorees, at the Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 17, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.

Directors Guild of America President Taylor Hackford today announced the DGA's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television and Commercials for the year 2012.

The Bedford Hills based, much buzzed about and highly acclaimed new intergenerational rock band, JAZMO, will make its New York Premiere at the world-renown Iridium (1650 Broadway at 51st Street, NYC) tonight, January 8th at 8:00pm and 10:00pm.

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

The Bedford Hills based, much buzzed about and highly acclaimed new intergenerational rock band, JAZMO, will make its New York Premiere at the world-renown Iridium (1650 Broadway at 51st Street, NYC) on Tuesday, January 8th at 8:00pm and 10:00pm.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) announceS the cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY. A show for fans of both Classic Rock and Award-winning Musicals! THE WHO'S TOMMY is the original rock opera. Check out videos of the cast members below!

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) is proud to announce the cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY. A show for fans of both Classic Rock and Award-winning Musicals! THE WHO'S TOMMY is the original rock opera.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents a San Diego premiere of The Underpants, adapted by Steve Martin and written by Carl Sternheim. The show begins previews tonight, September 5th through 7th and continues September 8 through 30, 2012.