Jamaica is a musical with a book by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Harold Arlen. Harburg was blacklisted in Hollywood at the time of the writing of the musical. Set on a small island off the coast of Jamaica, the musical tells about a simple island community fighting to avoid being overrun by American commercialism.
Arlen's music parodies the popular form of Calypso, which was in vogue in the 1950s, largely as a result of the popularity of Harry Belafonte, for whom the musical was originally written. Belafonte withdrew from the production due to illness, and the musical was then tailored around the talents of Lena Horne.
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will now begin performances tonight October 30th, 2015 in Felder's Chicago theatrical home, the Royal George Theatre , 1641 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) launches its 26th Fall Festival, featuring 130 events which will explore the theme of 'Citizens', today, Oct. 24, through Nov. 8, 2015 at venues across Chicago.
Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that Garth Fagan Dance will bring to Los Angeles Fagan's tribute to the late Geoffrey Holder, 'Dance for/With Geoffrey.' Performances at the 400-seat Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W. Washington Blvd.) in Los Angeles will run this weekend, October 16-18, 2015.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile kicks off this weekend and all the fast-paced, heart pounding action of group stage competition will be available live and in Spanish on the networks of NBC UNIVERSO and Telemundo, as well as at NBCDeportes.com.
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will now begin performances on Friday October 30th, 2015 in Felder's Chicago theatrical home, the Royal George Theatre , 1641 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Having broken all box office records in its World Premiere at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin makes its Midwest Premiere in a strictly limited pre-NYC and continuing National Tour engagement. The British import I FOUND MY HORN was originally scheduled for this presentation slot. However, due to scheduling issues across the pond, I FOUND MY HORN will now appear in the spring slot at the Royal George Theatre.
LOS ANGELES, CA (September 15, 2015) Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that Garth Fagan Dance will bring to Los Angeles Fagan's tribute to the late Geoffrey Holder, "Dance for/With Geoffrey." Performances at the 400-seat Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W. Washington Blvd.) in Los Angeles will run October 16-18, 2015. www.ebonyrep.org
The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced today the complete schedule for the 26th Fall Festival, 130 events which will explore the theme of Citizens, Oct. 24-Nov. 8, 2015 at venues across Chicago.
A meditation on race fusing poetry, prose, movement, music and the video image, Citizen: An American Lyric is a provocative new stage adaptation of Claudia Rankine's internationally acclaimed book of poetry about everyday acts of racism in America. Adapted by multiple award-winning playwright Stephen Sachs, helmed by multi award winning director Shirley Jo Finney, and featuring a talented six-member ensemble including Bernard K. Addison, Leith Burke, Tina Lifford, Tony Maggio, Simone Missick and Lisa Pescia, the world premiere of Citizen opens at the Fountain Theatre tonight, August 1.
Internationally acclaimed poet Claudia Rankine will lead a talkback with the audience and sign copies of her multiple award-winning book Citizen: An American Lyric following a performance of the Fountain Theatre's world premiere stage adaptation of the same name. Rankine will attend the performance on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m., and the audience talkback and book signing reception will immediately follow.
Continuing to bring exciting stories and new productions to beloved Chicago audiences, 'Hershey Felder Presents' (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara) now brings a brand new production of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed play JAMAICA FAREWELL, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick, to Chicago's Royal George Theatre. Based on her true life story, writer-performer Ehrhardt's JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles her escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970's to fulfill her lifelong dream of coming to America. Performances begin at Chicago's Royal George Theatre 1641 North Halsted, 60614, on Tuesday September 8, and continue through Sunday October 11th in a strictly limited engagement. All tickets are $50 for all performances.
A meditation on race fusing poetry, prose, movement, music and the video image, Citizen: An American Lyric is a provocative new stage adaptation of Claudia Rankine's internationally acclaimed book of poetry about everyday acts of racism in America. Adapted by multiple award-winning playwright Stephen Sachs, helmed by multi award winning director Shirley Jo Finney, and featuring a talented six-member ensemble including Bernard K. Addison, Leith Burke, Tina Lifford, Tony Maggio, Simone Missick and Lisa Pescia, the world premiere of Citizen opens at the Fountain Theatre on August 1.
Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East, which was part of Jamie Lloyd's second Trafalgar Transformed season, directed by Sam Yates, on a 16 week National Tour from tonight 11 June 2015, commencing at Theatre Royal, Brighton. East is East is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Richard Howell and sound and music by Alex Baranowski.
Adam Karim (Sajit Khan), Assad Zaman (Saleem Khan), Dharmesh Patel (Abdul Khan), Salma Hoque (Meenah Khan) and Simon Nagra (George Khan) join the previously announced comedy award-winning actress Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) and original West End cast members, Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan) and Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) to complete the casting of the Khan family in the national tour of Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East. The Khans are joined by Kammy Darweish (Mr Shah), Sakuntala Ramanee (Mrs Shah) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie).
Adam Karim (Sajit Khan), Assad Zaman (Saleem Khan), Dharmesh Patel (Abdul Khan), Salma Hoque (Meenah Khan) and Simon Nagra (George Khan) join the previously announced comedy award-winning actress Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) and original West End cast members, Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan) and Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) to complete the casting of the Khan family in the national tour of Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East. The Khans are joined by Kammy Darweish (Mr Shah), Sakuntala Ramanee (Mrs Shah) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie).
The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) under the direction of Artistic Director, Jeff Lindberg, presents its spring concert series beginning with tonight's April 11th performance featuring pianist Monty Alexander.
Where does art belong and who gets to make it? Acclaimed playwright Idris Goodwin and Louder Than a Bomb creator Kevin Coval asked these questions in Steppenwolf for Young Adult's recent production of This is Modern Art (Based on True Events). This is Modern Art represents the true story of Chicago graffiti crew MUL, depicting the events leading up to and following their decision to carry out the biggest graffiti bomb of their career on the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. This is Modern Art asked audiences to start a revolution, and the Chicago theatre community did- more than anyone expected.
Where does art belong and who gets to make it? Acclaimed playwright Idris Goodwin and Louder Than a Bomb creator Kevin Coval asked these questions in Steppenwolf for Young Adult's recent production of This is Modern Art (Based on True Events). This is Modern Art represents the true story of Chicago graffiti crew MUL, depicting the events leading up to and following their decision to carry out the biggest graffiti bomb of their career on the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. This is Modern Art asked audiences to start a revolution, and the Chicago theatre community did- more than anyone expected.
New York City-based reggae band New Kingston premiered the video for 'Today' from their third album Kingston City, released on February 23rd via Easy Star Records. The video for 'Today' was filmed both in and near the city of Kingston, Jamaica, in scenic locations like Harbor View and Waterhouse. Scroll down to watch the video!
Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East, embarking on a 16 week national tour and making its Scottish debut at the Theatre Royal Glasgow from Monday 10 until Saturday 15 August 2015.
Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless, EastEnders) will play Ella Khan in Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East, which was part of Jamie Lloyd's second Trafalgar Transformed season, directed by Sam Yates, on a 16 week National Tour from 11 June 2015, commencing at Theatre Royal, Brighton. East is East is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Richard Howell and sound and music by Alex Baranowski.
The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) under the direction of Artistic Director, Jeff Lindberg, presents its spring concert series beginning with its April 11th performance featuring pianist Monty Alexander. Alexander will be featured in a performance of his own special brand of American jazz, popular song and music from his native Jamaica, performing with the 17-piece CJO.
Here they come! A new royal partnership is being forged: Michele Wiles, one of ballet's most celebrated Swan Queens, and Jay Donn, the reigning king of Punchlines, a form of Brooklyn-based flex dancing. The result is 'Something Sampled,' one of three world premieres on the boards for BalletNext's season, 'Baroque'd,' at New York Live Arts, today, February 10 through February 14.
At first glance, the musicals THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES may not seem to have much in common. The settings couldn't be more different - the rural South in the early 20th century, a modern day high school, and a drag club in 1970s France. But since I happened to see them all on the same weekend, I couldn't help but draw parallels between them. All three musicals all speak to themes of beauty, identity, self-worth, and having the courage to be who you really are, despite what the world is telling you. In THE COLOR PURPLE, a young, poor, black woman is told that she's ugly and worthless, but after a lifelong journey she arrives at a place of strength and self-love. CALVIN BERGER sets the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac in a modern high school, where a young man feels that his large nose prevents him from getting what he wants in life and chooses to hide behind the handsome popular guy, both of whom eventually learn it's better to be loved for who you are. Finally, in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a middle aged man who feels more comfortable dressed as a woman is asked by his own son to hide who he is, but confidently declares 'I am who I am!' Another thing these three musicals have in common is that they can all currently be seen on Twin Cities stages featuring talented local casts. Read on for more details on each, pick one that suits your fancy, and go see a local musical that just may inspire you to love you you really are!
Here they come! A new royal partnership is being forged: Michele Wiles, one of ballet's most celebrated Swan Queens, and Jay Donn, the reigning king of Punchlines, a form of Brooklyn-based flex dancing. The result is 'Something Sampled,' one of three world premieres on the boards for BalletNext's season, 'Baroque'd,' at New York Live Arts, February 10-14.
Cornish Dance Theater, the performing ensemble of the Dance Department at Cornish College of the Arts, will feature choreography by Iyun Ashani Harrison, Jose Limon, Vivian Little, Michele Miller, and Amy O'Neal at its Fall 2014 Concert, which takes place at the Cornish Playhouse this weekend, Nov. 21 and 22. Many of the pieces, including one world premiere from Harrison, focus on issues relevant to the dancers and today's college students.
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