A Man from the West - 1900 - Broadway Articles Page 8

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Michael Crawford will return to the London Stage in a new musical, based on the famed novel The Go-Between this spring.

Today, March 14, 2016, Asolo Rep and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training announced their 2016-17 seasons to more than 350 patrons in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

When it comes down to it, trying to convince rabid or even casual fans of the hit Broadway blockbuster WICKED into seeing the show again (and again… and again) when it comes to their town really doesn't take much of a struggle. No matter how many times over the years that the Broadway blockbuster has landed in our own backyard, the demand for tickets is still high (hence the often long engagements the show has on our stages). Now finishing up the final week of its national tour's latest return engagement at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through March 6, the 'popular' musical continues to be a must-see favorite, and shows no signs of slowing down. So, 15 years later... is WICKED still worth seeing at a city near you for the umpteenth time these days? Absolutely! And here are 10 pretty good reasons why...

This summer marks another historic milestone for the annual Bard SummerScape festival. For the first time since its founding, this season's focus is on the music and culture of Italy, with seven weeks of music, opera,theater, dance, film, and cabaret keyed to the theme of the 27th Bard Music Festival, "Puccini and His World." This intensive examination of the life and times of Giacomo Puccini opens a window onto Italy's rich musical heritage from Palestrina to Menotti, by way of the most popular and successful - yet, paradoxically, frequently critically underrated - opera composer of all time. Complementing the music festival, some of the Tuscan master's most compelling compatriots provide other key SummerScape highlights. These include a rare, fully staged production of Iris, a forerunner of Madama Butterfly by Puccini's close contemporary Pietro Mascagni; the world premiere of Demolishing Everything with Amazing Speed, four newly unearthed puppet plays from leading Italian Futurist Fortunato Depero, as reimagined by Dan Hurlin;the world premiere of Fantasque, a new ballet set to the music of Respighi and Rossini by John Heginbotham and Amy Trompetter; a film series on "Puccini and the Operatic Impulse in Cinema"; and the return of Bard's authentic and sensationally popularSpiegeltent,hosted by the inimitable Mx. Justin Vivian Bond. Taking place between July 1 and August 14 in the Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and other venues on Bard College's stunning Hudson River campus, SummerScape's 2016 offerings provide new opportunities to discover that, as Time Out New York puts it, "the experience of entering the Fisher Center and encountering something totally new is unforgettable and enriching." Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 15; click here for more information.

Aurora Theatre Company continues its 24th season with the World Premiere of LITTLE ERIK. Written and directed by award-winning Bay Area auteur Mark Jackson (The Letters, The Arsonists, Salomania), LITTLE ERIK features Marilee Talkington, Joe Estlack, Wilma Bonet, Greg Ayers, Mariah Castle, and Jack Wittmayer. LITTLE ERIK plays January 29 through February 28 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Little did Frank Baum realize in 1900 when he wrote the book, THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, that he was creating a cottage industry. 'Chachkas' such as snow globes, stuffed Toto dogs and figurines of the characters dot many a household. Clothing, including red crystal shoes, checkered gingham 'Dorothy' dresses and Halloween costumes galore, relate aspects of the tale.

PITTSBURGH – Experience a concert that is both bone-rattling and sidesplitting when Igudesman & Joo return to perform the conductor-less “Scary Concert” with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall tonight, October 31 and the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theater at West Virginia University on November 2.

Why did a man in Pennsylvania create The Red-Headed League in London? Who is the person behind 'The Voice' stealing millions in Manhattan? What questions about East Lynne Theater Company's rich background will be asked at its gala celebrating 35 years of presenting American classics and world premieres?

PITTSBURGH – Experience a concert that is both bone-rattling and sidesplitting when Igudesman & Joo return to perform the conductor-less “Scary Concert” with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall on October 31 and the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theater at West Virginia University on November 2.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2015 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce the first show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with THE BAKER'S WIFE, book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), musical direction by Jake Anthony, choreography by Julie Hall, produced by Kimi Walker and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel (110 in the Shade, Floyd Collins). THE BAKER'S WIFE opens tonight, September 18 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 25 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced a talent-rich line-up for season three of the award-winning American Songbook at NJPAC series.

Rehearsals start this week at The 5th Avenue Theatre for the sweeping new musical, Waterfall, featuring Laura Griffith (Broadway: Sweet Smell of Success, The Light in the Piazza), Thom Sesma (Broadway: The Times They are A-Changin', Man of La Mancha), J. Elaine Marcos (Broadway: Annie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), and Thai pop superstar Bie Sukrit. This epic new Broadway-bound musical love story features a distinguished international creative team and a cast of 20. Seattle is the second of two locales where this unique and exciting musical is being developed after completing a popular and critically successful run at the Pasadena Playhouse in June. 

Dean Sobon and Samantha Hewes Cramer give WEST SIDE STORY the dance it deserves.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2015 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce the first show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with THE BAKER'S WIFE, book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), musical direction by Jake Anthony, choreography by Julie Hall, produced by Kimi Walker and directed by Ovation Award-winner Richard Israel (110 in the Shade, Floyd Collins). THE BAKER'S WIFE will preview on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 18 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 25 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents four performances of the Oscar Wilde bio-play, The Judas Kiss, this weekend, August 6 through 8 at the Stage 773 Cabaret, 1225 West Belmont Avenue in honor of the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. 'We want to celebrate through raising funds to support theater, yet we also want to remember those who came before,' says director Jim Schneider. 'Oscar Wilde was a founding father of the gay movement and this play encapsulates his sacrifice.'

A night for the entire family, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is hosting two Classical BBQ events in the Heinz Hall Summer Garden tonight, July 11, and August 2. Each Classical BBQ is filled with orchestral favorites in a fun-filled atmosphere, including pre- and post-concert entertainment and a chance to mingle with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents four performances of the Oscar Wilde bio-play, The Judas Kiss, on August 6 through 8 at the Stage 773 Cabaret, 1225 West Belmont Avenue in honor of the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. 'We want to celebrate through raising funds to support theater, yet we also want to remember those who came before,' says director Jim Schneider. 'Oscar Wilde was a founding father of the gay movement and this play encapsulates his sacrifice.'

PITTSBURGH – A night for the entire family, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is hosting two Classical BBQ events in the Heinz Hall Summer Garden on July 11 and August 2.  Each Classical BBQ is filled with orchestral favorites in a fun-filled atmosphere, including pre- and post-concert entertainment and a chance to mingle with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

?A night for the entire family, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is hosting two Classical BBQ events in the Heinz Hall Summer Garden on July 11 and August 2.  Each Classical BBQ is filled with orchestral favorites in a fun-filled atmosphere, including pre- and post-concert entertainment and a chance to mingle with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

What do 'West Side Story,' 'Gypsy,' 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 'Company,' 'Follies,' 'Sweeney Todd' 'Sunday in the Park with George,' and 'Into the Woods,' all have in common? Yes, they are shows which have music written by Steven Sondheim.

?Are you frustrated? Repressed? Horny? Or do you just regard sexuality as a glorious window into humanity? For those of you for whom these questions haunt you daily, The Brick is pleased to announce the first ever F*ckfest, taking place during June 2015 in Brooklyn, New York!  F*ckfest, quite simply, is a festival about sex. A sextival, if you will.

?Are you frustrated? Repressed? Horny? Or do you just regard sexuality as a glorious window into humanity? For those of you for whom these questions haunt you daily, The Brick is pleased to announce the first ever F*ckfest, taking place during June 2015 in Brooklyn, New York!  F*ckfest, quite simply, is a festival about sex. A sextival, if you will.

Colin Donnell and Patti Murin, who recently starred opposite each other in Encores! LADY, BE GOOD, will return to the stage in Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The Muny in St. Louis beginning July 6, just one week after they tie the knot!

Theaterlab presents True Believer, a new play about identity, radicalism, and the passion of youth by Asa Merritt. Joshua Kahan Brody directs Kersti Bryan* in a solo performance with original live music by Bay Bryan. Thirteen performances will be staged at Theaterlab, 357 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor in NYC from tonight, April 17-May 9, 2015.

Gigi, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's beloved Oscar and Tony Award-winning musical comedy, celebrates its opening tonight, April 8, at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...