A Think Piece - 1982 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 8

Entering its seventh season in 2015-16, CONTACT!, the Philharmonic's new-music series, will extend its reach across New York City through a new partnership with National Sawdust (formerly Original Music Workshop), a new, non-profit, state-of-the-art music venue opening in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in October 2015.

A musical with Italian opera-inspired songs about a philandering middle-aged film director with writer's block, and the dozens of women that influence his life and work, does not seem like an obvious choice for a college theatre program to undertake. However, under the direction of Earl D. Weaver (who also choreographed), Theatre UCF sinks its collective teeth into the neurotic, misogynistic, and childish mind of Guido Contini in NINE, running through March 29th. This seven-time Tony-winning musical is based on the semi-autobiographical film '8½' by Italian director Federico Fellini. The cast of 21 women, one man, and four boys creates an evocative world that seems to hover in the realm between fantasy and reality; much like many of Fellini's films. With striking talent, breath-taking design, and artistic vision, Theatre UCF succeeds where many professional companies would (and have) faltered; despite its unsettling premise, NINE is a joyful reminder of the power of young talent in the arts.

Millionaire Robert Durst's arrest in New Orleans for the murder of friend Susan Berman, 15 years ago in California, was the latest twist in the life of a man surrounded by wealth and death. Now, in his only network TV interview, attorney Dick DeGuerin tells 48 HOURS that he's eager to go to court and the prosecution has a 'weak circumstantial evidence case' against Durst.

Now, in his only network TV interview, attorney Dick DeGuerin tells 48 HOURS that he's eager to g

Is it sexist or subversive? Morgan Freeman says he's always seen The Taming of the Shrew as a country tale, one that he feels is Shakespeare's most compelling comedy. In the next episode of Shakespeare Uncovered, Freeman takes a look at the play and explores that question, as well as what is at the heart of it all, love.

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!

Dayton's premier professional regional theatre continues its legacy of developing new works and its long-standing relationship with New York writer Michael Slade as it prepares for the first ever production of Slade's latest play, Family Shots, at downtown's The Loft Theatre. Charming family patriarch Sam Baker lies in a hospital bed, recovering from an apparent heart attack, but his wife, Marsha, won't stop making the crisis all about her -- much to the dismay of their son, Aaron. The young photographer wonders why his parents even stay together while he and his husband, Malcolm, deal with their own issues as newlyweds. Intimate, yet universal, Family Shots is a wildly funny and touching comedy about marriage -- its joys, challenges and responsibilities -- and what's worth fighting for. The production runs tonight, January 22 - February 8, 2015.

Dayton's premier professional regional theatre continues its legacy of developing new works and its long-standing relationship with New York writer Michael Slade as it prepares for the first ever production of Slade's latest play, Family Shots, at downtown's The Loft Theatre. Charming family patriarch Sam Baker lies in a hospital bed, recovering from an apparent heart attack, but his wife, Marsha, won't stop making the crisis all about her -- much to the dismay of their son, Aaron. The young photographer wonders why his parents even stay together while he and his husband, Malcolm, deal with their own issues as newlyweds. Intimate, yet universal, Family Shots is a wildly funny and touching comedy about marriage -- its joys, challenges and responsibilities -- and what's worth fighting for. The production runs January 22 - February 8, 2015.

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage stalwart who has lit up Broadway and beyond for more than three decades since her debut in William Finn's IN TROUSERS - the one and only Mary Testa. Discussing all aspects of her exemplary new album created in collaboration with acclaimed orchestrator Michael Starobin, HAVE FAITH, Testa imparts the impetus behind the concept album and outlines what motivated the wildly eclectic song choices included on the release - ranging from the Beach Boys, Prince and Aerosmith to Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, Jill Sobule and many more. Furthermore, Testa eloquently describes the fascinating and compelling theme upon which the album is based - the journey of a soul through life; ostensibly a search for faith - and relates the sonic experience to her own spiritual pursuits. Additionally, Testa clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming promotional concert appearances alongside Starobin in support of the album, as well, kicking off with a concert at Barnes & Noble next week along with a series of shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Reflecting on the various ways in which she has seen the theatre transform over the course of her career thus far, Testa also sheds some light on many of her most celebrated roles to date, including IN TROUSERS, THE RINK, XANADU, 42nd STREET, MARIE CHRISTINE, SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, QUEEN OF THE MIST, GUYS & DOLLS, A NEW BRAIN, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LUCKY STIFF, CHICAGO, WICKED and more. All of that, playing Barbara Bush in FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE and much, much more with one of Broadway's most reliably entertaining and endlessly inventive regulars.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award winnerSheryl Crow. The production began performances at Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre December 9 and will play through January 25.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the lineup for the 15th edition of Film Comment magazine's essential, eclectic festival, taking place February 20 - March 5, 2015.

Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces its Inductees for 2015.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award-winner Sheryl Crow. The production begins performances at Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre tonight, December 9. It will play for six and a half weeks, through January 25.

Gloria McLean, a New York-based dancer, choreographer and teacher, is the founder and artistic director of LIFEDANCE/Gloria McLean and Dancers. From 1982-1993, Ms. McLean was a member of the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, performing in New York, the U.S., and internationally. She is considered one of the leading exponents of this American Modern Dance tradition.

Virginia's Signature Theatre just announced the full cast for the world premiere of Diner, the musical adaptation of the landmark film with a book by the movie's Academy Award®-winning screenwriter and director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy, The Natural) and an original score by nine-time Grammy Award® winner Sheryl Crow. Directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award® Winner Kathleen Marshall (Broadway's Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), the ensemble piece will feature Whitney Bashor (Barbara; Broadway's Bridges of Madison County and Signature's The Hollow), Bryan Fenkart (Modell; Broadway's Memphis), Aaron Finley (Billy; Broadway's Rock of Ages),Josh Grisetti (Shrevie; Off-Broadway's Enter Laughing), Erika Henningsen (Beth; Show Boat: Live from Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic), Derek Klena (Boogie; Broadway's Wicked, The Bridges of Madison County and Second Stage'sDogfight), Adam Kantor (Eddie; Broadway's Rent, Next to Normal and Second Stage's The Last Five Years), Tess Soltau(Elyse; Broadway's The Addams Family), Matthew James Thomas (Fenwick; Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,Pippin), and John Schiappa (Older Boogie; Broadway's Rocky, The Other Place, Wicked).

The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony will be kicking off its 15th anniversary season with a pair of concerts featuring the world renowned clarinetist Stanley Drucker in a performance of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. The concerts will be held on Saturday, November 8th at 8PM and Sunday, November 9th at 3PM at All Saints Church, 230 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues in New York City.

In 1970, Michael Frayn, the English playwright who would go on to write NOISES OFF, was standing backstage in the wings watching a performance of another farce he had written, "The Two of Us." Of this performance, he said, 'It was funnier from behind than in front, and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind.' By the late 70s, Frayn had taken a crack at the concept with a short-lived one-act play called "Exits" before fleshing out and expanding the piece into the hilarious three-act NOISES OFF, now brilliantly staged at the Morgan-Wixson in Santa Monica.

Director of The Real Thing, Sam Gold, discusses the play with Ted Sod. Ted Sod: Why did you choose to direct Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing? What would you say the play is about?

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's new production of Kenneth Lonergan's critically acclaimed This is Our Youth opens on Broadway tonight, September 11. Let's see what the critics had to say...

This year the Philadelphia FringeArts Festival will get INTIMATE. Alan Ayckbourn's INTIMATE EXCHANGES, that is. 1812 Productions returns to the Festival with a daring new production of Ayckbourn's 1982 experiment in tree drama.

The World Premiere of David Fincher's GONE GIRL will open the New York Film Festival, the Film Society of Lincoln Center said Thursday.

The New York Philharmonic will conclude its 2013-14 subscription season with the final program in The Beethoven Piano Concertos: A Philharmonic Festival, when Music Director Alan Gilbert conducts Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor, featuring The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence Yefim Bronfman as soloist, and Beethoven's Triple Concerto, with Mr. Bronfman, Principal Cello Carter Brey, and Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow in his final appearances before concluding his 34-year tenure, tonight, June 18, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 20 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m.

The New York Philharmonic will conclude its 2013-14 subscription season with The Beethoven Piano Concertos: A Philharmonic Festival, featuring The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in- Residence Yefim Bronfman and conducted by Alan Gilbert, today, June 11-28, 2014.

Passionate, provocative, and avant-garde with an extraordinary creative energy, Roman Mints is one of the most original violinists of his generation. The newest release by the multi-award-winning Russian violinist is Dance of Shadows, featuring an innovative program of music by Ysaÿe, Piazzolla, Schnittke, Silverstrov and a world premiere by Dobrinka Tabakova. Mints is critically-acclaimed for his previous recordings for the Quartz label and ECM Records.

The New York Philharmonic will conclude its 2013-14 subscription season with the final program in The Beethoven Piano Concertos: A Philharmonic Festival, when Music Director Alan Gilbert conducts Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor, featuring The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence Yefim Bronfman as soloist, and Beethoven's Triple Concerto, with Mr. Bronfman, Principal Cello Carter Brey, and Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow in his final appearances before concluding his 34-year tenure, Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 20 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m.