A Wonderful Life - 2005 - Broadway Articles Page 19

Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Norbert Leo Butz, Dale Dickey, Eddie Marsan, Bailey Noble and Katheryn Winnick have joined the cast of Flag Day, directed by Sean Penn and starring his children Dylan and Hopper, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite its general pleasant nature, many cute moments, and a plethora of genuine talent on stage, this stage musical adaptation of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY---Roald Dahl's beloved 1964 children's novel about a sweet, affable kid who wins a meet-and-greet (and more!) with an eccentric Candy Man named Willy Wonka--- comes off less magical and whimsical than one would hope it would be considering its source material. Is this national tour production---now continuing performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through June 9---joyful enough for kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy? Sure. But, overall, something about it feels just slightly under-baked, as if all the additional necessary ingredients that would have made this musical extraordinary didn't quite make it into the mix.

As days at the Fringe go, they don't get off to a more fun, fabulous and feel-good start than with a high-energy and heart-warming musical based on a much-loved Hollywood film, closely followed by two world premieres from some of the most exciting creative voices in Scotland and America.

For the past several seasons, Stratford's Festival Theatre stage has been home to classic musical theatre productions with catchy tunes that audiences might find themselves humming long after the company had taken its final bow. This season, the musical living on that stage is a little different. It is not a classic from the golden age of broadway, the music, while moving, is likely not that familiar ear worm that you will wake up singing, and the story is as gritty and high stakes as many of the Shakespearean productions we have seen on that stage in recent years. BILLY ELLIOT officially opened to a raucous standing ovation on Tuesday evening, making it clear that Stratford audiences are more than happy to branch out to something a little different.

For her 4th CD release, vocalist/violinist Calabria Foti wanted to do an album like her vocal heroes Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, and Nat “King” Cole did back in the day; that is, with a big orchestra and legendary arrangers on the podium in an iconic Hollywood recording studio. Ms. Foti says, “This is the most expansive project I have ever done, and at the same time, it's the most intimate and personal. I recorded at Capitol Records with a full orchestra, singing some of the most endearing, sentimental songs ever written, all for my loved ones. This album is a full-production tear-jerker!”

Boy Swallows Universe takes to the stage. Queensland Theatre and Brisbane Festival to produce the world premiere season of Trent Dalton's breakout mega-hit novel

JERSEY BOYS follows the true story of 1960s group The Four Seasons; Tommy DeVito (Corey Greenan), Bob Gaudio (Eric Chambliss), Nick Massie (Johnathan Cable), and Frankie Valli (Jonny Wexler). This jukebox musical, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, utilizes some of the bands biggest hits to tell the rise and fall of the iconic group of boys from New Jersey; including "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Sherry," "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."

A high flying, high kicking romp of a good time comes full steam ahead back to the Straz Center in Tampa for three days only from May 17-19, 2019. A true story set in North Hampton England just a stones throw from London centers its story around the plight of a burgeoning entrepreneur whom was just bequeathed the family business. Price&Sons is known for their comfortable and dependable classic shoes for men. When sales plummet and stock is filtering back in by the truck load it is up to Charlie the heir to the shoe factory to pull the company back on its struggling feet and restore the name of Price &Sons to its glory. How does one do that you may ask?

Old Forester's Paristown Hall, Louisville's newest state-of-the-art standing room venue, has announced a roster of performances for its opening in late July. These acts include iconic New York rock band Interpol, Memphis country-punk rockers Lucero and singer-songwriter sensation Gavin DeGraw.  The Opening Night event on July 23 will be headlined by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, along with a slate of performers including the dance troupe Pilobolus, Mucca Pazza and local favorite Ben Sollee. 

After 16 years with Boston Ballet, Principal Dancer Kathleen Breen Combes is retiring from Boston Ballet to accept a position as the executive director of Festival Ballet Providence. Breen Combes' final performance will be in Paulo Arrais' ELA, Rhapsody in Blue as part of the Rhapsody program on June 9 at 1:30 pm at the Citizens Bank Opera House.

This month, Bristol Old Vic welcomes ground-breaking companies Mr and Mrs Clark and Deafinitely Theatre into the Weston Studio to raise awareness and challenge perceptions of hearing loss and deafness.

It is another busy month ahead at The Epstein Theatre with a stellar programme packed with music, family fun, and laughter on offer this May.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is excited to announce its lineup for the 2019 Summer Mainstage and Cabaret Seasons. On the Mainstage, FST brings music, drama, and laughter to Sarasota with an Off-Broadway hit, a powerful musical biography, and a sexy, smart comedy of manners. In the Cabaret, some of New York City's brightest and most accomplished musical performers bring the music of the 60s and the 70s, the Golden Age of Hollywood, and Frankie Valli to life.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre's outgoing Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, today announces the theatre's Autumn and Winter 2019 season, launching a programme of familiar favourites side-by-side with new and inspiring theatre.

The International Festival of Arts & Ideas today announced complete details for Festival 2019, which opens on June 8 and continues for two weeks through June 22 in New Haven, Connecticut.

The McCallum Theatre announced today its new lineup for the 2019-2020 season, continuing to present the finest world-class artists and entertainers for Coachella Valley audiences.  The new season includes McCallum debuts, returning favorites, iconic superstars, family-friendly entertainment and holiday cheer, among so much more. A CHRISTMAS STORY, WAITRESS and THE PLAY THAT GOES WORING are among the many Broadway offerings in what looks to be the most stellar season in McCallum history.

Ayckbourn's plays have proven to have worldwide appeal, and naturally New Jersey is no exception. Although sandwiched between busy theatrical hubs New York City and Philadelphia, the New Jersey has substantially contributed to Ayckbourn's popularity with numerous productions throughout the Garden State.

 In 1962, fifty-seven years ago, the magnificent TONY BENNETT recorded "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."  The song was honored with two Grammy Awards, including "Record of the Year" and gave Tony a signature tune that, as he delights in saying, has made him "A Citizen of the World."  Last March, the classic was entered into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress as "an aural treasure worthy of preservation." Now in 2019, and about to turn an ageless 93, the legendary performer -  himself a world treasure - continues to leave his heart in each song that he sings and in every aspect of his life.

The Confederation Centre of the Arts community is mourning the passing of Joseph Fenwick "Fen" Watkin, O.C.

Circle Players, one of Tennessee's oldest community theater organizations, has announced the slate of shows for its 70th anniversary season, including some of the most requested shows in the company's history which will be 'revisited' for the special season. Circle Players revealed the shows to be included in its upcoming 70th season during a party last night on the 30th floor of Nashville's L&C Tower.

From the lobby of its home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company announced its 45th Anniversary Season last night. Producing Artistic Director Paige Price and Managing Director Emily Zeck announced PTC's slate for 2019-2020, their second producing season at the helm of the theatre. The duo has assembled a line-up of plays that continue the theatre's commitment to seek stories that center around women.

Witness the unforgettable jazz musician Byron Stripling's electrifying performance in 'Sounds of New Orleans: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong' with the National Philharmonic, led by Maestro Piotr Gajewski, on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore's Concert Hall. Stripling got his start as the lead trumpeter in the Count Basie Orchestra and will perform Armstrong's greatest hits, including his signature version of When the Saints Go Marchin' In. Stripling will perform other Armstrong hits, including Saint Louis Blues, Statchmo Scattin' & Swingin', and What a Wonderful World. Stripling has performed as lead trumpeter and soloist with symphonies around the country, as well as at Carnegie Hall. Ticket prices are $10-$72. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.

Director Cameron Watson is about to receive the Milton Katselas Award for distinguished achievement in direction from the LADCC for 2018. He is one busy director in LA theatre and recently sat down to discuss overseeing the new production of Steel Magnolias at Actors Co-op, set to open Friday March 22. Describe your association with Actors Co-op.

Come celebrate the legendary American composer Joan Tower. Regarded as one of the most important American composers living today, Joan Tower will join Bloomingdale School of Music faculty members violinist Claudia Schaer, bassoonist Gili Sharett and pianist Marc Peloquin in a celebration of her birthday and a tribute to her unique and beautiful artistry. Joan Tower has made lasting contributions to musical life for the past half century. With her iconic Silver Ladders, she was the first woman to win the prestigious Grawemeyer Award, and the recording of her Made In America won three different Grammy awards.