A Wonderful Life - 1986 - College/University (US) Articles Page 8

New York: Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and Tom Toce , Musical Director) announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2019, which will begin Wednesday, December 11 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th St., East of 8th Ave.)

A brand-new exhibition by Cardiff based artist John Abell will open at National Trust, Newton House, Carmarthenshire in January 2020 marking the anniversary of the Rebecca Riots and commissioned as a response to the 2019 National Trust 'People's Landscape' theme.

In celebration of her upcoming induction into the National Theater Hall of Fame on November 18th, I sat down with Broadway legend, Donna McKechnie for a spirited, informative, career-spanning chat.

The six-strong cast includes theatrical stalwart Michael Bertenshaw (SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE, HAYMARKET WEST END, HAMPSTEAD THEATRE, CURVE, THE MINITURIST, THE CROWN, THE DA VINCI CODE), Yinka Williams (ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, APOLLO VICTORIA THEATRE, CHUTNEY! UK AND WORLD TOUR, LONDON ROAD), Tamara McKoy-Patterson (NATIONAL THEATRE, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE), Michael Gonsalves, new graduate Kitty Hollingsworth and Theatre Peckham alumni Luis Gustavo Silva Navarro (ROBIN HOOD AND THE ARROW OF DESTINY).

In his Broadway debut in 1988, BD Wong won his Tony Award (Best Featured Actor in a Play) for his ground-breaking role of Song Liling in David Henry Hwang's M. BUTTERFLY. Over the last year, in between shooting his two television series (as Whiterose on Mr. Robot, and as Awkwafina's father in Comedy Central's Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens), BD has managed to star in two theatrical productions of Lauren Yee's THE GREAT LEAP (in New York and in San Francisco), and now will be directing THE GREAT LEAP at the Pasadena Playhouse, which begins previews today November 6, 2019.

ABC is the home for unforgettable holiday programming as the network celebrates the joy of the season. In November, the network serves up a bounty of Thanksgiving-themed episodes and the classic animated special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” In December, ABC decks the halls with special Christmas and Hanukkah-themed episodes—the return of fan-favorite series “The Great Christmas Light Fight” and “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition”; and an all-new holiday movie, “Same Time, Next Christmas,” starring Lea Michele. Timeless cartoons and beloved holiday films will also return. The fun continues after Christmas with New Year's-themed programming ringing in 2020. 

On October 23 the Lied Center for Performing Arts will be filled to the magnificent chandelier with glorious sets, costumes, music, and 52 cast members and musicians, making this one of the largest touring productions. Derrick Davis, the first African American Phantom on national tour, is an artist who has realized his dream from childhood.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Cinema are joining forces for a special event to benefit both organizations: a film screening, Q&A and book signing to celebrate the publication of Julie Andrews' second memoir, Home Work: A Memoir of my Hollywood Years, co-written with her daughter, Sag Harbor resident and Bay Street co-founder, Emma Walton Hamilton. The event on November 10 begins with a 3 pm film screening of Blake Edwards's That's Life! (1986), in which both Andrews and Walton Hamilton appear. Following the screening, there will be a conversation and Q&A with Andrews and Walton Hamilton, moderated by Sag Harbor Cinema's Artistic Director, Giulia D'Agnolo Vallan. All tickets include a pre-signed copy of Home Work. A limited number of VIP seats will be available for book personalization immediately following the event.

Actor-singer-dancer-choreographer Adam Fleming became a part of Broadway history originating the roles of Sketch in Hairspray and Lucas in Bare. In 2005, he starred in David Brind and Adam Salky's acclaimed short film, Dare, about two teenage boys' tense, spark-filled encounter in a pool following high school play practice. Dare gained a cult following as part of Strand Releasing's 'Boys Life' series and ultimately achieved worldwide popularity via more than 12 Million views on Youtube. The fan fervor (and fan fiction!) eventually inspired a sequel, ten years later. The original and the sequel are now being presented together as The Dare Project and attracting new legions of fans.

In an explosive blend of live music, spoken word and theatre, Jackie Kay's 1986 provocation is breathed a new life under Lynette Linton's hand. It is the director's first show since taking the AD job at the Bush Theatre, and is one that highly entertains, whilst also shines a light on queer women of colour across generations.

Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices, announced details of the acclaimed ensemble's 78th season, celebrating the joy of choral singing and the power of the human voice to unite, inspire and connect since 1941. Highlights include three major musical presentations at top venues, including a New York premiere, and the World Premiere of a new work, commissioned by the Company. Throughout the season there will be collaborations with leading singers, artists, ensembles and organizations, some who are familiar with and others who are new to the Company.

Audiences are getting ready to head to Skid Row this fall! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's classic sci-fi musical Little Shop of Horrors is returning to New York at the Westside Theatre, with previews beginning September 17th and opening night set for October 17th. The production is set to run for a limited engagement through November 24th. To prepare you to go somewhere that's green, we're getting to know the show's cast, including Jonathan Groff, Tammy Blanchard, Christian Borle, and more. Check it all out!

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment present the West Coast Premiere of GRUMPY OLD MEN: THE MUSICAL, book by Dan Remmes, music by Neil Berg, lyrics by Nick Meglin, (Adapted from the Warner Bros. motion picture written by Mark Steven Johnson), additional orchestrations by Phil Reno, choreography by Michele Lynch, musical direction by Benet Braun and direction by Matt Lenz.

The story of Seymour and his 'Strange and unusual plant' is brought to life at West Fargo Sheyenne for the West Fargo Summer Arts Intensive.

Jim Hirsch, one of Chicago's best known and most beloved advocates for the Chicago music scene, recognized for growing the careers of artists young and old, expanding audiences and creating diverse programming, will step down from the Chicago Sinfonietta after 15 years of service as Executive Director and CEO effective July 1, 2020. Hirsch's career, spanning four decades, also includes serving as Executive Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music for 18 years, and General Manager of the iconic Chicago Theatre for four years.

Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs is the first play in his semi-autobiographical trilogy, which also includes Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. The play tells the story of a family living in the Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn, New York during the depression. Since its Broadway premier at the Alvin Theatre in 1983, it has been hailed as one of Simon's best plays because of the authenticity of the family relationships it portrays. While the 1986 film version was found lacking by critics, and an attempted Broadway revival in 2009 was unsuccessful, Brighton Beach Memoirs has found its way to the community theatre stage bringing Simon's well-written characters and trademark humor to modern audiences. You can catch Brighton Beach Memoirs at Oyster Mill Playhouse from July 12-28. To find out a little more about the play and its production at Oyster Mill, we spoke with Aliza Bardfield, who will be portraying the role of Kate.

It is very difficult to tag Johan Osuldsen under one banner. He started out as a dancer and performer, spanning over several decades. Later he became known as a choreographer and director and subsequently directed for television. He is also a composer as well as translator of several musicals (including Stephen Sondheim's 'Company', 'Into the Woods' and Jason Robert Brown's 'The Last Five Years).

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) announced that applications for the 2020 YoungArts competition will be accepted beginning today, June 4, through October 11, 2019 at youngarts.org/apply. Approximately 700 of the country's most accomplished 15- to 18-year-old artists will be selected through a blind adjudication process and provided with lifelong support through funding, mentorship, community, and creative and professional development opportunities.

'Little Shop of Horrors' is a wonderful musical amalgam of sci-fi, horror, and doo-wop. It is a stylized musical that takes you on a tale of love between a guy and a girl, and the maniacal plant standing in their way.

THE REAL MARIGOLD HOTEL LIVE is the first ever live UK tour of the smash-hit BBC series and stars Shelia Ferguson, Bobby George, Paul Nicholas, Rosemary Shrager and Wayne Sleep.*

BARNUM, one of Broadway's most treasured musicals, returns to Australia in an all-new spectacular production. From visionary director Tyran Parke, this new production will play an exclusive engagement at Melbourne's most intimate professional musical theatre venue, the Comedy Theatre for a strictly limited time from April 27 2019.

I recently rang her up to catch up on life and stuff and then thought to ask if we might schedule some time together to talk about Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Donna had first hand experience with both brilliant talents and at two very different times in her career. We also chatted about the upcoming FX Series, which would have friends and colleagues both onscreen and behind the scenes. F

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.

Today's subject Laura Giannarelli has been living her theatre life for many years now on both sides of the footlights. As a performer she just completed a star turn in Gulf View Drive at Washington Stage Guild (WSG), the company she helped found back in 1986. The company's current show Resolving Hedda runs through April 14th at their home at The Undercroft Theatre at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church.

Trinity Rep will continue its 2018-19 Season with the perennially-popular Little Shop of Horrors an award-winning musical that blends doo-wop, rock, and Motown in a totally twisted production about what lengths we are willing to go to when we are down on our luck.