All the Way Home - 1960 - Broadway Articles Page 13

25 Shows & Performances in the Tampa Bay Area That Rocked Our World from 2010 to 2019!

New Repertory Theatre dusts off an old chestnut for a family-friendly, non-holiday, crowd-pleasing offering as their gift for the season. Lionel Bart's OLIVER!, based on Charles Dickens' novel OLIVER TWIST, is known to be a little dark, with its themes of orphans, child exploitation, and vast income inequality (sound familiar?), but in the hands of New Rep's new Artistic Director, Michael J. Bobbitt, the darkness is lightened up with jaunty performances, a smattering of silly antics, and a set design (Luciana Stecconi) that skews to the cartoonish. With almost a dozen capable adults anchoring the cast, the seven children of all ages are given free rein to behave like children, albeit amazingly talented and spirited ones.

From December 11th-22nd, Theatre in the Park will be presenting their 45th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing the show's playwright, Ira David Wood III, who is not only back directing this year, but he'll also be alternating the role of Ebenezer Scrooge with his oldest son, Ira David Wood IV.

In the early years of 1960, five working class lads from Tottenham-North London came together, forming The Dave Clark Five (The DC5) - a group that would not only change but unapologetically shape the course of popular music forever and sell over one hundred million records along the way. Founded by one of the UK's most prolific and celebrated musicians, songwriters and producers Dave Clark, the band spearheaded the British invasion of the US, becoming the first UK band to tour there and scoring an unprecedented fifteen consecutive Top Twenty hits, more than any other act bar The Beatles. 

It's great there is a family-friendly musical ready for the holidays.

Tis' the season that many theaters turn to Dickensian fare, but at Marriott Theatre, young Oliver Twist rather than Tiny Tim takes the stage. Nick Bowling directs Lionel Bart's OLIVER!, the 1960 musical based on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. With music direction by Ryan T. Nelson and choreography by Brenda Didier, a talented cast of child and adult actors delivers Bart's eminently hummable, if not groundbreaking, tunes. Though certain aspects of the material are irremediably dated, this is an entertaining revival of a (mostly) family-friendly show.

Many will know the story of Oliver from the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. The musical Oliver! by Lionel Bart, first opened in the West End in 1960 and on Broadway in 1962. The show has been revived numerous times and, in 1968, it was adapted for the screen. For the sake of the stage version, the original story by Dickens was dramatically simplified and provides a rather different interpretation of the character of Fagin. The musical is particularly true to Dickens in its emphasis on class differences and prejudices related to class, while presenting the subject matter with a healthy dose of comedy. Oliver! can be seen on stage at Oyster Mill Playhouse from November 8-24. I was given a rare opportunity to have a sneak preview of the show during one of their dress rehearsals, and it is a show that you will want to make time for this month.

'Oklahoma! Is and will always be my first love,' explained Brynna Horswell, who portrays Laurey in Charleston Light Opera Guild's (CLOG) upcoming production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. 'It was the first musical I remember being exposed to as a very little girl. I grew up singing and dancing to those songs and dreamed that one day I'd be Shirley Jones with my own Gordon MacRae.'

Miami City Ballet returns to Lincoln Road, the company's original home, with Ballet on the Beach, two special performances on Miami Beach in the intimate setting of the Colony Theatre on Saturday, November 23 at 7pm and Sunday, November 24 at 2pm. Ballet on the Beach are shorter performances in a casual setting and feature highlights from the highly anticipated 2019-20 season.

A limited 'sneak peek' run of Gentleman-George Production's ORRY will begin November 1, 2019 at The Lee Strasberg Theatre. Writer/performer Nick Hardcastle has adapted Oscar-winning costume designer Orry-Kelly's memoirs Women I've Dressed for a ninety-minute stage production (directed by Wayne Harrison) incorporating music, dance, vaudeville, puppetry, special effects and some of Orry-Kelly's award--winning creations. I had the chance to ask a few questions of Nick, in between his many, many responsibilities - theatrical and otherwise.

BWW Review: MARK TWAIN'S RIVER OF SONG at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is a Musical/Historical Ride Down the Mighty Mississippi Guided by Famed Chronicler Mark Twain

The 32nd Annual Virginia Film Festival will feature a deep and diverse program of more than 150 films, including some of the hottest titles on the festival circuit today, and an array of special guests from throughout the industry, and from across the globe. This year's lineup includes award-winning actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke, noted actor Ann Dowd, international bestselling author John Grisham, actor Dennis Christopher, acclaimed filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu - plus more than 100 filmmakers in all.

Calgary's thriving theatre season officially got under way this September with the opening of Stage West's a?oeThere Goes The Bridea??. Broadway World has compiled a list of some of the exciting upcoming shows that Calgarians and visitors can look forward to in this 2019/2020 season.

Avant-rock singer-songwriter/producer KRISTEENYOUNG has always done things her own way, including self-designing all of her stage costumes, and now she invites listeners to come along on her most experimental and emotional journey yet with the release of her ninth album The SubSet outTODAY (September 4, 2019). Her two touchstones for the making The SubSet are opera and beatnik, but as Kristeen explains, 'kinda sideways and distorted.' 'The album features her energetic blends of hard-hitting instrumentals, operatic vocals, and raw, incendiary lyrics which gives her music a theatrical flair and helps elevate its urgency.

Since creating and starring in In the Heights and Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda has become one of the most influential creators on Broadway. His work has earned him great acclaim and he's collected too many awards to count, including a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy Award, three Grammy Awards, three Tony Awards and a Kennedy Center Honor.

Albuquerque Little Theatre (ALT) has come a long way since its inception in 1930. The group that founded the theatre was led by a local reporter and society editor for the New Mexico Tribune, Irene Fisher.

Broadway and TV actor Frances Jue is currently starring in TheatreWorks' production of Julia Cho's 'The Language Archive.' Mr. Jue recently talked to BroadwayWorld about his lengthy and surprising career path, from his formative experiences with Stephen Sondheim and TheatreWorks to working with Tony winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori, and of course his continuing role on the CBS television series 'Madam Secretary.' His fascinating story serves as an inspiring example for anyone who doesn't see a clear path to success or struggles to find a place to fit in.

I have visited Laguna Beach for several consecutive summers, enjoying the vibrant arts scene by spending a full day wandering through THE SAWDUST FESTIVAL, THE LAGUNA ART A-FAIR, FESTIVAL OF ARTS and PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS, with all sites, including the Laguna Playhouse, within walking distance of each on the main street into the city. The beautiful coastal city has so much to offer in the way of fine dining, art galleries, shopping, theatre, beach activities, all accessible via a free shuttle service, it would easily make for a wonderful week-long family vacation site or a jam-packed day of celebrating the arts.

A Neil Diamond musical is coming to Broadway!

The sumptuous and unforgettable romantic musical THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA makes its long-awaited London debut at the Royal Festival Hall, now through 5 July 2019.

The Palace Theater is observing its 15th performance season this year since re-opening in 2004 and the programming reflects this milestone worthy of celebration.

San Jose Stage Company concludes its 2018-19 season with the musical juggernaut 'Mamma Mia!.' On the plus side, it's refreshing to see a show created largely by women that focuses on strong female characters. On the minus side, the show requires a high tolerance for groan-inducing jokes and song lyrics that make no sense when shoehorned into an alien context.

High-minded ideals are put to the test in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, a play with a refreshing yet familiar take on race and interracial relationships.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.