Aspects of Love - 1990 - Broadway Articles Page 8

Producer Adam Soch is pleased to announce the making of a documentary film that will share the extraordinary work of the late theatrical visionary, Reza Abdoh, with a larger audience. Soch commented, 'Every so often there is an artist whose body of work is so profound and impactful that it needs to be brought to the forefront, even twenty years after his passing. In this case, the May 2015 premier will mark the twentieth anniversary of Reza's death.' A 1990 Los Angeles Times Magazine article described Abdoh as 'a genuine visionary, a reincarnation of the 1960s confrontational, experiments of communal ensembles such as the Living and Open theaters . . . He's not out to make a deal. . . . He's determined to make art in an era when even the word artist is under siege.' Soch explained further, 'Before his death of AIDS at the young age of 32, Abdoh had created an impressive body of stage productions known for their sensory overload, ferocious energy and hallucinatory dreamscapes. With his company Dar A Luz, formed in 1991, Abdoh created plays that have made a major impact on experimental theatre worldwide.' Abdoh and his troupe often performed in downtrodden storefronts, warehouses, lofts, and abandoned hotels. With titles like 'Peep Show,' 'Pasos en la Obscuridad' (Footsteps in the Darkness), 'The Hip-Hop Waltz of Eurydice,' 'Bogeyman,' 'Tight, Right, White,' 'The Law of Remains,' and his critically acclaimed 'Quotations From a Ruined City,' his performances provided a glimpse into his personal outrage toward many aspects of American life. Abdoh's work is still revered and referenced in the theater community today and according to Soch, 'Reza's work has become regularly incorporated into college and university syllabi. It has become legendary. One of the goals of this project is to provide a means for students and theater lovers to get a true sense of what Abdoh's work was like. This documentary will offer a portrait of the world and work of Abdoh and his company, Dar a Luz. The film will feature never before seen excerpts of Abdoh's most important pieces alongside interviews with Abdoh himself, his collaborators, critics, friends and family. We are very fortunate to have access to a rich archive of video materials that were recorded over the course of his career -more than 300 hours of live performance, rehearsals and interviews.' Soch continued, 'Early in Reza's career, there were three amazing people who recognized his talent and supported Reza unconditionally in his theatrical creations: Alan Mandell, Diane White and Marta Holen. It is an incredible honor to have their continued trust, loyalty and support as Executive Producers of our film. Without their love for Reza and his work, this project would not be possible and we are deeply grateful.' To ensure the completion of the project, Soch has created a Kickstarter Campaign to finance the final stages of the film's production: editing, promotion and distribution. Soch explained, 'To date, approximately $8,000 of the $35,000 budget has been raised. The Kickstarter Campaign ends November 30, and we've got quite a ways to go.' Potential donors can gain a better understanding of the project and Abdoh's work by viewing a six-minute trailer that showcases the documentary's style and content on the Kickstarter website at http://kck.st/1wPrn1W. Adam Soch is an award-winning filmmaker and producer with projects in TV at Classic Arts Showcase (www.classicartsshowcase.org), video, and theatre productions worldwide. Mr. Soch is one of four founders of the International Television channel available in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The ARTS Channel, with millions of daily viewers, focuses on highlighting the disciplines, pleasures and wonders of classic arts such as ballet, opera, theater, dance and film/video, through the power of television. For more information on the project, please visit the following: Adam Soch: www.AdamSoch.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RezaAbdohDocumentaryFilm Twitter: @RezaDocuFilm Kickstarter: http://kck.st/1wPrn1W Phone: 818 642 4335

GRANHØJ DANS [www.granhoj.dk] returns to Montreal for a limited engagement of Dance Me to the End ON/OFF Love, a poignant, haunting celebration of the words and music of Leonard Cohen. The Danish company revisits Centaur Theatre for 5 shows only between November 19 and 22 inclusive. Created by the company's Founder and Artistic Director, Palle Granhoj, in close collaboration with the performers and Visual Designer, Per Victor, the award-winning (Danish Arts council prize) production explores the architecture of the body and abandons itself to the sensual and sorrowful music of Dance Me to the End of Love and other songs by the legendary wordsmith.

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group today announced principal cast changes for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by Harold Prince. The longest-running show in Broadway history and one of the most successful stage productions of all-time, PHANTOM this year surpassed 11,000 performances in New York - an unprecedented feat achieved by no other Broadway show. The Broadway production has played to more than 16 million people at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), the musical's home for more than 26 record-breaking years.

The Queer New York International Arts Festival (QNYIA) -- a festival of contemporary performance that explores and broadens the concept of queer (in) art -- returns for a third year with a diverse slate of performances by international artists, many presenting their work in New York City for the first time.

The Queer New York International Arts Festival (QNYIA) -- a festival of contemporary performance that explores and broadens the concept of queer (in) art -- returns for a third year with a diverse slate of performances by international artists, many presenting their work in New York City for the first time.

BWW Interviews: Director Michael Wilson at The Alley Theatre

On the surface, GHOST, the ultra-romantic 1990 Oscar-nominated box office hit, seems every bit the perfect motion picture to be repurposed into a flashy stage musical. Unfortunately, the musical that eventually emerged (now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through August 10) is a chaotic, schizophrenic melange of random adult contemporary pop rock songs intermixed with an amped-up mystical mystery where the swoon-worthy aspects of the original gets diluted in favor of dazzling effects and abstract dance numbers. Why water down the romance?

One of Broadway's best musicals, the award winning Guys and Dolls opens tonight, July 19 at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne for 10 shows only. Starring in this new production are Verity Hunt-Ballard, Martin Crewes, Chelsea Plumley, Adam Murphy, Bobby Fox and Christopher Horsey.

The 18th Long Island Al Jolson Festival coming up on August 16 is a whole-day affair featuring film presentations, lectures, memorabilia displays and sales, and a performance--'The Heart of Al Jolson'--by singer and Staten Island native Tony Babino (photo below), who can sing Jolson songs like, well, you ain't heard nothin' yet. The other day, like clockwork, I received my yearly invitation to attend from Oceanside, LI resident Jan Hernstat, who for the past 10 years has been the President of the 62-year-old International Al Jolson Society (which was formed in early 1950, a few months before Jolson died), an organization with a worldwide membership hovering around 1,000. I am proud to say that for 30 years, I've been one of them. I'm even prouder to say that I've been an Al Jolson fanatic for much longer. Here's my story about how it happened.

One of Broadway's best musicals, the award winning Guys and Dolls opens on July 19 at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne for 10 shows only. Starring in this new production are Verity Hunt-Ballard, Martin Crewes, Chelsea Plumley, Adam Murphy, Bobby Fox and Christopher Horsey.

Internationally renowned recording artist, music icon, actress and humanitarian, Sarah Brightman, is forced to cancel her August 10 appearance at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage. Brightman is the world's biggest selling soprano, an international superstar as beloved for her staggering vocal range (over three full octaves) as for her impassioned film and stage performances. Over a three-decade career, she's sold over thirty million records worldwide, is the first artist to have been invited twice to perform the theme songs at the Olympic Games, and is frequently credited with pioneering the Classical Crossover genre, allowing music once reserved for conservatories and concert halls to seep onto the pop charts.

Sarah Brightman has just cancelled her US Tour dates. On her Facebook page, she wrote, 'I have suffered a hairline fracture to my ankle and have been advised by my doctors to rest it until September by which time it will have fully recovered. I have, regrettably, taken the decision to cancel my forthcoming US dates in August. I truly apologise for any disappointment caused.'

Dixon Place presents TURQUOISE by award-winning playwright Deb Margolin. Ms. Margolin's first multi-character play in three years, TURQUOISE is an intergenerational comedy presented by an ensemble who are age 20 - 80. Directed by Charlie Polinger (Marina Keegan's Independents, Matthew George's Cow Play) and featuring music by composer Amy Reich, TURQUOISE will play a strictly-limited engagement at Dixon Place (161a Chrystie Street) - four performances only on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14; and Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 (all performances at 7:30pm). Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door, $15 for students and seniors. For tickets, call 212.219.0736 or go to www.dixonplace.org.

Entering its sixth season in 2014-15, CONTACT!, the Philharmonic's new-music series, will include five programs featuring World, U.S., and New York Premieres, four of which explore the new-music scene from four different countries, and a fifth curated and hosted by composer John Adams. CONTACT! will return for three programs at SubCulture, co-presented with 92nd Street Y: John's Playlist, featuring works by five composers selected by John Adams; a concert of works by Israeli composers, featuring The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence Lisa Batiashvili alongside Philharmonic musicians; and a performance of works by Italian composers. Two CONTACT! programs will take place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with Met Museum Presents: a concert of works by Nordic composers conducted in part by Music Director Alan Gilbert; and a program featuring works from Japan, conducted by Jeffrey Milarsky.

This weekend, as we all overload on sugar and attend the obligatory Passion performance, Mark Morris is getting ready to unveil his latest opus. His new production of Handel's ACIS AND GALATEA, one of the most beloved English language operas, has its world premiere next week at Cal Performances, Berkeley (April 25 - 27), before traveling to Celebrity Series of Boston (May 15-18) for its East Coast premiere.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the fifth and final production in its 2013-1014 season of shows with the Los Angeles regional theatre premiere of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the Tony award-winning, LES MISERABLES, music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite.

Today in 1990, Aspects of Love opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it ran for 377 performances. Aspects of Love is a musical with a book and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart. Based on the novella of the same name by David Garnett, the piece focuses on the romantic entanglements of actress Rose Vibert, her admiring fan Alex Dillingham, his underage cousin Jenny, his uncle George, and George's mistress, sculptress Giulietta Trapani, over a period of 17 years.

Gulfport Little Theatre is proud to present its spring musical production, Gypsy, by Arthur Laurents, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Gypsy is directed by Bryan VonderBruegge with musical direction by Alan Cahela, choreography by Twyla Boudreaux Moore, and costumes by Kelli Overmyer. The Assistant Director is Mary LaCour and the producer is Miyoshi McGravey. The show runs April 4-13, with curtain at 8pm todays and Saturdays, and matinee performances on Sunday with curtain at 3pm.

Gulfport Little Theatre is proud to present its spring musical production, Gypsy, by Arthur Laurents, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Gypsy is directed by Bryan VonderBruegge with musical direction by Alan Cahela, choreography by Twyla Boudreaux Moore, and costumes by Kelli Overmyer. The Assistant Director is Mary LaCour and the producer is Miyoshi McGravey. The show runs April 4-13, with curtain at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and matinee performances on Sunday with curtain at 3pm.

Peter Brook is one of the world's most respected and revolutionary directors of contemporary theatre. To help his actors achieve extraordinary performances, he has a special exercise, called 'the Tightrope,' which evolved over decades of experimentation and practice into a process of transformation that makes theatre real and new for actor and audience alike. In this quietly eloquent and unique film, director Simon Brook - Peter's son - reveals how the Tightrope works its dramatic alchemy.

If you're sick of the drab, cold Ohio weather, sneak over and warm up in the Short North Stage's Garden Theater, where "It Might As Well Be Spring", and you'll be guaranteed "A Lovely Night" where you'll be humming "Something Wonderful" right on through the Central Ohio deep freeze.

Parents do not have to be told to provide unconditional love and care to the children they bring into this world, nor do they have to be reminded of the treasure they covet when these children bring mostly joy and laughter into a home that once belonged only to them. Even though much of their lifestyle has been drastically changed because of these treasures, as all attention and responsibility is now directed at their well-being, this love cannot be disputed as something other than beautiful. Now, does the same hold true when a child is not one's own? After seeing the opening night performance of The Sun Shines East at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre, there is little doubt as to this holding true, and the struggle of one couple to adopt a baby, to whom they have already given their undying love and affection upon first holding her, makes for a beautiful, heartfelt story that deems the presence of children in our lives that much more precious.

Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced today that American Conservatory Theater will present the exclusive California screening of Peter Brook: The Tightrope, a new and definitive documentary on the creative process of legendary theater director Peter Brook, on Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco).

This just in! Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group just announced that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will welcome a starry leading combination beginning Monday, May 12.

FOCUS DANCE is a part of FOCUS 2014, the National Platform to promote American dance both abroad and nationally. The week-long platform presents performances of U.S. based dance companies during the annual Arts Presenters Conference in New York City, and one of the largest gatherings of artists, dancers and dance professionals in the U.S. In January 2014, two venues partner with Gotham Arts Exchange to present the artistic visions of the curators gathered to shape the 2014 edition of FOCUS.