Big Deal - 1961 - Chicago Articles Page 4

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, is kicking off the New Year with WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater. Experience the passion, drama and heart-pounding excitement of WEST SIDE STORY like never before. The production previews January 15, opens January 22 and runs through March 22.

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

La MaMa presents the World Premiere of IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN… by Mike Gorman. Directed by David Bennett, previews begin tonight, December 4 with opening night slated for Thursday, December 11, 2014.

The McCallum Theatre presents 'The New Christy Minstrels', with special guest star Barry McGuire for one very special performance, Sunday, November 16, at 3:00pm, Founded by Randy Sparks in 1961, the group's 1962 debut album, 'Presenting the New Christy Minstrels', won a Grammy, remained on the Billboard charts for two years, and scored a hit with 'This Land Is Your Land'. Their 1963 album 'Ramblin' was highlighted by the single 'Green, Green' which climbed the charts and became a hit single. In 2006, the California State Legislature honored The New Christy Minstrels with resolutions from both the Senate and Assembly. Randy Sparks was recognized for his fifty years in the recording industry, and the group was honored for their contributions to the music industry. In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels. I had the chance to chat with founder, Randy Sparks, about their upcoming return to The McCallum Theatre and a bit for the history of The New Christy Minstrels. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

La MaMa presents the World Premiere of IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN… by Mike Gorman. Directed by David Bennett, previews begin December 4 with opening night slated for Thursday, December 11, 2014.

As the summer months heat up, so do the Columbus stages. Check out BWW's top 5 picks that the whole family can enjoy without breaking the bank this summer:

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company's revival of Middle Of The Night by Academy Award winner Paddy Chayefsky, starring Tony and Drama Desk Nominee Jonathan Hadary (Gypsy, Awake & Sing, Gemini, As Is) along with Todd Bartels (Bingo With the Indians, Church), Amelia Campbell (Our Country's Good [Tony nomination], A Streetcar Named Desire, Waiting in the Wings, The Herbal Bed), Alyssa May Gold (Arcadia, Keen's Lemon Sky), Nicole Lowrance (Peter and the Starcatchers, Dividing the Estate), Denise Lute (Harry Outside, Bug), and Melissa Miller (Merchant Of Venice with F. Murray Abraham, Keen's I Never Sang for My Father), directed by Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein, will have Talkbacks following performances on Thursday evenings. Scheduled are:

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company's revival of Middle Of The Night by Academy Award winner Paddy Chayefsky, starring Tony and Drama Desk Nominee Jonathan Hadary (Gypsy, Awake & Sing, Gemini, As Is) along with Todd Bartels (Bingo With the Indians, Church), Amelia Campbell (Our Country's Good [Tony nomination], A Streetcar Named Desire, Waiting in the Wings, The Herbal Bed), Alyssa May Gold (Arcadia, Keen's Lemon Sky), Nicole Lowrance (Peter and the Starcatchers, Dividing the Estate), Denise Lute (Harry Outside, Bug), and Melissa Miller (Merchant Of Venice with F. Murray Abraham, Keen's I Never Sang for My Father), directed by Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein, opening tonight, February 27th. This limited engagement runs through March 29th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company's revival of Middle Of The Night by Academy Award winner Paddy Chayefsky, starring Tony and Drama Desk Nominee Jonathan Hadary (Gypsy, Awake & Sing, Gemini, As Is) along with Todd Bartels (Bingo With the Indians, Church), Amelia Campbell (Our Country's Good [Tony nomination], A Streetcar Named Desire, Waiting in the Wings, The Herbal Bed), Alyssa May Gold (Arcadia, Keen's Lemon Sky), Nicole Lowrance (Peter and the Starcatchers, Dividing the Estate), Denise Lute (Harry Outside, Bug), and Melissa Miller (Merchant Of Venice with F. Murray Abraham, Keen's I Never Sang for My Father), directed by Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein, opening February 27th. This limited engagement runs through March 29th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company's revival of Middle Of The Night by Academy Award winner Paddy Chayefsky, starring Tony and Drama Desk Nominee Jonathan Hadary (Gypsy, Awake & Sing, Gemini, As Is) along with Todd Bartels (Bingo With the Indians, Church), Amelia Campbell (Our Country's Good [Tony nomination], A Streetcar Named Desire, Waiting in the Wings, The Herbal Bed), Alyssa May Gold (Arcadia, Keen's Lemon Sky), Nicole Lowrance (Peter and the Starcatchers, Dividing the Estate), Denise Lute (Harry Outside, Bug), and Melissa Miller (Merchant Of Venice with F. Murray Abraham, Keen's I Never Sang for My Father), directed by Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein, will begin performances Tuesday February 11th, with Opening Night set for February 27th. This limited engagement runs through March 29th.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company today announced that their revival of Middle Of The Night by Academy Award winner Paddy Chayefsky will star Tony and Drama Desk Nominee Jonathan Hadary (Gypsy, Awake & Sing, Gemini, As Is) along with Todd Bartels (Bingo With the Indians, Church), Amelia Campbell (Our Country's Good [Tony nomination], A Streetcar Named Desire, Waiting in the Wings, The Herbal Bed), Alyssa May Gold (Arcadia, Keen's Lemon Sky), Nicole Lowrance (Peter and the Starcatchers, Dividing the Estate), Denise Lute (Harry Outside, Bug), and Melissa Miller (Merchant Of Venice with F. Murray Abraham, Keen's I Never Sang for My Father).

During research for his book FOSSE, which came out earlier this week, Sam Wasson came across a lost 1961 ABC special starring Bob Fosse.

Using its signature, award-winning combination of signed and voiced theater to bring new perspective to a modern American classic, Deaf West Theatre presents Flowers for Algernon at the Whitefire Theatre, now through Nov. 3.

Jordan Donica makes the most of a rare opportunity as a lead in musical

Jordan Donica makes the most of a rare opportunity as a lead in musical

The 40th anniversary of the historic one-hour satellite broadcast of Elvis Presley from the Honolulu International Center Arena in January 1973, viewed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide, is now commemorated with the release of ALOHA FROM HAWAII VIA SATELLITE: LEGACY EDITION.

The Highline Ballroom has announced its lineup for today, July 30 through August 13, 2012. The venue is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.

The Highline Ballroom has announced its lineup for July 30 through August 13, 2012. The venue is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.

A Chorus Line, the powerful and emotion-filled musical about the trials and tribulations of forging a life in the theater, will play in Pittsburgh tonight, June 15 through June 24 at the Benedum Center. Directed and choreographed by original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, this bona fide Broadway hit features an incredible ensemble cast composed of exciting Broadway stars and Pittsburgh CLO veterans.

A Chorus Line, the powerful and emotion-filled musical about the trials and tribulations of forging a life in the theater, will play in Pittsburgh June 15-24 at the Benedum Center. Directed and choreographed by original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, this bona fide Broadway hit features an incredible ensemble cast composed of exciting Broadway stars and Pittsburgh CLO veterans.

World-renowned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Vocalist, Barbara Morrison will present top talent in The 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival to be performed on two stages at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC), 4305 Degnan Boulevard, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90036 tonight, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

World-renowned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Vocalist, Barbara Morrison will present top talent in The 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival to be performed on two stages at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC), 4305 Degnan Boulevard, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90036 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

When the national touring production of WEST SIDE STORY made its way to the OHIO THEATER last night, I embraced the opportunity to re-visit this 1957 Arthur Laurents' adaptation of Shakespeare's 'ROMEO AND JULIET' and experience the delight of what is truly timeless about classic musical theater.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) has announced the nominees for the 26th Annual MAC Awards. The winners will be announced live at the MAC Awards Show on Thursday, March 29th, at the world-famous B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Don Gregory, has announced the full company for the new Broadway production of Mary Chase's Harvey starring Jim Parsons (Elwood P. Dowd), Jessica Hecht (Veta Louise Simmons), Charles Kimbrough (William R. Chumley, M.D.), Larry Bryggman (Judge Omar Gaffney), Carol Kane (Betty Chumley), Peter Benson (E.J. Lofgren), Tracee Chimo (Myrtle Mae Simmons), Holley Fain (Ruth Kelly, R.N.), Angela Paton (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet), Rich Sommer (Duane Wilson), Morgan Spector (Lyman Sanderson, M.D.) and directed by Scott Ellis.