Carousel - 2015 - Chicago Articles Page 17

Producer Mark Cortale will present historic six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald with Sirius XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky as music director and host, on Sunday, Jan. 20th for Broadway @ The Herbst, direct from their critically acclaimed performance at Town Hall in New York City. The unique format of this show that differentiates it from any other is a seamless mix of intimate behind-the-scenes stories prompted by Rudetsky's insightful, funny and revealing questions - and the music from McDonald's legendary career. The Broadway @ The Herbst series will be raising funds this season for San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Project Open Hand and Sandy Hook Promise.

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), recent recipient of the Weissberg Foundation's 2016-2019 Fund for Diversity in Theater to engage and expand new voices and audiences in DC-area theatres, announces its commitment to a goal of 50% people of color representation (artists, designers and technicians) in its professional theatre season to better reflect the diversity of our audiences and community. This commitment is part of its EDI initiatives which includes a new Fellowship program for Assistant Directors who are people of color and working with a consensus organizer on its production of Huckleberry Finn's Big River. Recognizing a need in the industry for equity and diversity and to reflect the highly diverse DC and Montgomery County area, Adventure Theatre MTC has already upheld this commitment with its current production of Blueberries for Sal cast and creative team.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Georgetown University celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a free, ticketed musical tribute titled Let Freedom Ring!

Exploring the breadth and depth of artistry within American ballet, the Kennedy Center's Ballet Across America series returns May 28-June 2 for seven performances in the Opera House. This season's engagement features deeper looks at companies led by distinguished Artistic Directors Virginia Johnson and Lourdes Lopez with their respective companies, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) and Miami City Ballet (MCB). Each company will present a full program while a one-night-only celebration on May 31 features a shared program that includes both companies in a world premiere Kennedy Center commission by renowned choreographer Pam Tanowitz.

What might you expect if you find yourself caught up in the spectacle of the Broadway Princess Party's festivities at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre today, November 16? A theatrical concert like none other, predicts Laura Osnes, one of the three aforementioned princesses of the Great White Way who will bring their magical blend of entertainment, theatrical revelry, onstage magic - and pure, unadulterated pleasure (and boatloads of fun, we suspect) - to Music City for a one-night stand that promises to leave audiences feeling 'transported, enchanted, empowered and inspired.'

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.

What might you expect if you find yourself caught up in the spectacle of the Broadway Princess Party's festivities at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre on Friday, November 16? A theatrical concert like none other, predicts Laura Osnes, one of the three aforementioned princesses of the Great White Way who will bring their magical blend of entertainment, theatrical revelry, onstage magic - and pure, unadulterated pleasure (and boatloads of fun, we suspect) - to Music City for a one-night stand that promises to leave audiences feeling 'transported, enchanted, empowered and inspired.'

The Cher Show begins previews tonight, Thursday, November 1, 2018 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Rehearsals have begun for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of the beloved musical Annie, which plays this holiday season from November 23 - December 30, 2018. The 5th is excited to introduce Visesia Fakatoufifita of Tacoma, WA, and Faith Young of Kent, WA, who make their 5th Avenue Theatre debuts alternating the title role.

A whole lot happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in, and Wicked has been telling that story to Broadway audiences for 15 years at the Gershwin Theatre. The milestone won't go by uncelebrated, as in just days, NBC will throw a joyous Halloween party for the ages, featuring songs from the blockbuster musical hit and a cavalcade of special guest stars, including Tony Award winners Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Additional guest performers include Ariana Grande, Adam Lambert, Ledisi, Pentatonix and the current Broadway company of 'Wicked.' 'A Very Wicked Halloween' airs tonight, October 29th at 10PM ET/PT on NBC.

The internationally acclaimed Broadway @ concert series hosted and music directed by SiriusXM Radio Star Seth Rudetsky is finally landing smack dab in the middle of Broadway itself this fall. kicking-off with legendary Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winner Audra McDonald on November 12.  

The Minty Organization for the Performing Arts, the non-profit which oversees The Minty Awards, has announced honorees for the 6th Minty Awards Dinner Gala to be held Thursday, January 17 at 7:00pm at Nicotra's Ballroom, The Hilton Garden Inn.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is pleased to announce the participation of several outstanding singers in the Renee Fleming 25th Anniversary Concert & Gala*, to honor and celebrate American soprano Renee Fleming's extraordinary commitment to Chicago and her unparalleled contributions to our art form.

Continuing its 40th Anniversary Season, Second Stage Theater has announced complete casting for the world premiere musical, SUPERHERO.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce final casting for the 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS along with The Songwriters Showcase and Midday Cabarets. The FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Festival events kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30! a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

The Angel Band Project presents, 'An Evening with Norbert Leo Butz & Friends - A Benefit to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence', Monday, November 12, 2018 at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, New York City, NY, two-sets, 7:00pm and 10pm. This one-night only event will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay

Steven Pasquale and Kerry Washington alongside Eugene Lee and Jeremy Jordan are gearing up to star in the new Broadway play American Son, beginning performances today, Saturday, October 6. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) today announced the 2018 honorees to be recognized at the 21st annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival, taking place Oct. 27-Nov. 3. Now the largest university-run film festival in the country, the annual tribute to excellence in film has screened over 110 Oscar-nominated films and honored over 80 legendary actors, directors, producers, writers and filmmakers from around the world.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced initial casting for the 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director), recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2016, launches its 80th milestone season with The Color Purple, directed by Tony Award-winner John Doyle. The Color Purple is the Tony Award-winning musical revival based upon the novel written by Alice Walker and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment motion picture with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Cast members from the 2015 Broadway revival lead the Paper Mill Playhouse company, including Adrianna Hicks (Aladdin, Sister Act - Germany) as Celie, Carla R. Stewart (Ghost - National Tour, Rent - Regional) as Shug Avery and Carrie Compere (Holler If You Hear Me, Shrek the Musical - National Tour) as Sofia.

Broadway concert series, hosted by Seth Rudetsky, will return to San Francisco. Kicking off the series will be Ramin Karimloo followed by Audra McDonald.

The Directors Company announces the world premiere of My Parsifal Conductor, a new play by Allan Leicht. Performances will begin on September 25 and will run through November 3 at the Marjorie S. Deane Theater at the West Side YMCA

The internationally acclaimed Broadway @ concert series hosted and music directed by Sirius XM Radio Star Seth Rudetsky is finally landing smack dab in the middle of Broadway itself this fall.

American Blues Theater announces encore performance run of BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story will close as planned on May 26, 2018 and reopen June 29 - September 15, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets will be on sale for the encore run on May 15, 2018.

It was today announced that Lara Pulver, Stephen Mangan, Sharon D. Clarke and Paul Nicholas will join the cast of Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall. Pulver who recently won an Olivier Award for her performance in Gypsy, and is known for her roles in Sherlock and Spooks, will play Sarah Brown. Stephen Mangan, who was in the West End earlier this year in an anniversary production of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, joins the cast as the narrator. Clarke, most recently on stage in acclaimed Caroline, or Change, will take the role of General Cartwright and Nicholas will be Arvide Abernathy. They join previously announced cast including Adrian Lester, Jason Manford, Meow Meow, Clive Rowe and Joe Stilgoe. Guys and Dolls will come to the iconic London venue for three performances between 19 - 20 October, directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear (Gypsy, Hello Dolly!, Mary Poppins) and featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. This will be the first time it has ever been presented in its entirety at the venue.