Carousel - 2015 - Chicago Articles Page 20

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final extension of its latest production, Memphis. Memphis must close Saturday, June 16, following that evening's 8 p.m. performance. Now playing through June 16 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, features  book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan and  is directed by Daryl D.  Brooks, assistant directed and choreographed by Christopher Carter, music directed by Jermaine Hill and assistant choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins.

Prospect Theater Company (Cara Reichel, Producing Artistic Director / Melissa Huber, Managing DIrector) is pleased to announce the line-up of performers for its 2018 Spring Gala event, to be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 from 6 - 10pm at Manhattan Penthouse (80 Fifth Avenue at 14th Street).

Decca Gold is proud to announce the forthcoming release of Sing Happy, the live performance of the New York Philharmonic's 2018 Spring Gala starring Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald. Recorded live on May 1 at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, the recording represents McDonald's first collaboration with Decca Gold - as well as her first solo recording with full orchestra.

Brush off your tiara and unleash your inner princess with Broadway's original Cinderella, Belle, and Jasmine! Hosted by two-time, Tony-nominated star, Laura Osnes (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella) and her own Fairy Godfairy, Benjamin Rauhala (musical director extraordinaire), and joined by pals Susan Egan (Tony-nominated for Disney's Beauty and the Beast and voice of 'Meg' in Hercules) and Courtney Reed (original star of Disney's Aladdin on Broadway), you are cordially invited to a Royal Ball filled with stories, sparkle and a bit of sass. Your every dream will come true as three knockout voices sing the petticoats off of every princess song in the book!

The 2018 Tony nominations were announced this morning. If you haven't checked them out yet, what are you waiting for?! CLICK HERE to check out a full list of this year's nominees, and HERE for reactions from the lucky few!

As the final show of Season 42, San Diego Repertory Theatre presents The Hershey Felder Production of Nathan Gunn - Flying Solo, written and directed by Hershey Felder.  The show runs May 23-June 10, 2018, with the press opening on Friday, May 25 at 8pm on the Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza.

Earlier today, Jane Krakowski and Tituss Burgess announced the nominations for the 63rd Annual Drama Desk Awards.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces that due to audience demand Memphis is now extended through Sunday, June 10, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Casting is announced for two REPRISE 2.0 productions with two Tony Award leading actress nominees: Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde - Tony Nomination, Hairspray, Anger Management) is to play Charity in Sweet Charity, directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall from June 20 to July 1, and Carmen Cusack (Bright Star - Tony Nomination, Wicked) is to play Victoria Grant in Victor/Victoria directed by Richard Israel and choreographed by John Todd from September 5 to 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, concludes its 2017/18 season with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse production of The Originalist by John Strand, directed by Molly Smith with Associate Director Seema Sueko, and featuring Edward Gero as Antonin Scalia. The Originalist runs May 10 - June 10, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:00pm.

Award-winning pioneer playwright Qui Nguyen brilliantly chronicles the love story of his parents' meeting in an Arkansas refugee center after fleeing Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975. It's a buddy story, an all-American romance, and a motorcycle road-trip adventure that reexamines how we think about the heroes and victims of the Vietnam War. Vietgone skips through time and roams the globe with snarky humor, hip-hop, and lots of sex. It's one ironic, foul-mouthed, bad-ass new play.

Rock super group Roadcase Royale's Nancy Wilson, one of the founding members of legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart, and Liv Warfield, former Prince's New Power Generation band member/R&B singer, join rock icon Slash, renowned pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, the L.A. All-Star Band led by Music Director Martin Guigui, and others to headline an extraordinary 'Concert For Conservation' at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association BEASTLY BALL on Saturday, May 19, 2018, 5:30 pm, at the L.A. Zoo, a leader in the preservation of some of the world's most critically endangered species and their habitats. Showcasing the enormous impact the Zoo has on animal conservation both locally and internationally, this year's signature fundraiser takes place on the heels of national Endangered Species Day to underscore the Zoo's commitment to saving animals from extinction. The Ball honors animal expert/conservationist Jack Hanna and features a rare after-hours stroll through the Zoo with special animal experiences, including animal feedings, keeper chats and up close interactions; the debut of a conservation mural by artist/Beautify Earth Co-Founder Ruben Rojas; bountiful fare from some of L.A.'s most popular restaurants; a mobile-bidding silent auction and more. Guests are invited to dress in 'safari casual' attire. Honorary Chair Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, is joined by Honorary Committee members Slash, Lance Bass, Jackie Chan, Heather Mycoskie and Pauley Perrette. Beastly Ball Chair is GLAZA Trustee Tyler Kelley. Considered the 'wildest' party in town, the Ball has been lauded as 'one of the best parties in Los Angeles' (KCBS/KCAL TV News) and 'one the most important fund-raisers' (Los Angeles Times).

American Blues Theater concludes its 2017-2018 Season with BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lily-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story runs April 27 - May 26, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. 

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson announced the complete casting and programming for the company's 2018 Summer Festival, which will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26th through July 15th at venues throughout the region. Single tickets, as well as subscription packages, are on sale now at www.operasaratoga.org.

What does it mean to be a woman in the times of the #metoo and #timesup movements? What would our historical sisters have to say about it? From Sappho and Hildegard von Bingen to present day, this classical cabaret explores some of the innermost thoughts, desires, dreams, and experiences of women through music and poetry. Opera on Tap makes its' Flea debut as an Anchor Partner, presenting a diverse program of classical song in their signature fresh, heartfelt, and entertaining style.  

Due to a scheduling conflict, performances of The Broadway Princess Party-starring two- time Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Bonnie & Clyde), Tony Award nominee Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Courtney Reed (Aladdin, In The Heights) and music director Benjamin Rauhala-have been moved to Saturday, June 2 (8 p.m.) and Sunday, June 3 (5 p.m.). Customers who purchased tickets for Friday, June 1 will be moved to another performance or issued a refund.

When Opera Philadelphia's inaugural Festival O launched the present season, the opera world responded with a standing ovation, welcoming it as 'one of the most enjoyable additions to the fall calendar in years'

Me and My Girl, the final production of the Encores! at 25 season at New York City Center will star Christian Borle, Suzzanne Douglas, Mark Evans, Harriet Harris, Edward Hibbert, John Horton, Simon Jones, Laura Michelle Kelly, Lisa O'Hare, Ken Page, and Don Stephenson.

Shakespeare Theatre Company today announces the cast of Lerner and Loewe's multiple Tony Award-winning musical Camelot. Directed by STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul (Kiss Me, Kate; Man of La Mancha), the classic musical will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St NW) from May 22 through July 1, concluding STC's 2017-2018 mainstage season.

When Opera Philadelphia's inaugural Festival O launched the present season, the opera world responded with a standing ovation, welcoming it as "one of the most enjoyable additions to the fall calendar in years"

Last night at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, the acoustically perfect Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. Concert Hall was host to one of the most beautiful voices on the planet...that of five time Tony-Award winner Audra McDonald.

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will hold its annual Spring Gala at New York's Metropolitan Club (1 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022) on Thursday evening, April 5, 2018, starting at 6:00 pm. The organization will honor renowned opera singer and recitalist Stephanie Blythe with the NYCHORAL Music Excellence Award for her contributions to the musical profession, as well as Sylvia R. Hoisington who is celebrating her 50th season with the chorus. Produced in partnership with the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, the evening's showcase performance will feature soprano Amanda Majeski and tenor Ben Bliss, both of whom will be participating in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Cosi fan tutte from March 15 to April 9, 2018. Members of the NYCHORAL Chamber Ensemble will also perform. The evening will feature a silent auction of unique items and experiences. The program is as follows:

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will hold its annual Spring Gala at New York's Metropolitan Club (1 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022) on Thursday evening, April 5, 2018, starting at 6:00 pm.

Five principal dancers from the New York City Ballet, including 2017 Tony nominee Robert Fairchild, will grace the Koger Center stage April 15, as the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance presents the 13th Annual Ballet Stars of New York Gala Performance.

Paying tribute to The Great American Songbook and composers such as Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin, Berlin and the likes, Audra started off with 'When Did I Fall In Love' from Fiorello. Pausing before the next song to appreciate Florida's warm and sunny weather, Audra joked that the North has had so many nor' easters that she was losing her color. That got quite a belly laugh and applause from her fans, and it was a good lead in to 'It Might As Well Be Spring' from State Fair. Audra had some fun with 'I Double Dare You' and 'The Facebook Song'. Her smooth vocals took us to a sultry night in the south with 'Summertime' and left the audience astounded with 'I Can't Stop Talking'. How does she move her mouth that fast?