Chapter Two

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present the third show of its 2023-2024 season, a transfer of the world premiere production from North Coast Rep of the irresistible comedy, THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR, written by Paul Slade Smith, adapted from Play at the Castle by Ferenc Molnár, and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. 

The Canadian Artists Network, the voice of Canada's experienced professional artists, will present its annual virtual conference Maintaining Creativity 8. Learn more about the chapters of the conference here!

“Times of Essence” features thought leaders, celebrities and culture defining influencers in the series, including: Ms. Oprah Winfrey, Oscar®-winning actresses Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg; Emmy®-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Regina Hall and Taye Diggs; Golden Globe®-winning actress Taraji P. Henson; and more.

Labeled as “a black comedy about white trash,”Sordid Lives, though by name sounds like an unsavory show, is in actuality an enjoyable hootenanny. The setting is July 1988 in small-town Winters, Texas and everyone’s lives have been upturned by the peculiar passing of family matriarch, Peggy. Peggy was a good Christian woman who hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover’s wooden legs in a motel room.The show chronicles the lives of Peggy’s family and associates from the time of her passing to her funeral as everyone tries to make sense of the nonsensical death.

CONVERSE BASIN is the moniker of California-based DJ and producer James Converse. CONVERSE BASIN sings, plays guitar, and has been a house DJ for 20 years, drawing from a wide variety of influences to fuse his passions for dance, techno, electronic, and indie music. The debut CONVERSE BASIN album OCEANS WILL NEVER KEEP US APART will drop in June.

A group of theatrical singer-songwriters are partnering with FRIGID New York to present the third installment of Don't Call Us Emerging: A Songwriters Concert (Saturday, June 3rd, 7pm at The Kraine Theatre).

 Governors Island Arts has announced a schedule of programming and exhibitions for the Island's peak summer season, including a range of events for locals and visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Curtis Productions will present private industry readings of “FINAL DAY? The Musical” with book, music & lyrics by Danny Curtis and music direction by Richard Danley. 

Two of Broadway’s most beloved performers, Anita Gillette and Penny Fuller, took to the stage at Birdland on Monday, April 17 for their latest song and story compilation: “Sin Twisters: The Next Frontier.”

Blessed Unrest, an award-winning physical theatre company, enters its 23rd season with a world premiere of MISCONCEPTIONS, a new play by the Emmy-nominated playwright Steve Wangh (The Laramie Project), directed by Jessica Burr.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present two-time Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk winner Gavin Lee – making his Birdland debut with his solo show “Steppin’ Out with Fred Astaire” – on Monday, May 29 at 7:00 PM.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this April with a full slate of nightly performances! See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets!

BIRDLAND THEATER will present an evening with Broadway veteran Sean McDermott – star of Falsettos, Starlight Express, Grease, and the original cast of Miss Saigon – on Monday, April 17 at 8:30 PM.

The Trust for Governors Island and the Friends of Governors Island today announced the Island's second annual Earth Day celebration, offering a day of free programming celebrating our shared connection with nature.

Up Here features an impressive lineup of Broadway stars, including Andréa Burns, Katie Finneran, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Aisha Jackson, Micaela Diamond, and more, performing new songs by EGOT winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen, “Coco,“ “WandaVision,” “Book of Mormon”). Watch the music videos now!

Neil Simon's The Star-Spangled Girl is a hilarious romantic comedy that has been making audiences laugh for decades. Originally premiering on Broadway in 1966, the play has remained a popular choice for theatres around the world.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present award-winning vocalist Karen Akers, who returns to the venue with the special evening “About Time,” on Monday, April 24 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present The Kinsey Sicks – America’s Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet – in the world premiere of “Drag Queen Storytime Gone WILD!” on Monday, April 10 at 8:30 PM.

The Trust for Governors Island and the Friends of Governors Island has announced the launch of an eggs-ceptional event, the Governors Island Egg Hunt, a new springtime celebration to be held for the first time on April 8, 2023, from 10:oo a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants will scramble to find the 10,000 wooden painted eggs hidden in areas throughout the Island, with Island-specific prizes and giveaways for the most hard-boiled egg hunters.  

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Anita Gillette and Penny Fuller – two of Broadway’s most beloved Tony Award-nominated performers – in their latest show “Sin Twisters: The Next Frontier” on Monday, April 17 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Karen Mason in an encore presentation of her show “Kander & Ebb… And All That Jazz” on Monday, March 20 at 7:00 PM.

From New Line Cinema comes “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” which continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!,” is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam. Check out photos of Zachary Levi, Rachel Zegler, Helen Mirren, and more now!

The series, from Warner Bros. Television and developed for television by filmmakers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti (“IT,” “IT Chapter Two”) and Jason Fuchs (“IT Chapter Two,” “Wonder Woman,” “Argylle”), is a prequel to the New Line global blockbuster “IT” films. Andy Muschietti will direct multiple episodes of the series.

“I haven’t laughed so much in my life,” the audience member me behind remarked as curtains drew to a close. A fellow patron to my right turned around and declared, “Neither have I!” The two instantly bonded over how much they loved SORDID LIVES, a self-proclaimed “black comedy about white trash” - the latest production from Encore! Performing Arts.

TRY shared a club-ready RAC remix of last month’s “Fire Sign” featuring Mikky Ekko. The track came complete with a vividly colored video directed by Sam on location in Mumbai, India, choreographed by Longinus Fernandes (Slumdog Millionaire).

Governors Island Arts and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council will co-host Governors Island’s second annual Winter Ice Sculpture Show. This one-of-a-kind event will take place on Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 2 to 5p.m. at the Governors Island Winter Village.

Folsom's Harris Center for the Arts has announced two exciting new shows for our 2022-2023 season. Tickets for both of these additional events will be on sale to the general public on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 12:00 PM. Tickets are currently on sale for previously confirmed shows mentioned later in this release.

The 92nd Street Y, New York School of Music has announced new guests for their popular virtual interview series, Cabaret Conversations, now in its third year. Led by award-winning cabaret historian and performer Michael Kirk Lane, the series was the recipient of the 2022 Manhattan Association of Cabaret Award for Best Virtual Presentation.

The newest lineup of cabaret stars that will chat with Michael Kirk Lane for 92Y has been announced and it's a doozy.

A group of theatrical singer-songwriters are partnering with FRIGID New York to present the second installment of Don't Call Us Emerging: A Songwriters Concert (Monday, December 12th, 8pm at The Kraine Theatre); an evening of original material performed by the writers themselves.

Mirroring the Heart of Heaven and Earth: Ideals and Images in the Chinese Study, an exhibition designed by New York-based firm OLI Architecture, has opened in the Palace Museum. Located in the center of the 72-hectare complex in the Forbidden City, built in the fifteenth century, the museum houses one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts, calligraphy, paintings, and porcelain. Working closely with curators at The Palace Museum, OLI Architecture has created a space that brings together art and objects spanning from antiquity to contemporary art within the historical architecture.

Broadway World Cabaret is looking at the work of some artists who are, most definitely, THE CLASSICS.

Boca Stage opens the 2022/2023 season with a mesmerizing new play, The Thin Place by Obie Award winner Lucas Hnath. Heaven and Earth, the Celtic saying goes, are only three feet apart, but in “thin places” that distance is even shorter. Boca Stage has assembled an extraordinary cast of accomplished actors to bring this haunting tale to life. 

The Washington Stage Guild will kick off its 2022-2023 season, a “Season of Transitions,” with The Good Doctor by Neil Simon, adapted from the stories of Anton Chekhov, directed by founding member Laura Giannarelli.

Little Known Facts is a weekly podcast hosted by stage and film actress Ilana Levine. The latest episode features Marsha Mason, who discussed her career and more. Mason discussed how her career kickstarted with The Good Doctor, written by Neil Simon, whom she met and ended up marrying. She also discussed the iconic film The Goodbye Girl, also written by Simon.

Studio Theatre has announced the cast of the upcoming Will Arbery production, Heroes of the Fourth Turning. The play, which The New York Times called “Astonishing and riveting,” is a semi-surrealistic portrait of young people on the political right at a pivotal moment in America and in their lives.

The film stars Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary, The Usual Suspects), Thomas Jane (The Expanse, “Hung,” Boogie Nights), Isaiah Mustafa (It Chapter Two, “Shadowhunters”), Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect franchise, “True Blood”), Aimee Garcia (“Woke,” “Lucifer,” “Dexter”), Emma Kenney (“The Conners,” “Shameless”), and more.

Two legendary Broadway stars stormed the Birdland stage on Monday night, and photographer Kevin Alvey was there to catch the fun.  The famed music room was thrilled to present leading lady Anita Gillette in concert with iconic song-and-dance man Lee Roy Reams on Monday, June 13. Check out photos from the night!

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Tony Award winner Linda Lavin in a special concert celebrating her most recent solo album, Love Notes, on Monday, June 27 at 7:00 PM. Ms. Lavin will be joined on stage (as on the album) by her longtime collaborator, pianist and singer Billy Stritch.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are proudly open this June with a full slate of nightly performances! At Birdland Jazz Club, catch the Liebman, Brecker, Copland Quintet, Greg Ruvolo Big Band, Yellowjackets, Terraza Big Band, Anita Gillette and Lee Roy Reams, Frank Catalano Quartet, Danilo Perez & His Global Messengers, New London Big Band, Stacey Kent, Ron Aprea Big Band, Linda Lavin and Tuck & Patti.

Drury Lane Theatre announces the cast for its production of the empowering story of love and friendship, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller. Due to demand, Steel Magnolias has been extended and now runs June 10 – August 7, 2022, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present a historic evening with two legendary Broadway stars Anita Gillette and Lee Roy Reams for the first time on Monday, June 13 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter Liam Forde – celebrating the release of his first album Great to Be Here – on Monday, June 13 at 8:30 PM.

For one night only Broadway royalty Anita Gillette and Lee Roy Reams will regale Birdland audiences with stories and songs.

TFANA has extended the run of Alice Childress’s Wedding Band, directed by Awoye Timpo, to May 22. (The production, which began previews April 28—postponed from an original date of April 23 due to two COVID-19 cases—was formerly set to close May 15).

Boundless Tuesdays, featuring Eleanor Rigby Is Waiting by award-winning author David James Parr and live music performance from singer-songwriter Hadiza Dockeray and her band, plays its final sold-out performance, presented as The Closure Experience, today, Tuesday, May 10th at 6:30pm at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre Space (61 Christopher Street).

An inside look at the inaugural Boundless Tuesdays installation series. Boundless Theater (A Stage Without Borders) is presenting the play Eleanor Rigby Is Waiting by award-winning author David James Parr and live music performance from singer-songwriter Hadiza Dockeray and her band.

Four time Academy Award-nominated actor and director Marsha Mason co-directs and stars in Hartford Stage's forthcoming production of Neil Simon's classic comedy Lost in Yonkers. The production, which is co-directed by Hartford Stage Artistic Producer Rachel Alderman, runs April 7 through May 1, 2022.

Get a first look at photos from the inaugural Boundless Tuesdays installation series from Boundless Theater (A Stage Without Borders), featuring David James Parr’s play Eleanor Rigby Is Waiting and live music performance from singer-songwriter Hadiza Dockeray and her band.

Lost in Yonkers Finds Standing Ovation at Hartford Stage Opening Night Hartford Stage presents Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Lost in Yonkers, featuring four-time Academy Award-nominated, two-time Golden Globe Award winner, Emmy Award-nominated actor and director Marsha Mason (co-director and performing as Grandma Kurnitz), running April 7 - May 1, 2022.