Co-Optimists - 1925 - West End Articles Page 16

It's funny how many shows we've seen recently that bring to mind concepts evident in the current election season. In In the Heights, it was the plight of immigrants trying to make lives for themselves in America, in Amadeus, it was a lead character with an obsessive personality, and in Ragtime, it was a character who seeks justice for a racially-based assault. In David W. Rintels' one-man play, Clarence Darrow, which made its debut last weekend at the Rubicon Theatre Company, reexamines the life of a man whose philosophy of democratic socialism reflects the political philosophy of Democratic challenger, Senator Bernie Sanders.

Jazz pianist Aaron Diehl will join Music Director Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic for the 2016-17 season Opening Gala Concert, performing Gershwin's Concerto in F in his New York Philharmonic debut, Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. The concert launches the New York Philharmonic's 175th anniversary season and Music Director Alan Gilbert's farewell season with a program honoring the Philharmonic's legacy of premiering important works, particularly music connected to New York City. As previously announced, the concert will also feature the New York Premiere of John Corigliano's Stomp for Orchestra and Dvo?ak's Symphony No. 9, From the New World.

Theatre, dance, politics, music, photography, and multimedia art will intertwine during Theatre Junction GRAND's exciting 2016/2017 Season. It is also the 10th anniversary of Theatre Junction at The Grand and the 25th anniversary of Theatre Junction. 

An all-new edition of THEATER TALK shines the spotlight on Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, nominated for 10 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) at the Music Box Theatre - librettist/director George C. Wolfe (nominated for Best Book and Best Director of a Musical), Adrienne Warren (nominated as Best Featured Actress in a Musical in dual roles as Gertrude Saunders and Florence Mills) and Brandon Victor Dixon (nominated as Best Featured Actor in a Musical as composer Eubie Blake).  

Goodman Theatre Chair Joan Clifford previously announced the Alice will open today, May 18, in conjunction with the Goodman-curated citywide Celebration of Chicago native playwright Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, To Be Young, Gifted and Black).

Goodman Theatre announces Broadway stars John Dossett and Douglas Sills will join the cast of War Paint, a new musical starring two-time Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole as Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, respectively. Dossett will portray Tommy Lewis, Miss Arden's husband and chief marketing officer, and Sills will portray the ambitious Harry Fleming, Madame Rubinstein's clubby confidante and faithful ally.

Goodman Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, becomes the first Chicago theater to establish a facility dedicated to education and engagement programs next when it opens the new Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement ('the Alice') next month.

After the sold-out and award-winning success of The Day Shall Declare It in 2015, Wilderness returns to the Los Angeles Arts District to remount its immersive, site-specific theatre experience, opening Tuesday, May 10, 2016 and running through Sunday, June 19, 2016. The internationally acclaimed physical theatre piece weaves together dynamic movement with a collage of American labor literature from Tennessee Williams and Studs Terkel, exploring the concept of work in America: what it does for us - and what it does to us. Developed and co-directed by Annie Saunders and Sophie Bortolussi (Punchdrunk's Sleep No More), The Day Shall Declare It will run for a limited time, to audiences of only thirty people per show. The intimate performances will run six nights a week, Tuesday through Sunday, with doors opening at 8:00pm and performances beginning at 8:30pm. The 2016 version sees the addition of  "The Paradise," an exclusive pop-up bar with live music curated by Vagrant Bartenders. Wilderness, an experimental performance company that brings temporary theatrical experiences to vacant buildings awaiting redevelopment, presents this work in partnership with Ad Age Standout 2015 production company HeLo, and in association with Los Angeles Performance Practice and Imperial Art Studios. For more information, please visit http://thisisthewilderness.com.

On Today, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. at the fashion-forward Soho shoe boutique Fiorentini + Baker, Soldier Kane will play live (Soldier on violin and banjo, Kane on guitar and drums) in front of projections of Art Kane's groundbreaking photographs to celebrate the release of their new CD Soldier Kane on Mulatta Records as well as the success of the recently released Art Kane book from Reel Art Press.

Cleveland Play House's Centennial Season continues with MR. WOLF, an intense and compelling drama about faith, hope and healing.

On Wednesday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. at the fashion-forward Soho shoe boutique Fiorentini + Baker, Soldier Kane will play live (Soldier on violin and banjo, Kane on guitar and drums) in front of projections of Art Kane's groundbreaking photographs to celebrate the release of their new CD Soldier Kane on Mulatta Records as well as the success of the recently released Art Kane book from Reel Art Press.

Cleveland Play House's Centennial Season continues with MR. WOLF, an intense and compelling drama about faith, hope and healing.

This summer marks another historic milestone for the annual Bard SummerScape festival. For the first time since its founding, this season's focus is on the music and culture of Italy, with seven weeks of music, opera,theater, dance, film, and cabaret keyed to the theme of the 27th Bard Music Festival, "Puccini and His World." This intensive examination of the life and times of Giacomo Puccini opens a window onto Italy's rich musical heritage from Palestrina to Menotti, by way of the most popular and successful - yet, paradoxically, frequently critically underrated - opera composer of all time. Complementing the music festival, some of the Tuscan master's most compelling compatriots provide other key SummerScape highlights. These include a rare, fully staged production of Iris, a forerunner of Madama Butterfly by Puccini's close contemporary Pietro Mascagni; the world premiere of Demolishing Everything with Amazing Speed, four newly unearthed puppet plays from leading Italian Futurist Fortunato Depero, as reimagined by Dan Hurlin;the world premiere of Fantasque, a new ballet set to the music of Respighi and Rossini by John Heginbotham and Amy Trompetter; a film series on "Puccini and the Operatic Impulse in Cinema"; and the return of Bard's authentic and sensationally popularSpiegeltent,hosted by the inimitable Mx. Justin Vivian Bond. Taking place between July 1 and August 14 in the Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and other venues on Bard College's stunning Hudson River campus, SummerScape's 2016 offerings provide new opportunities to discover that, as Time Out New York puts it, "the experience of entering the Fisher Center and encountering something totally new is unforgettable and enriching." Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 15; click here for more information.

Interrobang Theatre Project is pleased to conclude its 2015-16 Season, exploring "Unnatural Disasters," with the Midwest premiere of the psychological drama THE NORTH POOL by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, directed by Co-Artistic Director James Yost*, playing May 27 - June 26, 2016 at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio 2), 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.interrobangtheatre.org, by calling (773) 935-6875 or in person at The Athenaeum Theatre Box Office. The press opening is Sunday, May 29 at 2 pm.

Robert Falls' and Seth Bockley's world premiere adaptation of Roberto Bolaño's famed novel, 2666, which has received extraordinary audience enthusiasm during previews, officially opens tonight, February 16, 2016.

Robert Falls' and Seth Bockley's world premiere adaptation of Roberto Bolaño's famed novel, 2666-which has received extraordinary audience enthusiasm during previews and officially opens tomorrow, February 16-has been extended. Four additional performances include March 17, 18 and 19 at 6:30pm and March 20 at 1pm. The 15-member all-Chicago ensemble cast remains unchanged during the added performances.

An epic global portrait of the modern world and the artist's role within it, 2666 by the late Chilean author/poet Roberto Bolaño appears in a world premiere stage adaptation at Goodman Theatre, by its Tony Award-winning Artistic Director Robert Falls and Playwright-in-Residence Seth Bockley.

Beloved and brilliant violinist Midori will be joining IRIS Orchestra, under the baton of Michael Stern, on stage at GPAC tonight, January 23, and at the new Sunday matinee tomorrow, January 24, sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners. A violin powerhouse since her teenage years, Midori reunites with Michael Stern and IRIS to perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. IRIS will also be performing Georges Bizet's Symphony in C and American composer, Elliot Carter's Symphony No. 1.

San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley and Music Director Nicola Luisotti today announced the Company's 2016–17 Season repertory and roster of international guest artists, conductors and creative teams scheduled to appear at the War Memorial Opera House, as well as initial programming for SF Opera Lab 2017 presentations at the Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera's Taube Atrium Theater. The Company's 94th Season will also mark Matthew Shilvock's inaugural year as San Francisco Opera's new general director, succeeding his mentor and internationally respected impresario, David Gockley, who will step down on July 31, 2016.

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre is excited to announce the third show in our Revelations Season: the witty and provocative MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION by George Bernard Shaw, the playwright of Pygmalion and Major Barbara.

Beloved and brilliant violinist Midori will be joining IRIS Orchestra, under the baton of Michael Stern, on stage at GPAC January 23 and at the new Sunday matinee onJanuary 24, sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners. A violin powerhouse since her teenage years, Midori reunites with Michael Stern and IRIS to perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. IRIS will also be performing Georges Bizet's Symphony in C and American composer, Elliot Carter's Symphony No. 1.

The first celebration of 2016 will be held at Old School Square Pavilion on Sunday, January 10, at 6 pm. GOOD VIBRATIONS will spotlight some of America's favorite classic rockers: Micky Dolenz of The Monkees; Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals; Mark Farner, founder of Grand Funk Railroad; Steve Augeri, the former lead singer of Journey; and John Cafferty and Michael 'Tunes' Antunes of the Beaver Brown Band, which was featured in the hit film Eddie & The Cruisers.

The three-time Emmy Award-winning All-Star Orchestra, under the direction of renowned conductor Gerard Schwarz, returns to public television with a new season of four episodes featuring Mr. Schwarz's 'all-star' team of top orchestral musicians, including prominent principal players from over 30 major U.S. orchestras

The National Theatre Conference (NTC), an organization founded in 1925 that meets annually in New York to discuss relevant issues in today's theatre community and to celebrate outstanding achievement in the American theatre, has named the recipients of its 2015 awards. HowlRound Director Polly Carl has been named Person of the Year; the Illusion Theater in Minneapolis, under its co-producing directors Michael Robins and Bonnie Morris, is the recipient of the Outstanding Theatre Award; and playwright Jessica Dickey has been selected as the winner of the Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award. All three will be honored and presented with their awards and hold discussions with the membership at The Players club during NTC's annual meeting in New York, December 4-6, 2015.

Every Tuesday, eager cartoonists line up outside the office of New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to show off their work. After he sifts through thousands of submissions, the magazine ends up buying and publishing about 15 each week.