Five Course Love - 2005 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 8

"There's a quote from Thornton Wilder that I love. He writes, 'Anyone can make a comedy which is cruel; it is very hard to make a comedy which is kind. To give a fellow feeling between young and old - that's art. HELLO, DOLLY! is one of those old gems. It has some of the best of the best material in all of musical theatre." Actor Matt Gibson is enthusing about his upcoming performances as Cornelius Hackl in Maine State Music Theatre's HELLO, DOLLY!, which runs from July 17 - August 3 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. "He might be my favorite character in the traditional canon," Gibson says of the innocent young man from Yonkers. Gibson has played the part twice before at the Virginia Music Theatre and Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatres, and he is thrilled to revisit the role in Maine, where he is just finishing a run of TREASURE ISLAND, playing the ill-fated sailor, Mr. O'Brien.

 11th Hour Theatre Company has announced an exciting 15th Anniversary season. The only company in the city dedicated to producing all musicals has created a line-up of two Next Step Concerts of rarely produced musicals and a Mainstage musical years in the making. The season kicks off with a concert version of William Finn and James Lapine's Falsettos.  Then the company starts 2020 with a bang and a concert of Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice's Chess. In the Spring, 11th Hour tackles a musical it has been hoping to produce for years: John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's sensation Hedwig and the Angry Inch. 11th Hour is also introducing a new series of Musical Theatre Salons for this upcoming season as well, which are exclusive member's only events featuring intimate conversations with some of Philadelphia's most well-known musical theatre talents. Subscriptions are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Dove Cameron THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Broadway-Bound TEA AT FIVE, Andrew Keenan-Bolger LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and More!

The French Institute Alliance Fran aise (FIAF), New York's premier French cultural and language center, today announced the 2019 Crossing the Line Festival, featuring 11 performances and a gallery exhibition from a geographically, generationally, and artistically diverse group of artists whose work transcends genres and boundaries. All performances are world, US, or New York premieres; they are united by their convention-breaking fearlessness as they confront topics from social injustice to personal demons. Many of the performances pay homage to legendary artists of our time and previous eras, while the theme of migration and its transformational effects on identity informs several others. The festival runs from September 12 to October 12. Ticket are available at crossingtheline.org.

Despite its general pleasant nature, many cute moments, and a plethora of genuine talent on stage, this stage musical adaptation of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY---Roald Dahl's beloved 1964 children's novel about a sweet, affable kid who wins a meet-and-greet (and more!) with an eccentric Candy Man named Willy Wonka--- comes off less magical and whimsical than one would hope it would be considering its source material. Is this national tour production---now continuing performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through June 9---joyful enough for kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy? Sure. But, overall, something about it feels just slightly under-baked, as if all the additional necessary ingredients that would have made this musical extraordinary didn't quite make it into the mix.

Sergio Trujillo has been dazzling Broadway audiences with his fancy footwork for hit musicals like Memphis, Jersey Boys, On Your Feet! The Emilio and Gloria Estefan Musical and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. The Columbia-born choreographer's latest, Ain't Too Proud-The Life and Times of The Temptations is another crowd-and-critics pleaser and has been nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including a nod for Trujillo in the Best Choreography category.

It was 2002 when Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott premiered Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS Off-Broadway. They had worked together before that, however, in 1997 in the Broadway cast of RENT. If their joint concert at Feinstein's/54 Below on April 26-May 2 is to be believed, theirs has been a tumultuous relationship.

When it comes to developing a loyal fan base, Troubadour Theater Company has found the secret: do outstanding work, stay true to your aesthetic, and give the people what they want - a great time at the theater. Artistic Director Matt Walker started the troupe and, with the help of longtime friend and foil, Beth Kennedy, continues to lead his merry band into the great theatrical unknown. Next up for the company is JULIUS WEEZER, which combines Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR and the music of Weezer to tell its tale of political intrigue Troubie style. Today, they talk about what it's like putting together a new show and why they keep on coming back for more.

Today, Calexico and Iron & Wine added new shows to the previously announced UK, European and North American dates, including stops in Philadelphia, Austin, Los Angeles and more. See all dates and on sale info below.

Accept an invitation to a grand adventure when Children's Theatre Company (CTC) of Minneapolis produces a condensed, world premiere version of J.R.R, Tolkien's "The Hobbit." The popular novel, which happens to be a best selling children's book of all time, has remained in print since being published in 1937. This classic, literary legend will be transformed by British actor, director and playwright Greg Banks, who travelled from his home in the Cotswolds, England, just north of Bath, to frigid and then spring-like Minnesota so he could direct the production. From his cozy, Cotswolds environment, Banks' renown hails from rewriting literary classics into a condensed version where the story shines, especially in theater for young audiences.

Calexico and Iron & Wine today announce Years to Burn, their first full–length album together, available June 14th via City Slang in the UK/Europe and Sub Pop in the rest of the world. A lead track entitled “Father Mountain” has been shared HERE and an extensive North American, European, and UK tour has been announced with more dates to be added in the coming weeks. See all dates below.

A mother's love knows no boundaries... After a five-year self-imposed absence, Julio Cesar, a young man with a buried secret, returns home after the death of his father.  Over the course of two evenings, mother and son, two estranged generations of Dominicans living on New York's Upper West Side, attempt to rekindle the love and appreciation for each other and their roots. However, unexpected revelations threaten to destroy an already thin bond between mother and child in Dominican-American Marco Antonio Rodriguez's riveting award-winning comedy/drama Ashes of Light  ("La Luz de un Cigarrillo") performed in English (sprinkled with Spanish) for the first time in New York. 

The McCallum Theatre presents The Irish Rovers on Friday, March 8, at 8:00pm. Throughout the years, these international ambassadors of Irish music have maintained their timeless ability to deliver a rollicking, rousing performance of good cheer - one that will have you singing and clapping along. Their songs have become anthems of revelry and joy among generation after generation of fans. Don't miss your chance to hear this iconic band once again!

The Original Theatre Company (OTC), under the Artistic Direction of Alastair Whatley, announces its most ambitious season yet, with an original commission (Caroline's Kitchen), a European premiere (Napoli, Brooklyn), a first revival (The Night Watch) and a 30th anniversary production and first revival (Valued Friends).

Lori Sokol, Executive Director of Women's eNews, today announced the Host, Honorary Gala Chair, and Honorary Gala Co-Chairs for the 19th annual '21 Leaders for the 21st Century' Awards gala, which will take place on May 6th at Club 101 in New York City.

Incoming Artistic Director Simon Godwin today announces Shakespeare Theatre Company's 2019-2020 Season. Godwin's debut season highlights his artistic aspirations for the company to create high quality, exciting, inclusive theatre. Godwin states, This is not my season, but ours, everybody's season.

A mother's love knows no boundaries... After a five-year self-imposed absence, Julio Cesar, a young man with a buried secret, returns home after the death of his father.  Over the course of two evenings, mother and son, two estranged generations of Dominicans living on New York's Upper West Side, attempt to rekindle the love and appreciation for each other and their roots. However, unexpected revelations threaten to destroy an already thin bond between mother and child in Dominican-American Marco Antonio Rodriguez's riveting award-winning comedy/drama Ashes of Light  ('La Luz de un Cigarrillo') performed in English (sprinkled with Spanish) for the first time in New York. 

Bay Area Cabaret welcomes back world-renowned guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli and singer Jessica Molaskey, a duo Time Magazine calls the "Astaire-Rodgers of the cabaret world." Bay Area Cabaret audiences will have the chance to see, or choose between, two varied programs:  The first, at 3:30 is a centennial tribute to Nat King Cole, a Venetian Room regular, whose work is celebrated on Mr. Pizzarelli's upcoming CD, Centenially Yours. The second show, American Stories, at 7:30, is a duo show by John and his talented wife Jessica that debuted at Cafe Carlyle and features an eclectic mix of music by George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Paul Simon, Stephen Sondheim, Stevie Nicks and the couple's signature mashups and medleys. Aligned both in their love of the American Songbook and their desire to expand and present it to new audiences, Bay Area Cabaret and John Pizzarelli and his wife Jessica enjoy a partnership that reaches back well over a decade.

2018 saw Nevill Holt Opera open their stunning 400-seat theatre designed by Stirling Prize winning architects Witherford Watson Mann in conjunction with theatre designers Sound Space Vision, acclaimed as a place that can make opera feel fresh and alive (The Observer).

Dance maker Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers in Manhattan on May 30, 1954. That modest performance marked the beginning of 64 years of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Mr. Taylor became a cultural icon and one of American history's most celebrated artists, hailed as part of the pantheon that created American modern dance. The Paul Taylor Dance Company will make its ninth appearance at the Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson, Texas on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $39 and are available at www.eisemanncenter.com.

A mother's love knows no boundaries... After a five-year self-imposed absence, Julio Cesar, a young man with a buried secret, returns home after the death of his father.  Over the course of two evenings, mother and son, two estranged generations of Dominicans living on New York's Upper West Side, attempt to rekindle the love and appreciation for each other and their roots. However, unexpected revelations threaten to destroy an already thin bond between mother and child in Dominican-American Marco Antonio Rodriguez's riveting award-winning comedy/drama Ashes of Light  ("La Luz de un Cigarrillo") performed in English (sprinkled with Spanish) for the first time in New York. 

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, returns to Carnegie Hall for four concerts in March in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. The first two programs, conducted by Ádam Fischer, include Bartok's Two Pictures and Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3 and Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" on Saturday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m. Maestro Fisher returns the following afternoon, Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m. with Haydn's Symphony No. 97 and Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, 'Turkish' featuring Leonidas Kavakos along with Mozart's Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter."

11th Hour Theatre Company kicks off the new year and presents its final Next Step Concert 18-19 season with a Next Step Concert presentation of Frank Wildhorn, Don Black, and Ivan Menchell's look at the infamous American couple, Bonnie and Clyde. This eclectic musical runs January 5-13. Official Media Opening is Sunday, January 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $36 (which includes a $4 service fee). $19 tickets are available online for Students and Industry. Tickets are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone 267-987-9865. All performances will take place at The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street.

The Canadian Opera Company announced today a new mainstage commission: The Old Fools by celebrated Montreal-based composer Ana Sokolovi? and seasoned British librettist Paul Bentley. La Reine-Garcon, first announced in 2015, is moving forward as a co-commission with the Opera de Montreal; it's the first mainstage collaboration of its kind between the two major Canadian opera companies and at its helm are two exceptional Canadian artists: Julien Bilodeau as composer and Michel Marc Bouchard as librettist.