Forty-Deuce - 1981 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 3

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this July with a full slate of nightly performances! 

BIRDLAND THEATER will present the return of Carole J. Bufford in the world premiere of her new show “Divine Decadence” for a special six-performance engagement from Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23 with shows each night at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present the return of The Billy Stritch Trio for a special six-show engagement from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16, with shows each night at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

The reissue includes the original 10-track album, the previously unreleased August 12,1982 concert from The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA as well as the recently unearthed and previously unreleased 12-minute Clubland Extended Remix of his classic song “White Wedding” from Idol’s debut. Pre-order and pre-save now!

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Broadway’s newest sensation Julie Benko – in “Julie Sings Jule,” a concert celebrating the songs of Jule Styne – on Monday, July 24 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present powerhouse vocalist Nicole Henry on Monday, July 10 at 7:00 PM.

92NY is celebrating Pride 2023 with new classes and talks in June!

Fresh off a performance at Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, rock legend Billy Idol confirms a new run of headline shows in August and September. The dates include debut performances at New York City’s Kings Theatre, D.C.’s The Anthem and Boston’s MGM Music Hall as well as an appearance at Jazz Aspen Snowmass with the Foo Fighters.

City Lit Producer and Artistic Director Terry McCabe announced that the theatre’s 2023-2024 season—its forty-third—will be his last on its staff. 

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of “The Brat Pack” — featuring Broadway stars Kathryn Allison, Sam Gravitte, Luke Hawkins, and Jelani Remy – on Monday, June 12 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present renowned pianist and singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli in the return of their special show “Mel and Ella Swing!” on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 PM.

Following the establishment of The Sean Connery Foundation in 2022 by the estate of Sir Sean Connery, the Foundation has announced four new grantees across Scotland.

Fort Wayne Youtheatre has presented its 2023 Harvey c*cks Lifetime Achievement Award to the one-and-only Julia Meek.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the New York solo concert debut of Brittney Johnson – who made history as the first Black actress to play “Glinda” in Broadway’s Wicked – on Monday, May 1 at 7:00 PM.

The once in a lifetime concert, which featured special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt), was filmed for a forthcoming concert film produced by Lastman Media and scheduled for theatrical release through Encore Nights later this year. Further details on the film to come soon.

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.

Produced for release by Hallman, Grammy® nominee Randy Poe (also author of Buck ‘Em: The Autobiography Of Buck Owens), and multi-Grammy® winner Cheryl Pawelski, with Mastering and Restoration by multi-Grammy® winner Michael Graves, the release sounds as fresh as it did when it was first recorded.

A SOLDIER’S PLAY is a solid and well-structured play from Charles Fuller that explores the deep-seated roots of American racism. Centered on a Black regiment in 1944 Fort Neal, Louisiana, the play takes the form of a murder investigation when Captain Richard Davenport arrives on the scene following the death of Sergeant Vernon C. Waters. While Fuller’s 1981 play is no doubt an indictment of the racist systems embedded in the American military—and the country as a whole—the piece now feels prescient, rather than revelatory. I imagine that it must have been quite radical when it debuted over forty years ago, but now it reads like a reinforcement of the truth. It’s an effective one, and audiences who enjoy the procedural format will appreciate the play’s series of interviews and flashbacks. Director Kenny Leon’s production keeps it moving at a brisk pace, but neither material nor staging are groundbreaking.

“Forbidden Broadway” the musical parody performs on the actual indoor stage (not the Butterfield Stage) at Starlight Theatre in Swope Park in front of an audience of about 500 wildly amused patrons.    “Forbidden Broadway” is a thorough skewering of all those Broadway shows you’ve either seen or hoped to see.  Broadway sees its own reflection in a funhouse mirror and has a big belly laugh at its own expense.  

The Sherman Players will open their 2023 season with ON GOLDEN POND, written by Ernest Thompson and directed by Jane Farnol. The play will open on Friday, April 21 and run four weekends through May 13th at the Sherman Playhouse.

For four decades, Raleigh audiences have attended the vibrant performances of The North Carolina Theatre. Next May 2024, Raleigh’s premiere nonprofit professional theatre celebrates the BIG 4-0 Anniversary, so why wait to light the fireworks? Let the celebrations commence!

BIRDLAND THEATER will present George Abud and Katrina Lenk – who starred together in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Band’s Visit – in “Abud & Lenk: Swung” on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present Melissa Errico for a special Valentine’s week engagement of “A Noir Romance” with nine shows from Friday, February 10 through Tuesday, February 14. Performances are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM, Monday at 8:30 PM, and Tuesday at 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM.

Complete casting has been announced as rehearsals commence for Shucked, the new Broadway musical comedy. Check out all of the bios, ticket information and more.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present Nicolas King – the celebrated pop and jazz vocalist on Thursday, February 9 at 8:30 PM.