Good Thing - 2001 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 11

Christmas is a time that evokes many different feelings. For some, like me, the stress of finding the perfect gifts is balanced with the coziness of having everyone at home enjoying our family traditions. Warm fires, hot cocoa, maybe seeing a production of The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, and enjoying the company of those we don't see but a few times a year. Of course, I am always open to exploring new traditions and this year I am particularly excited to experience the lauded Irish Christmas in America. It was started in 2005 by popular Sligo fiddler Oisin Mac Diarmada and boasts talented musicians, singers, and dancers Niamh Farrell, Seamus Begley, Samantha Harvey, Sean Gavin, and Grainne Hambly. Broadway World Sacramento spoke to Mac Diarmada about his whirlwind annual tour, Irish traditions, and how the upcoming show in Sacramento falls on a very special day. Nollaig Shona dhaoibh! Merry Christmas to you!

All told, Come From Away, provides a powerfully inviting experience and is perfect for this holiday season. It preaches hope and love in a way that can be appreciated by everyone.

No, this is not a drill. We've got deals on 18 (count 'em!) Broadway shows this Cyber Monday. From mega-hits like 'Mean Girls' and 'Come From Away' to new shows like 'Slave Play' and 'Caroline, or Change' to holiday fare like 'SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW,' you can get tickets to the best of Broadway for our best prices of the year.

Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon is one of those rare musical theater creators who, like Lin-Manuel Miranda, can write the whole show a?" book, music and lyrics. Gordon's latest work is the musical a?oePride and Prejudicea?? soon to start its world premiere run at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. He has formed a close relationship with the company over the years, including hit productions of his shows a?oeJane Eyre,a?? a?oeEmma,a?? a?oeBeing Earnest,a?? and a?oeDaddy Long Legs.a?? Interestingly, Gordon initially found success as a composer of pop music writing for, and collaborating with, numerous recording artists, including Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Alanis Morissette, Smokey Robinson and Dionne Warwick. An abiding love for musical theater led to a fortuitous meeting with esteemed director John Caird that opened up a whole new career for Gordon. BroadwayWorld caught up with him while he was still in the thick of the rehearsal process for his new show, which can be a very stressful time. In conversation, Gordon appeared surprisingly calm as he chatted about the development of a?oePride and Prejudicea?? and his plans to build new audiences for musical theater.

The national tour of 'Come From Away' is warming hearts across America. A 'Best Musical' winner all around the world, the smash hit musical has won the Tony Award for 'Best Direction of a Musical' (Christopher Ashley), 4 Olivier Awards (London) including 'Best New Musical,' 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including 'Outstanding New Broadway Musical,' 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including 'Outstanding Musical,' 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (North American Tour) including 'Best Production,' 4 Helen Hayes Awards (D.C.) including 'Outstanding Production of a Musical,' 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including 'Excellence in Production of a Musical,' 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including 'Outstanding New Musical,' 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including 'Best New Musical,' 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including 'Outstanding New Musical/Opera' and 'Outstanding Production,' and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Over the years Ray has shared the stage and studio as a leader, a sideman and a band member with Alicia Keys, The Sun Ra Arkestra, the Cotton Club All Stars, John Gilmore, Dr. Art Davis, Benny Powell, Eddie Henderson, Kirk Lightsey, Charlie Persia Super Band, Clifford Adams, Wycliffe Gordon, Bernard Purdie, Steve Turre, Ted Curson, Joe Lee Wilson and many others.He was also a cast member of 'The Ray Charles Show' which toured in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy 2008-2010.

Anna Karenina: a riff is a fresh, comedic reimagining of the classic Tolstoy tale by Gwen Kingston, opening November 23rd 2019 at the Flea Theater. Created with Notch Theatre Company and featuring an original, folk-punk score by Christie Baugher, Teresa Lotz, Yan Li and Will Turner, Anna Karenina: a riff moves at the speed of a runaway train as it examines the consequences of female rebellion and its echoes today.

Who would guess that what has been described as a sleepy little cowtown is actually a hotbed of young musical talent? The latest to join Sacramento's rank of up-and-coming people-to-watch is Sam C. Jones, a transplant from Virginia who landed on the west coast in 2016 and has quickly made a name for himself in the world of local professional theatre. He has recently returned to his passion of songwriting and will be releasing an album of original work later this winter. Broadway World Sacramento spoke to Sam about the King, country music, and what gets his creative juices flowing.

The original stars of the cult musical PETE N KEELY are reuniting for a run of shows at Birdland. Here, Stephen Mosher talks to the stars about life after Pete N Keely and how it feels to sing together again.

One Performance Only! This Sunday, November 3, 2019! Long ago but not far away at all, there were many TV Variety Shows, Award Ceremonies, Music Centers and Theatre abounding with live Musical Performances, all with massive budgets; and dancers in this town, Los Angeles, made a darn good living, albeit having to work their asses off to do so, but it was a good and plentiful, fulfilling life. Besides myself, there was a plethora of working, professional dancers who ended up bonding together pretty easily, as a dancer's life is one of a nomad, or gypsy, going from one job to another, but in doing so, finding kindred spirits and lifelong connections. Jay Johnson, husband of one of these dancers and artistically gifted himself, was part of the artistic community, as was his wife, Sandi, and, typical with dancers, became close friends and comrades with other dancers, choreographers, and like-minded performers. As Jay was earning international fame as a ventriloquist, actor and comedian, and starring on the hit TV Series 'Soap,' us dancers were slaving away, happy to be able to make a living doing what we loved. Jay is best known for his role on ' Soap' as Chuck Campbell, a ventriloquist who believed his puppet Bob was real and demanded everyone treat Bob as human.

Dare you venture into the deep dark wood? This November, courageous Coventry kids are invited to join the little brown Mouse as he forages for food when Tall Stories bring the best-loved story of The Gruffalo to the Belgrade Theatre.

Two years ago, I revisited French Woods Festival of the Arts (which I attended from 1999 to 2002 as a camper/teen actor and then as an assistant director/stage manager) and BroadwayWorld kindly published an article I wrote about the experience. In light of my responsibilities at work (attorney by day, theater critic by night) and at home (including a hyperactive toddler and commuting daily between NY and NJ), I was not planning on visiting again this past summer, but that instantly changed when I learned that the camp was planning on presenting 1776 for the first time in nearly two decades - and with an all-female cast.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to present the second show of their 2019-2020 season, Roald Dahl's MATILDA, THE MUSICAL, book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Kate Dunn and directed by Michael Matthews.

Elizabeth is convinced her husband Robert is at death's door, and she's determined to get the whole brood together for a final family holiday, quickly, before his bird has flown. Of course, all three kids and their spouses have their own lives, agendas and emergencies, but a few obstacles won't stop Elizabeth. Some people will do anything to defend their nest in the world premiere of Last Swallows, a modern family dramatic comedy by Cailin Harrison. Kiff Scholl directs Pandelia's Canary Yellow Company's production, opening on September 21 with a run through October 20 at the The Other Space @The Actors Company in West Hollywood. One lower-priced preview takes place on September 20.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of beloved Production Stage Manager, Arthur a?oeArtiea?? Gaffin, who passed away on September 13, 2019. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of the American Airlines, Marquis, New Amsterdam, St. James, and Broadhurst Theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, September 18 at exactly 7:45pm.

At the close of the performance, my face hurt from laughing, but what else would you expect from a musical with the name Mel Brooks attached. This over-the-top and exquisitely offensive masterpiece, with everything from the producer's casting couch, grossly stereotypical ultra-sexy foreign female secretary/actress, sex-crazed old ladies to syrupy-sweet gay characters to literally, singing and dancing Nazis, this show is the antithesis to today's political correctness. The Producers at Carrollwood Players has something to make everyone do a little squirm in their seats and I loved every purposely-uncomfortable minute of this madcap story that revels in Mel Brook's irreverent humor.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its 211th season with Mel Brooks' hilarious musical comedy, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL. Directed by Charles Abbott and choreographed by Mary Jane Houdina, the electrifying production begins previews on September 3, opens September 11, and continues through October 20.

Kenneth Lonergan is noted for writing about decent people who are unexpectedly challenged by issues of ethics. In his 'Lobby Hero,' now on stage at Blank Canvas, the 2016 Oscar winner for 'Manchester by the Sea' specifically asks, 'What happens when emotions come in conflict with principles.'

Light Hustle Publishing, the imprint helmed by New York Times bestselling author Anna David, has released its first business book: 'No New Ideas: Everything You Need to Know About Starting a Successful Franchise' (ISBN: 978-1733853231), a step-by-step guide to franchising written by Certified Franchise Expert (CFE) Tim Conn.

Steph Parry's previous work includes 42nd Street, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Billy Elliot. Her current project is the immersive theatrical dining experience Mamma Mia! The Party, which begins at The O2 on 29 August.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its 211th season with Mel Brooks' hilarious musical comedy, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL. Directed by Charles Abbott and choreographed by Mary Jane Houdina, the electrifying production begins previews on September 3, opens September 11, and continues through October 20.

Elizabeth is convinced her husband Robert is at death's door, and she's determined to get the whole brood together for a final family holiday, quickly, before his bird has flown. Of course, all three kids and their spouses have their own lives, agendas and emergencies, but a few obstacles won't stop Elizabeth. Some people will do anything to defend their nest in the world premiere of Last Swallows, a modern family dramatic comedy by Cailin Harrison. Kiff Scholl directs Pandelia's Canary Yellow Company's production, opening on September 21 with a run through October 20 at the The Other Space @The Actors Company in West Hollywood. One lower-priced preview takes place on September 20.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the cast and creative team for the American premiere of The Great Wave written by Francis Turnly and directed by Mark Wing-Davey.

Funny lady Gina D'Acciaro is about to bring back Famous Adjacent to Rockwell Table and Stage July 17. She is such a revered performer, her shows return for encore performances. In our conversation she talks about this show and ehat suits her theatrical tastebuds. How did you come up with a title like Famous Adjacent? Explain to our readers. Then...tell us about your show.