Great Expectations - 2006 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 19

Passion, piety, and the enticement of power sparks a once in a lifetime historic event. Based on the enduring account of a young scholar's rise to the papacy, and brought to life by the original producer of HAIR on Broadway, this musical extravaganza unleashes one of the most controversial stories in the history of mankind. A cast of 26 professionals, an award winning team, and live music create this stunning premiere, for a limited run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

Filled with colorful criminals, biting social satire and a brilliant score, The Threepenny Opera opens International City Theatre's 2009 Season at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Jules Aaron directs Michael Feingold's translation of the trailblazing musical by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill that became one of the most influential plays of the 20th Century. Darryl Archibald is musical director and Kay Cole choreographs the five-week run February 20 through March 22; low-priced previews begin February 17. First performed in 1928, Brecht and Weill's The Threepenny Opera was a revolutionary musical theater masterpiece that mocked the bourgeois political movement of pre-Hitler Germany. Brecht's brittle, sardonic tale of beggars, thieves and prostitutes, adapted from the 1728 play The Beggar's Opera by John Gay, was a fierce social and political critique, and Weill's innovative score that fused American jazz with German cabaret captured the ironic tone of the lyrics. Part acid social criticism, part bittersweet romance, the now eighty-year old saga of 'Mack the Knife' and his entourage of criminals and whores has never lost its theatrical punch. 'It's a satire on capitalism and corruption told from the viewpoint of the 'little people',' notes Aaron. 'If there was ever time to revive this show, it's now. Michael [Feingold]'s translation is earthy, gritty and very funny. I think it's going to strike a chord with audiences.'

Additional casting has been announced for the Donmar Warehouse production of MARY STUART, Friedrich Schiller's classic play in a new version by Peter Oswald, which opens April 19, 2009 at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). The production, starring its acclaimed original London leads Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, begins previews on March 30, 2009 for a limited run of 20 weeks only.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Orange County's beloved holiday tradition, returns to South Coast Repertory for its 29th season.

Tony Award winner and Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter/composer Duncan Sheik will perform selections from his hit musical 'Spring Awakening,' winner of eight 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical, along with captivating original materials, in a concert on Friday, November 14, 8 p.m.

Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: On Stage plays the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta from November 6-16, 2008. Tickets are on sale NOW at all Ticketmaster outlets, at 404-817-8700 and online at www.ticketmaster.com Ticket prices range from $20-$68. Special group rates are available through the Fox Group Sales Dept. at 404-881-2000. The musical begins performances tonight, November 6th.

An all-star benefit concert performance of DRIFT, with music and lyrics by Jeremy Schonfeld and directed by Lauren Kennedy, will be presented at BB King Blues Club & Grill on Monday, November 3 at 8PM. The rock-musical weaves raw and gracefully honest songs together to tell the story of one man's divorce and reconciliation. DRIFT - In Concert boasts the talents of Adam Pascal, Adam Kantor, Terrence Mann, Jarrod Emick and Julia Murney.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Orange County's beloved holiday tradition, returns to South Coast Repertory for its 29th season.

BroadwayWorld gave the cast of Disney's High School Musical 2: On Stage a FLIP video camera and then set them loose backstage during rehearsals as they prepare for opening night.

Tony Award winner and Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter/composer Duncan Sheik will perform selections from his hit musical 'Spring Awakening,' winner of eight 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical, along with captivating original materials, in a concert on Friday, November 14, 8 p.m.

'Excitement is mounting as we prepare for the Professional Stage Premiere of Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 from November 6-16 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre,' states Nick Manos, President of Atlanta's Theater of the Stars.

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the OBIE Award-winning dark comedy The Thugs by Adam Bock, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs October 29-December 14, 2008, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The play will run in repertory with Profiles' production of Men of Tortuga, playing through December 7, 2008. The press opening for The Thugs is Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 8:00 p.m.

The Havok Theatre Company in association with the Bootleg Theatre have announced that the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN has been extended through Sunday, November 9. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN performs at the Bootleg Theatre in Los Angeles.

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the OBIE Award-winning dark comedy The Thugs by Adam Bock, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs October 29-December 14, 2008, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The play will run in repertory with Profiles' production of Men of Tortuga, playing through December 7, 2008. The press opening for The Thugs is Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 8:00 p.m.

The newly formed Havok Theatre Company in association with the Bootleg Theatre is thrilled to present its third production, the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre Premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, book by Terrence McNally, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, choreography by Lee Martino, with musical direction by Michael Paternostro and directed by Ovation Award-winner and Artistic Director of the new Havok Theatre Company Nick DeGruccio. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN will preview on Thursday, September 18; Friday, September 19; Saturday September 20 at 8pm; Sunday, September 21 at 3pm and Thursday, September 25 at 8pm and will open on Friday, September 26 at 8pm and run through Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Bootleg Theatre, 2220 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.

The newly formed Havok Theatre Company in association with the Bootleg Theatre is thrilled to present its third production, the Los Angeles Intimate Theatre Premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, book by Terrence McNally, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, choreography by Lee Martino, with musical direction by Michael Paternostro and directed by Ovation Award-winner and Artistic Director of the new Havok Theatre Company Nick DeGruccio.

The complete company of the Royal Court Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, in a new version by Christopher Hampton, will begin rehearsals on Monday, August 25 in London, under the direction of Ian Rickson.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents PASSION PLAY by Pulitzer Prize nominee and MacArthur Foundation Fellowship recipient Sarah Ruhl, directed by OBIE Award-winner Mark Wing-Davey at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven), September 19-October 11 only. Opening Night is Thursday, September 25

The long, strange trip is coming to an end: Passing Strange, the rock musical that was born at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, enjoyed an extended off-Broadway run at The Public Theater, and then burst onto Broadway with its original cast intact is scheduled to close this Sunday - but not until it's saved on film. On Saturday, celebrated director Spike Lee will shoot two of the show's final performances to preserve it for future generations!

Kristin Scott Thomas will star on Broadway in her Olivier Award-winning role of Arkadina in the critically acclaimed Royal Court Theatre production of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL.

Casting has been announced for the Las Vegas engagement of Disney's 'High School Musical'.

Casting has been announced for the American Musical Theatre of San Jose engagement of Disney's 'High School Musical' which begins June 10th.

After a productive and encouraging month of preview performances, JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will celebrate its Opening Night on Saturday, May 3 at The Palazzo Las Vegas.

After a productive and encouraging month of preview performances, JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will celebrate its Opening Night on Saturday, May 3 at The Palazzo Las Vegas. .

TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, announces its four-play 2008-09 season. All the plays are new to Chicago audiences, including one world premiere and at least two Chicago premieres.