Have a Nice Life - 2006 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 19

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED continues the recent trend of area theatres to probe into the gay phenomenon. Though it is somewhat dated due to changing attitudes towards gays in the arts, it still makes for an interesting theatrical experience.

Twenty-five years after passing on, Michael Bennett still gets entrance applause in A Chorus Line.

Today we are talking to a breathtakingly gifted vocalist who premiered the first single from his brand new solo album COMFORTABLE right here in this very column on BroadwayWorld earlier this week - the one and only Tituss Burgess. In this career-spanning conversation, Burgess and I touch upon many of the Broadway entities which he has played a part in over the last decade or so - THE LITTLE MERMAID, JERSEY BOYS and GOOD VIBRATIONS included - as well as sharing some onset stories involving his stints on NBC's hit comedy 30 ROCK. Most of all, Burgess and I dissect the finer points of his sophomore solo album, COMFORTABLE, and he explains his songwriter process and progress, as well as the many influences and inspirations that have infused this passion project over the course of its years in writing, recording, and, now, finally, releasing. Plus, Burgess looks ahead to the future and clues us in on his late-night concert at New World Stages on Sunday night. All of that and much, much more!

In 2006 (I think... my mind is a little fuzzy), I had the privilege to be part of the original cast of "Don't Quit Your Night Job"-­- an all Broadway Improv show. The show was created by Sarah Saltzberg, Steve Rosen, and David Rossmer. (PS - go see Steve and David in "The Other Josh Cohen" which starts previews Wed at the SoHo playhouse) all of them comedic gold. Now... it may seem like I'm milking my friends here, but I wouldn't post it if it wasn't true! Anyhow, I always had a fantasy of writing a sketch for the show involving David Hyde Pierce and Brian d'Arcy James. Why? Let me finish...

Raul Esparza and Anna Chlumsky will guest star on NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU on a special episode titled "Twenty-Five Acts", based on the best-selling novel '50 Shades of Grey.' The show will air October 10th at 9 pm ET. Both talented actors recently spoke with reporters about the upcoming episode.

Celebrating the American Spirit, performed by Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) and conducted by Judith Clurman along with guest artists, Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara and Ron Raines and composer-arranger Larry Hochman, represents an American songbook for the 21st century.

AdA (Author directing Author)-an evening comprised of new one act plays by American playwright Neil LaBute and Italian playwright Marco Calvani, in which each playwright will direct the other's work-will be presented by La MaMa at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan, with preview performances starting tonight, September 28 prior to an official press opening Sunday, September 30. The celebrated stage and film actor Larry Pine stars in Mr. LaBute's play LOVELY HEAD, directed by Mr. Calvani. The Oscar winning actress and four-time Tony nominee Estelle Parsons stars in Mr. Calvani's play THINGS OF THIS WORLD directed by Mr. LaBute.

On the heels of its potent debut last week, NBC's 'The Voice' has announced that it will music superstars Usher and Shakira to the family as two new celebrity musician coaches when it returns next spring for its fourth cycle. Christina Aguilera, who is releasing a new album and going on tour, and CeeLo Green, who is developing new music plus a scripted comedy series for NBC based on his life, will take the next cycle off, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

AdA (Author directing Author)-an evening comprised of new one act plays by American playwright Neil LaBute and Italian playwright Marco Calvani, in which each playwright will direct the other's work-will be presented by La MaMa at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan, with preview performances starting September 28 prior to an official press opening Sunday, September 30. The celebrated stage and film actor Larry Pine stars in Mr. LaBute's play LOVELY HEAD, directed by Mr. Calvani. The Oscar winning actress and four-time Tony nominee Estelle Parsons stars in Mr. Calvani's play THINGS OF THIS WORLD directed by Mr. LaBute.

The Theatre Group at SBCC returns to performing in the beautiful, newly renovated Garvin Theatre with the irreverent musical AVENUE Q, now through July 28, 2012.

Two-time Tony Award-winner and prolific costume designer Martin Pakledinaz died at home on July 8, 2012, after a long illness. He was 58. Below, BroadwayWorld remembers the great talent in photos.

Presentations of Page 73 Productions' developmental workshop of A THICK DESCRIPTION OF HARRY SMITH (Volume I) by Chicago-based playwright Carlos Murillo (DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS) and directed by Kip Fagan (Page 73's JACK'S PRECIOUS MOMENT) will begin Thursday, June 28 at 2pm and continue Friday, June 29 at 2pm; Sunday, July 1 at 7pm and Monday, July 2 at 3pm (please note the altered performance time for the July 2nd performance) at Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at page73.org/harrysmith.

Kristen Beth got to play Reno on Bway and is now understudying three principal roles in the Gershwin Tony winner.

The Theatre Group at SBCC will return to performing in the beautiful, newly renovated Garvin Theatre with the irreverent musical AVENUE Q, July 11-28, 2012.

Off-Broadway's Page 73 Productions will present its first "Page 2" presentation of 2012 - a developmental workshop of A THICK DESCRIPTION OF HARRY SMITH (Volume I) by Chicago-based playwright Carlos Murillo (DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS) and directed by Kip Fagan (Page 73's JACK'S PRECIOUS MOMENT), with performances June 28 through July 2 at Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street), it has been announced by Page 73's Executive Directors Liz Jones and Asher Richelli.

Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra present Mahler's Ninth Symphony for the Orchestra's 2011-12 classical-season finale tonight, June 7 and June 9 and 10 in Newark and Morristown.

Jess, a 'So You Think You Can Dance' finalist last year, is a Broadway veteran at 19.

Mesa Arts Center announces its 2012-13 Performing Live Series. Offering a variety of unique experiences, there are many events to entice you. Mesa Arts Center is proud to present LeAnn Rimes, Bill Cosby, Arlo Guthrie, Dave Koz, Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight and so much more. Throughout the year, additional performers will be announced, adding even more excitement to the season. With an array of almost 40 exciting shows, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra present Mahler's Ninth Symphony for the Orchestra's 2011-12 classical-season finale June 7, 9 and 10 in Newark and Morristown.

Surprise guest, lyricist Alain Boublil appears on stage at Baltimore's Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to the delight of an SRO crowd

Peter Gill, returns to his native city with a portrait of provincial life in 1890s Russia. Based on Chekhov's short story, A Provincial Life follows one young man's struggle to exchange his privileged position for the life of a worker.

The New Actors Company in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre presents THE GRAND DUKE. The Finborough Theatre's 'Celebrating British Music Theatre' series continues with the first fully staged professional UK production of Gilbert and Sullivan's final operetta, The Grand Duke, since the original 1896 production. It opens at the Finborough Theatre for a strictly limited run of six Sundays and Mondays from Sunday, 1 April 2012.

Peter Gill, returns to his native city with a portrait of provincial life in 1890s Russia. Based on Chekhov's short story, A Provincial Life follows one young man's struggle to exchange his privileged position for the life of a worker.

Those who have made significant contributions to the arts in a variety of categories will be recognized for their achievements in enriching the communities and citizens of Utah at the 7th Annual Star Awards held Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem.

Joining Lindsay Duncan (Judith Bliss), Jeremy Northam (Richard Greatham), Kevin R McNally (David Bliss) and Olivia Colman (Myra Arundel) in Howard Davies' production of Noël Coward's Hay Fever are Sam Callis (Sandy Tyrell), Freddie Fox (Simon Bliss), Jenny Galloway (Clara), Amy Morgan (Jackie Coryton) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Sorel Bliss). Running at the Noël Coward Theatre from 10 February - 2 June 2012, Coward's sublime comedy of bad manners has designs by Bunny Christie, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Mike Walker. Hay Fever press preview performances are Thursday 23 February at 7pm, Friday 24 February at 7.30pm and Saturday 25 February at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, with reviews embargoed until Monday 27 February 2012. Hay Fever is produced in the West End by Richard Willis, Matthew Byam Shaw for Playful Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions.