Hear! Hear! - 1955 - Broadway Articles Page 10

Legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker (1920-1955) was “a genius who lived fast and died young, revolutionizing an art form in a few short years” (NPR). The Grammy Award-winning bebop legend is the subject of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, the first world premiere in almost four decades for Opera Philadelphia, recognized by Opera News as “one of the leading instigators of new work in the country.” The new chamber opera was created for American tenor Lawrence Brownlee, a nominee for the 2015 International Opera Male Singer of the Year Award, by composer Daniel Schnyder, whose “thrilling classical-tinged jazz blend…constantly pushes the envelope” (Jazz Times), to a libretto by award-winning poet and playwright Bridgette Wimberly. Directed by Ron Daniels under the leadership of Music Director Corrado Rovaris, Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD premieres in Opera Philadelphia's Aurora Series for Chamber Opera, crowning the company's 40th Anniversary Season with a five-performance run in the Kimmel Center's intimate Perelman Theater (June 5–14). Tickets are available from Ticket Philadelphia at 215.893.1018 or operaphila.org.

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2015 with an impressive assembly of classics, cult favorites, and beloved films. The 2015 series will run today, June 5-August 9 at the historic Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) and will feature 29 films over nine weeks (no films scheduled for the week of the Fourth of July).

One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker (1920-1955) was “a genius who lived fast and died young, revolutionizing an art form in a few short years” (NPR). The Grammy Award-winning bebop legend is the subject of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, the first world premiere in almost four decades for Opera Philadelphia, recognized by Opera News as “one of the leading instigators of new work in the country.” The new chamber opera was created for American tenor Lawrence Brownlee, a nominee for the 2015 International Opera Male Singer of the Year Award, by composer Daniel Schnyder, whose “thrilling classical-tinged jazz blend…constantly pushes the envelope” (Jazz Times), to a libretto by award-winning poet and playwright Bridgette Wimberly. Directed by Ron Daniels under the leadership of Music Director Corrado Rovaris, Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD premieres in Opera Philadelphia's Aurora Series for Chamber Opera, crowning the company's 40th Anniversary Season with a five-performance run in the Kimmel Center's intimate Perelman Theater (June 5–14). Tickets are available from Ticket Philadelphia at 215.893.1018 or operaphila.org.

Now, over 40 years later, Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1971 surveys the decisive decade that led up to that unauthorized exhibition at MoMA, bringing together approximately 125 of her early objects, works on paper, installations, performances, audio recordings, and films, alongside rarely seen archival materials. On view from May 17 to September 7, 2015, this is the first exhibition at MoMA dedicated exclusively to the artist's work.

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2015 with an impressive assembly of classics, cult favorites, and beloved films. The 2015 series will run June 5-August 9 at the historic Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) and will feature 29 films over nine weeks (no films scheduled for the week of the Fourth of July).

Bomb Pop, the iconic red-white-and-blue frozen treat, and WARHEADS, the iconic and fastest growing sour candy brand, are joining forces to give consumers the ultimate frozen sour experience with the launch of Bomb Pop WARHEADS frozen treat. The new product will be made up of three lip-puckering flavors Black Cherry, Green Apple and Blue Raspberry and will be available nationwide this month.

The New York Philharmonic will present the U.S. Premiere of director Co?me de Bellescize's staging of Honegger's dramatic oratorio Joan of Arc at the Stake in season-finale performances conducted by Alan Gilbert and starring Academy Award-winning actress Marion Cotillard as Joan of Arc.

In this week's Regional Roundup, BroadwayWorld.com features productions from Washington, DC, Baltimore, San Francisco, Sweden and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below!

'Hello, possums!' Welcome to Dame Edna's Glorious Goodbye The Farewell Tour! This Dressed to kill, Astonishingly Magnificent, Elegant, Enchanting, Delightful, Nonsensically Amazing diva is now at SHN's Orpheum Theatre now through March 22. And if you can't come see the show - 'Well then, possum, you must not be able to afford it!'

Today we are celebrating this weekend's cinematic return of REAR WINDOW at Fathom-equipped movie theaters across the country.

After a resoundingly successful fall season and the launch of its new holiday opera series with the world premiere of Iain Bell and Simon Callow's A Christmas Carol, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) rings in 2015 with two beloved productions: a reprise of Michael Grandage's knockout staging of Puccini's Madame Butterfly, which triumphed at its 2010 Houston debut, and the American premiere of Sir Nicholas Hytner's iconic English National Opera staging of Mozart's The Magic Flute in a revival directed by Ian Rutherford.

Having witnessed the stultifying, bloated NBC production of PETER PAN LIVE (what were the 'powers that be' thinking would hold a child's attention span for three hours, however padded with yet more Peter Pan plugs from Walmart?), I was reluctant to attend Playhouse on the Square's annual production of the James Barrie children's classic. I am probably one of the handful of reviewers to recall the 1955 NBC production (and later one as well) with the legendary pairing of Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard (whose fruity, overly ripe 'Captain Hook' would make Johnny Depp's 'Jack Sparrow' seem more like a white collar executive). As an IPad-free child inured to black and white fare, it hardly mattered that Mary Martin was, to put it politely, mature; that the production values were clunky; that the wires and 'Tinker' herself were glaringly apparent. In short, I was captivated. Yet, Martin possessed the kind of spunk and spontaneity that made us children believe (not to mention that she had the kind of singing voice that made her a legendary Broadway performer, as evidenced by SOUTH PACIFIC and SOUND OF MUSIC). She could make a child want to fly. Allison Williams, last evening's 'Peter,' lacked that optimistic boyishness (though she had the tomboyish Hilary Swank look 'nailed') and, despite having a pleasant enough voice, often seemed out of breath; but Chrisopher Walken, whom I like and who I initially thought would be inspired casting, seemed to have wandered in from a cocktail party hosted by zombies. His dancing made that of the Monster in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN seem as nimble as that of Fred Astaire. Despite the wonderful lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and despite the 'ear candy' musical score by Mark Charlalp and Jule Stein, those long, middle stretches in Neverland made me wonder if it would Neverend.

Earlier this year, singer Mack Z's self-titled debut album soared to #1 on iTunes' pop album chart, thanks in part to the effervescent anthem “It's a Girl Party,” which debuted at #1 on iTunes' pop songs chart. But the 10-year-old star of “Dance Moms” (aka Mackenzie Ziegler) wasn't ready to close out 2014 there. Enter “Christmas All Year Long,” Mack Z's latest holiday gift, which was released on November 17th!

As part of Barter's commitment to provide quality entertainment at an affordable price, new tickets have been released starting at $50 for the wildly entertaining Shirley Jones performance on November 13th at 7:30 p.m. The celebrity event is being held on Barter Theatre Main Stage. All proceeds from this event go to Barter's Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence.

Music Director Alan Gilbert will conduct the New York Philharmonic in Barto?k's Piano Concerto No. 3, with Yefim Bronfman as soloist, and Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 (Ed. Nowak, 1890), tonight, October 23, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m.; and Tuesday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m.

George and Ira Gershwin's masterpiece opera Porgy and Bess, based on the play by Dubose and Dorothy Heyward, premieres on PBS this fall with the critically acclaimed production from San Francisco Opera. THE GERSHWINS'® PORGY AND BESS airs tonight, October 17, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival, which highlights artists and performances from around the country and invites every American to have a front-row seat and a backstage pass for the country's best arts performances.

Tony Award-winning composer and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda is set to present a unique concert event tonight, October 12, leading up to a special screening of classic movie musical GUYS & DOLLS.

His son, Leo Holder, just released a statement on his father's death and final days on Facebook:

Calgary-based Honens International Piano Competition will begin accepting applications for its eighth edition beginning September 30, 2014. The Competition's Quarterfinals take place in Berlin, London and New York in spring, 2015. Semifinals and Finals take place in Calgary from September 3 to 12, 2015. Pianists of all nationalities, aged 20 to 30 on September 3, 2015 (with the exception of past Honens Laureates and professionally managed pianists), may apply until February 2, 2015 at honens.com.

Gary Naylor sees a fine cabaret that jumps in and out of French and English language songs before finishing with a classic in any language. You'll regret it if you miss it!

George and Ira Gershwin's masterpiece opera Porgy and Bess, based on the play by Dubose and Dorothy Heyward, premieres on PBS this fall with the critically acclaimed production from San Francisco Opera. THE GERSHWINS'® PORGY AND BESS airs Friday, October 17, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of thePBS Arts Fall Festival, which highlights artists and performances from around the country and invites every American to have a front-row seat and a backstage pass for the country's best arts performances.

The Coterie opens its 2014/2015 Season with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a drama that interweaves the compelling true story of Rosa Parks with dynamic and uplifting songs from the period. Directed by Brad Shaw, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott will be performed live on stage today, September 23 - October 19, 2014.

Music Director Alan Gilbert will conduct the New York Philharmonic in Barto?k's Piano Concerto No. 3, with Yefim Bronfman as soloist, and Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 (Ed. Nowak, 1890), Thursday, October 23, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m.; and Tuesday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m.