If It Was Easy - 2001 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 13

Don't let this summer end without seeing 'America's Favorite Original Boy Band'! Olney Theatre Institute presents a limited return engagement of Forever Plaid today, August 24 through September 15 on Olney Theatre Center's Historic Stage.

Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino has announced the 2014 season, in which, through the prism of a dozen plays, the Stratford Festival will explore the theme of Madness: Minds Pushed to the Edge.

Artists Rep's 2013/14 season kicks off with The Big Meal by Dan LeFranc in its West Coast premiere, directed by new Artistic Director Damaso Rodriguez. Set in a quintessential American restaurant, entire lives whiz by for a modern family whose stage and age are short-order fare. From birth to that inevitable last course - and every corndog, calamari and Cadillac margarita in between - a multi-generational potluck of characters live life's major and minor moments around the dinner table.

America Vs. Iraq, a powerful two-hour film premiering Monday, August 26, at 9 PM ET/PT on National Geographic Channel (NGC

Don't let this summer end without seeing 'America's Favorite Original Boy Band'! Olney Theatre Institute presents a limited return engagement of Forever Plaid August 24 through September 15 on Olney Theatre Center's Historic Stage.

There are many challenges that face a theatre who chooses to mount such a difficult production. First and foremost are how to bring these iconic characters to life as realistically as possible, while still showcasing the actors underneath. Second is how to present the various locations presented in the piece (SHREK'S swamp, the castle in Duloc, Fiona's tower, etc) in a way that not only is appropriate, but can easily be changed to the next. The show has now made the jump to regional theatres around the country, and the Arundel Barn Playhouse is the first theatre in all of New England to present it. It's a lot to undertake, but the Playhouse rose to the occasion, and I think you will be quite surprised and delighted at the results.

Based on the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde: The Musical follows Elle Woods, a Southern California sorority girl who measures life in fashion and fun. Elle is unprepared when her "big man on campus" boyfriend, Warner, dumps her to head off to Harvard Law School. Elle decides she must do whatever it takes to win Warner back. Even if it means getting into Harvard. Along the way Elle discovers that she's more than a sorority girl and makes some fantastic friends along the way.

The accomplished R&B and jazz vocalist breaks new ground of her own with her first Spanish-language album, “Natalie Cole En Español,” released June 25 on Verve/Universal.

Is laughter really the best medicine? The popular adage is put to the test in this hysterically funny, one-woman tour de force about picking up the pieces of a broken heart and beginning life again, My Brilliant Divorce. In its only second major American regional production, Asolo Rep's Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards directs celebrated Broadway star Mary Testa, a two-time Tony Award nominee, as Angela, the 40-something housewife blindsided by her philandering husband's desertion in Aron's engaging, mid-life crisis comedy.

'Motown' is Jesse's 2nd Bway show this season after a five-year hiatus he spent focused on his Broadway Boys concert group.

CHASING ICE premieres on the National Geographic Channel tonight, April 19, 2013, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, just three days before Earth Day. The film's song, 'Before My Time,' written by J. Ralph and performed by Scarlett Johansson and Joshua Bell, was nominated for an Academy Award(R) for Best Original Song.

The Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) presents Douglas Carter Beane's new play The Nance directed by Jack O'Brien, opening tonight, April 15. This production features Jenni Barber, Andrea Burns, Cady Huffman, Mylinda Hull, Nathan Lane, Geoffrey Allen Murphy, Jonny Orsini and Lewis J. Stadlen.

CHASING ICE premieres on the National Geographic Channel on April 19, 2013, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, just three days before Earth Day. The film's song, 'Before My Time,' written by J. Ralph and performed by Scarlett Johansson and Joshua Bell, was nominated for an Academy Award(R) for Best Original Song.

As America prepares to commemorate the 80 th birthday of Willie Nelson on April 29 th, the country music icon will be celebrated as Artist of the Month for April, 2013 by Legacy Recordings, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Jane Birdsell was inspired to write her new book by students and clients, in her work as a psychologist, when she realized there was a tremendous need for most people to learn more about what emotions really are. The world was demanding that people become emotionally intelligent if they wanted to be successful, but many people had difficulty identifying and interpreting their own emotions, let alone the feelings of others. She began to see how the suppression of emotions in many cultures had prevented people from understanding themselves and/or the important people in their lives. Her goal was to write a book that would make it easy for readers to become experts on their own emotions and to develop a better understanding of others.

The Tri-State area is full of such amazing talent and Nicori Studios and Productions based in Bloomfield, NJ brings that talent to their area. Married couple Nicholas Adler and Corinna Sowers-Adler runs the company and Broadway World talked to Corinna about the company a week before the New York City MAC Awards for which they are nominated.

The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) today announced projects selected for the 10th Annual Tribeca All Access (TAA) program. TAA will support each project with an initial $15,000 grant as well as offer year-round support, guidance, and resources for filmmakers to help advance their projects toward completion.

Jane Birdsell was inspired to write her new book by students and clients, in her work as a psychologist, when she realized there was a tremendous need for most people to learn more about what emotions really are. The world was demanding that people become emotionally intelligent if they wanted to be successful, but many people had difficulty identifying and interpreting their own emotions, let alone the feelings of others. She began to see how the suppression of emotions in many cultures had prevented people from understanding themselves and/or the important people in their lives. Her goal was to write a book that would make it easy for readers to become experts on their own emotions and to develop a better understanding of others.

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) announces the following concerts going on sale this week.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the lineup for the upcoming 13th edition of FILM COMMENT SELECTS (February 18-28), Film Comment magazine's essential and eclectic film festival.

The former Rockette has done everything from Berlin to Sondheim to Wildhorn on Bway, as well as 'Rock of Ages' and 'Chorus Line'.

Before a recent rehearsal, I had the opportunity to sit down with Philip Hays at Studio 101. He is directing Classical Theatre Company's upcoming production of Alfred Jarry's UBU ROI. Walking into Studio 101, the first thing that struck me was the elaborate and large set. Even in its unfinished state, I could tell Philip Hays and Classical Theatre Company are in the process of creating something impressive and a theatrical experience that simply should not be missed. Sitting in sight of the expansive set, Philip Hays took the time to talk to me about his career, directing, and UBU ROI.

Dance New Amsterdam (DNA), NYC's foremost progressive dance education and performance center, and FitEngine, a solutions-centered service helping exercise enthusiasts navigate the complex world of fitness and wellness, partner to pilot a new fitness program, Fitness @ DNA, which began yesterday, November 5, 2012.

As many gear up for Halloween, Music Box Musicals' inaugural production is striking a different nerve-a political nerve. With a wonderful production of John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim's thought-provoking musical ASSASSINS, Music Box Musicals invites audiences to listen. Not only to the tales they present on stage, but in our lives outside of the theatre as well.

We are used to calling them triple threats - musical theatre performers who can sing, dance and act. But what do you call a guy who does all that and more? High achiever and hard worker are understatements with David Campbell (and he just might be the nicest guy in the business!). Here is a little of his brain on musical theatre ...