If Love Were All - 1999 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 17

There's just something about Kristin Chenoweth. It's almost undefinable, perhaps even undescribable, yet as with any writer's efforts to put into words how remarkable the woman behind the image is, I'll give it my best shot, attempting to encapsulate the wonder that is Kristin Chenoweth in 2,000 words or less (but if I go over, don't judge too harshly - I'm simply stating the facts that prove the folly of my initial hypothesis).

Matthew Morrison couldn't be more 'Glee'-ful about launching Bay Area Cabaret's 15th Anniversary Season on Sept. 30 at the world-famous Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. 'I love places that have so much history,' says the Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee. Among the celebrated singers who've sung there: Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Marlene Dietrich, Peggy Lee and Tina Turner. And in 1961, Tony Bennett first performed 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco' there, which is especially apt since the Fairmont sits high upon Nob Hill, 'where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars.'

Opera Philadelphia – “one of the most creative and ambitious companies in this country” (New York Times) – is set to take the opera world by storm once again, as it looks forward to O18, the second installment of its pioneering Festival O, with the “spirit ... not to follow taste but to lead it” (Philadelphia Inquirer). Festival 018comprises five operatic happenings – two world premieres, two new productions, and a three-part cabaret event – at multiple venues across the city from September 20-30, and features two superstar opera divas: coloratura soprano Brenda Rae and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, co-stars of Opera Philadelphia's acclaimed spring 2017 production of Rossini's Tancredi. Rae headlines a new production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor from celebrated director and designer Laurent Pelly that anchors both the O18 festival and the company's year-round Opera at the Academy series. Blythe (aka Blythely Oratonio) takes the stage at Philadelphia's Theatre of Living Arts (TLA) for a three-night, three-part cabaret takeover titled Queens of the Night, along with self-described “drag queen king” Dito van Reigersberg (aka Martha Graham Cracker). It all leads up to a reprise performance of Dito & Aeneas: Two Queens, One Night, Opera Philadelphia's 2017 cabaret-play spectacular, which was hailed as “smart and bubbly in all the right places” (Philadelphia Inquirer). The two divas even perform together on the TLA stage, when Rae makes a special guest appearance opposite Blythe, comedically echoing the tragic lovers of Tancredi. 

Opera Philadelphia is set to take the opera world by storm once again, as it looks forward to O18, the second installment of its pioneering Festival O.

Fall activities for the Centennial, which begins this month and extends through all of 2019, include a wide range of performances, film screenings, discussions, education initiatives, and new works by other artists in conversation with Cunningham's work.

Prepare for an illuminating journey when The Psychedelic Film and Music Festival holds its inaugural event featuring a lineup of science fiction, horror, fantasy, surrealist and virtual reality films, music and stage performances and panel discussions set to explore the altered states of consciousness and truth behind the vibrant and enduring psychedelic culture. The week-long gathering will feature musical performances by Simon Boswell with The AND, Psychic Ills, Heaven, Michael Tapper, Roosevelt Island and Nosh alongside appearances by researchers Dr. Dennis McKenna, Robert Barnhart and other special guests notable for breakthroughs in the psychedelic community. Premiering at venues in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, the festival will run October 1-7, 2018.

New Line Theatre's artistic director Scott Miller has published another collection of essays, LITERALLY ANYTHING GOES: 14 ODDBALL MUSICALS AND WHAT MAKES THEM TICK. Miller's fifth book of deep-dive musical theatre exploration is a surprising and entertaining journey into more than a dozen quirky but fascinating musicals, some famous, some less so.

After 144 performances of seven different productions presented over 55 days, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival concluded the 27th season with its rotating repertory of Shakespeare in Love and King Richard II; and its "Extreme Shakespeare," production of All's Well That Ends Well.

Grammy winning singer / songwriter, John Berry, celebrated his new single, “Beautifully Broken,” the title track for the exhilarating new feature film of the same name at the red carpet VIP Premiere Monday evening. The single has been #1 on the Christian Music Weekly Chart for 5 weeks and in the top ten since charting 23 weeks ago. “Beautifully Broken” is currently at #34 on the MusicRow Country Charts and continues to rise, breaking a 22 year stretch for charting a single on radio. The song was also added to Spotify's New Traditions: Country Heroes Playlist.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

A mannequin manufacturer by day, James Chiao will be fulfilling his dream with the world premiere of his musical TENOR BY NIGHT September 22, 2018 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood (with preview performances at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster, August 17 through 26). James took two subjects he's most familiar with (mannequins and singing) and mashed them together.

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) opens its 24th season with What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen. Jennie Ward returns to MJTC to direct (Collected Stories). 

Was Dr. Martin Luther King correct in saying the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice? Even if we do learn from the past, are we still doomed to repeat some of it? Promethean Theatre Ensemble Artistic Director Brian Pastor says, "Friedrich Nietzsche once noted that 'when we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.' As Promethean begins its 13th season, we are reminded of one of our founding tenets: that we tell stories of the past to illuminate our present. The themes that we explore this season challenge us to craft a better tomorrow by taking our cues from the boldest voices of yesteryear."

From the author of Shakespeare in Love, Tom Stoppard's Arcadia is considered one of the greatest plays of its time. It runs August 16 - 25 in the Marian Theatre and August 30 - September 9 in the Solvang Festival Theater. 

The British Royals have gotten lots of attention lately, but not even the groundbreaking Harry and Megan can compare with England's most dynamic royals ever: the legendary rock group Queen. With their highly original orchestral-rock sound and uniquely captivating lead singer/songwriter Freddie Mercury , Queen were chart-topping superstars from the late 1970s-1980s. The majestic Mercury died in 1991.

The British Royals have gotten lots of attention lately, but not even the groundbreaking Harry and Megan can compare with England's most dynamic royals ever: the legendary rock group Queen. With their highly original orchestral-rock sound and uniquely captivating lead singer/songwriter Freddie Mercury , Queen were chart-topping superstars from the late 1970s-1980s. The majestic Mercury died in 1991.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Next month, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

LIVE Release 'Love Lounge,' Their First Single In Over A Decade, Today

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature IN THE HEIGHTS, HUNCHBACK, GUYS AND DOLLS and More!

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is excited to announce the fourth show in its 20th Anniversary Season ... Big Fish. Written by John August with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, directed by Oanh Nguyen, choreographed by Kelly Todd, and musically directed by Robyn Manion, Big Fish will preview from June 29 through July 6; regular performances will begin July 7 and continue through July 29 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

Grammy winning singer-songwriter, John Berry continues to celebrate his 25th Anniversary since signing his major label deal and moving from Athens, Ga., to pursue his recording career in Nashville, Tenn. John brought the show back to the city where it all began for a full band performance at The Foundry in Athens, Ga., for a Homecoming Celebration.

The Drilling Company, Hamilton Clancy Artistic Director, will present 'Hamlet,' directed by Karla Hendrick and starring Jane Bradley, for its 2018 Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production. This popular New York summer institution is now in its 24th year. Its concept--presenting Shakespeare plays with a 'poor theater' aesthetic in a working parking lot--is now widely imitated around the US and around the world, with productions as far away as New Zealand.

For actor Scott Moreau, playing Johnny Cash in the opening production of Maine State Music Theatre's 60th anniversary season is a very special homecoming. The Maine native who grew up in Litchfield says this is the fifth time he will have done the Million Dollar Quartet in Maine (previously in Portland and Bangor on the national tour and twice in Ogunquit), but that "Brunswick is much different!"