Just Say No - 1988 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 12

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Cabrillo Stage, the professional musical theatre company in residence at Cabrillo College, concludes their 32nd repertory season with the premiere of a re-imagined work, Lunch, playing January 3 through 19 at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater.

[Scrooge] turned upon the Ghost [of Christmas Past], and seeing that it looked upon him a face, in which some strange way there were fragments of all the faces it had shown him, wrestled with it.'

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents A KRITZERLAND CHRISTMAS III tonight, December 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents A KRITZERLAND CHRISTMAS III on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

As promised, we finish getting to know each and every cast member of 'The Most Happy Fella' before we close up shop on December 1st.

The RED Carpet Connection Publishing, Publicity, and Talent Agency announces Author Jon Morgan Woodward, Hollywood Screenwriter, Actor, Producer, and Director, will be signing copies of his new horror thriller 'Hidden Valley: The Awakening' today, October 26, 2013 2:00pm at The Marketplace at Palmdale, Barnes and Noble, 39228 10th Street West, Palmdale, CA 93551.

The RED Carpet Connection Publishing, Publicity, and Talent Agency announces Author Jon Morgan Woodward, Hollywood Screenwriter, Actor, Producer, and Director, will be signing copies of his new horror thriller 'Hidden Valley: The Awakening' October 26, 2013 2:00pm at The Marketplace at Palmdale, Barnes and Noble, 39228 10th Street West, Palmdale, CA 93551.

Perfectly timed in October, North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre's Carrie is sure to get you in the Halloween mood. First attempted on Broadway over 25 years ago, it was initially a flop. It garnered a kind of cult following in the subsequent years among a niche group of musical theater fans, and was recently resurrected Off-Broadway, dusted off and re-worked for today's audiences. It's now a Carrie for the masses, finally making its way from the New York stage into theaters of all sorts around the country.

Any true Broadway Geek knows of the infamous flop that is "Carrie: The Musical". Having only run for 16 previews and 5 actual performances back in 1988, some believed it to be one of the worst shows around while others still proclaimed its merits and longed for its return. So when the show was retooled by authors Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford and Lawrence D. Cohen and an Off-Broadway run was announced for 2012, the news was met with excitement and skepticism. The modest run was enough to remove some of the stigma of the show and made the show ripe for regional productions to put their stamp on it. And this leads us to 2013 as powerhouse company Balagan Theatre mounts their production with none other than Tony Award Winner Alice Ripley in the role of Carrie's Mother, Margaret White. And while the show itself is now about half good, the Balagan Production manages enough stellar moments to make the show into something special but they still have a ways to go to achieve greatness.

The Dallas Opera has announced the opening production of their 2013-2014 “By Love Transformed” Season: Georges Bizet's colorful, sensual and passionate 19th century masterpiece, CARMEN, one of the most beloved and popular works in the entire opera canon.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the full schedule and complete lineup for the upcoming film series, Jean-Luc Godard - The Spirit of the Forms.

This ain't your mother's book release party! Jon Morgan Woodward, Author/Actor/Writer/Producer, and Director John Carl Beuchler have created a mind-blowing party to go along with the release of the book, 'Hidden Valley: The Awakening,' the first of five adapted thriller screenplays from The Hidden Valley Saga Series, published by The Red Carpet Connection Publishing, Publicity, and Talent Agency. The affair will take place at the Hayworth Theater, 2511 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90057, from 7:00-11:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite at http://hiddenvalleybookrelease.eventbrite.com/.

The Public Theater announced the September line-up today for NEW WORK NOW!, the free reading series that allows audiences an opportunity to experience new work by a diverse selection of established and emerging theater artists. NEW WORK NOW! will run September 9 to September 21 in The Public's Martinson Theater (425 Lafayette Street). Now in its twentieth season, NEW WORK NOW! is an important part of The Public Theater's ongoing commitment to developing and mentoring new voices for the American Theater.

Producers Daryl Roth and Eva Price announced today that Sebastian Arcelus, Fred Dalton Thompson (in his Broadway debut), and John Douglas Thompson will star in the new Broadway courtroom drama A Time to Kill, Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes' stage adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel. This new Broadway play holds the distinction of being the first-ever John Grisham property to be adapted for the stage. A Time to Kill is set to open on Broadway on October 20, 2013 at the John Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). Previews begin September 28th. Ethan McSweeny will direct. The remainder of the high-powered ensemble cast of 13 will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.ATimeToKillOnBroadway.com.

Andris Liepa was born in 1962 into a famous artistic family; his father Maris Liepa was one of the Bolshoi's legendary dancers. Andris trained at Moscow Ballet School and then joined the Bolshoi Ballet Company, dancing the leads in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake and many more.

An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin brings the award-winning comedienne and one of the world's most beloved entertainers back to Segerstrom Center for the Arts tonight, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. Tomlin, who is currently one of the stars of ABC's new hit comedy Malibu Country with Reba McEntire, will share her celebrated talent for combining insightful and funny stand-up along with excerpts that feature some of her beloved classic characters. Immediately following her performance, she will open a brief Question & Answer period with the audience.

An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin brings the award-winning comedienne and one of the world's most beloved entertainers back to Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. Tomlin, who is currently one of the stars of ABC's new hit comedy Malibu Country with Reba McEntire, will share her celebrated talent for combining insightful and funny stand-up along with excerpts that feature some of her beloved classic characters. Immediately following her performance, she will open a brief Question & Answer period with the audience.

Yoshi's San Francisco announces updated calendar for club and restaurant through July 7, 2013.

And this Monday, May 20th, John Bantay will do his farewell SPIN as he leaves to continue pursuing his career and becomes a stage manager at the long-running musical, Avenue Q. Speaking to John Bantay, I, of course, was curious as to what his favorite video clips have been over the years. He was reticent to put them in 'Top 10' format because, to him, he considers them all number 1's. So here's his hit list, in no particular order:

Today, May 14, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) releases 16 new single-disc collections in its acclaimed ICON series from some of music's most legendary artists.

Long considered one of America's premier community theater groups, Bergen County Players (BCP) has announced for 2013-14 another ambitious, passionate and playful year of audience-pleasing musicals and innovative plays for its 81st consecutive season. From toe-tapping musicals to hilarious comedies to intense dramas, BCP has garnered a reputation for outstanding quality productions at affordable prices. The new season kicks off with one of the best-loved musicals of a generation, the five-time Tony Award-winning Man of La Mancha (its principal song, 'The Impossible Dream' has become a standard). BCP's 81st season opener will once again feature a live orchestra and will be suitable for all ages.

Spectrum presents an afternoon recital with virtuoso pianist Beth Levin today, May 5th at 3. The program features a world premiere by Andrew Rudin, a New York premiere by David Del Tredici and works by Scott Wheeler, Yehudi Wyner, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Michael Rose.

Beloved actress best known for television's 'Hart to Hart' steps into 'Looped' tour as the legendary stage and screen diva Tallulah Bankhead. Powers co-starred with Bankhead in the 1965 cult thriller 'Die! Die! My Darling!' which serves as inspiration for this Matthew Lombardo comedy.

Spectrum presents an afternoon recital with virtuoso pianist Beth Levin on Sunday, May 5th at 3. The program features a world premiere by Andrew Rudin, a New York premiere by David Del Tredici and works by Scott Wheeler, Yehudi Wyner, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Michael Rose.