Lights Up - 1940 - West End Articles Page 8

As we come to the last week of June, and get serious about our plans for the 4th of July (on a WEDNESDAY this year!), I trust you are planning on attending some of the productions currently playing at any of the several theatre and live performance establishments here in the heart of the California Central Coast!

REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, has found its male and female leads: Jill Paice will play the role of "I" and Ryan Silverman the role of "Maxim de Winter." REBECCA will open on Broadway Sunday, November 18 at The Broadhurst Theatre. Previews will begin Tuesday, October 30.

BrightSide Theatre wraps up their inaugural season with, "My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson and book by Todd Olson. Frank Sinatra is the icon of cool - from classic elegance to contemporary "fedora" hipster. "My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" celebrates the pivotal moments of Sinatra's life which would solidify his legendary status. The show runs from tonight, June 15, 2012 8 p.m. (reception following) at the Theatre at MeileySwallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL 60540 until Sunday, July 1, 2012. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

BrightSide Theatre wraps up their inaugural season with, "My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson and book by Todd Olson. Frank Sinatra is the icon of cool - from classic elegance to contemporary "fedora" hipster. "My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" celebrates the pivotal moments of Sinatra's life which would solidify his legendary status. The show runs from Friday, June 15, 2012 8 p.m. (reception following) at the Theatre at MeileySwallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL 60540 until Sunday, July 1, 2012. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

The musical review was created by David Grapes (the former artistic director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre), with musical arrangements and medleys by Andrew Philip Herron, and traces the careers of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney from early on, as the two made their way to Hollywood and became America's Sweethearts, through their sensational careers both in Hollywood and on Broadway.

Dickson's Gaslight Dinner Theatre kicks off 2012 by bringing Hollywood and Broadway legends Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney to life via the musical revue Babes in Hollywood: The Music of Garland and Rooney, February 14-March 10.

The musical review was created by David Grapes (the former artistic director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre), with musical arrangements and medleys by Andrew Philip Herron, and traces the careers of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney from early on, as the two made their way to Hollywood and became America's Sweethearts, through their sensational careers both in Hollywood and on Broadway.

The phrase 'you've got to see it on the big screen!' is often heard by film audiences, and it's true-some movies were simply meant to be seen large.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the full cast joining star and three-time Tony Award winner Frank Langella as 'Gregor Antonescu' in Terence Rattigan's drama Man and Boy, directed by Maria Aitken.

As the house lights came up on the Garage Theatre Group's production of THE BALD SOPRANO on Sunday afternoon, the delighted audience was still reflecting on what they had just seen.

In the roughly five years between November of 1935 and December of 1940, the team of Rodgers and Hart opened nine new musicals on Broadway.  These included revolutionary shows like On Your Toes, which changed the use of dance in musical theatre, and the underappreciated Pal Joey, which brought new sophistication to the characters and themes that could be featured in a musical.  There were also popular hits like Babes In Arms, The Boys From Syracuse, Jumbo and Too Many Girls that introduced classic American songbook entries like 'My Funny Valentine,' 'The Lady Is A Tramp,' 'Falling In Love With Love,' 'My Romance' and 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was.'

Two-time Emmy winner Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) is back for a second season as co-host of THE ESSENTIALS on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). In his first season, Baldwin displayed a deep knowledge of classic films. Baldwin and TCM host Robert Osborne will return in 2010 with a new slate of 'must see' movies each week.

With two of the successful holiday season performances at Cape Town's Artscape Theatre Centre ending this week, Artscape ventures to the outdoors with its annual summer Shakespeare production at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Artscape wishes all its patrons a prosperous new year.

With two of the successful holiday season performances at Cape Town's Artscape Theatre Centre ending this week, Artscape ventures to the outdoors with its annual summer Shakespeare production at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Artscape wishes all its patrons a prosperous new year.

With two of the successful holiday season performances at Cape Town's Artscape Theatre Centre ending this week, Artscape ventures to the outdoors with its annual summer Shakespeare production at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre. Artscape wishes all its patrons a prosperous new year.

Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 South 6th Avenue, announces its schedule of radio shows from December 2010 though March, 2011. All performances are held at the theatre.

The second half of the mini-Potok festival continues with an engaging and thoughtful dramatization of his classic novel THE CHOSEN, which I can recall reading (for English class) and enjoying myself many years ago. This adaptation, like the recent production of MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, is also written by playwright Aaron Posner, and it fully captures the flavor of the book, staging key scenes compactly, and with considerable economy, even though it relies on the use of a narrator, which the other adaptation eschewed in favor of having its protagonist portray the lead character at various stages. Mustard Seed Theatre's production is nicely conceived and executed, with a solid cast doing fine work under the guidance of director (of both productions) Deanna Jent.

The latest to produce a full production of the rock opera THE WHO'S TOMMY is The Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills, the little store-front black box theater that, over the years, have managed to do quite a lot with its small space. In this fast-paced, tightly-directed new revival, THE WHO'S TOMMY-with sold out performances extended through August 15-hits with the ferocity of a full-on rock concert and features a confident, spirited cast. And, in somewhat of a nice surprise, the show utilizes newer technology unseen (or unaffordable) in many smaller theaters.

The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Avenue, continues to grow as the region's most exciting theatrical venue. The Covedale has been converted from a 1947 movie house to a live theatre, featuring the best in local performers and performances.

Five incredible Latin Jazz legends will heat up the Blue Note stage at the Winter Latin Jazz Festival from January 19 to 31. The festival will start with jazz flutist Dave Valentin and conga legend Candido from Jan. 19 - 20. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and his Latin jazz group will finish up the week from Jan. 21 - 24. Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri will play from Jan. 25 - 27, and percussionist Poncho Sanchez will finish up the festival from Jan. 28 - 31.

Two-time Tony Award-winner Brian Dennehy has thrilled Chicago audiences in unforgettable productions over the past two decades—Desire Under the Elms, Long Day's Journey into Night, The Iceman Cometh and Death of a Salesman; now, his portrayal of contrasting roles in the double-bill of Hughie by Eugene O'Neill and Krapp's Last Tape by Samuel Beckett is 'sheer theatrical dynamite' (Toronto Star).

Five incredible Latin Jazz legends will heat up the Blue Note stage at the Winter Latin Jazz Festival from January 19 to 31. The festival will start with jazz flutist Dave Valentin and conga legend Candido from Jan. 19 - 20. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and his Latin jazz group will finish up the week from Jan. 21 - 24. Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri will play from Jan. 25 - 27, and percussionist Poncho Sanchez will finish up the festival from Jan. 28 - 31.

Two-time Tony Award-winner Brian Dennehy has thrilled Chicago audiences in unforgettable productions over the past two decades—Desire Under the Elms, Long Day's Journey into Night, The Iceman Cometh and Death of a Salesman; now, his portrayal of contrasting roles in the double-bill of Hughie by Eugene O'Neill and Krapp's Last Tape by Samuel Beckett is 'sheer theatrical dynamite' (Toronto Star).

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, By David Grapes and Todd Olson Director/choreographer Glenn Casale. Musical director Chris Schlagel

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, By David Grapes and Todd Olson Director/choreographer Glenn Casale. Musical director Chris Schlagel